An outing of fun and nature with no expense 

“What? How is this possible being in Bangalore? Where can we enjoy without spending a penny? ” is that what’s going on in your mind too? 
One dinner conversation when me and hubby were talking about parenting, we spoke on list of childhood experiences our kids are missing that we have as previous memories. So we decided to take them on a ride to outskirts of Bangalore once a month and let them just explore and enjoy the place.
“pack your drawing kit and some papers, we are going to green place where there is no pollution and more trees”, kids were very excited to hear this. “snacks?”, asked my little one and we smiled and said, “sugarcane, watermelon, grapes from market” – kids found it interesting. And when we said,” no songs, no phone.. Let’s just sing and talk and play..”, they were kind of not very sure if it will work. 
As we drove, we shouted hip hip hurray and after crossing kadugodi and towards Devanahalli, we stopped by a market to grab the fruits.. “how do we eat it? My dress..”, screamed my elder one who is trained at school on dining etiquettes. As he saw his mom gulp and slurp and enjoy watermelon and sugarcane, he gave a try and both kids found it so jolly experience.. 
And there on the right hand side, we saw some paddy fields, buffaloes and cows grazing.. We stopped by. We got down and kids were like wow wow to enjoy the scene. “U can paint and draw what u observe”, as we said, we got a shocking reply. “but where is the painting workshop?” my 8 year old son asked.
“why do u need a workshop? Just scribble down what ever you enjoy and observe”, on hearing this, the way he stood and enjoyed the activity was amazing. He did really scribble for a while lol, but later I joined him to give a structure and we both enjoyed the activity while my husband and younger one went around counting the crows and cows. That was when we saw our 2 year old daughter counting from 1 to 10 flawless for the first time 🙂



We did stop by couple of spots and drew and spoke about how clean the place is.
“do u remember dad’s granny’s house? The village where we have a hut and garden around?”, as I asked, Dhakshin cribbed, “yeah I remember, but there was no toilet then and I had a tough time huh”. We bursted with laughter on hearing this memory of him. “so be lucky for the superb city life we have, still do u see how nice it is when we don’t cut all the trees and we have fresh air and clean environment?” 

Dhakshin could very well relate to his EVS (environmental science) syllabus at school and felt happy. They were tired, and as we returned from the place, both kids slept off. Me and hubby had a lovely beautiful road drive with trees around, enjoying to our favorite melodies taking a little romantic nostalgia 🙂
So 2018, we have planned to experience more such small little places, enjoy tiny happiness in life, appreciate the unnoticed nature around… It is not only for kids but a break away from “routine shopping mall city life weekend”.
I could also recollect the recent such memory I experienced on the way to cherai Beach kochi.. Surrounded by green fields, back water glimpses, birds chirping, shadow road, native towns…i would say it is on top of my list – best places in kochi.. Similarly all of us have such small little outskirts outside every city.. While we enjoy the upgraded city life and credit card life.. Let’s also take some time to witness and cherish that there are few things that have never changed over the years and they are a reason of beauty to our place 🙂 
So, 2018.. Here we come.. Close to nature, simple and happy..