Motoring Memories - Southbound 2

 17 Jan 24

The day started way before day dawned. The crowing of the roosters and the cawing of the crows broke our sleep at I don’t know what time. We finally woke up to see the rising sun streaming through our large window. Quickly grabbed the phone to click a few pics from the balcony just to prove that we saw sunrise😬

We then changed and walked up leisurely to the beach. Water was at just the right temperature so we enjoyed splashing for some time and then got back to the guest house. Decided to have a quick bath and then went for breakfast. The lady who owns the place was mopping the common area. We watched as she systematically cleared the place and dot at 8.30 went around with a bell (which we use in South Indian religious ceremonies) in her hand announcing readiness of breakfast. It also brought a Murder of Crows (I checked the collective noun for Crows) They seemed to know it was breakfast time for them too. 

A fruit platter, soft Idlis with Sambar and delicious Coconut-chutney, locally baked bread with butter and jam and pancakes in the form of Dosa with Chocolate spread in the middle and hot coffee filled our tummy. We were served sweetly on the table and told not to leave the table under any circumstance. Just then a lady left her table to talk to her friend and within seconds, 2-3 of the crows dived in and ate away an idli, some fruits and one even enjoyed a beak full of lovely homemade jam. After seeing all these activities it was time for us to leave and we took off to Auroville ashram. 

Auroville - I have run three marathons around Auroville but never ever thought of entering the ashram itself. What a dream and what a miss in life till today. Matrimandir was closed but we could do a free walkthrough the ashram premises and view the Matrimandir from afar which was a sight to behold. 

Serene is the word. Walking through the greenery which has been grown into a forest from 1969 was mind blowing.

Even though it was 11 in the morning, the wind whispering through the leaves of the forest kept us in cool environs. To know about the history of Auroville was so inspiring.  

We then went to Pondicherry (Puducherry) to drive around the French part of the town (White Town) but it turned out to be a crazy day to travel. The streets were packed with people in their finery, young guys in bikes zipping in and out of lanes, traffic snarls in narrow streets. It looked as if the world was out in Pondicherry on the last day of Pongal ( Kari naal). Somehow managed to squeeze out of the melee and instead of struggling to find a restaurant recommended by friends, parked in a No Parking slot and walked to the nearest eatery. Of course, luck was on our side then. With the security guy happy to hear someone speak Hindi and an Army sticker on the windscreen, he gave us a nice parking slot adjacent to the restaurant. And it was a good choice. 

Bread and Chocolate - A very informal place on a rooftop and a totally different and delightful cuisine. The place also hosts Dilliwala, another restaurant but we chose Bread and Chocolate. We ordered Pink Soda, a mix of Lime Juice with Pomegranate and it was super refreshing. We then tried out The Veggie roast and Mezze Platter.

                 

Crazy combo and we were stuffed by the time we finished. To top it all up, we ordered a Peppermint Chocolate Vegan ice-cream. Fully sated we then decided to walk around the promenade. The sun beating down and just people milling around was kind of … boring. We then drifted into the streets and suddenly came upon the Aurobindo Ashram. Well, in all these years I never understood the essence of the meaning quiet till today. Volunteers inside made us switch off (No Silent No Aeroplane mode) literally Switch off the phones and the moment we walked a few steps there were others who checked if the phones were actually switched off. People sitting quietly meditating, walking around the Samadhi and not a whisper. It was nearly eerie. In India, in the midst of a bustling street this kind of quiet was unheard (no puns intended) of. After the visit we decided to head back to the room and snooze. 

It’s ages since we have done this - Walk Around-Eat-Sleep-Repeat. No doing anything - Just Being

We got up after a short nap and noticed that the sun was setting - yet again. How time flies. More than 24 hrs since we came to Auroville. So decided yet again to go to the beach. The mood was different. We discussed deep abstract subjects which we hardly get to think about at home. What are we thinking now? How can mind be made still? Why do we need to make the mind still? Once we ran out of answers we just sat - still. 

The mood was different. We discussed deep abstract subjects which we hardly get to think about at home. What are we thinking now? How can mind be made still? Why do we need to make the mind still? Once we ran out of answers we just sat - still. I closed my eyes and just heard the waves washing over to the shore again and again and again. No let up - seemed purposeless. Realised that nature in itself just is. No purpose, just be. Isn’t that what I wanted in this journey of mine too. And soon it looked as if the same waves were washing the insides of my mind removing all thoughts. I drifted and didn’t realise anything till I heard a faint voice saying Shall we? It was turning dark and 15-20 mins had just passed by. At last I found that space where I did nothing and thought nothing. So peaceful  and so energizing. 

Refreshed we got up and decided to head out for an early dinner and guess what. Most eating places were closed. The thoughts of pizza vanished and we ordered Rice Pulao and some Paneer and a nice glass of buttermilk. Sated we returned to the room, did a quick repacking since we had to leave early next morning and turned in.