This Fourth of July weekend, we decided to drive down Highway 1 to San Simeon and then onwards to Morro Bay to soak in the California sunshine. As an added benefit, we sneaked in one of those guided tours to William Randolf Hearst’s lavish country home – the Hearst Castle. As impressive as it was, the pools in these humble quarters beat the pants down of any swimming pool that I have seen in my entire life.

Out in the scorching sun, the tour guide allowed us to relax for a few minutes by the side of the outdoor Roman pool. Going by the rules, we weren’t allowed to even dip a finger into those sacred waters. Unfortunately, this poolside relaxation is what Ms. Pandey is used to back home on a scorching day like this. So while we sat down to gaze at the opulence before us, Ms. Pandey thought that it was time for chhap, chhap (dip, dip).

“Mama, sandals, utayo (remove)”.
“Anika, sit and relax. This is not our pool.”
“Mama, sandals, utayo! Chhap chhap! Pools! Pools!”

A shouting, screaming, and twisting Anika had to be moved from the poolside and taken towards another distraction.