It is a dusty path lined with trees , dotted with gates to houses. I reached much earlier than anticipated and now I was taking a stroll in the village, in Mararikulam town.
Today is Christmas.
I had
decided to book myself a homestay in the village (closer to the beach) rather
than a hotel in the crowded town center. This is a fishermen’s village and the
beach is only 400mts or a 15 min leisurely walk away. I was in Kochi the day
before, attending festivities of a friend’s engagement. Lots of people and lots
of good food so the morning after i.e. today, felt a little quiet, a little dull, and hence
the walk in the 10am sun.
The road
(if you can call it that) was an unpaved path, cutting the village in two. This
is a dominantly Christian village, another reason for me to book the stay here.
I wanted to feel the local festivities hence the walk in the 10 am sun. Oh
wait, its almost 11 now.
I have a
boat-ride planned on the backwaters for later and didn’t want to park myself on
my bed. If I did, I would fall asleep (less sleep last night) and would most definitely
miss the boat-ride, and hence the walk in the 11:15 am sun. Oh wait, still 11
am.
I wondered aimlessly looking at the simple but beautifully decorated houses.
There are no plastic trees here but real ones. Not a Christmas
tree but all kinds of trees and the people have decided to decorate and give love
to any tree punctuating their yards. Colourful paper ribbons, balloons and cardboard
stars looked like flowers and roots to the trees’ already colourful elements.
Ah so how lovel…. “Happy Christmas”.
What..
Who.. Where.. I turned. A boy in red tee (I think red, it happened in such a
flash) ran past me on his bicycle. “Happy Christmas” he declared to me with
one hand up in the air and vanished as soon as he had appeared.
“Happy
Christmas to you too”.
Me, still amazed was left with ruffled dust and a smile on my face.
