Because I Dreamt of You...

Every now and then I have this dream, a serene ocean adorned with the golden sand from alibaba's magical hourglass, and there I am floating and drifting away in it's cold blue water... it feels as if all the anguish that was weighing down my shoulders got washed away with every tranquil wave.

I still remember my first tan... it was in this town called Digha. It's a seaside town enveloped by the bay of bengal. I vividly remember, it was almost dark when we reached, I had been waiting impatiently by the train's door breathing in the scent of the ocean, it wasn't the ocean's heavy fishy aroma, it was more subtle, it was a whiff of salt and mint. The next thing I remember is breathlessly gazing at the blue queen, each strong wave pounding on the rocks as I stand there awestruck. A satiny white full moon shining brightly above the passionate ocean. In that moment, all I could do was just sit there gazing deeply into the pearly white shadow of moon on the face of the ocean. I can't put it in words but that night was so beautiful that it still makes a part of my soul weep.

I have had my fair chance with beaches and two of my favourites are the beaches of Puri (Odisha) and Digha. Digha is a small town, its split into two... if you are seeking a peaceful walk on the beach then old Digha is your spot but if you want to experience an authentic sea food market then new Digha is the bull's-eye. Seemingly this town comes alive at night, the streets near the beach are crammed with every sea food you could ever imagine, with aroma of fried fish and prawn swirling around. And the beach is painted with adorable shells every where. In Puri, apart from the appetizing bhoj at jagannath temple, its the golden beach that I treasure. This beach justifies it's name so perfectly, it has the finest sand you could ever find on a beach. And the sand art is just icing on the cake... these artists are like disciples of merlin, for the marvelous artistry they do is no less than a wizard's work.

A walk on the sandy beach in your most comfortable baggy pants with cool waves touching your bare feet, ocean's salty wind in you hair and that old unforgettable tune in your head.... in that moment there's absolutely no other place on earth you'd rather be.

“The sea always filled her with longing, though for what she was never sure.”
― Cornelia Funke

Every beach that I visited, every feather of ocean that I saw did nothing but increase my love for it. I admire the brutality, the calmness, the passion, the magnetic beauty of this ravishing blue queen. She remains so calm and soothing even though she simmers with indomitable power. Even though she could ruin everything with a mere crystal wave, she chooses to lay in the arms of her shore. Nothing on this earth owns her, She is free.
The ocean is like emotions personified, it loves, hates and weeps too. No matter what you say about it, there is always something that you can't.
Yep i'm a beach lover, but not being a morning person makes the sunrise on a beach still a mysterious occult to me. So I would be waiting on my toes to unravel this mystery soon, until then i'll be dozing in the valley of dreams :)

A City Sweeter Than It's Sweets

This nostalgic feeling caught me by surprise the other day. May be it's because of Durga Puja at the door that i'm so wistful. I was just going through an article on kolkata and it's so heart rending, that when people mention Kolkata,  they imperatively mention poverty and potholes, as if no other metropolitans have them! You know what, i feel that this city is simply graceful, alluring in its own way. The most enchanting thing about this city is that it always sounds like it's celebrating.

"Today i have seen the charm, the beauty, the unfathomable grace of the face that i was looking for"~ Rumi 

It feels as if this was quoted for this city.
How can you take no notice of the enormous towers of the mighty howrah bridge crossing overhead, when you are traveling in one of those blazing yellow colored taxi's with some retro song on the radio. Aah! here comes the traffic, people here like to take it slow you see... the most frequent lines that you would hear in this commotion is " dada, chap kisher!" ( brother why the rush! ), makes me laugh every time i hear it.

The taxi is at its speed, cutting through the puddles of water on the road , you put your head out and the moist wind carrying the memory of magic, poetry, art, revolution and music caresses you, as if it relieves you of the longing you had all these months for this feeling of belonging. You lift your head up and see those retro styled, plastered, old but bewitchingly beautiful buildings , standing right there as a witness of the journey of this city from Calcutta to Kolkata.

One drizzly afternoon you decide to explore the city and you end up in the knee deep puddle of shyambazar, believe me if you haven't experienced this cold water foot massage as you almost swim through it, then my friend you have missed out on a lively experience. This city seems to have all the time in the world, you will not find any kinda hastiness in the people. Even on a weekday amidst the busy schedule, people here wondrously find time for their beloved aadda (hangout) and chaa (tea).... yep you have to pronounce it with the extra A . Bengali people like it a bit dramatic you know, like the extra o's and a's in the words. And this is what makes the language so melodiously sweet just like the rosogolla. oh! dont start me on the food, we bengali people love to eat as much as we love to chatter and yes we think no no wait, we believe that no other city in this entire world makes better "fuchka" than the roadside bhaiya in kolkata. Ahan! we dont care whether it's golgappa or pani puri, it is "fuchka" in kolkata ;)

And the beauty of the nights in kolkata is unparalleled, it's lonesome. Kolkata isn't an insomniac like the other metropolitans, cause obviously this city needs it's beauty sleep. But man if it's durga puja! all the five main days of the puja you find this ravishing beauty showing off all night.
Excuse me for the lengthiness today but for me this city is like that one love of your life you couldn't forget, the beauty that still makes you weak in the knees. This city sways my heart every time i think of it.