Why That December Love?

Everybody seems to be happy; because it is December. So I ponder? What makes December close to their hearts, well, mine too. Is it the sight of bright lit roads decorated with starts and shimmery lights on either sides, a soother to all worn out souls? Or is it the thought of festivities in the air that makes us feel that there is something to look forward to? Or is it the forthcoming Christmas ‘Holidays’? Holidays. Or the thought that December shall bring some moist and chill to the weather unlike the other 11 months where you might be roasted with heat? At least in this part of the world where I live in, that is the case. Or is it just being ‘December’ that makes us all happy?

When my Facebook profile is seemingly thrived with status updates saying December is here, I ponder, here is the month where everybody seems to be falling in peace with. There is no anti-December thought that I carry. I’am just confused to what makes just another month so looked upon. Maybe it is just what I had mentioned above. Maybe it is all of that. Maybe it is the turmoil inside every one of us that seeks for a break from the every day activity, and December brings some of it. The sight of cribs made from love and joy of togetherness, which can be seen in homes, wayside shops and huge mansions are purely the symbol of happiness and glee that this month brings.

So no matter whatever said, December is truly a month that carries some joy in its birth. Red-coated and shiny, December glories continues, in our souls, like a snowfall in a dry parched desert.December, welcome back! 

Happy to be part of this.

That day, everything seemed to fall in place, and I felt at peace. So as they say, beaches and sunset is always the perfect combination for a worn out, dreary soul. I was one. Sitting at the beachside, swimming pool chaise lounge, lest did I realize the worries life holds. No, I’am not exaggerating. My two days spent at Bentota (Sri Lanka) was paradise brought down for me. Maybe the gods wanted me to ‘literally’ take a break! Yea, maybe.

It was pure bliss- When sun bids goodbye to a day’s work, and when the moon takes over the shift. But they din’t seem to be tired. They seemed to be enjoying the switching over’s. They seem to be smiling at each other while passing by. The vast sea in front of me brought me tales from home. I looked at the waves which came across from lands. They brought to me the ‘feeling’, the warmth of my home which was miles away. Music is always man’s best companion when it comes to being with oneself, and music completes his/her longing for beauty. The sea ahead, music tantalizing my ears, tickling me through my veins, the rocks stood there like a strong woman, bearing the harshness of waves. Men and women were walking through the beachside, some holding hands, some alone, and some just looking at the waves.

So man is never alone in his misery. He has companion. And the man he sees right next to him on a crowded daylight busy street goes through a different story of being hit, hurt and sad. Miseries are forever. So are smiles and cheers. Look around to not see just the concrete giants, but also the eternal beauty nature has to offer. Love and peace aren’t difficult to attain. It all comes when you create them. And the only person that can do that for you is ‘you’.

Things never changed after that ‘one day’. At least, I realized that the world ain’t that bad a place to live in. Maybe I’am just another speck, but I have been offered too much to indulge in. For universal beauty never ceases to fail before my eyes. 

Photo Courtesy: some website for Sri Lankan tourism. 

Raining in the wild

The downpour of happiness

Today, I sit beside my windowsill

To see the magic rain brings

Like the outpour of words from a writer

Tears of the heartbroken lover

Respite from the summer woes

It poured

Right into my soul, into me.

Tall buildings stood still

Enjoying the marvels of this morning pour

Those Passive spectators,

They seem to be smiling at each other

Indulging in rain drops

Every single one

Windy secrets lashing between

Hurried people running around

Tress stuck in between

Feeling misfit amongst concrete

They all rejoiced

For raining it is!

Thy creations have always awed me

Words seemed not enough

The swirling winds, cloudy skies

Rain bliss and My eyes

I can never take them away from

All that nature offers me….

And I say to myself

What a perfect way to start!.

History Peeps. Hampi it is!

The small town of Hampi gives one a reality check to the long lost glories and marvels of a nation, looted and used, probably the most, by invaders. Beautifully carved and created, each stone wonders in Hampi has tales to tell, of kings and queens, tenants and peasants, lovers and ‘devdasis’, so many of them!

Hampi is situated in Northern Karnataka, and ‘cos I traveled by road from Bangalore, it took me 7-8 hours (P.S: The roads are killer. Super roadtrip it is!). Ruins of Vijayanagara kingdom, Hampi still stands tall with all the beauties and lovely sights history had to offer. Hindu deities and gods are carved and sculptured everywhere.

Hampi is ruins. The small town has temples, palaces, and buildings used in the 15^th century. The creeks and fowl smells inside these buildings bear testimony to the fact that we had a rich tradition, and our ancestors actually made them, carved them, out of stones. So you stand there breathless, looking at everything Hampi has to give you. Stoned! Literally that is.

They say there are umpteen hidden spots where tourists and locals gather to ‘smoke up’. Well, I was not fortunate enough to witness any of those places. But I did ‘trip’ royally on the intricate patterns and designs each stone was carved out of. You wouldn’t believe. There are hundred stories in each stone. Snakes, insects, spiders and reptiles crawl through the corridors and insides of these ancient wonders. Scare not, worry not, they are there to relish on history too.

Clearly a town that still lives to show the simplicity and majesty in which our ancestors lived, Hampi is truly a place to visit. Being a history ardent fan, Hampi is a place I wouldn’t mind visiting another 10 times. 

Photo Courtesy: Jayesh Mohan

Wildlife Paradise- Masinagudi.

So if you love wildlife, if you love that soothing breeze on your face, if you love greens around you, if you love staying on tree houses, if you love going for random walks inside the forest, then Masinagudi is the place! There is much to see in Masinagudi, the forest destination nearly three hours from Ootty. Located somewhere in the borders of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Masinagudi has much to offer to nature-lovers.

We traveled all the way to Ootty, made a halt there for a day (just to indulge in the serenity and calmness that town had to offer), and moved to Masinagudi. The place is perfect for those who need a break from the highly bust city life. My photographer friends clicked many pictures! And the journey to Masinagudi was bliss. With trees and animals (guiding us to Masin), lest did we think about anything else.

We stayed in a guest house, towards the interiors of the forest. You wouldn’t believe! There are tigers and wild elephants, deers and boars visiting this guest house (nearly a km away as they have fenced it). We were lucky enough to ‘trip’ on a small mountain lake that flowed nearby. The crispy fresh waters were sprinkled on us, and it was sunset. So the beauty of the waters merged so well with the colors of nature.

We moved more into the forest, the next day. The thick dense dark forest reminded me of the concrete jungle where buildings replace trees, and wild animals replace wild men and women (in the haywire for survival). We did our forest trekking in a jeep when we went deeper into the thickness of greens. We made barbeque once the sun went down. It was all soo much of fun!

Masinagudi is haven if you want a 3 day break from the chaos and calumnies of daily life. The pill I would suggest to elate your mood, and find peace! 

Goa, Oh! Goa. I Love You to Bits.

Goa, oh! Goa. How much have I fallen in love with you? The sweet sands on your beaches flattened me. Your perfect weather soothed me. Sight of men and women smoking the holy herb awed me. Inebriated youngsters who were sober awed me (again). Goa! Oh! Goa. How much have I fallen for you?

My carefree, totally not planned trip to Goa was magically awesome. With a bunch of friends who made it extra super, I spent three days of my life (journey) with good food, lovely people, and lots of fun. All I did was go around Goa and visit places. And whichever places we visited were random ones, which we never knew existed. From small restaurants, shacks on the beaches, forts, there is so much to see in Goa. Well, so much to indulge in, actually!

For my photographer friends, Goa was true bliss as they could capture sunset at its best, westernized roads with pubs that remind you of European countries (not that I have visited any! Thanks to Hollywood), free market (which I have loads to share about), and people from across the globe who have come there and blended in sync with all that Goa has to offer.

Free market which we visited at 10 p.m. was an array of lights spread out with colors and beautiful people. There was a bowl of cultures. Indian stalls where reds, blues and pinks reigned. Japanese, Germans, Italians, French, Dutch… so many of them together in the same market, selling goods that they made!

Vagatore where we stayed was a quiet place which bore a few churches and old houses. Mapusa had a huge market where we got the famous Goan Feni, Pork sausages and Pan Beer. Anjuna, where beach is at its best. How can I forget our dinner at the famous ‘Curlies’?! Baga for shopping. And Panaji where we witnessed many historical monuments.

Goa seemed like another planet to me. Ask me why? Well, for all that I know, the place has much to offer. From peace, tranquility (which is confined only to that place alone, I don’t know why!), to lots of independent loners, and fun unlimited everywhere, there is so much in Goa. I would rather call it ‘man-made paradise on earth’.

I don’t remember the name of the hotel we stayed, nor the places we visited. It was all random. And the fun lied when there was randomness everywhere. I don’t remember the people I met there, or the stores we got into. They were all mere randomness. But for all that I know, I wouldn’t miss a chance to hop in to Goa again. This time, alone maybe. With less stress and strain. The more your priorities, the less fun. What say! ? 

 

With Lots of Love from Sri Lanka

The land of handsome men and simple women, haven of colorful tuk-tuks, paddy fields and lots of greens, depth-taking beaches and disciplined traffic, tour de Sri Lanka was bliss. I’am a little too late (actually) in writing about my Sri Lankan trip, but as they say, better late than never. Oh! That wonderful place took my breath away, made me go ga-ga over its scenic beauty, and most of all, gave me a reality check on how people can lead a simple yet happy life.

Sri Lankans are recuperating from all the tragedies LTTE had imbibed on them. Bomb blasts, suicide attacks, gun shots and mass killings were nothing new to Sri Lankans. How can people just randomly kill other people, for nothing?! I ponder, but in vain. Generations have pondered on this question, but it is supposed to remain unanswered (as long as mankind exists).

We visited South Sri Lanka. And I was with my cousins, uncle and aunt, the company I would love to be with till I exist on earth, and cherish to no end. Having boarded at Colombo airport, we got in for our first Sri Lankan road trip, all the way to Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage where we had our lunch, and also saw hundreds of elephants soothing themselves with an afternoon bathing session. I could see, they were having truck loads of fun!

Off we went to our next destination which took us nearly four hours from the airport. Having spent a couple of days at a hill station named Kandy, we set off to Nuwara Eliya. The place famously known as ‘Little England’ showed us the sophisticated English bungalows (built during the British era), polished restaurants and the place was anglicized everywhere. And oh yea! We saw the temple where Sita was held by Ravana. We saw Hanuman’s huge footsteps. We saw the 5000 year old deity of Sita Rama. We saw the pond where Sita used to take her bath. We saw Nuwara Eliya, where history told tales in millions. The place where the world epic Ramayana took steep turns and lovely climaxes. Oh! We saw that blissful, holy place. I’am one of those lucky ones!

We went to visit the next holy place where Lord Buddha reigned. Kandy it was. The monastery faced a serious setback when LTTE bombed the place nearly a decade ago. Again, a monastery that bears testimony to human inconsideration and his uncanny! Buddha’s tooth is kept here. And the holy sight is open to public only once a year, when people from across the globe come here to witness that holy sight. Kandy was beautiful. The people there lovely. We witnessed South Sri Lankan cultural art forms which took us to the ethnic side of this lovely country, and helped us re-visit their past which had hundreds of tales. So it was time to bid good-bye, and say hello to beaches. We set ourselves for a 7 hour journey to Bentota!

The journey took us half a day (at least that is how we felt!).Having stopped occasionally for food and water, we made our way to Bentota. Indruwa Beach resorts, where we stayed, was true bliss. And if you plan for Sri Lanka, make sure you make a stop here. The vast sea (which stretched to ‘god-knows-where’), blissful beachside, strong rocks, and the occasional creaks that we saw in the beachside made our Bentota stay extra remarkable. We visited a couple of places at Bentota which included the turtle hatchery, water sporting arena etc., but nothing to beat a beach stroll at Indruwa, listening to some good music, and witnessing the sunset smile at you when bidding goodbye.

After spending 2 lovely days at Bentota, we started preparing ourselves to say final good-bye to Tour De Sri Lanka. We set off to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka where thousands of people halt with dreams and ambitions, where tall buildings rule, shopping malls smile at you, and huge restaurants and commercial spaces throng in thousands. It was shopping time for us too! We did our bit of purchases. Who says Sri Lanka is cheap!??!

We left the country of the lions with a heavy heart. All good things have to come to an end, doesn’t it? How can I forget our guide Chaminda who took us to all these placesm waited for us patiently when we strolled the roadside at Kandy and Colombo, and still had a smiling face! But when I write about my memoirs having spent a week there, I can also recollect the lovely people who are always willing to help you. So much to learn for Indians! Good-bye Sri Lanka for now. But I promise, if I ever get an opportunity to visit you again, I shall never miss it. Sri Lanka is true bliss.

The Dreamer. Long. Lost.

Living a life with hearty smiles, heavy tears and lots of good people! So if I sound like an elderly person, excuse me, I have just arrived at my mid-twenties- an age where realizations pop-up (out of nowhere) and relationships get bonded (with family and friends, for the good). Maybe I’am not one amongst the ‘lucky ones’ who have earnings in six digits, or an accredited ‘doctor, or ‘engineer’ tag (they say those are the privileged and accepted qualifications). But I’am happy in my own way. Thanks to a group of close ones whom I’am tightly knitted to, and the most understanding mother. I cannot ask for anything better.

I prefer not living the set norms. I dream. I dream a lot. And I’am still confused and baffled at the thought of ‘how I shall churn them into realities’. Ask me about my aspirations. Traveling, people, books, writing, cultures and the way they live it, lots of greens and blues, colors inter-twined by nature and man-kind, food, beautiful attires, rains. I want to see them all. Relish every bit of it, and meet their depths. Live them to my heart’s content.

Holy. My dreams sound very ‘unrealistic’, don’t they? Well, for a 25 year old Malayali girl realizing those dreams are more ‘nightmarish’ than ‘dreams’. Literally. My real love, now, seems to be in all that I mentioned above. Maybe I have been labeled ‘freak’, for all my supposedly freakish thoughts, but yeah! Who doesn’t have them?

Sometimes god wants you to meet certain people, and he/she (I’am not a feminist. But I still don’t believe god is ‘male’!) knows that you shall be happy with them. God puts you into the right hands, and knows what you need. You cling on, automatically. Cos’ that is where you belong to (that sense of feeling). And the funniest part is, how you would’ve never ever thought of being a part of their lives. And how they influence you, and mould you into the person you are now. I owe my dreams and aspirations to umpteen of them out there. Friends whom I have had over the years, lovely set of cousins and relatives, people who have loathed me for the person I’am and much more. My dreams would’ve been so different if not for them.

Life would have been a bed of roses if you could do all what you loved. It would have been so uncomplicated if everyone thought alike. But yeah, getting back to reality, I live in a world where there are a million different thinkers, and they all think and act from pole 1 to pole 100. So why do I expect warmness and applauds to my dreams? Maybe I should just chase them. Maybe I would pass a giggle reading this on my blog, another 3 years from today. But I can show my ‘then people’ that once upon a time I had dreams, and they were these. Let me leave it to time, to tell rest of the tales…. What if I’am really living my dreams then…