Another
December and today my mind left Kuwait and went to Peerumade. The weather out
here is just like how it would have been at Peerumade. Chilly but not very
cold. But it is the howling wind that distinguished Peerumade from the rest of
the high ranges that I have experienced. When the howling started our hearts
felt light since Christmas and holidays were not far away. The air would be
smelling of eucalyptus and one could see it’s twigs lying everywhere. The
sweaters would come out of the cupboards and my mother would be baking cakes
for the season. Then it was all about waiting for the exams to get over.
There was
nothing much to do but time flew somewhere. How I miss that place!
Recently I
found a few photos that we took around Peer Mohammad tomb as kids. Peerumade got
it’s name either from Peer Mohammad or Guavas (Peraka) since the small hills
are scattered with small guava trees. Now some of these hills are dotted with
houses. Peerumade too is no longer free from the ills of development. The teas
estates are no longer viable and I think small parcels of land were disposed
off. I hope those lands are not entirely eaten up. Maybe trees can be planted
or the tea shrubs can be left to grow wild. I am not sure if they consume more
water than others.
For us, it
is a short distance of travel from the valley to these hills. A day trip is
always possible but even then it is not always done. I need to let everyone
into my dreams. Hubby too fell in love with this place after our marriage so it
is easy to convince him.
The last
time we made a trip with my parents and brother and his family. We found that
the bungalow that we grew up was left to die. The kitchen roof had caved in and
the garden was no longer visible. The place was surrounded by trees which have
all been now cut down.
But
Kuttikanam, the town that used to have only our school and few shops has now
changed completely. It even has a 24 hour modern supermarket with a café that
serves BBQ. Have not tried it yet but is on my bucket list. Last trip we passed
the town on our way to Bangalore and had dosa from one of the hotels. Not very
tasty but could be forgiven for the ambience. It came up after Marian College
was built and serves the students mostly I think.
Here is a
more detailed write up on Peerumade from another besotted visitor. The story of Peermade
