Childhood Memories - 90's kid

Bangalore truly has a vibrant street life, even in the midst of the hustle and bustle. However, the traffic signal at Koramangala junction can really test your patience. It's interesting how street vendors take advantage of that waiting time, offering everything from cotton buds, hair accessories, roses and what not. (Well Bangalore was called Rose Garden). The recent addition in the things that the street vendors sell are the bubble solutions. Am sure it’s a hit with the kids and headache for parents.

Kids can really turn on the charm when they want something, can't they? It's amazing how quickly they can go from calm to full-on tantrum mode, especially when they spot something fun like bubble solutions. You can just picture them pleading, "Please, Mom! Just one! I promise I’ll be good!" It’s hard for parents to resist that mix of enthusiasm and desperation, especially in a crowded place like that. Those little moments can be both amusing and challenging, as parents navigate between wanting to say yes and knowing when it’s best to hold their ground.

The vendor was blowing the bubbles, and it was floating all over.It’s amazing how something as simple as bubbles can transport you back to childhood memories. As a kid I loved visiting my grandparents’ house with all the playtime and love. I remember, once when I had gone to the neighbor’s house to play, he was eagerly showing off his new toy, which was the bubble toy. He did not want to share the toy with us and hence I left for my house with my brother tagging along. I started throwing a tantrum as I wanted this too so that I could flaunt it around my neighbor. My grandpa who was resting in his armchair enjoying his radio show, was annoyed. He stormed in asking what all the commotion was about, for which my aunt stepped in to clarify what his grandkids wanted and why were they throwing a tantrum.

He looked at us and said to follow him. He went to the backyard, where we had a small garden with lots of trees etc. He went and chopped a branch of papaya stem (if I recollect correctly) and sat with his small knife that he had and started scrapping the stem. Honestly, we were clueless what was happening, but curious to see what’s this project all about. Finally, he had made two hollow tubes which looked like a cigar with the hole. Then he went in and got two plastic cups in which he poured a bit of detergent powder and added water. Those big bubbles floating around was a source of endless joy and laughter! It’s moments like these that truly highlight the creativity and love of family, turning a simple afternoon into an unforgettable experience. Talk about being resourceful, my grandpa turned a simple banana stem into something so magical. Watching him work, filled us with anticipation, especially since we had no idea what he was creating.

Those simple joys from childhood really highlight how creativity and imagination can bring happiness, especially when things weren’t always easy to come by. As 90s kids, convincing our parents was almost like pitching a project—having to justify why we needed something and demonstrating its value. It definitely taught us the art of negotiation! It’s interesting to see the stark contrast between generations. Nowadays, kids have so many more options and instant access to things, while back then, we had to make the most of what we had and be resourceful. Those little moments of crafting joy from basic materials not only fostered creativity but also built stronger bonds with family. It’s a beautiful reflection on how happiness can come from the simplest of things!