@Kids..

The winter evenings are quite mundane these days. The slightly capricious weather makes it all the more exciting:-) I was on a fiesta - siesta combo at four in the evening, half asleep, and partly contemplating future; the Christmas week with my planned holidays, and our trip to Mammoth Lake the week before Christmas. Excitement galore and an old paper back from Robin Sharma provided the right feel to slip off to sleep. Someone patted not so gently on my back, and broke me off my reverie!

"Dad.. Is it okay if I disturb you for a minute?" It was my son, taking a break from his non-stop fun with that Netflix thing on a lazy Saturday evening.

"Err.. No dear.. It's okay. BTW, do you need to get onto my laptop, and I should log you in?"

"Oh no.. I just have a question.. and I am done in a minute."

Well.. that sounds good. I love kids when they have questions to ask, more and more of them, weird and mundane and thought provoking at times! And was thinking about the last one he posed off reminding me of the NatGeo bee thing. But my Geography, and stepping a bit up, and knowledge on the fauna and flora of hitherto un-visited places is very limited. The questions involving the difference between a turtle and a tortoise or a crocodile and an alligator have always been puzzling to me.

To my relief, it was slightly different this time. “Dad.. BTW, do you remember your childhood, I mean, ages like 3, 4 and up?"

Err again.. Have my memories solid and vivid on my Math teacher in 3rd grade, who was ridiculously rude, and the fourth grade mate who was a bully king. My back hurts the moment I think about his bicycle kicks on my lower back during e very recess. That apart, I struggle to keep anything at the back of my mind:-)

Not really.. Come to the question, quick.

"Dad.. did your Dad used to kiss you? Hugs and all that?"

Well.. errr.. Can't seem to recollect any acts like that, sans the corporate punishments for my freaky childhood deeds..

"Not really.. Or I don't have the faintest memory of him doing that to me. He might have loved me from the bottom (at least half way down:-) of his heart, but no real hugs or kisses."

"But you know what.. I remember the showers that you used to give me every evening when I was back from school; when I was in KG.. and the ones that continue even now when am 9 and odd.. The warm kisses that followed; I kind of liked it every time." I was lost in thoughts again and went back to sleep, with the realization that the little things that get un-noticed get etched into their minds with picture clarity, and are going to stay sweet forever. They are growing up quick, and our sweet hugs and kisses would soon turn into an adult's appreciation on another. They need to be sweet, timely, explicit and blunt; without being held off:-) because they kind of like it, every time!

Childhood at its best!!

Never seen a picture of late that captures the sheer excitement of childhood that these two snaps do.

These are exactly the moments when we cherish childhood, the sheer fun out of a freaky evening in the beach! Sans the occasional parental sermons (which definitely went to deaf years for sure), they were totally unfettered.

Captivated only by the wild waves, the silky smooth sand that offered all they want - fun and frolic, the little pits they pulled in with waters sprouting out a bit, the incredibly swift little crabies that they chased to their holes, the winds that kissed their foreheads showering all of their love and affection, the surfers out high and low, the setting sun off the horizon, the fights with the mighty waves over and over again until they realize that they are too hard to beat.. These broad smiles, look closer, they come right from the bottom of their hearts! Childhood at its best, and so they stay!

Reason enough to offer more of these for them to cherish for a life, the sweet little memories, the sheer fun out of such freaky evenings.. After all they are growing up sooner into an adult's world, where fun has altogether a different meaning and perspective!

 

5 Things that you want to do over and over in Trivandrum!

Been contemplating and trying to collate an exclusive on the list of
things that we would want to do over and over in Trivandrum, without
the slightest unbearable ennui that is:-)

These are my personal picks, and if you have something that comes on
top of your minds, please write back!

@Those who are not familiar with the city, for your next agenda:-)

1. Mutton Omelette @ICH aka Indian Coffee House, Spencer Jn.

A gourmet's delight and a passerby's pleasure, this delectable dish
was an ever green hit (not sure whether we still have the ICH there
and the item figures in their display board; if not, pardon my
ignorance). An evening spent with your close pals, talking through the
day's rigours and fun@work, savoring the overly spicy omelette with
chopped and sauteed mutton filling was an experience in itself.
Washing it down with several cups of extra strong coffee indeed came
next to having a large Mojito on a rainy Friday evening, watching
Casablanca for the umpteenth time:-)
Reason enough to have this on the no 1 spot:-)

2. Parippu Vada@ the small time eatery - rear exit of C-DAC

A few yards from the Althara temple, this small time cafe used to be
an inseparable part of our end of the day agenda. The crispy,
irregularly circular, parippu vadas were so inviting! We were welcome
to pick as many as we wanted from the glass tumblers on the rickety
wooden patio. The owner used to keep tabs on everyone with his uncanny
math:-) Biting through the warm vadas rejuvenated the spirits, and was
usually an excuse to go back to work! Something that I can't miss
during my next vacation.

3. A walk along the Kowdiar stretch

My memories of this beautiful stretch of road from Vellayambalam to
the Palace Jn. have always been majestic. The traffic signal at the
fag end of the road seems to be a spoiler, but then this is part of
the inevitable urban developmental needs. Clearly marked and broad
pedestrian walk ways were real walkers' paradise. Several fruit
vendors beside the petrol station on the left sold fresh guava, orange
and other seasonal fruits.

4. Shankumukham Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, barring the
concrete walk ways that we see now. Being simple yet revealing the
charming beauty and innocence keeps a beach etched in your minds. And
truly, this one scores straight onto your heart any day. Watching the
sunset, holding hands with your loved ones.. or eating your favorite
Masala Dosa from the ICH overlooking the beach, watching the
catamarans way out into the ocean, the waves hitting hard on the shore
with an insatiable revenge, the snacks on the wheels, the kites aiming
high up in the sky, the adorable families out to enjoy a lazy week
end. You tend to get lost here, and wish the evenings would never end!

5. The Double Decker Rides from East Fort to Sasthamangalam!

Reminiscing my first double decker journery in the city 17years ago,
this one is a must do in my short list. This unusually pleasant public
transport, with several 'hard to find vacant seats' in the otherwise
crowded city buses was a breather for a casual traveller. Grabbing a
seat by the window on the upper deck, you could explore the streets
and window shop in your favourite outlets in the long stretch from
East Fort to Sasthamangalam. Or close your eyes and contemplate
future, a little bit of introspection or simply enjoy a siesta or
engage in an animated conversation with your fellow traveller!

Do we still have these double deckers on the road?

Best regards