Annya's Enchanted Realities

It’s been two weeks since I wrote something and I think today of all days would be the best to blog about the break I took last week… in Chennai. I’d been too burnt out from work and life and didn’t have a handle on so many things. So I told myself that I needed a break and decided to go to Chennai. 

I know you all think it is weird. But there is a reason that I choose Chennai all the time. I want to disappear from my problems but I don’t want to do it in a place that is very isolated. I want a crowd around me, but no one should care to see who I am or what I do. Then there’s the language barrier. Since I used to live in Chennai, it might also have had an influence. 

I had originally planned to go to Chennai on February 14th-The Valentine’s Day weekend. But then I had to attend a family wedding on the 26th (totally unavoidable) and I decided I should leave for Chennai, a day after that. The wedding was on a Wednesday and we had to take a 5-hour trip (Up & down). So I carefully planned my day so that it doesn’t affect my work. I didn’t want to take leave unless it was really necessary. 

Question: Do you prefer traveling to crowded cities or quiet, isolated places? Why?

The wedding was great. My mom, Erin, Christina akka & I took a car to get to the wedding at our neighbouring small town called Nazareth. More than the wedding, the car ride was so memorable. We witnessed Erin dancing to the Uyi amma song that is  currently trending and singing our favourite Apt. Song by Rose and Bruno Mars (Including the rapping and all). 

I had already booked the train for the next day and it was in the evening. So again, I carefully planned the day, worked, packed and got to the station on time. I don’t usually sleep during the train ride or any ride for that matter. But this time, I  slept like a baby and only woke up in Chennai. Thank God I woke up when I did, because the train had arrived earlier than the expected time, and I would have missed the station that I was supposed to get off. From there, I headed out to my friend’s place and reached there at 6:30 AM. 

Then I freshened up and talked to her for a while. We’ve been friends for a couple of months now and this was the first time I am meeting her in person. She and her family were so kind and warm-hearted. They treated me like their loved family member.

A little after 9 AM, me and my friend, we both got busy with our laptops, started working our shifts. I swear, we were like peas in the same pod. Both of us were buried in our works and we took mini breaks every now and then. My friend actually wanted me to stay at her place. But I didn’t want to because of few obvious reasons. So that night I checked into a hotel near the Egmore railway station. That way, it would be easy for me when I had to return to Nagercoil on Sunday. 

Question: When was the last time you took a break just for yourself? What did you do?

I checked into the hotel and the first thing I did was jump into the bed and started enjoying the plain ceiling of the room. Something about it was so peaceful and cathartic. It felt like I’d accomplished something. After a while, I freshened up and then ordered dinner and ate in. Once I was done, I put my headphones on and started listening to some soul soothing tamil movie songs and don’t even know when I dozed off. 

The next day I was supposed to meet a friend/client. I freelance for his business and we wanted to discuss something business related and hang out. We had set up a meeting that evening and my morning was wide open. I felt very bored in the hotel room. Fortunately an old friend of mine had reached out to me on Instagram. It’d been a couple of years since we met each other. So we got to texting and then around afternoon, he called me. We were talking and the friendly talk transformed into a date. Yes, he asked me out and I said ‘Yes’.

Of Course before saying yes, I made sure that I called my friend/client and moved the meeting to the next day. My date was to pick me up from the hotel at 5 PM. I didn’t have much time. It was 3 PM already. So I started getting ready. 

Question: Have you ever reconnected with an old friend unexpectedly? How did it happen?

Whenever I travel to Chennai, I make sure that I carry only a couple of regular dresses that I wear, a kurti top & leggings, and the rest of my luggage would always be filled with the western clothes that I had purchased but never got to wear. I love to dress up but since I live in a small town, I don’t get much chance to do so. 

So, I took out the big guns this time. About seven months ago or so I had purchased this black long gown and I decided that it was the perfect dress for the date. Then to finish the look, I chose a red lipstick and a dark red nail polish as well. For jewelry, I choose one gold plated long drop earrings. Finally I was ready and clicked some pictures (to admire myself really lol). It was 5 PM and my date was on time. I informed the hotel desk and left for the date. 

When I got into his car, to my surprise, he also was wearing a black shirt. We laughed about it for a while and drove around. The original plan was he showed me a beach side resort with tikki hut setup and we were to head down there for our date. But we forgot to factor in that it was a weekend and the traffic was … well, you know… completely jam packed. So we ditched that plan and went to a restobar named Cycle Gap in Anna Nagar. I was making so many funny comments about the place and its name. But I was awestruck when I stepped in. The ambience was just wow… 

Me and my date started laughing over the menu card too. The restaurant had been really playful with the item names. We had a couple of cocktails and a fried corn dish and some Hyderabadi Chicken too for dinner. There was a moment of intimacy in the lift, and post that my date dropped me at my hotel and we called it a night. 

The next day I checked out of the hotel and headed straight to my friend/client’s office. I met a couple of other friends there and then we discussed business. That evening I had to go back home to Nagercoil and reached the station on time and boarded the train. 

Question: Have you ever met someone during a trip who left a lasting impression on you? Tell me about it!

On the train I got to meet two young girls who were also heading to Nagercoil. I started making conversation and found out that they were not just my hometown nativites, but also my college alumni. They were both sisters who studied in the same Women’s Christian College as me in the same English department too. We were basically reminiscing about our college campus, compared notes about the syllabus and even discussed the lecturers we had in common. I had planned to buy dinner on the train, but the sisters were kind enough to share their dinner with me and then we got to our bunks. While they both slept, I started watching some of the series that I had missed out watching the last couple of days.

At 3:45 AM I noticed that the train route was more familiar than usual. Turns out this train was early too. I woke up the sisters and alerted them that we’d reach our destination at least 15 minutes before the ETA. The cabin was suddenly all filled with a mixed sense of rush and excitement. The girls were heading home to their parents and this parent (me) was heading home to her daughter. How poetic, isn’t it? Then we decided that it would be easier to offboard the train if we stood near the door and all three of us got to the compartment door and we waited. 

The IRCTC, in a funny twist, suddenly became very responsible. Maybe they thought people like us would panic or something, so they decided to stick to the schedule. The train was in halt for atleast 15 minutes just outside the station and we reached on time. Upon departure, we bid farewell and we headed back to our own families and routines. 

Well, the trip came to an end and here I am, a week later blogging about my latest travelling experience. I got to meet new people, connect with friends, rekindle a romantic part in me (though not serious), and got a chance to recharge myself. To be honest, I see a tremendous change in me, and I would recommend everyone reading this blog to do something for yourself, that you know will help you recharge your batteries. I am not asking you to plan a trip per se. Even the smallest activity, as long as it brings you back to yourself, is worth it.