#MadetoTravel

I am a single Indian girl driving to a little known Indian town called Kannur in the Communist state of Kerala, India. I know I have reached when I see cars and state buses hurtling towards me in a kamikaze manner.

I spend the better part of my three days and two nights visiting the usual sights but nothing could have ever prepared me for my visit to a local Kalaripayattu (known as the mother of all martial arts or flying sword fighting as I like to call it) guru perform at his modest hut. First, Che Guevara comes to pick me up in a white Ambassador (descendant of UK’s Morris Oxford) at my beach resort. You see, Che is everywhere in Kannur - his face even on the electric poles. The locals seem to groom themselves to look like him.

I sit quietly at the back of the car on the ‘safe side’ and make small talk as he winds this non-power steering car through narrow lanes which get frighteningly narrower until the car can go no further. I am told to get down and accompany him to a hut. I consider running away, but decide to take my chances. Its 5:30 PM and it’s going to be dark soon. I enter the hut to see four pairs of eyes staring at me – two young boys and a girl besides the Guru. They have been waiting for me and have their weapons ready. The kids proceed to show me their midair rhythmic fight sequences. But by now I am dancing to a different tune. I am in capris, barefoot and the mosquitoes have found their meal. I begin lightly stomping my feet and swaying in the hope that the agonizing bites will stop. The Guru steps forward and frowns at me. I am afraid I might have offended him.

It’s probably 6 PM now and twilight outside. He gestures to Che and tells him something that I don’t understand. Che turns and tells me with a smile that his Guru can see I am itching to try out the drills. The Guru has mistaken my condition as enthusiasm. I nod mutely in assent. Movement is the only way to beat these bloodsuckers. I am asked to follow the Guru’s ‘simble’ (simple) steps. I proceed to follow him with great enthusiasm and speed and he looks alarmed. He asks me to slow down, but I cannot. He tries to teach me another drill, but I make a hash of that as well. In my mind, I am like Keanu Reeves who has just mastered jiu jitsu in The Matrix. The guru finally gives up. I make my way out in haste with a bewildered Che who drops me back while I chuckle at the entire ridiculousness of the experience. It’s definitely a day I will never forget.