Chennai - The gateway of South India

My first Solo travel was to Chennai. Being the Gateway of South India, I had heard a lot about the city's culture & tradition and was eager to just explore its Charm. I traveled by the Double Decker Train and since it was the first of a kind, it was very much exciting for me. The Bangalore Life (Not to forget the traffic) had a few times make me hate to travel the distance, but soon I realized that it just wanted me to take a break instead. Diving into the Beaches,Exploring the Local Cuisines, Understanding the Local Culture & Tradition was intoxicating at Chennai. So I decided to Backpack & head Straight to the Most discussed City of all times.

Being a six - hour journey from Bangalore, I reached Chennai by nine in the night only to be welcomed by me friend Soumya (Didha). A native of Karnataka (Kannadiga) speaking Tamil so fluently amazed me as to how quick she learned a new language and showing-off as a Native of Tamil Nadu (Didha, given the tenure, you learned the language like it was just on the back of your hand. - Hat's Off!!). The Night I reached we discussed as to where we can start from the next day & at that moment I was so Thankful & Grateful to myself for taking this Leap. 

On the First day we visited the Egmore Museum. Established in the year 1851, it is the second oldest museum in India & largest museums in South - Asia. In addition to the
rich archaeological and numismatic collections, it has the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe and the rarest works of Artists like Raja Ravi Varma. As I had rarely liked History, I hadn't paid so much of attention in my History classes. But every moment spent here was worth it. It was as if the time had taken me to its past and I was reliving its memoirs now.

We then moved to Elliot's Beach, probably the cleanest beach of the city as stated and spent the rest of the evening by walking alongside the beach. The roaring waves during the sunset was inviting me to get close. Nevertheless a little Splashing was definitely required and some great moments were captured in mind & heart (Didha, thanks for Capturing it even in your Phone!! :P). Later we had a Jigar - Thanda (Cold dessert with some Ice-Cream), a famous must-have after a dip in the beach to refresh your mind & energize you for the next. Spending the day quite well I was just expecting some good place to dine at when Didha mentioned our friend has cooked Chicken Biryani for me. What more can I ask for eh?! Delighted, we went home. As I entered, the aroma of lovely Biryani drew me directly to the kitchen and it was heaven for me. Some good history, better fun & great delicacy - that was the first day of my Chennai Touring. Tired and at the same time excited for the day two, we just hit the bed very quick.

The next day we planned for some Shopping and before leaving my friend suggested some food. So on our way, she took me to a small Tibet cafe (Don't remember the name, Sorry!). The Place was small and had only five tables with each table having four chairs. At the Center top was a window from which the dishes was passed on & served to us. A dim light on every table & soothing music literally made me feel like an evening in Tibet. Couples, friends, families - anyone & everyone felt very Comfy. Greeting the first -timers was something very lovely about the Cafe. It was One O'clock and the veg momos were already over (Poor Didha, couldn't get to taste her favorite). So after some Quick bite over Chicken Momos & Veg Thukpa for her, we proceeded for shopping where my shopping began and ended only at the Bookstore. We then Crashed to have some early dinner & as I was very keen to have at Sarvana Bhavan, she took me right there. The great, delicious, mouth - watering rasam and rice was like a treat to my taste buds and my mind. Refreshing sweets of Anand Bhavan which was very nearby, completed my meal. 

It was time to bid Good - bye to Chennai & the Lovely people around who very carefully corrected me whenever I pronounced any wrong word. Right from the Bus Conductors till the Neighbors and Friends, all in whole the City gave me a new lesson of expecting the unexpected. Yes, there would never be enough words to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Didha who single - handedly handled all my Tantrums and showed me the best of Chennai in whatever time Possible. 

Carrying a Great Memory to Cherish for Life, this was a Start & I'm now gonna set the trail on Fire. The Travel Bug has bit me so hard that it has left a Scar which I can show it to the World. Teaching me Life Relevant stuff, I Intend to do this more often.

#Chennai#solo-traveling#exploring#fun-lessons#

The Morning has Come

A valley of deep purple mountains,
A field of lush Green grass,
Thin stream of Water Gushing,
And a Beautiful Big tree stood near by his house.

The window slightly open,
Had let the wind come in,
It travelled to him just to see him lying
It then bent down to kiss his cheek.

 He felt the warmth of the breeze
And Immediatly woke up,
 It was 3 in the morning
 And he knew what had woken him up.

 Excitement and Nervousness clinged on him.
But he knew what he had to do.
 This was the day he waited for long
And come what may he din't wanted to let it go.


 With his Bare feet he started walking,
And within minutes he was standing near the tree.
He saw her, Just like he saw her the first time.
 He was so happy and so was she.

 She glided towards him and so did he,
looking into each other's eyes
He sat down with her.
 Just hoping for the time to stop ticking.

 She was telling him about how her world was.
 What had happened and what is still happening.
 He listned, listned to every word she uttered.
Like he din't wanted to miss even a sigh.

She knew he was a Good listner,
She knew he could understand her,
She knew he was her strength and weakness at the same time.
For there was no one like him for her.

 Remembering their cherished moments,
The Giggling,The laughing and The Weeping,
Closig their eyes in Silence they sat.
 And in this silence, the wordless spoke.


 Sun was starting to rise and they seen it.
Saw a woman walking towards them.
And he din't have to guess.
Coz he knew who and why she was coming.

 Coming to a halt, with an annoyed voice,
She looks at him and asks,
"Why are you sitting here all by yourself?
What on earth is wrong with you? "

 Standing up with no willingness,
He holds her by the shoulder,
Bending down he looks in her eyes to reply,
"Don't you worry, I am all fine. "

 The lady storms back and he turns towards her.
She stands up, knowing its time to bid Good bye.
A shy smile on her Radiant face,
With twinkling eyes,  she had a Grace.


 He bent down for a last kiss
But all he felt was not such a bliss.
His hand went through her thick cold foggish body
 As Transparent as a Shadowed thick white smoke.

Seeing his disappointment, she says
"So what if Im not alive physically,
My soulful Heart beats for you only.
But I am happy that you've moved on."

 She then steps back and with a wave just disappears,
But he still stands there with utter despair,
Gazing at the sky he replies,
"If only you could stay with me for more,
 If only you could allow me to comfort you more,
May be then, I would console myself
That The Morning has Come."

The Blissful Bonding

In a crowded street of a place unknown,

I gather some courage to move on

Not knowing any directions, Yet

Of me, people had some expectations.

Confused, I was, Commotion and Chaos

All around me Stares of Suspicion

The men Scanning me from top to bottom,

The Fear in me had slightly crept-in.

Out of no-where, she held my hand.

I was so familiar with her Touch.

Not because the same hand had slapped me

But because the same hand had saved me.

She stood by me and Indeed,

I instantly felt secure and protected.

For her very Presence, was like a Patronus

Her Charm was a shield between Me and my Fear

Now, there was nothing to be scared of,

For She, I know will never leave me.

I could be myself, I could do anything.

Because I know. she'll see everything is taken care of.

Our thoughts travel the same way,

But in the path of Silence.

I sometimes find it hard to believe

But no, Every time its no Co-Incidence.

The world for my Eyes is sometimes ugly,

Turning it upside Down, She shows me its Beauty.

I asked "Why so much,do you love and Cares me?"

She replied " I was born to Protect Thee".

I realized the Essence of this Bonding will last Long.

Together, we shall dance and rejoice the Happiness song.

It is this Bliss that tells me,

If not to anyone, At least to her my Love Belongs.

Butterfly..!

On a Bright Morning 

I Open my eyes,

Thanking God for this beautiful Life,

Noticing the world's color it lies.

Oh Yes, I Breathe!

Along by the Breeze,

That lifts up my wings

With total ease.

I Rise to sit on a leaf

with a drop of morning's Dew

Tilting my head to the right & left

and see there are flowers only Few!

Not to be disheartened, I move on.

Flying by the wind side

Flapping my wings of Red and Yellow

Inhaling the aroma of fresh Marshmallow.

Ah! Satisfaction Indeed.

But no, not for long.

I was caught, my wings were in pain

not by a Cat or a Lizard, but by the 

most Intellectual Creature existed in Universe- "MAN".

Gaping at me with utter bewilderment

Taking me closer to his brown-eyed-ball,

I sensed Fear, Negativity and more pain.

In his very hands, I smelled Cold-Blood.

Curiosity showed up in his eyes,

I tried to fly away twice,

But Indeed failed.

I gave up!

He tore my wings and I screamed 

Praying and Hoping for some kind of escape

But he proved to be the Master of Destruction

And Helplessly I felt caged.

Just before dying I prayed,

Prayed to forgive his cruelty 

Unaware of his sin committed,

I shall forgive him.

I prayed, that I want to be born again through a cocoon,

For a life of Butterfly is to Show Beauty and Spread Love!

For no matter, how many days I live,

I live in the Warmth of Nature

And perish in the arms of Nature

Oh Yes! I am a Happy Happy Butterfly..!