Breakfast is my favorite meal. Especially when on vacation.
And missing an ‘All-you-can-Eat’ Breakfast Buffet makes me sadder than you would imagine.
I made the poor choice of choosing sleep over breakfast on my second day in Penang.
When I was reading about Penang, I learnt that it was a culturally rich place. I am geeky like that, I love museums, temples, heritage places and the likes.
There was this one place I was particularly excited about. The Peranakan mansion. A bunch of super wealthy Chinese people lived there once and now their home was a museum.
I decided to get ready, grab some lunch and head.
The restaurant downstairs was as empty as the night before. I ordered myself the local fried chicken and rice and a tall glass of watermelon juice to wash it all down.
Another great meal.
I cleared my bill and asked the sweet lady at the reception to arrange for a cab to Georgetown.
That’s when I met Helen.
Helen drove the hotel shuttle to and from the airport and to other tourist destinations. She wasn’t really the cab driver for the hotel but all the cab drivers had taken their lunch break so she agreed to drive me instead.
Helen was a talkative one. I could tell. But she also smiled often. So, it was hard to judge whether I was going to need my earphones on my drive there.
I spoke too soon though. She was the sweetest.
It began with the usual ‘Where are you from?’ ‘Travelling alone?’
But the 20-minute drive to Georgetown was so much fun. She told me about the places we were driving by and places I should visit while on vacation in Penang.
She also drove the Hotel Shuttle to this night market in the opposite side of town called ‘Batu Feringghi’. She suggested I should go sometime. I agreed!
We drove through the narrow but gorgeous streets of Georgetown till we reached the mansion. I thanked Helen for the drive, promised to see her back in the hotel lobby and walked to the museum.
The mansion was huge! And not in a palace-y way. In a home-y way. Back home everyone lives in these tiny apartments. Not any more space than we need. So, high ceilings and verandas always fascinated me.
Took me about an hour to see the entire place.
Most tourists came out gushing over how much gold there was in this house. I was casual.
I am from a Koli family. There is more gold on display at weddings in our community than this Chinese family owned altogether.
The last stop of this mansion-tour was the family kitchen. There were pots, pans, huge water containers and other utensils on display there. But what caught my attention was this tiny counter at the end of the room that sold refreshments.
That’s where I met Lisa.
Lisa worked the summer at the mansion selling slushies. By the time I reached the counter to get one for myself, they were all out. So, she asked me to wait at the table for a couple minutes. She came out with two glasses and sat across the table.
That’s all we needed to get to talk and I spent another 30 minutes chatting. Her shift was done, I had no plan of action, we each had a delicious drink made of God knows what and both of us had common love for Murakami.
As much as I would have loved to stay back and chat some more, I was getting hungry and Lisa had classes to attend. So, we said our goodbyes and I walked out of the mansion.
I was never good at directions. Back home, Google Maps was my Bible. But here, I didn’t have to worry much since I was already lost.
Although I kept going in circles the first couple of times, I was okay later. Georgetown was gorgeous. There was so much art everywhere. People performing on the streets, paintings on walls, door hangings on all the shops. Loved it. I saw a lil café called ‘Pit Stop’ and sat at the table closest to the window. I ordered for noodle soup and a strawberry slushy. The day was getting hotter. So, looking at the city from the inside of an air-conditioned café seemed like a good idea.
I spent a whole of about 90 minutes in the café. Part of the reason being, the drink was too tall and I was just getting used to the whole ‘Ice-Melts-And-Your-Drink-Reappears’ Cycle! So, I stayed put. Wrote some, read some, stared aimlessly.
It’s almost like I am making this up, but just before I was about to clear the bill and leave, this tall guy entered the café with a huge backpack and sat across my table.
The entire café was empty and he chose the chair across my table.
He ordered a drink, pulled out his notebook and started scribbling rapidly.
Weird.
I thought leaving immediately would look rude. But then again neither of us exchanged greetings.
I stayed anyway. Started reading again.
My drink was finally done. I started wrapping my things. Expecting him to acknowledge my existence.
Nope.
I paid the bill, picked up my bag and stood.
Nothing.
I started walking away.
“Have a nice day!”
I turned, smiled.
“You too!”
Bam! That’s it.
This was the shortest and the most memorable conversation I had had in the longest time.
He didn’t walk in with anybody so I knew he was travelling alone too.
Maybe that’s why I thought it was rude to walk out on him immediately and he thought it was rude to disturb me when I was reading.
Maybe it was some kind of mutual agreement we had on giving each other company but not getting into each other’s space.
Whatever that was, it was new and I liked it.
The sun was calmer now. So, I started walking in search for a taxi back to the hotel because it looked like I could make it to the night market that Helen mentioned earlier.
But on my way, I met a bunch of school kids. They were doing a survey about Georgetown. They asked if I would take it, I agreed.
It was a quick survey.
I asked them about the closest taxi stand. They suggested I take the bus. The bus stand was right across the street and one of the kids lived very close to where my hotel was.
“Bus no. 51”
Okay! Bus no. 51 it was then!
Although it was just a bus ride, I felt so accomplished. All grown up and efficient.
It’s one thing to take the Mumbai local every day and another to board a bus in a new city and get off at the right stop.
Good job, Prajakta!
I was expecting the bus ride to be all scenic and emotional. But naah. Pretty basic.
I walked back into the hotel. Greeted Helen at the lobby and asked her to save a seat for me on the shuttle to the Night Market!
I was kind of tired, but I wanted to make the most of the day.
I freshened up quickly, made a few calls back home, let my mom know I was still alive and dashed back to the lobby.
Helen greeted me with a hug! Ahh! How I loved hugs! She asked me to wait on the sofa for a while.
I saw two guys sitting there already.
Hmm. One of them was cute.
I went ahead and sat down. Greeted the boys and stared at my phone.
You know the usual routine every time a cute guy is within a 20-meter radius.
Act indifferent.
They struck a conversation and I joined in.
Everything was going well, till things started getting a little flirty here and there.
That’s my red zone. I stood up and started walking towards the door. They insisted on walking me out. I refused, they walked anyway.
Helen was waiting up front. I quickly got into the van and waved goodbye.
He asked if I would like to get dinner afterwards. I said, “I’ll let you know!”
What!
I don’t know how to turn dates down, man! It’s been 6 years since someone asked me out. I am not going to lie, I was flattered. But that’s that.
The drive to Batu Feringghi was super coil-y. Thank God I hadn’t eaten much before. Helen dropped me at a Gas station at 7pm and promised to pick me up from the same place at 9:30pm.
The vendors were just setting up their stalls.
I heard waves and walked in their direction.
India does not have a beach culture. My home back here is an hour’s drive away from the sea. But the sea never interest me. Not in the monsoons, not in the summer, never. But the sea here was breathtaking. Just like in the movies. All the colors were just right.
I took my sandals off and stood ankle-deep in the water for a while. It was getting dark and the market was beginning to buzz, so I walked away.
The market wasn’t extraordinary. A narrow never-ending street filled with stalls and tiny restaurants on either sides. The people was what I was more excited about. People are friendlier there. Not that I have travelled the world. At least not yet. But of all the places I’ve been to, Penang has the sweetest bunch.
Everyone smiles. Everyone greets.
One such person was Mary-Jane.
I was doing my old, aimless walking through the street when I felt someone tugging on my arm. I unplugged my earphones and saw this tiny Chinese lady smiling at me.
“Come eat at my restaurant?”, she asked.
If you know me, I never turn down food. Never.
It was about 8 and I was getting a bit hungry.
She owned a tiny place called, ‘Helena’s café’. It was named after her Grandmother.
She walked me to it and I chose a table right on the street.
She gave me a handwritten menu card. With pictures of dishes she made with prices written on the right bottom corner. I settled for rice and chicken. She took my order and left.
I went back to my music.
It wasn’t long before Mary Jane returned with two portions of rice and chicken each.
“May I eat dinner with you?”
So, Mary Jane and I ate dinner. She told me stories from when she used to cook at the Naval Canteen. And in return, I tried explaining what I do for a living. That’s always a long conversation!
Dinner was delicious.
I cleared my bill, hugged her and left.
Such a sweet lady.
I strolled a little, shopped a little.
My memory of Batu feringghi is – Colourful Fairy Lights!
Every shop, restaurant, stall had fairy lights.
It was almost 9:15. I decided to walk towards the gas station.
I was back in my hotel room by 10 pm.
What a day.
I did nothing extraordinary, and yet what a day it was.
I sit at cafes every week. I eat at Chinese restaurants all the time. I’ve been to so many museums before. But never met Helen, Lisa, The Guy at the Café, the Cute guy at the lobby or Mary Jane.
They’ve always been there, I was never open to conversations.
Smile more often. Talk to new people. Ask them how their day’s been so far.
Put your phone down more often.
People are amazing. People are gorgeous.
You’ll be surprised at how much your kind is like you.
Ordered a portion of fish and chips to the room. Ate on the balcony floor and hit the bed immediately after.
And that was day two.
Beautifully written.. Loved it.. I wish I could see some pictures too..
Beautiful !!!
Worth reading! The way u present your feelings is super awesome. Feeling motivated to start my own blog!
Inspired me to WRITE… ❤
Awsome! You have narrated it wonderfully.
I am your huge fan and after reading this i didn’t resist my self to ready all your other blogs.
This is for the very first time I read your blog. Just loved it. You are just amazing. Happy to see you doing so many things 😘 keep the good work going. All the best. LoveLove😂😘
beautifully written…..u actually inspired me to go on a solo trip soon…that would be fun…
Amazing one. Made me feel those experiences as I was reading. Hope to travel on my own one day, when I become an adult. Lots of love
Wow. What a blog. Even I love to write. I need some guidance. Can you please make a video on your YouTube channel like how to be a blogger for writers.
Love u Prajakta do😘🤗
*di😅
Awesome. 😍I felt like I was reading a novel..
While reading , i felt like i was reading some novel.
You have great bunch of words.❤ seriously beyond love🌹
Beautifully written❤️ inspired me to travel more often 😍 thank you. This blog just made my day🤗
beautifully written, inspired me to write 🙂
Heyya! This post is soo well written! It felt like i was there experiencing all this! I could imagine the lights , the bus the hotel! You know what!? You should start writing novels! I’m sure that it’ll be good 🙂
It was so amazing to read every single para.. The bold ones were good! I read that in your MostlySane loud voice!
P.S. I have exam tomo! But this was just amazing! Felt like a virtual mini tour to Penang.
Write more! Keep the posts coming Plis 🙂
Just two words – PrettySimple and SuperAwesome <3
Heyy prajkta ………. u r such true inspiration for the youngsters ………plzz dont change……..and this words…………cant put in words………so much love…….
Pls continue writing blogs yaar… I love to read ur blogs…
Just love your blogs 💖
Your words have super positive vibes around them to get any person’s day going. Thanks a lot..love love..haha
You Dum Dum thinks that your writing is as cute, innocent and simple as you, Dumpling! You present your content very well Prajakta.
BIG FAT thumbs up to this! 👍👌
Thanks for inspiring us a lot….. Love love😘
Osm…very nice…👌👌👌
So beautifully written…. You just know how to grab attention of people 😄 and take them into yours world😍
I loved ur blog very much. And was so glad that u write so attractive and catchy blogs that gets peoples mind diverted from sticking to phone. U inspired me at a gr8 extent through this blog. And u also love ur videos. The best was the collab with Bhuvan Bam. Loved it so much. Thanks for the blog do write such blogs and inspire all of us out there who love it blog. Love u Prajakta dii…..
#MostlySaneBLOGS #dumdum #shameless #lovelove
Awesome!!! I feel so energized every time i read ur blogs. It fabricates such a positive and motivating effect upon its readers. Amidst the stress of life its such a “gush of comfort”!! #LoveLove❤❤
Super awesome.
Could visualise every word written.
just pretty awsm dude,
seriously you have bunch of words, and meanwhile it felt like i am reading some kind of novel.
🙏
No words… Keep up the good work…
God bless you…
Vineet Ratnaparkhi
Social media has as many Cons as many of its Pros.
By
Virat Kohli., And everyone who has a social media account and realised it.
Praising thethe Blog so nicely written Prajakta, Kudos. further addressing the issue raised by you.
Now officially there is a Medical Acceptance for this addiction as part of psychological ailment. And Protocols and Procedures to deal with it.
While on other hand millions of dollars are being spent on “Attention Engineering or Attention Programming” the science of how to keep the consumer glued to maximum screen time and retain all old customers back to regular peak screen times.
Results..!
In a popular interview the question was asked to people.
“What is that one thing everything simply can’t live without?”
Answer of people was ” My Celphones” the Expected answer for the questiin was “Water”.
people may run a trending campaign from now on saying #GetARealLife. But barely change their attitude towards their Smart phones.
The issue is certified real these days and even for content creators it’s Hezardous like hell on there mental status.
How many times have we clicked our food before we cherished it on to our palette pleasing our sences, which actually making us feel good about the food.
Guys comment/(blog in itself) is so long I’m sorry.
The major set back we have faced is in kids, that we have lost the art and skill of imagination and dreaming. Presence of mind. Living in the movement. Concentrating, Focusing.
Content creators please pleade to limit your screen time yourselves.
While we Cherish the good old childhood days when only pain was a bleeding knee, when we made a house/Castle out of empty cardboard bookes.
The Question still remains.
What about the Bigg and the Small Kids these days!?
Amazing Prajakta
First time read your blog and loved it….you are amazing prajakta ma’am ….love your videos and from today your blogs too….#lovelove😘
I just love ur blogs!!!!
From today i am blog lover, beautifully written
Looking at the title I thought it would be typical article on cons of phones but no it just defined the beauty outside the phone by different means….exquisite…looking forward to more such captivating content….
-Dumdum
❤️ just love
I just love your thoughts…
”You’ll be surprised at how much your kind is like you.” – Best pick for me from this blog.
Beautifully written.. I just felt like I was walking in all that situations..simply loved it😍 ..tq for leaving down a meaningful msg 😇
The way you penned this article is so nice, I was able to picturise the whole thing. And the way you ended it was even more beautiful 😀
This creative thing through writing and showing each moment so crisp and vividly makes me read all your blogs . You love & believe in yourself and that’s projects in your videos .God bless this soul and her close ones.
Dear Prajakta, please continue publishing these writeups , we love you 😍 #MostlySane
Loved the way you have written..😊
❤❤
Aww awesome days wish I could have one day…
It was amazing!! Hope I too travel alone and write sort of like that
Your article is very good. You have written very well. Your article is very knowledgeable. You have a lot to learn from your article. You are my inspiration, seeing your blog, I have created my website and I am writing a blog too. https://maibucket.wordpress.com/ This is the site of my blogging, if you like something or if there is any shortage in it. …Thanks
Loved this! Simple and yet engaging!
I miss those days when people used to have random conversations with random people. My Ma Masi can still do it… Leave them with random people for 10 mins they have a super power to know so much about them. Be it a ricksaw wala or someone else. Me here a super talkative person but still cant come out of the shell when I meet unknown people. Our childhood wasn’t like this. As much phone and gadgets are making our lives easier it is also narrowing down our communication skill. The best gift we humans have is language and the skill to talk but the virtual life is not letting us utilize it to fullest
I love reading your bolgs for various reasons.. They are well written, inspirational, interesting, motivational and soo many other things.. Keep writing.. Much love
Worth reading ! Amazing ! Love it !