Avial

For those who are unaware, Mylapore is an orthodox (not the orthodox in Christianity sense but more like traditional) neighbourhood in Madras with a historic significance. When I went to India in Jan 2010, I decided to take a trip through the nostalgia lane like every other earning-in-dollars-US-return dude. Though not very related to the topic, can someone answer why such people take pride in dining at "Kai-endhi Bhavan" (street food, especially the ones outside star hotels), ability to argue with autowalas, board a moving bus, ... ? It is my observation that they would not settle for anything less than a Bisleri for water, pay an additional Rs.20 (40cents) to avoid any argument with autowala and dread to board a bus with no vacant seats citing unrelated reasons like timing constraints. Without further digression, let me tell you how I enjoyed my Mylapore day. Marina Beach After waking up at 5AM, checking gmail for online friends and other routine morning ablutions, I heade...

To feel at home. To step out of the airport to smell idli/ vada and sambar; to wonder if I am over-reacting and to realize that some family is invariably having idli/ vada and sambar in a corner of the arrival lounge. To get on to 21G bus wearing my "I love NY" t-shirt, with a couple of large suit-cases; to extend Rs. 500 bill for a Rs. 10 ticket and be tempted to say - "Keep the change!". To be the only guy to sweat in the bus during "Madras winter" evening. To reach home only to be scolded for the "stupidity" of carrying huge luggage in the crowded public transport. To bear hug my parents and sister. To tell them all the NY stories and reasons for me growing "thin". To get pampered unnecessarily for the imaginary "hardships" I am having to undergo in NY. To go out to a store at 9PM and find the city already sleeping. To be able to roam around in a shabby t-shirt, jeans and a slipper without feeling odd. To be able to sit bet...