Towards unknown lands. Part-4

Love lane. That is where we paused. :)

Now that the Cafe exploring was done and messages read, it was time to meet the locals. 

A lazy yet curious stroll along the streets led me to what seemed like a Community/Club. I entered reluctantly bearing very well in mind that I hardly knew the local language barring a few basic words and sentences. 

The room was adorned with ancient paintings and write-ups in what I assumed to be, Chinese. 

A group of young at heart (which means a group of elderly humans) were seated comfortably, puffing off their cigar in style and trying their hand at what appeared to be a game of Scramble. As I entered, they looked at me as though I were an oasis amidst the dry desert. I smiled and said, 'Hello' and smiled again and again until I got back a smile. On noticing a camera in my hand, one of the coolest human said, 'Photo? Come, come.' dusting his cigar in the ashtray that seemed to be some sort of beautiful artwork. 

I just smirked at how predictable I was in this unknown land of unknown people. The rest of them seemed to be too occupied with their game and that led me to watch them having a good time. One women seemed to win and she said something with a strong voice that I assumed to be some sort of victory roar. Meanwhile they shower some pity on me and pose for a picture and keep it as candid as possible. 

My wonderful gamers posing for a self-suggested candid picture.

Whatever seemed to be Scramble. 

Food, check.

Exploring, check.

Locals, check.

As I began to develop the feeling of contentment, I noticed something close to my heart and wondered how could I feel content when I hadn't witnessed it in a while. Was I losing track of the things I loved for the love of new things? Bad, bad, bad. 

But look. :) 

The sight of post box that completed my day. 

Thereafter, it was time to witness some archaic marvels along the way back. The buildings with huge windows seemed to win me over. Rows of ancient buildings, left as it is, un-misted by the latest technological advancements in construction materials  that hold absolutely no importance to these beautiful vintage buildings. 

The country I visited shall be revealed in the next post. 

The reason being simple- I would be stating about the signature destination(s) of the country and you would recognize it at one shot. However, exploring little known places far from the bustling crowds and hotels exclusively for tourists; staying with the locals, munching on some local delicacies is what travel is to me and I have covered most of it so far. :) 

 ©Deekshita Srinivas. 29th July 2015.

Towards unknown lands. Part-3.

Where was I supposed to go?
I was supposed to hunt for a lane called, 'Love lane.' It did sound bizarre at first, the mind wandered off in all possible directions to predict what this lane was all about. After a couple of minutes of getting lost, I finally reached, Love lane. The Love Lane.

A narrow street, adorned by a plethora of Cafe(s). I strolled along the narrow stretch, looking at what each Cafe had to offer but also making sure I don't dwell longer at each Cafe for the fear of landing in each one of them. Amidst all the others, one seemed to grab my attention like a Book Fair catching the attention of an avid book lover who was looking for the same. Warm smiles from fellow solo travelers adds more beauty to the entire experience.

What caught my attention wasn't the food, the coffee, the interior design or the prices. Rather what caught my attention was something splendid in all its marvel. The entire Cafe was full of written messages from travelers who visited the place. (Note- Traveler and not Tourist. The Tourist would probably be at the typical attractions and not in an Island, at a lane that was lacking the hullabaloo and frenzy that is expected of a place that is supposed to be famous.)

A message from a traveler from Brazil, a little sketch from an artist from Spain, a much excited wish from Singapore and a one-liner from an overwhelmingly happy Indian. Yes, that's me. All this just the entrance of what was beginning to appear as some sort of paradise for me. I noticed that the tables and the chairs were laden with messages too. In green and red and black and blue. In varied font sizes and styles. I was lost. I was happily lost. As I began reading each of the messages that embellished the walls, trying to remember each of them, imagining the excitement these travelers would have experienced when they set foot into the Cafe, just like I was at that point of time, I was more than dazzled to spot the writings and sketches slithering to the ceiling of the Cafe as well.

Meanwhile the guy at the Cafe is seated in one of the tables, allowing me to complete my exploration, to let my exhilaration settle down and to be called at. And Viola! This guy full of patience is an Indian!

"I am Nasir Khan, from India. I am a Pathan." Before I could utter one word, he added, "लोग इस कैफ़े को देख्कर इतना खुश हो जाते हैं की छत पे भी लिख देते हैं!" ( People are so overwhelmed upon seeing this Cafe that they don't even spare the ceiling from their little messages.)  This was exactly what I wanted to ask him but perhaps from all the people he has had, he would probably have guessed it anyway.

This friend from India told me that people love the place both for its uniqueness and the Indian-touch that the food prepared is endowed with. Proud moment, huh? He added that he loves his work here, to be able to meet people from around the world, to share the happy moments when they converse with him. He says his boss is half Chinese, half American and only visits at times.

On noticing me still awestruck by the permutation and combination of  26 alphabets and striking sketches all around, he says, "One traveler from Russia, wrote a message 3 years ago. He visited last week and spent  a great deal of time trying to figure out where his writing lay hidden beneath the latest messages. Eventually, he did find and was ecstatic." All this while, I was smiling interminably and starting to form the idea that I too, should do what the Russian did. And with no further ado, he says, "You should come back too." Was I turning too predictable? Perhaps, I didn't mind. :)

As I finally decided to eat, yet another long conversation began.
I inquired Mr. Nasir Khan, if he had been to India recently, he said, " Two months ago, to visit my family and friends. My friends keep nagging me to get them a job here as well but I just brush it off, because staying away from family is not as easy as it seems." I smiled at how wise he was.
Lesson 2- No matter where one goes, what one experiences, what luxuries one is endowed with, home is where the heart is.

He added, "Now with the new government in India, there is some hope. Probably the financial constraints would reduce and I'll be able to visit more often. Probably the basic needs of survival are within affordable costs and I wouldn't have to work too hard." I smiled, yet again at how our beloved PM was shedding his positive approach miles away.
"Undoubtedly. Who knows? You might set up a Cafe like this of your own, back in India, and that too would be a huge hit. And probably, I would visit too", I said. This time, he smiled at the possibilities. Possibilities of being close to family, close to friends and close to everything called 'home.'

I had to wrap up and asked if I could take his photo as I would write about him and the Cafe, he stood up, brushing his hair with his fingers, smiling as sweetly as he could. Thus, ends the time at Micke's Place.

Next was Cupid Cafe, with postcards full of messages for their loved ones hanging with strings. I spent a great deal of time reading those messages as well. One message struck me.
 It said, "It's been 3 years & there is no single moment that passes by that I don't think of you. There are just too many things I wanna say to you. I miss you so much. You moved on but I just stopped moving." 
There was a shiver down my spine. I hope the person figures things out. I hope the person is happy. I hope amazing things happen to bring a smile on the person's face. 

And next, Selfie Coffee. The fuss about selfies had now reached Coffee too. A selfie is captured, a 3-D device transfers your selfie on the coffee foam and is edible. Look at your face for a couple of minutes and then drink yourself. Humorous yes, but I did try.

Love lane had so much to offer, I guess you should look out for the next post. :)
Happy Weekend!

©Deekshita Srinivas. 19th July 2015.

Towards unknown lands. Part-2

As I took off to explore the city, I was spellbound, like a little child tasting a sourly-sweet flavored ice-cream for the first time. For an art lover, learning that the streets are full of graffiti and art works left me all the more overwhelming. Impatient, restless, curious was what I had become. I laid my eyes carefully at every nook and corner just so that I don't miss any wonder. Guess what could be a lone traveler's best-friend?

A mobile phone? A camera? No, it's the map. It is as complicated as oneself and yet somewhere along the way, figures out everything. I wandered off with the map, trying to find the street art, lane by lane, building by building, asking for directions, smiling at strangers like myself, yet again feeling cynically proud of myself. And winking heartily at fellow solo travelers along the path. It is surprising how something as simple as a painting on the wall, which at some point of time would have seemed to be annoying to the owner of the building had now turned into something so incredible that I traveled miles and spent a day trying to find and witness the same.
Lesson 1 learnt - Time has the power to change the mundane to magical and vice-versa.

If you're imagining a near perfect clear, neat painting on a uniform wall, well, you're wrong. Instead, it was a rugged wall, the painting worn off, the materials peeling away, the algae struggling to sustain on what was its only host, the corners black with years of rain, dust and fingerprints. And amidst this, the painting survived through. Looking as beautiful as any peacock feather rich with colors and depth. Probably, it looks all the same, right from the time it was painted. Probably, it is eternal. Probably, it is not just a painting. Probably, there is a story that lies hidden beneath it. Probably, it is a marvel for me: and a distress for another. A million probable moots ticked the nerves of my mind.

Meanwhile, I was lost trying to find these silent-story telling pictures. Just as quoted in The Lunchbox, "Sometimes the wrong train takes us to the right places.", I was lost to the right place. I was ecstatic to find a lane bustling with energy, smiles, music and an aroma of local delicacies. As I neared to the lane, a 60 plus gentleman, was playing some heart-warming music with quite a lot of instruments and all at once. Not the kind of instruments imported from Germany, London or any country.  Rather drum from used cans, sticks with chopsticks, guitar with strings, keyboard using china-dish plates and cups. And light effects? What do you think it could be? From lamps all around. He sang gracefully in a language I hardly understood. Some words I could assume it to be what I thought it was.

People didn't walk away staring at him as though he were a peculiar insect. They stopped by, smiled and enjoyed the music, some joined-in, some gave him little presents, some photographed him, some congratulated him on his creativity. My heart jumped with joy at being surrounded by such wonderful people.
And yes, not disclosing the picture of the old musician, imagine and send me a sketch of what you imagined. 
And a few others, standing in the opposite direction, trying to capture the beautiful sunset, the clear blue sky that welcomed me, was now blushing in pink and maroon, at how people traveled miles, saw spell-bound marvels and yet appreciating the beauty of the omnipresent sky. It signaled that now it was the time of the moon, of the stars and their stories and so, it bid farewell and fading away with an assurance that it will be back soon, very soon to amaze the souls that loved it.

The aroma of the snacks being freshly prepared triggered my empty tummy. No, I did have a heavy lunch but a whole lot of walking and running and exploring, you see. I tried a local favorite, named, named, named, well I do know if I disclose the name you would Google out the city I visited, and so, let's call it Dish-1. Dish-1 served the purpose, I realized why it was a local favorite. Soft, crunchy, and filling.

Art, music, people and food.
What more could I ask for?
Happy and content, I took off to where I was supposed to go.

Where was I supposed to go? Look out for the next post. :)

© Deekshita Srinivas. 11th July 2015.

Towards unknown lands. Part-1

It was the first time I was moving out of the country and I was quite adamant from a very long time, I would do it alone. Not that I wouldn't enjoy the company of someone I knew, rather to experience a place, I had never been to, knew nothing about or had no stories from the locals, to the maximum. My good friend always says that, Everything happens at the right time. I've come to realize that. If I had the opportunity to travel overseas or half way through the earth right from a very young age, I probably wouldn't remember even a thing or two by the time I grew up. But right now, I do. I definitely am capable to cherish every bit of the travel.

The bag-pack was ready, the travel itinerary checked, the good-bye(s) said and a pounding heart about the uncertainty that lay there on. It does take a great deal of time, patience and persuasion to be allowed to travel alone bearing in mind the safety, the risks involved, so on and so forth that no parent would want to ignore. Finally, the time was right. I took off on my first ever journey overseas, ALONE.

It is said that if one would want to witness Love, they could drive to the airport and get a glimpse of how love stays eternal among family, friends and whom-so-ever. How the tears would flow down interminably. Amidst this bliss, I struggle to carry the luggage and finally get to a restaurant to have the last meal in my city until I return back. Italian was the restaurant and alone was I. Business meetings, family vacation, visiting family was why the rest of the people were traveling. Yes, I over-heard them say so. I was alone after all, what else can one do, if not to  observe the fellow homo sapiens and carry loads of stories in the heart and mind. What happened next is what happens every time someone boards a flight.

The flight took off. An hour later people dozed off to sleep, probably tired from a long day at work, or probably dreaming about the happiness when they would see their family or probably feeling dizzy because of the height or probably something-that-could-be. And there I was, gazing at the window pane. Blame it on my love for the sky. To be able get closer to the sky, was beyond any earthly- happiness.

The moonlight caressed the airplane wing, giving it an attractive shine like that of a diamond pearl from the Queen's necklace.The clouds below sailed in glory, fierce yet calming the soul. They danced forming little shapes and synonyms of objects. Meanwhile, the rains turned jealous by how I fell in love with the clouds. The little droplets sprinkled themselves on the window pane, shimmering and glittering like a January window. It appeared to be the stars. It appeared to be some sort of magic potion diffusing happiness. It was quite a travel but I refused to sleep. An hour later, the clouds were taken over by the view of the ships in the harbor, the lights along the coast line shimmering yet again at me as though they knew that I had never seen something more beautiful.




A series of breath-taking views adorned my eyes and before I could realize, I had reached my destination. A plethora of humans from all around the world, some looking for the ones they knew to receive them, some trembling with the uncertainty of how the new place would turn out to be, and a few others, like myself, feeling wise and cynical as all hell to be where I intended to. The city was overwhelmingly beautiful, like a work of art, a proof of architectural marvels in each building I lay my eyes on. The people ready to shoot a smile at you as and when possible. The clouds drifting away for me to witness the clear blue sky. Such a warm welcome, isn't it?

Well, WELCOME to you, for this is your virtual journey to the city I would love to visit yet again.
It is impossible for me to conclude the entire journey in just one post, considering the galaxy of memories and experiences I was endowed with. Look for the posts in  parts.
A very happy (virtual)journey.


© Deekshita Srinivas. 10th July 2015.