Summer ’10: Kerala & Beyond

Whoosh!  An exhilarating thrill filled my mind as the plane took off from Boston’s Logan International Airport. I watched my little sister as she gazed excitedly out of the window, answering her screams of delight as the brilliant sunset momentarily glazed her shining eyes with a smile of my own. It would be another twenty four hours before our feet touched firm ground, but nothing could erase my absolute bliss at the thought of greeting my motherland.

â–º  Quarter Finalist 2011 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship

We were on our last plane now, having passed Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam and Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. The pilot had just announced our descent into Kerala, a state on the southern tip of India. I glanced out of my window…and gasped. Below were the arching slopes of emerald green mountains and endless plains of coconut trees. There were rivers, slinking their way through the mountainous ground, with the sun glistening on the water, sending reflections of light up to where I was sitting. I watched the villages and landmarks grow bigger, until- touchdown.

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Nedumbassery International Airport.”

“Oh my…”

I looked around me. For a moment, I thought I was in that fabled land called Paradise. To my right side was a landscape so…royal. I was speechless. The land was lush and green. Besides the beautiful land itself, its majesty intensified when I swirled around to my left side. In complete contrast, there was the sparkling white sand of Kovalam Beach, making its way toward the vast ocean that lay just beyond. It was high tide, and the waves came crashing down onto the gentle shores. The sun was gracious in emanating its radiant light, casting the magnificent, gray-blue Arabian Sea into dazzling glory. I could scarcely contain my excitement, and my little sister and I immediately ran towards the shore and into the water.

At first, the water came gently, caressing our feet and cooling them on a scorching day. We were jubilant with ecstasy. However, all of a sudden, the waves became hostile but extremely playful. The waves churned around us, enticing us to join the waters in their game. Overcome by the force of the waves on myself, I felt miniscule in comparison to the wonders of nature that some higher power had created. Somehow, my little sister and I managed to get out of the relenting sea. I had learned my lesson and had my share of adventure for the day.

“Look!” my little nephew exclaimed at me.

I glanced in his direction…and took a step back. Surrounding me were the majestic mountains of Thenmala, reaching to the sunlit heavens. I was in a tour boat with much of my family, heading towards one of the most beautiful places on Earth. When we got there, we walked on a path through the forests and came upon ancient dancing statues. By nightfall, we had reached a summit, where we witnessed a gorgeous waterworks display of vibrant colors and cherished songs. It was a gorgeous day, and I had spent it with the people I loved most.

Thus ended my journey to Kerala, India, a quest to see my family and discover my motherland. I shall end my journal by saying that during this trip, I realized that one should visit her motherland as often as possible. Throughout my journey, I found bits and pieces of myself in all of the places I visited. I understood why I was who I am. The images of natural beauty and splendor shall continue to pursue me in my dreams forever.