How it all started
17th December 2022
Somewhere in December, I recall Mrinal telling me she is going home next week for 10 days. And I could join in! We had plans to go together to Mangalore earlier but they were all in the air like all my plans. Basically no plans!
I don't know what struck me on 17th Dec, Saturday, weekend – that I wanted to run away! Anywhere.. Needed a change of place and environment.
And the next thing I know is – calling Mrinal up– and asking her if I could join her. Thankfully her tickets were not for the same day, but after 4 days. And she said – Yes. :p
Although both of us had our doubts! What would I do for 10 days .. and all.. Mangalore trip is usually 2-3 days. And even though she was on a trek that day, I called her up so many times that she booked my tickets alongside her.!
I guess that is how some trips start! Forcing your friends to take you to their place! -😀
20 December 2022
The next thing I know is seeing the Majestic Bus Stop for the first time. And there were buses to different places. I could just literally hop on anyone and go on a trip.
It was that simple. -😛
And after 15 mins Mrinal also came. And we started talking! About how everything worked in buses here. My primary questions were around – the views we would see had we travelled in the day, other modes of transport to go to Mangalore.. And I guess every traveller’s concern– the state of washrooms on the way!
And ofcourse the regular conversations with friends– anything and everything..
Mrinal happens to be a morning person, so she slept as the bus journey started at around 10:45. I read my ongoing novel– The War of Lanka for a while, and before I knew – fell asleep.
It would have been a comfortable journey but the route was wobbly. And we had a flat tire on the way. So, after a 7-8 hour journey, half awake, and wanting to sleep we reached Mangalore.
Below is the day by day account of my adventures. They are separate posts linked here. Feel free to read them for details!
(PS- Don't miss out on the closing remarks section in the end of the post)
DAY WISE
Set 1 - Workation
Set 2 - The extra happening days
Set 3 - Chill mode
& back home
CLOSING REMARKS
Different yet the same –
I have started seeing this everywhere.
In people – People are as different as can be. Especially sisters. They can be totally opposite and yet you will see similarities so striking.
For instance – Madhura and Mrinal – Madhura is a perfectionist and textbook perfect person. Planned, meticulous, caring and wants to be pushed and motivated.. And Mrinal is a rebel! She doesn't want to be told anything and wants to figure it out for herself. And she doesn't care for people’s opinion! Be it friends or family. No nonsense!
Yet, aunty says, when she talks to them, they say the exact same thing! And guess what, I have heard them bickering! They both are witty and its fun to just hear their comebacks..
Then I see me and my sister. We are total opposites. From our choice of people, places, hangouts, vacations! Our opinions. In a way I am like Madhura and Sanchi is more like Mrinal!
But again, when it comes to certain things, we both have the same opinions! Same stand! About freedom, life! And agree more than we ourselves can believe!
And we understand each other!
See, different yet the same!
In nature– I had seen mountains, deserts, rivers. But not beaches till now. I thought they would be different.
They were! Distinct! In the way they made me let go! Made me want to let go of things I wanted to hold on to! In the way they did that was different! The sand was different. The beach air was different!
As forests and mountains! Maybe mountains make me want to conquer my own fears, beaches and oceans made me want to let go!
But the peace they bought was the same! The awe and the touch of nature was the same!
So yes, different yet the same!
Random Learnings
After meeting aunty, I know I would choose to be that cool mother to my kids always! Choose to be liberal and friendly always! And maybe someday, I will be able to give that home feeling that she gives.
PS- she has tattoo of her, Madhura and Mrinal – No wonder a mother’s world revolves around her kids.
After meeting uncle, I will probably want a paediatrician friend too! I met the Dr. Anil Kumar – the famous Mangalore doctor, a paediatrician – the coolest doctors in the doctors’ line, and Mrinal’s dad- all in one person. And I understood how naturally Mrinal got her academic streak. And if I might say so, a nice uncle. And also, another doc I can flex knowing.. -🙂
My already high standards for people have further risen now! Including my standards for myself! People in today’s generation need to love their work more! And be cheerful and happy like kids’ docs! And of course, classy! One thing I did not value of late is looks, aesthetics! I have started valuing them more now!
After meeting Deepthi’s granny, I want to be like her as I age! And be that cute and happy at 90 and 100.
After meeting Deepthi, most of all, I wish to be able to drive around the city like her! I feel more friends' with her than I already did! Natural I guess, once you meet families. But you also see why people are the way they are! I want to feel home to her, the way she made me feel when I visited her!
After knowing Madhura, I wish I was as strong willed and ziddi as her! And as possessive of my family as her! And as loving and caring as her!
After knowing Mrinal better, I am just so proud to know her.
She always says – I like to figure things out by myself! I learn by observing! So, if you want me to learn anything, do it! And I ll learn by observing you -🙂So, I learnt a lot from her–
Home workout! - The first day I did, When I started I couldn’t finish it. It can be done from videos too.. -🙂The second time, I did it with her and finished.
Brushing teeth at night
Second helpings– Since I always overestimate my appetite! I made it a point to take half of how much I felt like eating -🙂
Most importantly, How to be a real rebel! -:D
PS- Mrinal’s tattoo - KaiZen meaning continuous improvement
I wish to be a better person in many ways. Have a checklist of the features I want in myself as a person going forward. But those I don't wish to write here! When I become them! I ll be good!
I realised Destiny to hai! Jab paida apni marzi se nahi hote, marenge bhi apni marzi se nahi, family bhi hum choose nahi karte, life partner se milna bhi destiny hi hogi, whom we meet in life is also always a surprise! Achha hi hai, sab cheezein humaare haath mein nahi hoti, warna sochkar plan karkar to I wouldn’t have landed this vacation! Ye sab to Krishna ji hi kar sakte hain! But FWIW, being the self obsessed person I am, can't help it! my other name is Vidhi! Which means destiny as well!
FUN FACTS
1. I was under the impression that south Indian Brahmin families were conservative. But this family I met, are the most loving and liberal ones I have met! I am not allowed to walk out in shorts at my place. Here I stayed in short shorts and crop tops all the time! Inside the house, outside the house, travelled the whole city and in buses in them! And aunty encouraged me. :D So much so that, they have become my favourite outfit.
2. Had I not had gone with Mrinal, I would have ended up spending 20k-50k on this trip, and now it was all done in 3k -:p (for a 10 day trip)
And yet I would not have had the royal experience and saw all the gems of places that only locals know! And not even have felt rejuvenated and new like I feel now!
So reminder, friends are a precious blessings! Whom you can never value enough!
3. I had thought I will get some time for work. Like coding, reading! But I was too busy! All the time. In 10 days here, I didn’t get 10 mins.
4. And I am always surprised by this! I want to go back to my high voltage, fast paced, a little stressful and a little happening life! And I want to go back there! Again!
Feels like new year -🙂
-- Manu
-- twwg
Comentários