Miscarriage-It was over before it started

My 1 year old boy is a hands full baby. Extremely naughty and hyper active. Sleep is his distant friend. 24/7 is just not enough for play. I’m a full time mom and I also have help during the day to take care of my boy. In spite of that I’m exhausted every single day. Being at work would be easy and in fact have been looking out for opportunities.

I have always had elders advising me to have another baby soon, so the difficulties of upbringing my babies would pass soon and I can get back to work. But I being me have always been adamant that I will not have another baby until my little man turns 3. My reason, I don’t want my first born to be deprived of any attention because of another little one. My reasons are fair and I stuck to it until this day.

2 months after my son turned one I found out I was pregnant. This was the last thing I expected. I was petrified. Freaked out a little. And then suddenly I was excited. I felt guilty and was happy at the same time. I was going to be a mom again. Baby 2 was coming soon.

It was going to be beautiful. I don’t have to feel guilty. Its destiny maybe and that’s how things work. Pregnancy was the best phase of my life and I had an easy breezy pregnancy with my first born. I have loved every single day of those 40 weeks. And guess what! I was going to have the best phase again. My husband freaked out a little too, but was happy. The feeling of being a mom again sunk in so soon this time. I was prepared and started planning for my baby’s arrival. I had started thinking of how my baby movements would feel , how my little boy would react and how it would feel to hold a new born again and so much more. Things were just perfect. Until...

I was 6 weeks pregnant and started noticing spotting. I had it during my first pregnancy and kept a watch of my discharge. Things turned a little messy when I started bleeding. I had just negative thoughts gushing into my head, I knew something was wrong. It was midnight and we rushed to the ER. My gynecologist prescribed Progesterone injection and some tablets to sustain. She said I would be Okay the baby was gonna be OK too. We were relieved, there was hope.

The next 2 days were not great as I was sick and the bleeding had not stopped. We went back to the ER and were advised to get an early Pregnancy Scan and that’s when we realized there was no heart beat.

My heart sank. I was disappointed in myself. I tried to be strong but I did break down. The thought of my baby (though a size of a pepper bead) with no sign of life in my womb, hurt. I had my husband on my side just saying positive things and put up a strong face.

It still hurts. I was guilty. Was it because I was petrified when I found out I was pregnant, did I do something wrong. Was I not careful? I was just 6 weeks pregnant.

My doctor did explain it was quite common. A natural process where my body decides to not go forward with the pregnancy as it does not support. But I couldn’t stop feeling guilty and kept blaming myself. I wanted my baby. I was sad, angry and irritated. How could this happen to me!.

 I calmed myself and thought it over. It was the chromosomes who decided to end my pregnancy, not me. I don’t have to be guilty and I don’t have to blame myself. It’s over. I need to get over it and move on. I need to take care of myself so I can have another baby. I had to let it go.

 I have no clue when I grew to be a mother. It just happens, the feelings you have for your baby is something we just cannot explain. The strength we have is unbelievable. To all the mothers who have had a miscarriage, it’s OK. Do not blame yourself. Instead take care and prepare your body for another healthy pregnancy. We do not deserve to be blamed, by us or by anybody else.

I may not completely get over this. I lost of tiny part of me. But it’s ok. I have a bigger better part of me, right here. Running around me and making me run errands.

”You will know one day when you become a mother yourself” Now, maybe I understand what this means. Losing a baby is never easy not even when it’s over before it started.

Traditional Kodava Food: The warrior race

The Kodavas, a small race of tribes who inherit rich culture and tradition, belong to the district called Kodagu or Coorg of South India. Coorg is a beautiful hill station, surrounded by greenery in the Western Ghats of south India, also known as the “Scotland of India”. The Coffee plantation and paddy fields gives us an even better picturesque of Coorg.

Manicured Coffee Plantation

The Kodava’s are warm and hospitable folks. They are known as warriors and the only community in India that’s allowed to carry guns without permits. They are as much known for their love for good food.

Like the people, they also have a unique cuisine. Nooputtu (steamed rice noodles), Paputtu (steamed rice cake with grated coconut), Kadambuttu (steamed rice balls), Akki Otti (rice flat bread), Pandhi Curry (Pork Curry), Koli Curry (Chicken Curry), Kembu Curry (Kembu is a species of edible colocasia and belongs to the family of ALOCASIA MACRORRHIZA. The fresh shoots of Kembu are cooked to make a curry), Kumme Curry( wild mushrooms), Baimbale Curry(bamboo shoots), Kumbala curry(Pumpkin Curry),Chekke Curry( raw jackfruit curry) Kaade Mange curry( wild mango curry), Koile Meene Curry( Tiny Fish curry)and many more wild and locally available greens and vegetables. Koovaleputtu (savoury item made from ripe jackfruit, steamed in banana leaves) is among the favorites.

The best part, these delicacies are always eaten with their favorite combinations. For example Kadambuttu & Pandhi curry Otti & Kumme Curry / Kembu Curry, Nooputtu & koli Curry etc…

Nooputtu & Koli Curry

Kadambuttu & Pandhi Curry

Most food cooked by the Kodavas is steamed as it is healthy and requires no use of oil. Rice is a staple and is grown locally; hence you see most food made with steamed rice. The food that Kodavas eat is grown by them or is the ones that are naturally available. The pattern of food eaten by the Kodavas is mostly to suit the cold climate and the availability in the region. Season dictates what the Kodavas eat. Bamboo shoots are out in the rainy season and that’s when we get fresh shoots which are chopped and soaked in water for 2 days before it is cooked. Mushroom sprout out after the first rains with thunder storms. Wild Mangos are plucked during May, the peak mango season and is also preserved in barrels of salt water for the rest of the year.

Apart from this, every Kodava is a coffee lover and freshly brewed filter coffee is a staple in every household. Black coffee with jaggery is also loved and has been a favorite traditionally. Coffee is widely grown in Coorg and is a major source of income and that proves their love for Coffee.

Kachampuli, black vinegar made from the kokum fruit is used to cook Pork curry and other non vegetarian delicacies as a substitute for Vinegar or Lime. Kachampuli and green chilies are used as it cuts fat in the body.

Kodavas are also known to make their own wine at home, be it rice, gooseberry, grapes or chikku. Most Kodavas make the best wine.

Ancient Kodava men went hunting for wild Boars. The meat would be sun dried and stored for the rest of the year. Wanke Pandi yarchi(dried pork meat) is one of the most savored dish among the Coorgs. Serve it with a glass of good wine or Whisky, and you wouldn’t see a happier face. Coorg men and women enjoy their drink as much as their food.

Born to a Kodava family, I couldn’t be more proud. One of the best cuisines’s; today, not just the Kodavas, but their food as well is popular.

Yercaud: Tamil Nadu

  After months of toiling we desperately needed a getaway. I looked for places close to Bangalore and found Yercaud is just about 5 hours drive. A hill station with Coffee & spice plantation and slight chilly climate is exactly what I was looking for to get away from this scorching Bangalore heat.
Yercaud is a beautiful hill station in Salem District of Tamilnadu state in South India. It is about an hour drive uphill from Salem City .The Drive up hill through the hairpin bends was quite dry as it was summer and the temperature was over 35 degree Celsius. But, surprisingly as we reached the top we were surrounded with greenery and there was a sudden dip in the temperature.
We stayed at the Sterling Resorts, which is on the western slope of the Shevaroy hills and the property serves you with the best view of greenery and the hairpin bends. As you watch the breathtaking view of the sun set, you feel the cool breeze hit on your face and that’s exactly what you need. You just cannot get enough of the cozy weather.  We were glad we did not need a fan or Air conditioner. All we did was spend some quality time and enjoyed the weather. The resort served some delicious food too.
Yercaud Lake is beautiful, calm and clean and a nice place to spend some time. There are a couple of view points around the town and they offer great views too.
Just the right place for a weekend romantic getaway and the right climate to escape from the summer heat. We were pretty pleased we experienced Yercaud.

Sun Set

Sterling Resorts

The View

View

Sunrise shadow

Now is the time…Maybe!!

Years have passed! I have been married for over 5 years, mother of a baby boy, went on a couple of vacations, changed jobs, moved cities and went through a lot of drama in life.

These ups and downs of life are what that teaches us to be better people. In fact, one thing I have learnt is to stop worrying and let go off people who don’t value you, easily said than done. But if practiced gives us a lot of peace of mind.

About 3 years back we moved to Bangalore. That was the time we were just settling down with our lives in Mysore .My job, though I didn’t like it much, was going well. My husband wasn’t very happy with his and we took a call to move to Bangalore and look for better career opportunities.

This was new for both of us. Bangalore was new, He had just landed in a job and I did not have one. We moved in to an extra room in one of the rented apartments of his uncles. We just had started looking for a house of our own. I stayed there for about 15 days; but those 15 days a lot changed in my life. From living in a 3BHK duplex to a 1 room, having a decent job to not being employed and struggling to find a job , having the facilities to cook and eat whatever I want to being dependent on a small restaurant and most of all worried about being able to manage our finances for the next couple of months. The Rent, the deposit, etc etc..

It wasn’t long, but I was scared every minute. I was scared if we would find a decent house, a job for me and so many things going on in my mind. But, very soon within those 15 days, I landed a good job, we found a beautiful home and moved in and our life just sprang back to normal; before we realized…

It was then I realized that destiny has its own plan. Worrying doesn’t help. And a feeling of how people manage their struggles sunk in a little. And most of all, the 15 days bought me closer to my husband.

When I think back now, it wasn’t real struggle…But being in that moment of worry it did feel like and having experienced that changed a lot of things for me. I have always believed that it’s the unexpected that changes our lives, Trust me, It so does!...So if we want to do something and we feel , now is the time…then so be it…

 

First sunset from my home in Bangalore

Time: never waits

We all are in the fast phased life, where we don’t even realize time has flown by. Sometimes I just stop and think back of all the times I have enjoyed and cherished and then I think; where are those days gone!!… What am I doing to myself now?

I have been married for almost two years now.

For a lot of reasons I chose to get back into the fast phased life again though I had an option to relax and enjoy being lazy, read as many books as possible, bake a lot and so on...But, I wanted to get back to working. I like it this way, and of course it’s costing me big time.

I really don’t get time for myself, leave alone reading a book… I already feel I’m missing so much in life …I almost forgot my Dad’s birthday this year. When my sister reminded me I pretended like I remembered…I never used  to forget birthdays… and now I’m like, it’s ok…let it be…I just forgot a Birthday!

Last night I was talking to my husband and suddenly realized that, it’s been really long since I laughed till my stomach aches … And guess what; I’m craving for that,…Oh Yes!...there was a time I hated to laugh so much, I was embarrassed all the time while I went all teary while I laughed…And now I want it…

As I write this I can think of so many other things I’m missed because of my fast phased life... the list will never end

I couldn’t even spend some good time with friends when they were in town!

Priorities have changed… Friends can wait! ... That’s the scene today.

And yes. We are only waiting for the next wedding to happen to meet up.

 So what after the last wedding? We never meet? I don’t know about that;

Whatever it is, we all can wait…but time will never do so. Cribbing doesn’t help.

 I think its high time we stop; think about what we want; do what we want; spend money like millionaires; dance away to glory; read books; eat as much without being weight conscious; get a manicure; color your hair (Who cares if you look like a peacock); plan a holiday… And just laugh out loud… till your stomach aches and tears roll down and whatever…..

And along with all that you love to do, hug your loved one so tight every day, like it’s your last time… Someday, only thinking of it will put a smile on your face

I'm back...In a B-School!!!!!:):):)

It’s been over a year since I put up my last blog.(not that I’m great with it)..I wanted to write ever since, just that I wasn’t in a very good space of mind. Now that I’m back in mood to write, I have a job and a computer in front of me full time, Its high time I get back into blogging…and today I’m in a very good mood to write…Aanndd I have a lot to catch up.:)..Lots to write down about my past one year and a lot more of what’s happening right now:D

It’s been two months since I have taken up my new job at a B-School. Oh Yes!!.. I’m back in school. It feel good and reminds me so much about my college days .My first few days felt like my first few days back in college. Was a little nervous in the beginning when I saw students:p, almost wanted to hide my face...Shy!. Always felt like I was the fresher in college than an employee here. Now that I’m 2 months old here, I have made a few student friends, getting to know about the college and people here and most important of all we are working on organizing a college fest.

Yeah! A lot more interested in organizing a fest here than I was in college. I was least interested in participating in fests at college now I want to do it here. Maybe I just want to be a part of the missed out fun or maybe I’m having fun doing the job..Whatever it is, its new and its fun…Will keep posting more on this ..Happy to be blogging again JJJ

Last few days at work!

It’s been Over 2 years since I’m working with my present employer. And now it’s my last few days at work. It’s my farewell at office today and I hear my friends sitting across the cubical planning out stuff. I’m happy and sad at the same time. I know I’m gonna miss working here and I’m surely gonna miss my friends here.

The past 2 years has been so wonderful for me .I couldn’t ask for more from my first Job. This was a job of my Dreams. But neither did I dream of visiting foundries and learning stuff what I missed out in college nor did I dream I would be travelling across the globe. It’s been a journey of learning, making new friends, travelling across the world, experiencing luxury and having loads of fun.

I have always loved my job and I always feel lucky I worked here...In fact I was always proud of so many things about my employer. And with a bunch of amazing friends to work with I had no reason to crib what so ever.

I’m busy trying to convince myself that ‘All good things come to an end” and I have something better to look forward to. Life changes for sure, new people come in to our lives and we leave behind a few peopleJ. But a few people and some memories are always very close to you. So will my first job, friends I made here and my memories from my work place.

I will miss working here in Honeywell. I’m glad I got be a part of it.



Europe Memories :)



I desperately waited for my chance to visit Europe and when I did I was mesmerized. I’m loaded with memories. With time I might just forget a few of them but some memories and a few People I met will always remain afresh in my heart.

Quite a few people I met in Europe asked me what the weirdest thing about Europe was?...My answer always was ‘nothing is really weird’…Now I do have something to say, Which I have been thinking almost every day from the time I came back.

I haven’t found anything weird, but there are a lot of things which will never go of my mind and which I will cherish all my life.

Each time I think of my tour what first comes to my mind was my Landing in Pairs .It couldn’t have been better. I can still see the picture perfect shade of green carpet like farms. It makes me smile and feel amazing.

When my Colleague Zoltan Virag offered to drive me all over Slovania, Went out of the schedule and took me shopping it made me feel happy.

When my colleagues Arthur and Zoltan crossed the borders of Slovenia only to make sure I had a glimpse of Italy and took me to Sistiana, happiness flushed in me. Driving down the cliffs to see that blue ocean in Sistiana was a treat to my eyes. It was one of the moments in my life where I couldn’t stop smiling and couldn’t stop admiring the ocean. It was one of the moments where I wanted to jump, scream and laugh all together. I was overwhelmed. It was what I never dreamt off.

When Strangers offered to click my photograph while I struggled with my camera for a self photography I would literally beam.

When I was suggested to eat the local cuisine and I was told it was the best, I felt lucky and savored it.

When my Colleague Sabor offered to walk me around the town of strakoniche,Czech Republic I felt like he read my mind. I wanted to do just that. I was smilingJJ(it makes me smile even nowJ).

When my friend Annabella invited me for a picnic with her friends at the Eiffel, I happily said yes, without thinking for another second...I knew this was going to be once in a life time. I was introduced not just to her lovely friends but also to some lovely French Wine and Some Yummy French food. Every effort they took to make me feel one of them and when they spoke in English (and not French) to make sure I was involved in their conversation made me smile again. This was one of the sweetest gestures.

When Annabella offered to climb the Eiffel at midnight even after a very long day and with those sleepy droopy eyes, I felt guilty that I was asking for too much. I did feel lucky too, not everyone gets to see the midnight beauty of Paris.

When the cab driver in Paris dropped me around the corner of the hotel and said he would wait until I get into the hotel lobby just to make sure I was safe, all my fear was gone. A stranger who was concerned about my safety was a blessing in disguise. I never ever felt a genuine care of a stranger before. For a moment I just stood and smiled at him. This was one of those kindest gestures. I might never meet him again but the smile on his face as he waved me back from a distance as I entered the hotel is like a captured picture in my mind which will never be erased.

When a stranger offered to guide me just looking at my confused look made me breathe a sigh of relief. I feel guilty I doubted him first but that was a “scared me” struggling for directions in a whole new world. Again a blessing in disguise.

I have all of this fresh in my mind. I have been thanking all of them in my mind each time I think of my experience.

These people made me feel blessed, tried not to make me feel lonely and gave me so many reasons to cherish my Europe tour. All I can do is thank them for all my Europe memories and never forget themJJ.

My Time Line !!Tick Tick!!...:-0



Since I’m moving out of Pune in a month’s time I resigned from my job after I got back from home in September. Though I’m still serving my notice period I feel like I have no responsibility over anything at work even though things are the same and my work got a little hectic than usual.

All I can think of is ‘when will I get back home?’ and ‘when will I stop working!’...My mind is literally blank and now I’m counting days for my BIG day…I’m all excited, but being a control freak I try not to show it out too much. There is too much of anxiety and sometimes I do freak out.

The fact that I’m quitting my job and moving back to Coorg makes me feel like my last day at work is my last day of this part of “My world”. Actually it is true!!! The minute I leave Pune It’s all gonna be different for me. I feel I’m falling short of days, mostly short of weekends. And having this in mind I’m in a rush to do everything. I wanna visit places, meet friends, eat in new restaurants, go shopping and everything possible. Yes!!...I realized I have ended up spending hell lot of money, and put on oodles of weight. It bothers me at times, but my “one month” timeline comes into picture and I feel it’s ok to be spending too much/over eating for once!!...And I go back to my spending and hogging mood. I don’t understand why I fell I’m never gonna get all of this ever.

I’m not very sure if this is normal; I’m getting married to no stranger. I have waited all my life to get married and now when its happening it feels crazy at times. One moment I’m very happy suddenly I’m freaking out. I’m not sure if its nervousness or the Pre Marriage Syndromes!!! :-p…What do you call this!!!…Does this happen to every bride to be!...

Whatever it is, I feel happy about the excitement, and I’m even happier as the day is getting closer…(And a little weird about the freaking out):-0

To Friends:)

I was the happiest of people during the last few days of my engineering college, it’s not just because the 4 years of engineering came to an end, but also because, like I always mention I was out with a good bunch of friends… Having spent amazing time with them, and carry with me some lovely memories, I couldn’t be happier.

 The past 4 years haven’t been very different too…Though all of us in different cities, we still managed to have a few maddest of times, and Yes added lot more memories…We are all just a phone call away.

Life’s not gonna be the same forever you see…We still are gonna be a phone call away...With all of us married/to be married, things change. It is bound to happen. We are moving places and a few out of country and then managing work, home, family, additional responsibilities, etc etc. We hardly have time to spare for ourselves, and obviously Friends need to be side lined a little...Though just a phone call away maybe at times it might get impossible to keep in touch……Deep inside each one of us would be sulking about this, wishing we had more of “Me time” and more of the maddest times with friends…But we have just the memories left with us to catch up with…

When I fell low, or I’m lonely or I’m very excited I always think of calling up my friends, sometimes one of them and sometimes all in a row….This works for me;It makes me feel better and I’m smiling at the end of the conversation.

Now that I really notice things changing, I get a little worried. No matter how much the change happens, I would still want to call up friends for All the cribbing and other stupid silly reasons any time I want, I would still want all of us to plan for a vacation, would still want all of us to go shopping and act mad on the street, Would still want to walk into your houses at any point of time and I would always want to meet up as often as possible

And Just for you all to know, I’m still gonna plan vacations, pick up all your calls no matter how busy I’m and would be the happiest when you all walk in home JJJJ

Happiest Vacation Ever!!!!!



I feel like it’s been ages since I have opened my Blog. It’s been long for sure. I was on vacation and now back to Pune. With so much happening around I dint really feel like switching on my computer. I did have a lot in mind which I wanted to write, but dint have the time to spare for my blogging. I have to say this was my happiest vacation ever and has put a never ending smile on my face.:-D

My vacation started off with my very long weekend in Bangalore. Being in Bangalore never left better and meeting friends as always was the best. I really really am the happiest when I’m around with my besties. Its like”want to jump and scream” kind of happiness. This time was no different compared to our usual college days, we were cribbing, teasing each other, gossips, blah blah blah and we had “NEWS” as well. Rachna announces her engagement in the middle of the crowded shopping street. And for a few minutes we acted like there was no one else around us, hugging each other, talking at the top of our voice, shooting questions at her( And yeah!,..The very obvious answer we got from her was “I don’t know”), me making a fuss over her engagement dates (how silly!!) and all of us genuinely feeling happy for her:-D…Congratulations on your Engagement rach, we are sooper happy for you.

Since the wedding day is just a few months away I finish off my trousseau shopping in Kanchipuram. I was super excited ,but Trust me buying sarees in a lot is so not easy.  

I finally arrive at coorg for the most awaited part of my vacation, my engagement. Days fly, 8 years did, so did the next few daysJJ…It felt like just another day, there was no different feeing until I had the ring in my finger. Looking at it, Put up a everlasting smile on my face...I’m engaged to the love of my life. I was happy then and I’m happy now. A glance at my ring puts a smile on my face even now (maybe sounds a little silly, but that’s how it is!!! ) .

Europe: Epinal to Paris (Last three days)

It was Friday. I had already made plans for the evening at Paris. After a pretty good day at work I leave to Paris from Epinal. As I reach the Hotel in Paris I see Annabella waiting for me at the receptionJ…

I quickly dump my luggage and off we go for our evening plan. We were going to have a picnic at the Eiffel with a few friends of AnnaJ… Anna says it’s the favorite Picnic spot for the Parisians in summer. It definitely looked like their favorite spot. It was crowded. I loved to see the crowd.

It was a nice Picnic. A lot of chatting with a lot of French food and some French wine. It was a perfect evening for the picnic and the crowd there proved how much Parisians loved a picnic at the Eiffel. What I loved was the sparkling Eiffel. As the Clock strikes 10 P.M Eiffel is lit with Sparkling lights and it’s beautiful. It continues to sparkle after every one hour. It’s amazing. I wouldn’t have witnessed this if it was not for the Picnic plans. Anna Thanks for this. I wanted to go up to the Eiffel and Anna offers to join me. Since the elevator was down we had to climb up the stairs. Yes!! I was climbing the Eiffel only to reach the second floor at mid night. Paris looks its best from the top. Lit up Bright and colorful. I was on top of the Eiffel and very excited. JJ A Dream come true for me JJJ…

I was alone the next day. It was a bright sunny day. Weather was at its best. Had a lot of site seeing to do. Was hoping I could do some Shopping too. I Start off early with my maps; pick up some yummy pastries from the street and I was going to the Eiffel again. I reach the other end of the Eiffel, did a lot of Photography take a boat ride along the river from the Eiffel and then ride in the metro to a few places, walked along the streets and did quite a lot of shopping too. My day just flew. Thankfully I could see all the places I had in my list.

 Paris does mesmerize you. The Crowded streets, the beautiful souvenir shops, Paintings on the street, the monuments, the food, the best of pastries, the people around felt so new .And all the amazing memories and experience Paris gave me was what I had never expected.

Paris has its own charm, but it reminds you a lot of places back home. It made me feel India is beautiful too; Like ParisJJJ

All I could think when told about Paris was the Eiffel. But now with all the memories it’s not just the Eiffel that I know. I’m glad I know so much more of ParisJJJ

It was the end of my euro trip. I was happy. When you know you are going to be with your own people in a few hours time, you feel even better.

the picnic

Europe: Vienna to Epinal (Day 11 and 12)

It was my last few days in Europe. I was going to France. My excitement was all about going to Paris. I leave to the airport at about 5A.M from my hotel in Vienna. This was my worst travel plan. I was on the plane or travelling by train the whole day. Running around with my luggage Changing airports in Paris and then train stations in Strasbourg and Nancy. All I wanted to make sure I don’t miss my flight or the train. I couldn’t afford to wait more…I was exhausted.

I finally manage to reach Epinal at 7 in the evening only to find empty streets. All I knew was my Hotel was a 5 minutes’ walk from the train station. Not knowing which direction I walk and with just a few people around I go to almost every person asking for directions only to realize none of them are from Epinal and a few just nodding their heads to whatever I asked. It was irritating, my back ached and I longed for some food and a bed. And more over I wanted to see people, I wanted to see a crowded street. I just start walking not even having the strength to drag my luggage, I found a lady who told me the direction and in the next 5 minutes I was in the hotel. What a relief!!!...French food never tasted better and crawling into bed never felt so good.

The next day I was going to Clerval and Santhose for work. These are two small twin villages in France between the mountains. The people here are so warm and welcoming. I haven’t seen more polite people all my life. The landscape looks like in the posters. Mountains, Crystal clear River flowing down, a bridge full of flowers on its railings connecting the village. As the cool breeze hit my face, every person walking on the street greets me even after knowing I’m a total stranger. This place is a total different world. Totally disconnected from the rest of the world. It’s a happy world there. You see happy faces everywhere. Nothing looked fake, nothing looked strange, and nothing looked bad.  I wanted to stand and stare at all of this and I was happy here. The restaurant looked like your dining room at home with your people sitting around and talking to you. I haven’t seen a happier world. I was left wondering why we don’t live like this. I was left with a smile on my face and I was laughing at their stupid jokes. They took every effort to make me feel happy. I haven’t felt happier being with strangers who dint feel like strangers.

Driving back home I still had smile on my face. A happy day at Work. I was Feeling different. I was happy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Europe: Strakonice,Czech Republic (Day 9 and day 10)

It was my second week in Europe. Time just flies. I was ready early in the morning waiting for my colleague Gabor at the hotel in Vienna. We were going to Strakonice in Czech Republic. It was a long drive on the country side roads between the fields ready to be harvested. The landscape was beautiful reminding me of the fields back in India. We reach Czech by noon, spend a little time at a super market buying some food, eat in the car and then go to work.

It was a short day at work too. We were at the hotel early and plan up to tour the city. Strakonice is quite a small industrial city of Czech Republic, on the banks of the river Otava. It’s also famous for its locally brewed beer which the people there love. It is so scarcely populated. You see a lot of Chinese living there too and of course quite a lot of Chinese restaurants in every corner of the street. We explore the city by walking around.

The down town looked lovely with the pink pitonia flowers all over. We hardly see people in the street; the market place is also a very small area. We spotted a castle on the other side of the river. The river bank has a small park and that seemed like the favorite spot of the people there. It was a perfect place to spend an evening. They were people getting a sun bath, men swimming in the river, kids cycling around, moms walking around with their babies, ladies catching up for a chat and me enjoying all of it JJ…You know it always feels good to see happy people around you, For a moment I stood staring all of it. All you could hear was happy cheerful people, the fresh breeze and the river flowing smoothly .I had my colleague with me, I still felt lonely ,but my thoughts still went back home, I would love to sit in a place like that and spend an evening with loved ones. That place looked all happyJ.

Crossed the river and went into the castle. It’s a beautiful place too. This place has too many pubs around. We were counting pubs there. And I heard people of Czech love drinking beer. The local cuisine is delicious.

The next day was a total work day for me. We drove back to Vienna that evening since I had a flight to France the next day.

Though my stay in Czech was short, Strakonice gave me the nicest feel good memories.

Landscape on the country side roads

pitonia

the river side

Inside the Castle

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