Oh Calcutta! :)

The second mystery unraveling (refer to earlier post) is the importance of childhood association. Especially when you’re living away from the place you grew up in.

Honestly, I’d never understood the power of these memories. In fact I used to find it quite funny how people could drool over insignificant things such as candies that they used to have, as kids. As if they were stopped being manufactured over time (they actually been, at times). If you ask me, they could taste pretty bad, but it is the sheer excitement of being able to revive a figment from the past. To know it happens is one thing, to experience it - totally different.

Like trying to find familiar faces on a busy street.

In the past couple of weeks, I’ve caught myself staring at people’s faces to the point of embarrassment, trying to find a distantly familiar face, from my childhood days. The list includes a classmate from the 7^th standard, an old caretaker, relatives, friends and even enemies! (Do I need to add here that none of them actually were familiar?) Anyways, I’m digressing here…

Coming back to point, this post is supposed to be about my childhood associations. I discovered them almost accidently, this time around when I went back home. There I was, feeling like a tourist in the place that I’d been in, for over 21 years (don’t you dare get into calculations!). People thought I was cranky, clicking away pictures while riding the hand-held rickshaw. I don’t quite blame them, I would’ve thought the same too. Had I not moved out of that place, into a totally different setting.

I wish I could explain how it feels like, to feel like an alien in your own territory. You’re not sure who disowned who. You who chose to walk away first. And in return, they walked off too. So when you returned, they weren't there! So I didn’t care much when my brother begged me to stop (he was getting too much stares). When I’m getting the second citizen treatment, I might just make the most of it! 

This square will always be very prominently etched in my memory. School was very close, and the hour-long walk back home was the best part of the day. There was just too much to capture, too much to explore. And then, there was the lovely company of equally insane friends! There also was the tram ride. When I was working, I would leave much earlier so that I could take a one. Some people mistakenly think they're slow. Let me correct you. Early in the morning, they're as good as cabs. You're the solitary passenger in the royal car, the fresh morning breeze caresses your face - and you feel no less than the king of the world! And, they're incredibly cheap. 

The amazingly elegant billboard at Girish Park Avenue. Totally awesome. 

I'd love to talk more, but I'm sleepy now. Happy sleeping! :)

Random thoughts: Tea

I'm sitting with a cup of warm tea as I write this, and it is well past midnight. I was never a tea-lover; in fact till last week I could safely claim to hate it. Till I finished reading Chicken Soup for the tea lover's soul.

I've always loved reading the Chicken Soup series. In school and even college, the book had been a source of comfort during difficult times. I can clearly remember the day when I was in a particularly sour mood. I picked up a helping in a bookstore and dropped myself onto a couch. When I finished reading, I felt totally different.

I dunno why  picked this one. The other two of this series, the one for coffee lover's soul and another for chocolate lover's soul would've made more sense. But for some strange reason I was drawn more to this one. It seemed to promise me something unexplored.

As I flipped through pages, I was far from disappointed. The stories were indeed seeped in comfort, woven around the ritual of having afternoon tea. The warmth of a steaming cup of tea seemed to exude from the book. Taste was rarely discussed. What mattered was the memories, smiles and even tears that were part of tea-parties with loved ones. Real people had lost or found something over cups of tea. The loss was of mostly of loneliness or grief. Smiles were found. It was then I felt the need to have some tea myself.

Here I am sitting in front of the computer, trying to articulate my thoughts. The feverishness that I was feeling at the beginning is gone. Left behind is the warmth of the cup that I can now feel within me.

I think I'm ready to fall asleep.