The Sweet Escape

Call me queer, but I have never enjoyed Diwali celebrations too much. The mass-merrymaking leaves me disconcerted. As a kid crackers and sweets were something I looked forward to, but nowadays its just the holidays. Its only Diwali or Deepavali as we call it, I love most other festivals! I haven't been able to pinpoint why though. Naturally I was ecstatic when I got a chance to escape far from the madding crowd this year.

My friend S's family lives in Kannur (north Kerala). I wasn't an alien to the place as my mother did part of her schooling here. I have heard stories repeated from time to time about Cannanore (as it was then called) beaches, temples, and so on. Nothing can prepare you for how beautiful Kerala really is. Define green and it would be apt for ANY place in Kerala. Having visited many of the famous spots in Kerala in the past, I can safely claim now that Kerala never disappoints with its ever present enticing aura. However, this trip was different. I got to stay with my friend's family and had the time of my life !! Where S and his family stay is a place that would only figure in most of our dreams. A huge house right in the midst of lush green trees and farms. A breath-taking garden with plants, trees, shrubs, blooming flowers and a swing too. The first morning when I woke up and looked out of the window, I really wished I could capture that misty view and keep it tucked away in my memory forever. I got to visit the most famous temples in Kannur and was pleasantly surprised to note how well-maintained they were. I made sure I visited my mom's Alma-matter as well - her school. How can one not go to a beach when in Kerala ?? Payambalam beach was beautiful at twilight and CLEAN !! I just can't help emphasizing on the cleanliness aspect, especially since I hail from Chennai where really.. Cleanliness is miles away from Godliness. Apart from these, I wish I could explain but there were some places so divinely picturesque I wanted to get lost in them :-) Paradise!

The icing on the cake..or rather the toast of any trip for me has always been and will always be the company. S's neighbours were a bundle of unadulterated energy - 2 little girls aged 4/5 and a bunch of teenage boys. They only spoke Malayalam and I proudly claimed initially that I could understand a little. To put it bluntly, I had no clue whether they were abusing me or praising me :-) A chatterbox like me used only 3 words throughout my interaction with the boys - 'Ariyale, Puriyale, Theriyale' ( Don't understand ). They were amused beyond words; I must have seemed like an extra-terrestrial to them! With due credit to them, for my convenience they usually used a smattering of English words to convey the message. Not just that, they would involve me in everything they did. Despite the fact that I couldn't reply, it never stopped them from talking to me, pulling my leg, observing everything about me and expressing it all every now and then. Totally cute. One boy even imitated the way a monkey looked to convey that there was one on a tree above :-) But alas! I couldn't reply although my mind was working overtime to try and talk to them. With this one-way communication channel established, we played board games all the time -- Sudoku, Carrom, Dominoes, Monopoly, Chinese Checkers, Ludo, Cricket etc. Smart huh? To give you a faint idea, I was a mute spectator most of the times; I enjoyed it though. I love kids, feel right at home with them - the uncanny mental connection :-D

At least the teenagers understood that I didn't know Malayalam and usually S or someone would translate and such. But with the 2 little girls , it was a different ball-game altogether !! They were sho shweeet. One kid imitated her mom, dad and even the way she had her bath! They were simply content that there was this 'chechi' (elder sister) who would play with them. They sat on either side of me and spoke nineteen to the dozen animatedly. I'd have given anything in the world just to understand what they were talking about. Even my blank expressions and lack of response didn't deter them. One kid would complain about the other to me. They would give me standing instructions sternly and play with each other. They would run around, eventually come back and relay a new tale. My response was always the same - Smile, pat them etc ;-) I'm glad I wasn't video-taped !!! Phew.

How can I forget S's family! Meeting his family was just like meeting a whole lot of S's at once. Everyone is just as soft-spoken, ever-smiling and so hospitable. I could go on and on, about the food, the fun and most importantly the priceless memories I will always keep with me :-)

On a lighter note, we all totally enjoyed pulling S's leg along about prospective 'brides' for him who had such bewitching names! Everytime he got tensed about these marriage talks, he would .. eat an orange!!! I AM serious.

I'm saving the best bit for the last - I didn't get to hear crackers bursting this time as Diwali isn't celebrated with much fervour in Kerala !!!!! Unparalleled relief :-) I don't really want to stop gushing about my fabulous trip, but I'm fast running out of appropriate words.. my poor vocabulary. Tragedy! :-(

I am skeptical about posting photos of my friends and myself, so do take a look my favourite one. I could stare at this ALL DAY.

* Credits to the photograph goes to S's talented sister - M :-)