Lekha's cellphone's ring woke us up at 4, sharp. Without reluctance, we'd got up, gone through the chores but overshot the target time of 6 AM to depart and finally, set off on our journey at a quarter to 7. The roads were, thankfully, less populated and our first major stop - close to 15' - was at the Paliyekkara toll gate. That place is yet to streamline its FASTag system or is it the inertia of the toll plaza team? I mean, the system has still not been streamlined after more than a month of operation. Long queues seem to be a mainstay, despite the technology to prevent it!
The drive from then on was pleasant and we stopped at the Ananda Bhavan at Chalakkudi. We'd a combo - consisting of a masala dosa, an idli, a vada, a spoonful of upma and another spoonful of the sweet pongal - that we shared between us, washed down with a piping hot filter coffee.
Reached Ernakulam around 10 and passed through the choke points of Aluva, Edappalli, Paalaarivattom, Vyttila and Kundannoor without much wait and raced towards Alappuzha. A short break at the Motel Aaraam and we were at Kottarakkara by about a half past 1. Mini, my sister, had already reached Kottarakkara, from Kollam - where she'd reached yesterday - by then and was doing a bit of shopping.
Our lunch was at an-all-ladies-run Hotel Diana where we'd a great Malayalee 'sadya'. We befriended Bindu, who'd looked after us and Sukumaran Nair, the usher at the entrance - incidentally, it was his last day. "It's too hot sir and I guess I must go" were his words as we took leave of him.
Picked up Mini at the Kottarakkara junction. Made the poor thing walk as the Chevy couldn't be parked at the busy traffic point. Met her friend, Sindhu, who looks relieved after the doctor had told her that her medical problem was nothing to be worried about. Mini had used her contacts to have her check up done at the RCC, Thiruvananthapuram without delay!
We were at Raj Nivas by a half past 2. The house looks good with the land around looking neat after the removal of the weeds and the trimming of the trees. Spoke to Mom and dad and briefed them about our programme. The laburnum, at the courtyard, looked beautiful and majestic with its immaculate bloom.
We'd a few guests through the evening and the Thrikkonnamarkodu temple officials had called on, to collect our contribution towards the cost of a 'tableau' which will be part of the long procession on Monday.
The thread of conversation between Lekha, Mini and me continued till late in the evening.
Tailpiece.
It's a tremendous feeling to be back home where I can feel my parents' presence!
The drive from then on was pleasant and we stopped at the Ananda Bhavan at Chalakkudi. We'd a combo - consisting of a masala dosa, an idli, a vada, a spoonful of upma and another spoonful of the sweet pongal - that we shared between us, washed down with a piping hot filter coffee.
Reached Ernakulam around 10 and passed through the choke points of Aluva, Edappalli, Paalaarivattom, Vyttila and Kundannoor without much wait and raced towards Alappuzha. A short break at the Motel Aaraam and we were at Kottarakkara by about a half past 1. Mini, my sister, had already reached Kottarakkara, from Kollam - where she'd reached yesterday - by then and was doing a bit of shopping.
Our lunch was at an-all-ladies-run Hotel Diana where we'd a great Malayalee 'sadya'. We befriended Bindu, who'd looked after us and Sukumaran Nair, the usher at the entrance - incidentally, it was his last day. "It's too hot sir and I guess I must go" were his words as we took leave of him.
Picked up Mini at the Kottarakkara junction. Made the poor thing walk as the Chevy couldn't be parked at the busy traffic point. Met her friend, Sindhu, who looks relieved after the doctor had told her that her medical problem was nothing to be worried about. Mini had used her contacts to have her check up done at the RCC, Thiruvananthapuram without delay!
We were at Raj Nivas by a half past 2. The house looks good with the land around looking neat after the removal of the weeds and the trimming of the trees. Spoke to Mom and dad and briefed them about our programme. The laburnum, at the courtyard, looked beautiful and majestic with its immaculate bloom.
We'd a few guests through the evening and the Thrikkonnamarkodu temple officials had called on, to collect our contribution towards the cost of a 'tableau' which will be part of the long procession on Monday.
The thread of conversation between Lekha, Mini and me continued till late in the evening.
Tailpiece.
It's a tremendous feeling to be back home where I can feel my parents' presence!
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