To travel or not...

If you were to fill a room with people, a random group of people and ask them the question "Do you enjoy travelling or not?", am sure you would get mixed responses.. Well, that is humans for you.. Each one has different thoughts, interests and methods of dealing with their life... 

When I asked a bunch of people this question, here is what some of them shared

"I love travelling, exploring new places, just visiting the popular sights in that place and coming back with stories.."

"I enjoy getting away, sick and tired of city life"

"I travel on work, and when am away, it is mostly airport hotel office and back. I pretty much live out of my suitcase"

"It is the only opportunity I get being physical and doing stuff, other than staring at the computer. So I plan a weekend trek and test my fitness levels"

"I enjoy running, and so I take my car, drive out to the nearest beach or mountain and run for a few hours... It gives me such a high"

"I dont really enjoy travelling. The thought of packing - my stuff, the kids, etc, is tiring... So holidays arent really holidays for me.."

"My holidays have all been planned by the husband and activities lined up are what he enjoys.. So, I just go along, pretend to enjoy.. Given a choice, I would just go to a quiet place, and unwind"

"My kind of holiday is staying at a resort, lazy lavish breakfast, swim in the pool and chill" 

"I love the hills and would ideally getaway and just cut off from the world"

"I don't travel, my idea of fun is to go to the mall, do some shopping or a movie"

"Travel - Goa, Pondy, Bangkok... these are the places I love... go, grab a few beers, some beach fun and find a hot chick.... *wink wink"

Well, what is your answer to the question? 

As for me, I love to travel - it is all about discovering new places, meeting people, learning about cultures, testing my limits with activities and spending time with myself above it all..  

I don't have a bucket list, but just hope to visit all the states in our country and few outside.. So far all the trips I have been on have been amazing, fun, adventurous and challenging...  

Most of my trips have been solo, and I honestly have no qualms about travelling on my own.. If you were to travel with a friend/partner/family/someone else, it becomes dicey..  You need to have similar tastes, mind set or one person hold the reigns and other tags along.. That said, I have done a few group trips, 2/3 times they were good, and I came back alive... :D 

The most recent one was with women I did not know- connected with one through a Facebook travel group, and the ball rolled on from there.. Met the others at Delhi, and we survived each others' company, had a good time and everyone went back with good happy memories.. 

Infact, one incident I remember from years ago was when my parents were desperately trying to get me married off.. There was this guy who came home with his parents, aunt- uncle and after a while,we were sent off to get to know each other..  After a few mins I realised this guy has lived his entire life in 5km radius in Hyderabad [ pre partition era], and hadnt gone out of that zone at all.. he was puzzled with what I did, he did not understand why I liked going out.. At the end of the day, things did not work out [doh] and it dawned on me there was a whole world of people who were content not stepping out of their comfort zone... 

Another incident was not so long ago, it was with a guy who was also from Hyd, had travelled once to Mumbai on work [ airport, office and back] and wanted to do a weekend away.. He had zeroed in on Hampi. When I asked why, all he had to say was "Friends have been there and said it is a nice place".. I quizzed him on his interests, if he was into history, heritage, and he had no idea about it, but was keen on going there.. We reached Hampi, did an hour around Vittala temple, and he was like "is this what the rest of the town is gonna be like? How boring...! He did grunt and moan when I said lets go to Virupaksha temple, but the minute we reached there, he halted in his steps and said "you go ahead, Its a temple, am not coming inside" Am like "Wtf dude...I have been to Hampi before, but then went ahead spent time wandering around...." The trip was cut shot and i literally couldnt wait to get on the bus and bid his horrible company good bye... Sigh! 

Well, I get that many dont like to travel or dont get why others do... it is perfectly fine if you don't enjoy travelling or haven't travelled much, just don't diss others who do things differently...  Do not tell others "whats the point, or why are you wasting money...." What people do with their time/money is their personal choice... 

Why do you travel or what do you do for fun?

Interesting Encounters on the train -1

Train journeys are so much fun, especially if like me you travel alone.  You can sit reading a book or plug in your headphones and tune out the world. Another awesome thing about train journey is the opportunity to observe the world around you, the people who are waiting on the platform, the hawkers, the passengers, and the railway staff..

Many a times I tend to reach ahead of time, and will sit/stand near the train watching people around me. Some have a calm energy while others are nervous and fidgety, some prance about while others worry where their seat will be, and then there are those who are on the phone giving running commentary as they walk towards their compartment, down to the crowd related details and what they drank or bought. It is quite amusing, and entertaining. 

Decided to do a series on this.. Here is the 1st one from a recent trip.... 

This time, I was on a passenger train, an overnight one at that. Since it was a last minute booking, I got the absolute Last Side Upper seat, and well the train was full, so I had no choice. I was used to upper berth, just dint like the last one cos it is right next to the loo and the door, which people tend to keep slamming every few seconds. Sigh..

I settled into my seat, and dug into my box of salad that I had picked up earlier that day. I looked around and noticed a family of four make their way in-2 small kids, and 2 big suitcases. They settled in and no sooner did the TT come bearing news that they had been upgraded to A2. Poor guy had to lug the bags down 4 compartments while his wife sat with the kids and then they all left. Soon after came another family, a large one of about 9 members [ yes, i counted] included 3 kids- 2 girls and a boy.  I figured one guy was the kids' uncle, cos they were close to him and kept asking "mama for the phone"... One girl was whining to her mom that she had tamil exam the next day and dint want to go to school. 

The boy kept running up and down, bare foot that kinda got me telling him to wear his footwear as the train was dirty. They were all from Tirunelveli, and kids were going bonkers over the mobile phone that the uncle was holding out. There was another Malayali family in next compartment who got close to this lot and during dinner time they all shared food. [no I did not eves drop, they were loud enough to be heard and seen]

Around 9pm, at the station a girl hopped into the train with her father and took the seat next to mine. She was going to her college [Ayurveda college] at a town near the final destination. She asked me where I was from, where I was headed and how come I was alone [sans family]. 

This girl and the older girl from the other family started chit chatting with me.. They were both amazed that I was travelling alone and that too for a holiday where I was gonna be alone. 

Girl1: [from the earlier family] asked - unga daddy irukkara neenga pora edathula ? [was my dad waiting for me at the destination]

Me: no no, nobody is there

Girl 1: Then you have friends who are there?

Me - No, it is just me

Girl 2 [the other one travelling alone to college]- From Chennai you are going all the way to a place to be alone.. ? 

Me - yes. I do this regularly and enjoy it

Girl 2- Your daddy lets you go alone far away?

Me - Yes.. I don't need his permission anymore.. 

Girl 1's mom - You really travel alone?

Me - Yes i do :)

Girls and the mom - wow, first time naanga ippadi oru ponnu paakkarom [ first time we are seeing a girl like this].. they then share this ingo with their spouse/family who then smile at me and say "enna kannu, yen ma thaniya pora.. [why child, why are you going alone?]

Me - Pudichirukku [Cos i like it]

Girl1- *continuing with puzzled look * So, who is there where you are going?

Me- Nobody I know.. I go spend time on my own and come back to chennai..

The entire lot smiled and just shut up.. guess they were lost and dint know what to make of it.. 

# I realised they were unable to wrap their head around this concept of a girl travelling alone to do a holiday alone and was happy about it.. 

Ever had any such instances? 

Teej Festival in Jaipur

It is nearly monsoon up north and that is what brought on this post. 

It was Aug 2013 and I was doing some reading about the places to visit in Jaipur when I stumbled upon a bit of information. It actually had me all excited and within minutes I shared the same with the friend who was travelling with me. The day we were landing in Jaipur was when Teej festival began. This is a festival that was celebrated across two days and was known to be grand and vibrant. The internet told me there would be music, procession, dancing, and the Goddess Parvathi would be brought in a palanquin. 

The Teej festival happens as the monsoon begins in Rajasthan.  Dedicated to Goddess Parvati, this festival is all about reuniting her with her husband Lord Shiva. An elaborate process began near the palace grounds inside one of the lanes along the Hawa Mahal area. We were told it begins at 5 and to find a place to sit/stand to view the procession. Friend and I spent about an hour inside the campus where all were getting ready. There was one elephant standing there all decked up, with lions and deer painted around its eyes and legs. It looked very cute. And out of nowhere another herd of elephants marched in, much to my dismay. The mahoots got busy throwing a sheet and then few other adornments over these gentle giants. Alongside came a few camels and horses as well. In another corner I noticed there were a group of women dressed in finery in black colour, and a few men with music instruments in their hands. 

 After spending some time watching, clicking and talking to the people around here, we finally made our way to the main road in search of a vantage point to view the procession in. We saw a few sitting on top, and asked the cop how to get there. He deliberated for a few minutes and then guided us up the steps. There were a row of chairs filled with Foreign tourists an their guides. We grabbed two seats and got comfortable waiting for the festivities to begin. Every now and then there would be a sudden bout of drizzles. 

Within an hour, we spotted the Elephants coming out from the gates. They looked grand and beautiful. Following them came the dancers, there were few other performers, groups of men carrying a tall pole with a decorative piece atop balanced on one hand. Then finally came the palanquin holding the Goddess Parvathy. It had a beautiful red canopy and was pulled by a few men dressed in finery. Some looked up at us and posed for photographs, while others went along... 

During this festival, married women all around pray to Lord Shiva and Parvathi blessing them for a long life together.  It is said that the Goddess Parvathi has been away from her husband for a long time and is finally going back. Any wish/prayer made on this day is known to come true! 

The sweet stories along the lanes were filled with their traditional sweet Ghevar [made with oil & flour where the batter is poured through a hole in bottle cap and then sugar syrup is poured over it]. Clothe stores were showing off the beautiful lahariya sarees [ multi coloured with wave prints] and women all around were dressed in bright colours with bangles and mehndi on their hands.  

The evening ended only after the palanquin turned around the corner down the road. 

My connection to Madras aka Chennai

Though I was born in this beautiful city called Madras [yes that is what it was called back in the days], I grew up in Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli before coming back to the city. Dad was with a bank and so we moved around a lot. As mentioned I was born here, so the 1st few months were spent here [though all I know are from what people around me have said] and then I was whisked off to Coimbatore. I was the 1st and only granddaughter on both mom and dad's side and so was quite the spoilt child. 

They would come visit us in Coimbatore, or we would go around to Shankagiri or come to Madras. I dont remember much from the early years of my life. What I do remember are the holidays spent in Madras. While we were in madurai, for every school break we would land up in Madras the very next morning. If school shut today, then the evening or night train would see us leave the town and I would return the morning of school reopening. That is how I remember spending most of the school holidays. This continued even after we moved to Tirunelveli. 

These are the most cherished memories, the days that I miss, the days when I fell in love with the city, the days when I first learnt about the city. 

We would land in Madras the morning, my uncle would be waiting for us at the station, the train used to pull into Egmore Station and cars could come right inside the platform. I would be super excited to see him, and once home I was pampered and spoilt till the day we left. I distinctly remember the front room in my grandparents house [which was my room till a few months ago]. There used to be a bed and a TV there [and a few cupboards, but who cares about them]. My uncle who used to frequent Trichy would bring back a few Coke cans [the imported kind] and they were Rs18 [yes I remember this very clearly]. There would be movies, Tv shows all on VCR tapes waiting for me to attack. I grew up watching A-Team and Different Strokes. I have no idea where my uncles chanced upon these shows but I love them to bits for having done what they did. 

Another memory I have of Madras is a not so pleasant one. When my parents moved to Thazhaiyuthu in Tirunelveli, there was time for school and I guess mom was just setting up the house. I was about 5 or 6yrs old. Three months to school I was packed off to Madras to be with my maternal grandparents. I dint enjoy the stay and just wanted to go back to my parents. I guess it was the whole "have you abandoned me" insecurity in a child that had me feeling so. 

Apart from home, I would spend a lot of time at a cousin's place. He was a year younger than me, but technically by relation my uncle [mom's cousin bro]. Mom, Me, Aunt and E would go to the beach, go out for ice cream and wander about during my holiday stay. I have spent quite a few nights at E's place, and those were such amazing days. 

Once when we had gone to the Marina beach, we kids must have been around 6 or 7yrs old, our moms' warned us not to jump in the water as they had not brought change of clothes. But did we care? we jumped right into the ocean and the return journey home was spent wrapped up in some bedsheets that were in the car. Back then, we used to do plenty of dinner picnics on the Marina beach. Cook food at home, pack them up and the entire family would then drive out, spend time in the beach and have dinner under the stars. 

As we grew up E & I have done crazy things quite a few times. Infact our families still tease us for all that we did. Once, we were out with a driver [yes, we have them in our family], and we ended up at this place called Sweet Memories on Mowbray's road. We decided to have pizza, and we had only Rs100. I have no idea how or why, but the bill came up to Rs112. There were no cell phones back then, and so we sent the driver home to bring the balance cash. :-) 

It was my uncle's who introduced me to English music [ABBA, Beatles, AC/DC, Billy joel, and just about everyone else] and who got me into the habit of reading. I did not have any stuffed toys or dolls, I only had books for company and I loved em. During a visit, my uncle from USA had come [i hadnt met him too many times and so he was nearly a stranger] and he took me book shopping and they got me hooked on Enid Blyton and The Mystery of 5 find-outers. 

Another time, we were just returning from Tirupati, and decided to have dinner outside. Snowfield was a favorite with the family. E & I would get an "Inspiration" or "Fascination"- the ice cream that came in tall tumblers filled with ice creams, jelly, nuts and what not. It would take us forever but we would devour the desserts. An uncle used to order ice cream soda- ice cream floating in a glass of Gold Spot or Campa cola. :-) We were not familiar with aerated drinks or junk food then, it would be breakfast lunch and dinner- one of the meals outside, and it was only with family. Unlike today, where family eat-outs are far and few. 

When the day came for us to return to Madurai/Tirunelveli, once again uncle would come to send us off. I remember pressing my face against the train window waving my hands "bye". 

We moved back here for good in 1990, and since then I have learnt so much about this city that everyday it amazes me. There is so much happening- so much to see and do that time is never enough~!! [So much so that I began a series on my blog called Celebrating Chennai.. should resume]

I do love my city

I hate it when people bitch/crib about it 

I will defend it 

I do agree the heat can get to you, but heck look beyond the heat~!! 

Happy birthday Madras [ Yes, I prefer calling you Madras over Chennai]

Relishing the challenge- (mis)Adventure

There I was, in 6th Standard when our class teacher announced we were going to do something different the next day. It was Saturday, we normally had school -full day. We wondered what it could be, but had no clues what was in store for us.

The next morning, as always we got to school, the only difference being all of us were in colour dress [no uniforms, a Saturday norm]. By 10 am, our teacher announced we were all to assemble outside the main gate. Curious, anxious and nervous,we all stood in a line waiting for some instruction or guidance. Within a few minutes, there she was, asking us to follow her down the road. And then she announced that we were going on a small trek. Now, this was a small locality Thazhayuthu in the town of Tirunelveli. We had not gone on any treks leave alone heard of the word.  

Those of us who had a cycle rode on, and others walked along with the teachers. We must have walked for nearly a kilometer when the teacher brought us to a halt and pointed to a row of hills ahead. "That is where we are headed" she announced. 

*Gulp* I had no clues what was awaiting us up ahead but had a bad feeling at the pit of my stomach. I can walk, but have never climbed anything that did not have steps on it. And I was on the big built side, so thoughts of me slipping sliding or falling down kept crashing into my head. My friends reassured me and what do you know, I actually made it to the top without any mishaps. And what a view we had of the town below. Too bad we did not have cameras back then. The teacher had one and this is a picture from her camera. 

I was the cautious one, who stood back while others went ahead wandering around exploring the hill top. And in an hour we were all set to descent. This is when I met my fate. A bunch of spotted a smooth rock and thought it would be easier to slide down and reach the bottom faster. In spite of our teacher's warning, we went ahead and began to descent down that path. I don't know how much time passed, but I woke up on the ground with the teachers looking down at me with a worried look on their face. I spotted the hill on my left but had no memory of how I made it down here. Apparently, I had slipped and came tumbling down all the way. I could barely stand, leave along walk; I was woozy and could feel blood trickling down my face.

Our vice principal came over in an ambulance and I was hauled away to the nearby hospital. Had quite a few cuts, bruises and gashes. But luckily, no broken bones or major damages. I was in and out of consciousness for a day or so and then was sent home to recuperate.I recall mom & dad telling me how I nearly visited death and was brought back to life. Even today, they talk about the incident with fear in their eyes. Took me about 10 days and I was limping back to school.

I recall the day I returned to school, our Principal was just entering and she saw me coming down the road. She enquired about my health and told me "this is a lesson for you, now you are ready to face your next challenge"

Now, this is one aspect of my life where I did end up Relishing the Challenge. I have since then been on quite a few treks, I do get scared, I freeze at times, but I have managed to complete the course... 

Salty Saturday... Battle for survival

During the Mylapore Food walk, we were walking along a narrow street, more like those alleys you see in English Cop shows and movies. It was quite narrow, and there were bikes and cycles parked along one side of the road. The other side had vendors, most of who were gypsies, selling necklaces, earrings, bracelets made from beads of all possible colours. There was one woman bang opposite the Maami's Mess and there was a little girl beside her. They spoke in a funny language, which I assume is a tribal language. 

Couple of us were standing around the stall, oggling at their wares, talking about how beautiful they were. We also tried striking a conversation with the lady, who mentioned the beads were sourced from Delhi & Agra and she sold the necklaces for Rs50-60 while few were bit higher. She mentioned how during the Mylapore festival, all the vendors are forced to move their display into these narrow lanes . Sometimes, we don't have any place and have to pack up, which means we go hungry for a few days. The little girl beside her was cute, and had a shy smile. When we pulled out our camera, the man in the next stall nudged her ahead asking her to smile for the camera. 

I wondered how hard her life was. She was all of 7yrs old, and all she did was help her mom make these pieces and guard the stall when her mother went out or walked to the streets to sell some of these pieces. The woman asked if we wanted to buy anything, a few did. She was persistent, talking about how pure the stones and beads were, how she hand made them and  that they were made with care and attention to detail. if she wasnt persistent, she would not be able to sell a thing. This was all she held onto to earn a living and care for her family. She also had a small boy sleeping behind her. 

It is amazing the different kinds of people you meet right at your backyard!! Am submitting this for Salty Saturday theme from Chennai Bloggers Club!! 

Next time you are in Mylapore, near the temple, do watch out for these women and buy something from them please!! :-) 

Love in the middle of nowhere

I was in Ooty few years ago on an assignment. I had landed a day early, and decided to wander around, explore a bit before i got into work mode. As i walked downhill towards Charring Cross, i spotted this abandoned sculpture sitting on the side wall..

"Love is eternal & needs no fancy place or comfortable surroundings" they seem to say...  Have a wonderful day!

May you find love in everything you do and see.

dos horas- Sheer Bliss

If you had two extra hours in a day, how would you spend it? 

And that is what Indiblogger asks us to share through this new contest called  Surf Excel Matic #GetSmart Contest 

“Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't
own it, but you can use it. You can't keep
it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it

you can never get it back.”~  Harvey MacKay

  

With my head resting on the window pane, i let my wind wander as the Dave Mathews Band belted out Rapunzel.. The cool breeze managed to sneak in through the gap in the windows, running a shiver up my neck while my hands searched for the elusive shawl..  I was lost with my thoughts, reflecting on life, wondering if it would have been any different had i realised what i wanted to do early on in life.. I brushed aside those thoughts and decided not to worry about the past, knowing that the Tomorrow was what i need to look forward to..
 

The lady in the seat next to mine was tossing and turning, i could feel her every movement with the little squeaks from the rexin seats, but the momentary disturbance was over and my thoughts engulfed me once more.  I checked the time one last time and noticed the clock glowing 3.15am. Smiling at the prospect of what awaited me, i was off into the wonderful world where there was none but me, and there were no advices, nor where there any chaos. I was in heaven, enjoying this blissful moment with myself. Before i knew it, i heard the bus brake to a halt and all the passengers bustling about within the bus looking for their bags and trying to come awake and alight the bus.

I hopped off the bus with a smile on my face before heading off in search of an auto-rickshaw to take me to the guest house.  Those dos horas [2 hours] from 3.15 to 6.15 was the 2 hours i shall savor the rest of my life.

Every now and then i wonder if ever i will get 2 such hours where i can be with myself and my thoughts...

[Skywatch Friday] Sail along

Sit and stare

for hours together

watching 

those cute white fluffly bundles

sail along

the clear blue skies....

For more beautiful skies, go  to SkywatchFriday

[Wordless Wednesday] 3

Day 14... What kind of a traveller are you?

I have been travelling and been wanting to travel only in the recent past, the bug has bit me... The urge to up and go is quite high, come weekend or holidays...  I had recently written about Travelling means to me ... 

Now, i wanna write about what kinda traveller i think i am....

The lighthouse in mahabalipuram

• I enjoy going to places that arent too crowded
• I look fwd to exploring a new town, that not many know of
• I do read up a bit before the journey, but dont go overboard and grab whatever info i can 
• With every trip, i have started travelling light, but no matter how much i throw out, it seems too much .. :D 
• I come back from the trip, and cant stop sharing stories,interesting experiences with people i meet/know
• And yes, when am not travelling, am constantly reading Travel blogs, or about exotic places...
• I love travelling alone - can wander about lost in thoughts, or sit in a shack/cafe with a book and be content.... 
• I have no qualms about eating/watching movies alone - yes, the 1st time it was awkward,but since then its cool... Cos, when am on a holiday, and if there are friends in that town, i cant really expect them to be free when i am.. :)
• Am not a big shopper, i will buy a few things- souvenirs, local art, etc- for a select bunch of people 
• Love trying out local cuisine/drinks..

The Pamban bridge... with the railway track on it... was quite a beauty

Today,while surfing across a few sites, i came upon a Travel quiz, and here is what it said for me... Interesting.. and so true!! eerie!! :)

Your Travel Personality Is:  The Adventurer

For you, travel is how you learn about the world. And you like to learn the stuff that's not in guidebooks. You truly have wanderlust. When you're not traveling, you're dreaming about where you'll go next. And your travels are truly legendary - they leave you with stories you'll be telling for the rest of your life!

What's Your Travel Personality?

Day 6 - To travel is

To spend time with oneself...

To learn more about ME

To wander the land i've not set foot in

To explore more of places that i've visited before

To learn about the rich heritage

To take some history lessons

To gain insight to how others live

To shop for interesting trinkets and knick knacks

To go away from the hustle bustle of routine life

To leap and fly away...

To taste the local culture, and life

To live like a nomad

To try something new

To not plan and go with the flow

To bring back fond memories and keep adding to them

To share the wealth of information collected

To bond with friends and family

To create new connections

To savour the journey

To simply travel................................

Day 4 Celebrations and memory

As i wrote the post on Coimbatore 2days ago, i remembered another incident that flashes before me every now and then... It was my uncle R's wedding [gramma's brother, last one in the string of 4, and he was about 2yrs older than my mom].. He is one of those with whom you can have a conversation on any topic, and be comfortable enough to debate/discuss... Someone chilled out, who we were/are all very fond of... Sigh!!

We were living in Madurai am guessing and had gone to Coimbatore for the wedding few days ahead of time!! And one evening,we had gone to Richie Rich for ice cream [ again , dont ask how i remember, but it is one of those things that is registered deep in my mind].. As we were getting out i slipped on the steps, fell and sprained my legs to a point where i could not walk... Yep!! i couldn't walk at all .. Was home, and literally bed ridden for couple of days.... Recall all coming to the room i was in to give me food,help me with other stuff... 

Thankfully was alright by the time wedding date arrived and then over the years, this incident keeps popping in my head at the most random moments... 

Today, as i was heading home from the movie, i saw a man with a prosthetic arm and though of uncle R, when a lone tear trickled down my cheek.. He passed away couple of years back, sudden heart attack..totally unexpected ................Why did i think of him? well, he had a factory accident few months after marriage, and lost his right arm,shoulder down...But went about life without showing pain or expecting people to go the extra mile cos he was forced to use his left hand for everything!! Amazing person, spunky and lively.....!! Sigh............ life.............

Churches temples and people... Goa Part 3

Part 1 and Part 2 .. here's what else i was upto~!! :)

Goa's symbol.. emblem!!

After a long day going about North Goa, i got back to the hotel, freshen up, go for a walk to Candolim beach and chill out the rest of the day... It sure was good to wander about on my own.. Kinda rejuvenating~!! and sort of a "I could get used to this" feel...

 

 My orange bus made an entry and it was full.. i had to go all the way to the last row... with nearly 10  pairs of eyes piercing into me, it sure was an experience..!! At the nextstop, 3elderly men hopped in... during travels, what fascinates me the most is people and how initially they are on guard, but slowly warm up and start talking once they realise you are no threat nor are you an alien... these guys did just that!! as the day wore on, we started chit chatting to a point where one of them gave into temptation, borrowed my camera and was oggling at all the pics..

A conversation we had towards end of the day.

Him: He then went on to ask "how can i get a copy of these pics ,madam?"

Me: Sir, i could email them to you

Him: Oh, but we dont know all that... our office has one.. wait, let me call

Madam, you speak to the person, and ask for the email address

Me: *I did that.... *

Him: Err.. would there be any cost involved in sending the pics? i'll pay you for it

Me - had a *totally surprised and "wow, such innocent ppl do exist"* moment. 

No no, no worries.. it will take few mins amidst my work time.. no cost

Him: Thank you so much

 

 Anyways... back to my trip... 2nd day tour was South Goa with an interesting Guide- Digambar [looked very hippyish, and said he was portugese, spending half the year in Portugal and remaining in Goa] ... Started with Miramar beach- quite a nice one... neat, clean, and long stretch of sand....

 

 From there, we moved on to check out the 2 famous churches in Goa , there is one on either side of the road - Basilica of Bom Jesus and St Catherine's Cathedral ...  beautiful, amazing architecture and huge are words that come to my mind as i recollect them.....

1st was Basilica of Bom Jesus- a church without a cross on top.. Apparently in its place was a Hindu temple which the portugese demolished to erect the church on.. And the cross they installed kept falling off due to natural calamities, till finally they realised something bigger was in power there and so the church stands tall without a Cross... The interiors are overwhelming, huge ceilings, beautiful art work.. its absolutely breathtaking...

---

The Preserved body of St Francis....

The St Catherine's Cathedral across the road is long and supposed to be among the largest Cathedral's in the world.. Quite a walk from the gate to the church and inside as well ..

one can get lost in its beauty and calmness... as we walk out, there are rows of vendors waiting to treat you with cold water, drinks, fruits and hawkers selling bags, postcards and other knick knacks!!

From churches, we moved to Temples... South Goa has quite a few... but we saw only 2 popular ones... Mangueshi Temple and then Shantadurga temple...

The Mangueshi Temple is dedicated to Lord Mangueshi, an incarnation of Shiva. He is a kuldevta of many Hindus in Goa including the Saraswat Brahmins. He is also referred to as Saib (The Lord of Goa) by Hindus.. Had to walk in the blazing sun for quite a bit, and then a few steps to reach the temple... This is where i gave in to tempation and got myself a Goa tattoo.. ;-) ...

It was time to stop for lunch, and the eatery was close to Shantadurga temple.. Some had lunch and then visited the temple, while others did the opposite..

 The Shantadurga temple has an impressive idol of Goddess Shree Durga who mediated between Shree Vishnu and Shree Shiva and stopped the fiercefull war going on between the two. She is flanked by Vishnu and Shiva on both the sides.

One common thing in these temples is the style of architecture.. if you see one, you've seen them all!! notice the pillar?

Sitting and waiting for our driver ...

Ok.. time to go catch some zzz now.. more in a while.....

English? not Hindi?

As i hopped on the train from Madgaon,Goa to Chennai [err, the Travelogue will follow, patience!! ], a french couple[FM -french man & FW-French woman-duh!!] also got into our compartment along with couple of others.. A family, assuming Kannadigas[cos they spoke Kannada..Bah] moved to sit in the next booth as their child wanted a window seat... Another man[IM- Indian Man-Pah!!] , was sitting across from me and we exchanged a few words on this train... The train had people travelling to Pune and to Chennai [ a couple who were waiting with me on the platform were convinced i was waiting for the wrong train... showed em dint we... :)]..

We realised the train halts at Londa where the trains are seperated and all that.. While talking, i realised he was from Goa, travelling to a part of Karnataka on work... [all this conversation happened in English.. you'll want to know for later part of the post...]

The light house at Fort Aguada

Few hours into the journey, the FW looked at me and IM[ refer above , it is not instant messaging, follow the post alright!!!] - Can i ask you both a question?

I: Sure thing..

FW: Observed that when you and IM were talking, you spoke in English [with a crazy puzzled look on her face]

I: Right...

FW: How come? Why dint you speak to him in Hindi?

I: Simply cos English is a common language [duh, like does it take a rocket scientist to figure that out!!]

FW: But Why not in Hindi? [aka, Cmon, dont mess around with me, am confused, put me out of my misery wont you look]

I : Well, i dont know where he is from, and so English is the obvious choice of language, and he knew it, so we spoke in that...

FW: Why not Hindi? [am trying to understand,but beats me!]

I : Its not necessary for all to know Hindi, infact English is much more common than hindi here...

FW: [oh, no what are you saying look].. But

But

But Lonely planet says Hindi is the ONLY language spoken in India... and you are saying English is.... strange!!

I :[Patiently].. you see, in India we have quite a few languages, and only recently was Hindi made the National language.. but its not necessary all should know hindi, ergo, English is used..

Every nook and corner you will find a different language or a different dialect of the local state's language..

FW: Oh, so you are saying Hindi is not spoken across the country by all?

I : right... we each speak the language of our state, and sometimes people are familiar with other languages as well.. and since hindi is widespread, we learn that ... there are people who dont know any language but their regional language...

Anjuna beach....

FW: Arent you all taught Hindi in schools/colleges?

I: Nope.. hindi is a language.. just like english is, and it is upto us to choose the language..

FW: Oh, alright.. That is interesting.. no wonder each one speaks a different language.. In Goa, we dint hear much of hindi as our cabbie spoke fluent English..

I: See..once again English comes to the rescue... :)

FW: that is true, if he dint know that, we were screwed!!

[Smiled and went back to playing the strange game of cards they were playing!!]

Photo tag

Dont recall who it was, all i remember is that a blogger friend tagged me....

Rules of this tag... :

1. Open your first photo folder.
2. Scroll to the 10th photo.
3. Post the photo on your blog and tell the story behind it and
4. Tag people to do the same...[optional]

This is a photo clicked in Coorg, outside our cottage.. A jr, my friend-Apar's son brought this flower for her .. and we then decided to take some shots using the flower.... A trip that brings back wonderful memories, beautiful times spent with friends, and the amazing weather through the journey!!!

Am not really gonna tag anybody.. Whoever is interested, can take it up and put it up!!!