A fresh attack of paleomnesia- The jutka ride

When we were kids, we lived in a locality adjoining a low income area where horses that were used for the North 'Indian wedding Baraats were tended. There was a shed where the elaboratley decorated hardwood Jutka was housed when not in use.

Now I have a very enterprising aunt, who was always thinking of new ways to entertain the kids ion the family. So one fine Sunday, she struck a deal with the Jutkawallah to take some 8-9 kids on the horse driven Jutka on the MArina beach road- this dates back by about 20 years... when MArina beach road was relatively empty- especially on Sundays..

So there was my sister and myself, two of my cousins, the two kids belonging to our landlord and two other cousins- and my aunt.. we all boarded the jutka around 1.30.. it was an awesome ride.. aunt found it very dificult to restrain any of us excited kids... just as we hit the beach road.. it began to rain-- what more do we kids need!!! we had one helluva time!!!

By the time we returned all of us were drenched to the skin.. each of us was rushed into the house, dried completely and made to change clothes. By then my amma had made hot hot hot Idlis soaked in chilli powder-oil. We brats ate amidst a lot of bantering about the ride. I wtill have a picture somewhere, of me with a plate of Idli, my then little cousin brother tootlessly grinning from the red colored Tobu tricycle and a whole bunch of kids in the background..

Nothing to replace those carefree days of unfettered fun....