Day 0: My Cannon Event of the Year

Written By: Shreeja Chekuri

A canon event is a moment in your life that will help shape your journey or personality. For example, Peter Parker getting bit by a radioactive spider, turning him into Spider-Man. Giggling Geckos Summer Camp 2023 was a canon moment in my life and I was ready for round 2! Immediately after camp was confirmed, I booked my tickets. I was so thrilled and couldn’t wait to go back to our happy bubble. I booked from Los Angeles to Bengaluru not knowing that the drive to Tiruvannamalai was 1-2 hours longer compared to Chennai. I was feeling uncomfortable traveling alone for 5-6 hours. After multiple calls to my travel portal, it was clear that I wouldn’t be able to change my ticket to Chennai.

1 week before camp, it was clear why Baba didn’t allow any changes to my itinerary. Anu Aunty, one of the Dallas Gurubandhus, was flying to Benguluru as well! Her flight was scheduled to land shortly after mine. I was so grateful that Baba and Gurugaaru didn’t allow any changes for my ticket. Otherwise, I would’ve missed out on a fun journey to Tiruvannamalai. Anu Aunty and I spent the whole way talking about camp, Baba and Gurugaaru, and overall having an amazing time leading up to camp!

As we entered Haritachala, Syamala (staff) greeted us with her wide, pleasant smile. I responded in Tamil, using the phrase I had learned last year: "Nalla irruka, Akka?" (How are you, akka?) I took in the cactus, gazed at our bamboo path, and turned around to see the Sai Baba Dhyana Mandiram. I knew I was back home. Immediately after unloading our luggage from the car, we went into the Mandiram to seek Baba and Gurugaaru’s blessings. I knew the responsible thing to do was to shower, and freshen up. But I was too excited. I ran around Haritachala, taking pictures, greeting the volunteers. I was so happy to reunite with all the aunties and uncles!

After settling down and freshening up, I raced to the kitchen to join Ammamma and the aunties. They were diligently and meticulously discussing the menu to ensure that the food is of the highest quality and taste. I got the opportunity to offer the first meal of camp to Baba and Gurugaaru in the community kitchen and the Mandiram. After offering the naivedyam, Ammamma asked me to try the dosa feeding it to me by hand. I will hold that memory close to my heart forever. 

The first couple of days of camp were filled with so many fond memories that I will never forget. Before camp, I told Akka that I wanted to try Jigarthanda (popular Tamil sweet dessert drink) when I came to India. Akka asked one of the Geckos, Hasita, to bring Jigarthanda to camp with her from a specific shop in Chennai. Hasita arrived the night before camp with the delicacies. All of us there that night enjoyed the goodness of Jigarthanda, reminisced about past memories, and prepared for the next 2 weeks of joy!