11 August 2009
Green coconut trees swaying in the wind, the bright afternoon sunlight glancing off the waters, little waves rippling on its surface- flashing like sequins… the backwaters looked like a silk sari laid out on the land…glinting & mesmerizing with its seductive charm… some unknown water bird calling in low musical notes…the wind lulling me to a near stupor of lazy contentment…
Hmmm. Enough of that. I’m not getting paid to daydream!
But if wishes were horses, and pigs had wings…well, there would be hordes of pigs flying through the air (not to mention, spreading swine flu in all probability!). Where was I? Oh yes, if wishes were horses, I’d rather be there, instead of here at work, dreaming of the strange fantasy land I’d left behind…
Strange? Fantasy? Amritapuri?
Yes. Amritapuri is a strange fantasy land for me; for I see things I don’t see anywhere else, or at least where I come from. People always happy, smiling 24/7…
You think that’s strange? Look around you now where you are – how many do you see? My last count as I sit at office = zero. Folks holding white collar jobs eager to do hard physical labour (usually the kind that gets you dirty & wet) …being civil to someone you know from back home (just to avoid whom, back home, you would be happy to duck behind the nearest tree) … folks sitting for hours with their knees squeezed up to their chest, occupying just 6 square inches on the floor, with at least 4 pairs of knees (not theirs), jammed into various parts of their anatomy, watching another lady hugging folks rapidly… all this with huge grins plastered to their faces like this was the best thing to happen to them…
Strange? You bet.
Wishing for some ice cream in the heat? Available at the Juice stall. Pizza? Available at the western café. Carrot soup for the vegetarian soul? Definitely available at the western kitchen. Madras maami longing for idli, dosai & sambar? Take your pick at the Indian canteen.
Doll house, library, book store, temple, old friends, sea shore, dolphins, soulful music, red sunsets, orchids (yes! at the new horticulture nursery), finger chips, swimming pool, flea market (for the shopaholics), boat rides, bells, carbonated coconut water(!!!), hospital, hostel, 101 nationalities, elephants, butterflies, homam, advanced computer research lab and love…all under one roof.
Fantasy land? You definitely bet!
(am waiting for the roller coaster to be added soon)
Amrita? Available on all days. Puri? Available (on certain days for breakfast)
Amritapuri? You most definitely bet!!!
With the one & only Amma, who can make strange fantasy lands. And make them so beautiful. And strangely fill you with longing & satisfaction at the same time. I want to come back, Amma. Yeh dil maange more!
Minu Anand, Chennai.
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