A period of my life stands unmistakably lucid in my memory. It was the summer of 1997 that I enrolled in REC Calicut for four years of harrowingly memorable college. To be fair enough, there were good things and there were an equal number of bad things. Good or bad, all one could do at that point of time was take things in one’s stride and face it with a grin.
The college was just like any other semi-urban one, boys dominating the population and fighting over which girl would have the good fortune to be their girlfriend. Evening trips to the Happy Valley and Sorrow Valley (a.k.a. the Couples Valley) ensured constant romance in full bloom. Rumours spread faster even than wildfire and sometimes I think the general populace got wind of probable link ups even faster than the two main people concerned!
The problem with these romances was that unfortunately the profs’ houses used to line the Valley to Hostel route. Those dirty old geezers used to give us even dirtier looks as if to say wait- till-the-sessionals-come, you-people-are-in-hot-soup. But being the typical rebel, I usually gave a damn. Looking back makes me wonder how it was I ever passed their tests, esp that horrid, cranky old Fluid Mechanics prof who had made me his pet peeve.
I almost wish I didnt have to mention the grossest part of the 4 years… But like life, Calicut also has its dark side, without which the story shall remain incomplete. The college was a good one hour bus journey from the city. A mere 7 bucks was the fare, although the crowded buses rarely were empty. An interesting concept prevalent down south is the “ladies seat” at the front of the bus. Even then, some male would invariably have parked his butt there and it was always a pleasure to see sharp ladies deliver their comeuppance and eject them out from the privileged seat!
More often than not, these buses used to commute perverts and creeps, who’se fave pass time was to feel up girls. This trait was not only isolated to buses but the main city, walking amidst crowded frustated men… still sends a shiver up my spine. I recollect a belligerent moment of slapping a creep in a crowded bus plus delivering the choicest of Malli gaalis I could possibly think of, that I’m sure left him wondering if he’d felt up the wrong girl… I’d also like to take this moment to publicly enlighten the Kerala government that your ladies seat still doesnt guarantee safety of the women occupying them!
Calicut was my home for 4 years. In this short duration, I inculcated a love for malayali food, some of which I still make in my home and I must say have a new found respect for the multi-talented coconut. I love the beautiful backwaters, the spectacular beaches and also learnt to live with the hot, humid weather. It was a 4 years well spent and all my learning experiences has made me what I am today. So no regrets whatsoever….never did that, never will either. Since I’m all grown up now, I’m truly less in denial now than before. I’d say it was a time well spent, a life lived to the fullest and will blessedly continue till I live. Cheers!
girl – you just took me back to my college days! went through somewhat similar spectrum of experiences. i am truly impressed that you can understand and speak Malayali. god i cudnt get a word of that language man. felt totally alienated being with a bunch of Mallu frends. well, i do relish Malayali non-veg preparations though. yummmmm:)
perhaps, Marathi was easier to learn – we have Devanagri advantage. but Dravidian origins just don’t agree with me.
keep them coming! eratic & random rocks!
Muchos gracias, ol pal. Walking down the aisle of college days can be nostalgic all right, add a few drinks and the whole world and its grandmother’s stories come tumbling down the blog
I accept your compliments graciously and thank you for your sweet comments.
Hey R!
Made me nostalgic. I had been there last year and for the first time in my life I found out what was meant by ‘throat swelling up’.
The sweet and sour four years have taught us so much right?
Great blog! You got a stalker here
Thanks, girl. I may have coloured it a little too gray but there’s also the fact that we did make the best of friends in CREC. Maybe that’ll be my next topic one of these days. Man, am I hooked to this stuff now!!!