Today I was doing my laundry and I noticed a new blue can in the vending machine. It was a can of F&N Soda in Ice Cream Soda flavor. I paid for it, opened the can, and took the first gulp.
Quick sitrep, I have been a foodie my whole life. Just like a photograph triggers people’s memories, taste triggers mine. I am as confused as you.
The taste of Ice cream soda threw me back to 2003, back to my school days. I had not thought of this particular memory for the longest time. I still remember the red brick wall canteen with figurines on top, one of which I'm sure was Donald Duck. I remember the markings of what used to be a basketball court in the cement platform in front of it. I even remember the tall mango tree towering over the whole place.
But most of all, I remembered the green glass bottles of Icecream soda we used to buy from the canteen. If we returned the bottle we used to get back 1 rupee. Collect enough bottles, you can buy a soda, collect some more, you get to buy a butter bun. Pretty good deal if you ask me.
I remember a few of my friends, braver of the lot, seeking the bottles already collected behind Uncle's back to get to the snacks. Probably why they stopped giving back that 1 rupee.
Life was so simple then. Well, I guess we lost our childhood somewhere between the green glass bottles, from icecream sodas to Carlsbergs. But it was a fun trip down memory lane, and I have a little blue can to thank for that.
Ps: While searching for a photo of the canteen I stumbled on this Wordpress article. Frikin time capsule if you ask me. You might like it.
And no Loyola flashback is complete without this bus, so cheers :)
