tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-182287692024-03-13T18:15:46.791+05:30ScramblesRandom thoughts, Musings and a multitude of thrills life has to offer !!!Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-87300444959473766752020-07-02T18:38:00.001+05:302020-07-03T00:27:28.750+05:30The game called life<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I was in standard IX, when I first met her as a bride to one of my most favorite uncle, mom’s younger brother. Uncle had moved in with my parents to Chennai from Kerala, after my parents got married, and he has been an integral part of my life all along. Even today. </span></div>
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Cilvy was her name, petite, short, active and a pocket sized wonder. She only wore organdy and kotta sarees that was vogue and stylish, those days. I have seen her carrying herself in sarees with ease, they were well pleated, and also remember until she had her own children, she would never pick up any child, after she draped herself in a saree for it would crumple them. She wore foundation, used cosmetics and a curled lock of hair hung on both sides of her face. When a dads side cousin told me that your aunt puts on lot of makeup, the ninth grade me was secretly happy, as I had someone in my family who used make up. Yes. Seriously. </div>
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They lived very close to my parents place, and especially after my two little cousins who were naughty brats came along our bonds got stronger. My maternal uncle had a significant role in shaping my personality with his amazing positivity, his ability to talk about any topic under the sun, riveting story telling techniques and they have all influenced me quite a bit. My aunt was very supportive in all his endeavors. </div>
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I am yet to see a woman like her who can spin like a top, don multiple hats and do hundred stuff at the same time. She could work her magic with her signature dishes and cook for the entire town, if need be. She was loud surprisingly for a small person and spoke dime a dozen. Always with a smile on her face, she was at the helm of everything that was happening at my uncles house and she was pretty stellar at what she was managing. With my uncle into a lot of social activities, after his work time, like being a president of an association at Chennai, active member at church and his community, Cilvy aunty could work her magic, held down the fort during my uncles absence from domestic activities.</div>
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While in first year of my graduation, I was to wear a saree for some occasion. Since I didn’t own any then, my parents were planning to buy me and I remember Uncle and Aunty coming home and surprising me with an Organza saree, just like the ones Cilvy aunty wears. It was a light shade of brown pastel colour with a maroon border. It must have been her choice definitely and I was on cloud nine with all those compliments that was coming my way, when I wore it the first time. She wished me many hundreds of sarees in my lifetime, when she gifted me my first and made me feel special. </div>
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I now stare at the picture my cousin Joe, their son, sent me over Whatsapp. Its my aunts’ picture along with the announcement of her demise. We lost her to cancer. She is smiling subtly in the picture, so unlike her open laughter and grief engulfs all of us in the family. They had moved to Kerala to our tharavad in Chalakudi just before the lockdown commenced. None of us could pay our last rites to her or be with my Uncles’ family during this profound period of sorrow. </div>
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The bright saree she is seen in the picture used for the announcement, is my gift to her sometime back. Neenu, Joe's wife tells me that she looked her best in it and that was one of her favorites. </div>
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Life certainly plays deep games. Doesn’t it?</div>
</span>Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-54095554593133896452020-06-01T21:44:00.004+05:302020-06-05T11:52:01.627+05:30Srivilliputhur <div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">It was a wedding that took us, girls to Srivilliputhur. By the way this is a different set of girls, unlike the 4 babes. We were a gang of 6 who went together to attend a fellow dancers’ wedding. Oh yes. I am sure you must be knowing by now, though I have two left feet, I have been into some serious Zumba for the last couple years at office. Must have been an uncanny coincidence that a girls trip was to a temple where the prime deity is Andaal, a powerful goddess. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veSIi0n32d4/XtUl1KL0UnI/AAAAAAAAGHY/aThR7kyPl8U7S6MNPt8C3aSKtOrKr7myQCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1OcqyP-oaQRgN4zg6tL0sv61uT_llTfc31uuBABwoutVgMRjUyzYiPwi-9Ed0ls5PzKKbDmuWrLogrrdrhOiyZZBPJcw6NR30Bi2WdEQbBzYLWVmBKRtzT9Kxldyuv2uy85ZxH-5yDInN7thRrsGWpjJW9wL643UjSoRVrM_vnVg0E2drKoJZq2BMuUMwEMZhNyttypRPunfcAIeQqILSAeRRYiXg8BH62AiwV6vrWgRCtssiSVyNFy_UrhQiq7LBDi4nRPFrapXey16ckEGwk2XFYTfQeP4Q2NmHa6dMJmoQEw4tVOypg__zwHc6RDM3eHjrceT3dtGw6p-HErR8-m17PuLbOCVrvtg3VIHfp33UFGkSHDWgNr_jwme04G7rg5pffROTvNypHGq7hepoIlz9g3gPC8lGEwt1z17o89Fdy9xhiSNYwI6J8mjpScN9QnhecmL0LunD1JdvREguxoyAdwCQwUuSEYm04mWJ7TkPrILKYd8pd61pxx-AJ-ZmwGTzFrzNKkZmtPB-7QtTjrpDQdfhij63wKY0uwFnw8JQsMgGZsq0EaP85WEyqvQoDRnngfsf5X53_0fl9E_o_A1xGnq4DJnQXL94wwNDU9gU/s1600/train.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1600" height="181" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-veSIi0n32d4/XtUl1KL0UnI/AAAAAAAAGHY/aThR7kyPl8U7S6MNPt8C3aSKtOrKr7myQCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1OcqyP-oaQRgN4zg6tL0sv61uT_llTfc31uuBABwoutVgMRjUyzYiPwi-9Ed0ls5PzKKbDmuWrLogrrdrhOiyZZBPJcw6NR30Bi2WdEQbBzYLWVmBKRtzT9Kxldyuv2uy85ZxH-5yDInN7thRrsGWpjJW9wL643UjSoRVrM_vnVg0E2drKoJZq2BMuUMwEMZhNyttypRPunfcAIeQqILSAeRRYiXg8BH62AiwV6vrWgRCtssiSVyNFy_UrhQiq7LBDi4nRPFrapXey16ckEGwk2XFYTfQeP4Q2NmHa6dMJmoQEw4tVOypg__zwHc6RDM3eHjrceT3dtGw6p-HErR8-m17PuLbOCVrvtg3VIHfp33UFGkSHDWgNr_jwme04G7rg5pffROTvNypHGq7hepoIlz9g3gPC8lGEwt1z17o89Fdy9xhiSNYwI6J8mjpScN9QnhecmL0LunD1JdvREguxoyAdwCQwUuSEYm04mWJ7TkPrILKYd8pd61pxx-AJ-ZmwGTzFrzNKkZmtPB-7QtTjrpDQdfhij63wKY0uwFnw8JQsMgGZsq0EaP85WEyqvQoDRnngfsf5X53_0fl9E_o_A1xGnq4DJnQXL94wwNDU9gU/s400/train.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Starting the journey, in the train</b></td></tr>
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It was after a long time, I was travelling by train, and that too with a group of friends, all girls and an excitement had set in long ago. Jayanthi ensured that the tickets were booked much in advance back and forth in Podhigai express, a direct train to Srivilliputhur. We were accompanied by Sudha, Lavanya and Gayathri. Our Zumba instructor and adorable dancer Monica, was travelling by car with her newly married husband. </div>
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Train journeys are always pleasant and in a way quite romantic, probably because they take us back to our simpler juvenile times, where we immensely enjoyed them. We chatted along, planned our day at Srivilliputhur and our trip to waterfalls nearby, painting our nails, gobbling up all the home made food from different homes and yes all this until we slept, which invariably was late. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My first picture in Srivilliputhur, from our lodge</b></td></tr>
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We reached the town pretty early and checked into a lodge overlooking the temple, so close that it almost felt like we were in the temple complex itself. We probably took the Chennai rains with us and it looked like a wonderfully rainy day. Infact, when I took the first pictures of the temple towers that you see, it was raining cats and dogs.</div>
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The first pit stop was the temple and as always, since we had done adequate research and added to it, Jayanthi had organized a guide to take us within the temple complex. Pretty soon, we were at the gates of this imposing 11-tiered gopuram <tower> of this great temple. The tower of this temple rises 192 feet high and is the official symbol of the Government of Tamilnadu since its façade is devoid of idols of deities unlike the gopuram of other temples.</tower></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Kothai, the adopted daughter of Periazhvar, a Vaishnava sage and devotee of Vishnu, was seen wearing the flower garland intended for the lord. Though her father, was quite upset and reprimanded his daughter, the god in his dream told the sage to offer him the same flower garland worn by Kothai for puja. Kothai's love for the lord was so intense, ultimately she married the lord. Hence, Kothai was called Andaal and got the appellation Chudi Kodutha Sudarkodi (the woman who gave the lord the flower garland worn by her).</span></div>
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Andaal is well-known for her wonderful Tamil literary works - Thirupavai (consisting of devotional songs) and Nachiyar Thirumozhi. The vimanam (mini tower) is beautified with the poems of Andaal and we tried reading them. Since its ancient script, none of us could succeed at it, but still gave it a try. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lHGPIAiOtc/XtUltRK1JMI/AAAAAAAAGHk/I6-yoG8JvFAit3zw2wJkCAQPo2odF47dwCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqzf6D_nB5vmQpCe6HdMPEI3XpUhNGLhHzlRYxuquIYTsNr9_ErEsHq2n-KfLRtlzukyBkIod5guuYQeIURwWHnfqKNy2HdMQIoG3TgC6lNseLUKVAp6m1hUbBWTPbnHMk91Ccgj0qzb9vqEXmMb9-qhUQFAumRm4htJKcVnpVqaxcHuntk7_320vseq77RIO9SPMz3K2fOvAYKhoI6jwIdrN390U7ifGaY1P7PEyuOZxgHniAT-X3vH3P_Q33-EO9mG5QyjY3lHlWlOF4SmvL5VBpHM85O064dLJnZNqwxbfAbM5PVyHtowTe2nT0ht5KWsr7AHCr4wq_EFs_f0DeL8JaYiOifE6mZwRecvx8dYz0GzEZQQu-ewObd5gQ4cL8ApuK2CpGFdgbzGJa0mrkIGxAYzMhgkoHYxgBrRCzjynxMqklQa2qsbbhyW5avvVeP3UJ6DLuXd_plCzonWUhzbjHZUPAvFeaJy7mWp8BlGPAR0u_38DvkCVTHljguzw16DjtJg4uRiLQ1rThOwikp5XZwJidZY4akc-mw2eHecFbtVkbUDIsImkVAgu4_9b-soEO5kSmbdSCOfdGROF8UlhANUdm_eh1swj9PU9gU/s1600/parrot.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1080" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lHGPIAiOtc/XtUltRK1JMI/AAAAAAAAGHk/I6-yoG8JvFAit3zw2wJkCAQPo2odF47dwCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqzf6D_nB5vmQpCe6HdMPEI3XpUhNGLhHzlRYxuquIYTsNr9_ErEsHq2n-KfLRtlzukyBkIod5guuYQeIURwWHnfqKNy2HdMQIoG3TgC6lNseLUKVAp6m1hUbBWTPbnHMk91Ccgj0qzb9vqEXmMb9-qhUQFAumRm4htJKcVnpVqaxcHuntk7_320vseq77RIO9SPMz3K2fOvAYKhoI6jwIdrN390U7ifGaY1P7PEyuOZxgHniAT-X3vH3P_Q33-EO9mG5QyjY3lHlWlOF4SmvL5VBpHM85O064dLJnZNqwxbfAbM5PVyHtowTe2nT0ht5KWsr7AHCr4wq_EFs_f0DeL8JaYiOifE6mZwRecvx8dYz0GzEZQQu-ewObd5gQ4cL8ApuK2CpGFdgbzGJa0mrkIGxAYzMhgkoHYxgBrRCzjynxMqklQa2qsbbhyW5avvVeP3UJ6DLuXd_plCzonWUhzbjHZUPAvFeaJy7mWp8BlGPAR0u_38DvkCVTHljguzw16DjtJg4uRiLQ1rThOwikp5XZwJidZY4akc-mw2eHecFbtVkbUDIsImkVAgu4_9b-soEO5kSmbdSCOfdGROF8UlhANUdm_eh1swj9PU9gU/s400/parrot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Such a beauty, this leaf parrot</b></td></tr>
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Here in the sanctum, a hand-crafted parrot with fresh green leaves adorns the left hand of Andal's idol. A fascinating fact is, this endearing leaf parrot that takes roughly around four and half hours to be crafted, is specially made daily by a florist for the goddess. Pomegranate flower for beak and mouth, Bamboo sticks for legs, banana leaves, petals of pink oleander and crape jasmine (nandiyavattai) flower go into the making of the parrot. The guide who also is a priest at the temple, told us that there is just one family at Srivilliputhur who can craft it now, and only a single parrot is made every day. The one that you see in the picture is a day old and the guide brought it out to show us, since we specifically requested for it. Look at its workmanship. Isn't it adorable? and remember its a day old.</div>
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It is also quite interesting to note that a Garland worn by Andaal is sent all along to Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh a day before the Brahmotsavam start and is used to garland Lord Balaji. Similarly, every year, Tirupathi Balaji’s garland is sent to Srivilliputtur for marriage festival of Andal Thayar. </div>
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Goddess Andal's hair style and ornaments are unique here unlike the ornamentation and hair style of goddess Laksmi. Andal Kondai (a bun),typical hair styling tilted to one side and elaborate plaited hair is famous and quite striking. In the Vaishnava Brahmin weddings, invariably, the bride wears Andal Kondai and this tradition has been vogue for centuries. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePyJjFR4d2w/XtUlsQhbTYI/AAAAAAAAGHg/ZS-InYqXb-sqdw09HWzSG_7eQVkzMZAyQCEwYBhgLKtMDAL1OcqxYN1kafAgeals67VgB1sOSMW6iSc3bQdqQ-qkGxjRUxYuxKGt93RBrFJPgEebDNNh5jNz9adu5fMktQZbnxyNg2x-bWdPPjeWvAv83s-Wka78lCfwRHg9EZGRaexiXz7NLVy84Ij8K5Lj-Z2WdSMkYmkkBKJHNTny42yd_u3Pr3-bhKT4W5hDU19fa49WSoOS7TsID7NBRBQkTapq3FBVLNyaQpeXwkas7j81eX78VK4UePi2A7_jc5rwZiZIwTms_Uvm1KBZ2xlDCUZwQnosdZYPU_wIim8oH4R7Q_uclmY_GhVjcaVrNgbwbdTDd0YM9V-mPZFLajVyz9PA3IhaA_SbBzjCI0zN99CdDzdYS2WYA0euF5pYmoX__HxtZCDF6xdc3q6x032gujKhC7vFcgtFu0eIUrDgnPWoCNjwjiCa4rkQRd9KWhDwzrFeKJS_vtP1Erh-gdVU-HJmJA6Yjud1a8kBb_oAPukM_6tvrqex68jqvecDEJ0jj2ZAWtTQA8TaWzFmk5Rh8UY9khAVh4P6uvgsm20WQ9tDD8pS3U3YTv1eqScP2izhtIACVGCpm9RkRzhrJ87Upu3R4-rXUW4QmQPmYAb44cOZx8-swydPU9gU/s1600/Srivilliputhur%2Btemple.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePyJjFR4d2w/XtUlsQhbTYI/AAAAAAAAGHg/ZS-InYqXb-sqdw09HWzSG_7eQVkzMZAyQCEwYBhgLKtMDAL1OcqxYN1kafAgeals67VgB1sOSMW6iSc3bQdqQ-qkGxjRUxYuxKGt93RBrFJPgEebDNNh5jNz9adu5fMktQZbnxyNg2x-bWdPPjeWvAv83s-Wka78lCfwRHg9EZGRaexiXz7NLVy84Ij8K5Lj-Z2WdSMkYmkkBKJHNTny42yd_u3Pr3-bhKT4W5hDU19fa49WSoOS7TsID7NBRBQkTapq3FBVLNyaQpeXwkas7j81eX78VK4UePi2A7_jc5rwZiZIwTms_Uvm1KBZ2xlDCUZwQnosdZYPU_wIim8oH4R7Q_uclmY_GhVjcaVrNgbwbdTDd0YM9V-mPZFLajVyz9PA3IhaA_SbBzjCI0zN99CdDzdYS2WYA0euF5pYmoX__HxtZCDF6xdc3q6x032gujKhC7vFcgtFu0eIUrDgnPWoCNjwjiCa4rkQRd9KWhDwzrFeKJS_vtP1Erh-gdVU-HJmJA6Yjud1a8kBb_oAPukM_6tvrqex68jqvecDEJ0jj2ZAWtTQA8TaWzFmk5Rh8UY9khAVh4P6uvgsm20WQ9tDD8pS3U3YTv1eqScP2izhtIACVGCpm9RkRzhrJ87Upu3R4-rXUW4QmQPmYAb44cOZx8-swydPU9gU/s640/Srivilliputhur%2Btemple.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The rich architecture of Srivilliputhur</b></td></tr>
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When it comes to sculptural beauty and architectural excellence, Srivilliputhur temple stands out. There are very few temples that I have visited in India, that could be the reason, but the main mandapam adorned with giant sized statues are astonishing. The Pillar-Hall, with an artistically designed front view, welcomes us to the Flag Staff. In the columns of this hall, the carved figures of Rama, Lakshmana, Arjunan, Karnan, Rathi Devi, Manmadhan, Gugan and Mohini and many others look excellently beautiful. ( I do not remember the others)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-XfMjMrNHs/XtUlx94b8dI/AAAAAAAAGH0/5tinGc9lXCs48pelaQO1VK3lkN5LbRkZQCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqw5CuodCVnXE859-nrpAXehhFyTuHBkbOU8V0H4HDBiqKCJKwK-PoJkX-mFoxdF0UW6DUK5IqkNYB3TNv93alP047V2xzpbS2F8c5r8rHmlgInvFiAMAcpQ2aGixnXaHUXlG1IrCA3NFbaAjsVZ6o_EQ-Q8JHUh_JLVQcylSZKnBwvYCwto73mAMMO0Z5ftEj2k2DE33BhywmF6NT5hVmivAjcpEpwtg4ZW53IgsSMdRr7bbK6O6EN6golGOMHg1EUr7ziRUDzaFFNgFMip_7RK1wvaEqfir1IUUeoU4tzogp9QdzDh7WbaA6aaHdygv9g7pzTfmmrvEeAlKfKQ45rIfZBsO_fhhDOykhyi51AREnpGnmyI-2GoSp44PAojQWA7PaCKFBn6xNAtp2gHzWf5bhO7WRFDGrSq3wVhmU7OLolHepkGbyVWnKc-fe1cyP8G3I8_vxiirbZ64TsT6qsY0W5X08uRuDBgPWY7Pvr4_j-RgZnqZj4zf-6VQMxMFbgYmRwR0lwe0bwoz2pji_mpSc19u5uDOa1h4_nGfh_HIUHD2bxrwG95sVLOKmyrxnzI2G6KLMrkeFIpecaz-Fa3y8zywHdj3ZAwx9TU9gU/s1600/sudha%2Bwith%2Bmanmadhan.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-XfMjMrNHs/XtUlx94b8dI/AAAAAAAAGH0/5tinGc9lXCs48pelaQO1VK3lkN5LbRkZQCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqw5CuodCVnXE859-nrpAXehhFyTuHBkbOU8V0H4HDBiqKCJKwK-PoJkX-mFoxdF0UW6DUK5IqkNYB3TNv93alP047V2xzpbS2F8c5r8rHmlgInvFiAMAcpQ2aGixnXaHUXlG1IrCA3NFbaAjsVZ6o_EQ-Q8JHUh_JLVQcylSZKnBwvYCwto73mAMMO0Z5ftEj2k2DE33BhywmF6NT5hVmivAjcpEpwtg4ZW53IgsSMdRr7bbK6O6EN6golGOMHg1EUr7ziRUDzaFFNgFMip_7RK1wvaEqfir1IUUeoU4tzogp9QdzDh7WbaA6aaHdygv9g7pzTfmmrvEeAlKfKQ45rIfZBsO_fhhDOykhyi51AREnpGnmyI-2GoSp44PAojQWA7PaCKFBn6xNAtp2gHzWf5bhO7WRFDGrSq3wVhmU7OLolHepkGbyVWnKc-fe1cyP8G3I8_vxiirbZ64TsT6qsY0W5X08uRuDBgPWY7Pvr4_j-RgZnqZj4zf-6VQMxMFbgYmRwR0lwe0bwoz2pji_mpSc19u5uDOa1h4_nGfh_HIUHD2bxrwG95sVLOKmyrxnzI2G6KLMrkeFIpecaz-Fa3y8zywHdj3ZAwx9TU9gU/s640/sudha%2Bwith%2Bmanmadhan.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sudha with Manmadhan,<br />notice the sugar cane?</b></td></tr>
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I should mention the </font><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">speciality</span><font face="verdana, sans-serif"> of these statues – they are soulfully carved and especially Manmadhan’s feet is supposed to feel like human skin, which is a </font><font face="verdana">pièce de résistance. </font><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, though all of us loved the muscles of Manmadhan statue, the feet were covered with turmeric and we couldn’t feel it. Manmadhan is seen holding a sugarcane, again carved in stone, and its so realistically made, that when you tap the sugarcane with a coin you get the sound of real sugarcane. Amazed by the skills of the artisans, we went around listening to the interesting stories and didn’t realise we had spent an easy two hours in this temple. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42LNS1yyMtk/XtUlsvNHEpI/AAAAAAAAGH4/ytL4-WWl1n01I3xLwTp3NIy9CF2pdKVfgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1OcqwcwzXsAuHzyrct4BaSnO1wYPHHVlSt4cnKfXEXIm9gFKM4fTW41eirHTgizmo5S8BqYwmQoHh5kPO2aL-JP0HvmUEd-Nukf5zz1nsizuH0LUJ9Q766JW4vWWOV1ACMG_k34JpTOh9dQRLGnSvO3NpCJnRVUWO6TlwIMQaxgEkNPeR_IwEegdn5piUyYuelARyyRAdsn1HRCHvlQcRZ0p0NwdZtrFlpjaynp3fwiGcY7FrXfyxNbq7zryN-S0hHHi3QhmgeUEB0WyxXLdE81vei4EZromaHL8EYRqXkRuhU3U_uKt2SPfWtUvxOzvrL3KfnmTUzqL6SpOx_LAkmcGWUb7WgPWJd4LAWfCplH9I7G3J08htMJKtjo9XgY-SeBGbA_uI8Y3ahzQVk5qBm2_9ACAvJwZwHvs6RiJEVMC9Izd3kuZJRqCMOf-hHZu_dqmxEyLjNR79Y961tqPdcuOgq4OTzeANehtYyzyx4jl6Iu_R2_O4G3-1kimr1snDTLXkdd4xGhrMmrqGuaN2z0TPfUoUXOgoHgaZHgELLh16aJRWujRWPLGsEuOGNyGa537w_nkFbgGluFEsNURGEuqH5O15n1mGSZeMw0NXU9gU/s1600/at%2Bthe%2Btemple.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1080" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42LNS1yyMtk/XtUlsvNHEpI/AAAAAAAAGH4/ytL4-WWl1n01I3xLwTp3NIy9CF2pdKVfgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1OcqwcwzXsAuHzyrct4BaSnO1wYPHHVlSt4cnKfXEXIm9gFKM4fTW41eirHTgizmo5S8BqYwmQoHh5kPO2aL-JP0HvmUEd-Nukf5zz1nsizuH0LUJ9Q766JW4vWWOV1ACMG_k34JpTOh9dQRLGnSvO3NpCJnRVUWO6TlwIMQaxgEkNPeR_IwEegdn5piUyYuelARyyRAdsn1HRCHvlQcRZ0p0NwdZtrFlpjaynp3fwiGcY7FrXfyxNbq7zryN-S0hHHi3QhmgeUEB0WyxXLdE81vei4EZromaHL8EYRqXkRuhU3U_uKt2SPfWtUvxOzvrL3KfnmTUzqL6SpOx_LAkmcGWUb7WgPWJd4LAWfCplH9I7G3J08htMJKtjo9XgY-SeBGbA_uI8Y3ahzQVk5qBm2_9ACAvJwZwHvs6RiJEVMC9Izd3kuZJRqCMOf-hHZu_dqmxEyLjNR79Y961tqPdcuOgq4OTzeANehtYyzyx4jl6Iu_R2_O4G3-1kimr1snDTLXkdd4xGhrMmrqGuaN2z0TPfUoUXOgoHgaZHgELLh16aJRWujRWPLGsEuOGNyGa537w_nkFbgGluFEsNURGEuqH5O15n1mGSZeMw0NXU9gU/s400/at%2Bthe%2Btemple.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>All of us at temple</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J31Wo0M7hfg/XtUlth-CKMI/AAAAAAAAGHo/QU0mM8oNm5cx4uGkTIF-ScqiqIKTGGOXwCEwYBhgLKtMDAL1Ocqw8b6haCAe1kwkJbBlVsL8uUiNqNCWbG9rLH6I5qREtxHj2V48ziet-cbbh0aNS3myg5Duzidxo_tda6e_-qPgu8mbmCl4-49O08B-ncHUoaQfDiNPNZt0rPD-9YneXLCePpZ1Z8sNf4XZwPjYDuIZf78Zrelj3lmg_M6tNTpFC2GGw91cFdARnL5UpU58LfteyYBLywns9ISas9OAoJ6OAkk0XWlNZrrWY3AjMHLPAXrzouYN1xwRElQUdlrJRoHdmUXHv2PyM5xlAx0AixwdKC2fwoMPW0iCzlIx2Azx6FED_ZewIqblzSil2LBecvI5jH-avbZl1wofNHHDsveFa7hH-dXWNVK3nLioDJEipYBc32sJ4tmVD3ST0hQ0JzmHhh26gnKu6_5UgKcWiNQRJcXe1-3WhQEK-GjF6C_3EBtiEIhk-jX9QpDHKd7VoFpMGZnC6NhiHYHI7fCK1T5IQBgwF3bPA7VebMmpynvj9GhE2ExcIsyiLOtL41CLjF-t9pCb-T6P_OPh0pbJbyrSDz8GARpBL-9_55BiebsKmET79z_o8LGgnBh7_IoFRDoLnNzmRr6PoyN0de2gKPCJIUbmc9p90fea1xPfLK1ow9tXU9gU/s1600/ready%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bwedding.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J31Wo0M7hfg/XtUlth-CKMI/AAAAAAAAGHo/QU0mM8oNm5cx4uGkTIF-ScqiqIKTGGOXwCEwYBhgLKtMDAL1Ocqw8b6haCAe1kwkJbBlVsL8uUiNqNCWbG9rLH6I5qREtxHj2V48ziet-cbbh0aNS3myg5Duzidxo_tda6e_-qPgu8mbmCl4-49O08B-ncHUoaQfDiNPNZt0rPD-9YneXLCePpZ1Z8sNf4XZwPjYDuIZf78Zrelj3lmg_M6tNTpFC2GGw91cFdARnL5UpU58LfteyYBLywns9ISas9OAoJ6OAkk0XWlNZrrWY3AjMHLPAXrzouYN1xwRElQUdlrJRoHdmUXHv2PyM5xlAx0AixwdKC2fwoMPW0iCzlIx2Azx6FED_ZewIqblzSil2LBecvI5jH-avbZl1wofNHHDsveFa7hH-dXWNVK3nLioDJEipYBc32sJ4tmVD3ST0hQ0JzmHhh26gnKu6_5UgKcWiNQRJcXe1-3WhQEK-GjF6C_3EBtiEIhk-jX9QpDHKd7VoFpMGZnC6NhiHYHI7fCK1T5IQBgwF3bPA7VebMmpynvj9GhE2ExcIsyiLOtL41CLjF-t9pCb-T6P_OPh0pbJbyrSDz8GARpBL-9_55BiebsKmET79z_o8LGgnBh7_IoFRDoLnNzmRr6PoyN0de2gKPCJIUbmc9p90fea1xPfLK1ow9tXU9gU/s400/ready%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bwedding.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dressed for the wedding </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AK45_uwXgwk/XtUlsMjYqMI/AAAAAAAAGHk/dKVXoNH9XTIF-SM0RHaEcMJzYqxxG-qSwCEwYBhgLKtMDAL1Ocqw8b6haCAe1kwkJbBlVsL8uUiNqNCWbG9rLH6I5qREtxHj2V48ziet-cbbh0aNS3myg5Duzidxo_tda6e_-qPgu8mbmCl4-49O08B-ncHUoaQfDiNPNZt0rPD-9YneXLCePpZ1Z8sNf4XZwPjYDuIZf78Zrelj3lmg_M6tNTpFC2GGw91cFdARnL5UpU58LfteyYBLywns9ISas9OAoJ6OAkk0XWlNZrrWY3AjMHLPAXrzouYN1xwRElQUdlrJRoHdmUXHv2PyM5xlAx0AixwdKC2fwoMPW0iCzlIx2Azx6FED_ZewIqblzSil2LBecvI5jH-avbZl1wofNHHDsveFa7hH-dXWNVK3nLioDJEipYBc32sJ4tmVD3ST0hQ0JzmHhh26gnKu6_5UgKcWiNQRJcXe1-3WhQEK-GjF6C_3EBtiEIhk-jX9QpDHKd7VoFpMGZnC6NhiHYHI7fCK1T5IQBgwF3bPA7VebMmpynvj9GhE2ExcIsyiLOtL41CLjF-t9pCb-T6P_OPh0pbJbyrSDz8GARpBL-9_55BiebsKmET79z_o8LGgnBh7_IoFRDoLnNzmRr6PoyN0de2gKPCJIUbmc9p90fea1xPfLK1ow9tXU9gU/s1600/Sudha%2Band%2Bme.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AK45_uwXgwk/XtUlsMjYqMI/AAAAAAAAGHk/dKVXoNH9XTIF-SM0RHaEcMJzYqxxG-qSwCEwYBhgLKtMDAL1Ocqw8b6haCAe1kwkJbBlVsL8uUiNqNCWbG9rLH6I5qREtxHj2V48ziet-cbbh0aNS3myg5Duzidxo_tda6e_-qPgu8mbmCl4-49O08B-ncHUoaQfDiNPNZt0rPD-9YneXLCePpZ1Z8sNf4XZwPjYDuIZf78Zrelj3lmg_M6tNTpFC2GGw91cFdARnL5UpU58LfteyYBLywns9ISas9OAoJ6OAkk0XWlNZrrWY3AjMHLPAXrzouYN1xwRElQUdlrJRoHdmUXHv2PyM5xlAx0AixwdKC2fwoMPW0iCzlIx2Azx6FED_ZewIqblzSil2LBecvI5jH-avbZl1wofNHHDsveFa7hH-dXWNVK3nLioDJEipYBc32sJ4tmVD3ST0hQ0JzmHhh26gnKu6_5UgKcWiNQRJcXe1-3WhQEK-GjF6C_3EBtiEIhk-jX9QpDHKd7VoFpMGZnC6NhiHYHI7fCK1T5IQBgwF3bPA7VebMmpynvj9GhE2ExcIsyiLOtL41CLjF-t9pCb-T6P_OPh0pbJbyrSDz8GARpBL-9_55BiebsKmET79z_o8LGgnBh7_IoFRDoLnNzmRr6PoyN0de2gKPCJIUbmc9p90fea1xPfLK1ow9tXU9gU/s400/Sudha%2Band%2Bme.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>We had to pose!!</b></td></tr>
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From this moment we knew our time is limited and it was an eternal rush. Adorned in sarees we all went for the wedding, took the bride and groom to the stage, dancing to the smiles of the people there and left for courtallam falls which was almost a couple of hours drive from there. Felt refreshed with the water thumping on our heads at the waterfalls, screaming above the sound of waters and enjoying the supposedly medicinal water falling on us. The drive to courtallam was scenic and the Tenkasi railway station reminded me so much of my maternal grandparents place chalakudi. </div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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Back in the train, tired, Srivilliputhur temple and its architecture were the last images that came up in my mind, before I fell asleep.</div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Postscript:</b></div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>This trip happened in October 2019. This post took the longest to be written and published. Almost a month since i started writing it. and feeling accomplished that I even finished it. :-) </b></div>
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Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-73815148390866369432020-05-13T16:17:00.003+05:302020-05-17T21:51:45.732+05:30Wild and Wondrous Wayanad<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Raised a non-resident Keralite, in Chennai to be specific, have always been in love with the greenery and stunning nature of Gods own country. Though I have spent every summer vacation in Kerala at both my maternal and paternal homes, haven’t had much opportunity to visit districts other than Thrissur and Ernakulam. Most of the family are in these two districts and our travels and stay were confined to these places. Until I got married, that is.</span></div>
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J is from Kannur, a huge contrast to the place I was familiar with, not just in topography of the region, the hilly terrains of Kannur is very different from the plains of Thrissur, but also the dialect of Malayalam was totally strange and the cuisine was totally different. Add to it my lack of expertise in authentic Malayalam, I wondered if I was a Malayalee at all. Now this is a topic for another post. </div>
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With J moving to Cochin, he had to travel the length and breadth of Kerala as part of his work, he was eager to take me to a whole lot of exotic places that he had been to, with his team. He seems to have enjoyed his bachelorhood, don’t you get the hint? So last year around this time, when we had to go for a nephews’ wedding at Kannur, we had planned for a short trip to Wayanad which was on our way back and J seemed enticed with this place. </div>
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Having enjoyed the onset of monsoon rains as a child almost every summer, I was looking forward to the June rains at Wayanad. There’s yet another reason why we chose Wayanad. This year we were completing 25 years in wedlock and Wayanad was the first place we both went together as a couple on a short trip, a couple of days into marriage. Mananthavady, a small hill station ( anyplace that has a few hair pin bends to cross can be called that) is where we had a chance to go on a bike, in fact, even before we went on our honeymoon ( that word sounds so pathetic now, but yeah for lack of another suitable word, have to use it). It was my idea that we revisit all those roads and places that we went to, 25 years ago. </div>
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Wayanad, being adjacent to Kannur, the hilly plateau of the Western Ghats extends here and makes it a green paradise. There is so much to see in Wayanad, that we both had such difficulty in narrowing down on places to visit keeping in mind the number of days we had at hand. And we also wanted to pace it out and relax after all the hectic wedding ceremonies, where we also doubled up as event managers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWi8VqdFiZM/XrvC0kKZVaI/AAAAAAAAGBI/__6vPy4VQnw0JzZbbqD9oVBFclTOlLJTgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s640/20150322_150751.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The country side of Sulthan Batheri, during our morning walks</b>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QCpJg21NbvI/XrvC_98b9BI/AAAAAAAAGBM/rMOB2QNVls0KiorTSxT0DAowUGxKDy2QgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s400/resort.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The Le Coffee resort</b></span></td></tr>
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We stayed at a resort with a French sounding name, Le Coffee resort, (nothing else that was French there) at Sulthan Bathery, closer to the town, making it easy for our travels. A lovely resort that lights up in the evenings and keeps the nature and surroundings tender at dawn. Long walks to the countryside in the morning made sure we got to drink in the sights and sounds along with lush greenery around. Kerala has a rustic scent that makes me nostalgic about my childhood, brings in sweet memories of our grandparents and cousins – it sort of always runs in the background. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-578fqEivuxw/XrvC2UnPKSI/AAAAAAAAGBE/EHhFMFuC9mQwWcg9TNNLa75AO6Mkn8LbwCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s320/dam%2Bboard.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The board at the Dam site </b></span></td></tr>
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Banasura Sagar Dam was the first place in our list of places. Built on the foothills of Banasura hills, the second tallest peak of Wayanad, impounding one of the major tributaries of the great Kabani river, Karamanthodu. It is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia. With the cloud peaked mountains as the rim, greenery making the place scenic, scattered islets around, this dam with a vast reservoir looks phenomenally beautiful. A walk across the dam is the highlight and the dark clouds that made the sky overcast made this special. We could just sit there and stare at the mist-clad hills and their breathtaking view for eternity. Thank fully, since we were not in a hurry, we could savor our time there. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K21FbpdBhtg/XrvC246-3BI/AAAAAAAAGA0/BXxvt8Q40ZMU2yKjqxylRo9JZd6r0a_agCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s640/dam%2Bwalk.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The walk across the Dam - Look at the breath taking views around</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>We could sit here all day!!!</b></span></td></tr>
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Earth dams (as the name implies) are made of soil, rock, clay, etc., versus Gravity dams that are constructed of concrete. A little note to those who are wondering what a earthen dam is, I didn’t know the difference, until I was there. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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The evening was dedicated entirely for our trip around Mananthavady and all those plantations around Boys Town that we had roamed around as a young couple, while we barely knew each other. Going back in time and reminiscing memories about our bike ride to this place 25 years back was making both of us heady 😊 </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Shx-k_7SYv8/XrvC0BZBFgI/AAAAAAAAGBA/A3lpqfJd8SoL8cPOwOHpWFEP17XFaOTmgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s400/boys%2Btown%2B3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
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<b>At the coffee estates at Boys town, like those bygone days</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeV23dR2P48/XrvC4d_bMlI/AAAAAAAAGA4/RIa6b5WJuFwzX7JbfTaRLs7Ao3nnL_RwACEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s320/edakkal%2B2.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Starting our trek <br />at Edakkal caves</span></b></span></td></tr>
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A trip to Edakkal caves was in the offing for the next day, at Ambukuthi mala (hills) and I was excited about it. A short but scenic drive from Sulthan bathery was nothing close to what I expected. Visiting this place to me was like going into an unknown past of our ancestors and kept wondering how in the world did people even live in those caves. Situated at an altitude of 1200 metres above sea level, these caves are formed by a split in a rock, that allows sunlight to come in. The cave walls have highly refined hieroglyphics and carvings that depict the lives of stone age people. It is told that the etchings date back to 6000 BC of the Neolithic period. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLGi_3LtHXw/XrvC5f5K6PI/AAAAAAAAGA8/EChUVfw6fqAiwQuXdBtTqJOLEAN-9csdgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s400/edakkal%2B3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The pathway turning Rocky </b></span></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">The caves can be reached by trekking up a scenic mountain with a green canopy of large trees for almost a kilometre of plain concrete road lulling the trekker into a comfort zone and then without any caution, this road turns into rocky pathway which you have to carefully maneuver. After this comes 380 steep stairs that are quite narrow in some places, built of steel. Not an easy climb, it did tire us out and we had to stop in many places to take a gulp of air. The aroma of coffee and spices fill the air, probably from the little shops that line the pathway initially, the altitude gain making the trekker stoop forward to balance the centre of gravity, keeping up the suspense and excitement of what awaits you and the caves didn’t disappoint us. The caves definitely made us introspect, wonder and definitely gave me an surreal experience. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kof35m7dgiQ/XrvC5V7OSKI/AAAAAAAAGBM/T0YQAIqgy3ktGWc-foQGQ-pC8nk_jPD4gCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s400/edakkal%2B4.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The steep stairs of Steel</b></span></td></tr>
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Edakkal caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the Malabar district in 1890, during his hunting trip to Wayanad. How did this guy make his maiden trip to this caves, without these stairs, I wonder. The trek down back the same way was not easy either, but our love for an archaeological site did definitely keep us going. Definitely not for the physically unfit ones. Fred must have been in fine fettle to reach these caves in the first place – some of my thoughts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgb17V13Dac/XrvC8HhdXgI/AAAAAAAAGBI/tl0pK1pQ3bgcgbgZXz_aNLdBPsWLkatlwCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s320/edakkal%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">Etchings on the walls<br /><br /></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6xROJEB2-TY/XrvC7XEcywI/AAAAAAAAGBA/uxJo34WOHcYXlT0MDEUzF91GLPlSiaEwgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s640/edakkal%2B7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The Edakkal caves, can you believe people lived here, back then!<br /><br /></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GMLZw0gjHEs/XrvC_dXq0hI/AAAAAAAAGBM/G6QVjBEe-zoofDyEojyAvTKu_3KMmSXvgCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s320/pazhassi%2B2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The Sign board </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Two more places in Wayanad made me a fan of this place. One was the tomb of Pazhassi Raja. We didn’t realize that this place could be closed on a weekday and we landed up right there on that day. But I don’t take no for an answer. I went into their office which was still working and explained that I have come all the way from Chennai and also that my hubby dear is a great fan of this guy and so we got brief permission to go inside and see the tomb. For the uninitiated, Pazhassi Raja was a brave Chieftain of Kerala, who took the Britishers head on rebelling against them instead of being their ally. The Colonizers in turn, planned meticulously to kill him, which they did. Pazhassi did put up a brave fight for 9 years with the British, even engaging in guerrilla warfare with the support of the local gypsies. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qcNlsWHPRHg/XrvC-4kPugI/AAAAAAAAGBI/vNB_wz59Rp8W_Uf0GkePLiTVGTPex7TjQCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqyx4D4aqxLU_OPJLM2MQt6YxHNnFFyAcbkretms612EGwiP9_ASoxR5_RT1DrQtU3c1FRQY7P7X1yiJXsJzQXZdAFgsBxPqx1A3pH33N_vlw4Ax-sJuiJMwS4DnAUCZNsmzSYeO3Gps59vzUYE_FAVFWXPMp1yvJVTaobV4HlqBkZjOCNbrSX82npvwlYm0f0Idk8dO6Kf9m_82ek4LCRrOPlD9yOlPXXEnkoL_7pOQ9A_JPg3fHqRCjmVYmHFE1KyqWto88_9ozq_qgUkxyQuydc-ugp6wmfwGXwofGhGh4OPe0jHL8CrtDtBYnng6p3HtCW6tFqy8NwD5rHa8yauVr4b4p6ui2CnOZA1d16TrXBdCBXtcAkicmmR4ZFXK9l8oTLGeyo0z3z30SAg-ctGKFki-DRdOaEdeyUJu9scJZ-_wG_j64npkG0m6dr5KFtwnAYjcZIir0rMooyLljKqhN1AOhNRSSGIigdRIHbIW5MTQd108qqZRkHS7ayHliuBCeAO0woIOVw5jRvuxar-RtKRmLR-fVxTKxbh5FyWxT6z80xztpfzSwID6L5vODYWv8_YnsODtK-PfmsYz_z6ZkCxiKemci4kwvYvv9QU/s320/pazhassi%2B1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">
<b>The memorial that doesn't </b></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">
<b>live upto the kings valo</b>r</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the place was neat and well kept, people all around had tremendous respect for the Raja, I felt we could have built a better memorial for him. A movie in Malayalam with that name does justice to this guy. I was keen to visit his tomb, as I have heard stories of Pazhassi Raja as a young bride when I came to J’s tharavad. A hill range in front of our tharavad has a small cave, where Pazhassi Raja was said to be in hiding for some time. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Next on the cards was Muthanga wildlife sanctuary, which is spread across a massive 400 sq. kms and it was my first wildlife safari in India. Our day started pretty early and we were waiting for our Jeep by 5.30 am. This is a rainforest and a protected area and well into the Safari, I was excited to hear the driver, who is also our guide, stop at a three forked mud road, and tell us one of these roads would lead us into Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamilnadu, the other to Bandipur Wildlife sanctuary, Karnataka and the third one to Muthanga, Wayanad. A Wildlife sanctuary that encompasses all the three states, called by different names in each state. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl9qg_erNvE/XrvJwkUhpPI/AAAAAAAAGDA/LV7FM8YIBegSPqoH3cF_jLPZAMCyVcjCgCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h400/animals.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: justify;"><b>The Inhabitants we met at the reserve</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/18228769/5265769750824756660#" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0PFAiMPctg/XrvKEpU1z5I/AAAAAAAAGDg/u3dWHdpl8iwvFZiVsgG8QKwkE1ZY9_xfACK4BGAsYHg/s400/muthanga.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Jeep Ride </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Jeep drive was bumpy along the forest trail and we had instructions to be silent. Only a certain number of people are allowed in a day, with a pre-booking. This two hour Jeep ride reveals stunning unexpected spectacles to the ones who are alert. At one point the driver stopped the Jeep behind some tall bushes and instructed us to sit still, and after a bit of waiting, across a water body there, we got a glimpse of the moving cat, which was awesome. Though some days the driver said we could see many and on some they never spot any, at all. We also managed to see some exotic monkeys, peacocks, babblers, cuckoos, other jungle fowls, elephants and herds of lovely spotted deers and that too up close. We must have seen at least 500 deer altogether – some sun bathing, playing around in their natural habitat and some eating grass. A sight that refuses to get away from minds eye. A small movement and they disperse into the lush thickets of the forest. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lmw9z6FGv04/XrvOzAKF8SI/AAAAAAAAGEc/SErnCJwFRCU8ZNG0_7CQtWSO4idF3AWywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/jain%2B1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lmw9z6FGv04/XrvOzAKF8SI/AAAAAAAAGEc/SErnCJwFRCU8ZNG0_7CQtWSO4idF3AWywCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/jain%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The ancient Jain Temple</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The least expected of all the places that we visited was the Ancient Jain Temple at Sulthan Bathery. One of the oldest Jain temples, with the most intricate architecture, this is a charming stone shrine. I had no idea that Jainism had spread to these parts of the country. Dating back to the 13th century, this shrine is said to have been built in the prevalent architectural style of the then reigning Vijayanagar Dynasty. Maintained by the ASI right now, no prayers are held here now. One is immediately made aware of the sanctity and colourful past that shrouds this temple. Peace and serenity abound this shrine and an untold reverence engulfed us when we were here. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pi8rVDzg6-8/XrvPJ7LcbDI/AAAAAAAAGEo/4vMxgBJjwVouiETYeWPv5CKWgamQ3CHVwCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqz0lIRqDurHMcOu2ELckLPvAaSt20KHhiI_17j-z_FGEJlVnTk4cA1ZrQFrlelhsXVwmJBgeBSl2O28flMBjDUZHd6mecndsfqa-R3-rBagpVt1UeQOjhvcIhWtUiuVWucxjrw8PHvDOmAAQlp-5FitFccyMWcPvg9j3dEcAB7EW_jKKhdfrzoRO4tcvXGAxs5ni9SCi9cSkPDT9ShSjo2kCdGnKC9kWVgsEmnjwNjF2GHIA1vwV5aAwhKLjNtXjHsl-XLE_96CpWnn_Ez_QUPTCHWSZya-nmzFGKMsZUYftOru_jUUXnk4wEnE960st8VtIVIbZHkFnfPMYzOFA6N3QVUkLcWJnNx_QDVeLeJ13GyPC3kvrqFNcsqMaQHcwMKOn2ivSB-hb1_xTEp4RUx1dakiiusizo52zVHeuv-Uzarq82Mfnb-zQ3hKf0cvOCuTDocDjjFUfaL52w7N0lihiMj7xzfoOk1Rnlo1044hDsSETn7twVunVHFjgcH21v5oGI_MfrbXH4_bYvtwEkd4SJzjId1YiIhycpE1GwrDyCSLpi0A7dA6MMX-LcdDv2SMiSwMg4kCfeqrXIq4LPA-UqBEsPWVvCYwmKPv9QU/s1600/jain%2B5.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pi8rVDzg6-8/XrvPJ7LcbDI/AAAAAAAAGEo/4vMxgBJjwVouiETYeWPv5CKWgamQ3CHVwCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqz0lIRqDurHMcOu2ELckLPvAaSt20KHhiI_17j-z_FGEJlVnTk4cA1ZrQFrlelhsXVwmJBgeBSl2O28flMBjDUZHd6mecndsfqa-R3-rBagpVt1UeQOjhvcIhWtUiuVWucxjrw8PHvDOmAAQlp-5FitFccyMWcPvg9j3dEcAB7EW_jKKhdfrzoRO4tcvXGAxs5ni9SCi9cSkPDT9ShSjo2kCdGnKC9kWVgsEmnjwNjF2GHIA1vwV5aAwhKLjNtXjHsl-XLE_96CpWnn_Ez_QUPTCHWSZya-nmzFGKMsZUYftOru_jUUXnk4wEnE960st8VtIVIbZHkFnfPMYzOFA6N3QVUkLcWJnNx_QDVeLeJ13GyPC3kvrqFNcsqMaQHcwMKOn2ivSB-hb1_xTEp4RUx1dakiiusizo52zVHeuv-Uzarq82Mfnb-zQ3hKf0cvOCuTDocDjjFUfaL52w7N0lihiMj7xzfoOk1Rnlo1044hDsSETn7twVunVHFjgcH21v5oGI_MfrbXH4_bYvtwEkd4SJzjId1YiIhycpE1GwrDyCSLpi0A7dA6MMX-LcdDv2SMiSwMg4kCfeqrXIq4LPA-UqBEsPWVvCYwmKPv9QU/s320/jain%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The side view </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Few holy sites have ever served as a shrine, an administrative hub and as an ammunition base for an invading army. This Jain temple is inextricably linked to the name of the town. It is said that Tipu Sultan, trying to evade the British, came here and hid in the dense forests, building up his army to recover his kingdom. He took over the local Jain Temple and converted it into a warehouse for storing his ammunition. The temple went on to resemble a fortification, and the town a battery, and thus came to be known as the Sultan’s Battery now called as Sulthan Bathery.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7PVBzd-LbQ/XrvPLuu6S9I/AAAAAAAAGEw/nuUs415Olh8kwGAxlUMJ7VyU6WRinnfggCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqy4Ye-uGXMmxSZ1NBrkRPO5Z6MpQQO09MWlXNaIiQ8WJ1nWPDAFp7iAlG329YXrbwM5B-98AiUBAwNE8CHA8x1WQyLovbSykvw21IWwPll-JTelJNE6Y8BTPssWRlQCxDlVyhVqs5mBW7WqjGTy1iE-7GsAJZv5MkhUzOE7X15B08mNbo7o-WNJQZ2XXJVi369MjfVoeZQVfl9pt-XGysp-lThj4PEp-G9GeB0KJJGZcN-4jisUAIgRh_RpQVny6qjbrt11mqPobkiai-D475nlVNIPxrMcWi4wkPwQJSLgggqcfsSHKSRtOkcK4tAhCZZZnDPPsIrRe9wbBOgsCDl7SYTdlWxCr0_9Nopx6f_itFhP5fegYVR6MxFiOx4ZKhbHgH0W9ZmNTX8feMybOHv1n3C1nM3RnuxWu4eXmIKthQwyC_8W3uvkmFdhjOy8SWyG0RNLUBr7tyX-9bZteOREnV-8pW2Yilqaaj2tSQE9xxkZOUVQ-pZ8cTYDpnHcx4m7InA1-hBUYe_hUdiWP9ADjRDTYrF6psyqwed6Fhyy5-BEUszXqlqPxgK71vA99ysLn2bE3CAiTXy7N9CjLz-oP1D9Nez9ah4w0aPv9QU/s1600/jain%2B4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7PVBzd-LbQ/XrvPLuu6S9I/AAAAAAAAGEw/nuUs415Olh8kwGAxlUMJ7VyU6WRinnfggCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1Ocqy4Ye-uGXMmxSZ1NBrkRPO5Z6MpQQO09MWlXNaIiQ8WJ1nWPDAFp7iAlG329YXrbwM5B-98AiUBAwNE8CHA8x1WQyLovbSykvw21IWwPll-JTelJNE6Y8BTPssWRlQCxDlVyhVqs5mBW7WqjGTy1iE-7GsAJZv5MkhUzOE7X15B08mNbo7o-WNJQZ2XXJVi369MjfVoeZQVfl9pt-XGysp-lThj4PEp-G9GeB0KJJGZcN-4jisUAIgRh_RpQVny6qjbrt11mqPobkiai-D475nlVNIPxrMcWi4wkPwQJSLgggqcfsSHKSRtOkcK4tAhCZZZnDPPsIrRe9wbBOgsCDl7SYTdlWxCr0_9Nopx6f_itFhP5fegYVR6MxFiOx4ZKhbHgH0W9ZmNTX8feMybOHv1n3C1nM3RnuxWu4eXmIKthQwyC_8W3uvkmFdhjOy8SWyG0RNLUBr7tyX-9bZteOREnV-8pW2Yilqaaj2tSQE9xxkZOUVQ-pZ8cTYDpnHcx4m7InA1-hBUYe_hUdiWP9ADjRDTYrF6psyqwed6Fhyy5-BEUszXqlqPxgK71vA99ysLn2bE3CAiTXy7N9CjLz-oP1D9Nez9ah4w0aPv9QU/s400/jain%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>One last picture of us at Jain Temple</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On our drive back to Chennai, we asked ourselves why didn’t we do this long ago. The grandeur and Mystique of nature that we encountered at Wayanad continued to be in our thoughts and I get that same feel, now as I put down my thoughts here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-022wtkdCK2g/XrvP_c_1MxI/AAAAAAAAGFA/DZwETJmvPLgCKMObbKSHk0LC6W86OSARwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/enroute.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-022wtkdCK2g/XrvP_c_1MxI/AAAAAAAAGFA/DZwETJmvPLgCKMObbKSHk0LC6W86OSARwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/enroute.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>On our way back home </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span>Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-2353460822643838542020-04-29T21:30:00.000+05:302020-04-29T21:30:02.073+05:30Lock down Lessons<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While we have all gotten used to wrapping our minds around lock down, Covid-19 is playing a much deeper game with the world. None of us are sure if we have seen the worst case scenario yet, but we all are coping with what life has thrown at us. In spite of the pandemonium it has created, the global pandemic behooves me for the life lessons, it has taught in a short time.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This planet is not just ours. It belongs to other species too. We acted otherwise all along. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is no substitute to family. It’s a big safety net. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everything else has its substitutes – from the simple newspaper to an herb like oregano. Absolutely anything can be substituted. No Oregano use fresh basil from the pots. No moisturizer use coconut oil and the list goes on. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Important to be creative, in everything – especially in cooking. How else would I have survived so many days impressing two men, with some limited resources. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even the strong ones need help and support – physically and emotionally. Give it without being judgmental. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The stone rejected by builders becomes the cornerstone – got to understand the real meaning of this verse. Our elliptical has moved from the first floor to our terrace due to complete lack of patronage and during this lock down it has been a saving grace for our workouts. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s not enough that you have a good collection of professional wear, but imperative that you have a good collection of home wear too. To create an feel good factor, I lavishly used all the holiday wear at home. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always believed we paid a big price for a house, as its is locked most of the day and we get back late in the evenings. No, I am wrong. Its definitely serving its ROI now.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is nothing that cannot happen virtually – weddings, birthdays, Zumba, mass, family get together's, games, why even funerals. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It pays to have good neighbors around, especially when you end up seeing them almost every day for more than 40 days </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopeless and futile to have dependencies in life. Change is the only constant thing. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Always knew the uncertainty of life, but Covid-19, took it a little far. Attitude adjustment is the key. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When its between life and death, everything else can wait. That includes religion too. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For what it’s worth other interests in life would help you sustain yourself during slow down days, even later – reading, art, writing, music, plants, pets, cooking, dreaming, cleaning and not to forget Netflix. Apply your mind and this list is endless. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In no time, the discernibly strong can spiral out of control and look like fools </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For all we know L.I.F.E could just turn around willfully, malevolently and vindictively anytime. Don’t we ever forget that. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes. Life can take a complete U turn in no time and without any notice! </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Health is what we all need to aspire for. Nothing more. Nothing less. Period. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all desire for continuity and that’s exactly why we see people scaling up to the unprecedented times – school teachers using virtual apps for classes, people coming up with innovative videos on music and many more.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Education that we thought is the most important has taken a back seat. how do explain that?</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The most ordinary of the folks cannot be replaced and they still work. the garbage cleaner, vegetable vendor, the milk man, the nurses, the ward boys</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">While we all sit smugly in the safety of homes, there are health workers who are right in the middle of the chaos, making sacrifices</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">There is no limit to the foolishness of the humankind. One world leader can prove it to us.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn’t this Pandemic a great leveler? Almost like time?</span></li>
</ol>
</span>Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-4733919747500360692020-04-18T13:01:00.001+05:302020-04-20T11:28:48.977+05:30A couple of days at Auroville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2019 has been the most traveled year for both J and me starting with Dubai for our wedding anniversary and then on to other locations that I have blogged about. It was in the first week of October, Dussehra holidays, soon after the Tada waterfall trip, we decided to visit Auroville. Not a planned trip and Pondicherry being just a stone’s throw away, we managed to get a last minute booking in a home stay at Auroville. Though we have been to Pondicherry so many times, this was our first to Auroville, yeah, unbelievably so.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Lovely roads and clear skies</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Auroville - the sign board</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A long drive needs a fresh early morning start and that’s our usual practice and we were greeted to a fine bright morning, with clear skies and soft white clouds that created a good tapestry all along our drive and reached Auroville by 10.00 am</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The home stay</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The home stay that J booked was within the Botanical garden
of Auroville and was modelled like a traditional south Indian household with
wooden pillars, red oxide floors, teak wood furniture with verandahs all around
the house amid thick greenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
homestay was surrounded by chikkoo trees aka mud berries, that I love, though
most of the fruits were unripe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within
the compound there were lot of flowering plants like the roses, crossandras and varieties of
Jasmine which spread its fragrance in the evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This place had a common kitchen which we could use along
with the other guests, though we used it only for our morning Tea, also had a wood fired
Pizza oven, if we cared make one that is. Felt at home at this place especially
with the care taker Abhi’s two little kids, who got friendly with us and would
accompany us during our botanical garden trips. Since it was Dussehra, they had
holidays too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">J was keen on meditation at Mathiri Mandhir and that’s why
we went in there as soon we reached there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One big miss of this trip was that due to the holiday rush, we couldn’t
get a slot for meditation on all the three days we were there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The first day hence, after checking out Mathiri Mandir
briefly and their timings, a bit disappointed for missing out on meditation, we rested at our homestay before we went in for a short trip around the Botanical garden, followed by a
long walk on the roads covered by green canopy at Auroville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the roads here, especially the one
leading to Mathiri Mandir had these quaint cafes, which were quite inviting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Auroville is synonymous with Pondicherry and it is a tiny
town where people from around the world come over to live their dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are stories about corporate honchos,
doctors, scientists and others from all walks of life who come here and turn
into organic farming, becoming teachers and mechanics and living simple
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see them all around here in
Auroville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a dry land where
people feared to live earlier and thanks to the sustained efforts of the
Aurobindo Ashram, this has turned into a lush Greenland leaving not a patch as
a dry land within Auroville. It also put in some existential questions in
our minds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The plan for the next day morning was a trip to the Auro
beach which was a couple of kilometres away from our homestay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little drive to cross the ECR and we were
at a lovely beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sparsely crowded, the
beach was literally all ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the
sun coming out, leaving its rays on the salty water and letting it glisten, giving
us a gleam to our morning, soaking us up in the serenity only an ocean can
bring. After a brisk walk, a photo shoot and some time in the water we got back
to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mathiri Mandir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The visitor centre there has a nice
restaurant that serves good continental and Indian breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the only place which did not demand
a Auro Card – an essential there at Auroville.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The Auro beach, all for ourselves</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not wanting to waste a minute of our time there, we picked
up the pass for the Mathri mandir view point.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Auroville means ‘the city of the dawn’ and was founded by a French lady
who was called ‘The Mother’; and was the successor to </span><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Shri
Aurobindo</b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, a well- known spiritual leader. The town was founded by her with
the aim of creating a place which was a symbol of human unity in the 70’s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spread across around 20 sq km the place is full of calmness and tranquility and the walk up to</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> M</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">atri mandir definitely refreshed our body and soul. The 1 km long walk amidst soothing greenery which also gives ample shade from the blazing sun while you listen to the sounds of birds that soothe the tantalized souls of the city.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">J and I had some deep discussions about how simple life can be if only we chose it to be simple.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a free bus service and a shuttle service to move up this path, and we chose to walk.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is a revered silence that engulfs this place, in spite of so many people around.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Along this mud pathway 12 slabs of rocks, each with a painting of a different colored flower, symbolizing a human quality – sincerity, peace, equality, generosity, goodness, courage, progress, receptivity, aspiration, perseverance, gratitude and humility.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKqTvvJ1tYE/Xp03WKjxGcI/AAAAAAAAF8I/oK2H_JqY8w0FITN8Telw1cCuX41Xrl05ACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqybBTq5Vd3aDMLSs1itBdA0sDTcVixNw2poyB82AmQYcvnK81AKSI51wLRYurDoVXeXInmwUNQTNVsRaBbFyIiQq96Yt7VkMg3lse2perLX-ZYu3t3gkQ5OpqliD4jfYHcnvsB1NA9Mq_DtsbTDCkDarJpKw5JtGfYGBwYUMpq9SxeAiLfKQI3YBOzBKAlxfgu7nyLtQc3MgRLyg2AemMf8JurmmpcrurdjiED9uL0u2rkcA_mdJMuFzNVpOq-2nB73gP1__FCNils1yPcQtvswutAwYi5sKgwltDn7Mta8gu_LfmtJELppiiLSddrNb-ef0BVHcK9spaLBM3_pxs4OLQ5lPWyRvps4U2DRloV_jXGbT2qW0FX6eOKJUrp-Nk1QffygJLA0-Pt_1BWbrtvKCsZa8Geu4s9tXXsq1g8BS_II446cylGn5Cl0YK0l1GKHFrYvi5_IgUqD5IKUu2xEWo5dmbSw2iaDAY0fNQdvRg4mlSeEvwRcbI9KjJfs1qH-iPz0C2YcUM-_VoFsrDfmVfQHiulqlfAgvPkqJ19ZEvSb4D0IgRE9_51B4z-Am-OItkhiSnmeGsQhjxunIy3yeMkowM6OyQJlMNf19PQF/s1600/mm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VKqTvvJ1tYE/Xp03WKjxGcI/AAAAAAAAF8I/oK2H_JqY8w0FITN8Telw1cCuX41Xrl05ACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqybBTq5Vd3aDMLSs1itBdA0sDTcVixNw2poyB82AmQYcvnK81AKSI51wLRYurDoVXeXInmwUNQTNVsRaBbFyIiQq96Yt7VkMg3lse2perLX-ZYu3t3gkQ5OpqliD4jfYHcnvsB1NA9Mq_DtsbTDCkDarJpKw5JtGfYGBwYUMpq9SxeAiLfKQI3YBOzBKAlxfgu7nyLtQc3MgRLyg2AemMf8JurmmpcrurdjiED9uL0u2rkcA_mdJMuFzNVpOq-2nB73gP1__FCNils1yPcQtvswutAwYi5sKgwltDn7Mta8gu_LfmtJELppiiLSddrNb-ef0BVHcK9spaLBM3_pxs4OLQ5lPWyRvps4U2DRloV_jXGbT2qW0FX6eOKJUrp-Nk1QffygJLA0-Pt_1BWbrtvKCsZa8Geu4s9tXXsq1g8BS_II446cylGn5Cl0YK0l1GKHFrYvi5_IgUqD5IKUu2xEWo5dmbSw2iaDAY0fNQdvRg4mlSeEvwRcbI9KjJfs1qH-iPz0C2YcUM-_VoFsrDfmVfQHiulqlfAgvPkqJ19ZEvSb4D0IgRE9_51B4z-Am-OItkhiSnmeGsQhjxunIy3yeMkowM6OyQJlMNf19PQF/s640/mm.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mighty Mathri Mandir</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBjANUX-k14/Xp03PdEt7_I/AAAAAAAAF8M/GDcRXV0FKbMd8qp2Gv5GpcHzCic7My14gCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqw4YiIGwWkRvayj13mrq3-8KiSk71vhIHxq_5ZEFTu-XRiri0aIIh7Nr0YcTdJfpuYkHS4vxn_NaHCCCKphc7aWrg3mhEIORgLw9sdSp6IJB-1S_IyF2QQ1ERmGsaOoQ-KjXpH4rhw5hATfS1Cm8_TvLf7u0Om74faWbuHJwERqtKVnzVCZLc3QyhKkjQBxujr5yxQgTxY6rDu1qzTyeUbK3DcEtGX4iOMINY2VDg7B_zQsYSae7c40K_kS14tS99lIvKKeVHi7ZGn756DNeY_IfzgFhmYday1sJMqzZtMk6lbrNhsBD1deJ_qbRm0beCBMJuIygYg6_VrQX3d2l_QgL0QZqrJa23sQ-9_5_FD0He-VQRNCsYNqOAokCZGDW0e3bOFbIw8ANJe4GxtRGLso2GuOEDF3Q--OgVlWCFGPlUa6J5N-023_rfmLQMAJngbQl4P_WBq2YvGxXyu_3IGCePQ7d41MYqr2Bz0vJxDjg2cWoxBc0BQMIq_wM65VIqQmCZKR59gw8FAtL4MeAO2gm41KmR1nU8OYwtK9yGa-fQUDTSaUa7pu7cm-Nzpn90CZOPhxfQI-W74SsE45SJLI48-CFjuN5b0kMIX29PQF/s1600/banyan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HBjANUX-k14/Xp03PdEt7_I/AAAAAAAAF8M/GDcRXV0FKbMd8qp2Gv5GpcHzCic7My14gCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqw4YiIGwWkRvayj13mrq3-8KiSk71vhIHxq_5ZEFTu-XRiri0aIIh7Nr0YcTdJfpuYkHS4vxn_NaHCCCKphc7aWrg3mhEIORgLw9sdSp6IJB-1S_IyF2QQ1ERmGsaOoQ-KjXpH4rhw5hATfS1Cm8_TvLf7u0Om74faWbuHJwERqtKVnzVCZLc3QyhKkjQBxujr5yxQgTxY6rDu1qzTyeUbK3DcEtGX4iOMINY2VDg7B_zQsYSae7c40K_kS14tS99lIvKKeVHi7ZGn756DNeY_IfzgFhmYday1sJMqzZtMk6lbrNhsBD1deJ_qbRm0beCBMJuIygYg6_VrQX3d2l_QgL0QZqrJa23sQ-9_5_FD0He-VQRNCsYNqOAokCZGDW0e3bOFbIw8ANJe4GxtRGLso2GuOEDF3Q--OgVlWCFGPlUa6J5N-023_rfmLQMAJngbQl4P_WBq2YvGxXyu_3IGCePQ7d41MYqr2Bz0vJxDjg2cWoxBc0BQMIq_wM65VIqQmCZKR59gw8FAtL4MeAO2gm41KmR1nU8OYwtK9yGa-fQUDTSaUa7pu7cm-Nzpn90CZOPhxfQI-W74SsE45SJLI48-CFjuN5b0kMIX29PQF/s400/banyan.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> Resting under the green awning of <br />Banyan tree </b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the path rose up in front of us, the Mathri
Mandir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Against the backdrop of the blue
sky, it looked stunning. The Mathri mandir is a golden globe
like structure coming out of the earth, symbolized by the 12 stone petals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The view
point was a bit crowded but we still could find a spot to sit down and stare at
this marvelous structure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our way
back, the sun burning us down a bit, we reached the great banyan tree, under which
we sat for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>J even dozed a bit
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had planned to have lunch at Tantos Trattoria Pizzeria, highly
recommended by friends who travel there often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had to park our car under a large banyan tree grown wild and walked
up to this place. It was a small open air kind of restaurant, but it had a zany
elegance with roofed pergolas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other
diners were mix of Indians, foreigners mostly young and with a nice ambiance with a wonderful vibe enhanced by the natural setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had the original wood fired ovens <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into which the freshly made pizza base went in
and came out to be topped with our choice of toppings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food served was more than what J and I
could devour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though not a pizza person,
Tantos lived up to its name filling us up not just food, but with a great
feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMazU3qhT3Y/XpqsgKxJ9EI/AAAAAAAAF7A/o-iBA4ffuTU29vzTf3ZW3Zq5Ama9xolkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/tanto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMazU3qhT3Y/XpqsgKxJ9EI/AAAAAAAAF7A/o-iBA4ffuTU29vzTf3ZW3Zq5Ama9xolkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/tanto.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Pizza in the oven</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had an unforgettable evening though.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Visiting Pondicherry beach promenade was
in our list, so we went up there which was around 12 kms from our home stay.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Reminiscing our earlier memories
of the place, didn’t watch the time go by and started back around 8pm.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the GPS in place, we didn’t bother much
about our route back, until we were by the headlights of our vehicle.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had covered a good 8kms by then,
and GPS told us there is just 4kms left, so J decided to proceed precariously.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I could sense J tightening up a bit and I was terrified.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I sat in complete silence, having lost the mobile signals, but the roads weren’t getting any better,</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was a plain mud road and felt like forever in the wilderness until we reached a gate.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The locked gate was not a familiar one, though GPS announced, You have arrived.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Not able to reach our caretaker, the only option was to go back to a place where we got the signals back.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we drove back through the same eerie pathway, until we got the signals back, and this time after changing our desitnation to Mathri Mandir we were able to come to the familiar roads.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That was a freaky excitement though.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3unGeq95vLw/XpqoYlXd3TI/AAAAAAAAF6g/KMvWbVCyOQQYcyS7fYhRHfmBBg3AD7AXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3unGeq95vLw/XpqoYlXd3TI/AAAAAAAAF6g/KMvWbVCyOQQYcyS7fYhRHfmBBg3AD7AXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/road.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The road that scared the hell out of us</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So we had an adhoc activity for the next day – figure out
how and where we lost our way. J was so particular and he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The botanical garden is in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>50 acre plot and this home stay is on the nethermost
side of this plot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a pathway
right behind this garden, and GPS has shown the shortest route to the botanical
garden and taken us through the road less traveled literally, in the opposite
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laughed so hard because it didn’t
take us less than 30 seconds to come to the road that led us to the locked
gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove through that same way in
broad daylight and wondered how darkness and fear can change everything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1jS9sK8rHY/XpqoxImt6hI/AAAAAAAAF6o/Dxae4fXhqT4Ub7I7gg4zBJYldkdCu02YQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1jS9sK8rHY/XpqoxImt6hI/AAAAAAAAF6o/Dxae4fXhqT4Ub7I7gg4zBJYldkdCu02YQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/BG.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>At one of the landscaped water bodies @Botanical garden</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAI4QyYjo0A/Xp03TqQ6deI/AAAAAAAAF8A/CmScMV-0ik4Js_L2yfzUsCmNMvdawrPdACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwhV7vjlWY4F1xc7F6xLXWYVkqhJn7vpFVZQXWekqC0qipVZHw6NejiMZIpHpGCnMQYIGAlynP3LCPIe2lcymQkI7gDy5d26PnTKhdleeSYDAlCUQTSYR7znmuXlEC4XK7nkCZqUw24wVS44z96jH_7xlE_bGhU66VUoKDb-wICvoLA9n-OQE_mMF6_l8PsLH8_lXezntnMcD210afBn6YkoX-M_aSG5Csss9CVmXsVQ6hm0qzjEZhPQkjx9YgNQiKA0YdYnZL9S7suVzqblzbeRCKyULFSc18ZZ4ijjKcPll6oQ13MG7RRotsLAmyXtdVIUD193rgEazCeXgXUiNkpIQXH8wpL2JGFlia8Ug6aWZD9CDHZdT8cGEwltfJlVUpInHzoIzDeWA7_Y0XJAlkrTPi1j6BP08BG2NM0_rZgRHRuscfhTNQTAQF9pe9k-2c8e67k5TrZLFSiMF_FjpjxRU2UhaQMyP9LZiILhN29qkoUKPLFN3rW-oQAZgkJPsd5aRe3mqFulzsdsxnLnMbQjW6L1ubu29HQZvIPG30Wlpc7KD_LZscjRhp_29FS1nZYAiKNC6_Uj4JdsPJWVawYFCTQ9mWVF4UKMJP39PQF/s1600/fishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pAI4QyYjo0A/Xp03TqQ6deI/AAAAAAAAF8A/CmScMV-0ik4Js_L2yfzUsCmNMvdawrPdACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwhV7vjlWY4F1xc7F6xLXWYVkqhJn7vpFVZQXWekqC0qipVZHw6NejiMZIpHpGCnMQYIGAlynP3LCPIe2lcymQkI7gDy5d26PnTKhdleeSYDAlCUQTSYR7znmuXlEC4XK7nkCZqUw24wVS44z96jH_7xlE_bGhU66VUoKDb-wICvoLA9n-OQE_mMF6_l8PsLH8_lXezntnMcD210afBn6YkoX-M_aSG5Csss9CVmXsVQ6hm0qzjEZhPQkjx9YgNQiKA0YdYnZL9S7suVzqblzbeRCKyULFSc18ZZ4ijjKcPll6oQ13MG7RRotsLAmyXtdVIUD193rgEazCeXgXUiNkpIQXH8wpL2JGFlia8Ug6aWZD9CDHZdT8cGEwltfJlVUpInHzoIzDeWA7_Y0XJAlkrTPi1j6BP08BG2NM0_rZgRHRuscfhTNQTAQF9pe9k-2c8e67k5TrZLFSiMF_FjpjxRU2UhaQMyP9LZiILhN29qkoUKPLFN3rW-oQAZgkJPsd5aRe3mqFulzsdsxnLnMbQjW6L1ubu29HQZvIPG30Wlpc7KD_LZscjRhp_29FS1nZYAiKNC6_Uj4JdsPJWVawYFCTQ9mWVF4UKMJP39PQF/s320/fishes.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The guppies we caught</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We went around the Botanical garden that has luxurious landscapes, formal gardens, nurseries, arboretums and also a warehouse that sells plants, garden equipment, accessories and even organic manure. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The caretakers kids were around us showing us where we can pick up gardening stuff. I laid my hands on a oval shaped terracotta tub, for a reasonable price and J picked some equipment for the rubber estate in Kerala.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">The best thing about the day was we went to a pond nearby and caught a whole lot guppies growing wild. S</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">urprised J enjoyed catching those little fellas along with me and those little kids</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> and we brought them home in a 5 liter Bisleri bottle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Auroville has some genuine dairy farms that I have heard of
and so we picked some dairy products including some exotic cheese from these
places, which were packed neatly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dennu is
a fan of all kind of cheese and I was sure he would give me the widest grin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had planned to get back to Mathiri Mandir then, and visit
the meditation centre and stay there again, to experience Auroville all
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever that is.</span></div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-66803250792511087712020-04-14T18:49:00.001+05:302020-04-14T18:57:53.779+05:305 things I really miss during the lockdown<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Did any of us see this coming? Without a doubt, our answer is a big NO. Amidst all this uncertainty and gloominess, our daily lives have gone topsy turvy, a whole lot of our plans are out of our control and the whole world is gripped by the fear of this microbe. It may take a lot longer than all the forecasts for our lives before lock down to return and I feel social distancing can even become the new way of life, moving forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some of the the ordinary things that we all took for granted certainly looks like a luxury and we all have a list of stuff that we miss everyday. Right from the first day of the lock down, there are a few things that I miss more than others and as always, this virtual space looked like the best place to jot down those little delights that had to bite the dust, in the last few weeks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Walk in the trail</b> - The Joy of walking a good 5 km in the trail, motivating me every single day to wake up early. A snaking mud road, along the Adyar river, crossing the OTA run by Indian army and along the rear side of the airport was an happy place. Surrounded by lots of trees and songbirds this one hour walk, used to be my time of planning, introspection, prayer and self-talk. I drive a couple of kilometres to reach this place and then I am transported to a world of my own away from traffic and the hustle of a city, drawing immense strength from this simple activity. Lumowell and Leslie Sansone with their impressive power walking routines these days couldn't impress me as much as my walk in the trail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>2. Church</b> - A sunday mass is a rule written in stone at home. There was no question of skipping the weekly mass. Even during those non GPS days of travel, I could find a catholic church to attend a sunday mass, in any part of the world. An online mass was for the older people and never attempted participating in one all these days. Forced into live streaming mass from our syro-malabar church (that's a rite I belong to), the only sunny side is Dennu sits with us and we go through the mass together. In a real church, he would refuse that and considers it very juvenile. A blessing in disguise, but, I do miss the ambience a church creates and the peace it brings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Cabin at office </b>- Never thought I would miss this little space. I work for a team, that does not insist on working from office. And moreover most of our sessions are facilitated online and if the network bandwidth was good enough, the digital medium could be accessed from anywhere. Belonging to the old school, I loved working from the space assigned to me, networking and engaging with colleagues from other teams. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That little white board, the draws, cupboards, books on the table and strangely I seem to be missing all that and the space itself. Thankfully, plants are taken care of by a few who drop into office once in a while. Yep, I have plants in my cabin - I am a plant mom you see!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Driving </b>- It could be the fact that I started driving late, I truly enjoy driving, even within the city. when most people of my age are looking at depending on drivers or taxi services like Uber or Ola, I would prefer driving on my own. Even to some of our offices 25kms away from home, I would drive rather than take a taxi. Driving is a sign of empowerment which cut my dependencies on others, precisely why I loved it, even the daily commute and yes, its in this list.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Babes trip </b>- If not for Covid 19, we would have been finalising our Babes trip, by now. Usually starts with a lunch meeting outside office, and the entire process of finalizing the dates, ensuring we have the cognizance of our families about the destination, breaking it down into places of visit everyday, the logistics, collaborating with our tour operator, filling up excel sheets, forex, visa, the list looks endless and ahh the shopping! I wonder if we will make it this year. Like Sudha was saying in one of our group calls, if not this year next year we will make that as two trips.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not cribbing, but just reminiscing some of the bits and bobs of life that added colour to life earlier.</span></div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-15751702859380491982020-04-07T20:44:00.003+05:302020-04-20T11:43:48.907+05:30Ta-Daah! How we surprised ourselves !!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A post on this title has been due for more than half an year. If not for the lock down going on right now, it would have had a slow natural death in my head even before it was put down into writing.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A trek was in the offing for some time, primarily to
test our physical abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially
after my surgery, I have been wanting to check my endurance levels. So this came up and looked moderately tough
and good enough for us to test it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>J is the energetic and physically active kinds and this is something that would excite him, I was
pretty sure, even if I cannot make it, he will drag me along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the hope I had when I set out with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So it was 2<sup>nd</sup> of October, 2019, that we ventured into this
trek, though this ended up being much more intense than what we hoped for. Setting
out pretty early around 6.45 am, it took a swift 90 minutes to cover the 90 km
distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>J was at the wheel and as usual
the drive was a breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clear skies,
scenic roadsides and we had the edge of starting out early, the roads were
traffic free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--AECqdi7Ax0/Xp07YWGy_7I/AAAAAAAAF9A/YSTmFI-mO_E8EUHokFbVRe5gczteQcMXgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxwCUeDkHP2uUXA9w_gCos_qL8i1xqOVnqGgwC9g9PWhFpP7LdFMF8JY06jE8hxrOc76EZZc0m8pOyV4mBbxenmNl4zW-UspL2owPFJYvipZpe8LulxiUBEInIwInfUCjYbKE64F-2BNAsFLovYGbf0-PhDXb4FwH4MTaS_o0msEkmWKLuPk8YTS01l7_NHMWZ-oUhzCd7TcRRe1u26A7U97ZMb3ywN6cdg-ilOlDh5rt-i-Xm4JzY3OuFgUkqwXNXCBABa-KiqCzZYawg-CQTsTu3vVLF7_OAExv75nvFskYqJvGsnUjbs_quyKS3LNC-uBbR7bKD5TNAskDyQCD79DzmZyrql8mBgmSoAblKIKpSyTEcFVN_quwWnofiiNUvXj0ghv_prC2BdvPjcwXDOj4mcMStFfGhNCe_ph2ebgF-crdAaw22ATk3agIqlXfCqzA5l4GIuMEWDqnMckU6FYwLXEu5qBPilyRVXx6msfGjFND57JdqE1L3oAP7qUoRZUFt_1cBFtbRemNewbeI6QgGvv8t4yH-ot54A3FTXWTLV97FdCkDtmRssoczRapfpAtzs8QEI1XYmECsa-YLBELWLT9gXN3wEMOT89PQF/s1600/tada%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--AECqdi7Ax0/Xp07YWGy_7I/AAAAAAAAF9A/YSTmFI-mO_E8EUHokFbVRe5gczteQcMXgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxwCUeDkHP2uUXA9w_gCos_qL8i1xqOVnqGgwC9g9PWhFpP7LdFMF8JY06jE8hxrOc76EZZc0m8pOyV4mBbxenmNl4zW-UspL2owPFJYvipZpe8LulxiUBEInIwInfUCjYbKE64F-2BNAsFLovYGbf0-PhDXb4FwH4MTaS_o0msEkmWKLuPk8YTS01l7_NHMWZ-oUhzCd7TcRRe1u26A7U97ZMb3ywN6cdg-ilOlDh5rt-i-Xm4JzY3OuFgUkqwXNXCBABa-KiqCzZYawg-CQTsTu3vVLF7_OAExv75nvFskYqJvGsnUjbs_quyKS3LNC-uBbR7bKD5TNAskDyQCD79DzmZyrql8mBgmSoAblKIKpSyTEcFVN_quwWnofiiNUvXj0ghv_prC2BdvPjcwXDOj4mcMStFfGhNCe_ph2ebgF-crdAaw22ATk3agIqlXfCqzA5l4GIuMEWDqnMckU6FYwLXEu5qBPilyRVXx6msfGjFND57JdqE1L3oAP7qUoRZUFt_1cBFtbRemNewbeI6QgGvv8t4yH-ot54A3FTXWTLV97FdCkDtmRssoczRapfpAtzs8QEI1XYmECsa-YLBELWLT9gXN3wEMOT89PQF/s640/tada%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Doesn't it look good?</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tada falls is in the border of Chennai and Andhra Pradesh, in a
village by that name. We were greeted by a sign board that said “Welcome to
Ubbalamadugu Waterfall” and I realized why no one ever uses the full name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The car park at the base was empty, & after
paying the entrance fee, which was meagre, we set out for the trek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Armed with our essentials, including water,
snacks, jackets, goggles and sunscreen we crossed an iron bridge across a river,
a fairly large one, to walk over to the road leading to the waterfalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxUS8UJ9E5c/Xp07a42ZmDI/AAAAAAAAF9E/TgExWvlf_UINzzjFPNgJmE6P8F3gxY04ACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwNVqXVcnsiBNiley53NeKlcPyIpk79zc7yPLKh76geNU_YRDtDOdoMP4ViEStXMkvX487dLoBDgnJpfDvRw4TiW8I2K8cOirNiVbFEZZNzqpvGf2XJBhzKYVsZI-y9enmCYlj7wbJxHPLAwVF6S1sKx6-gocO8fp20p1CTDePnp-YDXg9nWTIcGs53fsbNTPrZn8-pFazTqrE7PA4hPrq13dIqjjWgIGncCEuQ2HrxLt_c36uMDW4gXOlYbsOLr4I5StjLnJqhLUtAEUtlGAwIjdtedd4v-lw-DIP1FEj313mGsqC-f682OWVRbPPa4gK5wwZZ2WqulfqPieYqZAFehG_zPgXpQFnd4fpP2GFPMi_-1L0iNIZUGo2lyLtlWUk01tZFovV7QD4QOVS9WXalJMzbKIoj4uGj-qLW5xAx0QAcDG8Ek8jYa_5KK-gdhtzDudarRqmTMkSPt7hlAC2S6yyikpzvyOa8BGZZpzuXEIgfYaQRWbJm6-W-Q5GCDjPS03Oz03hYiCayZgu4uSKHQGNpAIJo9FnZofm4OS1kV01ACorJiNt8VbPgFxIFEDqvkOBxc3_Y9fjrmhC7sZ7fwnNUOU1xWezUMJn99PQF/s1600/vincy%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MxUS8UJ9E5c/Xp07a42ZmDI/AAAAAAAAF9E/TgExWvlf_UINzzjFPNgJmE6P8F3gxY04ACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwNVqXVcnsiBNiley53NeKlcPyIpk79zc7yPLKh76geNU_YRDtDOdoMP4ViEStXMkvX487dLoBDgnJpfDvRw4TiW8I2K8cOirNiVbFEZZNzqpvGf2XJBhzKYVsZI-y9enmCYlj7wbJxHPLAwVF6S1sKx6-gocO8fp20p1CTDePnp-YDXg9nWTIcGs53fsbNTPrZn8-pFazTqrE7PA4hPrq13dIqjjWgIGncCEuQ2HrxLt_c36uMDW4gXOlYbsOLr4I5StjLnJqhLUtAEUtlGAwIjdtedd4v-lw-DIP1FEj313mGsqC-f682OWVRbPPa4gK5wwZZ2WqulfqPieYqZAFehG_zPgXpQFnd4fpP2GFPMi_-1L0iNIZUGo2lyLtlWUk01tZFovV7QD4QOVS9WXalJMzbKIoj4uGj-qLW5xAx0QAcDG8Ek8jYa_5KK-gdhtzDudarRqmTMkSPt7hlAC2S6yyikpzvyOa8BGZZpzuXEIgfYaQRWbJm6-W-Q5GCDjPS03Oz03hYiCayZgu4uSKHQGNpAIJo9FnZofm4OS1kV01ACorJiNt8VbPgFxIFEDqvkOBxc3_Y9fjrmhC7sZ7fwnNUOU1xWezUMJn99PQF/s400/vincy%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Jacket gets under the hat</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was expecting a mini trek, and to see the waterfalls in
a few minutes but that was not to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had to walk through sandy pathways which were by now sunny and bright
(read as heat pricking the skin), some distance of which was surrounded by thick shrubs and few
metres just bare, open to the sky, with absolutely no vegetation. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The earlier
rains kept the greenery on the surrounding mountains lush and bright, and that
was a big respite to watch and tread along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Few minutes in the sun and got to realise the flimsy hat was no good in front
of the blazing sun, so had to use the jacket as my head cover<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- didn’t want to end up with a headache, by
evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the long walk we waded through another water
way and continued walking along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
here the sand gives way to hard untamed rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is no pathway and you just use judgement and balance to hop from
one stone to another and follow few of the young trekkers along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water was all
around, and there were places so deep that it came up to the chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing how to swim definitely helped J,
while I took the round about rocky terrain, he would swim to cross that part
and wait for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mental note to self – Learn
to swim, for heaven sake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATzkbpWA4OQ/Xp07ZBNYf4I/AAAAAAAAF9A/CdVTNuGwR2AWOAHkKPhBIMXQWTgb-rMQgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqys7qKOQvythGNv2_ZtndoVLvHGRw5pWl_f24FKig-v8MACmtF_uNsii73vSZCQOZTodFzpvGe8E9IDENkmtbxDV0SIfjg9CeK06va4jEsdKYSZDmoNtmn2Bc4_oUPIiIECz7HXDRKfo--MsUGAfvpEeDmgj8aWLyJVvoM-eRrVLL2p34jt6FvpSH3MpeTkvNeps1JaBkql3KcZ1vN0NDQ-BfXJste2vCLoocwIoOemnLjs1VXok7HxbG9POPn-1s09fJlnIeawmsyJTvaznh8H6-kyeCfPgrTlZ-mQHSSHlV2giQkMTRKQqMRLUeMeFnNXckQvwwXbhZKUewB4E_qjksTi98I7n9pPH2axTclOskyYL7T3YesStSOT6h_G9sxBwYXaJPC8bbbu39iEnTvzBEsNg4_UkMqH0VDqRrpqu3aAzvD_h6NL-GLaFSHsqSMAYDFe7GrysI7qE_xArexNCXdg4lgGCssZZf3moqtf4RFr1MAvFHYZsqfaEF118OlZ5mx-sjugh_bwrXTBSbPSH98AF2XHkhWbV2U_xy8GYBcXVLbrctPkbpFD4koqZZJb7hVH5xt5E5pJuLhF5CrSA2Tt8i463uj5MOb99PQF/s1600/vincy%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATzkbpWA4OQ/Xp07ZBNYf4I/AAAAAAAAF9A/CdVTNuGwR2AWOAHkKPhBIMXQWTgb-rMQgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqys7qKOQvythGNv2_ZtndoVLvHGRw5pWl_f24FKig-v8MACmtF_uNsii73vSZCQOZTodFzpvGe8E9IDENkmtbxDV0SIfjg9CeK06va4jEsdKYSZDmoNtmn2Bc4_oUPIiIECz7HXDRKfo--MsUGAfvpEeDmgj8aWLyJVvoM-eRrVLL2p34jt6FvpSH3MpeTkvNeps1JaBkql3KcZ1vN0NDQ-BfXJste2vCLoocwIoOemnLjs1VXok7HxbG9POPn-1s09fJlnIeawmsyJTvaznh8H6-kyeCfPgrTlZ-mQHSSHlV2giQkMTRKQqMRLUeMeFnNXckQvwwXbhZKUewB4E_qjksTi98I7n9pPH2axTclOskyYL7T3YesStSOT6h_G9sxBwYXaJPC8bbbu39iEnTvzBEsNg4_UkMqH0VDqRrpqu3aAzvD_h6NL-GLaFSHsqSMAYDFe7GrysI7qE_xArexNCXdg4lgGCssZZf3moqtf4RFr1MAvFHYZsqfaEF118OlZ5mx-sjugh_bwrXTBSbPSH98AF2XHkhWbV2U_xy8GYBcXVLbrctPkbpFD4koqZZJb7hVH5xt5E5pJuLhF5CrSA2Tt8i463uj5MOb99PQF/s400/vincy%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Scenic ! Ain't it?</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rocky pathway got tougher, with thicker vegetation,
larger trees with a lot of our ancestors, arrogant and unhappy that we are
intruding into their space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>J kept
hopping in front of me with ease and I had difficult keeping pace with him and
was also gasping for breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some
places the trekkable path was quite narrow and we had to hang on to thick rope
like roots to walk along. Within an hours’ time the trek was beginning to be
difficult and I had to sit down for a while under a tree for a few minutes of
rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The trek route was not crowded, and our
fellow trekkers, were mostly men. I definitely gave the few young girls a run
for their money, as I found myself in better shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I was lagging behind J, I was fitter than the those kids who were throwing tantrums even to jump onto a stone just
two feet in height.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some even were going
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most places the water was crystal
clear, chill and invites to dunk yourself in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially when you are sweating like a pig under the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every now and then I would stop listen to the
sound of flowing water, and gaze at the fishes.</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2NDUc0CuIE/Xp07SxrLbQI/AAAAAAAAF88/Oo6H6u12VognAD6iG_guH912O_OchdZEACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqx5mOgApJ1NNQzM0Rdc8xViYNSOC0jB24Dcf7-UqjNac83ze7IASrgMAnyHGnivQyyGGMQrb8tA7uZpKja_Fuh1ep336D7tjcbIYn3ShILCwIg1uLXh3Yvh7tHPKXiGMTjJJTt0vWCwxOzYAURn0hbY5rCHB_2CJWHxWr7PxqPFNdqe_jMMpfLnDYiaVKfSaaN9YnE9XEf5WqR35OnupdAqQSZmNKKYi0Saf8QlevBShYm2_BGcAtH377lx1OTyeFuGHkZt0Pb_ARU9QPfN5hOR1J52ystDqTKO4FTIahXV1lhoQYMJmxEWGNYJpY3vhMzdH6azXvKnmiQnlGGYN-UGWz0LHKScFmue0u2E1urEwRGsSJO22RcbsbpIPfZhbM0Wtc6Bh3rXqaRSauxUiW8l3o5tL1pcJCPRAKKFT3PRMN1lkPN0jp_1o6TSv3cYgeV5ewuUg2Grh1Uws18t19LM5BtJ37Sinp5fkXGzexLNGJIa1IsMxXn4mg2bR32qCL6lYamvJvGzRDhOkF7lPem1NLCIWoQzq3qSl1_vqxvxjP0t7jkriteEfPRoG9MrUM5TUhV8R-vkpyYmd_h6by0DBcKEQDPI6rEtMKb-9PQF/s1600/a%2BTada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2NDUc0CuIE/Xp07SxrLbQI/AAAAAAAAF88/Oo6H6u12VognAD6iG_guH912O_OchdZEACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqx5mOgApJ1NNQzM0Rdc8xViYNSOC0jB24Dcf7-UqjNac83ze7IASrgMAnyHGnivQyyGGMQrb8tA7uZpKja_Fuh1ep336D7tjcbIYn3ShILCwIg1uLXh3Yvh7tHPKXiGMTjJJTt0vWCwxOzYAURn0hbY5rCHB_2CJWHxWr7PxqPFNdqe_jMMpfLnDYiaVKfSaaN9YnE9XEf5WqR35OnupdAqQSZmNKKYi0Saf8QlevBShYm2_BGcAtH377lx1OTyeFuGHkZt0Pb_ARU9QPfN5hOR1J52ystDqTKO4FTIahXV1lhoQYMJmxEWGNYJpY3vhMzdH6azXvKnmiQnlGGYN-UGWz0LHKScFmue0u2E1urEwRGsSJO22RcbsbpIPfZhbM0Wtc6Bh3rXqaRSauxUiW8l3o5tL1pcJCPRAKKFT3PRMN1lkPN0jp_1o6TSv3cYgeV5ewuUg2Grh1Uws18t19LM5BtJ37Sinp5fkXGzexLNGJIa1IsMxXn4mg2bR32qCL6lYamvJvGzRDhOkF7lPem1NLCIWoQzq3qSl1_vqxvxjP0t7jkriteEfPRoG9MrUM5TUhV8R-vkpyYmd_h6by0DBcKEQDPI6rEtMKb-9PQF/s400/a%2BTada.jpg" width="400" /></span></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Water, Water, Everywhere!!!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rocky terrain from here got rougher, and the pathway, if there was one, was getting steep. At one point, I was losing hope as I had to climb a rock above me which was almost 10 feet high. I knew J would be able to do it, but I didn’t see myself climbing up that boulder. Wondering if we have to abandon this trek, at this point, which I didn’t want to, as I could see J really enjoying it, in his wild elements, I heard him say, you can climb it, Vincy. That was just enough for me. He quickly maneuvered his way to top of the rock, took my bag and then guided me to climb up and also gave me a hand and literally carried me to the top of the boulder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was the point from where I never saw a single
girl.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The rocks were getting harder to
climb, a single miss could cost you the entire front row teeth or at least a
couple of broken limbs. I was
not looking around anymore, my focus was only on putting one step in front of the other
and keeping up with the increasing altitude.</span></div>
</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That’s when I heard the sound of water falling, feeble
first and as we moved forward it was becoming dominant. It was a welcoming
sound, signalling the waterfall and energizing and driving me forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 10 minutes later and after yet another
steep climb, we came to a point from where the water was gushing through, one
little stream but with mighty force. The sound of water now was loud, clear and
transcending into your being, pushing every other sound into the background.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a91d7a9gJx0/Xp07amT24ZI/AAAAAAAAF9E/NWaoQuiRi2EbCsaYkOvPOkeSgARsT3MuwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzbfHyJz0vsh873kqF1ugcrRe_2xO8a0jPWVEPIXjqXGpTFE7M0VxO5DhHYTIdlcgzQQobf2y8NO6NNF8D_m5eIFX5ucVgMR7jCGvfzo9xOedcuT5nPZU9pcJIn5aBs__sTkOrTAwNeJtK5GyPClY9DvUCUIgHJkbxy6j3Drq-YkBnkJP7WXIgO-hA5j2SjRNp-54gzv3v2Q8HOuWpnHsikSLE0WVuFtMGfbfjfmcS_GPPaHM9ilLce7lJqOP9LpAgGdNJVGoq88jS4QiZbyqrO40P2evYCXoRr9QJHDfE7n2y3WxIqqLtJPCW1e_qsVESUXIwyvfDZTAhTCSXTX4VaZmwyx5Eumxw0fkSkPnR4QdVp93iWf6_8ke2grn_Rwn2CyWCgNRhxpzhux_0zM3JnndsXvCjT1GQq4ektJHDIMemhsVqbNQnjssiDv5m8HTKAYqNdiyVdzkWDkQZ51AU-S7K1GXKMuNqThxGCMJEmn7FeDtCzyFGtUYfi9vy4fqr36JDvzJCMLb8MFbODU7IKvKFFAOKPMwMiNUDZW8onExlhc0Pbe11D43muWggW4fz8n5dVOadTMnpPEy0w8eVlLiSshU2mqdISMN_-9PQF/s1600/tada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a91d7a9gJx0/Xp07amT24ZI/AAAAAAAAF9E/NWaoQuiRi2EbCsaYkOvPOkeSgARsT3MuwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqzbfHyJz0vsh873kqF1ugcrRe_2xO8a0jPWVEPIXjqXGpTFE7M0VxO5DhHYTIdlcgzQQobf2y8NO6NNF8D_m5eIFX5ucVgMR7jCGvfzo9xOedcuT5nPZU9pcJIn5aBs__sTkOrTAwNeJtK5GyPClY9DvUCUIgHJkbxy6j3Drq-YkBnkJP7WXIgO-hA5j2SjRNp-54gzv3v2Q8HOuWpnHsikSLE0WVuFtMGfbfjfmcS_GPPaHM9ilLce7lJqOP9LpAgGdNJVGoq88jS4QiZbyqrO40P2evYCXoRr9QJHDfE7n2y3WxIqqLtJPCW1e_qsVESUXIwyvfDZTAhTCSXTX4VaZmwyx5Eumxw0fkSkPnR4QdVp93iWf6_8ke2grn_Rwn2CyWCgNRhxpzhux_0zM3JnndsXvCjT1GQq4ektJHDIMemhsVqbNQnjssiDv5m8HTKAYqNdiyVdzkWDkQZ51AU-S7K1GXKMuNqThxGCMJEmn7FeDtCzyFGtUYfi9vy4fqr36JDvzJCMLb8MFbODU7IKvKFFAOKPMwMiNUDZW8onExlhc0Pbe11D43muWggW4fz8n5dVOadTMnpPEy0w8eVlLiSshU2mqdISMN_-9PQF/s400/tada.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this one thing was worth all the climb!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A group of college /
fresher kind of kids were under that stream and J didn’t to get wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>J was also a bit apprehensive that these men
may misbehave as I was the only woman there. I told him not to worry and brought
out my HR skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked up, used all
my years of practice in stretching my decibel levels and requested them for
some space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that I could speak
over the sound of a waterfall, and the crowd, though a small one, recognizes a
HR professional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw J relaxing at
this point.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like Moses parting the red sea, the crowd moved away so I could get
under the torrent, a chill running through my spine, water thumping
my head, rhythmically. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Screaming all the
while, in childlike glee, the picture J took, shows as if I am the only one
around there and under that waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
few minutes, by which time, I was shivering, got out, thanked the boys and
men </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">who waved back and jumped back right in, under the waterfall.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJY5K47AgjI/Xo11PPPPG8I/AAAAAAAAF5A/7SEgnDA4zqAiZhGMp9sq8hTjX5L6CY3JgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Vincy%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJY5K47AgjI/Xo11PPPPG8I/AAAAAAAAF5A/7SEgnDA4zqAiZhGMp9sq8hTjX5L6CY3JgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Vincy%2B4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Resting awhile!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The climb was exhausting and we rested for a while under the
blazing sun. Tried snacking but </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">lost most
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">of the </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">food </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">packets to the cornucopia of simians around.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The moment we open a packet they throng to us
in </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">hordes, wild and we were no match to
their rapid pace.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">J was embarrassed with
high pitched shrills I would make when they snatch the packets away.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By now it was noon and so we trekked back. Except in one place where I needed help from J, remember the
10 feet boulder, which I struggled a bit, the others were easy as peasy.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hopping most of the way, yeah in some
places, I would sit down and put my bottom to good use.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Clawing our way back the place was packed to the hilt, people all over, the water sources were filled with people. I thanked our stars for being there early. Found a quiet spot to spend some time in the water, spent some time gazing at small fishes and listening to the sound of wilderness. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr6ZNj3JnnE/Xp07XVAS5YI/AAAAAAAAF9A/qapY5kXIfvoV-jM4E5vYV68YyaMMvBTjwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqyNLwpUZe7JrBX87i1M07Nsfv3sK7bCFwNPzdS-m6bFcMzAX_SfVPpX4Lj7kXSBHCmxhWea6x8Mx6DWAWf9KCF5Ls0aN8nwn5U0hkd64DSlxStt_AOulBXBLbVU0wDOfJEIXgUYsT69SDFX5GkLtOBSROdl03MRZBSOl67JFINCQf2rNmriVHoqVUQQl8KNUhcmzkWBEryqSHiQ9Hqm8QEcUDlWKDUkkL22OnYoWrIeugIHc4dmkHtFKPQYuBkJKkRXgNKWoxuDFeTXP6NG2rAHgLESvIbCWPCsQIbbpS4NucrH9gSpRxh6AGVTfGInJsIoirsZGFh5puHI1DXVa2XbHN1lVLIfTizhw_U8tGVgz-HX_GrW4da-URqy_RSrxa2Fr-SzweazicALeuMhMGFVIBh8brhCWW4A694xvH9Lr0PCOo2CA_FMB3KUx_CngCgDDK-SRShnz9jp07wy-5ejR7sn-J5iu6_9vXV0nDg79LHkPUKMMrgQ6VAJIj2DL_OE9FFyoHzj2ixl2fG64ZQ0eRYF9aME0sabNZn9iBMxwstsdYiMYbMB6a9IIsgGZe8GXUJdHAjF3WQck26KOKSrsXWN_wp-DVDPMJL_9PQF/s1600/Vincy%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr6ZNj3JnnE/Xp07XVAS5YI/AAAAAAAAF9A/qapY5kXIfvoV-jM4E5vYV68YyaMMvBTjwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqyNLwpUZe7JrBX87i1M07Nsfv3sK7bCFwNPzdS-m6bFcMzAX_SfVPpX4Lj7kXSBHCmxhWea6x8Mx6DWAWf9KCF5Ls0aN8nwn5U0hkd64DSlxStt_AOulBXBLbVU0wDOfJEIXgUYsT69SDFX5GkLtOBSROdl03MRZBSOl67JFINCQf2rNmriVHoqVUQQl8KNUhcmzkWBEryqSHiQ9Hqm8QEcUDlWKDUkkL22OnYoWrIeugIHc4dmkHtFKPQYuBkJKkRXgNKWoxuDFeTXP6NG2rAHgLESvIbCWPCsQIbbpS4NucrH9gSpRxh6AGVTfGInJsIoirsZGFh5puHI1DXVa2XbHN1lVLIfTizhw_U8tGVgz-HX_GrW4da-URqy_RSrxa2Fr-SzweazicALeuMhMGFVIBh8brhCWW4A694xvH9Lr0PCOo2CA_FMB3KUx_CngCgDDK-SRShnz9jp07wy-5ejR7sn-J5iu6_9vXV0nDg79LHkPUKMMrgQ6VAJIj2DL_OE9FFyoHzj2ixl2fG64ZQ0eRYF9aME0sabNZn9iBMxwstsdYiMYbMB6a9IIsgGZe8GXUJdHAjF3WQck26KOKSrsXWN_wp-DVDPMJL_9PQF/s400/Vincy%2B6.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Towards the end of the trek!</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9C1t4kH5F-0/Xp07O93PEMI/AAAAAAAAF84/nr6T3wc7wO8cvLW5nnmmvKV3XQrbFXvxACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqy-kHOmZYuYmI2OeIrxXOQV-W-NY9b3_qsqgiTg3jODKWVzsGGaecp_uHoUsgoG9N8wxs8SpfJmXwmZYLw6H-UYwELi0xmQUD0qMqsMEb6foq2IZHPZWu1nsVxDAEv8thD19zym1_VFtoMpPLGyzF8pKqfxgMY3iVRfUcp8rJgONDvPUZORANJtzq_DEVfcTAFfaYlIxT_dk462qonq-z6W00ztIJXoelTUbRlHVMpaWoCT4lkEdFakb-T1P0x4ATaWsDcQp6-JGHeALQfa4Hcbu8rJs6qEFgMtwGy6cQjs8JIXIqKPwC4XetGFPPrBRomruWjfGcq6AXISqf78n0Tc_ZcQY2wV5N49nCfyT9YK9kkt9J8EOs_4XqEh9oIUziq_xSG_Y4JL2K0-5DiCsbWqu7ReVtGCaEhpj_8DpGyHUJUfaJiRNk078h9e-E-eOP2qixctrWHqO41nksnIaaOCMzuLL5IHqKGMdgnBn0bRapxq_feaN-xPk-ob4nCK9IlzrbdCz-hcPTy2mP0UisV7Z7bF2oIkVx38ZWJiaCzIWBgXrAFH-iLwV6LRFeCB27KuzMQCBTeTnGvsiwdw0OY-GdIEgys8bbERMMD_9PQF/s1600/Vicny%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="734" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9C1t4kH5F-0/Xp07O93PEMI/AAAAAAAAF84/nr6T3wc7wO8cvLW5nnmmvKV3XQrbFXvxACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqy-kHOmZYuYmI2OeIrxXOQV-W-NY9b3_qsqgiTg3jODKWVzsGGaecp_uHoUsgoG9N8wxs8SpfJmXwmZYLw6H-UYwELi0xmQUD0qMqsMEb6foq2IZHPZWu1nsVxDAEv8thD19zym1_VFtoMpPLGyzF8pKqfxgMY3iVRfUcp8rJgONDvPUZORANJtzq_DEVfcTAFfaYlIxT_dk462qonq-z6W00ztIJXoelTUbRlHVMpaWoCT4lkEdFakb-T1P0x4ATaWsDcQp6-JGHeALQfa4Hcbu8rJs6qEFgMtwGy6cQjs8JIXIqKPwC4XetGFPPrBRomruWjfGcq6AXISqf78n0Tc_ZcQY2wV5N49nCfyT9YK9kkt9J8EOs_4XqEh9oIUziq_xSG_Y4JL2K0-5DiCsbWqu7ReVtGCaEhpj_8DpGyHUJUfaJiRNk078h9e-E-eOP2qixctrWHqO41nksnIaaOCMzuLL5IHqKGMdgnBn0bRapxq_feaN-xPk-ob4nCK9IlzrbdCz-hcPTy2mP0UisV7Z7bF2oIkVx38ZWJiaCzIWBgXrAFH-iLwV6LRFeCB27KuzMQCBTeTnGvsiwdw0OY-GdIEgys8bbERMMD_9PQF/s640/Vicny%2B5.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just one selfie finally!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What we thought would be easy, wasn’t all that easy a 10 km
trek, up and down put together on rocky ground, really tested our mettle.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of the trek, my hair was messy,
my feet hurt, joints creaked, clothes wet but the realization that we could do
it together, gave us the sparkle in our eyes.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And that’s exactly how we surprised ourselves.</span></div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-50814847452530657752020-04-07T10:46:00.003+05:302020-04-07T10:46:44.835+05:30Book Review - 24 hours by Greg Iles<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gils, my blog friend is the inspiration behind this book
review. Having seen him do at least a dozen or more reviews every
year, on his blog, wanted to give it a try. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never have I done it before, and wanted to
begin small and write about this novel, 24 hours by Greg Iles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The read itself was special as this was one of the books I
carried along for our laid back Maldives trip. Especially during this lock
down, the trip itself looks like a distant dream. I gorged on this book, like how I used to when I was in college. Chanced upon it from Dennu’s collection having confidence in his choice of books. And I
wasn’t wrong. He wasn’t happy that I rummaged through his clutter in his
room and took it without asking him. He calls it stealing, but I am
his mom and how can that be even called that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My first book from this author, it’s a suspense thriller,
and Iles does not waste anytime, and sets the mood right from the first
chapter. The story, which is about kidnapping keeps you engrossed by the
well laid out suspense and there are many moments where the author keeps you on
tenterhooks. The plot is tight and pace right, keeping an capricious reader
like me hooked on. The ease with which I could slip into reading,
should give you an idea about how thrilling the story was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Iles is so good that the kidnap and violence that comes
along with the story is so believable that he is able to create an imagery in
the readers mind. Towards the end of the book, there is an aircraft chase,
which plays out in your head almost like a movie. The characters of the
story are intelligent including the kidnappers. A six year old from the
Jennings family is kidnapped and the parents are kept in two different
locations. Accompanied by one kidnapper each, the kidnapped child is with
another character. How the parents foil the attempt and do they get the
child back is the crux of the story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s a blasphemy that I simplified the intricate plot into
few lines, as the story sent my heart racing during the read. And mind
you, I was in the most peaceful place on earth with no interruptions around,
the blue sea spreading herself in the best of the colors in front of
me. Yet the tension mounts, the scenes and pages fly past, the pace
never subsides, and I didn’t see time go past. I would stop only when J
gives me a call to move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The characters come alive with the narration of Iles, and
you relate to them quite personally. Abby the kidnapped child and Huey who is
in charge of the child, develop a bond that warms the toughest
heart. Huey, who grew up as a special child with mental health
issues, takes care of Abby ( or any other kidnapped child) and carves out
wooden figurines for the children. His love for Abby and how he
understands the child is touching – a mountain of a man with a heart of gold.
Huey does not have any hidden agenda and does not understand the unruly ways of
the adults. I loved that guy for his innocence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVseLnU8Pn8/XowMSxcBz6I/AAAAAAAAF30/R3nCweJmMI4PQ2ey2uD47LMwBppkljw3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/vincy%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVseLnU8Pn8/XowMSxcBz6I/AAAAAAAAF30/R3nCweJmMI4PQ2ey2uD47LMwBppkljw3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/vincy%2B2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finished this book in almost a week, and yes, it was worth
the steal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll probably be the only one on earth to put up a picture for a book review. but I couldn't resist putting this up!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZbRNKlpdIo/XowMVXa1OcI/AAAAAAAAF34/2GaZNtnpRu4yTzbjMIJf9yLVN41bGStNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Vincy%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZbRNKlpdIo/XowMVXa1OcI/AAAAAAAAF34/2GaZNtnpRu4yTzbjMIJf9yLVN41bGStNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Vincy%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>The reader</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-90223553451769446512020-04-04T15:13:00.002+05:302020-04-20T11:56:11.465+05:30Hand made, Afresh!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This project started almost 6 months back and have been dragging my feet on it, not just because I am a lazy bum, but also due to the complexities involved in the project itself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lock down period seemed the best time to complete it, when the gentle push from J almost became a shove and he started asking me if I am going to work on it, or if he should re purpose the base for something else, less significant.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A name board for the house has been a cherished dream since we moved in. While the house was under construction, there were too many inevitable stuff that took our attention away and my murmur about a name board fell on deaf years. In fact, after a few years I almost forgot about it, until recently during a trip to J’s tharavad (ancestral home in Malayalam) in Thalassery, I saw a large name board made of a cross section of teak wood with golden brass letters on it. Most houses in Kerala are palatial and this name board looked imposing at the entrance. The piece of wood was itself around 3 feet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjuXnbwrfxM/Xp0-IP94TNI/AAAAAAAAF98/W0Ku0R7qtNouVUMA7ubk_cYc9uU7whtJgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxKozuQPLHcPOdvBEoGsfy7iJgElT04CgbsmP5pMk_eqixCr0HvITo5mlfG1PqTqB_UgtIe62RzNRpCbKAJtqT_n84Qef0I2W7XHE9x0h2iG17c4tQtwTiZ67-K0vBtZITuAKqhwJ7LXIDKdY4yEClrdwjSRonCdvGlpmWmag8f306z2rmSSWiAbeF_d_VtCO_vwmYtnsyfWusUdEnLg1PwBVt9I91BjKDmn35uG-RmYA_WUH3yEyTeOkRuQ4cpVnsC5G0nR-TBrTA6mZbKzdsRbtACh5PC7rTNIN6qDbhnKlK4SfYXzI4FYxDmqnSFu2KkkntO7JQ3VnYHwlDNzhsiyd2sPS8KugXqEVRka_aEnJtlG_skKWDQoxLhmFI33Zrmoy7l4IbLitVcnPZCoy8m56WLQHfa0tJTLC5iMGER0XparsVrCsktsc-trRL1q8nxotyTnJWl93OhpE94uwlnWs6nC34N_TH6JBPoldLJttZsiL_pY8EuuxUKLCIb0aOHS3azeRkjFLl8OytQduKNR1F4ludBa3QMHqjnmLHc9V28acWXjXThfmIswQsQ3U6oxhIJfKS36bCH4HU4HjBle4MQec_nucWMMPyC9fQF/s1600/unpolished%2Bbase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjuXnbwrfxM/Xp0-IP94TNI/AAAAAAAAF98/W0Ku0R7qtNouVUMA7ubk_cYc9uU7whtJgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxKozuQPLHcPOdvBEoGsfy7iJgElT04CgbsmP5pMk_eqixCr0HvITo5mlfG1PqTqB_UgtIe62RzNRpCbKAJtqT_n84Qef0I2W7XHE9x0h2iG17c4tQtwTiZ67-K0vBtZITuAKqhwJ7LXIDKdY4yEClrdwjSRonCdvGlpmWmag8f306z2rmSSWiAbeF_d_VtCO_vwmYtnsyfWusUdEnLg1PwBVt9I91BjKDmn35uG-RmYA_WUH3yEyTeOkRuQ4cpVnsC5G0nR-TBrTA6mZbKzdsRbtACh5PC7rTNIN6qDbhnKlK4SfYXzI4FYxDmqnSFu2KkkntO7JQ3VnYHwlDNzhsiyd2sPS8KugXqEVRka_aEnJtlG_skKWDQoxLhmFI33Zrmoy7l4IbLitVcnPZCoy8m56WLQHfa0tJTLC5iMGER0XparsVrCsktsc-trRL1q8nxotyTnJWl93OhpE94uwlnWs6nC34N_TH6JBPoldLJttZsiL_pY8EuuxUKLCIb0aOHS3azeRkjFLl8OytQduKNR1F4ludBa3QMHqjnmLHc9V28acWXjXThfmIswQsQ3U6oxhIJfKS36bCH4HU4HjBle4MQec_nucWMMPyC9fQF/s400/unpolished%2Bbase.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The cross section of wood on top<br /> is the base </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And this desire for a name board for our house was rekindled and since its been a long wait, I wanted to do it as an DIY project. J wasn’t very impressed with my idea, since he thought I wanted similar one that we saw in Kerala. A bit of explaining and he sourced a really small cross section of teak wood from his place. </span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The ready made carved out alphabets available online and in the market did not match my expectations. Either these alphabets were too flowery and grandiose, or bore an austere look. Joe also checked around with some timber merchants for carving alphabets and their samples didn’t appeal either. That’s when I decided, I will carve out the alphabets myself. Yep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0T-RL91y78/Xp094wJSPTI/AAAAAAAAF9w/INlQVxxiYRsrRvEizLRxTFRnAYFLdTJmQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwFrhFvvtsM3EIecDbcIIuhqaEahgG5GDE5OCwjmgQuZSflx0_1BTqKwl8soK5GDAl6hegGJkxrvmdL28nuzNDiHJk1NVwFmn2y-j4tCWOERSwg_UDu69eALD-_PqERutAeXkMiCAH6tB2y796FCH22nHTxvSpw6P8Meanlyk6s8VqFOHQHD7mNH13kPgBlJv3_zroh1oZvMtlMRLHNLNiJ_VDCywVz5jkiAah8HKcaBPi-JYvDnBKpYD3uCJrdzDOct7vzVRRcCFtPi4WLXLlgdBkg2jWFVsXsoxz9MNNHixxLtxRHu9DQVxyIxhcQWOExPZUzEuP1s5vRl9gEIuO8U0ocRDfB2ZWJoV2qNtsc7wh4fDj_wAriTvTdb8C12XhqhYHg0DD4RA4l_DKRZ4Q2QJVNklTKiTCiIUGFl_Ap_VnOtIX57o-cGghgLnnHZk3bp7OaWy_nTibDzgqdSs7z-IbV5VS8ULKUpRoqACJSbzLYZj60gJXa3qHFIMOmjHJEBpPYUzOBQdjU_TFAcMvRxYOTc7Un2RbSAyV2bar7gqBGRJ-bfypsyJ2PqEa-Qj2rrllBhxKeDxCks_K7s7X3ehEGcue0uZdxMMiD9fQF/s1600/balsa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0T-RL91y78/Xp094wJSPTI/AAAAAAAAF9w/INlQVxxiYRsrRvEizLRxTFRnAYFLdTJmQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwFrhFvvtsM3EIecDbcIIuhqaEahgG5GDE5OCwjmgQuZSflx0_1BTqKwl8soK5GDAl6hegGJkxrvmdL28nuzNDiHJk1NVwFmn2y-j4tCWOERSwg_UDu69eALD-_PqERutAeXkMiCAH6tB2y796FCH22nHTxvSpw6P8Meanlyk6s8VqFOHQHD7mNH13kPgBlJv3_zroh1oZvMtlMRLHNLNiJ_VDCywVz5jkiAah8HKcaBPi-JYvDnBKpYD3uCJrdzDOct7vzVRRcCFtPi4WLXLlgdBkg2jWFVsXsoxz9MNNHixxLtxRHu9DQVxyIxhcQWOExPZUzEuP1s5vRl9gEIuO8U0ocRDfB2ZWJoV2qNtsc7wh4fDj_wAriTvTdb8C12XhqhYHg0DD4RA4l_DKRZ4Q2QJVNklTKiTCiIUGFl_Ap_VnOtIX57o-cGghgLnnHZk3bp7OaWy_nTibDzgqdSs7z-IbV5VS8ULKUpRoqACJSbzLYZj60gJXa3qHFIMOmjHJEBpPYUzOBQdjU_TFAcMvRxYOTc7Un2RbSAyV2bar7gqBGRJ-bfypsyJ2PqEa-Qj2rrllBhxKeDxCks_K7s7X3ehEGcue0uZdxMMiD9fQF/s320/balsa.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Balsa wood sheet</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was particular it has to be a wood carving, ( for no specific reason, though). I scouted around for a while until I laid my hands on a sheet of Balsa wood, 3 mm thick, from an hobby products’ shop with a fancy name, called itsy bitsy. This is the same place where I picked up my shiny gratitude journal too.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Contrary to what I had imagined, carving out the alphabets wasn’t that easy. First off, while cutting out the alphabets from a stencil I created on the sheet, the wood would chip off into tiny pieces, almost in the finishing stages. There was rarely an alphabet that I carved out which came in a single piece. So after each carving, I had to use every glue I had at hand – fevibond, feviquik and in some cases even the fabric glue and the most humble fevicol.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q11E8v-F7Ko/Xp097m59FdI/AAAAAAAAF94/JaVixtkILMs9sJOSg_a9F1ww1JHNOMdlQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxBeLXuBHU43Jcwtx4y-kArPuu1eH9KCPom47RxVyKOazgplT2Z2etl0HiZBB0LSl4dYjHKMzwM_icONLaawpYbatT4R-FfkzIqBHcZI_G6dWekWCgiDy3XoCZb27js7JAVrPGzLhA4HUr8vDFAGX9SIU_OUDjwvqHHs5nHY0jV8HCs5mCtHN8Rhil-NuZRlYXavMIjcYMJWxRBcra4tjQY1LqRW6HzRqVM5gVTLA_nRIip_X-7kBh9mC6tRXsPcG4qpKfjjx8JnMGtlYK-PG9FYDcDaeK4OzoLlOYiYmMyw3ExkyjPpgAUtTLCj5wrpGeGYVTjH-ktWYN1eAkYKknKoPbjEurk2RWapoyy7ODYMHI4wttRbslAhC6EMDsSAF8iyVrHusr42cd_bbR9bCpk6bgHuy_lMhXblQ7B-5H4IiNOITSOfuiG4J3lDJEOSaW4oBFDMJrE88HA8hLZnNyRpvIwP5DT_9t1fDttlZiBSuh4Hb8bbPPIhUWzW90DJLrOrNvGxlqo7Z-yIBYdNymFWz0okJG2QluS-GEX6IPPsc4I-PKfbDwy3PSZ_2P_EXIxR_mlZNzLYvVjZVpkOZrm8bO-Eu4IuaGCMPaD9fQF/s1600/alphabets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q11E8v-F7Ko/Xp097m59FdI/AAAAAAAAF94/JaVixtkILMs9sJOSg_a9F1ww1JHNOMdlQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqxBeLXuBHU43Jcwtx4y-kArPuu1eH9KCPom47RxVyKOazgplT2Z2etl0HiZBB0LSl4dYjHKMzwM_icONLaawpYbatT4R-FfkzIqBHcZI_G6dWekWCgiDy3XoCZb27js7JAVrPGzLhA4HUr8vDFAGX9SIU_OUDjwvqHHs5nHY0jV8HCs5mCtHN8Rhil-NuZRlYXavMIjcYMJWxRBcra4tjQY1LqRW6HzRqVM5gVTLA_nRIip_X-7kBh9mC6tRXsPcG4qpKfjjx8JnMGtlYK-PG9FYDcDaeK4OzoLlOYiYmMyw3ExkyjPpgAUtTLCj5wrpGeGYVTjH-ktWYN1eAkYKknKoPbjEurk2RWapoyy7ODYMHI4wttRbslAhC6EMDsSAF8iyVrHusr42cd_bbR9bCpk6bgHuy_lMhXblQ7B-5H4IiNOITSOfuiG4J3lDJEOSaW4oBFDMJrE88HA8hLZnNyRpvIwP5DT_9t1fDttlZiBSuh4Hb8bbPPIhUWzW90DJLrOrNvGxlqo7Z-yIBYdNymFWz0okJG2QluS-GEX6IPPsc4I-PKfbDwy3PSZ_2P_EXIxR_mlZNzLYvVjZVpkOZrm8bO-Eu4IuaGCMPaD9fQF/s320/alphabets.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">@ close look, each alphabet<br />is a collection of multiple pieces</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The carved out alphabets now looked as though a kinder-gartener broke it up using bare hands. I was thoroughly disappointed and wanted to even abandon the project. J not hiding his disappointment about the look of the alphabets didn’t help. Anyways, since I had put in considerable amount of time in this by now, didn’t want to back out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meanwhile, J was working on the base. He had even ordered a grinding machine by Bosch and it reached us just before the lock down. The base was ground smooth along with the sides and a coat of varnish applied to make it look shiny and this process was repeated 5 times as the varnish was being sucked in by the base. At the end of the process J gave me a shiny base, with the grains of the teak visible. Now I had the pressure of making sure the alphabets matched the gloss of base.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBV9Dz038NY/Xp0-GqghQRI/AAAAAAAAF94/uSNzlywFaoQvGa8Os-QrtX2ZrNBJ5UTCwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqxf3ieQUKmmDTJnJXvLhLwxNmOD7EVBdZ28dDW9keEt4mefkMqQe86X1ADlDwwnZGOl5ICiEXu3PyQJSB0sqhQ040Ni-X-n8v-LHMNNqIpZFCThrBTvljndSTPYuXEMz6K6j1rpZu3FxIcRFEOG5Y9-cor3BhIYQXZYwv26b5PDAolTKh-oCLP6EpU8L31sRwTgA4nAokWsNfnY0LpD1tMtf6QRn4NXa7kH5E3yUUiRzHhxMIR2pvd4N3OD5UYZgZW-O47W9LmY6yKycQdqwznue5rkjqImsThVcmoNdeS45_rsRFzGqtP87gxCHwc7cYSCOvp6CsX-UiaMdmpS0_Zn9GeUAh38Uyx2cdEPMl46I5FdxJjpBd3ScDOZLsPTanX_N6sSTEQsSIUZtUSaPKlogCkzKdf4fncXIJDSdgFegtngu16ASVdazuhGgyaL0VCAkqmX-hxLtCcW56w6MSMfXFjcZdTGFCZOK98YZp3P5EayHuM7Ulhia9_vMeYp5vHkDWueM665w4Lj6d7rWNeG7zDWeNeeONN3xPV8mCsESRllDVoQZEd46bkwHaD4PerOaoD8tDp8hTR0CmDbY5R1CyRNzWL0x4feMMyE9fQF/s1600/polished%2Bbase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zBV9Dz038NY/Xp0-GqghQRI/AAAAAAAAF94/uSNzlywFaoQvGa8Os-QrtX2ZrNBJ5UTCwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqxf3ieQUKmmDTJnJXvLhLwxNmOD7EVBdZ28dDW9keEt4mefkMqQe86X1ADlDwwnZGOl5ICiEXu3PyQJSB0sqhQ040Ni-X-n8v-LHMNNqIpZFCThrBTvljndSTPYuXEMz6K6j1rpZu3FxIcRFEOG5Y9-cor3BhIYQXZYwv26b5PDAolTKh-oCLP6EpU8L31sRwTgA4nAokWsNfnY0LpD1tMtf6QRn4NXa7kH5E3yUUiRzHhxMIR2pvd4N3OD5UYZgZW-O47W9LmY6yKycQdqwznue5rkjqImsThVcmoNdeS45_rsRFzGqtP87gxCHwc7cYSCOvp6CsX-UiaMdmpS0_Zn9GeUAh38Uyx2cdEPMl46I5FdxJjpBd3ScDOZLsPTanX_N6sSTEQsSIUZtUSaPKlogCkzKdf4fncXIJDSdgFegtngu16ASVdazuhGgyaL0VCAkqmX-hxLtCcW56w6MSMfXFjcZdTGFCZOK98YZp3P5EayHuM7Ulhia9_vMeYp5vHkDWueM665w4Lj6d7rWNeG7zDWeNeeONN3xPV8mCsESRllDVoQZEd46bkwHaD4PerOaoD8tDp8hTR0CmDbY5R1CyRNzWL0x4feMMyE9fQF/s320/polished%2Bbase.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<b>The finished base from J, </b></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<b>the grains visible.</b></div>
</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
I set to work on the alphabets which still looked pathetic with all the glue on it, unfinished edges and varied colors because of the different glues applied thoughtlessly.<br />
<br />
I used the available filers to smoothen out the rough edges, like sand paper from J’s tool kit, my nail file from the pedicure kit, and finally even took the help of the menial blade. </div>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fq7Q11g8hys/Xp0-DmvFL-I/AAAAAAAAF90/mPpkgYaGLu0vRotXkXuY-wA2fImeMtepwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwMOpGtACuEZPIVqhsz0Dt07RJjgKDf0DcirJgU2gD9Wnz3j9BFCk5_14YL1ALEmhhibL_5nIo_XWmDpylzjutfJ5HbvAwfaoZxLmbUBaVVK4nscMomX_xsV6eHVK4zYsZF63TocEFBnOtTSC74w2eLBkxTBzZkFM5A-i6p4rKmC6FvUxpUwB9QrLdM3EAD2jh_Y_nXtocui5aR-3hjRO8zHY-2EURl5UKYEkkVQWZ0K6eNo0RAaZE-oz4CiMv0wp6eC8dOxkkM43on238kXqiFMKVIG2MpqwpgmrpZA8lnx5UYogIugDixfTSh4VG1oMTQJAm96pYqWDuTd2xi68ZuHbpBy8ST-CQjlrZ6Loy7dCnOg9g8Aerqn11rvL6M-esi73I-Vy1eeUdq7dy4xR6lvC4KeaQJs55hKyL-e_dCjHp7xkZEtrgSPsi_NtHsumtovTVWPdE1EDRn11ZFSu3PAvBaAwEbXAFNnj-cXtX2jlsaRT1rJKOoNCJ4VdevONI25KWjN9iSdsqXHwEScuGOrbOKaOJKyAia4NcTCUXaj_KrMjmyehM4T1SVNbKZmL-wGNW2dSbcJCeMx014ubMR7eF8JLwKMuByMJyE9fQF/s1600/painted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fq7Q11g8hys/Xp0-DmvFL-I/AAAAAAAAF90/mPpkgYaGLu0vRotXkXuY-wA2fImeMtepwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwMOpGtACuEZPIVqhsz0Dt07RJjgKDf0DcirJgU2gD9Wnz3j9BFCk5_14YL1ALEmhhibL_5nIo_XWmDpylzjutfJ5HbvAwfaoZxLmbUBaVVK4nscMomX_xsV6eHVK4zYsZF63TocEFBnOtTSC74w2eLBkxTBzZkFM5A-i6p4rKmC6FvUxpUwB9QrLdM3EAD2jh_Y_nXtocui5aR-3hjRO8zHY-2EURl5UKYEkkVQWZ0K6eNo0RAaZE-oz4CiMv0wp6eC8dOxkkM43on238kXqiFMKVIG2MpqwpgmrpZA8lnx5UYogIugDixfTSh4VG1oMTQJAm96pYqWDuTd2xi68ZuHbpBy8ST-CQjlrZ6Loy7dCnOg9g8Aerqn11rvL6M-esi73I-Vy1eeUdq7dy4xR6lvC4KeaQJs55hKyL-e_dCjHp7xkZEtrgSPsi_NtHsumtovTVWPdE1EDRn11ZFSu3PAvBaAwEbXAFNnj-cXtX2jlsaRT1rJKOoNCJ4VdevONI25KWjN9iSdsqXHwEScuGOrbOKaOJKyAia4NcTCUXaj_KrMjmyehM4T1SVNbKZmL-wGNW2dSbcJCeMx014ubMR7eF8JLwKMuByMJyE9fQF/s320/painted.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<b>Alphabets after some filling, </b></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<b>filing and a coat of paint.</b></div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<b>still not all that great</b></div>
</td></tr>
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</div>
<br />
<br />
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The carved out alphabets were pretty fragile, so had to be really slow and gentle handling them with these amateurish tools. Also needed a lot of light and was pretty painful bending over these and finishing them up. Sure enough they definitely tested my patience. Yet, the rich creamy color of balsa wood was patchy and had to paint them white.</div>
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And then it all came together and finally this is how the name board looks like – fruit of hard labor.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkRxYh-5RjI/Xp0-C1XPK-I/AAAAAAAAF9w/wLetb6kLwDAPUyNIvF0ASLGRiYl9rTcMACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqw5jECU-ibG0u_5vwnIvYbl7qB58SXWXf77hjx7lkg6vj-Tm7jOet1uKD2-5e1rSKfQqPqlQwFRfHcHqs6mE_OJk8f2MM9SdP3IS7qPIdU_sYmjTVap-f_Yw26KN1IguHFb5e4jLXCSY8E5tnMSzTnB81ktOP666ZUgLQ8GF2k3TMszwDUM7J4aHZZR8HKUIxeBJSQ-rTPpfBbs-F5waDahBdPpAiijC0E_9Fo4nuPSjewBFBOMT0slEm_KWLmkM57jSHa1eAOwQZNa2hvBpxl4ZSFXHe5kSXhxWCkM7hwVaZ_5QCfXyxIPE9L6beeawdHz_zP7ErnyZEfmFbMtyEJcdEoxFJEO06wcycEsUl6PbPLRM4m2dbC7_700ApEnhjfyFNpcCNul6PUIDs21Nej6BPNfWirqU3qvLotkpNhbQSOCEJtD221dIXm9X3r-OC5uip44iuFkdNMTUv2J2QMtYcuLXm3bUgN9nR7Cu0yxT8_RMmJQ8fy_8JJtxvmk3mHGR-sj4fxxauXkRvsz3b6r1bv3bBZmJ1J-NvmBRup0AKyVDAyHJBzPH83f58CWI4CAkRyr41Afgb8vxhgqfayRtEw81-_Sneo8MJ-F9fQF/s1600/name%2Bboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VkRxYh-5RjI/Xp0-C1XPK-I/AAAAAAAAF9w/wLetb6kLwDAPUyNIvF0ASLGRiYl9rTcMACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqw5jECU-ibG0u_5vwnIvYbl7qB58SXWXf77hjx7lkg6vj-Tm7jOet1uKD2-5e1rSKfQqPqlQwFRfHcHqs6mE_OJk8f2MM9SdP3IS7qPIdU_sYmjTVap-f_Yw26KN1IguHFb5e4jLXCSY8E5tnMSzTnB81ktOP666ZUgLQ8GF2k3TMszwDUM7J4aHZZR8HKUIxeBJSQ-rTPpfBbs-F5waDahBdPpAiijC0E_9Fo4nuPSjewBFBOMT0slEm_KWLmkM57jSHa1eAOwQZNa2hvBpxl4ZSFXHe5kSXhxWCkM7hwVaZ_5QCfXyxIPE9L6beeawdHz_zP7ErnyZEfmFbMtyEJcdEoxFJEO06wcycEsUl6PbPLRM4m2dbC7_700ApEnhjfyFNpcCNul6PUIDs21Nej6BPNfWirqU3qvLotkpNhbQSOCEJtD221dIXm9X3r-OC5uip44iuFkdNMTUv2J2QMtYcuLXm3bUgN9nR7Cu0yxT8_RMmJQ8fy_8JJtxvmk3mHGR-sj4fxxauXkRvsz3b6r1bv3bBZmJ1J-NvmBRup0AKyVDAyHJBzPH83f58CWI4CAkRyr41Afgb8vxhgqfayRtEw81-_Sneo8MJ-F9fQF/s400/name%2Bboard.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">The name board done </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The joy of ideating, creating and looking at your own handicraft
– ineffable tour de force. Here's how it looks at our entrance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ybbywvSOa9Y/Xp09_7pSlgI/AAAAAAAAF94/0NtJ59sVbnAFIoEJpjuOoXSBT-MfWNEHgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqw7g0Gfw65autnTfgV-0PG31EYrIWHGpt-XIaVEEk9moq37cjTKD896L_ix3ERkxh-jQS1d3I2cW5E57Yiq2VNbNZ8N_XPVz0lzegMrgxa2bLLzy9DjnyxhX0sJgJNtScDkph6FZaPcNHmfzSI5HOStK858yFqF07UOTq54zCrj51VV9jzu1HzgNsZQvINAqv8WmNABsaKTIv4NzEPSdTQE4fDS2cQjwg7G-ZX8gDsjGFsx5-LS-l4PmufRJ0NfmWW1C2LEG3QaJGAYlptQdbRGzwgDProzpcN-YMIY3t3HVsq-_9RZN1N68ArxnnsZvDuVCqK5MleyvozG8RQNWaLcW1hmRn2bBgUgkrGsp1yrUm-yYyQhtduPS-jP4qfSuhumdjfg3dM-tkI1hPoma2ct72qxQEr0q1HgKu4yciu7Z__f-_v2miy6v4Bkm0B2QvMeQhg8aBWGSrUMAEyeePKL44SuFP4IlRS4fAWz7_CXmJPbPdeURsLHS3rgWkdNnJJ1yBoMFpg6an-ZFqw2BH_MYnnyUJw83OlJDDzeVuIurXYAQVKFqes4LuzQOlA7RZnnu6E5Vq9Ger424k7TimWy7qU6yhwll3DdMLuF9fQF/s1600/entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ybbywvSOa9Y/Xp09_7pSlgI/AAAAAAAAF94/0NtJ59sVbnAFIoEJpjuOoXSBT-MfWNEHgCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqw7g0Gfw65autnTfgV-0PG31EYrIWHGpt-XIaVEEk9moq37cjTKD896L_ix3ERkxh-jQS1d3I2cW5E57Yiq2VNbNZ8N_XPVz0lzegMrgxa2bLLzy9DjnyxhX0sJgJNtScDkph6FZaPcNHmfzSI5HOStK858yFqF07UOTq54zCrj51VV9jzu1HzgNsZQvINAqv8WmNABsaKTIv4NzEPSdTQE4fDS2cQjwg7G-ZX8gDsjGFsx5-LS-l4PmufRJ0NfmWW1C2LEG3QaJGAYlptQdbRGzwgDProzpcN-YMIY3t3HVsq-_9RZN1N68ArxnnsZvDuVCqK5MleyvozG8RQNWaLcW1hmRn2bBgUgkrGsp1yrUm-yYyQhtduPS-jP4qfSuhumdjfg3dM-tkI1hPoma2ct72qxQEr0q1HgKu4yciu7Z__f-_v2miy6v4Bkm0B2QvMeQhg8aBWGSrUMAEyeePKL44SuFP4IlRS4fAWz7_CXmJPbPdeURsLHS3rgWkdNnJJ1yBoMFpg6an-ZFqw2BH_MYnnyUJw83OlJDDzeVuIurXYAQVKFqes4LuzQOlA7RZnnu6E5Vq9Ger424k7TimWy7qU6yhwll3DdMLuF9fQF/s640/entrance.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>So what if it took 15 years for us to put up a name board for
our home ?</b></span></div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-33611982372063344702020-04-02T17:30:00.000+05:302020-04-02T18:44:21.066+05:30Lockdown Malarky<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Times are tough and the entire world is anguished about a micro organism that seems to destroy it, one at a time, in front of its eyes. Completely perplexed by its inability to find a cure yet, best brains around the world are still scrambling to find a vaccine against the deadly pathogen. Our country is locked down, and all of us are bound to the confines of our homes. In fact the whole world seems to be on a lock down mode. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not easy to keep the spirits up and be cheerful. But, that’s the only thing which will keep us going. We need to stay positive – easier said than done. Just like everyone of you, being stressed, worried and anxious, initially I too was a bit apprehensive. Coping at a time of passive distress unknown to mankind, was not easy for me either. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is what I am consciously doing to survive this lock down period. Simple ways that have got me going so far.</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Uncertainty brings along fear of the unknown. Conscious decision of not being afraid of what can go wrong, instead looking forward to what can go right. Simply put, I have stopped attending to my fears. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Being grateful for the little blessings of life. On a roll with my gratitude Journal. Earlier this year, I started with my gratitude journal and its helping me sail through this period positively. You can read about my gratitude journal <a href="https://scramblesofamaverick.blogspot.com/2020/01/magic-of-hand-written-stuff.html" target="_blank">here </a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Endorphins trigger positivity and I ensure they are released in abundance in my body. Being active physically has been an essential part of my lifestyle, but the walk in the trail is curtailed by the lock down. That has not deterred me from working out at home, following Anna Renderer, from Strong by Zumba and Luis from SELF, both help in no equipment workouts. Our Elliptical on the terrace, almost a decade old, and none paid two hoots to, all these days, has gained prominence in our lives out of nowhere. The Zumba group that I am part of at my work place, have formed a virtual group and thrice every week, we dance to some peppy numbers, virtually. I mirror my laptop to the big screen and watch my Zumba trainer dance. Jay and Sudha also join in and its fun unlimited. J and D are amused. The point is sweat and hormones help to stay positive.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The travelling time that I save upon, since I am working from home, which is a considerable 90 to 100 mins a day, is used fruitfully for reading or writing the blog and that’s the reason for the recent influx of posts on the blog, in the month of March. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Watch what’s going on around the world, just once in a day, for information sakes. Watching news channels was one of the prime sources of anxiety for me. Curbing it helped quite a bit. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Chats, group video calls with friends, family and cousins across the world has brought in smiles and happiness during the times of distress. Builds in resilience to all the negativity around. In some cases I have come to realize there are friends and others who look up to us, and we are their hope for staying positive. So during conversations, I purposely avoid the obvious negativity and bring up the brighter elements. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Attending online sessions, webinars and keeping my learning alive. Perspectives from others and learning keeps the excitement of life and helps to beat the gloom around. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Engage the entire family in cooking and other chores. J and I have always believed in doing our own chores, especially after Dennu finished up his schooling. Until then, it was difficult to manage without house help. Also J has never been the kind to shirk away from house hold chores, including cooking. Rarely have I had to cook, without him. These days, we try and get Dennu to cook with and for us too, ( he is a good cook btw). Just a couple of days back J and I tried our hand at baking, and managed to bake some garlic bread with mixed herbs and it came out well. One of the days last week, Dennu cooked our lunch – Pasta and eggs. Dalgona coffee, the latest internet craze is in our list too. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Spend time with my pet babies. The WFH option allows me to dawdle around and enjoy the time with them and they look happier. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pray together as a family. First time ever we went through our mass, online. It was not bad folks. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Have a schedule everyday and follow it through. All three of us get into our assigned work places, to each their own rooms and meet up for lunch and tea breaks. Dennu likes some solitary time for himself, but still its nice to have him around and engage with him. Inclusive, yet mutually exclusive during work times 😊 </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">DIY projects – one of the projects just got over. A post on it coming up soon. Smiling up to my ears. The others are in different stages. Some in which I am involved and some I am just in advisory position. The sense of accomplishment when these get done are immense and fills one up with happy hormones. </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are all in this together folks. In fact, the whole world and lets hope for the best to happen to our fragile world. and this too shall pass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My simple prayer is that we all become more humane than what we were before, and then, we would have learnt our lessons</span>.</div>
</div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-22920045047565646342020-04-01T11:59:00.002+05:302020-04-01T14:51:53.296+05:30Can I go back in time? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Tharavad was the best house in town</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the trees, flowers, fruits, ponds, canals and the green fields<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">pristine nature along with abundant love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">were more than what we wanted<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lively chorus of bird songs gently woke us up in the dawn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the pleasing odor of mangoes, jack fruits and cashew apples</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">told us exactly how ripe they were<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">alluring us, the juveniles, with their bright colors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jasmine, spider lily and rose bushes tickled our senses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with their intense fragrances<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the earthy scent of petrichor in June <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">soothed our souls and cooled our beings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The scent of fresh soil when the grass is pulled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">inhaling the dry smell of summer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">along with the aroma of home cooked meals,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sweets, snacks and savories were our respite <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Worried only about climbing trees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">aiming right when throwing stones at fruits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or jumping up to the high swing on breadfruit tree<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and finding a balance in the mildly flowing canal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The little fears were of the unseen snakes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or getting caught while playing in the wood fired stoves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and the intense darkness of night</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only disgust was the smell of rotting cow dung<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Croaking frogs, Mooing Mangu, our buffalo, cackling roosters<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">chirping cicadas stroking our curiosity of where they came from,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">squealing in glee watching fireflies at bedtime</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">all added to our
delight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stories the elders told us at nighttime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">put us to sleep, along with our own<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">whispers to the cousins' clan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">made us feel safe in the eerie silence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can I go back in time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Where all the adults were stronger and bigger than us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">not a care, not a worry, no insecurities and competition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nestled in care and protection amongst loved ones <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">life was one big vacation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Can I go back in time, please?</span></div>
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Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-76156672185291984382020-03-31T13:52:00.000+05:302020-04-20T12:00:08.213+05:30Fables of a fish tank<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was my mom who brought this topic up, when she was home last year. She was telling J, Vincy was crazy about fishes even when she was a child. And look at her, she is continuing it well into her adult life. And that took me to a trip down the memory lane, to my childhood days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Chalakudi, Kerala, at my grand parents’ house, I used to go fishing in a little canal with my brother during my summer holidays. When I say fishing, don’t imagine the sophisticated fishing rods and hooks. It was always me, being the oldest who would sneak our fishing essential of those days. A Thorthu mundu. Typical white cotton bath towel used in Kerala, which would be drying up in the clothes line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A few hundred meters away from our home, crossing a few paddy fields, we would reach the snaking canal. Wading through the chill waters, which was little above our tiny knees, that would wobble in the mild flow, we would catch those shiny swift fishes by dipping the thorthu mundu, waiting for unassuming fishes to swim in. When they do, we hold up the thorthu mundu above the water and we have our catch. And its not as simple as it sounds as the tiny creatures are difficult to catch as they are pretty swift. I remember squealing in delight holding them between my fingers, the sliminess and the wriggle giving a happiness, nothing in the world parallels to.</span></div>
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The fishes are then transferred into cones made of Colacasia leaves. Making sure the water does not leak and fishes do not jump out until we reach home, was an arduous task, until we put them into a bottle. I made a trip to the canal almost everyday and most days I just love watching the fishes and wading through the waters. On the days we didn’t have our thorthu mundu, we simply scooped our hands together to catch fishes, play with them for some time and let them go.</div>
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Elders in the family were not happy, but they couldn’t stop me from going and I always wheedle my younger cousins or my brother to accompany me to the canal. To a point, even when I grew older, if I am not seen around at home, the others knew where to look for me.</div>
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After marriage, I remember taking J and showing all the happy places of my childhood, crossing those paddy fields, which had a lot construction by then, and to the canal, much to the amusement of my grandparents.</div>
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Strangely, I hadn’t in all these years connected my childhood craziness to the fish tank that I am maintaining now. Moms, I tell you, they connect the dots precisely.</div>
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After we moved into the house we are in, Dennu insisted on having a pet. With both J and I working, and also travelling being part of our work, having a pet was not a practical idea. Having grown up with a dog, I know a pet almost equals having yet another child at home. I came with the idea of having fishes as pets, and isn’t it a bright one at it?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2joWu28KBpQ/Xp1A57ThCdI/AAAAAAAAF-E/7FH3-hUkX7w6BXzNuDSy5JutBfW18eKGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a%2Bft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2joWu28KBpQ/Xp1A57ThCdI/AAAAAAAAF-E/7FH3-hUkX7w6BXzNuDSy5JutBfW18eKGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/a%2Bft.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">A good scrub and a fresh coat of paint</b></td></tr>
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Lot of thought has gone into how we would sustain one, amidst our busy schedules, our holiday trips and trips to Kerala. That’s how I chose an open to air fish tank in the little space we had. Made of cement in the shape of a flower, it can hold almost 50 litres of water and quite a number of fish. Though many think crows and cats may catch the fishes, they don’t. The fishes would swiftly swim into the depths of water and save themselves. </div>
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Maintenance of this fish tank is not easy though. Since it is open to sunlight green moss grows and covers in the insides of the tank, which I scrub out so I can watch the fishes clearly. This is a ritual I follow almost every week, except when I travel. The gentlemen at home cannot be trusted to feed my little ones regularly and they may have end up starving. Based on my travel plans I would allow the moss to grow on a couple of weekends, and if the two gentlemen forget the feeding, the fishes still can eat something and survive.</div>
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A bit of recycling happens with the water too as I have mentioned in an earlier post. The residual water of the purifier gets into the fish tank and the nutrient rich murky water from the fish tank is used to water my plant babies. Environment friendliness. A big tick.</div>
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After my surgery, the moment I start palpitating, ( which was one of the side effects) I would come down to the fish tank and watch my little fellas swim around and it used to calm my anxiously beating heart. They turned out to be my therapy.</div>
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Right now, I have guppies, white and black mollies and few angel fishes, a total of around 50 of them in the fish tank. I still love holding them and squeal quietly when they wriggle in my hands. I don’t think I would ever grow out of my love and fascination for fishes.</div>
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Here are few pictures of my fish tank, with a fresh coat of paint by none other than Dennu during the lock down period.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yE2H9Y0GhEk/XoL6yJ7F7fI/AAAAAAAAF2c/L6xJ_0IS9nAZfs67Duu5TfgKzlX4FQRogCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a%2Bft1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yE2H9Y0GhEk/XoL6yJ7F7fI/AAAAAAAAF2c/L6xJ_0IS9nAZfs67Duu5TfgKzlX4FQRogCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/a%2Bft1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Notice the gang of guppies?</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The Fish tank that keeps me going - almost 15 years old</b></span></td></tr>
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Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-60869052654026315682020-03-17T17:27:00.005+05:302020-03-17T17:33:41.381+05:30Hand made Memorabilia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I thought I was done with Maldives.</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">But no and promise to</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> keep this short & sweet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My lovely readers who have not gone through my accounts of Maldives
can read it up <a href="http://scramblesofamaverick.blogspot.com/2020/03/magical-maldives.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://scramblesofamaverick.blogspot.com/2020/03/in-contemplation-maldives.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://scramblesofamaverick.blogspot.com/2020/03/surprises-of-maldives.html" target="_blank">here </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the frequent fun things we did at Maldives was
snorkeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I snorkeled in the shallow
waters, J would swim up to the permitted depths of the sea from various points
of the Island resort we were staying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually returned back after few minutes to the shore and was hooked to reading, while
watching out <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for J.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would see him as a tiny</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> speck moving in the
vast blue tapestry laid out by nature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the second day when he came back from his snorkeling trip,
he brought me some shells that he picked up while snorkeling, which was cute and
I started collecting them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
trips, he came back with a little bottle, which looked like a small Jam bottle.
I kept it all together everyday,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>including the stuff
he would fancy and pick up from the strolls on the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And here is what he and I together picked up from the seas
and beaches of Maldives.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OcylgIZey8k/XnC5ESk-asI/AAAAAAAAF14/Sf3Mavm63wwSUIVgiMM2GnuaICLg17cEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mem2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OcylgIZey8k/XnC5ESk-asI/AAAAAAAAF14/Sf3Mavm63wwSUIVgiMM2GnuaICLg17cEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/mem2.jpg" width="300" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The haul, forgot to put my fistful of sand<br />I carried</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After we came back, they all were cleaned and with some artistic additions added, voila, here we go with a memorabilia, which now has a prime place in our crockery cupboard.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Hand made in a day</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gu9QMvqNjKQ/XnC5hKKON9I/AAAAAAAAF2A/Z9wxr5DmQ0cHo0sRglucsmdLV4EVqDDowCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mem1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gu9QMvqNjKQ/XnC5hKKON9I/AAAAAAAAF2A/Z9wxr5DmQ0cHo0sRglucsmdLV4EVqDDowCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/mem1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>with the stuff at home,<br />please pardon my shabby painting </b></span></td></tr>
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Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-42847986022980995902020-03-16T20:06:00.000+05:302020-04-01T12:15:57.938+05:30Gardening Chronicles <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now that I have made my plant mom confessions, it’s time to show you all my garden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Calling my space, a garden is definitely an exaggeration without an iota of doubt. The word garden conjures up images of endless green stretches, flower patches filling the air with their fragrances and riot of greenery and color. Mine is none of that, its just a collection of few pots from all over the place, with some plants that I have been nurturing. You can imagine the restraints of space a house in metro can throw up. Yet, this is a piece of earth, that I love going to when my soul needs calming down.</span></div>
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When we moved to the current house in the year 2006, it was my mom who had sent me a dozen colorful potted plants – a Santro full of foliage that we brought home. Some of the pots that I have are from that batch. I regularly paint them so they look good even today. </div>
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An interesting tit-bit about the plant care – The residual water from the water purifier is collected and introduced into the fish tank that is part of the garden. Before doing this, the murky water from the open to air fish tank is used for watering the plants. Apparently, this dirty water is rich in beneficial bacteria, as well as potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and trace nutrients that will promote lush, healthy plants. These are some of the same nutrients you'll find in many commercial fertilizers. One of the few things that can annoy J is wasting water. Irksome to do in the mornings, but our bit in saving the environment and water. </div>
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NCBI, National Centre for Biotechnology Information, USA, had published papers on evidence that gardening provides substantial human health benefits especially in treating depression, anxiety, stress and other life style related issues. </div>
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I will stop boring you with my nitty gritties and let me show you one of my therapies, which really worked well for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwpRNwO9WPk/Xm-CI1OIegI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/1b-kKTiLWJAQ6BBht2aq8IPSlthq1zGpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwpRNwO9WPk/Xm-CI1OIegI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/1b-kKTiLWJAQ6BBht2aq8IPSlthq1zGpACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fp.jpg" width="300" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Lush green Syngoniums at the altar</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjK2ZUyISdc/Xm-CAoCxKgI/AAAAAAAAF0M/1EUyX7LSk_MYO1ldR2_hiBJ35gXrUeS5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NjK2ZUyISdc/Xm-CAoCxKgI/AAAAAAAAF0M/1EUyX7LSk_MYO1ldR2_hiBJ35gXrUeS5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/cac.jpg" width="300" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Cacti in Cacti shaped pot</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQu95ZrNMeE/Xm-CAxwEoyI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/T-w6PrCEhywjWzHVBYYFjU1lU2tqpd-lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/adenium%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tQu95ZrNMeE/Xm-CAxwEoyI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/T-w6PrCEhywjWzHVBYYFjU1lU2tqpd-lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/adenium%2B1.jpg" width="300" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>Flowering Adeniums at the terrace</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szmNPxdFE5s/Xm-CGdcR7CI/AAAAAAAAF0U/VimDtDew2aQrJpdFkK5-8ia7tMXGs6-ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szmNPxdFE5s/Xm-CGdcR7CI/AAAAAAAAF0U/VimDtDew2aQrJpdFkK5-8ia7tMXGs6-ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/fish.jpg" width="300" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Fish tank, the larger ones hiding </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdXwVcy044M/Xm-CI-TnLjI/AAAAAAAAF0c/dHXS4MMGoyocyUvgtNUU6OGQvowBbl08wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1391" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdXwVcy044M/Xm-CI-TnLjI/AAAAAAAAF0c/dHXS4MMGoyocyUvgtNUU6OGQvowBbl08wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/g.jpg" width="553" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>The fish tank and the plants</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9enGSiNHs5M/Xm-CN48pKxI/AAAAAAAAF0g/JFa54e_Gohkc-JvEmPbwZvkE51EljKX0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9enGSiNHs5M/Xm-CN48pKxI/AAAAAAAAF0g/JFa54e_Gohkc-JvEmPbwZvkE51EljKX0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/gifts.jpg" width="300" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This year's new year gift to my<br />friends at office, plant babies</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eONu91QNU0/Xm-Cas7vxpI/AAAAAAAAF04/4sdbTSShrusne4GLE4mvjhCq6Tnm2JvDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/marble%2Bmoney%2Bplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3eONu91QNU0/Xm-Cas7vxpI/AAAAAAAAF04/4sdbTSShrusne4GLE4mvjhCq6Tnm2JvDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/marble%2Bmoney%2Bplant.jpg" width="300" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Marble money plant, from Sudha<br />Look at the tortoise pot</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJLSLzULPP8/Xm-CbfrZaCI/AAAAAAAAF08/JTJh60DCCMUPvznmEhLmWnDUSX80klNwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/planter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJLSLzULPP8/Xm-CbfrZaCI/AAAAAAAAF08/JTJh60DCCMUPvznmEhLmWnDUSX80klNwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/planter.jpg" width="480" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Arent these fellas cute?</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-et9e58uPhRY/Xm-CUT_5IZI/AAAAAAAAF0w/1vt4BdYYxOkA0qrpdibls7PWYiiYdiP3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-et9e58uPhRY/Xm-CUT_5IZI/AAAAAAAAF0w/1vt4BdYYxOkA0qrpdibls7PWYiiYdiP3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/heart.jpg" width="240" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Tangled hearts from my sister</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HuUVnwGw0kk/Xm-CiHz5R1I/AAAAAAAAF1U/YKg1R1qvgT8nuYcwpfFE-kN5zA0GjpwugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1453" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HuUVnwGw0kk/Xm-CiHz5R1I/AAAAAAAAF1U/YKg1R1qvgT8nuYcwpfFE-kN5zA0GjpwugCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/sps.jpg" width="290" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Snake plants, the variegated ones</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bB07kLwYxTE/Xm-Cb12MH-I/AAAAAAAAF1A/TWW04fruhmAstqEnzYK3oM8puXLLB5_2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/planters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bB07kLwYxTE/Xm-Cb12MH-I/AAAAAAAAF1A/TWW04fruhmAstqEnzYK3oM8puXLLB5_2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/planters.jpg" width="240" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Then there are these guys</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWeILcfCABM/Xm-CiH-nmmI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/djszj8pRN_s-0hX6vc0pS2b2wmHS7b3CACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWeILcfCABM/Xm-CiH-nmmI/AAAAAAAAF1Q/djszj8pRN_s-0hX6vc0pS2b2wmHS7b3CACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/sp.jpg" width="240" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>mini snake plant </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><b> </b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83TjasZD5Us/Xm-ChpfyRZI/AAAAAAAAF1M/It-EqRkHovoplHHFFJt0sHFU2AKMXzs5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/succ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83TjasZD5Us/Xm-ChpfyRZI/AAAAAAAAF1M/It-EqRkHovoplHHFFJt0sHFU2AKMXzs5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/succ.jpg" width="400" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Succulent tub</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzF4DDPZiqE/Xm-Cs8s9_KI/AAAAAAAAF1k/K-ss7Kw-xNQOUgUP6VduPqWmiBKX6f6zwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzF4DDPZiqE/Xm-Cs8s9_KI/AAAAAAAAF1k/K-ss7Kw-xNQOUgUP6VduPqWmiBKX6f6zwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/view.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>One final picture of my garden</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgNoYDwmVPo/Xm-CsIGKI_I/AAAAAAAAF1g/JP6RupJFqNEwVEHoLFl1X2XZOLQgRrhfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/view%2Bfrom%2Bbal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CgNoYDwmVPo/Xm-CsIGKI_I/AAAAAAAAF1g/JP6RupJFqNEwVEHoLFl1X2XZOLQgRrhfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/view%2Bfrom%2Bbal.jpg" width="480" /></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>patch of green from first floor balcony<br />looking lush green after a bath</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-71981221371786015012020-03-14T12:01:00.002+05:302020-04-01T12:30:01.528+05:30Confessions of a Plant mom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My tryst with plants started from my childhood, to be precise. One of the duties assigned to us, grandchildren at our grandparents’ place, where we spent our summer vacation, was watering the plants. We had long row of croutons that grew from the gate, to the front of our century old ancestral home, that would measure around 100 feet. When these two rows, reached the steps that led to the house, there were two rectangular patches, which had flowering perennials and annuals that included roses, lilies, jasmines, zinnia and chrysanthemums. After watering them, we also had responsibility of decorating the altar with flowers and leaves in two white colored ceramic vases, in preparation for an hour long prayer. Dinner was served only after the elaborate prayers.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The flower arrangement everyday would be a collaborative effort
with my brother and cousins and we did it joyfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I key in this, I get to remember the fresh
fragrances of the flowers that we used to pluck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Chennai too, where we lived, we had enough space for a
decent garden that would bear flowers and fruits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember visitors to my parents place
always went away with produce from our garden – papaya, guava, bitter oranges
(citron), drumsticks and coconuts. Thanks to my grandparents and parents, love
for plants and some intelligence in nurturing them has been instilled in us,
children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The love for my plants resurfaced when we moved into the place
we are in right now and I am a proud plant mom, for many years now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here are some confessions that I haven’t made
to anyone at all, all these years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Love
the scent of soil and love laying my hands at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A garden takes a lot of effort, even if
it is a few pots and I always start with gloves and gardening equipment, but in less than an hour,
you will see me muddy in my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
have killed plants by over watering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not always though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But yes
it happens<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Okay
allow me to let the cat out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
steal plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But whenever I get an opportunity, I do.
Like let’s say I am walking on the road and I see plants on the roadside, I
take a small cutting which I am sure would grow, much to J’s annoyance. (If
you invite me home, and I am comfortable with you, I would rather ask you
and take a cutting, but otherwise, be sure I will steal )<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
have stolen plants from international locations too.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
also firmly believe stolen plants grow much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
talk to my plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if they are people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sometimes get angry with them, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cajole them to flower up, tell them
they make me feel happy.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Plants
are my therapy – have always been.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
gift plants and encourage others to be plant parents<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">People
who know me well gift me plant babies and some have gifted cute planters<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
don’t name my plant babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I would
know their technical names – Syngonium, Arrowhead, tangled hearts, philodendron, Aloe vera, pothos, snake plant, peace lily,
cacti, coleus to name a few from my collection. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even
on a holiday, I would be worried if my plants are watered and if they have
enough shade or if they will be over-watered, if it rains<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Touching
my plant babies makes them happy and they grow better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t tell me otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pinching
plants and grooming them is a weekly affair<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I
bathe my plants and gloat looking at their freshness<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Will
you believe if I told you, I have carried pots and planters from all over
the world for my plant babies<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Half
an hour every day <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and few hours
every weekend is spent with my plant babies.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sun-bathing the indoor plants once in a while is also a ritual</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My real baby, Dennu, thinks I love my plants more than him. J has no such doubts, cos he knows that is true.</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And that's a lot of confessions at one go 😊 sincerely hoping that i have not turned any of my readers into haters after all these.</span></div>
</div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-12340737478746910232020-03-13T14:44:00.000+05:302020-04-20T12:13:50.029+05:30DIY reveal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We both, J and I, are DIY enthusiasts. Over a period of time, we have done a whole lot of projects, which is all around our home. Just that, I have missed recording the progress of those, amidst all the action. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But this one that I am going to tell you about, was caught in the camera, and you will witness the evolution process.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T76LEXPzXSk/XmtKFPNCouI/AAAAAAAAFzI/DNVdd7IVssMEpYLTuJ79lQbD_ieec9RSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC01190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T76LEXPzXSk/XmtKFPNCouI/AAAAAAAAFzI/DNVdd7IVssMEpYLTuJ79lQbD_ieec9RSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/DSC01190.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The version one of our Altar circa 2006</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A sheesham wood console table, idea by yours faithfully, was used as our altar for more than 7 years, after we moved here. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">placing</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> an order, this console table took almost six months to reach Chennai as the vendor got this custom made based on the design given by us, along with our dining table, all the way from Madhya Pradesh. A chest of draws, ordered along with this contingent also arrived and it was worth all the wait.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Though the console table caught all the attention of visitors who dropped by, I had other ideas. A faux fire place. Chennai does not definitely need a fireplace, but I was in love with fire places, so I was dying to get a faux fire place. The idea rattled J, and he couldn’t understand my sentiments nor the necessity for a fire place in Chennai.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I toyed with that idea, mentally ran through having it in the specific place with dimensions and when we got into repainting, discussed it with the consultant, who helped with the revamping and painting. He was excited & looked at all my designs, I also took him to a place where I had seen a similar structure made of cement. After fairly understanding my idea,he brought in a guy who puts in movie sets and got this structure up, for a really competitive price.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It came out very well. And here is a picture of it.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHjV1uvk198/Xp1CMdONjdI/AAAAAAAAF-c/oxi6RaEEtrMlIFoHcK0af7OW_Fip1CJHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHjV1uvk198/Xp1CMdONjdI/AAAAAAAAF-c/oxi6RaEEtrMlIFoHcK0af7OW_Fip1CJHACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/before.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Altar, after our revamping in the year 2013</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But, I was not convinced. I felt the fireplace merged with the wall it didn’t get the highlight it deserved. Everytime I crossed the fireplace, I kept wondering what could be done to make it stand out. Another coat of paint? A darker shade? Then it struck me, I love brick walls and if I can get a brick wall installed there it could serve both my purposes – a highlight and a brick wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">An installation of brick wall is going to be messy and J is not going to agree to it. Neither did I want to go through all that trouble. I worked on it, did some research, which took some years by now and then zeroed in on an adhesive wall paper with a brick wall print. Ahem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I ordered it, sweet talked J into helping me, knowing fully well, I can get him to complete this project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We started with making sure the surface was smooth by sanding it first. A template was cut using newspaper as the fireplace had tiered edges. The brick wall paper came in a roll that was 10 x 1.5 feet which meant we had to work on some serious calculations, cutting and adjusting the available material so the wastage is less. And we set to work on it, the rest I would let the pictures do the talking. Here is the progression.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLNzs5QbjxU/Xp1CXJLlutI/AAAAAAAAF_A/tAMRjR4V2bk2NNEK-1iNWX9QeC31if7lQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqz6TvBZepqqRU67OvlCY-lysU7h1i0LttovW4jI_-uAriSkcjZlkfsFjHQkYRV5c2ZFf1xph7v9Bm9K0KyPInZKhVg2eo0-8LPIk-6cb5HPIWRF33sukSiquX2oDpUp26zGLp5YZ_X4juQpAEY1SQq8ir0gGyURt8--GPWcnUlvrvBZ7A-7Dz2L4H0lYwdNUg1t284Bi9oTBoD-MMnUkHPdmdexWdXpSf8XbaUWFve7fjTqRt65ToHPpnTfKS0TwNTUCoLWqJKrjRiPp6h1QX70T3tDM5bSJ_s45AQTnpHA8l4BNm2AmgM2uy_Ck_RbWhPgcUFdfxq037nscw-sIaUpdqIC1AvDRWmiITFNu-CPiw3bns4_3rR4fvffT6CrbuhXAmq7j_-Iv01piHhuyGPirkIMsIBMJiSbq0LaXmslE1tcu4-UOwkOC2M24V9qSbqifyYIfRZKkDvuZ_6r0fB86DDVRgMf84B8rmM3c0yyhleTnFj0MNG6mT-1xufNFFUOWUil6p9LkpA9457qhsTPmNUqvoF-b_ANAmE2eDIgY6G8kJpPN6SbT1Da4G2z6o86tWCKooYDNB6fakyAM3VCs48kfHkHUyCZMKSK9fQF/s1600/fp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLNzs5QbjxU/Xp1CXJLlutI/AAAAAAAAF_A/tAMRjR4V2bk2NNEK-1iNWX9QeC31if7lQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqz6TvBZepqqRU67OvlCY-lysU7h1i0LttovW4jI_-uAriSkcjZlkfsFjHQkYRV5c2ZFf1xph7v9Bm9K0KyPInZKhVg2eo0-8LPIk-6cb5HPIWRF33sukSiquX2oDpUp26zGLp5YZ_X4juQpAEY1SQq8ir0gGyURt8--GPWcnUlvrvBZ7A-7Dz2L4H0lYwdNUg1t284Bi9oTBoD-MMnUkHPdmdexWdXpSf8XbaUWFve7fjTqRt65ToHPpnTfKS0TwNTUCoLWqJKrjRiPp6h1QX70T3tDM5bSJ_s45AQTnpHA8l4BNm2AmgM2uy_Ck_RbWhPgcUFdfxq037nscw-sIaUpdqIC1AvDRWmiITFNu-CPiw3bns4_3rR4fvffT6CrbuhXAmq7j_-Iv01piHhuyGPirkIMsIBMJiSbq0LaXmslE1tcu4-UOwkOC2M24V9qSbqifyYIfRZKkDvuZ_6r0fB86DDVRgMf84B8rmM3c0yyhleTnFj0MNG6mT-1xufNFFUOWUil6p9LkpA9457qhsTPmNUqvoF-b_ANAmE2eDIgY6G8kJpPN6SbT1Da4G2z6o86tWCKooYDNB6fakyAM3VCs48kfHkHUyCZMKSK9fQF/s400/fp1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Making of the template - man in action</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtaqLLfOOxo/Xp1CRxRIVII/AAAAAAAAF-8/8PeC13eAD3w1Gr888diDr_YRYrubWkP0ACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwoWIB4x4KIUW0A82rb9LNgpZn1KBvI5LUkSUcO_KOEHGjxPoEv3l6aptWU9titHRHjyAslhI8UG_z_9gZsoxITjNTHn-n27A7eAk2TAxDpY2ftdg5G2mhy6RyWj8PERcqcKOKoY99ET7bjkESBaE3fF67apKh-lXwTlVq-a39cn3n7vjIXkrdwo3KKMx_6yOAm2pQFP-Ty6XlnTEy2VxRJp4AXURr9Ou4nVV76AWeApdarf40F_OsyoYihbkoqMGwZr1jaQvR6yMKwha1C5LfK--tLiXEVGtc7T3gMei-a73BwNedwds9Ml95BtOJp6lQ39CrsWj9TFY6TVqQ9IkV8YDAgxLLfU649DyCckV8UuYHvqWG8HfAWopOxIAAmVqfizAIJLRuTO9QGMNp_xc7CjFmBMjvcxSq4PsbsJqTnX-7SbsIpjmi14jMxykHQldyH6bz8ZTWRhdN4B42aqXCeTClpHJkETqr9w4fyYG9z5YP018zJW_TeBStX5-3jJjkgKQJ8kQChIJNAznEh0ihqCWxhGYNOQxAWDu9-3YpfiGzLONOYC4GVyXMSV691xwdRSOMG2MNS9alefE_boNaoOZn5KQAl9mHPMJmL9fQF/s1600/fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GtaqLLfOOxo/Xp1CRxRIVII/AAAAAAAAF-8/8PeC13eAD3w1Gr888diDr_YRYrubWkP0ACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwoWIB4x4KIUW0A82rb9LNgpZn1KBvI5LUkSUcO_KOEHGjxPoEv3l6aptWU9titHRHjyAslhI8UG_z_9gZsoxITjNTHn-n27A7eAk2TAxDpY2ftdg5G2mhy6RyWj8PERcqcKOKoY99ET7bjkESBaE3fF67apKh-lXwTlVq-a39cn3n7vjIXkrdwo3KKMx_6yOAm2pQFP-Ty6XlnTEy2VxRJp4AXURr9Ou4nVV76AWeApdarf40F_OsyoYihbkoqMGwZr1jaQvR6yMKwha1C5LfK--tLiXEVGtc7T3gMei-a73BwNedwds9Ml95BtOJp6lQ39CrsWj9TFY6TVqQ9IkV8YDAgxLLfU649DyCckV8UuYHvqWG8HfAWopOxIAAmVqfizAIJLRuTO9QGMNp_xc7CjFmBMjvcxSq4PsbsJqTnX-7SbsIpjmi14jMxykHQldyH6bz8ZTWRhdN4B42aqXCeTClpHJkETqr9w4fyYG9z5YP018zJW_TeBStX5-3jJjkgKQJ8kQChIJNAznEh0ihqCWxhGYNOQxAWDu9-3YpfiGzLONOYC4GVyXMSV691xwdRSOMG2MNS9alefE_boNaoOZn5KQAl9mHPMJmL9fQF/s400/fireplace.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Template on the wallpaper</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiOwluD5XmM/Xp1CYAaCqBI/AAAAAAAAF_I/GRsx1f01soQbBe5jWvjxpqegiTZcQzsOACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqytFZAsU-QBYEui4I0lZ2ltRLY3erqH7wHwLUKVkYECNqMswiEUP5t-BBIRPSZv-LzOID_2JRNh4g9Sj0T_M0zfHTbMlpSYH0gXEpegBbLWdlg7syrVBxjB1H2VAt_xZH7P0lx_m9QhNHjrzMuC7Xy7WIwKF6F7bBG1RhTlmPzZZWGWreyevMqXYp2pexIoPhj69Ng1dBkL_wtpdoRtFUe1mh5isTuRUUHIAPnBys7jy3Pq1RKKsChl0f3VDGLCgVoy8HjgRfNFlQdri6QvtDr43WT6_UBLCoG-Es4nDsSvt3IwxQwoZud7WPHg-xSF1tjOrRCWHmNFVYYuSfWgF8IHIUdiqkTCocTtR2BkrZRvpHUpIAOjpZrn9SZoO6qyKHhSU9pfaGVYEuWZyTOBhRFycrQYE33tEyS6Gal6aDm2zoQlXrr6XEvVQlYPhmN4HtxBCv9FKuIcidD-xWJfVGhmVlJXJun_m45XdxtkeqUa3v3Xtl54gZXXog3mHCJ2YgavvV7Fo3V1xPBrNrAEMSRdtREbAELLkvGAx_bRnSp2Ga-Zh81Ly9gH6PnqoZl2QyjfaV4wrTxExtn_TTFJyi9rIZR1mIMIIcidMMGM9fQF/s1600/fp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiOwluD5XmM/Xp1CYAaCqBI/AAAAAAAAF_I/GRsx1f01soQbBe5jWvjxpqegiTZcQzsOACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqytFZAsU-QBYEui4I0lZ2ltRLY3erqH7wHwLUKVkYECNqMswiEUP5t-BBIRPSZv-LzOID_2JRNh4g9Sj0T_M0zfHTbMlpSYH0gXEpegBbLWdlg7syrVBxjB1H2VAt_xZH7P0lx_m9QhNHjrzMuC7Xy7WIwKF6F7bBG1RhTlmPzZZWGWreyevMqXYp2pexIoPhj69Ng1dBkL_wtpdoRtFUe1mh5isTuRUUHIAPnBys7jy3Pq1RKKsChl0f3VDGLCgVoy8HjgRfNFlQdri6QvtDr43WT6_UBLCoG-Es4nDsSvt3IwxQwoZud7WPHg-xSF1tjOrRCWHmNFVYYuSfWgF8IHIUdiqkTCocTtR2BkrZRvpHUpIAOjpZrn9SZoO6qyKHhSU9pfaGVYEuWZyTOBhRFycrQYE33tEyS6Gal6aDm2zoQlXrr6XEvVQlYPhmN4HtxBCv9FKuIcidD-xWJfVGhmVlJXJun_m45XdxtkeqUa3v3Xtl54gZXXog3mHCJ2YgavvV7Fo3V1xPBrNrAEMSRdtREbAELLkvGAx_bRnSp2Ga-Zh81Ly9gH6PnqoZl2QyjfaV4wrTxExtn_TTFJyi9rIZR1mIMIIcidMMGM9fQF/s640/fp3.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The process of sticking it </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahQn5t6AQJQ/Xp1CXuYcf8I/AAAAAAAAF_E/vsuJ_JxhJuEp2vs6zqNq8CjqasOtLXOBwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwZ60tY-1esye94CpHsrhqqiJ1AmD3Ci2Ej3SpWw8mJNXVPKUyOt6YkqmhaIl3Tv5zRjON-u8PeBbJNuT44Rw1ZZFBqt12lhDi_by-JvPZi6l4jFF_3FWmFAuQnl1Sf5La6OK2iKGWyV3ltTBWuGnQek2-tPjp3QjemLYakHVFFDGYBdf6nnmrTddfTdQ3ZI0FpkpqAYZJtosN3t6qpVP13zEg-pP5ro35YRjqy7E9bXdAXlToY5O0YvBAPAS5j-IK2FI9Fv4CGjOFK9rYpojWrKGfJyyAMIpJdx7wL0jiJzz2mUnMuFR0pbMh5ONRb2OQhHhtasDmij9JUzhTpeg_xPPH3r7i06R6u9NZ2wJszNmrPI18MiVBwNudmM41wqfzX5Ga5iixN06ma6CrMuFfHmANunaemKVMGQa2oTXY1ohCiqShtbggFzsV32_f_JH34g6DAYnkOWtXt1tw_UYeMDxi9hYFraf1MB9j-yo6XHeUCdwotHZmQtlKUjEzj5mx7bjH9a8m-NZgyas-0_WS3sfuua0TpO9MTUEkWK0TnlPVKQYIVZashUSxEzrWvph4_nEZixk1PnlJyA5qyxT9e0y0LVHDw4fluMPyM9fQF/s1600/fp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahQn5t6AQJQ/Xp1CXuYcf8I/AAAAAAAAF_E/vsuJ_JxhJuEp2vs6zqNq8CjqasOtLXOBwCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqwZ60tY-1esye94CpHsrhqqiJ1AmD3Ci2Ej3SpWw8mJNXVPKUyOt6YkqmhaIl3Tv5zRjON-u8PeBbJNuT44Rw1ZZFBqt12lhDi_by-JvPZi6l4jFF_3FWmFAuQnl1Sf5La6OK2iKGWyV3ltTBWuGnQek2-tPjp3QjemLYakHVFFDGYBdf6nnmrTddfTdQ3ZI0FpkpqAYZJtosN3t6qpVP13zEg-pP5ro35YRjqy7E9bXdAXlToY5O0YvBAPAS5j-IK2FI9Fv4CGjOFK9rYpojWrKGfJyyAMIpJdx7wL0jiJzz2mUnMuFR0pbMh5ONRb2OQhHhtasDmij9JUzhTpeg_xPPH3r7i06R6u9NZ2wJszNmrPI18MiVBwNudmM41wqfzX5Ga5iixN06ma6CrMuFfHmANunaemKVMGQa2oTXY1ohCiqShtbggFzsV32_f_JH34g6DAYnkOWtXt1tw_UYeMDxi9hYFraf1MB9j-yo6XHeUCdwotHZmQtlKUjEzj5mx7bjH9a8m-NZgyas-0_WS3sfuua0TpO9MTUEkWK0TnlPVKQYIVZashUSxEzrWvph4_nEZixk1PnlJyA5qyxT9e0y0LVHDw4fluMPyM9fQF/s400/fp2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The edges were difficult to be cut into<br />templates </b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCVl1qWeZv4/Xp1CQ1u2qcI/AAAAAAAAF_I/ohqYp2T7Zrg5WUbw0uy5elFXaNKba8bcQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqySV6BrGwk6M_nXg4pmxWu8ubICP7FAcQSagysOIPs8vnLHxReAP_Hnfze292EBMtrKikt8kQlJFHdUGpigcNDPOW1sJAscsSOiehQ1uzI23fvd4oHJn4Wi4zr634AF1C7isVRnauP22RyTM9V_YTJz59aMRSsWbF_3Qt5uzCZY98yVzUVdwclE2aNFCGLonnuZfQMkv5DoTpBW7qmQzoHEH3UJ0kl5sTjbJkIpUVYAUheI_Wim3tnkNI-OqCQOzJn70Bic9tG9fm4QxoOuR594xNSylp7BCtlPF9bwCKnPbqwKGGnc7ev5iU98IUQfKBe20b3njRx0rZA4lbTCzhGjY1sn7LNIQRSxW_Lz4OwlgYRwNGvqoeKk3c_6o9OwIl2tNt3B_KVA7a_lzAvNCH5loFhOgd1X7PLDpB4pFzaAFlUIW7ZqiZFYz4ag2HlWYYQfMIHtLfQCwYQW841GML8wrnqoG_16qGBn4tyQ434jv2xnb6vOWnRj-VZDDChnVUz7-lkM5cjGqBZB7jikaRH8E6S78wNsZq_VEVu_fAyd0FupsMPV0gner2VMct-Z-qphkWFqHWdTiLPBpCQjNWrME7oaqbehnLnLMJ-N9fQF/s1600/edges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCVl1qWeZv4/Xp1CQ1u2qcI/AAAAAAAAF_I/ohqYp2T7Zrg5WUbw0uy5elFXaNKba8bcQCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1OcqySV6BrGwk6M_nXg4pmxWu8ubICP7FAcQSagysOIPs8vnLHxReAP_Hnfze292EBMtrKikt8kQlJFHdUGpigcNDPOW1sJAscsSOiehQ1uzI23fvd4oHJn4Wi4zr634AF1C7isVRnauP22RyTM9V_YTJz59aMRSsWbF_3Qt5uzCZY98yVzUVdwclE2aNFCGLonnuZfQMkv5DoTpBW7qmQzoHEH3UJ0kl5sTjbJkIpUVYAUheI_Wim3tnkNI-OqCQOzJn70Bic9tG9fm4QxoOuR594xNSylp7BCtlPF9bwCKnPbqwKGGnc7ev5iU98IUQfKBe20b3njRx0rZA4lbTCzhGjY1sn7LNIQRSxW_Lz4OwlgYRwNGvqoeKk3c_6o9OwIl2tNt3B_KVA7a_lzAvNCH5loFhOgd1X7PLDpB4pFzaAFlUIW7ZqiZFYz4ag2HlWYYQfMIHtLfQCwYQW841GML8wrnqoG_16qGBn4tyQ434jv2xnb6vOWnRj-VZDDChnVUz7-lkM5cjGqBZB7jikaRH8E6S78wNsZq_VEVu_fAyd0FupsMPV0gner2VMct-Z-qphkWFqHWdTiLPBpCQjNWrME7oaqbehnLnLMJ-N9fQF/s400/edges.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The edges after sticking them</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It looks pretty simple, but it took almost after 4 hours of cutting pasting and sticking, here is the final result.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6LeGo6qqAtQ/Xp1CJ4wJSSI/AAAAAAAAF_E/xOFMI9HAibQzvZfQSnIIGV38Jnpjv3L8gCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqznxd9CEQmGvaKdztkZJcSDapokXcSDFwJy7mkLN0kYCgYxAZ8esseMf8iEzaQ7T1vMT_JaRSrComNn8YBXSjZt21PjlamQOSPg-8WN1VMs8otfsmddoHx37LIw49a2d-3tFK5k9Gr0oVSQDAX9iWAUkrLbY9_xM61_jtdoN4YdDZ_773raKbu6WnAaUh-2uK28lc8A6OPXNm6e_XFNy7tdjOztFPuM3W2bJ3b4fkqTr26l5NS-t0FTnGepRQrMItCVCuJ1Fe6YP-4-lNdhA4EMEnuuJh_m7UXvSBU3x2gsZHf552DeDChwiC89R9hzM62ZSx-ri4-6EqBi3E1B9_pTYMAJdRFt_mLWcn1jETUG9Gls4DYjJ3MwBFipXYOX-Tv9z1GhSdSlf6PHRrvVramk2cvfoFWnC8ccI1sHdh-olVLSQDfY86jRo5k3m32Ky-NDzsBjeJ8zMNbZux_V2dUyW1gKSFSL_Hh_I_6k7ZkVOP0ogddiifQAoGe6990fwhXVKDBSPBNhumoe_3U_4kHCQFR3cUfaAuJV1RvDVEEa5YDAAVv45A8-0H9801iwScTKKDdHr4O5f8FEi3MlQ-85D_GbhYjxV0U4MLmN9fQF/s1600/after2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6LeGo6qqAtQ/Xp1CJ4wJSSI/AAAAAAAAF_E/xOFMI9HAibQzvZfQSnIIGV38Jnpjv3L8gCEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqznxd9CEQmGvaKdztkZJcSDapokXcSDFwJy7mkLN0kYCgYxAZ8esseMf8iEzaQ7T1vMT_JaRSrComNn8YBXSjZt21PjlamQOSPg-8WN1VMs8otfsmddoHx37LIw49a2d-3tFK5k9Gr0oVSQDAX9iWAUkrLbY9_xM61_jtdoN4YdDZ_773raKbu6WnAaUh-2uK28lc8A6OPXNm6e_XFNy7tdjOztFPuM3W2bJ3b4fkqTr26l5NS-t0FTnGepRQrMItCVCuJ1Fe6YP-4-lNdhA4EMEnuuJh_m7UXvSBU3x2gsZHf552DeDChwiC89R9hzM62ZSx-ri4-6EqBi3E1B9_pTYMAJdRFt_mLWcn1jETUG9Gls4DYjJ3MwBFipXYOX-Tv9z1GhSdSlf6PHRrvVramk2cvfoFWnC8ccI1sHdh-olVLSQDfY86jRo5k3m32Ky-NDzsBjeJ8zMNbZux_V2dUyW1gKSFSL_Hh_I_6k7ZkVOP0ogddiifQAoGe6990fwhXVKDBSPBNhumoe_3U_4kHCQFR3cUfaAuJV1RvDVEEa5YDAAVv45A8-0H9801iwScTKKDdHr4O5f8FEi3MlQ-85D_GbhYjxV0U4MLmN9fQF/s640/after2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">So this is how our Altar looks right now !!!</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After all the efforts, I am going to show you just one more picture, taken from our balustrade.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CN6anmm4Y2U/Xp1CKqCCgPI/AAAAAAAAF-4/yGRdJ5xkfb0Iw4eo1OXGqgALN44K0dEQACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqym3javkoaaecly7LdNgfMfvHwRy9i_3mltkPHscNVM9NeYYnEqtv0PPdBLP8ouwEeLicNloV4v4YeOrA86M8FrhsAn2P8jQ-Mc93eMt69kC1-UhE-I3OZ9OnViPmzTyZ3HNOGlWKfOioQnAcWu0ZiRa_GTPCe8oPU8R4etZ8PyscaZ36ea-10fry1yHCcGF4LyNoPvQX-Ws6gFk8yuaIi6xfGHCsIDjaVE2FM-Zrp31JigYmGqsbYEAncwZmYwztWWBg9qGrwG3aDRCsD_fzYNCGlv2Qj-n22b0eRsMSStX9QT9oZmLcTuRnO98Mer5NTXudP_KpKmP0lbmamzpxTJ_16Szo1qPDuVidbEhCvGb9rAwWSVdQTUEVSMa6YwuNttlhWLnMTOzcQ99gx0YFchPm0JsfA_vCYkUFwcJtfbvkklfwFvIKEoRZynCvQVscXiJjUAm5UXF48Rw1qvTzS1BVxtXBwxptHwb_TKq45Hxcb0NVsd9cv5snREcr4BaOpPLof_RDashCA1zrE6Pn7K8XeGYjzbQ7ryo9XZsy5rpyDwr9cAbMvFQ4J-dsTY7jxz3abQSI-G3VGKSHm3cgCe_ZGVzneO8EVtMNCN9fQF/s1600/After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CN6anmm4Y2U/Xp1CKqCCgPI/AAAAAAAAF-4/yGRdJ5xkfb0Iw4eo1OXGqgALN44K0dEQACEwYBhgLKs4DAL1Ocqym3javkoaaecly7LdNgfMfvHwRy9i_3mltkPHscNVM9NeYYnEqtv0PPdBLP8ouwEeLicNloV4v4YeOrA86M8FrhsAn2P8jQ-Mc93eMt69kC1-UhE-I3OZ9OnViPmzTyZ3HNOGlWKfOioQnAcWu0ZiRa_GTPCe8oPU8R4etZ8PyscaZ36ea-10fry1yHCcGF4LyNoPvQX-Ws6gFk8yuaIi6xfGHCsIDjaVE2FM-Zrp31JigYmGqsbYEAncwZmYwztWWBg9qGrwG3aDRCsD_fzYNCGlv2Qj-n22b0eRsMSStX9QT9oZmLcTuRnO98Mer5NTXudP_KpKmP0lbmamzpxTJ_16Szo1qPDuVidbEhCvGb9rAwWSVdQTUEVSMa6YwuNttlhWLnMTOzcQ99gx0YFchPm0JsfA_vCYkUFwcJtfbvkklfwFvIKEoRZynCvQVscXiJjUAm5UXF48Rw1qvTzS1BVxtXBwxptHwb_TKq45Hxcb0NVsd9cv5snREcr4BaOpPLof_RDashCA1zrE6Pn7K8XeGYjzbQ7ryo9XZsy5rpyDwr9cAbMvFQ4J-dsTY7jxz3abQSI-G3VGKSHm3cgCe_ZGVzneO8EVtMNCN9fQF/s640/After.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Did you guys like it as much as I did?</span></div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-49832220401841587442020-03-10T12:31:00.001+05:302020-04-20T12:29:45.333+05:30Surprises of Maldives <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Finding something fancy and stuff that catches your attention during travel is common. The last time we girls traveled to Vietnam, I had posted some of the quirks that we noticed. Maldives also had a few and I thought I need to share it on my blog for you all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Faux coconut leaves :</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Coconut palms dote the shorelines of this island. Many of the villas and structures in the resorts use faux coconut leaves (dried version), which beats the original, made of flexible fiber. Maybe the maintenance is easier and it could last longer. Even in Hulhumale, saw some of the structures using them to bring in the aesthetic element. And its difficult to spot the difference, and the artificial ones definitely beats the original from what you can see in the pictures.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kaJEX3A-QxE/XmcsDN3owpI/AAAAAAAAFw0/KC2D2lQDFukUyWD71yofKAPmjCQytEfOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/a%2Bcoco.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kaJEX3A-QxE/XmcsDN3owpI/AAAAAAAAFw0/KC2D2lQDFukUyWD71yofKAPmjCQytEfOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/a%2Bcoco.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The original and the artificial ones </b></span></span></td></tr>
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<u style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Central Park :</b></u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fY195QXWWf0/XmjA-lE4R0I/AAAAAAAAFxw/J9iV0Wk8qYwjnDTLlBZwcFN5CTSjVGloQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Amenities.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fY195QXWWf0/XmjA-lE4R0I/AAAAAAAAFxw/J9iV0Wk8qYwjnDTLlBZwcFN5CTSjVGloQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Amenities.png" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Look at all those amenities </b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At Hulhumale that we stayed on arrival at Maldives, where mostly working class people live, we came across this fairly large park called the Central park. Crowded with health conscious people of various nationalities, a couple of facts impressed me about this park. For a small island, the park was large.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Considerable number of trees, seating arrangements, walking / jogging tracks, a nice water fountain was on one side of the park, on the other side was a skating rink and adjacent to it was an array of gym equipment. There were 15 different ones, two of each kind open to general public, which is a thoughtful gesture. The equipment was of good quality, and we saw many using it, including women in hijabs. We can spend a couple of hours in this park without getting bored.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIH4JHPa-4I/XmjBQbsBj3I/AAAAAAAAFx0/ROsQT-0QNoE28xPhmBuXnyUJNSbJIr53wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Maldivian%2Bchess.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JIH4JHPa-4I/XmjBQbsBj3I/AAAAAAAAFx0/ROsQT-0QNoE28xPhmBuXnyUJNSbJIr53wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Maldivian%2Bchess.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Maldivian traditional chess </b></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>Traditional chess </u></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>:</u> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the roadside, we saw a set of Maldivians playing something like chess, though the chess pieces looked very different.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Stopped to have a chat, ( much to the embarrassment of J), clicked a picture of them playing it with their permission. The men didn’t want to be in the picture and they told that it is their traditional game like chess.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><u>A book cart :</u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxAoGXEBiqo/XmjCUOAFxVI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/XWv8vxHIc50yPU1nf0VMdm-2sJDRUMWQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/book%2Bcart.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YxAoGXEBiqo/XmjCUOAFxVI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/XWv8vxHIc50yPU1nf0VMdm-2sJDRUMWQgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/book%2Bcart.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>The Book cart</b> </span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This novel concept was seen on the beach of Hulhumale, an unmanned book cart left open for public. A collection of books are kept here for people to read, instructions on use pasted on the side. You can take books to read from here, and you can donate your books as well. Notice this cart uses original coconut palm leaves that has started deteriorating a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Trust me, this one stole my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <br /><br /><b><br /><u>Food habits </u></b><u>:</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In a few local restaurants that we were passing by, we could see the natives eating mounds of rice with spicy looking curries and vegetables, just like I have seen old traditional people from my native, Kerala, eat.</span></div>
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<br /><b><u>Friendly cats :</u></b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The islands has a number of well fed, good looking cats which are friendly. Though I am not a cat person, they did make my head turn, also made me smile with their playful behaviors and surprisingly didn’t see a single dog or any other animal. (Colorful fishes though made up for the lack of other animals)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjIsaQIdyZA/XmjCvWdGpPI/AAAAAAAAFyc/SRHf6bHwwLc-cVAkTRy24EJMzaE7CUKZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/friendly%2Bcats.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjIsaQIdyZA/XmjCvWdGpPI/AAAAAAAAFyc/SRHf6bHwwLc-cVAkTRy24EJMzaE7CUKZACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/friendly%2Bcats.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Few playful strays at the Central Park </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4uCsElSH0M/XmjCt7OFjmI/AAAAAAAAFyY/L4ny2k4LFvspPWR_hlu_dExLQO14zhTpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/stray%2Bcat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4uCsElSH0M/XmjCt7OFjmI/AAAAAAAAFyY/L4ny2k4LFvspPWR_hlu_dExLQO14zhTpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/stray%2Bcat.jpg" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>A pretty feline</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Hola fruit :</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have seen this fruit on the net before, but Hola fruit surprised with its colors and size in the vegetable market of Male. Almost the size of Jack fruit, opens to a colorful inside.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mEGPQkNTTs/Xp1FUJOOgUI/AAAAAAAAF_Q/2YFOY2kEo0AYzfs-Q5RQ4crdauqhAlUwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Hola%2Bfruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mEGPQkNTTs/Xp1FUJOOgUI/AAAAAAAAF_Q/2YFOY2kEo0AYzfs-Q5RQ4crdauqhAlUwACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Hola%2Bfruit.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Hola fruit, as big as a Jackfruit</b></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Gez1edtqUo/XmsRKOo8p-I/AAAAAAAAFy0/laTqXWjfzqwyzgJM6M1AF-Jlr-YjAY5VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Inside%2Bof%2Ba%2Bhola%2Bfruit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Gez1edtqUo/XmsRKOo8p-I/AAAAAAAAFy0/laTqXWjfzqwyzgJM6M1AF-Jlr-YjAY5VwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Inside%2Bof%2Ba%2Bhola%2Bfruit.jpg" /></b></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Colourful insides of a Hola fruit</b></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></b>
<b style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><u>Postbox :</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the Male airport, happened to see a functional post box. Red and hot. Must have been ages since i came across an in-use post box at an international location. 🙎</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZxsCF9UGXY/XmjD7S0l9gI/AAAAAAAAFyo/N56X0QvID28v97ek0b9Wmncxag4-PTp1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Letter%2Bbox%252C%2Bred%2Bhot.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZxsCF9UGXY/XmjD7S0l9gI/AAAAAAAAFyo/N56X0QvID28v97ek0b9Wmncxag4-PTp1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Letter%2Bbox%252C%2Bred%2Bhot.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I am in still in use, twice daily, red and hot </b></span></span></td></tr>
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Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-27497145695113161282020-03-09T14:16:00.003+05:302020-03-09T14:16:45.800+05:30In contemplation : Maldives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the once in 25 years vacation is to an exotic dream
destination, you are left with starry eyes and awesome memories of a lifetime. And that’s exactly what happened to us in our
trip to Maldives. Gratitude for being able to make it overwhelms both of us. Yet, there are a few
things I have mentally noted down, while contemplating, so I will never have to say, “Sigh! I wish I knew how to do that!” or I should have planned that earlier. </span></div>
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<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Learn
swimming :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right
from the time I had been married, this guy would show off his ability to swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those days it used to be in the water bodies
in Kerala, his hometown, which were abundant with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lakes, ponds, rivers and canals, he
would jump and swim in them and leave me all grinning and asking him for
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in swimming pools his
strokes in the water had me all mesmerized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew he has done ocean swimming, but when
I saw J swimming in the ocean, swiftly and even had the Maldives boat crew
stunned, I told myself, take at least basic swimming lessons.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Learn
cycling :</b><b> </b> I am ashamed to disclose
this to you all, I cannot ride a bicycle. Yep. True story. Paradise had cycles in every corner and
the guests were allowed to use it. But
what’s the use for someone who cannot ride? And since I couldn’t J didn’t ride it
either. So that’s another one to add
in the list<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Scuba
diving :</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for the fear of going down
into the depths of an ocean, I kept putting this off during our trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally it was scheduled on the last but
one day before our trip was to close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Call it our misfortune, the boat that we were to leave developed
snags and the authorities couldn’t get another diving boat for us as they
insisted that we have a 24 hour break before we board our aircraft after
we do the diving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was one of
the major misses of this trip. I am going to regret this forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time Maldives, or some other place,
we want to dive.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Authentic,
original Maldives :</b><b> </b> We realized this
after our trip. What we saw as
Maldives was the dressed up Maldives.
The resorts, Male and Hulhumale were all the artificial side of Maldives. We really do not have an understanding
of the Maldivians as we didn’t meet any of the authentic inhabitants of
the island. We should have gone to
one of the islands where they live their ordinary and real lives and had a
view of it to understand their lifestyle better.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Buy an underwater Camera :</b> We are kicking our butts for not picking one before we even planned for this trip. And now we just have our memories to resort to</span></li>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The
last one</b> is the usual one when I travel – Always wish I had stayed there a
little more longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A week in
Maldives is really long enough, but yet…</span></li>
</ol>
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Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-89281308883686000592020-03-05T19:22:00.001+05:302020-03-05T19:26:40.584+05:30Magical Maldives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><u>Caution :</u></b> Photo heavy long post. Don't tell me I didn't warn you 👩</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Maldives is a travel destination for honey mooners and the newly weds and by those standards, J and I were 25 years late. Actually, as I key in this I am laughing out loud (LOL). </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vdsiVGgZFQ/XmD7v-84uKI/AAAAAAAAFvg/inu6duDHI1c0NCvM9VAnqVNASvONNL4UACEwYBhgL/s1600/anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vdsiVGgZFQ/XmD7v-84uKI/AAAAAAAAFvg/inu6duDHI1c0NCvM9VAnqVNASvONNL4UACEwYBhgL/s640/anniversary.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>On our 25th Anniversary</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The 25th anniversary plan was to spend a week of laid back time, doing absolutely nothing but just unwinding. More for J than me, he has been a workaholic all his life, been there for everyone in his family and mine, physically, emotionally and otherwise, literally spinning around all these years and a break was becoming a necessity. So our pit stop after Srilanka was Maldives, Hulhumale to be specific and then to an Island resort where we planned to just laze around.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9iVZVkCbqA/XmD39iYMGuI/AAAAAAAAFuI/l02k18vEWYE2pA0LAcAsPCRZX91z-dBtACEwYBhgL/s1600/airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9iVZVkCbqA/XmD39iYMGuI/AAAAAAAAFuI/l02k18vEWYE2pA0LAcAsPCRZX91z-dBtACEwYBhgL/s640/airport.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just outside the Male Airport</td></tr>
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Maldives always conjures up pristine beaches, white sand beaches, beach villas in the sea, exotic food and a mesmerizing skyline in our minds and Maldives didn’t ever disappoint us. The various shades of blue, that I have never seen in my life all these years ( and that’s quite considerable number of years, considering my age). The shades of blue that I have seen only in my paint palette was alive in the wild nature at Maldives – Teal, Aquamarine, baby blue, Turquoise, Electric blue, Blue green, Navy blue, Prussian and Royal blue and much more when the sky and sea merge. Such vibrant colors, Maldives makes anyone feel like they are in a make-believe world. </div>
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Male is the capital city of the Republic of Maldives, which itself consists of around 1200 islands, divided into multiple groups of islands called atolls located in the Indian Ocean. Tiniest country in the world, the capital is just 5.8 square kilometers. We could cover the entire Male city in less than half an hour with ample time to look around, by foot. That’s how small that place is. Maldives also imports every damn stuff from other countries primarily from India and Srilanka except fish, including their workforce. Their primary source of revenue is from the tourists and they should be doing well as their currency is atleast four times the value of ours. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKYBCunGxuk/XmEA81_euxI/AAAAAAAAFwM/BQwujzrwHEgCOhyp9k8Xm-5IO7JbV7zxACEwYBhgL/s1600/at%2Bhulu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rKYBCunGxuk/XmEA81_euxI/AAAAAAAAFwM/BQwujzrwHEgCOhyp9k8Xm-5IO7JbV7zxACEwYBhgL/s320/at%2Bhulu.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the park in Hulhumale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Male airport, Valena international airport is one island by itself and is connected by a man made road to Male city and another man made island called Hulhumale, where we stayed on arrival. Hulhumale is smaller than Male city and most working class people, including the expats from various countries live here. It just took an hour to go around Hulhumale, which has a nice beach, a good park, few eateries and a football ground. Easily just as big as one of the societies or condominiums in India. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU4r7JMdWIY/XmD4Duf2pJI/AAAAAAAAFuk/EdZDHl5S5jA3HIgNRVGojZ99GU5Rp1e1QCEwYBhgL/s1600/mosque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU4r7JMdWIY/XmD4Duf2pJI/AAAAAAAAFuk/EdZDHl5S5jA3HIgNRVGojZ99GU5Rp1e1QCEwYBhgL/s400/mosque.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Friday Mosque - The oldest Coral <br />
Stone structure in Male</td></tr>
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On the day tour that we took up, to cover Male, we saw the presidents house, which was a small villa, the Police headquarters, Grand Mosque, Sultan Park, the fish market (smaller than a department store here), the vegetable market and another tiny mosque called the Hukuru Miskiy mosque, which is also known as the ‘Old Friday Mosque’ and it is one of the oldest and most famous places in the Maldives. It was built in 1658 by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar. The structure is made up of coral stone and has peculiar and unique architecture and is honored as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. In fact, to me this Mosque looked almost like a temple in Kerala. All this in half an hour by foot and the guide told us, we are done with Male and you can now go to the ferry that will take you to the Island resort. </div>
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The ferries and boats are the main mode of transport here. Westerners dominated amongst the tourists adding up to 80 percent of the people we saw and the remaining were Asians. Indians much rarer. Just a irrelevant statistic for you folks.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyXBvvN80PEwdkbJD2Jj1JZ9Gkpns_iuoXCYeXLutkDmJcrb8cOvjd0izPBFFVM2Gu6YBXpFZxIe20' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
So, did we relax? That was the best part of this mile-stone vacation as we kept calling it. We had picked up snorkeling equipment from India, given the fact that J may not like to put in something used by others in his mouth, and we both geared for snorkeling. I had my collection of books in my Kindle, and a book that I literally stole from Dennu’s stack. “24 hours” a thriller by Greg Iles and I was also reading Viktor Frankl’s Mans search for Meaning. Have never read like this continuously without a care in the world, since my teenage and before marriage years. Greg is a fantastic story teller and I found it difficult to leave the book down. My gratitude journal accompanied me and I wrote in it from the serene beaches. A bliss that I never even knew existed. I finished Greg Iles by the time we got back. </div>
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It took us around 25 minutes by speedboat from Male city to reach our place of stay, that we had finalized after all the research and Paradise Island resort welcomed us with all its charm and both J and me were allured by it. This place is a literal paradise and we knew why it’s a honeymoon destination, when we set foot there. And both of us have concluded that Maldives is the best place of earth, we have visited together so far. Ahem.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znH0yBK9J5A/XmD72lreNUI/AAAAAAAAFvs/TwDT2vf0uxwZS66Xi1_5YqakAhYzlL-ygCEwYBhgL/s1600/paradise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znH0yBK9J5A/XmD72lreNUI/AAAAAAAAFvs/TwDT2vf0uxwZS66Xi1_5YqakAhYzlL-ygCEwYBhgL/s640/paradise.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paradise Island resort at Night</td></tr>
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In local language it is called Lankanfinolhu Island and has nothing but the resort. That’s how most islands in Maldives are, owned by the resorts. It’s a scenic Island, luxurious and though there are around 500 villas of varying grades, since its pretty spacious, we rarely found anyone photo bombing or any crowd at all. Many times especially in the early mornings, during our strolls, I have felt we were the only ones in the island. The beach is pristine and I never wanted to stay indoors except when I went to sleep. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GPyaa5IlL4/XmD74Sc4h0I/AAAAAAAAFvk/QTAA0AflPSgeUNw4nS6iUH9NwbYpib79gCEwYBhgL/s1600/paradise1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GPyaa5IlL4/XmD74Sc4h0I/AAAAAAAAFvk/QTAA0AflPSgeUNw4nS6iUH9NwbYpib79gCEwYBhgL/s640/paradise1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paradise Island Resort </td></tr>
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The sand which probably is the residue of all the coral is a fine powder here on the beaches and its soft unto touch. I played with it like a little child. The fine sand was almost like the rice powder which I use to make Puttu, ( steamed cylinders of white rice powder) back home – sigh! What a comparison! Walking on the beach barefoot on soft white sand, was nothing short of magic. I even did my early morning jogging ritual. The villas were spacious with every facility a five star resort would offer, with open to sky bathing areas along with closed ones too. </div>
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So what did we do there which turned this trip magical? Let me list a few for you </div>
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<b>Snorkeling</b> </div>
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We went with a professional for a snorkeling trip and we started with practice for an hour. J enticed the crew with his ocean swimming skills and jumped straight into the ocean without even a life jacket and swam to the sand bank where we were scheduled to take our snorkeling lessons. I needed a life jacket and a bit of goading to jump in to the water, but I managed my fears, like a lady 😊 This was the first snorkeling experience for both of us, and J took to it like a fish to the water. I needed an Instructor to guide me and hold my hands, until the sheer beauty of ocean outdid my fear and much later I realized, the instructor had let go of my hands. He took almost an hour for practice session which was by itself awesome. The water was crystal clear, the coral reefs were white in color and against them the fishes so bright and colorful. I kept saying WOW, and my voice would be muffled through the equipment. I guess my eyes have never opened this wide, ever before, looking at all the beauty, ocean had to offer. We were spoilt for choice with all the sea life there.<br />
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The crew then sailed off to deep sea and our actual snorkeling happened there. Until I snorkeled in the deep seas of Maldives, hadn’t remotely thought that the ocean is such a magical place. We saw millions of fishes, with vibrant colors and the scenes down below in the ocean were completely out of the world. The colours were nothing close to anything that I have set my eyes on, in planet earth. We had gone at the peak season, ( it was a coincidence as our anniversary falls in January) and the visibility was excellent and the marine life that we saw was so diverse. TLC and the national geography channels that we watched all these years, didn’t do any justice to what we saw in the ocean bed, such was the abundance of fish. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snorkeling in Shallow waters at Cinnamon resort </td></tr>
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Corals, Colorful eels with tiger print on them, schools of Manta Rays, graceful and disciplined, such huge and large fishes showing us that they are the gentlest of the creatures, bright colored clownfish, parrotfish, Lionfishes, Angelfishes and snappers and many others that I couldn’t identify made it an unforgettable experience. J swam away from us for sometime, in the opposite direction and realized that there were really huge fishes including sharks and so he got back. I also saw a few scuba divers down below and watched them for a while. They were touching the corals and taking pictures </div>
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My fears overtaken by the beauty of the ocean, I could remove the equipment once in a while and talk to the trainer and ask him questions about the marine life. All of the remaining days in the resort, J would go into the seas for Snorkeling, I would remain close to the shore and snorkel and put our equipment to good use. </div>
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<b>Kayaking</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the kayak ride</td></tr>
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This is a seated water sport which allows you to paddle across the open sea. The paddles are double sided with a blade on each side and I figured out J is pretty good at paddling in the sea. He could paddle to the deep sea, hassling even the instructor, but yes the views were breathtaking. The only instruction I got from J was “Vincy, sit still”. I should have joined the paddling, but ladies do get some concessions you see, especially if you do not know how to do it. The best was since J was around, I was brave in the waters. </div>
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<b>Dolphin cruise</b> </div>
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Tamed Dolphins are a sight to watch in water shows hosted in many countries and though we have watched plenty of them, cruising along with Dolphins in the wild and in their habitat was a first time for us. Luckily for us the crew told us the previous day, they couldn’t spot a single Dolphin and to our surprise, we had 10 to 12 of them showing off their graceful swimming skills cruising along with us for more than 20 minutes. The best part of this cruise was the moment they go underwater, the crew clapped hands and whistled and they would come up and swim with us. The crew were equally surprised and called us lucky to have seen so many of them and for pretty long time. </div>
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<b>Shark feeding </b></div>
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Sharp at 7.00 pm everyday, sharks of varying sizes, some probably as big as me or even bigger, come near the patio of Farumathi restaurant, one of the 5 restaurants in the resort. Since we knew about this schedule, we were there much earlier and we saw some lone fellas, floating around the patio, which was 15 feet above the sea water. Since the water was clear we could see them coming from near and far. Looks like the sharkies know the schedule too, at 7.00 pm, an employee starts feeding them with fish and there is a riot of these fellows for the food. At least around 50 of them, falling over each other for the food, while the guests from around the world gaped in astonishment, cranking their cameras and mobiles to capture the rare scenes. </div>
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<b>Manta ray feeding </b></div>
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Hulhangu Bar is near the lobby and entrance of Paradise and it faces the entry way of the resort. It is on the shores of this bar, in the evening, with flood lights et all, you get to feed Manta Ray fishes. Manta is a Spanish word for Cloak or shawl. Now you get the connection? These come so close to the shore and an employee feeds them with fish pieces and they timidly eat out of your hand. If you are brave enough, that is. We both fed them, multiple times and I also patted some fellas. They seem to actually like it. Its nice the resort has these activities that keep the guests engaged. </div>
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<b>Hammock in the sea</b> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was heaven</td></tr>
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Paradise has set up a hammock in the sea ( yes there was one installed in the sea water). You can swim up or walk up, ( you know what I would have done – I actually danced up) to that hammock and lie there peacefully for as long as you want, provided it is free. There is someone there most of the time, and you may have to wait up in the shore for it to be free. The little movements of sea water would rock you in the hammock and make you feel that you are gently travelling in the sea, only to wake up to find you are in the same place. Again a dreamy feeling. </div>
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<b>Island hopping – Cinnamon Island </b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Dhonveli resort at a glance</td></tr>
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One of the things we did in Maldives hop to another Island, called Cinnamon Island. Bur after Paradise, Cinnamon failed to impress us. It was smaller, the shoreline was not as smooth as paradise – too many corals on the shore that would poke the feet, though the food and hospitality was awesome in this place. They had continental, Italian, Japanese and have lost count of their counters now. I tried a special fish noodles that had oysters, shell fish and baby octopus. I should admit that I am not adventurous with food and had to get a earful for J, for wasting the food. The dish was spicy and tasty, but I couldn’t put up with the chewiness of the fish. We both snorkeled here too, yes we carried our equipment. </div>
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<b>Photo shoot at the Sand bank </b></div>
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This one beats all our experiences as the crew helps with a photo shoot. The boat rides up into a sand bank which would be 200 square meters of sand bump in the middle of the sea and since it is a photo shoot, I should let the pictures do the talking. Shouldn’t I?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would do something like this ! </td></tr>
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There’s a lot more that we did. In our own pace that is. For example, we ate like there was no tomorrow. With the varied cuisines available around the clock, I am sure I have put on few pounds of flesh easily. And also, I read, I wrote, I dreamed, I walked barefoot, and looked at J snorkeling at a distance for hours together from the glistening white sands of Paradise. It was all nothing short of a dream come true. </div>
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A milestone marked in Exhilaration.</div>
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Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-2362088173953685022020-02-12T12:29:00.000+05:302020-02-12T12:29:02.657+05:30Sri Lanka, the island of Ravana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you have grown up in Chennai or Tamil nadu, in the 80’s, chances are you would have heard quite a bit about Sri Lanka. Mostly stuff that are horrific and tumultuous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My earliest hearsay about this place is when my fathers family discussed about two of my dad’s brothers who worked there in Colombo, in the 50’s and 60’s. Only one of them returned and the other married a Lankan lady and decided to settle there with no contacts with family back in Kerala. Have heard dad lament about his long lost brother, Jacob.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There is yet another memory of Sri Lanka. Much more vivid and clear. 1985, when the Sri Lankan Civil war caused by the LTTE, and its atrocities were at its peak, as an adolescent, had watched another young girl few years older than me, come over to my neighbors house in Chennai. She must have stayed for around 3 months or so with them, or longer, using Chennai as a safe transit before moving to one of the European countries, which I now fail to recall. Could be France. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This girl was a catholic, though the family hosting her were protestants and they used to send her with me to church every Sunday, which was a good 2 km walk. I have listened with fear and heartache, the turmoil that her family had to go through in Colombo and how her house was razed to the ground in one night. She had 9 siblings and each of them had to struggle to get out of Colombo and get parked in safe havens across Tamil nadu, before they moved to one of the wealthier countries. Their family could afford it and they were many others in Colombo, who couldn’t and were struggling with the devastation around. She spoke in length about how war can tear families apart and create unimaginable loss of lives and resources. It stuck in my young mind and has never left me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As the flight took off from Chennai and moved towards Ceylon, that’s another name I am used to, the map that I had looked at all these years in hard copy and soft copies, came alive and the excitement of the holiday set in. Although we are going to spend only a few hours in Sri Lanka, I was looking forward to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">From up above in the skies, Point Calimere, Vedharanyam, Dhanushkodi and Rameshwaram, just like how they were in the maps ( how else did I expect it to be?). J was also relating to the road trip he made to these places few months ago on his own and I could relate to all the photographs taken from the land and here I was getting a bird’s eye view of the Island. Sri Lanka as a country is so close, just like Bangalore may be. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sri Lankan Greeting </b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We get off from the aircraft to the greetings of Ayubowan, and it makes as much sense as Vanakkam. Reminiscent of a time when my uncle would tune into Rupavahini, Srilankan TV channel and get to see a grainy screen to watch movies, and have heard anchors using this term to greet 😊 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Welcomed by a huge Buddha statue at the airport, we quickly moved onto our waiting cab and guide Chamika. I liked that name, traditionally Sri Lankan. isn’t it? Young boy who took us around. Colombo looked much like Kochi and its difficult to believe we were in a different country. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The large Buddha Statue, Serene, that welcomes guests at the Airport</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1233768900"></span><span id="goog_1233768901"></span>Being a Sunday, though we couldn’t attend a holy mass, J insisted that we go to a church and we had finalized on St.Antony’s church, Kochchikade. A mass in Sinhalese was in progress and it was quite interesting to listen to the sing song tune of the language. It’s a small shrine and recently renovated by the Srilankan navy after the mass killings that happened in the church last Easter on 21st of April 2019. We witnessed the bullet marks on the church floor and apparently around 90+ people died in that terrorist attack. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutch Hospital, Sri Lanka, Colombo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granite tiled floors of Dutch Hospital</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The areas around the Dutch hospital was fascinating, as here is where the old and the new co-exist. The World Trade centre of Sri Lanka is just opposite this old building. WTC is a twin tower with 40 floors in each, and has the most modern amenities and houses national and international businesses. And right there in front of it is a heritage building in old colonial style, so endearing with its pillars, granite tiled floors, red clay tiled roofs and a central courtyard, built by the Dutch ( and hence the name ) as a hospital for the soldiers of Dutch East India Company. Its no more a hospital now, and is transformed into an high end, expensive shopping and dining arcade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The thick walls, the door, windows and rafters made of teak reeks of history. I spent some quiet time here with J, on the granite seating area thinking about this place as a hospital and looking at the flight of pigeons. Dutch hospital was a soothing place, in spite of the hot sun. Must have been designed that way.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Inner Courtyard of Dutch Hospital now an expensive Dining and shopping arcade</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Chamika slowed the car along Galle beach and showed us the latest skyscraper, the lotus tower and since we did not have much time during the layover to our destination, and since we wanted to spend more time at Gangaramaya temple, we just had to view them from the car. By now, we had finalized SL as one of our must see tourist destinations.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Buddha Statues at Gangarmaya temple, Colombo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn50odJ8u2o/XkOQHtpSnDI/AAAAAAAAFtg/QRn5Q0wlgDMlxEf-F_znpd3Kx8fPzLG6wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Jade%2BBuddha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn50odJ8u2o/XkOQHtpSnDI/AAAAAAAAFtg/QRn5Q0wlgDMlxEf-F_znpd3Kx8fPzLG6wCEwYBhgL/s400/Jade%2BBuddha.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Buddha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALLQ-MxxDms/XkOQC5IpGdI/AAAAAAAAFtU/nNz4BP5FTX43vE9YiLHjMBbFjERFGAceQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Gangaramaya%2Bbuddha%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALLQ-MxxDms/XkOQC5IpGdI/AAAAAAAAFtU/nNz4BP5FTX43vE9YiLHjMBbFjERFGAceQCEwYBhgL/s640/Gangaramaya%2Bbuddha%2B2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Few Giant sized Buddha at the sanctum sanctorium of Gangaramaya Temple</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buddha always reminds me of our girls trips and I must have bored J to death with our gals stories. Right in the middle of a busy city, stands Gangaramaya temple in all its majesty. Thankfully, like in all Buddhist temples, its calm and serene. Situated near Beira Lake, this temple was originally built many years ago, the temple gradually grew into the vast place with a monastery, pagoda, a building which is full of colorful Buddha statues, a Bodhi Tree and a Relic Chamber, as well as a library and a museum. At the far end of the courtyard are rows of elevating steps on which huge Buddha statues of the Thai style have been sequentially placed. Another of the many unique features about the temple is its museum. The collection ranges from small relics to large thrones and elephant tusks. Buddhist monks chanting is a common sight in all temples and I sat next to two huge burly dogs, who seemed comfortable with all the visitors here. I sat with them for a while, and had to leave as our time for peeking into Ceylon, was limited. </span></div>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-DEyNOLL0g/XkOQVc21IeI/AAAAAAAAFto/4qtHhwG_oCw8S8bcwnAabw_jiBsl9b1UQCEwYBhgL/s1600/rows%2Bof%2BBuddha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-DEyNOLL0g/XkOQVc21IeI/AAAAAAAAFto/4qtHhwG_oCw8S8bcwnAabw_jiBsl9b1UQCEwYBhgL/s640/rows%2Bof%2BBuddha.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rows of Buddha statues in front of the temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Left Ceylon with some mixed feelings primarily because it kindled a lot of thoughts about war, unrest, terrorist attacks and killings that this place was synonymous with in my head, since I was young. a single visit may not erase years of accumulated memories. It would take another long trip to Srilanka to erase those parallels and feed my head with pleasant and calming ones, but for now this one picture should keep me calm.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxEaljsipxY/XkOgbOj3oUI/AAAAAAAAFt0/kT_k_en4BLgKDH_zPxY-m10A6eaXT3yJACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxEaljsipxY/XkOgbOj3oUI/AAAAAAAAFt0/kT_k_en4BLgKDH_zPxY-m10A6eaXT3yJACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/dogs.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Some good company</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-22999010008754403102020-01-26T00:38:00.004+05:302020-02-04T16:01:35.291+05:30An astonishing colossal surprise : Straight from Heaven<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When the almighty wants to show his Prowess, he will. And he would plan it so meticulously and spring
a surprise that you would be caught unawares.
That’s what happened to me today. I cried in ecstasy and wondered if I really
deserved this special treatment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, I get a call from my Parish church, where I used to teach
Catechism in Sunday school. I had to
discontinue the classes due to my surgery and I moved out of the Parish Council
too, for the same reasons. The request was to do a reading
during mass, as it was our church feast day. Why me, amongst all the
parishners who total around 2000 families? Ours by the way is one of the largest parishes in Chennai. J and I are celebrating our 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary this January and incidentally our Parish church was built 25 years ago and it was the silver jubilee feast. our anniversary is on 30<sup>th</sup> January to be precise, and church has
these records.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(In a Catholic church, that I belong, a holy mass is an act of worship, usually conducted by a priest, and includes readings from the bible read by the laity, members of the church congregation among other forms of worship and adoration)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now "reading" during mass, especially something like a feast
mass means practice and I have no time, since I am travelling tomorrow. Yes, a travelogue on its way. I refuse diplomatically, but the church
insists. Finally, people in the Parish
council decide that I do not need practice, so all I had to do was reach church 30
minutes early. I had no options, but to
agree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At church, J strategically picks one of the middle pews, to inconspicuously
merge with the crowd. The plan was to
join him after my reading. The council
members look surprised seeing me alone and they want J, as we have special
chairs to sit in the front, close to the altar and seen by the entire congregation. We also have
special responsibilities, like accompanying the priests for lighting the lamp,
being the first ones to do the offertory, and finally as a couple give away
gifts to the visiting priests. The offertory itself was quite symbolic, we had to offer two saplings.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I had to start the feast mass with the Introduction reading and
I see there is an entire presbyterate coming in procession to the church and finally
followed by the Archbishop himself. Midway
during the service, with more than 1000 people participating in the mass, I begin
to feel overwhelmed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There, slowly it was unfolding in front of J and me. None other than the Lord himself, had planned
it out for us and humbled us more than any words. It looked as if, the entire congregation had
gathered there just to celebrate our Silver Jubilee. Even our wedding wasn’t this elaborate and
grand - A Bishop's mass is exceptional and there we were amidst all the action, and feeling special. I had no clue about all this till I walked into the church. Many wishing us and many asking
us if we really are married for 25 years, or just seeking some attention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When the Almighty himself gets into action, the
planning is precise and the surprise is colossal and I realise humbly it astonishes you no end.</span></div>
</div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-90816491945968918552020-01-16T18:44:00.002+05:302020-01-20T17:14:09.227+05:30Magic of Hand written stuff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is a meme that I came across today and it matched the high
standards of pun set by my blog friend Gilsu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>"I am a woman. I have
ovaries. And that’s why I ovary act."</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After I got the joke, I realized, even this damn meme is not
true for me. That’s how easy it is for
me to get negative these days, given my circumstances in life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The last one year I have realized the need to refocus my
attention on positive things and make it a mindful practice. Its important to look at the little wonderful
things in life that elicit gratitude, to lift up the spirits and also to keep
me grounded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This new year one of the days, happened to step into a craft store
itsy-bitsy, (didn’t you like that name?, I did too ) and spotted a glitzy notebook
which I picked up instantly. itsy-bitsy-glitsy Did you notice it rhymed too? ha ha. This little notebook has become
my gratitude journal. Always in love with handwritten
stuff, so excited when i write stuff in this everyday. I also hunted down my hero pen which needs some minor repairs, until then i will have to do with a ball pen. I somehow think the mind works better when
you write using pen and paper. Writing
by hand, touching and feeling the writing surface, holding the pen in your hand
kind of directs the thoughts and lets it flow.
Doesn’t it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While conducting webinars, even today I take down notes
extensively to record the inputs and comments my participants would share and use those notes to play back to hold on to their attention in a virtual
session, which is otherwise a daunting task. I think I belong to old school –
every single day I have a handwritten "Things to do today list" that I put together
and use at work, a habit that I have kept up right from the initial days of my
career.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One person who comes to mind when I think of Handwritten notes is Petula, we must have written a ton of letters to each other. This gratitude
journal is keeping me upbeat for the last 15 days. I also do
read the entrees in the journal, when there is time and its amazing to count the blessings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">New
year, New habit towards a better me.</span></div>
</div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-62806494995900055872020-01-14T13:05:00.001+05:302020-01-14T13:11:28.192+05:30Ushering in the new decade<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This morning, a quote from Paulo Coelho caught my attention
and it is something that I have been thinking about too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>“The first step to getting what you want is having the
courage to get rid of what you don’t” – Paulo Coelho</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What a lovely way to kick start a decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Purge all that does not spark Joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s what I am going to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year started differently for me with an entire day of
rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Climate change is real folks, I have
never had a rainy new year day at Chennai as far as I can remember. As always I
was at Church when the old year ended and the new year commenced, thanking the
Lord for the year gone by and to be safe in his arms during the coming year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ramesh, my blog friend and ever faithful commentator and motivator is on a trip in my state, Tamilnadu, we are still waiting for his destination and the best is, he is doing it on a Montra Trance Pro. A BICYCLE. Can you believe that? I couldn't. His travelogues are an education by themselves and I am getting a high just reading them every single evening. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My closing note for 2019, was on my therapy that you folks
were to me, the process is still going on and I am going to need your support, this coming year too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here is my wish for all of you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">May you have <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Days when your coffee tastes like magic,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sky so bright that it touches the soul in you,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Love so strong, that gives you the strength to accomplish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Courage to purge stuff that doesn’t spark joy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And Family and friends, who surround you with unconditional
love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy New Decade folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-51615520028653689682019-12-27T00:01:00.001+05:302019-12-27T11:12:37.306+05:30The therapy that was <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have been wanting to write to you all about this for sometime now. Like everyone of my posts that take its own course of time, this one also did. Thankfully, it made it to the virtual world.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I ushered in 2019, I looked at this virtual space as my
therapy, and boy, it did live up to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
one of you, you came in and read me, did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some stretched a bit and left me all those loving comments, some made me
laugh and it all worked. Worked like magic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2018 was nothing short of a disaster for me and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did write about the surgery that I had to
undergo last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, when I came in to
my virtual space in Jan 2019, I was literally at my lowest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Physically, mentally and every other
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I was determined to get out of it,
in style<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The comprehensive health checkup in September
2019 was more than mandatory and thankfully I cleared it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am at my healthy best right now, but a conversation with a doctor changed the
way I look at my health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this doctor
was going through my records, and asked me so what surgery did you go through
last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hysterectomy and an oophorectomy
due to an ovarian tumour, I replied. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
casually asked me the next question, which slapped the daylights out of
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, how many Chemo’s did you go
through?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None, mine was a benign one,
was my response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">That question also reminded me how lucky I was to get away
with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I got a bit lucky there, the surgery left my body
reckless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was as though my body lost
its control on itself – physical and emotional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The changes were apparent as soon as I got back home
from the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panic attacks and
hot flashes /sweats became the norm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lack
of sleep and depression were my new friends. A sudden sense of fear, as if I heard
a terrible news of losing a loved one, along with accelerated heart beat would wake
me up from sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Falling asleep after
that was difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least a couple of
times in the night and few times during the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read up and recognized those as Panic
attacks. Hot flashes were more interesting, with the AC switched on, and when
everyone is feeling normal, I would sweat like a pig, drenching myself as if I just
went under a shower head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This for a person, who would normally not sweat at all, was unbearable. </span>The best is
there were no short cuts to all these, had to just endure them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was upset, angry and the normal Why me ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Answers were never easy, and the universe forced me to find it myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read and read and read all about my conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medical science offered HRT, Hormone
replacement therapy, which had more cons than the pros.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I decided I will chalk out my own
therapy and here is what I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Blog more</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had my space and had a set of wonderful folks like you and
I decided to come in here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you read
my first post of the year, <a href="http://scramblesofamaverick.blogspot.com/2019/01/ushering-in-2019.html" target="_blank">here</a>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have clearly mentioned that I am coming
here for my own reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and sure
enough, this turned out to be my best therapy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have written around 30 posts this year and yes each one has been a
potion to my troubled head. Every comment that you left me, helped me move
forward, slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as I key this in, I
am tearing up.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Walking / Zumba and physical fitness</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I got back to my walking trail and walked as if my life depended on it. In fact, it did. I rejoined my Zumba classes at work and went without skipping it 3 times a week. My sleep improved when I danced and also started a small funcitonal training routine after my every day walk, which kind of helped my body secrete all the right hormones. In January 2019, I had clocked more than 2 lakh steps on my pedometer and I have maintained it almost every other month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Theatre</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Took up a theatre assignment, and performed the role of
Leanardo cianculli, in spite of the schedules and yes it helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My gals were there for me in person, to
cheer me along and to tell me I was the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It did so much good in my healing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Garden</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My plant babies and fishes were a great distraction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hand painting my pots and repotting the plants
and seeing them grow made me a wonderful plant parent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could watch the fishes for hours together,
when I found time and they were healing me too – have you heard of the Japanese
peering into their Koi fish tank and attaining nirvana?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Designing clothes</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Distracting my head was paying off, so I was lapping up
stuff that I once did and ditched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Designing
clothes was one of my favorites and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>couldn’t
pursue it as finding a good tailor is an arduous task. I explained my ideas to
my existing tailor and he started doing well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Travel</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year probably is the most travelled year – starting with
Dubai for our anniversary, Wayanad, Vietnam with the gals, Auroville, Tada
falls not including my business trips, I set my heart to enjoy the world so I would
distract it as much I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it did
work<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Little DIYs around the house</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like a brick wall that J and I created together at the altar
at home, or plans for the plate wall that we are yet to put up, the Yaazhi’s as
the entrance décor to the washing area – Yes they all added to the therapy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My diet had more fruits, nuts, and seeds to it and
everything that would stabilize my body temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friends pitched in and helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They checked in on me and I knew I could
count on them anytime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In spite of all the efforts, there were times I was getting
out of control and I did talk to a doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She listened to me and said you have taken all efforts to minimize the
effects of the surgery and an HRT would have done only this with lesser
impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would use you as an example to
my patients in controlling the after effects of a surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t need a treatment Vincy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, the intensity of the hot flashes, panic
attacks have come down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do sleep
better these days and so, here I am folks, at the end of the year,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>baring it all for you and thanking you from the
virtual world for being my successful therapy. I have healed because of each one
of you and I cannot thank you all enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Love you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18228769.post-90457476285378524872019-12-26T21:03:00.001+05:302019-12-26T21:03:21.001+05:30Terribly Tiny Tales<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes his memories hit her like a hurricane and left a trail of emotional chaos in its wake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pulled the door marked PUSH and realized why I remember every detail that I wanted to forget</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And maybe that's all she needed. A little love to last her a lifetime!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He took care of her - not in a materialistic kind of a way, but her soul, her well-being and everything that was her</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love you can also be told as " Did you go to the Doctor? " "Watch what you put in your mouth" "There's nothing wrong with you" and "You are the best & I truly believe it"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever loved and lost? She has no clue if it was all planned and staged. She has no regrets, because when she was loved, she was loved well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However zestful and spirited you are, the world will go on with or without you as if you never existed. Have you ever realized that?</span></div>
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Vincyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05575941564548214423noreply@blogger.com2