It all stared with a trip.
‘We didn’t even have a pla’
Hardly had time to roam about, would not even consider it a day’s trip where making up our hair and not ruining our pictures felt more important than making it to the early morning bus.
Words can’t describe how beautiful the 3-hour journey from Chennai to Pondi is, while ‘SU’ dozed off, ‘I’ switched places and took the window seat, (because why not!) mesmerised by the scenic ECR road. We got off at the destination, didn’t know what to do so, bought a map like in the older times and eventually decided to not walk our way through it and rent a bike. It was such a small town that we covered it thrice in those 8 hours that we had. Truly said, “it is unlikely to get lost in the city of Pondi, but it’s highly likely to go around in circles.”
Yes, it was Pondicherry – A retreat, a corner of India that is forever France.
‘Give time a break’ as it’s tourism board reads, is an invitation to paradise for harried souls.
The quaint little place dipped in pastels with beautiful balconies and colonnades. Even though we just touched the town and came back, it was enough to find meaning in what it had to offer.
A blend of the French and Tamil cultures and customs is what makes it conventional and modern at the same time. The unspoilt refreshing beaches, the Aurobindo Ashram to seek inner peace, the architecturally brilliant churches where silence and reflection within yourself can put your mind at peace and so much more.
It sure was captivating for us as we rode along the serene French colonies and different parts of the town. Renting a bike here, seemed the best decision until it broke down on the very highway! The reaction that these moments could’ve led to weren’t a good sign as to what the city is all about – the retreat. But we made through it, pretty effortlessly, we must say! Passed our time laughing about it, beating the heat, having nariyal-pani (coconut water), enjoying the busy road and learning about the people being so kind (and of course taking pictures!). Not for once in that moment we panicked, instead we enjoyed the hustle and the mess that was made until help came around.
We were around 10km away from the city on our way to Auroville – an enchanting place, a study of calm and composed for people to live in peace and progressive harmony. It surely was a retreat and a treat to the eyes as well! On a personal note, do stop by the old standing Dreamer’s Café for some local delicacies and the sustainable craft shops by artists and volunteers there.
So, with a plethora of things to offer, one can spend a considerable measure of energy to unwind and contemplate in Pondicherry, giving time a break!
(As we came back, sat down to reckon up the expenses, surprisingly, ‘I’ paid sometimes, ‘SU’ paid sometimes and it all got evened out in the end, ngl!)
That’s when we knew that even we though we dreamt of the same dream, travel compatibility would make it or break it.
That’s how we came up with our first QISSA, inspired by Pondicherry and it’s perks 😀
