I haven't travelled alone with my mother for a long time. Since my father's usually around to neutralise things I've been neglectful in studying her holiday habits for a while now. This time it shall change, because it's just the two of us going away for the weekend, but what I've learnt so far is pretty scary in itself.
My mother believes in hoarding up nice clothes to wear on holidays. I have spent the past half hour watching her try on outfits that she "normally wouldn't wear in the city". Amidst much hand-wringing and twirling around it suddenly hit me that this is the best part of the holiday for her, feeling nice and pretty and in-her-element. I call this the Diva approach to travelling, and I usually have no problem with it when my father's present to handle most of it. It's just unfair to ask to keep an earring pouch and a perfume and other things in my bag, when she has two of her own. Yes, there are two bags. For a two-day trip. My clothes are in my backpack.
My mother also believes in Being Prepared and carrying her world with her. Medicines for every sort of ailment from sore throats to dysentery have gone into her bags. So have tissues and bathroom slippers and two kinds of soap and extra shoelaces. Sunscreen also, I think. In winter this transcends all levels of pukka gori mem behaviour. I know I'm whining, but people like this scare me. If they can think of every possibility they're only one step away from ruling the world. Damn, my mother's Big Brother.
She is also a follower of the Dirt Is Bad cult. Among the many things the bags hold are an extra bedsheet (in case the ones in the lodge are dirty), an extra spoon and fork (for the same reason), a foot-scrubber, extra towels, and newspapers. We are going to Maithon dam, where you cannot possibly escape the dirt, but that's no deterrent. Did I mention the two kinds of soap?
I think she might have packed Harpic also.
Where does the problem lie? I believe in the Guerrilla approach to travelling. Wear shabby dark clothes, jump around with no luggage to restrict you, survive on what's available, sneak up on people and shoot them (with a camera), don't worry about socks, pack only what you can't buy. Blast it, dirt is good.
We have spent the past hour arguing about why it is okay for me to wear only one pair of jeans throughout.
I think I might have been adopted. In fact, I know I've been.
1 day ago
15 have survived.:
I believe in the one pair of jeans and lots of pretty tops approach. That's convenience and ego-booster combined.
Band-aids are a must for me. I am a walking accident.
Hair cosmetics, because my hair thinks IT'S adopted and unloved.
The rest can go to hell.
that's nothing..my pishi travels with a moshari!
and maggi and hot watre in flask =(
it's a nightmare travelling with her
:D .
what if one day when you're all grown up, you turn around and you find that you're this, exactly?
*nightmare, all mine*
One pair of shorts, a t-shirt, one underwear and a pair of socks (and maybe a tracksuit if its cold where you are going) should be enough for anyone.
Travelling needs should be few. My order of priorities are:
1. a camera
2. mp3 player
3. a couple of books
4. a pair of jeans and a couple of tees. a few changes of innerwear depending on how long the trip is. maybe a jacket in case of inclement weather. oh a cap too. but that you can strap to the backpack, to save space.
I guess that does it, doesn't it?
But mothers are usually of a different species altogether. I truly believe this. There's no figuring them out.
Does this mean....you're not half Tamil?
Maithon is lovely :)
And is your mother a Virgo? :D Her habits sound very familiar!
Oh, and alternating between Ze Mere approach and your approach is major fun too.
And great post again!
I have two opposite parties living together and it is not pretty, my dad takes his own damned 15 kilo pillow while my brother believes that if Adam and Eve didn't use it we don't need it which explains the permastink around him.
There's a guy in our class with whom I went to Bangalore for a fest. Among other things, he had a Horlicks shishi full of sugar in his luggage. It was like he had packed for a holocaust.
And Lahiri (who features occasionally on my blog) has a girlfriend who carried seven locks and four chains (or the other way round, I forget which) for a six week internship.
Finally, just in case you've missed it, I draw your attention to spriblah's comment:
"15kilo pillow"
*huge grin*
mothers believe in feeling at home everywhere. whether at home or not.
Packing is annoying.
I follow the anything-that-doesn't-fit-into-backpack-isn't-needed rule.
P.s. My favourite line: My mother's Big Brother. :D
I feel like crying after reading this post and the respective comments(I mean, I WAS laughing while I was reading, but now I feel like crying)!
I've never been on an outing! Myaaaaaaaaammmy!!!!!!!!! And my Big Mother won't take me out even after the Madhyamiks.
@ dotl: band-aids you can buy!
@ lb: hot water? whatever for?
@ hhe? ok: noooooooo!
@ rs and soumik: yeah. but tell my mum that :-|
@ pom: *sinister smile*
@ mer-curial-maiden: she's a scorpio, but a virgo at heart. and thanks :)
@ spriblah: everyone has travel woes it seems :D
@ sroyon: oh, i forgot the sugar and salt. but my mum doesn't carry it in a horlicks shishi. that's too much.
i wish i had a 15 kilo pillow.
@ cry freedom, sol and ravis: :)
but my mother's still Big Brother.
Post a Comment