Hey, guess what? It is "winter time" down under in Chennai! Of course it is not as harsh as in say, Delhi or Shimla for that matter, but it is kind of chill all the same. The showers are keeping people kind of grounded; unless they have to report to duty at the office or take the bus to school. I don't have to do either, lucky me, at least for the moment. The weather now in Chennai is almost like an "English weather" where you are experiencing sudden showers and it is always better to go armed with umbrellas whenever you are venturing out. The ear-muffs, sweaters and mufflers are all out for the season as you see when you brace yourself to go out to collect your newspaper or milk as the case maybe. This is also the season for all music lovers as different "sabhas" across the city offer karnatic music concerts; so much so that you are spoilt for choice. The showers take you unawares but they also at the same time leave their mark on the arterial roads and you find that you have to negotiate the numerous potholes and puddles that they leave behind in their wake. The water flowing from the taps have turned cold and you may find that sometimes there is as a result, a mist or a haze developing. You also tend to listen to the daily weather report with more seriousness than you would usually and keep an ear open for the news of depression forming in the Bay of Bengal. Also, I guess I will have to eat my words, as while in Delhi I never did understand the need for sweaters or mufflers down in Chennai, but I happen to wear one now! The Marina beach is definitely the "piece de resistance" where Chennai is concerned(this is of course my personal view), but even the beach gets out of bounds for morning walkers, who on a clear day would love to exercise here. Anyway the weather during the months of october to feb. is ideal for hosting different activities except when you have to contend with the showers or maybe it is just the right time to curl up with a nice book, stay indoors listening to music or watching the tele. You may even pamper yourself with something hot to eat. Could be something ranging from a pizza or hot "bajjis"(you get readymade batter, making it easier to cook them up). It is also a festive time; what with Christmas and new year celebrations. If you happen to go out on a drive late in the evening, you can experience the festive atmosphere coming alive as the city is decorated with colorful lights, giving you an impression of the city's prosperity and resilience. So, here's to the city and to 2015. Happy New Year.
