I was sitting on the front seat of the SUV as we traversed the dusty, zigzag roads through the tea fields. Evenly trimmed tea plants looked like green waves stretching to the horizon. Distant green waves covered with fog gave a dreamy appearance. The whole commute felt heavenly. We wandered aimlessly, soaking in the beauty of nature. We crossed a small bridge over a water stream and parked our car. We walked back to the bridge and watched the crystal-clear water flowing, creating a soothing symphony. Clouds of fog moving along the water felt magical. I clicked a few pictures but then decided to just enjoy the moment and absorb as much as possible.
We left the spot and traveled further along the water stream, searching for a place where the waters would be shallow and flowing cleanly. After driving for about a kilometer, we found a large grassy meadow where the water stream moved gently. The children in our car couldn’t contain their happiness at the sight. We parked, and they jumped out of the car. The next hour was full of fun as the kids enjoyed the water stream, splashing and getting drenched. We walked through the waters, and the entire stretch was serenely beautiful. We took many pictures in different poses. The place was so beautiful that you could point your camera in any direction, and it would be an awesome photo. Everyone got tired after a while, and we moved to our next stop, our favorite tea stall.
The owner of the tea stall knew us well. We were his regular customers during vacations. My son and I are fans of his tea. He flashed his trademark smile on seeing us and filled large glasses of tea along with ‘Pathiri’. Tea and Pathiri is an unbeatable combo, and this tea stall has its special taste. We finished our tea and repeated the order. We didn’t stop until our tummies and cravings for this special delicacy were fully satisfied. Once done, we asked the owner for our bill. As always, he said he never counted how many things his customers ordered because he believed they never cheated him. He ran the shop with passion. Every time I saw his attitude, it reminded me of the movie ‘Ustad Hotel’. We said our goodbyes and returned home.
Every year, during my vacation in Wayanad, this is how I have spent my days: soaking in the warmth of nature and relishing the local delicacies. I have so many beautiful memories of this place.
But today, since morning we have been seeing devastating pictures from Wayanad. Torrential rains followed by landslides and rivers flowing aggressively, swallowing whatever comes their way—houses, trees, cars, animals, and who knows how many people. The tragedy has occurred in the same area I have been visiting for many years. In one of the videos, I could see my favorite tea stall almost completely submerged. I can only pray for the safety of that gem of a shop owner and everyone living in the area.
Wayanad needs our prayers today.
