Why not?

 Why not ?

This has always been my response when I was asked why. Not in a tone of defiance but in a tone of curiosity at times and a flippant amusement at others.

I am writing this from my room in My Fortune, Chennai - an ITC hotel . What am I doing staying the weekend in a hotel that is literally 5 minutes from where I live? Ah that is the story  I am setting out to write ! :)

Last February, Kripa and I made a Kashmir trip and stayed at the Pine and Peak in Pahalgaum. It was our first holiday after graduation - so we are talking first holiday in 30 years. We chose the property because a) it was an ITC property and b) it had great reviews. But unfortunately, while everything else went brilliantly well, our stay did not owing to some major renovation being done and a few other things. we were quite upset but we were determined to not let it ruin our trip, so we focused on what was going well. 

But my middle-class heart would not let it go. I came back home and wrote a long email to the hotel and explained the background and our disappointment. And this is where a brand like ITC stands apart. They go the extra mile to make it up to the customer. They very kindly offered me a two-day voucher in any of their equivalent hotels. Now most people would be embarrassed and say let it go...why do you want it? my response was why not?

I held on to the voucher and told Kripa to plan a trip to madras so we could use it. But with the Covid second wave, and work being what it has been after that, that never happened. So, I decided to use the voucher myself.  

I checked in yesterday grinning gleefully. Most of the staff here know me. They also know I live hardly five minutes away.  I am sure seeing me checking in on my own was a bit of a puzzle. After all it made sense for someone to check into a hotel if it was to execute a clandestine rendezvous :) but this was clearly just me....and I am sure they were wondering why I was doing it. My response , why not?

I was delighted when I walked into the room. This is simply fabulous. There is an old-world charm to this hotel and of course this is also the hotel I have been coming to since I was 8 years old. There is something familiar and comforting about the vibe because of those memories.

I remember learning to swim in the pool. I smile at that memory because that was also when my uncle had broken his leg. And he was doing his physiotherapy in the water. He asked me “nondi kaal oda race ku varaiya” I still remember how my little heart did a little jig at the prospect of beating my uncle at something. Obviously, I agreed. Obviously, I lost. And that’s the best part of our family. There is no concession made for ability or lack thereof. There was no outrage expressed that a 24 year old uncle competed with an eight year old girl and beat her. Resilience was expected of us and that was that. As I stood looking at the same pool, I smiled at how that resilience has continued to stand me in good stead.

I did the Facebook live from my room and I am going to be doing the Instagram live also from here. Maybe I will do it from the same pool that has so many memories for me 😊

I woke up this morning at my usual time and realised that I would have to wait until 7 am for my coffee. So I thought to myself, "why not go get coffee next door."

I picked up my key and walked to Hotel Maris

Ah now there is another place which is a treasure trove of memories. All the staff there know me too because that is where Appa used to stay every time he came from Trichy. We are talking about someone staying in the same hotel from 1970’s until 2012. They have now redone the hotel, but the restaurant still has the same vibe.

Someone walked up to serve me and despite his mask I could see he was delighted to see me. It was Balaiah, the waiter who had joined the hotel as a boy. He said “It has been so long since we saw you. Ever since Appa …” and he paused.

I felt a little lump in my throat as I was reminded of the loss I live with but I could see how fond he had been of Appa and that was soothing. Another waiter came joined us and we spoke for a bit about how Appa used to walk and how he used to talk to them. As I drank my coffee, I smiled at  the unexpected trip down memory lane that reminded me that Appa had been loved by so many different people.

I strolled out after coffee and decided to walk home to drop in on Periamma and Periappa. Gleefully told them I was staying in Chola. They know me well enough by now to not be puzzled or surprised at the things I do. 😊 in fact, they cheer me on. Periamma said “Why not!” and I grinned back  at her thinking , “hah ..what spirit for an 86 year old” When I told them I had had coffee in Hotel Maris, Periappa had this amused look and said “your dad and I have spent many an evening there.” We all laughed and I said “Yes, yes, I have heard those stories too!” Appa had told me about how in their 30’s he and Periappa used to hang out at the bar there. And now as I look at my 91 year old periappa, I feel a rush of affection for shared memories.

My sister walked in, looking resplendent in a golden yellow and green silk sari and I went “ooh you look gorgeous. Suthippodu” and she went “Pffft!!” at me 😊 She was off for a wedding in Pondichery and she went into the kitchen to get some fruits to take with her for the journey.

I traipsed behind her and asked her if I could be picked up from the hotel on Monday since I had a suitcase  but didn’t have a car. Again, no surprise no shock no curiosity even. She said “ok, I’ll ask the driver to come.” (Although I must confess, even though I knew she wasn't thinking that, I felt obliged to explain what I was doing so she didn't worry that I was doing a secret romantic rendezvous 😊)

I came back to the hotel for breakfast. Had a fabulous one . Ranjith, (the F&B manager I think) came in to greet me and I chimed “I am staying here” He had this patient look as he said “yes I know” 

I picked up my food from the buffet and one of the staff, came and said “I hope you are enjoying your stay ma’am” and I said “yes thank you” and I couldn’t help adding “You do know I live five minutes away” hoping for a “oh really?” but instead what I got was “yes ma’am I know”

As I write this, I am still bursting with glee.

I realise that for some reason the fact that I have checked into a hotel that is five minutes away from home, simply so I could use the voucher before it expired, is something that is a tremendous source of amusement to me. And most people must be wondering why I am making such a big deal about it.

And most people would know my response to it

Why not?

And if you want a visual recap of what I have written , here is a one minute video :) I haven't done a voice over for this because I think what I have written above will serve as a voice over in your mind 

#KeepYourLifeSunnySideUp