Its a long journey said very short! A day of many things, 31st dec 09,
things were dull until I found these orphans, ‘Misha’ and the little curious
‘Ho’ on my local subway platform, wet and frozen! Not sure if I heard
them calling, but they seemed happy as I lifted them up!

So we decided to take that journey together, hopped the platform hoping
to set foot on some white joy ~ snow killers were already there, tiny mounds
of snow slowly melting in salt lakes!

Misha-ho seemed happy that they didn’t miss the train this time, but felt
so heavy at heart for New Yorkers being so serious inside the train.

Fourteenth street buzzed with yellow bees as always!

But sad, the little Tibetan friend from Bylakuppe refused to invite Misha-ho
for a photograph inside her colourful shop in 14th st!

But nothing can stop Misha-ho, we went on to venture snow covered Union
square park where the first Labour day parade occurred in 1882.

And gave a cheerful laud to George Washington who was almost getting ready
to fly on his horse!

Misha-ho had been loving the ‘up in the air’ experience, while my arms
ached all along. Nevertheless, we noted that this was one day New Yorkers
generously smiled and nodded at us!

Before getting back home, one little song Misha-ho wanted to hear from
the ‘Meetles’ on New Year’s eve, and I swayed on till Misha-ho said ‘I’m done!’

First big snow of my life, still unaware that my fingers could freeze,
feet could damp through cracked shoes! I ran out to my little empty
town early morning, all that I remember is the excitement of seeing
a white cover so large, thick and puffy!

Took the Lilliput train to where the white cover lead me, till I thought
I reached Antarctica! Wandered without focus in a colorless land till I lost
my metro card!

“Would you please let me in, I lost my card, forgot to bring money too?”,
my hungry voice didn’t work at the Metro lady, she grumbled “It doesn’t
work that way honey!”. I was more than nice that day, didn’t even try to
squeeze through the entry bar!

Some ten minutes later, here comes the first catch, my hungry voice
worked again “I lost my card, could you help me out?”. He stared at me
to ask “Oh, from El Salvador?”, now that I’m so sure of my always doubted
Spanish connection I said “yeaahh!”

“Alright! I’ll swipe you in..!”
Thank you so much, now that I’m out of Antarctica!

If walls and shutters of Kerala could speak their mind, its undisputably
this man, Mohanlal.

But times are changing, flex boards are fast invading our towns to replace
painted faces of our favourite stars. Even before you start enjoying their
imperfections and faded tones, they’ll be gone forever. Before they do,
here is an attempt to document the painted glory!

You may also visit the flickr pool.

Meeran Talkies is one of the several second town movie theaters that are being
closed down in Kerala. Ranging from bad stories to shrinking audience to
multi million salaried heroes may counted as reasons.

But all that we know for real is, the reel is over!

rest shall be carried to another town for re-sale..

Meeran Talkies could become Meeran marriage auditorium which is the
most lucrative business these days..

Blue - Brown seats could fade in memories..

And the doors will be hushed forever!

Mangoes and summer vacation are inseparable! There’s a lot of joy and excitment around Mango trees wherever you find them. Girls, boys, mothers, fathers, friends, families - all of them gape and yum over this fruit. They look up, count their numbers and try all that possible to bring them down! Yes, May is for Mangoes!