Pack your bag and catch a bus to Mamallapuram, a.k.a The best and the cheapest surfing spot in India. The town is a tourist attraction and is just 80 km from Chennai. Serene beaches and ancient temples mark this quiet city.
As for the food, I have simply no words. The quality and taste were just amazing.
Go to the beach when the tide is right, and you will find smiling people surfing and having fun. Enticed, we decided to give it a try too. Just right by the beach was Mumu Surf School.
Run by Mumu, a very friendly and welcoming person. He is not only passionate about surfing but is using it as a way to help his community too. As we were talking to him, he told us about a program he runs called “Surfing for Healing”. Where they teach children from backward backgrounds to surf.
You can find them here https://mumusurfindia.com/. Even though I didn’t go in the water, my dad did, and this is what he has to say about it – “ Amazing, a simply amazing experience, must for everyone at least once.” Their studio has a beautiful aesthetic Bohemian touch to it.
Mumu explained usall about the different surfboards
The Prophet is a collection of philosophical poems, which took more than 11 years to perfect. Yes, you heard that right, Kahlil Gibran spent 11 years re-writing and perfecting this book. No wonder it is one of the top sellers.
It is to my great fortune that I had this book kept at home. I started with the first chapter and knew from the first page itself, this was going to be a one-sitter. But considering that it was already late and I had to wake up at 5 am, I decided against it. I have completed almost half of it, and It is so good, I have no words.
I believe it should be made compulsory for all parents and teachers, especially the chapter on “Children”. Not only for parents and teachers, it should be taught at school too because it contains many lessons from important topics in life like marriage, work, time, etc.
To quote one of my favorite lines from the book:-
“ Verily the lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul, and walks grinning in the funeral.”
Swami Vivekananda once said, “You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the Gita.”
My coach told me, when I joined him, that when he sees someone’s chess games: he gets to know the exact personality of the person. I didn’t understand him then until I saw it for myself. When a person plays any sport: Boxing, Chess, or Football, his/her personality, fears and nature is laid out like a blueprint.
And that is one of the most beautiful things about sports: you can’t hide. Your fears and inner demons will come out and you have to face them. Isn’t it a great tool for self-betterment and analysis? To me, it is surely the next best thing to meditation!
I have been great and super busy. Because I am preparing for my Science and Technology paper now.
But in between everything, I managed to make Still, Silent, and Serene’s first Instagram post! It was also the first social media post of my life. Please check it out here:-
We all love street shopping. Street shopping is a great way to get an idea of the local market and the regional prices. Everybody should be in tune with their district market.
I always make sure to see the marketplace of the city I am visiting. Obviously living in Bangalore for so many years, I know many fashion street destinations. Let me share them with you today:-
Jayanagar 5th Block
Located only 2 kms from the historical Lalbagh Garden, Jayanagar 5th block and 4th block is a renowned shopping destination. One storeyed houses, and showrooms mark the neighborhood.
One of the most interesting things about it is its diversity. On the same road you can get jeans for 5000 rupees and another one for just 100 rupees.
If you want to visit branded shops then 4th block has it all from H&M to Zinc London. But instead if you are in mood for some bargaining then Jayanagar Shopping Complex is a haven for everything from fake jewelry to casual clothing.
Silk shops and jewelry stores are also a trademark of this place.
Mahatma Gandhi Road
Mahatma Gandhi Road; definitely one of the most developed areas in bangalore. It is a great destination for a day outing with your friends or family. Cafes, restaurants, pubs, cloth shops, vendors give this place its special appearance. If you are in Bangalore this is definitely a must visit.
Despite its posh appearance, MG road has many affordable clothes shops as well. The experienced shopper knows. Just take a left turn, into a small lane, sprinkled with pubs and female attire stores. Heads up; it’s only cheap if you are an expert at bargaining.
So grab your best friend, dress up, and get down at MG road Metro Station, shop and take some cool photos!
Chickpete
Chickpete is basically a wholesale market of clothes and dress material, located near the city market. City market has other wholesale areas of utensils, electrical stuff, motor parts, etc. Though I recommend going there with an expert, since it requires a lot of bargaining. One should also be familiar with the shops. Though you can also go there to simply visit. It is a very interesting place. It also has junk jewelry and western wear shops. Plus many food stalls.
Many of my friends go there at least once a month, to buy household stuff. Since it is available for really cheap there.
Jyoti Nivas College Market
Jyoti Nivas Is a girls degree and PU college in Koramangala. Outside it there are many Street style clothes shops, footwear shops, food stalls, etc. It is very centrally located. JNC is only 1km from Forum Mall. The entire area is very good to roam and walk. There are shops of all kinds, plus many cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
Commercial Street
Commercial Street is one of the oldest and busiest shopping destinations of bangalore. It is famous for clothes, footwear, food joints, and electronic items. Buy cosmetics, purses, bangles, dinner sets, household items, and much more at this place. Since it is very centrally located there are also many retail shops surrounding it. If you are tired of bargaining, you can always head over there for some rest and air conditioning.
Some food items you can find there are Chaat, dosa, idli, sandwiches, etc. There is also an abundance of aesthetic and old cafes there. Some of them being
MDP Coffee House
Lakeview Milkbar
Champaca
Cafe Azzure
There are many things to do there beside shopping also, like;
Cubbon Park
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum
Mahatma Gandhi Road
So, these were some of the most famous and best shopping destinations in Bangalore. I have been to almost all of them. Though, I have to say since I have also seen the markets of Bombay, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, Bangalore doesn’t even compare with them. To name a few, Janpat, Sarojni Nagar, and Karol Bagh in Delhi, Rani no Hajiro, Law Garden, Ratan Pole In Ahmedabad, Hill Road, Causeway, Linking Road in Bombay.
Street shopping is not only good for your budget but also your street smartness. Shopkeepers though not always but frequently do try to fool their customers. I have personally learned a lot from going to local markets. One should take their kids to markets like these because there is a lot to learn from there, plus it is also really fun!
Do you enjoy street shopping too? Tell me in the comment section below.
The Homeschooling Diary 