Visited in December 2020
Friends, unlike the usual travel write ups, this one is more of a personal one as it is just about my trip home after almost a year.
Some years it used to be three times, some years two...we pack our bags from Dubai and fly to India. Though the stay used to be short for a week or ten days, we never felt away from home. We also bring our parents once every year, for a month stay with us in Dubai. So, every year it used to be four - five times of getting together with families and never felt apart.
But 2020 was a totally different year, which shook the world with the fear of spreading pandemic. The chances to fly home was like ghost of a chance and almost uncertain in the early months. I haven't been so much home sick any time so far while in Dubai. Finally, in November, we decided to make it happen, to fly home and meet everyone back in India after almost a year!!
While the pandemic has been a tough time for everyone on the entire planet, with millions getting infected, losing lives, collapsing business, losing jobs, uncertainty at its peak...at some point, I feel, it has given an opportunity to the humankind to step back and think about who they are and what they do, and if they are actually worthy to occupy this beautiful planet.
While we used to make several flights a year to various destinations, air travel seemed to be a far away dream in 2020. So, when I finally packed my bags to India, it was so exciting, as if it was my first trip. Similar feelings took over my mind when I stepped into the Dubai International Airport, after a year...I loved the entire process of check in, immigration and security checks so much that I cant explain! :). I was in love with the air around me, the duty free shops, the ladies and gentlemen in uniform, the airport announcements...wow it felt so good, just that the mask created a slight amount of inconvenience, which was nothing compared to the happiness in mind.
Safety first; masks, face shields, PPE kits are all wholeheartedly welcome! :)
I felt heavenly to be seated on the Emirates Airline to Kochi, the flight announcements and Captain's voice made me super delighted. The cabin crew, though looked a little different than usual, spread the same warmth to the customers with their smile and hospitality. The inflight dining was thoroughly enjoyed and so was the take off and landing. Everything felt so surreal until we stepped out of Cochin International Airport and took off home in a taxi.
Now what! 7 days of quarantine at hubby's home!! We are home, on the first floor, but detached from our family. Although we took our COVID tests before leaving Dubai and were negative, the government rule was to undergo quarantine in Kerala. Food was served at our door steps and we see and talk to mom n dad on the courtyard of the house from the terrace, how strange! Never before like this in life.
All I did was to enjoy the cool December breeze from the big terrace, numerous hours of video chat with friends, family and paint a few empty bottles and glasses - what more to pass time. Thanks to the online education system during the pandemic, that my son took three of his exams online from India. hurrayyy!!
After 7 days, yet another COVID test proven negative, and finally we are set free to go around...Enjoyed the family time and the next day to Kozhikode to meet my parents. I got emotional in mind to be at my home and meet my parents after so long. Thank God, for making it happen at least by end of the year, we could make it home and be with all whom we love so much.
Home Sweet Home
We had so many plans in mind in the beginning of the year to celebrate mom's 60th birthday, but considering the situation, there was no scope for any grand function. So, it was limited to very close relatives. Though we couldn't celebrate it grand, we remain so thankful to God, that we were able to make it on that day with her at home.
A simple get together at home, well done and happy moments for all. How to forget the Kerala style feast...the taste buds exploded with happiness of tasting the favourite dishes and payasam after so long!!! Incredible...
No matter where you live, how you dress, what you eat, how you speak, there are certain thoughts and feelings that keep you grounded and remain the real person you are. For me, one of them is the strong love from parents and in-laws and another one is our family deities. Every evening during my prayer time, when I close my eyes sitting in front of the pooja space at my home in Dubai, it is in fact the temple and its serene atmosphere and the divine feel of standing in front of Lord Vishnu of my family temple that flashes in my mind. This had gone so strong during 2020, and the moment I could really step in to the temple, everything seemed so hearty, welcoming, blessed and delighted.
Well, it was time to bid farewell to my home and travel back to hubby's. There was a similar get together of close family members and was delighted to see everyone. My son enjoyed the time with his cousins so well, that it was difficult for me to get his time. He was always engaged! :)
Nature is at its best at my hubby's place, Alankode, a beautiful village in the district of Malapuram. Vast paddy fields with temples in the middle of them, beautiful ponds, lots of greenery and peace.
The three boyz army!
Parents filled our tummy with a variety of home made delicacies. Yummy food, fabulous family time! what more is needed?
Unniappam, Kappa Chammanthi, Ila ada, Appam & Kadala, Ariyunda...
wwhoooaahhh!!! mouth watering authentic delicacies from Kerala!
Both my Son and I had a few achievements from this trip.
My son now swims confidently in natural ponds. He was scared and not ready to swim anywhere apart from swimming pools. Within a few days of our trip, he started enjoying to swim in the pond with good confidence. This might sound insignificant, but is a big achievement for him, and a good lesson in life to overcome fear and move forward.
Though I own a driving license in India, I had never hit the roads there. There was a little bit of inhibition as the driving style in Dubai is different and I am used to it. But this time, I held my breath and decided to try it on the roads of Kerala, and it was an awesome experience!
I am not sure how quickly three weeks flew while we were home and soon it was time to depart. Half of my mind wanted to stay back and the other half wanted to go to Dubai to meet hubby, who couldn't make it this time with us. Anyways, the amount of happiness and satisfaction this trip brought in me is overwhelming.
Be it the pandemic or what so ever, every step in life has some lessons for us to learn, some values to take with us, several bubble bags of memories to carry with us for lifetime. This trip was one such - one which I didn't slightly even imagine to happen in 2020, but yes, it happened and I am so grateful to God for that :)
Some lovely moments with family and friends
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