Food Glorious Food

 

When the word marriage is mentioned, one thought which crosses my mind is good food!

And having a wedding along the coastal towns meant loads of seafood!

This was a reception, which I had to attend! A friend, colleague and a wonderful person.

 

The trip was planned for 2 days, with minimal planning required.

We had a vehicle booked and we were set!

Destination known…….

We were focused on what we were looking for! Food, Beach and Ice-creams!

Stopping by a place which was home and hopefully will always have familiar faces at night to board our bus was a pleasure.  Smiling faces at midnight working hard, never complaining! 

We left at midnight as planned.

Smooth exits, sleep banished for the night.

Several tea stops!

Games and laughter.

An unexpected stop at the break of dawn, unpreparedness for such situations.

Good samaritans who saved the day!

We could smile and thank the powers above for goodness that exists in the world!

 

We continued till we reached the city of Mangalore.

Hot, sweaty and for Bangalorians spoilt by weather, we were ready to slip into air-conditioning comfort.

A long wait to figure out a stop for the night, a quick walk to check out a place close by.

A hungry march to eat at a local darshini.

Hunger satiated, but another shocker welcomed us!

A locked vehicle, no proper papers!!

We were a patient lot, the smokers, enjoying the time for yet another smoke!

Settling scores, we started on a long journey to the beach front.

Checked into our room, freshened up and our quest for food began.

We knew where we wanted to go, with only 1 place being open so late in the evening.

Gajali it was, an old familiar haunt from my days in Mumbai.

Food pleased us, satisfied our cravings and cold beer was a welcoming pleasure!

Giving the driver a much needed break, we made our way to Tannirbhavi beach to view the sunset.

Grey skies, slow drizzle, ensured we had a cool evening with no sun set views.

The calm of the beach, the waters telling you to drown your sorrows in them, the sound of the waves all quietening the soul.

Soon, darkness brought about plans for dinner! 

A visit to the beach is not complete without beach food!- churmuri perfect for the weather!

A ride back to the city, for the famous Mangalore Pabbas ice-creams

Creamy, soft, smooth, delicious, no icicles, just perfect! 

Soon after which dinner plans were made. 

This time at Maharajahs yet another landmark in the city. Brisk walking ensured we built an appetite soon after we had a sinful dessert.

More seafood, more gluttony and more assault on the taste-buds.

A relaxed dinner and it was back to the resort for much needed sleep.

Sleep came soon and peaceful, knowing the beach awaited us in the morning,

A walk to the beach early morning is a luxury we enjoyed that day.

Just us and the beach.
i could hear the waves telling me to let go of what was beyond my control.

Telling me that life is a constant to and fro, we give, we receive.

Traveling with boys sometimes men, always reminds me that time is never of importance to them.

We still managed to leave at 9:30 am , 2 hours later than planned,

A mistake, knowing it was going to be a hot sunny day in an open fort area.

Spending 2 hours at a fort, whose history we were yet to read, but made familiar with  a famous movie song enacted there, the climbs, the walks, the sweat, the views!

Lots of juice and ice cream later, we headed back to head out of the city.

Packed and ready to leave, we stopped for lunch  at a hole in the wall restaurant which served the most delicious biryani I have eaten.

What was supposed to be  a quick stop, took a long break.

Soon we were on our way to Udupi with dessert plans in place.

Reaching, greeted by the newly married couple, and taken off for the famous Diana Gadbad icecream!!

A scare, again faith in humanity restored, quick shower, a walk to a church close by, Sunday complete!

The reception was a small affair, main focus being on food.

Dinner was good as anticipated, meeting more friends there, made the heat and sweat worthwhile!

Back to the hotel for the bus and on our way back to Bangalore.

We made good time, no surprises on the way.

While the boys/men slept, I kept vigil.

Back home, content, knowing I had left something back at the beaches.
Happy for friends who were now married. 

Looking forward to more friends wanting to get married!

Life is good!

Grateful Living

11 years ago, there was a special birthday gift! The ‘D’ Word! 32, 2 young kids, a day old job! No money!

1 year later! the eventuality happened! 

Celebrating 10 years of being single! 10 years of growing strong!

This post is not about my divorce process, nor about the struggle to win custody of my babies.

It’s all about gratitude! 

A big shout out to friends and family who helped me survive first few years and then live the next few strong and confidently.

Who helped me raise happy children!! 

Lakshmi, for listening to what I could not share with anyone else. For helping me let it out and return to temporary sanity. 

Sophia for helping me with a much needed job which helped me fight and stand up on my own.

Anitha, my tear catcher! Other than my tear soaked pillow, Anitha soaked my tears as well, stood by me while I tried to make sense of my life which was falling apart. 

Avtar, a saviour who trusted me, gave me purpose, a job which I loved, people I adored, keeping my depression at bay.

Piyush, Harsh, Vivek, Rama, Kanishka, Ranjita for all the fun and understanding! For giving me a sense of belonging. For helping me find a life outside the tears. For the smiles, the laughter and the joy of living. For being friends!  For giving my kids a reason to smile!

Kiran, for always being a friend! allowing me the freedom to say anything freely, remaining non judgemental, for listening to my complaints! Teaching me life has to be about me as well! 

When slowly sanity returned into my life, when life seemed bearable, Conrad, Amey, Aditya for all the evenings of fun, deep conversations and total abandonment.

Passion, living a full life, impetuous, wild! Finding myself!  Gaurav, he taught me to push beyond my realm, to take on things head on and challenge myself constantly. Gave me a blog name, pushed me to bake and bike and strengthened my mind to take on more than I could handle!! 

Mindfulness and Mindlessness! Much needed!

So many people, in so many ways, you have helped me become stronger, wiser and happier!

I had bought my first diamond earring soon after the divorce, cos somewhere I heard that              ‘’diamonds are a girls best friend” It is true!! My diamonds have been all my friends!  Rarely do I depend on my earrings for solace!!!

Seeing their child suffer through a divorce, seeing their grandchildren’s confused look, themselves wondering what would it be. My parents, stood by my decision, helped me get my life back on track. Respected my wishes! Even though I had gone against theirs once before and failed miserably! They saw me suffer, helped me through my anger, hatred, frustration and still loved me!!

My two amazing daughters! for their hugs and kisses, for the unconditional love!! Yes, there have been moments when I wished I had not fought for custody, there were days, I felt I was being a terrible parent, there were things I could not afford, there were places I could not take them, I felt it was unfair on them. They deserved more than what I had to give! 

They never demanded, they never rebelled! they dealt with the whole struggle I was going through as well as their own with so much maturity!!  My pride and joy. My reason for being!  Today they are sensible teens with so much love to offer. 

My two gifts from a short marriage!! 

Of course, my ex-husband, who taught me to be fiercely independent, be of strong mind and body, make my own decisions, be a giver. All by leaving me to fend for myself!!! 

To the many who took all I had to give, left me crying when I needed something, turned me down with ease, Thank You! You taught me to be resilient, to give without expectations!
Yes, also taught me to appreciate true friends! 

One door closed, but when I allowed myself to stop crying and wipe my tears, I noticed there were several doors just waiting for me to enter! 

This is not about how far I’ve come, but how much further I know I can go, ‘’with a little help from my friends’’

Love and gratitude always!!

This one song speaks so much!