Where did you go during the holidays? 8-year-old Aaryan Vittal from Bangalore went to his native place called Gobichettipalayam.
This time we went to my Achi’s (grandmother’s) native place (Gobichettipalayam) which is the hottest place I have visited. It is located in Erode district, filled with gorgeous greenery, farms, paddy fields, and running water creeks. Gobichettipalayam is also filled with villages, towns and streets, and buildings. My thaatha (grandfather) has named our building after me here!
The journey from Bangalore to Gobichettipalayam is a feast to the eyes with so many mountains, trees, water creeks, and green farms all along. We even crossed the world-famous Mettur dam every time, and the thermal plant at Mettur has two long chimneys coughing up smoke into the sky always!
Many people are sitting on highway sides selling their farm-grown fruits and vegetables. My Amma (mother) and Achi always love this fresh produce.
Not sure how many of you have noticed near the Karnataka- Tamil Nadu border, there’s a helicopter and jet on a building (do notice it next time when you are nearing Hosur from Bangalore or the other side).
When we arrived home, my Achi made some yummy lunch. Then I went outside and played basketball with my cousin. The best part was we went to the movies!
We spent time watching a movie called KRK in a theatre nearby –it’s more fun to watch a movie in a place with people screaming and whistling throughout. It is generally silent when we go to watch movies in Bangalore. We had a big bowl of caramel popcorn and our family favorite – rose milk.
Then we returned to the complex and all of us played badminton. Unluckily, the shuttle cock fell out of the building, and we were unable to get it since it went through the thorny bush.
Next, we played football and I kicked the ball in the shed. My grandma went to the shed and pushed the ball down for me like Spiderman, then after a while, my amma and I went to a park called ‘Indira Park’.
It is a newly launched park. It has a fountain with music and lights, and a huge lovely lake where amma and I sat and watched all the birds flying back to their nests. It was such a peaceful sunset though we missed going boating as we were late.
It also has a children’s play area amidst a green garden. I loved this so much though we live in a garden city!
Then we went to a general store, which is named Jagan metal. There were many aluminum steel products, and many gold and copper products too. I got a steel mug for myself- and hey we can get our names engraved on all products here for free!
We returned home to a power cut. There was heavy rain and noisy thunderstorms. Achi lit a lamp and we talked to each other in the lamp light. I feel we connect to people better when we sit down and talk right.
Lovely rain, nice day and soon we had to sleep. Unwillingly we had to pack up and head back to Bangalore. Then we had a quick plan to visit the famous Periyar temple. We prayed to god and took some pics with my Achi’s new phone we bought at the store in my complex. Shortly after, we spotted a creek and saw geese, then we went back to the complex, took all of the luggage, and headed into the car.
We said our goodbyes to our relatives, and on our way back we watched the green paddy fields. It was a feast for our eyes. We spotted people selling ice apples (tongue), and we pulled over and had some yummiest ice apples.
I realize why villages are called the backbone of India, it is so full of life. I love the slow life here. It was getting very late, so we zoomed back to Bangalore.
Hey, did you guys also enjoy your holidays? Also, have you visited your native place? There must be something special and emotional about every native place. Also, are you guys excited for school reopening finally after two years? Let me know!
Aaryan Vittal, Grade 4A, Ekya School, JP Nagar