A Few Hours of Being High on Life

by Abhishek Nair (India)

Making a local connection India

“Hey, buddy! Where are you getting down?” a voice called me from the side while I was gazing out of the window, waiting for the train to get going so that I could give my vision some landscapes and my soul some fresh air. That guy was long-haired, bearded and had the local accent, just like how his other two pals sitting opposite to us carried themselves. Those three had everything in their appearance to be judged by the crowd as uncivilized or as “Freakans” as they are called here in Kerala. Moreover, these guys were employed and were artists behind the stage for a Malayalam television channel, which would just add up to the stereotype. Their conversations were extremely funny and made everyone in the train lend their ears to them. The way they had welcomed me into their gang was quite unfamiliar to me as it did not involve any kind of introduction or formal smiles or any such clichés. After I had exchanged my name with theirs, the very next thing I found myself doing was playing Antakshari with them along with enjoying the tea and peanuts they had bought me. So, that’s how I happened to meet Amal, Amal, and Akhil while I was traveling back home from the hostel for my vacation. “Where are you getting down, Amma?” the thinner Amal asked a middle-aged woman who got in three platforms later and came to sit next to us, as he bought five plates of Vada from the vendor for all of us. “Amma”-meaning mother in Malayalam, that’s what he called a woman he had just met. It came as a shock to me. It was the first time that I had come across such a soft-hearted guy who was gibed with an equally swagger appearance and attitude. “O Piya Aaye Na Woh…Piya Aaye Na…. Na” Akhil sang out and gave the last letter of his song for the Amals to start their song with. I and Akhil were a team and both the Amals were another for the Antakshari which went on for more than an hour. “Na main samjha………Samjhi na senorita…. Sa”. I and Akhil were not able to think of any other song with that letter. “Saanson ki zaroorat ho jaise..” began the woman who was sitting with us, mum until then. The joy of the celebration was even more enhanced. This is the one strength I have always wanted for myself-making others comfortable and joyful through my actions. It wasn’t me who did it this time but I was surely a part of it and that made me extremely happy. Pune, Manali, Delhi, Kedarnath and some more to the list that I cannot reproduce completely, these guys had been to all these places. And yes, they were a living example of how travel makes a person exceptionally elegant and amazing to talk to. “It's not just tourist destinations. When you are traveling to a new place, make sure that you have tasted the food from those streets, see to it that you have interacted with the people there and have become familiar with their local language and culture in whatever little way you could. The true aspect of going places is to discover ourselves and I’m fortunate that I get to do it as a part of my work.” Akhil told me with all his enthusiasm, sharing with us all those vibes he had gained as a traveler. I was reluctant to get down when the train had arrived at my home platform. I exchanged my phone number with the three-member gang and headed home straight away. Those three and a half hours had been one of the most enjoyable times of my life. I wanted to meet them once again, travel with them and enjoy myself for another time. Three days later, I heard a tring-tring of my phone while I was sitting with my mother. “Amal calling.” my phone happily sang out to me.