Alleppey Gods own country

With the dream of experiencing the legendry life in Backwaters of Kerala, self started to Alleppey along with my friends on a long weekend from the IT capital Bangalore. We boarded the bus around 6.00 PM in the evening, within no time it crossed the boarding State Tamil Nadu and entered Kerala. It was the chilling cold which woke me up to give the morning glimpses of Kerala. I saw senior citizens walking on the road regardless to mention they all had 'Malayala Mannorama' in their shoulders, which is nothing but the local news paper. The cry of a kind woke rest of the travelers in the bus. I turned to my friend who is accompanying us to know more about the place; who is non other than our local boy; soon we realized that he is no better than one among us who can speak the local language. Soon the bus came to a halt and boy at front calls out "allapuza... allapuza" which indicated that we have reached Alleppey and leaving us with a question where to go..? Soon we realized that we have reached Alleppey little too early than expected, wherein our entry to House Boat is at 10.00 AM. While sipping the morning tea in the nearby tea stall we enquired about a place to freshen up, with the help of that gentleman we checked in to a nearby hotel called Arcadia Residency, though the ask for few hours was little too high we decided to go with it considering our situation. We gathered most of the information about Alleppey from the reception, which helped us prepare for 24 hrs stay in water.


The little tips from reception helped us ensure that we bought all necessary eatables and snacks for the next 24 hrs. Once we board the deck we have absolutely no interface with the outside world, apart from few stoppages in the nearby shores, wherein you will have to pay double for everything that you buy. My friend with local expertise arranged for a case of beer from the State owned Beverages Corporation. Believe me its damn cheep...just Rs.40 a bottle, wherein the same will cost you Rs. 120 - 150 outside. Once all set we took a local taxi from our Hotel Arcadia to a place called Finishing Point which is just 3 km way, were we board the deck. By now the chilling morning had given way to the hot and humid day light, with mercury hitting 32*C. Finishing point gave visual treat to our eyes with numerous beautiful and artistic house boat lined up for their journey. We reached the person who is going to be the Guide and Captain for our journey as per the details provided during the booking. By the way...you have the choice of luxury house boat which will cost you Rs.10, 000 to Rs. 70,000 per day. Ours was a house boat which had 3 fully furnished bedrooms with AC and living space. It coasted us only 15K since it was off season, the same will cost Rs.30K to 50K during the peak season (Oct-Feb).



There comes a stout man introducing as our Guide and Captain form then, he helped us onboard and introduced the crew which consisted of another 4 guys. He was very professional like a flight attended who explained the rules and safety measures to be adhered. Let me tell you... I was amazed to see the craftsmanship in the house boat it’s an architectural marvel created in a small boat. It had all facilities of a star hotel. All our needs from food to drink is taken care in the house boat, it starts with a welcome drink along with a fruit basket followed by breakfast in half an hrs time. To be highlighted is Kappa and Fish curry the typical Kerala food which is made available on prior request. While I relish the breakfast, my friend Anuroop connected his laptop to the DJ console which kick started to a whole new experience in water. By now the boat has covered kilometers in water leaving us with rich experience of coconut trees leaning to the water and touching the blue sky, which reinstated in our mind why Kerala is God's own Country.



We struck a good rapport with the crew members buy now and we had an excellent lunch with Karemeen (A verity of fish) fry along with few typical Kerala dishes. I have no words to describe the taste, but experience it yourself. Post lunch we tried little bit of fishing which did not give any result. The boat was nearing a Toddy Shop to which we were quick to respond and its almost past 6 in the eve, we asked the captain to give some rest to the engine and some coolant to ourselves. We saw people bringing fresh toddy straight from the coconut palm to the toddy shop, with the support of a crew member we managed to grab few seats in the toddy shop to experience the country liquor served with spicy duck curry. I bet no star hotels can match to this taste.

In some time we were back on our journey and the boat came to a permanent halt for the day. We celebrated the birthday of our friend, Anoop and hit the bed by late night. Woke up in the morning to know that we are already back on our way, with long breath and pain I bid good bye to this place with a promise I am gonna be back. I lived thru the previous day once again while I was surfing through my digital cam on my way back. Guys, now it’s time for you to experience Alleppey - God's own Country.

A slip from Heaven to Hell....!

It was March 31, 2008. I came home a little early so that I need not rush for my bus to Bangalore. I remember this date more bez....it was Preethi's B-day. I am not suppose 2 miss it at any cost. But my interview with Wipro forced me to make that harsh decision. Any way....I called Preethi and said I will catch her in TC. My bus came in some time.....with a kiss I wished her once again and boarded the bus. I could see from the window pale her Gang burning crackers...at some fraction of second I even thought why not I attend the party and forget about Wipro. Oops...there comes the call from Deeps....she wished me the best and said u will do it go ahead. Hmmm...with a deep breath I re-winded my life style those days....the days I am lost in D's and those moments that I cried alone thinking that I am lost....I could virtually here the words of Deepa on my ears...."escape from this place". By now, I was convinced that this might be a call from...God so that I have an escape from the, then Hell. It’s almost a year now......when I look back...I am lost again....clueless...! I have conquered a lot in my career as of today...a coveted position among all my frnds. But did I ever have that fun....that joy in my eyes...that Drugs in my vein....that made me fly....and more than anything my Muzic. I am not sure....did I slip from Heaven....?

Shades of Blue

BETRAYAL HURTS

Why ask a question when
I know the answer?
You found another man and
That put an end to us.

Now it’s just you and him and
I have moved out of us
What you did has destroyed us
It’s over now no more us.

I’am angry I’am hurt I’ll learn
To be happy once more
You have hurt me very deep
I cannot take it any more.

May be one day you will feel
That you have betrayed me
A man who loved you and feel
Even sorry for hurting me.

Why am I, the way I am?

I can still see it and feel it, the dizziness, the
see saw affect on the protective rail I had willingly climbed, though I could barely reach.

Then the sudden surprising glorious sunset, the sun a deep dark tangerine I had never seen before, then I knew someone was there, showing me what I was truly giving up, eternal peace and joy.

Why am I the way I am? There is something there. Something not known, but still known deep to my soul nevertheless. When my troubles were the worst, when my pain was unbearable. When the choices were few and the sorrow was unmanagable.

Each and every time, I cried to the heavens for help or mercy. I was shown, that no matter how I hurt, how ugly people can really be. There really is a beautiful life to see. There is peace and tranquility in life. Search for it, for it is there. If you have faith, the search will not be long.

Once you have learned to turn to the light and strength, in times of sorrow and misery. It is time to share what you know, Time to prove that no matter what you have been through, the saving grace is that you are not the same and never truly alone. The power to change things, truly, belong in your own hands.

Be kind, be cheerful, share, care and show the world, a beautiful soul inspite of the misery, for what if their misery is worse then your own? And a smile from you is all they can count on, what if a hello my friend, is the only kind thing they see in their entire day? What if you can save someone from the brink of death? Just by being there for them in whatever little way you can?

Would you do it? Why am I the way I am?

SECLUSION....

SECLUSION suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

Watching people walking by
all with places they can go
alone I sit watching them
wishing they would know
the pain that I am feeling
my emotional distress
as here I sit watching folk
from my own world called loneliness.

The beginning of a Pervert

I'm walking alone
I'm walking and searching for a door I don't know
My playground is hidden in a wood full of snow
I don't know where is the sand that turned our feet warm
Now I walk alone...

When I look back......those were the best days of my life.........

I walk back towards the large gates,breeze rustling the leafs across the road,fluttering in the wind.I Walk past the lifeless canteen, with no one to shout.Peep into empty classes,missing the screams & giggles of joy. Stand at the tree, where hundreds of friendships were made and broken. A single tear escapes my eye and falls towards the emptiness of the sands,as my mind races in thought.Alone I stand,as i think its all over......And only memories remain....I am all alone........(..)


Those were the days I ever felt the longest in my life......All my friends biding Good Bye to Manipal. With words of praise...."You are lucky to be in Manipal".....and we all are gona miss Manipal. But once they left I realized the presence of each of them. The days we spend in MIT Canteen.....TAPMI Mess.....(The taste of Ginger Tea Still in my mouth..... vaporizing into the midnight sky....)

Even I thought of the good times that gona come....Ya....Lucky to be placed in Manipal (Robosoft Technologies Pvt Ltd). But things soon started to change....loneliness started hunting me.....I learned to live alone in the monsoon rain of Manipal....with my good old memories.....But how long.....soon I got fed up. I realized myself you cannot be like this hey....man find some new friends...or else its not gona be a heaven anymore........The first resort was New Down Town......with a Q-Signature and I in the corner with no one to tickle cheers.........there began a saga of new things.....

(To be Contd....)
Prothium K P