Summer activities that open the floodgate of childhood memories!

As summer approaches, my mind begins to wander, seeking out the familiar comforts of the season. I have memories associated with songs, food, and beloved places. When I hear a song, I time travel to the place or the phase when I had listened to the song on repeat mode. Something similar happens to me every summer.  

There are certain things that still carry the reminiscent of childhood days. Thus, I am transported back to my childhood summers, a time of joy, freedom, and endless possibility.

Vitamin Sea to improve memory

Spending summers at Nani’s house was a tradition we eagerly waited for every year. My nani’s abode is near Puri, a coastal town in Odisha. The mighty and tumultuous waves of the Puri beach would heartily greet us and tease us to play in its frothy waters. We would dive into the salty sea, feeling the gritty sand between our toes and playing to our heart’s content under the scorching sun. It never ended there, for we would also pay a visit to the revered Lord Jagannath’s temple and indulge in the heavenly bhog. Even now, whenever I get a chance, I pack my bags and head over to Puri to bask in the warm embrace of the beach and relive my childhood days.

The amateur astronomer in me would gaze at the sky like a devotee

Now when I gaze at the night sky, glittering with stars and moon, from the balcony of my apartment, I would be reminded of the calm serene childhood evenings.  I would lie on a charpai in the open verandah and gaze at the stars on a clear summer night. The darkness would envelop us as the light went out due to load shedding, but we didn’t mind. We had each other, and the vast expanse of the night sky kept us company. With awestruck curiosity, I would look at the limitless dark sky and wonder about space, look at the glistening stars, and wonder about the constellations. Deep in my heart, I always hoped to discover a shooting star so that I could ask for a wish. And when the lights were back, the soiree would disburse, and mother would start calling for dinner.

Is anyone up for some Refreshing summer cooler drinks???

One of my fondest memories is of a drink that was a staple in every household – Rasna. Its sweet, refreshing taste and bright colors made it the perfect drink for those hot summer days. My siblings, friends, and I would drink it like juice or freeze it into popsicles, licking them eagerly until our tongues turned shades of orange and yellow. And now, every time I taste Rasna or Tang, I am reminded of those carefree days, of the simple pleasures that brought us so much joy.

 

But perhaps my favorite childhood activity was making aam panna – a sweet and tangy drink made from unripe mangoes. I can still smell the smoky fragrance of the mangoes roasting directly on coal, the sound of the pulp being squeezed out and mixed with chilled water, aah! not from the refrigerator but cool water from the clay pots, season it with black salt and sugar and lastly sprinkle some roasted cumin powder. It was the perfect drink for those days when the sun beat down mercilessly, leaving us hot and exhausted. We would gulp it down in one breath. I guess it was our own style of bottoms-up. A glass of aam panna would cool our brains and calm our souls, reminding us that even in the midst of the chaos of summer, there was still beauty and sweetness to be found.

I am grateful for the small treasures of my life that allow me to taste the slice of childhood once more. The simple pleasures are the ones that stay with us the longest, that bring us the greatest joy and make life worth living.

PS: This post is a part of #BlogchatterBlogHop at www.theblogchatter.com