Last 48 Hrs: Awesome drive on the NH-4 from Bangalore (a part of the Golden Quadrilateral), then on to the slightly potholed NH-13 from Chitradurga towards Sholapur, followed by an hour's drive on a well potholed road. Reached the village - Kottur, where I spent 5 awesome years of my childhood. Visiting the place almost after 8 years.
Visited the Guru Kottureshwara Temple (quite famous among the devout), sought blessings. Bought quite a lot of souvenirs.
Met (primary/secondary) school friends, ate the super awesome mirchi bhajji (7 green chillies, wondering if I was getting a little masochistic), had dinner at two of my school friends' places, and again at home. Slept overnight at the grandparents' 60+ year old house.
Started the morning with some before-after pics with brother (same locations, trying our best to give the same poses as given in the 20+ yr old photos).
Should I mention the nostalgia of playing on the swingboard (a swing, with a big flat board, capable of seating two people, sitting next to each other) which is also 50+ yrs old? Did the customary touching the ceiling with my toes while swinging =). [I must admit I was a little scared knowing the age of that metal chain and the hooks that made up the swing]
Had breakfast at uncle's house, with fresh off the tava chapathis, eating a little more than stomach full, only to realize that mistake when visiting another family friend immediately after the breakfast. Had the second meal of the day at FF's place, half hour after the stomach full breakfast I had.
then visited a cousin, had Nth cup of tea and left for a neighbouring village - Ujjini, the temple of our house-god (MaruluSiddeshvara) is located. Today (Sunday, 11th July) being amavasya (new moon), the temple was choc a bloc with devotees, and yet, my grandparents braved the crowd, stood in the line, and all of us went in, with the temperature + humidity inside of the temple reaching quite close to that of the sauna, sought the blessings. After Ujjini, we were on our way back to B'Luru.
Once in B'luru, dropped grandparents' back home, went to brother's in-laws place and had an awesome Andrha style dinner, cooked to perfection, with me hogging without thinking once about my poor stomach that took in everything I shoved in my mouth.
Came back home 30 mins past midnight, had to stay up to watch the world cup finals, to see Spain win the world cup.
And finishing up this blog about this nostalgic weekend at 2:45 am! Had to blog it!
