A get away
A synthetic smile welcomed us.
After some formal verification we were led along a tree lined pavement to a
small cottage where we were destined to spend two nights and three days. There
was only one room with an attached bath which was all kept spick and span. With
nothing else to do, we unpacked and set out to explore the area. A narrow paved
path led us to the back of the property (
that is what they liked to call it) from where the watery landscape offered a
unique vision and a remote feel. We settled on a stone bench to catch up the
sun set wind and the occasional boats
that were breezing on the black water.
The amused tourists on those boats passed queer looks at us. After about an
hour we trod back to the pool area from where some noise was heard. The people
should be entertained so that there would be no murmur about the huge
investment they had made in the name of
happy holidaying. The restaurant displayed all kinds of exotic cuisine
which were priced far above the market price. Fresh fruit never includes apples
or grapes or oranges or mangoes. It is always water melon and papaya. All the chicken
dishes tasted the same but the consistency and colour varied. Fruit juice is
always served in never- to be -seen tall glasses meant to eat up your wallet. All
the attendants who came to the cottage wore an expectant look. Other guests
avoided looking at each other. They were easily amused by the organizers of
activities. Loud applause and stray comments kept them together. But somehow I
felt out of place. An artificial air enveloped me. I just wanted to get away
from that heavily guarded property which might have been acquired from middle
class inhabitants for peanuts. Most of the previous owners should be living
across the high compound wall that screened their poverty. It is God’s own
country. 
