Travelling Realisations

As a child I had visited Chennai for may be two weddings. And as I grew up, I heard terrifying stories of how bad Chennai weather is. In my head it was synonymous with bad weather, may I say.


So when my sister said we'll cover Chennai - Pondicherry on a certain weekend, I was skeptical initially. But then I gave in thinking, "Let's not be prejudiced." Plus the thought of visiting Pondicherry after Chennai was alluring. To add to this, I felt really nice to sit in a train after long. I like the train lulling me to sleep.... it has that perfect rhythm :-)



So as I got down to the Chennai station, I was amazed by the size of it! Huge with the train lines coming to an end there. To make it more adventurous, we hadn't booked a hotel! So our plan was to go to Eggmore and find a hotel. And in a tucked away corner we found this decent hotel, in a much cheaper price. Only to find out later that it was at a walkable distance from Spencer Plaza :-D So off we went for some shopping in the Plaza and found an Antique stuff selling shop. I was amazed to see fountain pens from 100 years ago, pocket watches, cuckoo clock and what not! Something to mention would definitely be the Chettinad veg curry that we had in the Plaza. Gosh! It was so delectable! I can actually taste it while I write this! We headed to Marina Beach after that. I was tired to walk till the sea was actually in view! It was a really long walk! And for some reason the crowd on the beach didn't let me like the place so much....


Anyways, we headed to Sarvana Bhavan after the beach. I couldn't give it a miss or else I'd have to hang my head in shame! The place stands true to it's name for South Indian dishes. After having a yummy meal, how could we not order 'Filter Coffee'? :-) Oh yes! The waiters of Sarvana Bhavan are worth a mention. I'll say they make use of technology, the right way. They look like spies dressed up in black and white, have BlackBerrys to take an order. When I saw them, I hid my phone which was kept on the table ;-)


I was more excited for the Pondicherry visit the same night. I love that town, a small and simple one, tourists all around.With the stay being decided upon at a friend's place, it couldn't have been better. I went into 'disconnect' mode when in Pondicherry. A state I like to be in when on a vacation or even small trips. It gives me time - with me when alone, and with the people I'm travelling with, when in a group.


I was missing being near a water body since so long. Especially beaches. So Pondicherry was my hope. We rushed to the beach the next morning. As soon as I saw the sea, I felt at peace. It welcomed me, though it was a bit rough that day. I don't know what it is about water bodies that attracts me. I'm not scared, though I don't know how to swim. Anyways, so I couldn't resist feeling the sand, the water, waves lapping on my feet. I don't like to jump in to the sea per se. I just love that feeling of water and sand.


As I stood there looking at the limitless sea, waves playing around me, I realised later how much I was in the moment. That feeling of waves surrounding my feet and leaving made me realise the importance of being in the moment. And I was glad I try to do so every day - live in the moment. As the waves made me feel being in water, they also made me feel that they're taking away bits of me everytime they leave me. No, I wasn't upset about it. I was happy that somebody is taking away bits of me, and will take them to another place may be. I felt at peace being surrounded by those waves.


It struck me how important it is to disconnect with the world which is different from the actual one - the one dominated by nature, the one I find myself at peace. As I end this blog post while welcoming 2012, I really wish to travel like crazy this year, to see more to life, more to nature, to be more at peace :-)


Happy New Year people! Have an awesome one! :-)

What Women Need To Understand

While talking to a couple of guy friends recently, we started discussing relationships-women-their behaviour. And it struck me that women can be unreasonable, especially while in a relationship. I'm not getting into the marriage topic here!

You're in a relationship for not even a year or two, how the hell can you expect a guy to understand you or know how you will react to certain situations? C'mmon women, accept it. We are made of all sorts of emotions. Even we don't know how somethings can tick us off or how-when the same things will be fine with us. If you're irritated and you're guy is sweet enough to ask you what is wrong, you just cannot say, "You're supposed to know"! Wha! Even your mom won't know. I think it's easier if a woman accepts the fact that we are complicated. How much ever simple you are, there will be certain situations when you'll be 'complications personified'! And let's also accept the fact that men do not understand our complications, they only do after a certain period of time. A man deserves that much time and space. 

Or let's make it easier for both the man and the woman. Accept that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. There. Clear. People from two different planets *will* take time to get used to each other, especially when in a relationship. I'd say it's easier for women to understand men, but it's definitely not the other way round. A guy needs time, how much? We don't know. In a marriage it's different. The initial years are again an everyday surprise about the person as such (I find that to be good for some reason). And later on, when you've completed quite a few years together, you do get used to each other and probably find out how the person will react to what.

As women crib about men talking about space, men do about how complicated we can make things. And I do agree on that. These are just facts, which turn into cribs for us. Women need to breathe while men try and figure out what a woman is all about ;) Well, there's no certain answer to that boys. But women should be proud of what they're made of - emotions and rationality. Statutory warning: Now *that* ratio might vary. Okay, it does vary.

On a new voyage!

There is no doubt in my heart that a positive outlook to any and everything - big or small - works wonders. I am reassured every time. I try to keep an optimistic attitude, I feel I achieve it, I don't know if others feel so about me.


So as I was ready to join my new company, I realised that I wasn't nervous at all, like *at all*. I was excited to start afresh, thinking about the change and the new-ness in life. As I entered the new office early morning, there were only three people in. As I looked around the office, it was not very formal, which I liked. There are no cubicles, just desks - like study desks. And I started liking the place instantly. While I was dressed in semi-formals, there just was no dress code as such! 


All through the day, there was music playing. And *all* of them were my favourite tracks! And my favourite part is that there are laughs all around during the day. Gosh! It's like a sign,  a sign that I am at the right place. I like the chilled out ambience, and for a person like me what matters at work (apart from the money) is people and the environment. My colleagues welcomed me with such warmth, that I did not feel it's my first day. It was so usual that I couldn't believe it's my first day as well! I got a name on the first day itself by a colleague since he thought I am a Bengali! 


There's something different about creative spaces. The chilled out atmosphere here is amazing. I am basically liking everything about the new job. And don't be surprised if you find me smiling all through here :) The optimism that I had in my heart while starting this new journey has brought me happiness :)

My Prince - 10

When at night I'm reading a book, which brings a smile to my face (The Art of Travel for sure!), I hope you notice that smile, the happiness in my eyes, and kiss me on my shoulder to acknowledge that you've noticed my reactions while reading a book more often.... 
:)

My Prince - 9

I don't know if my eyes fall under the category of 'expressive eyes', but I do hope that you will understand the language that my kajal-laden eyes sometimes speak... And even if you don't, you'll learn over time, won't you? :)
 

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!