Sunrise to Sunset

The weekend that went by saw yet another train journey.

This has been quite a record for me who never gets an opportunity to travel by overnight trains to do 2 such journeys in a month.

Travel by train requires advance thinking and planning in India. With the ticketing window open 3 months in advance, tickets get booked much earlier.

And so it was that this trip was planned in May. A 2 day trip, touch and go, to my roots!

A run organised in Tuticorin, the town of my birth, prompted me to book my tickets and think about running there, not much into traveling to run, this was an exception, a yearning!

Did not give it much thought after the booking, since the college reunion took precedence and created more excitement.

Tuticorin to me, while growing up meant great grandparents showering their love, aunts and uncles and cousins and play all day. Out on the streets, in the sun, visiting relatives, beach trips, churches and heavenly food! Sand everywhere, in your hair, in your shoes, in your bed!!!

A town where time to me stood still, where clothes spoke of wealth and jewels adorned every man and woman.

After moving out of TamilNadu and getting a taste of the North, West, East and other parts of South India, Tuticorin was left orphaned!

Trips were rare with work, children, school and other interests taking over my life.

Cousins had left town, few remained, but the childhood feelings had long gone and what was left was a distant memory. The house we spent our holidays in had been sold and the street held no recollection for me!

Yet, I looked forward to the run for more than just the run, a chance to be back where I was always loved and greeted with genuine affection. Where I was proud of my family genealogy!

When the run was postponed, I felt no sorrow. With an ailing uncle and aunt, with cousins and babies who were still not met, I decided to still visit.

Yes, the town had aged along with me, the buildings looked grey in the afternoon sun, some had been renovated still wore a weary look of having seen time pass by.

I loved the feel of sand under my feet, in my hair and in my bed.

It was all I was hoping for, loads of love, amazingly fresh food, smell of the sea, special churches, rekindling memories, creating new ones, babies and kisses and hugs!!! No one was a stranger. It felt like coming home!

Pampered, loved, one sunrise to another sunset.