September 19th 09, I landed Chennai for the first time after 1 ½ years. After a tiring journey all the way from Helsinki via Delhi made me go crazy. Once I came out of the airport the first thing I felt was the burning skin... AHHH.. it was the Chennai Heat! This feeling lasted few minute until I got a taxi, to my home. Same old Chennai people, chaos everywhere, horns, some complicated brigdes, bumpy roads, tea kadai, stinking Adyar bridge, bus, cycles, traffic, new constructions, slums, wow I m in Chennai... Warm welcome from my parents, tasting moms food, my favorite foods, surprising grand parents on my arrival and meeting friends was how my first day at chennai started. I was telling stories to my parents about my personal and work experience at Finland. A few minutes later I realized, how the time fly by. It look like, it was only that day when I completed my degree and joined too up my career in a software industry. I wished to god to put a small speedbreaker to the time for next 3 weeks, so at the end I dont realize that 3 weeks passed by in a jiffy :)
Met my school friends, staff and college mates in the initial days and almost each and every day I spend my time with area mates. Most of my time I spent in Korattur and my own house. On the first weekday I promised to visit my office (which was now changed to a different location) which was very far far far away from city and it takes 2 ½ hrs to reach by corporate bus from my home. It was a beautiful morning as day started the charm was disturbed by increasing traffic, pollution and noise. It was a delight to see my old team mates and friends in office. Souveniers and momentos gave them feel there was some one back from onsite. I had to end my day late in the night, due to some pending task at office.
Since it was a weekday, I had to call my friends over phone and chat with them and met only very few people and close ones during my stay. It was a festive season in India, I got an opportunity to experience Durga Pooja once again, at Chennai almost at all famous venues where they are held. I rented a car and took my parents and grand parents to all the pooja celebration venues. A visit to Valparai (a small hill station 500 kms from Chennai) and Pollachi, was a mindblowing trip with my friends. A 3 days tour to Valparai was planned just 2 days before we departed. We took a bus from Chennai to Coimbatore from where we drove a car, high up above the ranges of Annamalai, above 3500 ft from sea level. before we could drove through the 40 hair pin bends, i was taken to a waterfall near the roads. Bathe in a waterfall was my first experience. I thought Valparai would be a small remote village, but its quite big. This is not only for bachelors, but a perfect get away for family too. Myself along with my 5 friends had a awesome time, making fun, teasing each other, boozing (I dont booze :)), playing cards and get to taste a typical south indian hill station dishes at hotels and road side shops. Clean air, lush green tea estates, glorious landscapes, crystal clear water, least-explored places, and unforgettable moments – These are memories that you will come back with.
Riding bike in chennai was first thing I wanted to do, but felt a bit out of control after a long time, I got the touch in 2-3 rides with my friends... Didn't get car to drive myself, this time :( I was deighted to attend my sweet buddies marriage at chennai having a heavy briyani lunch during the feast. Spent most of evenings staying at my friends house and roaming in and around city on roads and bikes. Many of my friends visited me at my home during my last 2 days of vacation. When my parents and some friends came along to say goodbye at the airport and felt a bit emotional. On the whole it was a very sweet and short vacation filled with all goodies and goodies.
