Table for One

 You enter a restaurant

The usher asks you" Table for..?" and pauses.

They expect 2,3 4 or many, but they are never prepared for my answer- 1 please

They look up, a wondering expression and then they lead you to a table hidden away from the public and so tiny even one cannot sit.

Is it not acceptable to eat alone or are they worried people would want the peace I get from being on my own....

Udupi travels

The beach, good food, strong coffee and plenty of sun.

Spent a day with my daughter at her college and roamed the vast campus which has birthed geniuses and paved the way for wealth for many.

Enjoyed the play she produced and met several other parents who had traveled from out of town for the same.

I explored the town which is built around the institute, everything so reasonably priced, including fine dining Japanese restaurants severing top quality fresh sushi

Day 2 took us on a whirlwind tour of the coast. We beach hopped, hopped and skipped on the beach, waded in the waters, took plenty of photos, gorged on sea food,  baked in the summer sun at St Mary's Island,  rushed to get a view of the sunset from Lighthouse beach and slowly faded into the night as the sun set behind the ocean.

Day 3 on my own! 

Museums, restaurants and back home 

The Hasta Shilpa heritage village is a delight to visit!There are 20 old homes so immaculate restored and kept open for visitors.

Some brought memories of the time I lived in an old European house with wrought iron beds and old groaning refrigerators . Some made you feel like royalty being palaces of old.

A dinner paid for my daughter while I got ready to leave by the night train, time spent with her, familiarising myself with her life away from home. 

A table for one can also lead to simple joys in life and happiness.