When I did an article about “7 must do’s while in Kochi”, I had not heard, let alone visit Sree Balaji Coffee House on Salim Rajan Road. The attraction to this place is not their INR 5 worth tea or their piping hot snacks, but the mood and air around this small shop that reeks of dreams that were dreamt, chased and dusted.
8 years in Kochi, and it needed a video for me to learn about a humble tea seller from Kochi, who managed to travel around the world with his frugal earnings. I simply had to meet them! So, along with few friends, I planned an evening of chai and kaddi (tea and snacks) at his tea shop.
Invisible Wings
A framed poster saying ‘Invisible Wings’ depicting a tiny tea glass with wings, catches your eye as you enter. This tiny space with few tables and benches, has been serving breakfast and evening snacks and dinner for two decades. Starting at 6 in the morning, Vijayan chettan* and Mohana Chechi, the smiling couple behind this tea venture, get behind the counter preparing and serving food, to their regular patrons.
As we entered, we picked up the piping hot vadas (savoury fritter snack) and pazhampozhi (banana fritters) and found a bench to seat ourselves. The coffee and tea followed. Here, one gets to pick the snack one wants (instead of ordering) and at the time of leaving one just has to mention, what they ate and how much. On being asked, what if someone lies and cheats. Vijayan Chettan says with a smile, ‘I don’t mind till my food satisfies the soul.’
The tea shop
Through the clatter (more of it created by us!) we managed to speak to Vijayan chettan and learn about his interesting travel experiences. The three walls around us visually substantiated each word spoken by Vijayan chettan. From photographs of their world travel to paper clippings admiring and commending their travels, adorns the walls, giving inspiration to many, am sure!
It’s a marvel that this couple has already been to 15 countries in the last 8 years which includes UK, France, Switzerland, Egypt, UAE, Malaysia, USA etc..; the destination that deluded them for long was America. Talking about their trip to USA, the couple recounts with a chuckle, getting a visa was a dream come true; we had no hopes. In addition, there were financial concerns. Few tweets by none other than Amitabh Bacchan and Shashi Tharoor, two public campaigns, got the couple, instant attention. Through crowd sourcing and a generous donation that came from the actor Anupam Kher., couple was able to generate some funds towards their travel to USA.
“We take loans too, to fund our travel but we ensure we come back, work harder, and pay back within the deadline”, says Vijayanchettan. While traveling, the couple spends judiciously. Nothing lavish, focusing solely on their joint mission of soaking in the destination they are visiting. Married for over 40 years, Vijayan chettan doesn’t want to travel without his wife, whom he fondly calls the MD (Managing Director); so they save for two people each day.
As my group jostled to take a photograph with the couple, Mohana chechi joined us with a smug on her face. She is very shy, said Vijayanchettan, whose next-to-go destination is Russia, which is scheduled sometime in 2016.
*chettan is elder brother in Malayalam while chechi means elder sisterHere’s the video about their journey
It’s a marvel that this couple has already been to 15 countries in the last 8 years which includes UK, France, Switzerland, Egypt, UAE, Malaysia, USA etc..; the destination that deluded them for long was America. Talking about their trip to USA, the couple recounts with a chuckle, getting a visa was a dream come true; we had no hopes. In addition, there were financial concerns. Few tweets by none other than Amitabh Bacchan and Shashi Tharoor, two public campaigns, got the couple, instant attention. Through crowd sourcing and a generous donation that came from the actor Anupam Kher., couple was able to generate some funds towards their travel to USA.
“We take loans too, to fund our travel but we ensure we come back, work harder, and pay back within the deadline”, says Vijayanchettan. While traveling, the couple spends judiciously. Nothing lavish, focusing solely on their joint mission of soaking in the destination they are visiting. Married for over 40 years, Vijayan chettan doesn’t want to travel without his wife, whom he fondly calls the MD (Managing Director); so they save for two people each day.
As my group jostled to take a photograph with the couple, Mohana chechi joined us with a smug on her face. She is very shy, said Vijayanchettan, whose next-to-go destination is Russia, which is scheduled sometime in 2016.
*chettan is elder brother in Malayalam while chechi means elder sister
Here’s the video about their journey