Few Days In Chennai!

Finally, I was travelling; travelling again to Chennai. This time for my VISA interview; something I had been waiting for 2 years now. I have had my experiences; some ups and some downs though I always knew how things would turn out to be. I always regretted that things were getting delayed for me; but the recent events in my life convinced me that I was wrong. And now I was getting all that I wanted; all my plans were getting realized.

It all starts with on Wednesday when I plan to travel to Chennai for my US visa interview. I have planned to spend two days in Chennai and the next day in Bangalore and see all my friends before I leave to the US. I knew visiting Chennai will be special, as I had many of my friends there, Nithin, Ajish, Vinod and others. But as usual, only Nithin and Vinod were left as others had already left. Anyways, I was excited to meet them, and roam around Chennai and see for myself what the city has to give. I wanted to see all the Merc’s and the BMW’s that my eyes could relish and strengthen my desire to own one in the near future. One dream that I desperately wanted to realize.

I start on Wednesday evening after a little bit of a struggle as my tickets were not yet booked till 5:00 in the evening; however, since it was a week day, I could get a ticket for a bus. By the time I was leaving, I was already hungry for all the delicacies Chennai could offer me. This desire was fueled by one of my friends telling me that she was having fish for dinner; and I could smell the beautiful aromas of fried fish. This lead me to leave my bus half way at Majestic, Bangalore and search for a place which offers fish at around 11:00 at night. I finally found a place and had a delightful dinner of fish, chicken and Tandoors.

The journey in the bus was nice with me watching a hindi movie (Gupt) for the first time in a Karnataka bus. By the time I reached Chennai at about 6:00 in the morning, my cell phone battery had already died and I was unable to call anybody. I, by any luck that I had, carried the address of my company guest house and had no other option but to go there and charge my mobile before I can see any of my friends. As expected the Cab guys charged me an exorbitant amount to get me to the place (Saidapet).

Day 1 – Thursday

I call up Vinod to ask him where he is put up and I get to know that Nithin (Thadiyan) lives rite next to my office apartments. I call up Thadiyan and he comes up to pick me up. I go to his place and I kind of like Chennai as it is cool; which is unusual. However, it had been raining for some time now and I guess that was the reason why I felt it was really cold as I would have expected the place to be. I go his place and we start talking about our college days and it was really nice as we started roaming around the same old lanes that we used to frequent a few years back. I remember how the Mathais used to lighten up the silent little village of Mannassery. We started remembering all the small and the big pranks that we used to play on all of us and the ups and downs that we had in those days; how we were always short of cash for our stuff and the ways that we used to get money to have our usual Chicken dinners at Kalanthode. We remembered all our college festivals and the fun we had.

By afternoon, Thadiyan had to leave to office and Vinod took me over to the Basil beach; the beach he had started his social campaign. He showed me the monument that he and his folks are trying to preserve. It was nice and I really enjoyed the walk on the beach. The climate was awesome and the I could already smell all the delicacies that were prepared there. I was cautious about eating much from there but definitely, I could not stop myself from having corn (Bhutta, as we would call in the north). I also enjoyed the wide roads and the ride on them. It kind of reminded me of Jaipur and Delhi. Evening was chilled out at Diesel, the Pub where Vinod’s friend Robin was DJ’ing. I was mesmerized by the music. The music was not exactly what I listen to right now, but what I used to listen to when I was in College. I guess the guy had talent; as he would mix all sorts of music; hindi with english and in a way that would appeal to youngsters; the crowd nowadays. I also me some of his friends; RJ’s and other college students. By the time I got home, I was a little bit scared as I had not looked at my documents and was not at all prepared for the interview the next day. However, I was lucky as Ajoy came online that time and told me exactly what I should expect at the interview. I just read my petition papers and then went to sleep.

I really liked Chennai at this point as could never enjoy these roads in Mysore; and it is a totally different feeling living in a Metro.

Day 2- Friday

I wake up in the morning, 7:00 AM, tired and sleepy, ready for my interview. However, I get late to the US consulate; it is usual as I get late to any place that I have an appointment for. I had my interview at 9:45 AM and I get there by 10:15. However, I get in and am able complete the process by 11:00 AM. I now get back home and have a nice sleep for quite some time. By 4:00 pm, Vinod is back and I am all set to go back to the beach. This time for a nice fish treat and I quite liked the fish that I had. I had never had a fish this big and it was awesome. Now, the beach has a sidewalk where people come to walk and sit down and to have a nice chat with friends. It reminds me of my school days when I used to chill with all my friends; near our place; or the Shoppers Stop; and the numerous other places. I quite enjoyed the city life there; bustling with life and activity; something that the quiet places like Kerala and Mysore can never give you.

Ya, I loved the place then. I was actually thinking if the climate was better, I could have been very much in Chennai. Guess this time I did not see the actual city; the dirty buses and litter all around; hence the change of mind.

I returned back to Nithin’s place and we had a party where I finally talk with his roomies, Suresh, Anwar. I convince them to come to Mysore for the Diwali weekend, so that I could meet these guys before I actually travel to the US.

Day 3- Saturday

I was supposed to return to Bangalore on Friday, but was not allowed and I had to waste my Bus ticket. We were supposed to chill out today, but as always, we all slept till afternoon. Then, once we woke up we watched “Kung-fu Panda” together. Nice day!

Later, I went to Vinod’s place and again I was looking at the wide roads again. I was also looking at the speedometer of Nithin’s car as he was never crossing a mere 40 KMPH. I had been provoking him to drive a little bit faster; to which he would very sweetly smile and give me his Chennai traffic funda’s. We were there at Vinod’s place for about an hour and a half and then went to Spencer’s plaza. I suddenly had a craving for chicken and we realized that the nearest KFC was at Spencer’s. Off we go to Spencer’s only to find that it is totally and completely crowded. We pack our Chicken bucket and burgers and return back, only to get stuck in the traffic for about 2 hours. That was it! I realized that Mysore is better.

We got back home had another round of talks; remembered all the crazy things we did in College. And then went to sleep as I had an early train to catch; at 6:00 AM.

The Return - Sunday

I wake up early at 5:00; it’s rare that I wake up at this time. It was nice to see the sun just come up and the nice colors of the morning. This might seem unusual but for a person like me it is definitely a nice experience. Nithin and Vinod leave me to the Railway station, And I snug in comfortably into my seat. The train seems comfortable, but I never like the smell inside. It gives me the dirty feeling that it’s all dirty inside. However, as I had woken up early, it was time for me to sleep again. I soon get knocked out and it was only after we moved out of Bangalore that I got my senses. Now, sitting in my chair seemed uncomfortable and I move to the door of the train, trying to have a look at the scenery outside.

This is something I have always enjoyed. I remember, when we were returning from Ajish’s sister’s marriage we had done the same. In fact, when I gone to get my computer from Kayamkulam in Kerala, I had done the same; actually all my train journeys were done at the door only. However, this time it was different. I used to enjoy the scenes outside, but this time all the people I saw; got me thinking about the difference between me and them. It is a painful thought; yes!

I saw children; youngsters, playing just besides the train tracks. They were playing marbles; for small bets. Some were flying kites; all enjoying their present without having to worry about what lay next. They were not that financially strong; but were carefree without having to worry about what comes next; just living the moment, with nothing to lose; and nothing to gain as well. I remember my school days; with all the expectations and the determination to be an achiever; to get to places that people never dream of. I feel pity for them; for not having a future as I would think my future should be; but at the same time, I felt pity for myself for never having such time where I did not have to think about actions and their consequences.
Soon, I reach Mysore, get a Cab and get to my Apartment to forget all this and get back to my life, where I will again be restless; eager to see what happens next; carefully seeing to it that all my moves are perfect and I achieve what I have set out to achieve.

The trip had been great, with me remembering all my old days; getting what I really wanted to get; to take the step for a better tomorrow. I guess, I will always run, setting new goals as I achieve; wanting more and more and even more. I have met different people, quite a lot of people, teaching me a lot of things about life. I do remember them and hope to see them again at some point in my life and share the moments as we’ve had together.

To view some of the photos of this trip, click here.