May 13, Montreal - By the time we were finished at the Montreal Botanical Gardens it was time for us to drive back to Ottawa. We all had a long day. It was 7 pm. We had a 3 hour drive back to Ottawa.
And Manyu was fast asleep. This was a good thing because it was assumed that I would sleep throughout the journey. So before I tell you what happened on the way back first take a look at these happy faces BEFORE the drive.
Smiling Lalitha before the drive.
Mommy has no idea what will happen about 4 hours in the future
A contented Oni beams at the camera before we set out to Ottawa. Here is how we got back
Barely 5 min out of the botanical gardens - I started to cry. It is his wet pants says mommy. So we turn into a mall parking lot to get me diappers. (mommy had forgotten to pack extra)
7:30 pm - After 30 min. at the mall parking lot I refused to get into car seat. Finally I am cajoled into it and we depart.
8:00 - We cannot find 20 West thanks to excellent road signs and we end up on a bridge over the water. At this crucial moment I start to cry.
8:30 - We are stopped at a deserted parking lot on the bridge soothing me. It is a burp says mommy.
9:00 - Return on the bridge and trying to find the elusive 20 West when I cry again, and we turn onto a deserted road to sooth me. Oni marvels that even though I am so little the rest have to dance to my tune.
9:45 - We finally find 20 West but I immediately cry and we are parked for 40 min. on an even more deserted road. Lalitha declares that this is colic.
10:30 pm - I finally stop crying so we get back on 20 West, when I immediately cry even louder. We take the 3rd exit to find a hotel to spend the night.
11:15 - We stop at a deserted mall where I am given milk and cajoled. A taxi driver says to go straight down to the Holiday Inn nearby. He is very tired and should sleep now says mommy.
11:30 - I am tricked into the car seat and we drive to the Holiday Inn, even as I sleep yet again. Just as we see it to the left mommy and daddy argue whether we should keep on driving or spend the night.
2 am - We drive back home. Daddy and mommy are exhausted. Oni stays up with daddy singing old hindi songs to keep awake. Lalitha is half asleep. I have a very good sleep and dreams full of colorful flowers and a pleasant horse ride.