Over the past few weeks, I had been suggesting to my husband that we take a little break, as he seemed exhausted from work. I knew he needed fresh air to recharge. I was also feeling overwhelmed with the slow progress of my book. One evening, while on a call with Arjun Mausa, he showed me the lake view from his apartment. The splendid fall foliage scattered over the river was breathtaking. He mentioned that 1000 Islands, a well-known tourist area, was near where he lived. The sight made me yearn even more to visit him. That evening, I casually suggested to my husband, “How about we drive to Kingston, where he lives?” He overheard me but paid little attention, quickly returning to his work. I didn’t think much of it until the next day—Thursday, October 17th—when my husband came home early and said, “Let’s leave in half an hour and reach Syracuse by night. The next day, after working from the hotel in the morning, we can cross the border.”

It had been a long time since we had done something so spontaneous. We threw a few basics into a bag, and in thirty minutes, we were on the road. The thrill of such an impromptu trip felt like an adventure unfolding with every mile. Along the way, I couldn’t resist calling Mausa to surprise him with our plan. His voice on the other end was filled with excitement, and he welcomed us with such joy that it made the journey feel even more rewarding.                            

It was the day after a full moon, and driving through upstate New York with no traffic felt as if we were chasing the moon. We took a break midway to charge the car and grabbed dinner at a Japanese restaurant before reaching Syracuse. After a peaceful night in Syracuse, we set off for Kingston the next morning. Along the way, we stopped at Hill Island to take in the stunning 360-degree view of the 1000 Islands. The vibrant fall foliage and scattered islands across the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario were breathtaking. Many of these islands, I believe, are privately owned, with wealthy individuals building vacation homes on their secluded paradises. The serene and picturesque scene was the perfect start to the rest of our journey.

We arrived at our next stay, Whitney Manor, by 4 p.m. The manor is a beautiful historic gem, originally built by James McKenzie, a Scottish commanding officer in the British Army. He had purchased 350 acres of land, where the manor now stands, for just 50 cents an acre. This 8,000-plus square foot farmhouse, constructed in 1817 with limestone, is an architectural marvel. Large rooms, cathedral ceilings, and fireplaces in each room gave it a regal charm, while the huge windows allowed plenty of natural light to flood in. One of the more unique features was a fishpond in the roof, adding to the manor’s grandeur.

As fascinating as the property was, its history carried a touch of sadness. Despite its luxurious trappings, McKenzie was unable to convince his wife to stay. She only lived at the manor for a month before returning to her city home in London. Heartbroken by her departure, McKenzie stayed behind but passed away shortly after. For travelers now, however, the quiet ambiance tucked in the woods is perfect for unwinding from a busy life. We were fortunate to have the main floor to ourselves, complete with a kitchen, family room, and two bedrooms. While we hadn’t come prepared to fully utilize all the space, it still felt like we had stepped into a piece of history. The quiet ambiance was perfect for relaxing, and we thoroughly enjoyed some peaceful reading time during our stay. That evening, we dined at a cozy Irish pub, savoring the local flavors before retiring for the night.

The next day, we set off to explore Kingston, a historic city located at the mouth of the Cataraqui and St. Lawrence Rivers in southeastern Ontario. Often called the “Limestone City” and Canada’s museum capital, Kingston offered a perfect blend of history, culture, and charm. It was the first capital of Canada, and Queen Elizabeth herself visited the city three times. Whitney Manor is one of the oldest buildings here, adding to its charm and historical value.

We strolled through the quaint downtown area and savored pizza at a popular local spot. The farmer’s market near City Hall is a popular attraction on the weekends, so we picked up some local maple syrup and unique pottery pieces from a local artist as mementos of our trip. But as much as we enjoyed the city, we were eager for the highlight of our journey—meeting Arjun Mausa and Padmini Mausi.

When we arrived at Mausa’s apartment, he eagerly met us in the lobby and walked us to his suite. He was tall, in contrast to Mausi’s petite frame. Both were full of warmth and genuine affection. We spent the time catching up while sipping hot tea, especially for my husband, as it was his first time hearing their stories. They gleefully shared tales about their family, showing us pictures of their children and grandchildren with a sense of pride and joy. Mausa reminisced about the parties he used to host in his big house but now enjoyed living in a well-facilitated apartment for active seniors. It was inspiring to know that, even at 90, he swims and walks five miles every day. Both of them also attend exercise classes, and Mausa spends the rest of his time engaging in intellectual discussions with other professors in the building.

As we chatted, I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful collection of paintings adorning the walls. To my delight, Mausa surprised me by presenting one of his prized possessions—an exquisite hand-painted pattachitra from Odisha. The miniature-scale paintings on the large canvas depict the entire Shrimad Bhagavatam. As he handed it to me lovingly, he said, “I hope you have room to hang this and remember me fondly.” His gesture touched me deeply—it was such a sweet and thoughtful gift, a keepsake that I will forever treasure, not just for its beauty but for the affection and meaning behind it.

That evening, we dined together at an Indian restaurant, Nawaz, savoring the food and meaningful conversations. When we dropped them back, our hearts were brimming with love and gratitude. Mausa’s words, “Be the love and love all,” echoed in my mind as we said our goodbyes. He insisted we visit again, telling us that we had stolen their hearts. In truth, they had stolen ours with their kindness, wisdom, and inspiring stories. In an era of texts and video calls, there’s an undeniable magic in human connection, in shared smiles and laughter that stay with us long after the visit ends. In a world where so much connection feels fleeting, moments like these remind us of the depth and richness that true companionship can offer.

As we drove away, I reflected on how our visit was more than just a meeting. Information transforms into knowledge, and experiencing that knowledge evolves into wisdom. His life’s wisdom elevated our discussions into profound lessons that transcended words, leaving lasting impressions to guide us for years to come. His warm hug and heartfelt blessings still lingered, enveloping us with a sense of inspiration and gratitude.

The short and sweet trip left us feeling deeply connected and thankful for the time we shared, a spontaneous adventure that was truly unforgettable. And yes, my vacations are synonymous with reading. So stay tuned for the book review. 

19th October, ‘24