I’m one of those rare genes who was born on their parent’s wedding anniversary, the main advantage (especially when you become old and memory is slowly fading) is that it is lot easier to remember the day, but of course this also meant (when growing up), one celebration is cut out.

This year we were blessed with a twin blessing – it fell on a weekend and the whole family could gather together. My parents had already come home, my sister arrived on Friday and my brother-in-law on Sunday.

I, being crazy about long drives, suggested that we go to Pondichery, which is around 120 kilometers from Chennai. So on Saturday we took our first ‘long family drive’ in the car. I should admit that the ECR (east coast road) is well laid and maintained that makes driving enjoyable, though fellow drivers can drive you nuts with their overtaking and the favorite past-time of honking. Our first stop was the famous Aurabindo Ashram. Its serenity did attract me, but probably I expected too much and I was disappointed. After a few minutes in the Ashram, we drove along the coast and went to St. Lourdes Church, Villianur, as suggested by my sister. I walked around enjoying the cool environment and casually making snaps of the church, while, I am sure, my family prayed earnestly for all of us, especially me. After a lunch break, we went to Chunnambar boathouse for a pleasant ride on the backwaters. We drove fast to get to Auroville before 16h30, its closure to public visit; but couldn’t make it, though we visited other places, like the boutique, which are open beyond 16h30.

On Sunday, the day of anniversary and birthday, my sister and I, made plans for surprise shopping for my parents. I gifted mom a saree and dad a T-shirt. Of course as a birthday boy, I bought two pants. In the afternoon we visited Dakshinchitra, a small town created with ancient houses in south India. Though hot climate made us sweat and tired, the visit was worth. One visit that we all enjoyed was the one to glass blowing section. The artist’s skill in making a horse and a swan with the glass was simply wonderful.

On the whole, we did lots of activities as a family this weekend. Though all of us were tired, we did have a happy time.