Balaji Tea Shop

We are over on Seevalaperi Road in the Anna Nagar part of Palayamkottai. It is a busy road and there are always bikes and buses zooming past the front door. The shop is basically a small room where I have my stove and a few shelves for the glass jars. I spend most of my time standing near the entrance so I can see who is coming. The heat from the stove gets pretty bad in the afternoons, so I have to keep a small table fan pointed right at me. I have some jars filled with local snacks like banana chips and some sweets that the kids like. The floor is red oxide and it has faded over the years where everyone walks. I usually have a few newspapers lying around on the benches for the men to read while they drink their tea. The noise from the traffic is constant and sometimes you can smell the exhaust fumes, but the smell of the boiling milk usually covers it up. I’ve been in this spot for a long time and I know most of the drivers who stop by for a break. My day ends when the sun goes down and I start washing all the glasses for the next morning. It is a lot of work for one person but it keeps me busy and the routine is good for the soul. We just keep things simple and practical.