I know - you are wondering why I said nature and planted the picture of that pretty dancer striking a pose on top, right? You'll see what I mean as you read on!
I am all about trying to slow down, upping my time offline and generally trying to breathe while going online only when I absolutely have to.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished!
On that trail, which, at one point used to be the Holy Grail, I woke up yesterday morning and made my coffee as usual. Indeed all good things start with coffee!
The phone rang and after a few minutes on the call, my son informed me he was going out to meet friends. So we breakfasted together. I decided to accompany him half the way, because this particular road is one I love and used to ride it at least four times a day.
Filled with nostalgia, and anticipation to see what had changed, I bid him ta-ta.
While he strolled off, I tried to make up my mind over which path to take. As I looked around, I saw the grounds of the IISc Gymkhana and impulsively, got in the gate and decided to trip down memory lane.
The morning was beautiful with just a trace of a drizzle, making everything sparkle. It was just enough to leave dew drops on the grass without running off into tiny rivulets. Mynahs cruised around, getting their own breakfast from the fragrant moist earth, fresh.
A huge anthill stood watch, growing when it wanted to. What is it about me and anthills, eh? I find them fascinating and this one was no exception. The red mud nearby practically glowed.
Far away, I saw boys playing - some were engrossed in cricket while others seemed to prefer football.
I took a leisurely walk back towards the gate, traversing the ground. My mind wandered to years ago when my son's school celebrated its annual day here. Children's laughter and voices, colorful costumes, music and dance. Warm memories. Birdsong filled my ears. So pleasant!
I got out of the gate, waved to the security staff. As I walked along the wall, I admired the art. Look! Some of them are great. Kudos to our municipal corporation for this drive. Sadly some are washed away or damaged, but look charming nevertheless.
So many themes. There were more than 60 of these and I picked a few to show you. Tough!
Wildlife. Chimps cuddling. Cute!
The King of the Jungle. How majestic.
Historic monuments - I am guessing this is Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
Pleasure - see the boatman ducking to avoid the falling tree trunk? Hahaha!
Snake charmer, after all we are the land of the snake charmers!
Art and culture - what a sweet and coy dancer!
Our farmer, working hard to feed the nation.
And of course there is a public service message! Do not smoke! You don't have to read the language to know what that's about!
Our city has a lot of beautiful walls like this - I did another Sundays in my City post years ago, featuring another road in my area.
And of course you want to know where I walked so... the Gymkhana grounds are beautiful!
I came to the end of the wall, and entered the police station compound to walk across to the road leading home. I love this tree here and have photographed it countless times! The buttercups are very cheerful.
They used to have a gorgeous water lily pond, but now the tank is just filled with water. No lilies!
I was wondering whether to take the bus back from that point when the sun peeked out. I thought, hey, now is a good time to get my dose of vitamin D as any - and continued on, on foot, briskly.
It is funny how familiar I am with this road, every bump, every pothole, the quirky residents on the street and the street dwellers. And it is hilarious how hardly anything has changed. Except one tree that had fallen during a heavy rain and been cleared. My heart smiled as the familiar faces waved and smiled back at me.
I felt connected with the world.
Life goes on, regardless of what one is up to. And it is always nice to stop and smell the flowers.
Nature is a soothing healer.
When was the last time you took time off, unplugged and went for a walk?
♥
Happy to resume Sundays In My City with UnknownMami, a weekly blog hop and a great way to travel the world from my keyboard. Come on over and see what the others are up to!
Have a great week ahead!
Writer, editor, blogger, social media enthusiast. Love DIY, Coffee, Music, Reading, Photography, Family, Friends and Life. Mantra: Happiness is a DIY Project. In my free time I play with my dust bunnies and show my diabetes who's boss. Tweet as @vidyasury
