Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Back at 'The Quarterdeck'.

We'd got up leisurely around a half past 6, went through the chores and were ready by about 9. Without much ado, we had gone down to the restaurant to have our breakfast. George wasn't there but we met each and everyone to thank all those, who'd made our stay memorable. The winding up was swift and we left Golf View by a half past 9. Manas was tipped as he was a consistent, quiet worker who'd run many errands for us since our arrival, last evening!

The timing of our getaway was such that the traffic was manageable and I took the Container Road to reach the Naval base canteen without delay. The ever-smiling Anand was there to receive us with the query as to why we had not dropped by last month. I could find a suitable parking for my Chevy, while Lekha had entered the grocery section to buy the items.

I think we took more than an hour at the premises because the computer system had a problem. Thankfully, it did restart without further delay and we could finish our purchases by about 12 o'clock. Meanwhile, I'd called up Dhanoop, the insurance man to collect the premium for our Chevy whose insurance needed renewal this coming week.

Continuing our drive, we crossed the bottlenecks of Vyttila, Palarivattam and Idapalli without any delay as they were not clogged with traffic! Had lunch at a wayside restaurant by about a quarter to 1 and we were particularly impressed with young Ilayaraja, for looking after us and Ramar for guiding our vehicle, in and out of the parking!

Reached Guruvayur by a half past 3. Our first visit was to Vimal's electronic shop to find a solution for the voltage stabilizer that had gone kaput on the day, prior to our departure for the course get together. Riyaz, had promised to drop by at 1800 hrs. Lekha had to pick up fresh vegetables and fruits from the department store and we were back at The Quarterdeck by a quarter past 4, but not before buying a few snacks from the tea stall opposite the Mammiyoor kshetram.

A quick cup of tea followed by unpacking and washing 'machinex' saw the end of our short, cute trip to Orissa where we did have a great time. Riyaz came by at 6 and picked up our faulty voltage stabilizer, to give it for servicing.


Tailpiece.

And what were the take aways of the trip?

   * The anxious stretch of our onward journey from Madras to Bhubaneshwar. The anxiety was on
      two counts - the delay in take off and the likely repercussions of cyclone Bulbul on our landing
      at Bhubaneshwar. They were, however, found to be unwarranted.
   * Bhibhu picking us up from the airport on time and off chasing the group which had already left
      for Puri. He was thrilled for the anticipated drive to Puri which was altered as we'd caught up
      with the gang at Dhauli.
   * The warmth with which we were received by one and all. Lekha and I were the last of the lot to
      join up. The long drive to Puri after seeing Dhauli where Emperor Ashoka had embraced
      Buddhism on seeing the untold fury of the Kalinga war.
   * The warm welcome at the'Empires' hotel that was gonna be our home for the next three days and
      the winsome attitude of the staff all through.
   * The miserable wobble of Nandi and Paddy because of their problematic knees. The latter would
      be going for surgery next week but the former is gonna wait a while.
   * Everyone's reaction at my temple going rig with a few clicking snaps on their mobiles, to send
      them across to their children. A few of them even touched my feet!
   * The jostling within the temple and the manner in which Lekha was helped through the crowd
      between me, Rana and Parameswaran. And my success in holding on to my dhoti!
   * Lokhi's thoroughness in collecting the 'prasad' from the Jagannath temple after a puja for Lekha,
      the next day.
   * The easy banter, throughout and the way we had caught up with each other.
   * The genuine and spontaneous reactions from all.
   * No change in egos on certain guys despite their forays into spirituality. Or probably it would take
      more time, perhaps!
   * Lekha's tumble on the elevator at Madras airport.
   * And the decision to meet up at Amritsar, next November, for the next get together!
   * And of course, the thrill of Prem Gulati on seeing us without any sort of ill will.



   

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