Accepting loss intellectually is quite different from coming to terms with it emotionally.

Last year, I lost both my parents in a space of three months. My father’s death ( which came later) was easier to accept because he had a heart condition. My mother’s passing came as a shock because she died of a GBM that would have remained undetected had the lid of a trunk not accidentally fallen on her head.

Intellectual processing

My parents had both lived a long and happy, fulfilled life and I was lucky to have them till my late 60’s. But what I couldn’t really deal with was the feeling of emptiness that gripped me. From time to time, a wave of melancholy would swoop over me. Anna Shetty suggested I visit a psychiatrist to help me cope.

Listening patiently to my ‘problem, ‘ He suggested , among other things, a short break from my regular life. I decided to go to Ratnagiri, a coastal town in a region from where most of my people come. It was close, easily accessible by train (Vande Bharat) and was safe enough for solo travel.

At this time of year, the countryside is lush and green. of my friends were intrigued by my choice of place. But I was keen on seeing the place.

On hearing my plan, a family friend, a lady old enough to be my mum, who also wanted to visit the coast, said she’d like to come with me.

But she was keen on finding out more about the Bene Israeli, a group of Jews from Palestine who landed up on the West Coast of India some 2000 years ago. So I dropped my plans of going by train but decided on a road trip starting from Mumbai to Ratnagiri and stopping at Alibag where most of the Jews landed up.

That’s how Mrs. B and I came to be on the Ro Ro at 7 am at Ferry Wharf on Saturday.

RORO ROW THE BOAT

The RoRo is far removed from a row boat. It is in fact a modern cargo ship that carries roll on cars and passengers. Run by M2M Ferries, this is a very popular way to get across to the mainland from Bombay.

It is almost always full because it cuts down the road journey by 3 1/2 hours!

Before we knew it, we were on the other side driving off the boat and on the way to meet our guide for the day, Yogiraj Sapre, a young enthusiastic historian, proud Alibag resident and an amateur guide who conducts exclusive heritage tours on the weekends.

Ciao,