Skip to main content

Dubai - Am Back after 15 years

When I was born, my father said, "This is my dream girl." The best part about my childhood was in knowing that.

The second best part was that my dad used to travel a lot and always took us with him. While most people dream of visiting the top league touristy destinations, my dad looked for any place that caught his fancy. If there was any place where he couldn't take us to, he would ask what we wanted and even when he didn't have enough money, he'd get it for me and my sister. We looked forward to those trips more because it meant we got lots of stuff as gifts from him!!!

A doctor by profession, there was no real scope for him to travel but he used to save money to travel and within the limited means, he used to take us with him. He visited South Africa, Swaziland and Namibia even when those with Indian passports were not permitted to visit the country at the time due to apartheid. 

Every year, we visited at least two countries on a shoe string budget and a constant favorite for us was Dubai, the shoppers paradise, and as kids, we loved buying our clothes, shoes and stuff from Dubai. As a teenager, I remember buying a lot of my awesome gals stuff from Dubai. We always stayed at the Palm Beach Hotel and had a great time there. I think I've inherited the same love for travel from my dad and I am really glad that I don't have the "I will visit only the UK/US" attitude. The world is much bigger than that, don't you think?

Almost every weekend while we were in Africa, my dad would take the car and drive us to some location and we would camp in tents, eat local food without fuss (that's how I learned not to be a fuss pot - seriously, there 's no fun in being so - it ruins a perfect day) and enjoy just being alive and kicking. No frills, that was the way we traveled and how I still love it!

When I reached Std 12, all of this traveling came to an end. Life became tough because studies took the limelight and we didn't really have any time for such travel, especially as my younger sister was to appear for the medical entrance exams. You know how life seems at that point, don't you?

After 15 years, for the first time, my dad is taking us again. It means everything to him not because he is desperate to see Dubai but because it takes him back and closer to his golden days of traveling with his kids in tow. Dad was never one of those fussy travelers. He made friends with people easily (like me) and no one could forget him once they met him. But I also know that without me, this trip wouldn't be as special for him.

This time, we are going on an all-frills trip. This is Dad's dream and I'm glad, no, I'm thrilled to be part of it. More than anything else, my dad is taking Adi on this trip and that just makes the dream reach a full circle. 

More than this Dubai trip, more than anything else, what makes this travel special for me is - I am back with Dad and Mom, traveling with them to a golden past and this time, carrying Adi as my future and legacy with me. We will go beyond clouds to the realm of dreams because ultimately, it is those dreams that come true and make this life worth striving for.

Pray for our love, togetherness and happiness, please. 
Dubai - get ready for my family!

Comments

Pinpaks said…
What a sweet sweet post this is! reminds me so much of my own childhood. although our travels were limited within India, those were golden times for me too. loved the train journeys and the endless games on it.
my dream travel plan is go backpacking through Europe. I pray I get to do it before I am too old for that!!
I am sure you will have a lot of fun with your family in Dubai. Happy traveling!
March 31, 2011 at 1:30 AM
Anjana said…
Just loved your post! Hope you have a great time! :)
March 31, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Shafeeque said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
March 31, 2011 at 3:02 PM
Shafeeque Mohammed said…
Sweet and nostalgic post. When i read this post. I went back to my good old days when I used to visit Malampuzha(which was the only destination near by) with my family. Though i have went on long trips with friends, the most memorable one is with my family only.
Have a great time at Dubai :)
March 31, 2011 at 3:05 PM
Sonia said…
No words to express how I felt reading this, only a :)
April 1, 2011 at 3:20 AM
Pramoda Meduri said…
It was nice read..traveling is important and that too to home town.. nice to now abt ur childhood days ..:)

Have good time :)
April 4, 2011 at 12:54 PM
K3 said…
Its definitely our parents who instill so many great memories and love of travel, food, or whatever else. Its great that you get to do it again. Have fun.
April 6, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Anonymous said…
Oh, such a lovely post. Have fun!
April 8, 2011 at 1:29 PM
- Sugar Cube - said…
wow ..just wow!
hope you had loads of fun!
I like Dubai a lot too :)
April 13, 2011 at 2:46 AM
Swapna Raghu Sanand said…
Thank you my dear friends, for the warm wishes and thoughts. We had a happy time together in Dubai. Keep us in your prayers and thoughts.
April 17, 2011 at 9:33 PM
Ajith said…
awesome read....dont know how to express the feeling while reading ur blog......soo touchin..i too love travel and this inspires me to do more with my family so may down the line my 4 yr son ll hv somethin like this to write bt his Dad....
April 19, 2011 at 12:41 PM
Post a Comment

Most Popular Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being born
180 comments
Read more

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v
1 comment
Read more

7 Am Arivu (the Seventh Sense) - Why it is spiritually relevant

7 Am Arivu (the Seventh Sense) is a film that I was desperate to watch for two reasons. One, I am a Suriya fan and I had heard so much about his performance in this movie that I didn't want to settle for watching a CD of it and losing the actual cinematic experience. Second, I had read from various bloggers and their reviews that this film revolves around the story of Bodhidharman, a 16th century prince from Tamil Nadu who had mastered knowledge spanning multiple forms of art, and was sent to China to save the people from evil. Once he goes there, the transformation begins for himself and for the people there and he  goes on to become Damo, the father of Shaolin and Kung Fu and hypnotism and such other mystical yet spiritually relevant forms of mind mastery. 7 Am Arivu Goes Over the Top with the Dravidian Rhetoric In 7 Am Arivu, there has been a lot of controversy created by the fact that nearly every character eulogizes about the importance of being Tamil and yes, the Dravidi
9 comments
Read more

Vidyarambham: How and why Malayalis celebrate writing the words ''Harisree Ganapathaye Namaha"

For Malayalis, Vidyarambham is an auspicious day on which the elders and children mark the day by writing the sacred words, "Harisree Ganapathayeh Namaha." The observance of this ritual may differ from region to region, community to community and family to family. Whatever I share here is based on how vidyarambham is celebrated in my home.   [READ: What is Vidyarambham?] Vidyarambham: How Malayalis observe this sacred day In families where the children are gearing up to enter pre-school or play school and are not yet ready to join the formal schooling system, Vidyarambham marks an important occasion for an elder to introduce them to the world of "vidya" or "knowledge." The words ''Harisree Ganapathayeh Namaha" are written on the child's tongue by the grandparent, an elder or parent.                                        [Image credit: Travel Manorama Online ] Vidyarambham: Why it matters  An interesting aspect of Vidyarambha
4 comments
Read more

Tumhari Sulu movie review: Vidya Balan makes you laugh, cry, croon and fall in love with 'Sulu'

I have always looked forward to watching Vidya Balan's films, which is why I watched her latest one, Tumhari Sulu, and decided to share this movie review. I read many reviews which bring in the feminist aspect of the narrative. I want to look at the little details of an ordinary life that are portrayed by Vidya Balan's extraordinary acting.   As ''Sulu'', Vidya Balan breathes life into the character of bubbly housewife, whose life revolves around her husband, son and of course, her favorite hobby of participating in all kinds of contests and winning them with a die-hard spirit.                                          [ Image: Vidya Balan's Facebook page ]                                Vidya Balan's mastery over details comes through in every scene - shooing off birds so that they don't put ''potty'' on her clothes, posing in front of the mirror with the kind of bag that working women use and pretending to be one, and eve
Post a Comment
Read more