From Thames to Thamirabharani

Title credit 🏆 to my dear Aunt, Bhanumati! Couldn't have named it better!

1 Month, 2 countries, 3 states and 6 cities - All showed 1 thing in common. Each takes pride in their local milieu.

Scotland's schools and nameboards use Gaelic as a language, akin to Indian Schools teaching Sanskrit. London takes pride in its age old Libraries and Museums. And so does the 1300 year Nellaiappar temple in Tirunelveli for its architecture. Aurangabad (Maharashtra) was renamed Sambhajinagar, a few years back. Locals here, give you a friendly nudge if you call it by the old name. It's their way of honoring the Maratha history.

Civilizations flourished, culture shocks happened, modernization accommodated, and still, they all stand on common platform, when it comes to preserving a thing or two of their past.

This May, a lot of learnings and a few un-learnings. 

Continental breakfast sounds fancier than it tastes (especially for the vegetarians). Hashbrowns are saviors. Here on, you will never hear from us, "Who eats boiled/shredded potatoes for breakfast". We did for 10-12 days!😉 . Subway for dinner, Pizzas for Lunch- anything with No Meat, No Pork, No Egg, made its way to our plates in London-Scotland tour. In contrast, Ambasamudram's Udupi Restaurant, showed us, how cone shaped Dosas & warm Idlis patiently wait for Sambhar bucket to arrive. This steel bucket never arrives in style. After serving 5-6 tables, it will come to us, only to stay there, until the next calling comes. But we were not complaining. As it was a food we could relate and a meal that fit the time.

With familiarity in vicinity, Continuity can't be far. Ambassador Hotel, Aurangabad continues to stand tall and iconic alongside its famed neighbor Rama International.  School reunion gave its good share of notable moments. Didn't know, our Principal, whose perfume spoke louder than words, had a penchant for Shaayari. From statue bell to house board decorations practices inside school premises stay continued...

But step out of school, to find busier streets and more people. Is this city shrinking? Aurangabad voiced, what London reiterated a week later- "Space Constraint is not our problem, increasing footfalls is". Dubai, on the other end with swanky architecture, broader roads feels like Gen Alpha singing K Pop.

Now fast read this below para, without skipping names...that's how quickly our Month of May moved...

Dune bashing in Dubai, cruising the Thames and bathing in  Thamirabarani River stay inked in our diaries & memories. Witnessing longer days and shorter nights, in London- Scotland made Day light saving relatable. Years back, Aurangabad had a fine dining restaurant called Windsor Castle. We now witnessed the grandeur of this name. A cab driver in Tirunelvelli speaks of Zoho campus in this district , with the same enthusiasm as the Tour operator in Scotland speaks about Falkirk Wheel.

Nestled home, I am still taking notes of commonalities than differences. I highlight them, so when I revisit this post later, they wave back to me in unison with smile..