Syndicated from a previously public website – Raju Alluri’s public posts at Sun Microsystems
Got a much needed break from technology (imagine 5 full days of not touching a computer) during this Pongal trip. All 5 of my aunts, along with my mother, came to my cousin’s place in Bhimavaram. Along with them are 2-3 cousins and their families. It is a gathering of about 25 people, and time flew by. It flew by so fast that I haven’t had time to open the only wine bottle I took to that place. That bottle may have to wait for few more months, given the frequency of my wine consumption.
Played cards with my cousins for a few hours, watched a movie (Style-Telugu), watched cricket and played with kids. Ate lots of sweets (that are specially made for this festival.) Spent one evening eating Mirchi Bajji (Chilli Pakora) and Bajji Mixture (resembles Bhel Chat), which are popular in this part of Andhra. My wife can travel all the way to this place just to eat this food.
Kids had a great time. A gathering of 8+ kids needs no mention of how much noise they make. They played Antakshari, watched movies and played lots of games.
The first day of the festival, Bhogi, is very well known for its morning-time-campfires. Kids enjoyed it very well. I took these 8 kids in my car, finding the best campfires in the area. The same day, we went to this movie; Style. Kids liked dances in the movie.
We spent the second day of the festival, Sankarnti/Pongal, in leisure. Just played a lot of games and ate a lot of food. Had to visit some relatives in this area, so the time is gone just like that.
Couldn’t stay back for the third day of the festival, because we had to travel back home on Sunday.