The things that you could do

Today is my cousin's 50th birthday, and I find myself reminiscing about the good times we shared. Back in those carefree days, when the world seemed less dangerous, we enjoyed a freedom that we can't even imagine allowing our children today.

We were visiting Kodaikanal, a beautiful hill station just a few hours' drive from Madras. While I don't recall all the details, I do remember wanting to go for a walk, and Rajesh, ever obliging, accompanied me. In all my childhood memories, Rajesh was always the one who would willingly go along with my ideas.

From scrambling down a steep slope to gather flowers for our hotel room to trying to climb into a locked playground for the rest of us, Rajesh was always game. This time, we walked from our hotel, which I think was near Coaker's Walk, to downtown Kodaikanal. Although that was our objective, the invigorating brisk walk persuaded me to ask him if we could go a little further.

My memory of the cool and misty stroll

My memory might be faulty, but I recall the weather being slightly misty and the time being towards dusk, and still, we strolled along without a care in the world. This was in the days before cellphones, and there was no way for our parents to know where we were or to reach us if they needed to. I don't even think we told them we were going for a walk. If the Famous Five could leave home for days and camp on their own, why couldn't we wander about for an hour or two?

Years later, I found myself reading a customized version of the Famous Five to my daughter: “... ‘If we go for a week or ten days, we must take plenty of stores,’ said Julian… (begin custom text) but this is something that happens only in books, T, and something you should never do since there are crazy people in the world, and there is no way you can be safe (end custom text).” OMG! How could we allow children to read these dangerous books?

The Five would climb out of their bedroom window at night, clambering down a conveniently placed tree. Hah! I made sure there were no trees next to my daughter's bedroom window! They would go camping on their own, buying fresh eggs from an unknown farmer to make their breakfast over campfires. I wouldn’t even let my daughter walk unsupervised in our neighborhood grocery store. They would escape to George's uninhabited private island only to fall afoul of dangerous treasure seekers. This one was easy—I just had to resist purchasing an island in my daughter's name!

Back to our ill-judged walk. In retrospect, it was foolhardy. My dad, anxiously waiting our return, was understandably angry. Most, if not all, of his ire was directed at poor Rajesh, who gallantly did not complain.

High times!

If I could go back in time, I have to admit that - I would absolutely do it again (sorry, Dad)!

We didn’t have trips to DisneyWorld or Europe, but we have rich memories nonetheless.

Like the time we stayed in a guesthouse in Kodai and were forced to do the dishes after every meal. We indignantly plotted a coup but didn’t have the guts to see it through. We had a too healthy dose of fear and respect for the 'elders' to be able to do that.

Or the time when we were traveling down south to Tirunelvelli. Rajesh got off the train to buy something for us at the station. To our horror, the train pulled out before he could board our compartment. Today, it would be just a matter of a few texts and he would be able to let us know when he would be able to join us. Then, we did not have that luxury, leaving us panic stricken, wondering just what to do. He was carrying very little money and even if he could convince the train conductor to be allowed to board without paying (convincing people was something Rajesh was very good at), the next train for the same route might be hours away. Lucky for us, he had the presence of mind to jump into a different compartment and then join us at the very next station.

Perhaps we didn’t get to be as adventurous as the Famous Five, with the ultimate freedom of traveling on our own in our early teens, but despite the watchful eyes and strict upbringing, we had plenty of our own adventures. Hopefully, we won't let those memories fade away.