Thank you, Nepe for your kind words to me and my better half. It sure is always a pleasure to host friends for fun, food and some politics. After few days of scare of rain, the weather also took a dramatic turn around and contributed much to the fun. I was ecstatic over the fact that everyone seemed to love the food. Nepe ko ghazal recital was no less powerful -- even the ones who always might have believed they loathed shayaris seemed mesmerized with his powerful presentation. Dances...oh, well! I could not have done without indulging in my eternal love of jhyaure dancing. The above "taandav" was actually a Bharatiya Nattyam synchronized with Nepe's shayeris...lol...just kidding! I believe the song playing at the time was "Beli ra Chameli". As for the people, no, not all of them were poltically charged, let alone be leftists. Of the 45 or so at my backyard that day, most were my friends from NY area, many of whom came just to have fun. However, I had taken the opportunity to invite quite a few of my friends from my "political" circle (mostly the like-minded pro-democracy-walaas) so that I could at least have them talk more to each other. I thought further discussions on some politcal aspects in a fun environment might help generate new ideas on how to proceed with a common agenda. Of course, being so far away from home, whatever we decide to do would be limited to a great extent. This should not, I believe, however, discourage us from trying to do whatever we can do. Everyone, EVERYWHERE can contribute to the cause of democracy in Nepal in their respected ways in these times of repression. There were a couple of monarchists in the crowd too. My original intention of involving our opponents in the discussions so that BOTH camps can learn something from eachother, or, at least, hear the other side, seemed to have been successful. So much for politics. The day was great. The food was finished. Some danced their guts out, while others talked their hearts out about politics. Many got introduced to new friends. All in all, Ihope everyone had a great time. BBQ Chicken and Pork (besides the chhoila, alu ko achar and chap pat murahi):