August 2013
What a ’PUNISHMENT’ it was to transform from a `Dream of a Beautiful World’
to drag oneself to the harsh practical world, that too on a Monday morning! I
remember after returning to Bangalore, Jinu asking us if we do not want to take
the luggage and leave seeing all our ’Still Positions’, while he finished
settling the accounts with the driver. I had feelings of a child being thrown
out of the house like in ’Taare Zameer Par’ J
Getting to know unknown people, helping each other, adjusting with whatever
food and homestay, getting to know others’ interests’, skills and finally
making all of them our friends and lots more enhances our lives to improve self
while learning a lot of things to grow mature and as better people, is
something shortly I can describe after getting back from the ’Treknic’
Hats off to Bangalore ASCENDERS for being great influencers by providing us
with a ’Ray of light’ to look at the outside world and making
us realize there is much more outside the four walls, required for a
contentment in life, than our routine and with no-profit making
intentions! There is always a word more than ’Thanks’ which is
unavailable in the world of dictionary which I dedicate to the people behind
these events, for making lot of our lives all worth after the outing. I
selfishly got some of my DREAMS fulfilled through just the 2 days.
I was able to enjoy the beauty of the sea with a beachtrek, walking on the
sand, experiencing the sea breeze, the melody of waves, the splashes on the
rocks, waves kissing our feet, the formation of the tornado type of clouds just before the rains was all a celebration to my soul.
From Chandragiri we trekked until we reached Bekal fort which was a little
higher and we could have an amazing view of the sea from the top. That night we
enjoyed the love and affection of Madhu and his family at homestay who helped
us with great kerala food. Madhu’s youngest son Sreehari was also serving us
with food which was heart melting. Ofcourse he had the cutest smile :)
Trekking at Ranipur through the woods to reach the peak of Maani, was an
wonderful experience as I enjoyed drenching in the forest rains and the grass
lands on the top with cool breeze and rains often made the experience
speechless.
While returning, we were overjoyed with the beauty of Bagamandala
forest area which had scenic beauty, number of waterfalls on the way. Some of
us were deliberately praising the driver often, so that he stops the van
wherever we wanted.
We also had an opportunity to visit Bagamandaleshwara temple and offered
prayers for a better world and thanking God for all that we have.
However, I was to enter with a white dhoti bordered with orange and green,
tied on my 3/4th pant! A mix of modern T-shirt with religious dhoti could
possibly considered as one of the designer collections.
The priest was
patiently narrating us a about the the temple and no doubt we are so rich
in our culture and histories. Being in Bangalore for life, I shamelessly confess
to have hardly explored to such beautiful places around!
After returning, I noticed the scratch scars on my legs, but not of
the leeches, but of a small stick which I used as a weapon to force away the
leeches that attacked my legs often. However, they were the most motivating
factors that I trekked better and faster
Some of the great photographers made our days by treating us like
celebrities while we were on the other side of the huge cameras! They were
sometimes forced to click too J What more could we ask for?
While returning all of us were busy tickling our memories in the van to
recollect songs and SING! And the award for best singing goes to ’Vidyasagar’!
And the team beautifully sang songs of Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and
Bengali as well. I am sure you will agree that we are all so much blessed
to be born with such diversities in our country. Jinu is still thinking of a
Malayalam song which he would fulfill in the next outing. Casually, I pointed
at the moon and said it looks beautiful for which Vijay instantly started off
with a song on ’Moon’.
I had also observed him singing loudly and suddenly at some locations while
trekking, not sure if it was with or without his knowledge J. It was a
pleasant surprise to have found some extremely passionate people about music as
well. Its good to utilize our memories to the maximum atleast
once in a while, which we did for recollecting the songs. The songs
continued throughout night and some of us never slept and Ooops..after
returning home, I was still doing that, which were missed and I cant stop it
even today. How I still often wish the 2 days never ended
It was an overall unforgettable outing with memories and
joyous moments created to cherish with Jinu, Vidyasagar, Vijay, Chandre, Rudra,
Sandhya, Vinutna, Poornima, Tulasi, Sandhya, Kundu, Rajdeep! And ofcourse the driver
who brought us back safe
I wish to continue writing, but will forcibly put a break here so that I
let you do other work for the day as well. Thanks for reading and looking
forward pack again! By the way my bag is still half unpacked.
