(Google map timeline of my South tour)
The Subtle Power of Literacy
Did you ever wonder how literacy makes difference on a broader perspective? Well, then Kerala (popularly known as God's Own Country) might have an answer for you. In India, state Kerala has the highest literacy rate which hovers around 96.2 cents, way higher than the national average of 77.7 cents. Here is a story.
On a delightful morning around Nov-2020, I was hovering on the roof of my PG at Trivandrum, Kerala. The time was atypical as the Coronavirus cases were soaring in the state shutting the vibrant tourism industry of GODS OWN COUNTRY. From the roof, I saw a pedlar wearing a mask selling breakfast on his Luna motorcycle. Upon arrival of a customer, he got down the bike, sanitized his hands, pulled an elastic glove in his hand, handed over the Puttu-kadala curry (a variety of breakfast) and gently put his glove back to its place. he repeated it for every customer he came across.
With India's massive population, peddlers are less privileged people who struggle to get their basic amenities like food and are least concerned about putting their hard-earned money in gloves & sanitizer. I couldn't believe that sight as I never saw a gesture like this by a street vendor. certainly, the credit goes to education and awareness. That was not the only event which caught my attention: I was put on a 7 days quarantine only in Kerala during my five months of south tour, the participation of the majority of young female contestants during state local body elections and their door to door campaign, maintaining physical distance at religious places, strict following of law and orders, the decentralized structure of cities with an abundant green patch in and around each house, preserving the biodiversity, diversifying their farming into large varieties of spices along with peddy etc are few to mention. In my 45 days of wild travel throughout Kerala, I didn't even come across a single scenario where the covid19 rules were not followed. That's the beauty of an educated society. Although a large section of Kerala built in & around backwaters and ghats (valley) by making it very challenging to offer the education to the remote areas, the past governments, educational agencies and the people went above and beyond to educate the entire Malayalam community.
Home Away from Home
The magical Munroe inland islands are located at the confluence of Astamudi lake and Bellada river in Kollam district of Kerala. It takes a complete day to explore and experience this part of heaven. After exploring Kollam, Poovar and Munroe islands, I got late for supper at my PG. Valsala Surendran auntie, the owner (also manages kitchen) of the pg, is about to leave for her home. On my arrival, upon seeing my strained face, she inquired whether I had my dinner or not, to which I responded NO. With my day-long absence from PG, she assumed I will eat out and didn't prepared food for me. She got concerned and invited me to her home for supper, which is around 400 meters away from PG.
I got refreshed quickly and marched. With a short walk, I bumped into a simple, moderately large Kerala-style house with boundary holding variety of plants within. On my arrival, a jolly Valsala auntie welcomed and toured me through her house. A large wall tv & a hanging chair in front of it, kitchen, fish container, on the 1st floor two of her son's bedroom, rooftop & her friend's house. During the tour, I sensed a loneliness in her heart. Though she has two young pilot sons, most of the year they are occupied by their job leaving this old couple alone at home. It made me realize the importance of children's presence after a certain age. I felt sorry and sat quickly on the dining table thinking to finish my dinner fast. Tasty food arrived with six variety of delicious food items including Kerala spices. Valsala aunty also joined me and we ate together.
Some 1800km away from my home, I was eating in a beautiful house with a mother like women. I felt home. After my dinner, I thanked both aunty and uncle and departed for PG. Even during our (me with friend Raju & Sumit) many breakfasts at the PG, Valsala aunty remain with us interacting joyfully. We always enjoyed her innocence and motherly care. Our country is full of generous people like Valsala auntie. Rightly said, Incredible India!
The Lost Souls
With each elevation, the thinning breeze becomes chillier by carrying the aroma of tea plantations surrounded by lust green spikes of rolling hills that stretch up to the horizon. Proudly holding the Anamudi peak, the highest peak of western ghats in its premises, the breathtaking MUNNAR is one of its kind, not only India but in the entire world. And I am so fortunate to traverse it on my Himalayan motorcycle, which gave the opportunity to breach into the territories very few people dare to explore.
At night, I retired to a hostel dedicated to traveling community named THE LOST HOSTEL. It's located on a steep hilltop by offering a scenic view and provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with travelers come for Munnar. On the roof, I bumped into Atul, Sreesankar & Yedu - three friends hailed from Kerala. Atul, a wanderer with sharp imagination, rolled a joint made of cannabis powder and we all puffed the psychoactive smoke into drizzle clouds of Munnar sharing our experiences.
After some time we decided for coffee and strolled down for the kitchen where I came across our only female member of that hostel. She is of wheatish complexion with a passionate spirit and framed in a not-so-perfect structure. Even some part of my heart drowning with shyness by seeing a female character but she radiated no shyness or discomfort. She actively interacted with everybody listening to their stories and wishing them with good luck. I can help nothing but deeply admire her. We(all) drank coffee, we played Jenga, we hit Dart, we read books and amidst the inspiring decorations of the hostel, we celebrated life in its profoundness.
Tales of South series contains short stories of my solo motorcycle ride throughout southern India. Though my personal experiences, it's not really about me, it's about SOUTH, its kind people, unique culture, customs, beliefs, food and biodiversity. Through this series, you will have a glimpse of how unique this region is in India as well as in the entire world. This is the last blog out of my three blog South series and the stories are organized in chronological order.
👉 Know who raised me at DECODING FATHER
👈 Tales of South2 at Tales of South 2: Ancient city of Madurai
Thank you for reading :)
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