More Notes from India
July 28th, 2009 by Meena ViswanathanCalendar editor Meena Viswanathan spent time with family in India this summer. She recounts some of her favorite memories below.
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It is common to see clothes being dried out in the sun, either on an open terrace or outside homes. No wonder the number of driers sold in India is comparatively less than washers! Anand calls this bucket the drier because it’s what we use to carry the wet clothes for drying upstairs. My children’s favorite chore is picking up the clothes once dried.
Indians make utmost use of the sun, for drying everything from homemade chips and mangoes to spices like red chili and coriander seeds that go into making the curry powder.
The summer’s scorching heat often forces children to spend time indoors. But thanks to a collection of board games, Gita and her brother have learned how to play some of my favorite childhood games. These include Pallaankuzhi (Indian version of Mancala), Ludo, and Carrom Board. While the first two use counting skills, the last one helps with hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and concentration.
The town of Karaikudi is famous for its jasmine, eggplant, and baked goods. Gita loves to wear jasmine in her hair. Anand enjoys eating mini puffs, sweet buns, and macroons made from cashew nuts. And I savor the many vegetables I often can’t find back home.
As opposed to traveling by car, my children ride on the backs of motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters. These are all common here, often used by students and workers, since they’re both convenient and affordable.
The noises of the city are also diverse, from scooter horns to the cries of vendors to the devotional music played through loud speakers from nearby temples. (My son Anand still doesn’t understand why I can’t turn down the volume!)
As always, India is a rich stew of colorful tastes, sights, and sounds.
The children Gita and Anand with my father.
Tags: India, summer vacation, Travel