Breakfast with a Chef:

Bangalore is (in)famous for its IT professionals. The population of IT and ITES professionals is so much that there are even quotes stating:

"If you throw a stone randomly, there is every chance that it will hit a dog or a Software Engineer. While the dog may or may not have a strap around its neck, the Software Engineer will definitely have one."

(This doesn't imply you can throw a stone on a dog or a Software Engineer, to check if it is valid. Furthermore sorry to poor dogs for being compared to Software Engineers and moreover dogs are much worthier than Software Engineers. )

But Bangalore does have many other non software professionals too who come from far and away the globe to make a living. Yesterday I had a rendezvous with one such non-Software professional working in Bangalore.
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There are many ways to go to office in Bangalore. From your own private vehicles to public transport and semi public transport vehicles. Semi public are otherwise known as cabs and ply taking charge >= the public transport charge. They are mostly sought by the office goers at peak hours, since they are comfortable, less crowded, fast and can squeeze through the crazy Bangalore traffic.

As usual on a cool, winter,lazy late morning(11 am), I got into such a cab yesterday and was sitting at the last row browsing FB in my smart phone. I was deeply into the posts, likes and comments, when the person next to me excused me and asked whether I will give him my mobile to make a call to his superior. Though I usually decline such requests when at a walk, I thought it was safe enough to give my mobile to him in a moving vehicle. The man had a North Eastern look(not being racist) and seemed genuine. He said his mobile had been switched off and wanted to inform his superior that he will be late to work. I gave him the mobile and he called his senior and informed him. After the call he promptly gave me back the mobile and conveyed his thanks.

As usual we got stuck in the traffic and were snailing past Maruthi Nagar. I decided to have a chat with my North Eastern friend.

Me: "Aap kahaan pe kaam kar rahe hein?"
NorthEastFriend: "Mein Leela Palace mein kaam kar raha hoon"
NEF: "Wahaan pe khaana bhanaatha hoon mein."
Me: "Acha aap wahaan pe chef hein?"
NEF: Haan
NEF: Wahaan pe head chef hein. Unko hi phone kiya tha mein.

I was amused to get an interesting co passenger to chat for the rest of the journey.

Me: Aap kahaan se hein?
NEF: Mein Darjeeling se hoon.
Me: Tik hein
NEF: Aap kahaan pe kaam karthe hein?
Me: Mein IBM me... Software Engineer(yuck!! his stone hit me.)
NEF: Tik hein.
Me: Aap yahaam pe kithne saal se kaam kar rahe hein?
NEF: Che maheene se kaam kar rahaa hoon. Darjiling me padaa tha usse pahele.
Me: Acha, aap hotel management pade the?
NEF: Haan.. Diploma ek saal ke.
Me: Oh.. Baarah(12th) ke baad join kiye the kya?
NEF: Haan.

It came to my mind that I had not asked him his name.

Me: Aapka naam?
NEF: Vijay Rana.
Me: Mein hoon Sridhar.
Me: Acha, tho aap kya kya banaathe hein?
VR: Mein Chinese, Korean aur Japanese.
Me: Oh bhahuth acha.
VR: Head chef bhahuth ghussa vaala hein. Is liye hi phone karke bholna pada.
Me: No problem.
VR: Khaana banana hein naa. is liye hee
Me: Acha. Yeh Chinese, Korean aur Japanese aap college mein pade the kya?
VR: Haan.
Me: Whaan pe specialisation kiye?
VR: Haan wahaan pe hamare interest ke hisaab se chun sakthe hein.
Me: Tik hein
VR: Head Chef daant the hein sabko khoob. German wala hein.
Me: Acha, Germany se hein? Naam kya hein?
VR: Rrrudf. Couldnt hear him properly due to the honking of the vehicles in the infectious

TB(traffic block).
Me: Kyaa?
VR: Rudolf
Me: Achaa. Baahar ke log hein kya head chef?
VR: Haa. Indian log bhi hein.
Me: Tik hein.

Me: Aapko Head chef ban ne keliye kithne saal lagega
VR: Smiles...
Me: Kam se kam.
VR: Baarah saal lagega.
Me: Tho abhi se 11 1/2 years?
VR: Smiles again.
Me: Aaap aur head chef ke beech mein kithne sections hothe hein.
VR: He says some official bands which I couldnt hear as we had reached the next TB and

honks.
Me: Acha. Experience se ho jaaye ga
VR: Haan. Experience aur education bhi.
Me: oh. Tho Kaam ke saath padaayi bhi kar sakthe hein?
VR: Haan. Training hotha hein. Mein bhi gaya thaa Chennai training lene.
Me: Chennai mein. South Indian food ke?
VR: Nahin. Wahaan ke Leela Palace mein. Chinese, Korean aur Japanese ka hi.
Me: Oh training keliye bhi jaana hein?
Me: Aap Chinese, Korean aur Japanese hi banaathe hein?
VR: Haan.
Me: Iske siva, Indian nahin banaathe hein?
VR: Uskeliye alag se log hein.
Me: Oh sab keliye alag se group hotha hein?
VR: Haan.

VR: Trainings hotha rahtha hein, Chennai, Kerala, Mumbai..
Me: Mein Kerala se hoon. :-)
VR: Acha mein bhi gaya hoon Kerala.
Me: Oh
VR: Kovalam.
Me: Haan Vahaan ke Leela mein?
VR: haan vahin.
VR: Hamaare boss bhi Kerala ka hein.
Me: haan patha hein. :-)
Me: dekha hein ka aapne unko?
VR: Haan ek baar dekha hoon.
Me: Yahaan pe aaye the?
VR: Haan Bangalore Leela me aaye the.

Me: Achaa aapko Chinese, Korean aur Japanese mein kaunsa acha lagtha hein?
VR: VR: Korean.
Me: Yeh Korean Sushi vagera hotha hein naa?
VR: Sushi tho Japanese hein.
Me; Acha.. Woh bhi banaathe hein?
VR: Haan.
Me: Lekin bhahuth expensive hotha hein naa?
VR: Mainly vahaan pe bhahar vaalaa he aathey hein.
Me: Oh. Diplomats, Corporates, vagera...
VR: Haan. Five star hein na.
Me: Achaa yeh bathaayiye yeh 5 star aur 4 star mein kya phark hotha hein?
VR: Woh tho service aur comfort ke hisab se hotha hein. Rooms vagera.
Me: Mein food ke bhaare mein puch rahaa hoon. Kya alag hotha hein 5 star aur 4 star mein?
VR: Aisa tho nahin.
Me: Aap chaay vagera bhi banaathe hein naa?
VR: Uskeliye alag se pantry section hothe hein.
Me: Phir kithna hotha hein ek tea keliye :-)
VR: He smiles.
Me: 150 Rs hotha hein kya?
VR:
Me: tik hein.

Me: Aapke number dhe dhijiye. :-)

He provides me his number.

Me: Mein bulaaunga aapko. Abhi tho switched off hein naa?
VR: Haan.


Me: Aap BTM mein rahthe hein kya?
VR: Nahin wahin Leela mein he.
Me: Tho kuch saamaan gareedhne gaye the BTM?
VR: Haan..
VR: Mera kaam subah 11 se 3 tak aur phir 8 se 11:30 tak hein.
Me: Oh. Tho 3 baje ke baadh?
VR: ROom jaa saktha hoon.
Me: Oh lunch aur dinner banaane ka time.
VR: Haan.

Soon I reach my stop.

Me: Tik hein Rana ji. Milthe hei kabhi. Jab kabhi mein Leela mein aaya tho. :-)
VR: Tik hein. Milthe hein.
Me: Phone karoonga mein.
VR: Tik hein. lekin kaam ke vakth mobile mana kein. Security le lethe hein mobile.
Me: Oh. phir 3pm se 8pm thak to kar sakthe hein naa?
VR: Haan.
Me: Bye bye.

I give the money to the cab driver and get into the usual monotony with other tag worn Software colleagues. But loads of memories and info from our non Software, interesting, professional chef friend with whom I had a sumptuous chat feast.

The Haven for the Gated Communities... Lavasa...

Saw a one page advertisement of Lavasa in yesterday's newspaper with bookings open for the gated communities... Thoughts went back to last 1-2 years... 

For a one year period from late 2010 to late 2011, construction of Lavasa had to be halted due to orders obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.[8] In late 2010 it ordered Lavasa Corporation to halt further construction for not having gathered proper clearances.[7] 

In November 2011 this ministry relented, and construction is no longer impeded by law.[8] While grant of an environmental clearance was recommended in May 2011, Lavasa was only alerted to the fact that clearance was granted on 9 November 2011.[38]

(See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavasa)

Read this along with the fact that Jairam Ramesh held Ministry of Environment and Forests from May 2009 to July 2011...

Found funny on seeing this too in the lavasa website: 

http://www.lavasa.com/high/fascinating_facts.aspx

which glorifies the bio diversity of the region which is in the banks of River Mosey, this time to market themselves... 

Killing pain and many others.

Just saw the advertisement which glorifies "Diclofenac in Iodex"... Diclofenac is an ingredient which is proven to reduce pain and stiffness and is used in pain relievers Volini(thanks to Venkatesh Balakrishnan for this info) also uses this chemical... But it has been also proved as something which affects human health and more sadly over last few decades have been the main reason for the reductio

n in vulture population(99 % reduction over last few decades :-( ) in India as they consumed diclofenac applied cattle carcasses & remains...

Human use of diclofenac also has its effects though not properly studied...

See some links and relate it and decide whether to use it or not:

Iodex website: http://gsk-ch.in/Iodex.aspx

Volini: http://www.drugsupdate.com/brand/generic/Diclofenac/13037

Diclofenac effect on vultures: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZB6kvi4SFM

"Decline of vultures in Asia over last few decades is the fastest decline ever reported for a bird specie, faster than the dodo, which is now extinct."

Horrifying Gyaan from the documentary: Vanishing Vultures, Mike Pandey's documentary over 30 years on disappearance of vultures: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=5DO6kkOmZCQ&feature=endscreen

How religious customs change when a specie goes endangered: 

In the several decades of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century the population of birds of prey on the Indian subcontinent declined, by 99.9% as of 2008, primarily due to diclofenac poisoning of the birds following the introduction of that drug for livestock in the 1990s[5], until banned for cattle by the Indian government in 2006. The few surviving birds are often unable to fully consume the bodies.[6] Parsi communities in India are currently evaluating captive breeding of vultures and the use of "solar concentrators" (which are essentially large mirrors) to accelerate decomposition.[7] Some have been forced to resort to burial, as the solar collectors work only in clear weather. Vultures formerly disposed of a body in minutes, and no other method has proved fully effective.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakhma

Info from Sadasivan Suryanarayanan - 

Sridhar.....Namaskaram...the 'Information' which I came to know from TOI....for Parsis...there is 'Tower' where 'dead' body is kept for 'vultures'..but while feeding on the 'Dead' the 'vultures' number is dwindled due to 'poisonous' things in the 'bones' of the Dead' consumed by the 'vultures'..the 'poisonous' item is 'Analgins' like 'crocin'...'Anacin'..etc consumed by the most of the 'parsis' which is 'alive' in the 'bodies' of the dead...when the birds like 'vultures' consumes unknowingly the 'Analgin' plays havoc ..once it is 'consumed' its get 'embed' to 'bones'..that's why please 'stop' consuming 'Analgin' of any nature...it gives only 'temporary' relief..this 'news' I got from the Times of India..

Gods...err... Dogs must be crazy...

One month back dogs howled at night when the humans celebrated Rama's triumph bursting crackers on occasion of Deepavali... Today dogs howled as there was Carol where again humans celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on occasion of Xmas... Seems dog is the satan... DOG opposite of GOD... makes sense... :-)

Me and other animals...

Ananthnagar(Venkatesh Anna, Mythili Akka and Gin's abode) always is a favourite place for me for the uniqueness it has to offer not seen by me else where in Bangalore. Kept away from the chaos, dust and traffic of the Bangalored lifestyle(thanks to the Gowda Saraswat community, who have made it a norm here in Ananthnagar not to sell land to any people other than from their community), this place seems to be the last havens of the pensioner's paradise. With many plots in and around their home empty and without much man made structures, the surroundings offer a perfect place to observe birds,insects, even stars at the night.Gin and I went for a walk today evening and I checked out some new Ananthanagar Crosses and Mains(whole Bangalore is mapped with ever confusing Crosses and Mains). After scorching heat over the last 3-4 weeks, few drizzles here and there in Bangalore cooled the climate off to basic 20 degrees, in Bangalore. On the way saw the emergence of "eeyaamppattas" from the small pores, two Owls waiting for the dark, usual birds like fly catchers, drongos etc... clinching on to their last few preys before heading back home. After the walk for half an hour or so, Gin led me back to home. On way met her new friend(a male one who is just few months old). They exchanged greetings and seems Gin invited her to home(Gin never provokes any dogs). Then the last lap was with both of them criss crossing between my legs. Reached back home and Mythili Akka gave both of them few biscuits and dictated "Get Outhouse" stance to Gin's friend. Soon it was dark and a burst of "eeyaamppattas" were enjoying their life dancing around the CFLs outside the house. Soon two frogs, a lizard were part of this act feasting on this chaakara. Gin lazying in a corner also was part of the party with occassional grab of his share, when any unfortunate fly passes by him. It is indeed wonderful to observe many of the 'life's epic dramas' like these when confined to a place where human/human made density is less.

PS: Kindly provide English words for eeyaamppatta and chaakara.... 

Azhagarkoil Azhagu.

I had seen many centuries old Jain settlements and excavations in and around Madurai over map and net and while coming back from my Sabarimala pilgrimage, decided to visit one of them. My cousin also had pointed me to some Jain beds in this region and my uncle had visited few of them.
Madurai was menacingly hot, even during this "winter season" and I was becoming weary and tired as the day progressed. After searching on my mobile net, I decided to go to Uppadaipatti, some 20kms from Madurai city, a village in the Alagarkoil valley. Arapalayam was the bus stand where I got down. I had my semi morning ablutions(everything else except bathing, I mean :-)) in this water scarce city with much effort and my morning breakfast was pongal-vada combo, from a hotel nearby. I got a bus to Periyar city bus stand. Uppadaipatti seemed unknown for people including the conductors and drivers, but the nearby places Kidaripatti and Sunderrajan patti provided some clue as to which bus I should take. Most of them suggested me to get a bus to Alagarkoil. So I got into an Alagarkoil bus and asked the conductor for a ticket to Uppadaipatti. The conductor looked confused, but with the help of the fellow passengers decided to give a ticket to Sundarrajan patti. After a journey of about 20 mins or so, the fellow passenger told me that the next stop is Sunderrajan patti an asked me to get down. I got down there and asked few localites chit chatting in the bus stop about the Jain settlements an Uppadaipatti. They said there is another Sunderrajan patti after Alagarkoil towards Melur, near to Latha Madhavan college. They asked me to get a bus to Alagarkoil and from there another auto or bus to Kidaripatti. I waved them good bye and got a shared auto to Alagarkoil. From there I got a shared van to Kidaripatti. The driver warned me that the place which I mentioned was some 2kms walk from the stop and one needs to walk till there. After a 10 minute drive, I reached Kidaripatti. I could also see the Latha Madhavan Engineering college and the Alagarkoil hills in the back ground. The van driver asked me to go straight a road meandering towards the village. After a half an hour walk, I reached a village. An old lady was filling water from the public sintex tank. I asked her the way to the Jain temple. She asked me back, whether I wanted to go to Pancharakaranji. I nodded and she pointed me a way. Soon I was greeted by the local dogs all barking violently on seeing an alien. I began to walk without giving them a notice and reached a dead end, where ladies busy preparing food for lunch. One of them said I had came the opposite way and I need to go another way from the point where I met the old lady. Again trespassing the dogs territory once again and with the dogs barking more vigorously, I proceeded the opposite way. Another villager showed me a path leading through the woods towards the hill. Walked some 20 minutes and I found myself to be lost. There were paths all over, but I was feeling a bit scared as no body were to be seen around. After a few more steps, I found an electric fence and an Archeological Survey of India board stating it as a protected site. I sighed relief as I saw a flurry of steps up the hill.



Went up the hill but soon realised that I had lost my path once again. The scorching sun was making things even worse and was showing no pity on me. The hill had also became molten and the steep sides were again another matter of concern. I was about to return back declaring the mission as failed, when I saw a boy coming up the hill. He was holding a bag full of clothes.



Me: "Ithu thaana vazhi?"    Is this the way?

He: "Panjarakaranjikka?"  Is it to Pancharakaranji?

Me: "Aamaam"  Yes

He: Intha vazhi vaanga annay.    Come this way elder bro.

Me: Saringa  Yes boss

He: Neenga engerunthu varenga? Where are you coming from? 

Me: Sabarimalayilurunthu. Swantham ooru Kerala. From Sabarimala. Native is Kerala.

He: Oh, appadiya. Oh, is it.



Reached a spot where the hill was steep, but steps were cut on rock.



Me: Unga perenna thambi? What is your name young bro.

He: Azhagu.

Me: Naan Sridhar. I am Sridhar.



Azhagu was holding his bag in one hand, had no slippers but was swiftly moving through the steep patch like a Tahr.



Azhagu: Bhayappedaama summa vaanga annay.  Don't be afraid. Just come along elder bro.



He adviced as I was reluctantly trying to get down the rocky steps. I gathered courage and got down.



Me: Intha vazhi thaana thirumbi ponam? Do we need to come through this same path while coming back?

Az: Amaam. Yes



I got a bit nervous as getting down is always a problem for me in the steep hills. Anyways decided to continue.



Me: Neenga enga porenga?  Where are you going?

Az: Thuni thovakkanam. I need to wash my clothes.

Me: Appadiya. Oh is it.



Soon few more steps and we reached an imposing cave like structure, with a water body. The natural cave formation is of thousands of years old and I soon went and sat in the shade as I had got tired after the journey. Azhagu, meanwhile began to take out his clothes from his bag and started to put it in the water.



Me: Nee enna panray Azhagu?  What are you doing, Azhagu?

Az: School ile padikkiren. I am in school

Me: Appadiya, ethanaavathu class? Oh, is it. Which class?

Az: Pathaavathu. 10th class.

Me: Kolla Pareeksha ennakku? When is your final exam?

Az: Ini 2 maasathile. In two months from now.

Me: Appadinna Febrauary maathathileya? Oh that means in February?
Az: Aamaam.  Yes



He began to wash his clothes. He had bought a new Power Bar soap with him. Peeled the cover and started washing.



Az: Neenga intha idathukku eppadi vanthenga? How you came to this place?

Me: Ange bus irangi, Kidaripatti ilurunthu. Came in bus. From Kidaripatti

Az: Angirunthu nadanthu vanthengala? From there you walked?

Me: Aamaam. Kidaripatti - Uppadaipatti vazhi. Yes. via Kidaripatti - Uppadaipatti.

Az: Naan ange thaan irukken, Uppadaipatti. I am residing there, Uppadaipatti

Me: Appadiya. Naan antha vazhiaaka thaan vanthen. Oh is it. I came via those village.

Az: Paathirunthaal koode vanthirukkalaam. We could have came together, if we had seen each other there.

Me: :-)

Az: Itha paarukkava vanthenga? You came here to see this?

Me: Aamaam. Yes.



I could see the jain beds and frail scriptures in the cave, but couldnt see any temple as the site had said.



Me: Inge kovil ethaavathu irukkingala? Is there any temple in here?

Az: hmm, anthapakkam. Yes. That side.



I stood up and was about to check out, while he said:



Az: Ange chappal pottukka koodaathu. You should not put your chappals there.

Me: Sari. Okay.



Respecting his orders, I removed my chappals and went towards the other side of the cave. The feet burned as soon as I came out of the shade. I was wondering how Azhagu had came till here without chappals. I saw a Shiva Lingam carved and which had blackened with the burning of oil lamps. Few more Jain stone beds and inscriptions I could see along the cave. I took the photos in my mobile. The Jain cave had been made to a sort of Hindu temple now. I at times wonder, why this kolaveri over Babri Masjid, when I see places like this. Hindu religion like any other religion also was a parasite of the religion which existed.



Meanwhile our friend Azhagu had started to wash his clothes. After washing each of his clothes, he goes and put it under the



sun for drying.



Me: Neenga ella naalekkum inge varuvengala? Do you come everyday here?

Az: Aamaam. Yes.

Me: Appo school ulla naalakku? So when you have school?

Az: Varuven. I will come.

Me: School enkirukku? Where is your school?

Az: Ingirunthu 2 km. Melur pokum vazhiye. From here 2 kms, towards Melur.

Me: Eppidi povenge? How do you go?

Az: Bus varum. Neenga bus irangina idathil. Bus will come. Same place where you got down.




I found somebody had cooked in there and also could see bones, presumably that of chicken all around.



Me: Inge yaaraavathellaam varuvaangala? Do anyone come here?

Az: kudikkaravanga varuvaanga. People come here for getting drinking and making merry.

Az: Neenga enge porenga? Ingrunthu? Where are you going from here?
Me: Bangalore kku.Neenga Kerala/Bangalore vanthirukkengala? To Bangalore. Been there to Kerala or Bangalore?

Az: Naan ithu varekku intha oora vittu ponathille. I have never been out from this village.
That made sense to me now.



Azhagu had complete his washing now and was about to bathe. I looked at him and amazed on how simple he was and how dedicated he was into his affairs. Washing has always been a daunting task for my laziness, even after the invetion of washing machine, but here is a boy, perhaps half my age, coming up a hot hill everyday and washing it. I really felt ashamed of myself and my luxuries at this moment. After putting all clothes to dry, Azhagu started to bath. I was also unbathed but didnt wanted to take a dip in unknown waters.



The cave by itself was surely a relief from the scorching sun. Gentle breeze and presence of water made the temperature so cool. Sun decided to take a nap behind the clouds and I decided to do a bit more excavation. This time I found few more Jain



beds and also a carving of a Theerthankara along the sides of the cave. Clicked few more photos. I could also see frogs and fishes in the cave pool, which implied there is good bio diversity. But felt sorry for the vandalised scriptures and stone beds. Though it is a protected monument, doesn't seemed to be protected enough.




Me: Intha kulam vatti pokuma, venal kaalathile? Do the water in this pond get evaporated fully?

Az: hmm..

Me: Enge vara thanni varum, mazhai kaalathile. Till where water comes up?

Az: He pointed to a spot well over were I was sitting. "Ange vare"
 Till there.


Soon he had finished his bathing and went to the other side of the pool to get the soap cover, which had float to the other side. I was soon into a reclined position and the Sabarimala trip along with the day's proceedings were slowly showing up as sleep.

Azhagu bathing in the cave pool.

After 20 mins or so, I woke up to see the smiling face of Azhagu.



Az: Thoonki poyttengala Annay? You fell asleep?

Me: :-)

Me: Thuni onagiduthaa? Polaama? Did the clothes got dried up?

Az: Polaam. ok. fine.



Azhagu had already packed up all his clothes.



We started our journey down the hill. I had to just follow my young guide's path, without seeing how steep or deep the sides are. As said earlier, getting down the hill is always a phobia for me, thanks to my fear for heights. The return was swift anyways.



Az: Itha paarkava annay neenga vandhenga? Did you came here to see this cave?

Az: Neenga yen ottakku vanthenga? Why you came alone?

Me: Summa thaan. Just for fun.

Me: Soodu thaan thaanga mudiyale. Can't withstand the heat, but.



The path was slippery and I slipped once or twice as my feet got entangled in the twigs.



Az: Amaam.Paathu nadaanga. Seruppu pottu nadakkumbthu idaraamal pathukkungal. Yes. Walk carefully. Be not to slip with chappals.

Me: Ninga aanaal seruppu podaamale intha soodu kallile nadathengale? But you were walking without chappals in this heat.

Az: Namakku pazhaki pochanney. Dhinamum nadanthu nadanthu kaalu thenchu pochu. Got used to it. as we walk everyday.

Me: Amaam. Inge vere yaarellaam varuvaanga. Government ilurunthu varuvaangala? Who all have come in here? People from govt come?

Az: Varuvaanga. Aanaal kudikkathaan naraya varuvaanga. Yes, they come. But most people come for drinking and making merry.
Me: Appadiya? Oh is it?

Az: Maathathile onno rando naal naangalellaarum(Azhagu and his friends) inge vanthu kari samaichu saapputtu povom annay. Once in a month, we come 2-3 days and we prepare meat and eat, elder bro.

Me: Kozhi kari yaa, Aaadu kari ya? Chicken or Mutton?

Az: Kozhi annay. Chicken, elder bro.



That explained the bones in there.



Az: Annay 3 manikku Periyar pokum vandi irukku angirunthu. Athukku pinbu 4 manikku thaan. Elder bro, there is a bus at 3 pm to Periyar bus stand. After that bus is only at 4pm.

Me: Appadiya? Oh is it?

Az: Ille, Azhagar kovil poyi agirunthu polaam. or else go to Alagarkoil, from where you will get many buses.



Soon we reached the Uppadaipatti village. The dogs were murmuring but had stopped their barks. Azhagu showe me his house and asked me whether this was the way I came. I nodded and gave him a shake hand. Also I wished him good luck for his 10th exam.



People were gazing at both of us. I wanted to treat him with a tea or snacks, but couldnt find any nearby. Also I felt awkward doing that coming to his abode.



Walked back to the bus stop. Got a shared van which went till Azhagarkoil.





I was indeed tired after back to back hill climbing. Wanted to watch Thuppakki in Madurai, but as I couldn't see any theatres nearby and was totally weary, decided to stop my solitary adventures and head back to the crazy life of Bangalore. But Azhagu had imprinted into my mind with his simple, innocent and hard working life style.