The long weekend saw me making travel plans with the kids.
The thought that this may be the last vacation we take before the exam madness and special classes takes over our lives, I decided to do something different.
A short trip, beach and culture and most importantly good food!
Booked a hotel through a friend. Got cab finalised and ready to go.
As usual last minute changes are inevitable, A school program made us change the schedule a bit and plan our return a day early.
Some decisions we make in life we regret, very early on.This was one of those.
The city normally clean and pristine and quiet, now reminded me of the city I left behind.
Filthy, noisy, yelling kids, angry drivers and of course familiar number plates.
We checked into our hotel and let the days travel fade away.
Unfamiliar with the heat and humidity we were slowly wilting.
Once the sun set, we set out to explore the French town.
We rushed towards Aurobindo Ashram just before closing time.
We walked through a maze of French sounding streets, keeping an eye out for restaurants for the night.
Being a Hindu festival weekend, the temples were abuzz with noise and colour, amidst all this resides the ashram in silence.
The clanging and trumpeting all seem to be in another world, when you enter the silent abode.
Once out, we walk towards the Promenade, the heart of the city.
Walking along the cool rocky beach, the tide crashing against the rocks, cool inspite of the humidity.
Bumping into old friends, coffee on the beach, slow walk back towards the hotel, tired, sleepy for dinner.
The wait for dinner and the lack of most of the items on the menu, was disappointing.
Yet, we sat through the long wait and returned for another day.
The next day, we drove down to Auroville to experience the community that has been set up,
Again the traffic jams and the long queues to get a parking spot was not something we wanted to experience so far away on a vacation.
We spent a couple of hours walking around, stopped at the famed Auroville Bakery for a crazed shopping spree and was glad to return to the coolness of the hotel in the afternoon.
Evening took us back to the Promenade for a leisurely walk and some popcorn and ice creams on the beach.
Dinner was at a French restaurant we rushed to early in the evening, before the crowds decided to make their move.
A wise decision, we got the best tables, the finest live music and the best service.
We enjoyed the dinner and made our escape before the mad rush began and the waiting crowds spilled onto the streets.
We made our way back to the Promenade for a walk under the moonless skies. This time of the night was not as crowded, but yet noisy,
Morning saw me at church, the famed Notre Dame church, and the Promenade for a view of the beach and crowds who could not get a room for the night sleeping on the beach front! Dirty, garbage, bottles from the night before!
Not a week to be out in this city.
We left soon after a lovely breakfast ( again getting there early was the key) and were glad to be heading home towards peace and quiet!!
