Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first. ~Ernestine Ulmer

My trip to Mangalore was rejuvenating. The last time I visited Mangalore was in 1997, 8 long years ago. I have highlighted a few memories of the trip. 1. My aunt (Atte in Kannada, Mammi in Tamil ) makes amazing mango pickles. The best in the world.Sluuuuuuuuurp. Something unexplainable always happens when I meet her, One of us is bound to fall sick. This has happened 4 times and when I met her on Sunday, she was ill and we laughed about the coincidence .The last time she visited Bangalore to attend my sister's wedding , I had a high temperature ..... interesting. 2. My Cousin brothers are cool , shy and down to earth chaps. Had some amazing and enlightening conversations with them.Oh did I mention that one of them looks like Hrithik Roshan and has been voted Most Popular lecturer in college ? 3. Though I stayed for 2 days, I couldn't find anyone smoking a cigarette or honking. I must confess I was a tad irritated when we were caught in an unusual traffic jam .An accident on the main road and not a single driver honked. They just sat there talking to their passengers . If it were Bangalore , we would have honked like crazy with a capital C. 4. I found that the people of Mangalore lived in the present, enjoying the moment , unlike Bangaloreans who live for the future .. waiting for that elusive weekend. 5.My cousin wanted to know all about the IT industry .A BPO company had just started its operations near his house and he was explaining how things had changed dramatically. Yep more bars and rising land rates. 6.The visit to the beach and the talk on spiritualism , the Vedas, the Mahabharatha ....... just tooooooo good. Did you know that the Dashavataras depict the evolution of mankind ? From an ocean dweller to a reptile to Half animal Half human.. and so on ..... 7.The countless number of tender coconuts I had to drink . 8.People coming up to me and saying " Don't you remember me ? " I just used to give my 100 dollar smile and lie through my nose " Oh yes, how can I forget that smile. " and then I would look at mom for assistance “ Who is this aunty ??” 9 Mom showing her friend Mohini's house , " and that was where I used to play ". Somehow I just can’t imagine my mom playing . 10.Visiting Kerala , it was just a 20 min drive from my aunt's place. 11.The journey back home where I missed the chance to sit next to " u know who " and the 2 ladies fighting for the window seat.. that was hilarious.