WAYANADAN DIARIES

Finally. The day had arrived. The result of coaxing department people into granting me a 3 day leave. So that we - mom and I - could embark on a trip to Wayanad - literally an act of escape from the dull practicalities that life as a housewife (or a housesurgeon, in my case) had to offer.

5/5/2023, Friday

Mom and I were both at the brim of excitement as we boarded the train to Kozhikkode, at 5:20 AM. This was not an ordinary train - we had booked tickets worth 2300 rupees - for a comfortable trip on the Vande Bharat Express! The seats were of a different level of cushion-comfort, we had more leg space, the doors were automated, the food served was top notch (we got a course of breakfast, snacks and masala chai during the 5 hour long journey) and the ride was smooth. Washrooms were provided for each compartment and the train was fully air-conditioned. The express train was of limited number of stops, so we had to alight at Kozhikkode Railway Station and board a private bus to Sultan Bathery, Wayanad.

There is definitely a stark contrast between the climates of Trivandrum and Wayanad - the latter is cooler, greener and the air quality is unparalleled. Wayanad is more of a village-town ambience, calm, serene and pristine. Definitely a heavenly escape from the smoky, dusty roads of the metropolitan capital city, our abode!

Hairpin curves are a salient topographical feature of Wayanad - they showcase an extraordinarily striking panorama of the hilly area - replete with greenery and mist. Alas, I missed such sights, as I was sleeping during the bus journey (you know, the air is intoxicatingly fresh and cool).

We were more than happy to meet Valyamma, Ambi ammoomma and Gouri chechi - we were to stay with them for two days (short duration). Ambi ammoomma is my grandma's elder sister. Valyamma is her daughter and Gouri chechi her granddaughter. Valyamma works as a Hindi teacher at a government school 2 km away, at a place called Odappallam. Ambi ammoomma was a teacher too. Gouri chechi completed her MSc in Physics in 2021, and has been attempting various government job exams ever since. She had aced a bank exam recently and was to join a clerical post coming June-July.

Mom had asked me to pack my portable BP apparatus and stethoscope - and I checked BP of the elderly ladies. Mom was super-excited to be with her cousin - as Gouri chechi and I went to sleep, we could still hear their loud laughter from the dining room, as they discussed family matters and everything else.

6/5/2023, Saturday

One of the best things about living in a village is that you get to taste fresh food - be it milk, vegetables, fruits or meat. Nothing is stale, nothing is loaded with preservatives. Valyamma took me to the local milk dealers that operated in a small makeshift shed on the roadside. Milk was collected from the residents and was pooled and sold by litre. The facility was available till 7:30 AM every day.

After breakfast, we set out to Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary which was a matter of 20 minutes from the house. Little did I realize that we will only stay on road - mom was encouraging Gouri chechi as she drove the car. The pleasant air gushed at my face and monkeys greeted us as we looked out of the window. We took a U-turn and drove back.

Gouri chechi and I were bonded beyond limits - we had last met in 2013, during the funeral of our great grandmother. We attempted mock tests of bank exams and she told me more about the lifestyle of government employees. Valyamma was very supportive in that she wanted me to work at hospitals in Wayanad. The population density is lesser in Wayanad and the need for doctors is more.

7/5/2023, Sunday

Alas, the last day of our short stay with the three lovable people. Ambi ammoomma and valyamma went to a local lab to get their blood tested. Meanwhile, we set out to roam around - talking, cracking jokes and laughing as we walked. You may become tired at the end of a 15 minute walk, but you never sweat in Wayanad. We clicked some great photos which would serve as beautiful memories of our stay.

There is only a mall in the whole of Wayanad - it is the Mint Mall in Sultan Bathery. It is a tiny mall when compared to the giant Lulu Mall in Trivandrum. We bought 2 boxes of homemade chocolates at 70 rupees per box. Homemade chocolates are a cottage industry in Wayanad. White, milk and dark chocolates are sold by weight - you may also get them pre-packed in small boxes. Sold in boxes worth 70/120/150/170 rupees, they are bite-sized pieces of yummy chocolate that you may gift your friends (although I chose not to).

Yes Bharat is a premier clothes shop in Sultan Bathery - it was inaugurated last month by Makkalselvam Vijay Sethupathi. We bought some clothes - we got a handkerchief as complimentary (which is very essential for people with allergy, like me). Next, valyamma took us to the Jubilee Restaurant and we ordered Chatty choru and juice. The dish comprises neychoru (ghee rice) served in a flat earthen vessel, with sides of chicken curry, boneless chicken fry, beef ularthu, coconut chutney and dates pickle. Gulab jamun was served as dessert. The dish was delicious, but we were stuffed in no time.

A visit to Wayanad is incomplete if you do not take home the exotic scents and spices. So we bought a small bottle of fragrant lemongrass oil, some ginger and a packet of tea leaves from a small outlet of Wayanadan Spices in Sultan Bathery.

We had booked tickets for semi-sleeper seats in a private bus service - we boarded the bus from Sultan Bathery at 6:20 PM. We were to reach Trivandrum by 6:30 AM the next morning. We waved our byes to Valyamma and Gouri chechi - and to the beautiful Wayanad - where there is beauty around every bend.