Hampi Caravan :-)

Thanks to J and J, six of us had the unique experience of visiting Hampi one weekend courtesy Bangalore Walks, Karnataka Tourism Department and the inimitable Radio City (which played a huge part in promoting the entire affair by giving free passes to this event).

We set of early in the morning to reach the ‘pick-up’ venue - the one and only Vidhaana Soudha. We along with the rest of the pass-winners constituted a caravan of nearly twenty vehicles excluding the police escort (yes, we did have one. On boy....had a taste of what it takes to be ‘rich’ and famous). And with the arrival of Sunaina (an RJ with Radio City) and a short gig by the Bangalore Walks band, we set off in full josh.

Good food, good route-map and good company. Sigh.....life mein aur kya chaahiye?

Enroute Hampi, we visited the Chitradurga fort where history was created by a ‘mere’ woman. More to it here.......

And at last, we reached Hampi in late evening. As an exclusive treat for us, the entire temple of Hampi was lit with small lights and the entire effect was such that it was lit with lamps. It was a visual treat......and there are not enough words to describe it. Perhaps a (shaky) pic would do justice......

Hampi occupied a prime location during the reign of the Vijayanagar era. And with the descent of the empire, the city was looted not only the Mughals but by the very people who called themselves the ‘allies’ of the State. This act just goes on to prove that human nature had sown its evil trenches long back. And what lay before us was just a ghost of the former city – broken stones lying here and there, painfully excavated and constructed by the ASI.

A city of glorious past, a city which created history, a city now in ruins – that’s Hampi for you.

Woes of footwear(ing)

My footwear wore off.

So, whatz the big deal?

I am smart, intelligent, talented [:D]; but when my sandals wear off I strongly feel that the balance has been set right in the sense I have been blessed with a pair of uniquely-sized feet, which requires a tour of nearly ten (plus) shops to be clad ‘properly’......and ‘fashionably’.

It was only while shopping for footwear that I realized utility and fashion rarely go hand-in hand – those which were fashionable looked like they would fall apart the next day….and the less said the better about those attention grabbing sturdy-looking ones.

So……early this morning, my footwear wore off.

And I was left seriously contemplating a monstrosity of high-heels which I had splurged for in my vacuum-in-the-brain-days…just because it proved to be a very good accessory for sarees….and for usage of relative short periods, back-ache and ankle-twists unaccounted for.

If you are not that good-looking, intelligent and have a pea-sized brain, the best way to attract not any persons’ (a.k.a halpless victim’s) attention is by wearing high-heels. So there I was clippety-cloppetting in my heels all the way to the bus-stop, to my office, to my cube, to the canteen and ….back again.

With all these drawbacks, I was left contemplating the advantages of high heels: apart from adding a couple of inches to your height, it can serve as a good weapon :)!

Fond memories - III

Foooooooooooooodddddddddd !! How can I end this series without mentioning anything about food?

Summer means....... time for mangoeeeeessssssss! I had a gala time plucking mangoes and jackfruits - involved quite some monkey tricks :). While my aunt prepared pickles, I had to be ordered out because I could not keep my hands off the succulent mango pieces – the rate at which they were being devoured exceeded the rate at which they were being cut. Tee hee........:) :).

................................. Lone Mango

Every other dish was made from jackfruit so much that I guess I started stinking of jackfruit. See......no (fruity) deo needed :) !

...................................Lone Jackfruit

The best thing about Mangalooru is that one can find fruit-laden trees growing anywhere and everywhere, even beside the highway, and not necessarily as a private property. Had the same been found in Bangalore, I was able to visualize only two outcomes – either the fruits would be missing (read as picked/stolen) or the trees would have been cleared thanks to some new upcoming road project. So much for modernization! Huh!

It’s been a week since I have been back – back to the ‘IT hub’ of the country, back to the pollution, back to the traffic jams, back to work. But I miss Mangalooru so much that it’s like one big ache. All I am now left with is fond memories.........

Fond memories - II

Mangalooru, a coastal city, and its surrounding areas are known for beaches. All the places from Kaup (pronounced as Kapu) to Malpe are dotted with beaches. So, how can a trip to Mangalooru be complete without a visit to a beach? I happened to visit a lesser known one at Padubidri which luckily happened to be in the backyard :).

................................................Which colour do you want?

And this one was teeming with crabs of all sizes literally dancing their way to the surf like trained ballerinas. Just managed to ‘shoot’ this fellow while he was scuttling back into his hole. Reminded me of a temperamental star avoiding the shutterbugs.

........................................................ Camouflaged?

There’s something about beaches that soothes the wandering mind... and heart. The setting sun, golden sand and the chaotic surf somehow makes things just fall into perspective. And to think that I spent umpteen hours mindlessly ruminating about them…..:)!

.......................................................... Lukka-chuppi

Maybe it’s just the semblance of solitude that it offers....or maybe it’s some clear-headed logic which I perceive.

Fond memories - I

Initially, I had thought that I would write a monologue about my Mangalooru (does the name rhyme with something else? :)...) trip. But then, I got bored with the very idea. So, here I am, touching about some of the highlights of my jhatpat trip starting from the most recent.

And this particular incident brings a smile to my face whenever I recall it.

It was the last day of my stay in Mangalooru. As I was packing for my return journey, my neighbour’s four year old grandson, Adi, sauntered in. I do not know the exact reason but we bonded from the beginning. Perhaps the fact that I helped him paint a bright yellow rose on the wall of his room helped. He is a cheerful fellow, very bright and intelligent for his age. But that day, he had a very petulant look on his face.

I greeted him with a cheery “Hi Adi” and a big hug.

He wriggled out of my hug and asked me in a very serious tone, “Are you getting married?”

I was flabbergasted to hear this question from one so young. True, there were quite some discussions about this subject but I never imagined that this would be made 'public'. I did not know whom to take to task – him, for eavesdropping, or his elders for such a blatant discussion. Well…..it might not be his fault after all.

He was still waiting for my answer with huge sad eyes.

I answered carefully, “Ya….maybe. Why?”

“If you marry, you will go and live with someone right? You will never come here, right?” were his list of doubts.

Oho….so that was what was bothering this little tyke. Stifling a laugh, I tried to pacify him, “Ummm……illa maraaya. It’s not like that. Whatever happens, I will come and visit you. Sari naa?”

He cheered up considerably but persisted, “Can’t you wait for some time till I grow up? Then you can marry me and become my beesssssssssttttt friend.”

On hearing this, I exploded into a belly-laugh, the likes of which I had not experienced for quite some time, until tears streamed down my eyes. Here's my man...if only he were slightly older ... :) !

Kudos to the innocent, uncomplicated and unconditional love of children.