Country Roads to Coonoor

Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains
Shenandoah River -
Life is old there
Older than the trees
Younger than the mountains
Growin' like a breeze

Country Roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home, country roads

Well, this is the song ringing in my head, as I've been missing my small vacation in Coonoor. The break I was craving for, just time to do what I want. Do nothing. Though I planned my itinerary, I told my cousin that I might chuck all the plans of going sight-seeing and just relax at the hotel. He can go wherever he wants to! To begin with, I knew this trip was destined (yes it was!). And hence I was destined to just sit back and relax as well, while having meaningful conversations. 

As I landed in Ooty, it was evening and dark already. On my way to Coonoor, I could not see anything of what Coonoor looks like, I had to wait till the next morning to have a look at the place. But the night was so peaceful that I was reminded of my best friend's words, when he had visited Coonoor -  "This is life. I can hear myself breathing." I couldn't agree more on those words. There was a light rain and I could hear the pitter-patter of that light rain, and it just lulled me to sleep. Which is what I enjoy, literally. When I woke up the next morning I realised I hadn't slept like that in ages. Deep, peaceful sleep. I couldn't resist going to the balcony and voila! The view was beautiful! Greenery around with a drizzle! Ah! Simple things like breathing in fresh air gave me joy there. And I was all set to go sight-seeing in Coonoor.

After the sight-seeing I was scheduled to meet my friend's uncle. And what a gala time I had there! He was sweet enough to offer me to stay with the family, and I couldn't say no. The company, the house, the view - it was a lucrative offer. And by the time we finished our conversations, it was way past midnight. So the next task was only to check-out from the hotel. It was life as I always wanted. Getting into conversations right from the time we wake-up which continue on lunch tables, away from it while gazing into the hills... The best picture that my mind could capture was the changing view. The clouds kept passing by, making it zero visibility beyond the fence, and the next moment it would be clear with the Nilgiris in sight. And I just kept gasping!

My friend's uncle was no less than a story teller. The conversations involved of his experiences, and went on till early morning everyday. These are one of those moments when you realise that conversations are knowledgeable indeed. Where you get to hear so much, ask questions, keep things in your mind, laugh over it.... Day in and day out, we just talked. One day was dedicated to watching documentaries, followed by discussions and more discussions! That was just awesome!

The house! Gosh! A beauty in itself! It was a dream house, to say the least. To wake up in that home everyday was no less than bliss. It's that perfect home where you would wake up and just head out to take in the morning air and most of all, to feel the untouched surroundings.

The garden of the house

Hope you're able to spot the Nilgiris behind the trees :) Wouldn't you want a cup of tea, a book and a few drinks in the evening here? Serene! 

The garden

The garden

The garden

And it left me craving. Craving for more of the life I led there for 3 days. For simple and obvious reasons. It also made me realise how we have fiddled so much with nature. Every place I visited in Coonoor looked untouched. The monsoons just added to my love for the place.

The leisure trip assures that I go back to Coonoor soon - for the lovely family I stayed with, for the place, for the conversations, for the life! I'm grateful to my friend's family for providing me with luxury during my stay :) 

Life is old there, Older than the trees...

Younger than the mountains, Growin' like a breeze...

Yes, country roads took me home... To the place I belonged...

Cloud Play at Dolphin's Nose

Tea Gardens!

A Chai Tapri! (tea shop)

Tea Gardens

Road to somewhere (Way to Lambs Rock)

The Nilgiris as seen from Lambs Rock

The Nilgiris as seen from Lambs Rock

A Blanket of Clouds (Lambs Rock)

A Part of Coonoor Town as seen from Lambs Rock

Action Louder Than Words

You defy the facts
That you had kept intact,
It's funny how things change 
And do not stay in one range,
Those rushes were probably just that
But the connection remains from heart,
You're in denial of your current phase
But the truth is it does not fail to chase,
You think you can lie and escape
As you don't want to put me in a sad state,
Your eyes speak louder than words
In them I could see a pinch of hurt,
I'm more than glad that there is no strife
I am happy as you're here to stay for life!

My Prince - 8

I would love to run my fingers through your hair, when you rest on my lap.... Us being engrossed in hearty and happy conversations.... Discussing everything that interests us, late into the night, with a cup of coffee/tea giving us company! :)

I Owe It To Him!

‎"I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong."


I think I shall remember this quote for the rest of my life. It makes, at least me, realise that it stands true to its each word. Just that it hits you hard when it does ;)


I've always thought on the same lines though. Whenever I've been low, I've been in the moment surely - sad. That stands true for any moment. Happy or sad. And I'm an extremist in terms of temper and sadness. I'm hardly angry or sad. But when I am, its extreme! Lately, I've started analyzing why something pulls me down. It kinda helps me with reasoning it. But not everything  has a reason always. And that irritates me sometimes. And like any other human being (I think), I question Him. I scold Him, take out my anger at Him, look for answers from Him. I remind Him of how I've fallen and got up, time and again. He probably just patiently listens. And it strikes me, that there is someone who's listening. But is not giving answers or is not trying to pacify me, assure me of good times ahead.


Which is why I turn to my best buds at such a time. Looking for answers. But somehow it always happens that I'm left craving for that talk. All I ever need at that point of time is a bear hug, coupled with venting-out talks. I am a person who bottles up things inside. And I'm scared of the day these doors will open and things won't stop. 


I've been exxxxxtremely low only twice in my life. Before the third one recently. And the worst part was that I couldn't put my finger on why it was hurting so much, this time. I spoke to a couple of friends, but it just did not help. I came back to square one. And then I came across this quote that I've mentioned at the beginning of the post. And everything just mellowed down. Everything fell into place. Everything made sense. 


And my faith grew stronger in, "Whatever happens, happens for a reason and for good." I'm not sorry for living in the moment. At least, it reassures the fact that I'm made of emotions. It's for people around me to realise that I do live in the moment. Whether happy or sad. 


Being strong, for me, does not mean that I cannot get low ever. In fact, according to me I have the liberty of doing that since I've always been strong. It makes me more genuine and less fake. It's just that, once in a while, I get tired of the tests He puts. But then, I hope I fare well in it. I am just happy that he wants me to be strong and not a person who can practically crib, cry and whine ALL the time! 


Thank You God for making me what I am today. I owe it to you, big time! ;) :)

An Angelic Stranger...

I take the Airport bus everyday, to and fro. Over two years of time, I have developed a strange friendship with the conductors and the drivers. A friendship where none of us know each other's name, and greet each other with only smiles, acknowledging that we know each other.

So last night I was waiting for my bus around 9, all alone under a tree. The bus was late and it added to my frustration of being an object to look at, for the passers by (also one of those times when I have thoughts of buying a bike by the way). The bus came and was filled till the driver's cabin. As soon as I got into the bus, the driver gestured me to come closer to the cabin and said something which I got to hear in pieces, as I was rushing to get space! Now this driver has never ever acknowledged my presence or never has smiled at me. I assumed he asked me to stand after a certain point (as the bus stop) as another driver had asked me to do so.

At the end of the ride as I stood to get down at my stop, the driver called me and asked me what I did I get from what he said at the beginning of the ride. I told him my assumption and he nodded his head in disbelief! He said, "I asked you to come closer to the cabin as there were men standing near the door. And I don't want you to wait for the bus at any other spot than the one where you were standing. It is a very safe spot with lights around and the police commissioner's office right there. Stand there everyday. Nowhere else."

And I was touched by his concern. A concern that a complete stranger showed with a fatherly authority. The look of concern on his face, in his tone, in his talk touched my heart. How could it not? And my faith in humanity grew stronger. My faith in people like these, who make the world a better place to live in. It is complete strangers like these, who assure me that there are angels that I meet everyday :)

Holding On To Memories!

I watched the play The Blue Mug today for the second time. And I'm so glad that I did. Though it's a simple play, it definitely put my thinking cells to work.


Especially a part where this middle aged man (played by Ranvir Shorey) loses his memory. He does not remember anything after the age of 21 years. So his vivid memories only include his younger days. He does not recognise himself in the present day when he looks at himself. He does not recognise his own brother and needless to say, it scares him. And it scared me, rather made me think.


In all of my 23 years of this life, I've probably had the best and worst of days to remember in each year, every month, every day. I have no idea what kind of a person I would be today if not for those days, those experiences. I'm not saying that I'm a great person or anything like that. In my eyes, I like who I am and am thankful for those days that have made me so today. As it is, I'm pretty bad in terms of memory [check with my sister on this one ;) ], but there are some that are etched.


The play made me think of how my life would be if one day I lost all of this that I hold on to, memories! I'm holding on to memories of my father. I cannot imagine how I would fare if not for those memories. I've had and am having the time of my life with my sister, friends, those parties, those days where I've loafed around, working at a fun place, meeting new people and letting some people go as well. Those memories with a certain group of friends. Yeah those which start a riot of laugh just by mentioning one word! Memories of my mistakes, memories which bring a frown and a smile on my face! Memories of today!


Sometimes, all we probably need are memories. If I think of it, I can see myself recalling some great happy, fun memories when I grow old. So that it brings back to me what I've held on to all my life. Memories, whether happy or sad.

My Prince - 7

Too much about me, let's talk about you! I just want to let you know, that I will be happy when you want to spend time with your friends over beer, that game or anything you like! That I am one of those who believes in complete freedom and will have faith in you. I just hope you will let me have my girlfriend-time. Also, I would love it, if you'd want to have drinks with me over romantic dinner, anytime we like :)