Summer Vacation in Vijayawada, India

 Dear Soul,

 Reset the situation using Ctrl + Alt + Del:

CONTROL your state of mind

Create an ALTERNATE way of thinking

DELETE emotional baggage of past memories, hurt or failures.

~A.S: I hope this post helps out-of-town folks plan a trip to Vijayawada, stay comfortably on your own, explore around and even host. It’s also about an unlikely local friend who went above and beyond to make the trip memorable for all of us as I wonder what I did to deserve it all! Forever grateful dear friend!!~

View from Kanaka Durga Temple, Indrakiladri, Vijayawada

STAY:

This Summer was very different as I planned to visit my hometown Tenali after several years along with my sister, together with our four girls. We decided to stay in Vijayawada with our mom for 2 weeks at a Service apartment (similar to Airbnb) for comfort and ease of traveling/shopping. Luckily my friend helped tour a few and came up with recommendations so it was easy for mom and me to check out the short-listed ones and decide on the right one. We had to consider location, safety and budget in addition to amenities including A/C, Wi-Fi, drinking water, daily cleaning and laundry service. My mom made it home bringing in her kitchen ware and cooking all meals at home. It was very easy getting milk, vegetables etc. from supermarkets around and with friend helping out with the initial days’ meals and snacks as well. 

Vijayawada Train Station

LOGISTICS:

We took Vande Bharat train from Secunderabad station to Vijayawada, which in a mere 4 hours got us home, right for breakfast. It doesn’t give out authentic train experience, felt more like a flight on tracks, meals/snacks provided and no vendor/solicitors. Going to India after several years, I realized technology/Smartphone apps made the stay easy and seamless. We used Uber (auto and car) to go around nearby, but my friend also arranged for her car to take us to distant places. There are apps for food and instant grocery delivery, pick up as well as services like housekeeping on-demand, which we didn't have to use though.

Most thrilling auto ride for kids :)

PLACES:

My friend’s organic garden:

I was also thrilled to have enjoyed the opportunity and blessing meeting my friend's dad and visiting Shirdi Sai temple close by

Kanaka Durga Temple:

Kondapalli fort:

Bhavani island:

It poured right before we boarded the ferry to the island and we all got completely drenched and were asked to wait until the storm passes, so we decided to skip the island and luckily got reimbursed as well. Instead my friend arranged for a tour of the New capital- Amaravati under construction:

Krishna Aarti from the iconic Prakasam Barrage

TTD Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, Venkatapalem, Amaravati

The Chief minister's residence on the banks of Krishna

A random house that captured my attention

Vijayawada has so much to offer:

Shopping: Jewelry exhibitions, malls, local boutiques

Activities and Dining: Varnam Art café, Vijayawada club, restaurant and dessert cafes, breweries, parks

Two weeks went by so fast. I made many new memories and lived some old ones (revisiting Sri Chaitanya college). Overall, it was an unforgettable trip for the whole family. Looking forward to our next visit, which will include Dindi and Antarvedi, as promised to the children for our next trip.

~P.S: Do share your favorite places to visit around Vijayawada, so I can add it to my list too. ~

Happy Earth Day, fellow Earthlings! - Let’s take care of our home!!

 Dear Soul,

When you change, Your world changes!

Every year as the Earth Day approached; while doing school projects with the kids, I would shift my attention to my part in taking care of this planet, however small way. Like since last year, I am glad to use compostable plastic bags in many stores for vegetables instead of single-use plastic (never liked it). Renamed as “International Mother Earth Day” in 2009, The United Nations and world leaders call out on the need for swift action on Climate Change and to restore ecosystems with a new theme and several initiatives each year. Pope Francis addressed the same in his encyclical Laudato Si’ – on care for our common home in 2015. Despite all this, why are we failing? why are the “sustainability” goals pushed out?

I found the answer in “Spirituality”. Recently I became aware of a different approach when I watched a video where renowned spiritual leaders came on one platform to inspire people to change their ways to help the planet. For a person who is constantly stressed and who is deeply engrossed in day-to-day long to-do lists, all of this won’t matter much. It is impossible to look beyond themselves. To Think Green, we have to first Think Clean. We pollute the water and environment around us not just by chemicals but emotions too! Our thoughts carry vibrations that affect the environment around us - plants, pets and importantly kids. Every time, I respond with kindness and empathy and not react, every time I don’t gossip or discuss the weakness of another person, every time I don’t watch or share an unpleasant news spreading fear and anger, I am healing myself and others too. Isn’t it simple?

So, let’s take an oath to take care of our thoughts and emotions, for a month to begin with – no anger, no criticism, no discussing weaknesses. Let’s make our homes, work places happy by creating high energy vibrational thoughts and forsaking negative emotions. By rising our consciousness, we can rise the collective consciousness of this planet and the new era dawns!!

If not now, then when?

If not me, then who?