You can take a woman out of India but you cannot take India out of her.
Some enlightened bloke.

For Keralites green is not a color, Green is a feeling.
Some Mallu bloke.

While you, dear reader are slogging it out behind some dreary desk in MA, I'm living it up out here in hot, dusty, humid, gorgeous Bharath!

The airplane ride to the homeland was fraught with danger, intrigue and suspense. My armor against travel hitches, my sense of humor and ready smile threatened to crack ever so often as I coped, coped...and coped.

Logan was loathesome with long lines, killing my feet, Heathrow hateful and hot despite a considerable desi presence and Dubai's dubious charms eluded this simple soul. While the brats and the spouse got upgraded to Business class halfway into the trip, your Lokvani scribe sat sandwiched between a set of bawling identical toddler twins and their aggravated mom and dad. My knees have still not forgotten the ordeal. I sat hunkered down, my knees around my ears, my large feet splayed all over the aisle. Designed specifically for vertically challenged individuals, airplane seats are torture chambers for giants like yours truly!

Not complaining folks but you know me, I like to tell it like it is! All my videshi ailments, accent, impatience etc, flew out of the airplane window the moment I beheld the beloved Matrubhumi in all her splendor. Attracting alarmed glances from my fellow passengers, my clapping and wild hoots also beckoned a concerned air steward to my side. My joy, was not contagious and as we trudged down the aisles with me beaming dementedly the twins and their parents complained noisily and endlessly. We made our way into humid, dusty old Chennai.

Joyful reunions followed, they continue still. The brats are dazed and jetlagged out of their little skulls and walk around zombielike. We eat and eat and eat some more. Mosquitos in my native land of Kochi, Kerala are welcoming me heartily and this is a reunion like no other.

It has been less than 48 hours since I got here but I have surfed every TV channel there is and have gotten a year's worth of gossip and desi news.

To keep you abreast ..things are not so hunky dory with the left and the right in India. Ambani Sr. after suffering a stroke is in Intensive care, Vajpayee ji, Sonia Jee and Kalam jee are all busy strutting their stuff if you get my drift.
Indian chicks on TV are more curvaceous and bodacious than ever, wish I could say the same about the guys on TV!

Another dispatch follows, till then, be good, dear pals, and don't do anything I wouldn't.

|