Tomorrow I am going for a holiday. And it is the evening before.
It is supposed to be the best evening. Best because I have the whole holiday to look forward to.. An evening when I am excited and anticipating. All ready to enjoy and collect great memories.
Yet, at the same time it is the busiest. And this ‘busy’ part got added after I grew up. Phew :(
I remember the evening before going for a holiday as a little girl. Brother and I would be all bursting with excitement. And the packing and arranging part was for parents to do. After finishing all the chores that evening, they would only start packing late at night. And along with packing, another difficult task awaited them always. Putting us to sleep. Tiredness from a whole day of running around would not make us feel sleepy! We were giggling, excited and eager to watch the packing. The final preparation of our holiday.. I still remember the images. Brother and me would be lying in bed on our tummy, our chin resting on the wooden side bar (sometimes even our teeth!); and enthusiastically watching as parents arrange the dresses and other stuff inside the big open suitcases on the ground.
Alas, now packing is no more fun. Instead of keenly watching, now I am forced to do the ‘work’. Make list. Gather everything. Put all in bags. Think what things aren’t allowed in carry-on luggage. Make some alterations in the arrangement. Next comes the important part of arranging passport, documents, money etc in handbag. Of course, there are always last minutes items to put in. And considering how anxious I am by nature, I have to check and recheck everything several times.
I had already rather packed for the holiday. But still as I was thinking at work what I need to do after returning home, I remembered this short but tedious list.
Draw money from ATM on way home.
Put phone and camera into charging soon after reaching.
Pack and put in the shoes. Do not pack snickers. I will be wearing them for flight.
That reminds, take out a pair of socks to go with it. Ah, all are in bag already.
Put in the comb, cream and other necessary cosmetics.
Check for the already packed dresses (so that like last time I am not imagining I have some thinner pants when it is waiting at home nicely folded).
Take the medicines.
Arrange two bandaids for tomorrow (result of my bad fall on road).
Empty the workbag (there is no need of work swipe card, bus pass etc at the holiday) and put it in big suitcase.
Put in the phone, camera, and their chargers.
Put in insurance, ID and other documents (and a copy in each bag).
Check the passport.
Take air ticket.
Oh, in between squeeze in some time to call parents.
Take a shower and wash hair.
Of course, have dinner.
Ah, as I am writing this I am done with all except the last two. Good girl!
But ah, when did going for a holiday become so much work??!!
Oh, wait. And again I forgot! Change the address tags in the bags.
I have to check a few other things too. And recheck. And again.
Okay enough!! I better go.
July 21, 2010
Hot summer afternoon and games
What activities does one enjoy in a sultry summer afternoon? Swimming or some other water activities, maybe something inside the doors. Right? Well, last week I was playing mini golf with the guys out there in the scorching heat. And guess what? It was sooooo much fun. Despite of the heat.
Now I am not a sport person. I find cricket boring, an exception considering I am an Indian. Other games I ‘tolerate’ to certain extent. I only watch sports when it is some great show. Moreover, when it comes to participating in any, I do not. Quite a contrast from when I was little. I don’t remember when I started to not enjoy sports; but I think it was a part of my childhood restlessness when I was ever interested in it. I only like swimming and recently riding bicycle for recreation. Therefore, playing mini golf out in one of the hottest afternoons is quite something for a person of my ‘background’. Yet I played. And enjoyed. Because, mini golf is great fun and recreation, and it is always great to go out with these guys.
It was not a big group when I mentioned ‘the guys’. It was only Blaž and Luka. Anyone who knows me can tell that I enjoy and prefer smaller company than a huge crowd. Therefore, it was perfect. Blaž and Luka have this tradition of playing mini golf in one of the hottest afternoons for quite a few years now. Initially they would have a few of their other high school friends to join in; but now it is more their ‘tradition’. Last year I had an awesome time joining them. Therefore, when it was hottest these past days, I reminded Blaž about the mini golf. Of course, there was no time before the World Cup fever settled; and finally last Tuesday we decided for the ‘games afternoon’.
Blaž picked me up from work and we headed towards park Tivoli. Soon we noticed Luka’s car just in front of us. Luka, however, was too busy examining his hair and face to notice us :P. Surprisingly there was no parking charge at Tivoli. Blaž’s comment: Maybe the person has already gone home because of such heat. Well. And we came here to play!! Geared with our hats and water, we headed on towards the mini golf area.
There are in total 18 courses of various difficulty levels. Blaž decided to take the first shot for the hole; and needed two strokes. Next was me. Positioning myself by the ball, I tried hard to recollect how I was supposed to take the strike. As I said before, I am no sport person. I maybe enjoy more keeping the scores than playing myself!! Anyway, it was the easiest lane and I managed it with three strokes. By the time we moved for the second course, I was already all sweaty and uncomfortable. Next followed a series of my strokes for the hole. I am sure the boys were bored so very much. The heat made me loose all concentrations sometimes. Yet I was determined; but I scored 10 in more than half of the courses. . But hey, it was better than last year! And it was so so much fun. I enjoyed specially those courses where the hole was on top of a ‘hill’ or in middle of a ‘slope’. We finished with Blaž winning, Luka scoring second, and me with the ‘highest’ score.
Returning the sticks, we decided for a horse-burger at the adjoining place. I was much interested in tasting the horse burger for the first time. It is only available in very few places and I never had the opportunity of trying. It tasted better than minced beef or pork to me, and I was so full in the end. However, I must say it was quite a peculiar feeling realizing that the meat comes from such a huge animal. Yet, it is not going to hold me from eating it again. I am complete foodie and non-vegetarian. That is it.
As we were busy munching the burger, Luka figured out that he had played a bit worse that day than previous two years. He had found and brought his previous score papers! And I am not surprise. I am sure that Blaž has them somewhere too.
As I had already foreseen, the next decision was going for a pool. But, Luka came up with the idea of going for bowling. I had never played bowling before and was always interested in trying. Therefore, I was very much in for the idea. Accordingly, we headed for BTC hoping that we would be able to find a bowling lane free.
We were lucky! There was not only a lane free, but the bowling arena was strangely empty with only two groups playing. Wow! One can really see the effect of holidays and vacation coupled with Tuesday evening!! We didn’t have socks with us. It is summer after all. And hiring a pair would cost 1€. Hey, we can very well manage without socks and only got the shoes. Luka gave me a briefing as Blaž was ordering the drinks. Beer for Luka, a tradition when he is bowling; and some non-alcoholic drink for himself. I am rather reluctant most of the time to order drinks.
I never imagined a bowling ball weighs that much!!! I chose the lightest one for myself and was still barely comfortable with it. How does one at all manage to lift heavier balls, swing it and show the tricks??!! It was difficult. And I couldn’t hit a single pin in the first try. However, with the help of the bars I slowly improved. Luka was amazed how almost every time I managed to do a ‘split’. And though doing a ‘split’ is not good, it was so much fun to me. I enjoyed every time. Specially enjoying when I managed to make a ‘split’ with 3 pins standing in a very symmetric fashion. It was fun. The full automation was impressive. Moreover, fun were the cartoons playing for ‘strike’, ‘split’, ‘spare’, ‘chance missed’ etc. It was ocean themed. It was soo cute! Hm, I will always remain a baby.
Luka had to go home by 10 p.m.; he needed to walk his dog who was recovering from an operation. And there was still an hour left. As rarely a Blaž and Luka meeting ends without pool, we made our way towards the pool tables upstairs. I was tired by then and anyway don’t play pool. Thus, I decided to just accompany and enjoy without ‘playing’ with them. I always like watching them play pool. Actually I guess I am quite starting to like watching pool, snooker on TV. Hm, that is a realization! Anyway, I watched them play and chatted occasionally, sipping my coco. Luka played his game, and Blaž had a ‘bad pool day’. One hour was over before we realized and it was time to go home.
Standing in the parking lot, we talked a bit more. Planning when to meet next and so on.. And finally we headed towards the cars. It was past 22:30 as Blaž dropped me home. I was so tired. Yet so satisfied. I enjoyed playing and spending time with Blaž and Luka. “I had a great afternoon/evening”, I reflected as I said good night.
And then as I was unlocking my door, I remember all the chores that I was supposed to do before retiring to bed.. Well, that is another story...
Now I am not a sport person. I find cricket boring, an exception considering I am an Indian. Other games I ‘tolerate’ to certain extent. I only watch sports when it is some great show. Moreover, when it comes to participating in any, I do not. Quite a contrast from when I was little. I don’t remember when I started to not enjoy sports; but I think it was a part of my childhood restlessness when I was ever interested in it. I only like swimming and recently riding bicycle for recreation. Therefore, playing mini golf out in one of the hottest afternoons is quite something for a person of my ‘background’. Yet I played. And enjoyed. Because, mini golf is great fun and recreation, and it is always great to go out with these guys.
It was not a big group when I mentioned ‘the guys’. It was only Blaž and Luka. Anyone who knows me can tell that I enjoy and prefer smaller company than a huge crowd. Therefore, it was perfect. Blaž and Luka have this tradition of playing mini golf in one of the hottest afternoons for quite a few years now. Initially they would have a few of their other high school friends to join in; but now it is more their ‘tradition’. Last year I had an awesome time joining them. Therefore, when it was hottest these past days, I reminded Blaž about the mini golf. Of course, there was no time before the World Cup fever settled; and finally last Tuesday we decided for the ‘games afternoon’.
Blaž picked me up from work and we headed towards park Tivoli. Soon we noticed Luka’s car just in front of us. Luka, however, was too busy examining his hair and face to notice us :P. Surprisingly there was no parking charge at Tivoli. Blaž’s comment: Maybe the person has already gone home because of such heat. Well. And we came here to play!! Geared with our hats and water, we headed on towards the mini golf area.
There are in total 18 courses of various difficulty levels. Blaž decided to take the first shot for the hole; and needed two strokes. Next was me. Positioning myself by the ball, I tried hard to recollect how I was supposed to take the strike. As I said before, I am no sport person. I maybe enjoy more keeping the scores than playing myself!! Anyway, it was the easiest lane and I managed it with three strokes. By the time we moved for the second course, I was already all sweaty and uncomfortable. Next followed a series of my strokes for the hole. I am sure the boys were bored so very much. The heat made me loose all concentrations sometimes. Yet I was determined; but I scored 10 in more than half of the courses. . But hey, it was better than last year! And it was so so much fun. I enjoyed specially those courses where the hole was on top of a ‘hill’ or in middle of a ‘slope’. We finished with Blaž winning, Luka scoring second, and me with the ‘highest’ score.
Returning the sticks, we decided for a horse-burger at the adjoining place. I was much interested in tasting the horse burger for the first time. It is only available in very few places and I never had the opportunity of trying. It tasted better than minced beef or pork to me, and I was so full in the end. However, I must say it was quite a peculiar feeling realizing that the meat comes from such a huge animal. Yet, it is not going to hold me from eating it again. I am complete foodie and non-vegetarian. That is it.
As we were busy munching the burger, Luka figured out that he had played a bit worse that day than previous two years. He had found and brought his previous score papers! And I am not surprise. I am sure that Blaž has them somewhere too.
As I had already foreseen, the next decision was going for a pool. But, Luka came up with the idea of going for bowling. I had never played bowling before and was always interested in trying. Therefore, I was very much in for the idea. Accordingly, we headed for BTC hoping that we would be able to find a bowling lane free.
We were lucky! There was not only a lane free, but the bowling arena was strangely empty with only two groups playing. Wow! One can really see the effect of holidays and vacation coupled with Tuesday evening!! We didn’t have socks with us. It is summer after all. And hiring a pair would cost 1€. Hey, we can very well manage without socks and only got the shoes. Luka gave me a briefing as Blaž was ordering the drinks. Beer for Luka, a tradition when he is bowling; and some non-alcoholic drink for himself. I am rather reluctant most of the time to order drinks.
I never imagined a bowling ball weighs that much!!! I chose the lightest one for myself and was still barely comfortable with it. How does one at all manage to lift heavier balls, swing it and show the tricks??!! It was difficult. And I couldn’t hit a single pin in the first try. However, with the help of the bars I slowly improved. Luka was amazed how almost every time I managed to do a ‘split’. And though doing a ‘split’ is not good, it was so much fun to me. I enjoyed every time. Specially enjoying when I managed to make a ‘split’ with 3 pins standing in a very symmetric fashion. It was fun. The full automation was impressive. Moreover, fun were the cartoons playing for ‘strike’, ‘split’, ‘spare’, ‘chance missed’ etc. It was ocean themed. It was soo cute! Hm, I will always remain a baby.
Luka had to go home by 10 p.m.; he needed to walk his dog who was recovering from an operation. And there was still an hour left. As rarely a Blaž and Luka meeting ends without pool, we made our way towards the pool tables upstairs. I was tired by then and anyway don’t play pool. Thus, I decided to just accompany and enjoy without ‘playing’ with them. I always like watching them play pool. Actually I guess I am quite starting to like watching pool, snooker on TV. Hm, that is a realization! Anyway, I watched them play and chatted occasionally, sipping my coco. Luka played his game, and Blaž had a ‘bad pool day’. One hour was over before we realized and it was time to go home.
Standing in the parking lot, we talked a bit more. Planning when to meet next and so on.. And finally we headed towards the cars. It was past 22:30 as Blaž dropped me home. I was so tired. Yet so satisfied. I enjoyed playing and spending time with Blaž and Luka. “I had a great afternoon/evening”, I reflected as I said good night.
And then as I was unlocking my door, I remember all the chores that I was supposed to do before retiring to bed.. Well, that is another story...
July 12, 2010
How many days left?
10 days exactly. And then I am going for the long awaited vacation. Yeeee!!
The ‘it will come.. it will come..’ wait is the best part. It has all the excitement and expectations, and the pleasure of waiting adds the cherry on the top. Counting days in sweet anticipation. And then it happens. All the fun and excitement makes it pass with the wink of the eye. And soon it becomes a lovely memory.
And I have 10 more days to count before I go for the holiday..
I love to travel. And a new city is beckoning me..
And for me, the pre- and post-travel phases are no less fun than the journey itself. Deciding where to go, when to go, and then waiting for the day when I will pack my bags and venture to explore a new place; all these are a part of the pleasure that traveling brings.
How I waited for those family vacations when I was little! Parents would discuss and decide for the place. I barely had any role to play in this discussion. Going somewhere during the long school vacations was all I wanted. And if it was mountains, it was the best! Months before the vacation, I would eagerly ask if we were going somewhere for the vacation. Every time my face shone with a broad smile after I was told the name of the place. And next followed all those questions enquiring the little details. Where is this place, mountains or sea? When are we going? For how long are we going? What all places are we going to see? Are we going with train? How long is the journey to the place? And many more.. Furnished with all these details, the next day I would proudly announce and brag about our awaited vacation in school. I was not required to bother with the intricacies of the journey. Counting days in anticipation and excitement was all I did.
Then in those years of growing up, I slowly started taking part in the discussion. I would suggest regarding probable places to go. Read and ask in more details about the places we were intending to visit. Maybe would read about an interesting place and suggest about going there. I would read more about the sightseeing and enquire in more details the travel plan. However, in the end, parents were still the main deciding head behind the travel plans. My contribution was more suggestion than decision. And in all these little contributions, the counting of days remained. I planned for the vacation and waited for it.
And then last summer, for the first time I fully planned my own vacation. Duties at school and work had not allowed us to think about vacation before, and we had no real plans. Somehow it just decided to go for a vacation sometime in August. It was already July when we started planning. We wished to go to the Slovenian mountains; and for the other part of the vacation, I really wished to go to Rome. And when it was made final and the vacation proponed a bit, we were only left with less than 2 weeks to arrange everything. The Slovenian part of the vacation was sort of already decided and planned, just the dates were fixed. However, travel to Rome required a planning from the scratch. As Blaž looked for accommodation, transport and insurance; I was busy making the sightseeing itinerary. Browsing through the internet and travel book, I came up with an initial plan. Each day was packed with visiting churches, piazzas, museums and walks. And next came pre-booking the passes for the most visited places online. Busy days passed browsing the internet. And before we knew, the vacation already started. There was no counting days for it!! The excitement was much more. It was after all my first vacation on my own. But somewhere I missed waiting for it in all the rush.
And now, yet again summer has come. And this time it is all sort of planned already. Of course again the last week is going to be busy as always with hundreds of small errands to be done. I have to go through the sightseeing plans in more details and read about the places more. Maybe I will have some more suggestions and wishes. There are bags to pack and documents to arrange. And there is always something to be done at work. So, days are going to be busy. But, amidst all these busy days, I will be counting. A counting that had started long back when this travel plan was just an idea. A counting that is adding more fun to everything and increasing the excitement and expectations. A counting that adds an extra flavor to the already perfect vacation.
I am eagerly waiting and counting.
10 more days to go….
The ‘it will come.. it will come..’ wait is the best part. It has all the excitement and expectations, and the pleasure of waiting adds the cherry on the top. Counting days in sweet anticipation. And then it happens. All the fun and excitement makes it pass with the wink of the eye. And soon it becomes a lovely memory.
And I have 10 more days to count before I go for the holiday..
I love to travel. And a new city is beckoning me..
And for me, the pre- and post-travel phases are no less fun than the journey itself. Deciding where to go, when to go, and then waiting for the day when I will pack my bags and venture to explore a new place; all these are a part of the pleasure that traveling brings.
How I waited for those family vacations when I was little! Parents would discuss and decide for the place. I barely had any role to play in this discussion. Going somewhere during the long school vacations was all I wanted. And if it was mountains, it was the best! Months before the vacation, I would eagerly ask if we were going somewhere for the vacation. Every time my face shone with a broad smile after I was told the name of the place. And next followed all those questions enquiring the little details. Where is this place, mountains or sea? When are we going? For how long are we going? What all places are we going to see? Are we going with train? How long is the journey to the place? And many more.. Furnished with all these details, the next day I would proudly announce and brag about our awaited vacation in school. I was not required to bother with the intricacies of the journey. Counting days in anticipation and excitement was all I did.
Then in those years of growing up, I slowly started taking part in the discussion. I would suggest regarding probable places to go. Read and ask in more details about the places we were intending to visit. Maybe would read about an interesting place and suggest about going there. I would read more about the sightseeing and enquire in more details the travel plan. However, in the end, parents were still the main deciding head behind the travel plans. My contribution was more suggestion than decision. And in all these little contributions, the counting of days remained. I planned for the vacation and waited for it.
And then last summer, for the first time I fully planned my own vacation. Duties at school and work had not allowed us to think about vacation before, and we had no real plans. Somehow it just decided to go for a vacation sometime in August. It was already July when we started planning. We wished to go to the Slovenian mountains; and for the other part of the vacation, I really wished to go to Rome. And when it was made final and the vacation proponed a bit, we were only left with less than 2 weeks to arrange everything. The Slovenian part of the vacation was sort of already decided and planned, just the dates were fixed. However, travel to Rome required a planning from the scratch. As Blaž looked for accommodation, transport and insurance; I was busy making the sightseeing itinerary. Browsing through the internet and travel book, I came up with an initial plan. Each day was packed with visiting churches, piazzas, museums and walks. And next came pre-booking the passes for the most visited places online. Busy days passed browsing the internet. And before we knew, the vacation already started. There was no counting days for it!! The excitement was much more. It was after all my first vacation on my own. But somewhere I missed waiting for it in all the rush.
And now, yet again summer has come. And this time it is all sort of planned already. Of course again the last week is going to be busy as always with hundreds of small errands to be done. I have to go through the sightseeing plans in more details and read about the places more. Maybe I will have some more suggestions and wishes. There are bags to pack and documents to arrange. And there is always something to be done at work. So, days are going to be busy. But, amidst all these busy days, I will be counting. A counting that had started long back when this travel plan was just an idea. A counting that is adding more fun to everything and increasing the excitement and expectations. A counting that adds an extra flavor to the already perfect vacation.
I am eagerly waiting and counting.
10 more days to go….
I missed you too
Airport arrivals always have this cheerful ambience. People returning home after some time; meeting family, friends in a loving hug. Some others are arriving in a new city, their eyes full of curiosity and excitement. Families are waiting impatiently, their smile saying ‘we missed you’. The arrival terminals are thus always a promise of getting back to old relations or starting new ones. Here, the air is always filled with merry and smiles.
I was happily observing and thinking all these as we were waiting yesterday for Matic to return. Eagerly everyone was looking at the door as the first passenger of the flight came out. A little girl ran to her dad and held his legs in her tight embrace as the dad arrived through the doors. Partners met in loving hugs and kisses. Friends joined each other in jovial conversations. Some arrived and eyed the crowd with curiosity, and then went out. Everyone was engaged in crispy conversations, telling the ‘highlights’ of all that has happened moment after the ‘welcome back’ and ‘how are you’ hugs.
A lady arrived through the door. Her family was waiting just by the corner close to the door. As he hugged her husband, the dog that was calmly lying down till then, jumped up and started wagging its tail. It ran around her in circles, wagging its tail and trying to jump on her, barking in a low friendly voice. She gave it a gentle loving stroke on the back and turned to her two sons. And the dog could barely wait for her to hug her sons first. As she was sharing the motherly hug and mother-son talk with her sons, the dog was impatient. Running around them in circles, trying to jump on them, wagging its tail violently, the dog simply demanded attention. Its low friendly barks by then had turned to jealous, demanding ones. It tried to squeeze in between the mother and the sons, asking for a place too in this family hug.
When finally it was the dog’s turn, its joy knew no bound. The lady kneeled down on the floor by the dog. They were in a warm embrace; the lady stroking its fur gently and the dog happily wagging its tail. It sniffed her face, rolled on the floor in excitement, and again jumped back into her loving arms. Its soft ‘purring’ barks now said…“I missed you too…”
I was happily observing and thinking all these as we were waiting yesterday for Matic to return. Eagerly everyone was looking at the door as the first passenger of the flight came out. A little girl ran to her dad and held his legs in her tight embrace as the dad arrived through the doors. Partners met in loving hugs and kisses. Friends joined each other in jovial conversations. Some arrived and eyed the crowd with curiosity, and then went out. Everyone was engaged in crispy conversations, telling the ‘highlights’ of all that has happened moment after the ‘welcome back’ and ‘how are you’ hugs.
A lady arrived through the door. Her family was waiting just by the corner close to the door. As he hugged her husband, the dog that was calmly lying down till then, jumped up and started wagging its tail. It ran around her in circles, wagging its tail and trying to jump on her, barking in a low friendly voice. She gave it a gentle loving stroke on the back and turned to her two sons. And the dog could barely wait for her to hug her sons first. As she was sharing the motherly hug and mother-son talk with her sons, the dog was impatient. Running around them in circles, trying to jump on them, wagging its tail violently, the dog simply demanded attention. Its low friendly barks by then had turned to jealous, demanding ones. It tried to squeeze in between the mother and the sons, asking for a place too in this family hug.
When finally it was the dog’s turn, its joy knew no bound. The lady kneeled down on the floor by the dog. They were in a warm embrace; the lady stroking its fur gently and the dog happily wagging its tail. It sniffed her face, rolled on the floor in excitement, and again jumped back into her loving arms. Its soft ‘purring’ barks now said…“I missed you too…”
July 11, 2010
Assorted images of rain
We Bengalees love rain. Rain is romantic and poetic for us. Bengali language is rich with words sweetly echoing the various moods and rhythms of the rain. Over ages, our poets are describing flickering human emotions through various images of rain. These pattering drops have the versatility of expressing moments that are painted with colors of happiness or melancholy. As the dark grey clouds cover the sky announcing the approaching rain, we sit by the window, penning down our thoughts in the rhythm of the rain.
Rain is my favorite too. And though I don’t have the ability to arrange my thoughts in rhyme and rhythm, my heart signs with the rain in perfect symphony. A leisurely day with the pattering music of rain outside and me relaxing in the warm comfort of a cozy corner allows my mind the pleasure to dwell in its romantic wanderings. However, trying to protect myself under the small safety of an umbrella on the way to work is not a picture that I welcome. A bright sunny afternoon turning dark with clouds bringing afternoon shower-storm is romantic. A dark sky for days together with everything drenched is gloomy.
I was working in the lab and noticed it turning dark outside the window. I had planned to leave in around half an hour; and checked online the radar image to know how strong a rain was coming so that I was not trapped inside again like the other day. The sky was playing with various shades of grey preparing for the rain. It already started raining as I was thinking all these. I quickly saved my work and turned off the computer, grabbed my bag, card and keys. The rain was already quite strong as I stepped out grabbing my umbrella. I walked in the rain, in almost empty streets. It had almost the excitement of ‘an adventure’. Sitting in the bus, I looked out the window. The heavy downpour made everything white. The wind swiped the rain in all directions creating whirlpools. Magnificent lightnings tore apart the darkness of sky. Showers this strong are not only refreshing; it is beautiful to look at. And it was more amazing to walk and feel this beautifully strong rain.
Afternoon showers in summer always remind me of ‘kalbaisakhi’ or Nor’westers in Calcutta. I love it. It was a hot humid afternoon in the summer holiday. Brother and I were busy playing. We noticed the corner of the sky turning dark. The darkness crawled and covered the sky in no time; and the still wind of the noon was turning into a storm. Bang! It was the window. With more banging sounds we hurriedly closed the windows. We went in the veranda to feel the storm. The wind on face felt good. It tasted salty, like the rock salt. This dusty salty wind was so refreshing for us. We were giggling. Soon the rain started. And the wind brought it inside the veranda. Each drop hitting my face made me smile more and more. I imagined myself in the rural Bengal, soaking in the rain. The setting sun shone brightly again with little water drops gleaming.
My lab has four big skylights. I always enjoy the pattering sound of the raindrops on the glass. It creates a pleasant music for a busy and tiring day at work. It was working with my sequences and listening to the music the rain was creating on my roof one noon. Suddenly the rhythm changed. Small pebbles of ice were creating a new melody. It was fast and funky. Refreshing and energetic.
I remembered the sound when hails fell on steel bowl. The same ‘tak-tak-tak-tak’ rhythm. It was one similar noon years ago. Bare foot I ran out to collect the hails. However, parents soon forced me back in the house. As I myself could not play ‘catching the hails’, I had put out a bowl to catch the hails for me. The rain stopped and I dashed out to count my collection. It was quite a ‘big’ one. Still, more tempting were those icy pebbles shining amidst the green grass. I had picked up a few and quickly put in my mouth. I still remember the stinging, desensitizing cold in my mouth. The frogs were croaking loud and happy.
I woke up before the alarm. Looking outside the window from my bed, I was annoyed with myself. It was darkish outside, suggesting some time around dawn. I had a couple of more hours before it was time to get up. But, one look at the watch showed it to be a couple of minutes. Now, frowning I forced myself out of the bed. As I stepped outside my apartment, the dark gloomy sky ‘welcomed’ me. And even though it was raining heavily, I had to go to work. Annoyed with this wet feeling, I had to walk towards the bus stop. I miss those ‘rainy days’ in school.
It started raining at night. And even in the morning the sun did not show itself. It was waterlogged all around. A day the school for sure would declare as a ‘rainy day’. Nonetheless, I of course had to go to school. It was much more fun to go to school, get a ‘rainy day’, and come back home drenched, intentionally jumping in the puddles. I walked to the bus, fighting with the wind and trying to save my overturned umbrella. The bus ‘floated’ to school. And then as expected, it was a ‘rainy day’!! Happily I returned soaked. After the yummy ‘khichdi’ at lunch, it was time to sit with the newspaper making paper boats. They floated down the ‘stream’ that had by then replaced the road.
Rain is pretty umbrellas and colorful coats. Rain is intentionally soaking the shoes on the way back from school. Rain is steaming hot ‘khichdi’ with fried ‘hilsa’. Rain is creamy coffee with ‘pakodas’. Rain is snuggling in the couch with an interesting book. Rain is walking together under the same umbrella or simply without it. Rain is being silent together and feeling the warmth. Rain is daydreaming looking outside the window. Rain is observing everything turning freshly green. Rain is lazy afternoon listening to its music. Rain is loud happy croaking of frogs. Rain is paper boats in puddles. Rain is different shades of grey painting the sky. Rain is the colorful rainbow making it bright..
And among all these bits and pieces of various images of rain, I dream of one that I wish to turn into reality someday. Myself amidst the green. Holding a big leaf over my head. Raindrops making music. Insects and frogs accompanying it. And myself getting drenched….
Rain is my favorite too. And though I don’t have the ability to arrange my thoughts in rhyme and rhythm, my heart signs with the rain in perfect symphony. A leisurely day with the pattering music of rain outside and me relaxing in the warm comfort of a cozy corner allows my mind the pleasure to dwell in its romantic wanderings. However, trying to protect myself under the small safety of an umbrella on the way to work is not a picture that I welcome. A bright sunny afternoon turning dark with clouds bringing afternoon shower-storm is romantic. A dark sky for days together with everything drenched is gloomy.
I was working in the lab and noticed it turning dark outside the window. I had planned to leave in around half an hour; and checked online the radar image to know how strong a rain was coming so that I was not trapped inside again like the other day. The sky was playing with various shades of grey preparing for the rain. It already started raining as I was thinking all these. I quickly saved my work and turned off the computer, grabbed my bag, card and keys. The rain was already quite strong as I stepped out grabbing my umbrella. I walked in the rain, in almost empty streets. It had almost the excitement of ‘an adventure’. Sitting in the bus, I looked out the window. The heavy downpour made everything white. The wind swiped the rain in all directions creating whirlpools. Magnificent lightnings tore apart the darkness of sky. Showers this strong are not only refreshing; it is beautiful to look at. And it was more amazing to walk and feel this beautifully strong rain.
Afternoon showers in summer always remind me of ‘kalbaisakhi’ or Nor’westers in Calcutta. I love it. It was a hot humid afternoon in the summer holiday. Brother and I were busy playing. We noticed the corner of the sky turning dark. The darkness crawled and covered the sky in no time; and the still wind of the noon was turning into a storm. Bang! It was the window. With more banging sounds we hurriedly closed the windows. We went in the veranda to feel the storm. The wind on face felt good. It tasted salty, like the rock salt. This dusty salty wind was so refreshing for us. We were giggling. Soon the rain started. And the wind brought it inside the veranda. Each drop hitting my face made me smile more and more. I imagined myself in the rural Bengal, soaking in the rain. The setting sun shone brightly again with little water drops gleaming.
My lab has four big skylights. I always enjoy the pattering sound of the raindrops on the glass. It creates a pleasant music for a busy and tiring day at work. It was working with my sequences and listening to the music the rain was creating on my roof one noon. Suddenly the rhythm changed. Small pebbles of ice were creating a new melody. It was fast and funky. Refreshing and energetic.
I remembered the sound when hails fell on steel bowl. The same ‘tak-tak-tak-tak’ rhythm. It was one similar noon years ago. Bare foot I ran out to collect the hails. However, parents soon forced me back in the house. As I myself could not play ‘catching the hails’, I had put out a bowl to catch the hails for me. The rain stopped and I dashed out to count my collection. It was quite a ‘big’ one. Still, more tempting were those icy pebbles shining amidst the green grass. I had picked up a few and quickly put in my mouth. I still remember the stinging, desensitizing cold in my mouth. The frogs were croaking loud and happy.
I woke up before the alarm. Looking outside the window from my bed, I was annoyed with myself. It was darkish outside, suggesting some time around dawn. I had a couple of more hours before it was time to get up. But, one look at the watch showed it to be a couple of minutes. Now, frowning I forced myself out of the bed. As I stepped outside my apartment, the dark gloomy sky ‘welcomed’ me. And even though it was raining heavily, I had to go to work. Annoyed with this wet feeling, I had to walk towards the bus stop. I miss those ‘rainy days’ in school.
It started raining at night. And even in the morning the sun did not show itself. It was waterlogged all around. A day the school for sure would declare as a ‘rainy day’. Nonetheless, I of course had to go to school. It was much more fun to go to school, get a ‘rainy day’, and come back home drenched, intentionally jumping in the puddles. I walked to the bus, fighting with the wind and trying to save my overturned umbrella. The bus ‘floated’ to school. And then as expected, it was a ‘rainy day’!! Happily I returned soaked. After the yummy ‘khichdi’ at lunch, it was time to sit with the newspaper making paper boats. They floated down the ‘stream’ that had by then replaced the road.
Rain is pretty umbrellas and colorful coats. Rain is intentionally soaking the shoes on the way back from school. Rain is steaming hot ‘khichdi’ with fried ‘hilsa’. Rain is creamy coffee with ‘pakodas’. Rain is snuggling in the couch with an interesting book. Rain is walking together under the same umbrella or simply without it. Rain is being silent together and feeling the warmth. Rain is daydreaming looking outside the window. Rain is observing everything turning freshly green. Rain is lazy afternoon listening to its music. Rain is loud happy croaking of frogs. Rain is paper boats in puddles. Rain is different shades of grey painting the sky. Rain is the colorful rainbow making it bright..
And among all these bits and pieces of various images of rain, I dream of one that I wish to turn into reality someday. Myself amidst the green. Holding a big leaf over my head. Raindrops making music. Insects and frogs accompanying it. And myself getting drenched….
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