Holiday accounts!

I love travelling and also writing, so yeah...so far i've got only two down on paper. I hope to visit a lot more places and write more!

Memoir of our trek to SiddharaBetta


With memories fresh from the last plan of ours- to go out-that had crashed, we awaited the 2nd of July with eager anticipation, and to know if our plans were really coming true. The bus was scheduled to depart at 5.00pm and we were supposed to have gathered at 4.45pm, but much to our bitter-sweet dismay, we were on our way only at 6.10pm. As all other important occasions (who ever said education was on that list?), we started trickling in to the venue at an excited 4.40pm.
There were fifteen or so girls, including me, Shreya’s mom, her cousin brother, and her sister. Besides us, there was a family-with two of the most daring, and obnoxious daughters, 4 engineering students (girls), and some Bengali blokes (whom according to us all, were having their own little affairs with the engineering girls, and wandering eyes).
There is something about a journey to a holiday that makes the ride a voracious one. It was as if, food was unknown and had to be discovered. A few minutes from Gurunanak Bhavan, we began digging out-sheepishly at first and conspicuously later on, packets of junk. We were travelling by a Pushpak bus. We began the journey, bidding goodbyes to parents as if, on our first journey away from home (quite characteristic of their behaviours on our return from school excursions as children). We first talked in whispers, in pockets of “the sophiaites, and the Npsites, the family and another, and of course, those vocal Bengali blokes too”. Later on, though, we enjoyed playing DC, 20 questions and the like. After which, again, the evening brought with it a sombre mood. A debate or rather, a discussion on the various aspects of life, and other philosophical truths, interspersed with gossip/ trivia such as “Orlando Bloom looked really gay in Troy”.
Dinner time came and went; we were not perturbed as we were assured of meals when we reached.
By the time we had reached our destination it was 10.30 pm or so, and we were informed that dinner was being prepared- a little shocked but ready for any adventure, we resolved to answering nature’s calls in the not so pleasant toilets. The rooms, were little holes of brick and cement-some still under construction, and the others, with a decorative block of cement on one corner. However, since we were in one big group, we were given the roomiest of them all- a choultry hall, with nothing but floor for comfort. But it was of some comfort, that, all of us were in there for fun and didn’t really give a damn as to whether we were as comfortable as home- as in the wise words of a fellow companion “ what more can you expect for Rs. 275/-?”
The sky was a vast expanse of the darkest blues, freckled with pearls from outer space. It was a rich sky, and teeming with this air of the divine. It’s not very often that we get to see a clear night sky, but that it was not just ‘clear’, and was an unrestricted view through open air, was absolutely awesome. For a long time, we just kept shining our torches around, exploring where we were, but through it all, we kept stopping and gazing up and marvelling at the spectacle.
Dinner was finally served (not worth a mention, except the appalam). After this, we sat around a warm campfire, and just gazed into its majestic glow. Not much was said, but many pictures taken, and then we retired to our hall, and savoured the last few minutes of fresh air before being locked up in the hall for safety sake!
Who ever said that a full night’s rest was necessary before embarking on any strenuous activity? We stayed into the wee hours fully engrossed in our game of Uno (and suk’s and my game of collection). It was not until I couldn’t distinguish one card from the other that we spread out our bed sheets on that stony floor. Simple comforts of a pillow are appreciated in its endearing absence. All the same, we slept late and woke up early in that frigid place. The night made us fearless, but morning brought with it some sanity- there was no way we were having a bath in cold water in all that coldness!
We set off at about 6.30am or so after a ridiculous recital of our names and occupations in a circle. Just when the Bengali men thought they would get a bit of an intro, we said our names followed by “trekking”- talk about great expectations!
Well, describing every rock and boulder and every manoeuvre would be a bit tenuous to the reader, and unnecessary and inefficient on the part of the author. However, the entire climb ups, the slip downs, the slide downs and the groping, and occasional groaning were all variables in that constant of happiness. We tunnelled and squiggled and squirmed and finally made it out of our little wonderland in the caves and headed to breakfast. Before this though, the Rs.3 holy bucket of water poured on our heads-from the fresh water source in the caves, is worth a mention. Other remarkable sights were naturally formed shiv ling and also the tendrils of the banyan tree that invaded a magnificent spot in the caves making it picture perfect.
Monkeys were all around, ever eager to grab any food that they could lay their eyes on. It was a bit frightening, especially when we were faced with monkeys on one side and a cliff on the other. The view from the peak was wonderful, and there were picturesque ponds, with the coolest waters that soothed all those nicks and scrapes acquired during the climb up. Though it was early in the day, it felt as if, evening was approaching and the breeze was beautiful. After taking a whole lot more pictures in every place we thought was worth the frame- quite a LOT!, we began our journey downhill. Much to my surprise, it was the trek down that was more tiring than the trek up. As in life, the ups are really good but the downs are when you need to slow down and watch your step!
Our knees were knocking about and our legs shivering, but all the same, we made it down safely and trudged back to our new found house- with nothing in common but construction material! We began our return a bit after our descent and were taken to some other temples on the way back, but the whole lot of us remained glued to our seats and a bit less thrilled by the prospect of scaling another peak especially when there was no extraordinary view promised.
Much to our mother’s delights, we regarded their food as God Sends from Leela Palace! We were a bit liberal with our 7 star ratings after the trip made our palates immune to the unpalatable. The trek was one experience amongst those that make life one joyous ride. The bonds grew, and the roots of our friendships thickened and got a hold on us- our final hugs, as if begging for another trek, much against bodily pain. Yet, we move on, as always, with memories to cherish.
It is very often, that we enjoy a moment in retrospect; this time however, I am glad I truly made the most of it while it lasted. I would recommend to anyone who intends to visit the place to carry good food, and adequate bedding, but most importantly an open mind, to absorb all that nature has to offer. We never stop learning and this was a very enriching experience and taught me the magnificent quality of nature.
As we return to our normal routines, a trip to the outside lingers at the back of my mind, longing to go again. So until then, adios, ciao and ENJAAY MAADI!!!
Yella ok, routine yaake?

Sangeetha Sivaraman
04/06/05

The other one is too long, so i dont want to post it here...prolly may send it on request( to those i haven't i already sent it to:P)