Chapter 23: Goodbyes and Goodlucks!

I accept that I was so excited about my big move to Toronto. But as the days passed, I begin to realize one thing, one most important thing! I'm going to travel to an other part of the world, a part which lies in the extreme end of this world, which means that I could not meet or be with my family and my most beloved friends for at least an year. One year is a very long time. I must travel across a winter, summer, spring and an autumn to meet my family and friends again. This thought haunted me for days. I spent some sleepless nights. The travel excitement slowly faded away and I felt a restlessness throughout the week. My final week in India taught me few lessons which I wouldn't have learned, if not for this travel.

On a rainy afternoon, I got a call from my friend. The phone call made it obvious that she was in some kind of a dilemma and she wanted to talk to me about that. After an hour or so we were sitting in a coffee shop which was inside a nice big mall. We talked and talked a lot, we shared our problems, we had a nice lunch, we shopped, we walked a lot and we finished the day with a nice and long bike ride in the rain. That day was certainly, one of the best days of my life. Later that night, I got an update of a new post in her blog. When I checked out, I was so happy to find out some happy words about the day and the bike ride. I realized that how much she means to me and certainly she means a lot more to me than I think!

Somewhere in the middle of the week, I was sitting and watching some comedy show when I heard the calling bell sound. I opened the door to find a courier delivery for my name. A courier? For me? I swear that was the weirdest thing ever happened. I never, ever got a courier or a parcel. The address read one of my college mate's name, who also happened to be my close friend. I was so curious and I opened it with my sister to find a huge surprise! Lots and lots of gifts! Parting gifts! I can't explain the feeling in words. A book of my most beloved author, a cute coffee cup, a beautiful time piece, a pure white sand clock and my most favourite chocolate bars. I was even more surprised when I learnt that she had already discussed about the plan with my sister and got my home address from her. No one had ever did that to me. It takes at least some amount of affection to make this effort, an effort to make me understand that how much I mean to her and I know that I mean a lot more to her than I think!

It was a cold night, the night before my travel. Everything was set, bags were packed and it was the last night in India, in my home, with my sister, with my mom and dad. It was midnight when I finished all of the packing work.
My sister came near me and said "Today is the last day, right?"
"Yeah"
"Hereafter, I must have to watch 'The Mentalist' and 'The Big Bang Theory' all by myself, right?" by saying this she hugged me and started crying. Those words were strong! Simply strong! I was on the verge of crying, but I had to control. I should be strong, or else it would create an impact. I have to show that I'm happy and excited about the travel. At least that would convince my family. I convinced my sister and that moment made me realize how much my sister means to me and how much she loves me. Certainly, we fight a lot, we do use swear words when we fight, but that's what makes the bond strong. I'll never give up on my sister and I'm sure she would never give me up.

I still had two hours left. My uncle and aunt, my close college buddies Ram and Srivatsan helped me a lot in my final stages of packing and we at last we called a cab and I was all set to for my big travel. Half-an hour later we were standing near the 'Departure Gates' of Chennai International Airport. We accompanied my other two friends who were coming with me to Toronto and their family. Lots of my friends and relatives were present that day to bid me goodbye. I never expected that number. I was so surprised to see my mom handling it pretty well. I thought she would be so upset. My dad was so normal as usual, even he's upset he would never showcase that. That's what dads do right? My sister was so happy for my next big step. The tears and hugs made her strong. Inspite of all the tips, advice, ideas, phone calls, kisses, hugs, I managed to share some time with my friends. After few hours, there came the final boarding announcement. There were 'Goodbyes and Goodlucks' everywhere around the place. Goodbyes, waving hands, my friends, relatives, mom, dad and my sister began to disappear as I stepped into the immigration center. After finishing all the formalities I was waiting for the announcement for my flight. That's when I got a message from my sister which said "Mom is crying!"
That's what mom's do right? Act strong before us! I then called again and convinced her while I got another message from my friend with whom I had that unforgettable bike ride. It said "I'm gonna miss you a lot!"

Finally, after a very long wait, there came an announcement for the passengers, asking us to board into the flight. Out of all the confusions and worries I totally forgot that that was my first flight experience. It was much more similar to a first class train and I was lucky to have a window seat. I was told to switch off the mobile phone and exactly ten minutes after that announcement the flight took off with a great speed. The big buildings, small houses and streets were moving away from my sight. Slowly I was moving away from my city. I looked down as far as I could. Things started to fade away. After a minute or two everything just went blank and as the flight drifted through the night sky, small drops of tear started to run through my cheeks. That tear meant everything, everything I ever said and somethings which I never said!

My Window Seat in the flight!

Chapter 17: Honda Activa !!!

Whoever reading this post: Don't be too alarmed! This is not a huge post describing my new bike (If I'm allowed to call that a bike). This is a really small and quick post. So, bear with me!



As you've already figured out, I bought a new bike (or scooter). It's not a brand new Honda Activa, but its a Honda Activa. Recently I've been asked the same question again and again. 'Why Activa? Why not a bike?'
There are lots of answers or reasons for this question.
First and Foremost ...
1. No other vehicle was available at that time and I wanted it within two days.
I know that the above reason serves the purpose, but still there are some other valid ones ...
2. I'll be using this scooter, only for four months. Then it will be used by my dad or by my sister. Both of them, could not use geared vehicles.
3. My mom is not very comfortable with the thought of me driving a geared vehicle in the 'IT EXPRESSWAY' which is a dangerous road stretch. (That's where my office is located!).

MY NEW-OLD BIKE ...



I found that all the above reasons are totally valid and at last I bought my own 'green-colored' vehicle !!!
I read lots of negative reviews about Activa. But I have no complaints whatsoever. It's so smooth to drive and it feels like flying while driving. (Okay, am exaggerating!). But it does feel good. It's a new addition to my friends list. Lots of long and adventurous road trips await both of us!

Chapter 4: Travel and Cultures

Internet sowed an additional interest in my heart, more like a bonus. That is TRAVEL and CULTURES!!!
This blog's consistent reader would have known that I'm more of a wanderer. I like to explore different places. Even in the small town of Guduvanchery, I found some cool places like small mountain ranges and a hidden lake. I used to spend my weekends there.



But in Chennai, I didn't even get a single opportunity to explore such places. The city is fully crowded and each and every corners are occupied. So without my exploring and wandering stuffs, I had much time left in which I'd think of things which some people might consider as crazy or insane. I'd spend a lot of time under the 'big roof night sky' which makes me think about some other part of the world where there'd be a day sky. People would be busy, walking in the lanes, eating in the restaurants, breaking up, proposing, working their asses out while I'm lying under the night sky thinking about them after a long and tiresome day. Time's now 11.00PM in India. While I'm writing this blog, a shepherd could be starring the miles and miles of green bare fields in Argentina, a French painter could be working on his masterpiece by watching the Eiffel view from his open window, a romantic couple could be enjoying their Gondola ride in Venice,a soldier could be facing his death in Iraq, a merchant could be enjoying his Hawke's bay wine in New Zealand. This list could go on and on and on ... I feel that this is one of the wonders of our creator.




Lots of things are going on around the world in this very second, but you must step out to feel that awesomeness. At least that's what I feel. This is just a sample of my insane thought process. This thought advanced into travelling when I saw a discovery series called '1000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE'. I downloaded it from the internet so, Internet is the basic reason for my travelling thirst. I have a big world map in which I've marked the places with the red spot, the places I've been to! My dream is to finish the globe before I die. I wanna meet people, I wanna enjoy each and every places which God has created, I wanna see cultures, I wanna know history ...



Along with my urge of film making, I developed an urge and thirst for travelling. But again as usual, I didn't know that my life's gonna take a big turn, the turn which opened the door to quench my thirst, the thirst of film making and travelling !!!