Vasota - A Rejuvenating Experience!

After the long wait of about six months I finally got to get reconnected with nature with the trek to Vasota as a medium.I couldn't believe my ears when my parents gave a nod to this trek specially an overnight one since I had never done one before.I registered,but there was this faint fear of facing the unknown all over again.
With the intention of getting rid of this fear,I packed and was all set when we met at Kalva naka on Friday night as per the schedule.We had to go to satara by bus which was an eight hour journey ,followed by a bus ride again to a village called Bamnoli.From there on we had to take a boat ride or ferry ride of about to two hours to Indivali which happens to be the base of Vasota.
Bus ride was really energetic as almost everyone was playing antakshari till early morning.The second one was a bit bumpy at the bus was a bit overcrowded and we had to follow the ghats.Ferry ride was a total treat to the eyes as we were sailing through the beautiful koyna backwaters.The view is still embedded in my eyes.
The tents at base raised my spirits as this was the first time I was to spend the night in a tent.After deciding to go to new vasota and nageshwar temple(since there is a old vasota too) we started climbing at around 12 :30.With the usual observation,photo sessions and talking crap we reached the top at around 3 :30.The fort was just a temple and a few ruined structures.After lunch ,we started off for nageshwar temple.
Now for me this was a bit challenging thing to do as the route to this place was a bit narrow and I was told that while coming back it would be dark and we would be dependent on torches.I got scared as I thought I am not capable of covering this place given that I am a half blind.Anyway we reached nageshwar at around 5 45.The view of sunset was a breath taking experience as it was not just a bright orange ball disappearing behind the clouds but a mirage of light.I won't forget this for a long time now since after such a long walk ,just sitting there and looking at this miracle was rejuvenating.
We started descending immediately after sunset.We were a way too faster than the climb.We covered nageshwar to vasota in about 25 mins which was a relief as my fears were curbed .The descent to base was long and for me a bit difficult;Still exciting as it was dark and we were walking in the dark with the sole help of torch lights.I had never ever done this before and I am really glad that I did it because I never really thought I could do it in the first place.It was like a mission accomplished on coming back to the base.We spotted a saw scaled viper and another snake on the way back.
Back at the base,the group members cooked dinner which was a very coordinated effort .The food was simply great simply because it was hot and cooked by tired hands.Tiredness ruled and everyone went to sleep immediately after dinner.There were these leeches which got into people's shoes and sucked their blood without any indications.After watching this happen to a few people I was petrified so I slept like a zombie.
Sunday morning as expected was beautiful and naughty.Right from making tea to a totally crazy photo session every thing was fun.We got some extra time for this madness as the boat didn't come on time.While coming back we took a halt somewhere to visit a man made temple which was a nice place to be.Back to civilization ,It was the same way back with all smiling faces and tired eyes.
This trek was special because of the lightheartedness of the group members along with the beauty of the place.A complete package a discipline ,madness,endurance and primitive instincts.A place worth visiting especially when one needs to get out of the fast paced mechanical life to heal and bounce back.
Since I completed this trek successfully,now I am really hopeful about doing more in the near future.I can just keep my fingers crossed for now and be happy with with I experienced in the past two days.A long way to go!;)

Barack Hussien Obama ?

The much hyped US elections have at last come to an end.I am not much into politics and I turn deaf when it come to current affairs.So it is not strange if I cannot discuss the victory of Mr .Obama with my friends.But by some coincidence I saw his speech on you tube and was really impressed with his oratory skills.Since I didn't follow the election for the past few days I didn't know how to answer the question"what do u think ?will this benefit India in any possible way?"
In spite of total ignorance ,I have become his fan for 2 reasons- His way of thanking his immediate family and his mentioning Ms Cooper.The example was a simple one for "The President "of America but the message was conveyed in a beautiful way.I wont have any idea of his way of working in future because of my "love" for politics but still I am glad that even if it was by default I listened to what "The President" said.I don't know whether he is a good leader or not but he is definitely a very good orator.

DG

Fear of Happiness!

Well strange but this thing exists and it seems to be a very common emotion.People fear a lot when they are the happiest.They fear about what if this "happiness" does not last forever..Sometimes they are even scared to be happy and accept this to themselves.This is not only the case of those who are deprived of this privilege but also in case of those who are used to it.
What exactly is this?????Is it just the fear of the unknown that lies in the future or is it mere humility that is projected as fear.When a person feels low he/she either becomes positive by thinking of the nice times spent or expecting it in future or becomes overtly negative by falling a prey to self pity.But the other extreme end seems to produce a strange emotion altogether.Strange but true.
I would definitely like to know the intricacies of these reactions someday!Till then mere observation rules!

Loneliness!

Loneliness-the strangest thing I have ever experienced but still its the most integral part of me.I have tried a lot to understand this emotion but in vain!Its strange because it brings out the best and the worst in me.The most beautiful and the most dreadful thoughts emerge in this state of mind!I call it a state of mind ,the reason being-I can't say I am lonely because I have no one to understand me or share the precious thoughts or trivialities of life.In fact I am surrounded with my dearies and I am still haunted by this monster.I try to justify it by giving myriad reasons but reasons take a secondary place to this emotion.Its so strong that I forget everything else that matters.
I have tried to reason it with my mood swings but it doesn't make any sense.I have tried to curb it by trying to reach out to people both who are close and strangers but miraculously I cant reach them the way I usually do.I mean I do talk to them but the "connection" is totally absent.
I really want to know the reason behind this drudgery.Is it common to all????or is it a special thing reserved for me?????I would either like to fight it or get used to it.And I am trying my level best for a breakthrough.I guess its more of a process than a thing to be learnt overnight.Till then I will keep breaking my head and keep writing.Guess this is a very good way of expressing myself when I dont find anyone else to share my drudgery!

DG

Re-connected!

Recently I got in touch with all my school friends and junior college friends.It just happened with no reason to get connected at all.I was just sitting idle and thinking about them when all of a sudden I thought why not try and contact them.I had no idea about there whereabouts as I had lost them completely.I started off with the usual "ORKUT",to my great disappointment I didn't find anybody there,well I didn't remember their full names,my fault actually.
I sent a few messages to one of my common friends and lo! I found almost all my friends instantly.I was very happy about my lady luck shining so unexpectedly but now came the time of apprehension.I was thinking about how to strike a chord again!Eventually I called one of them and to my great surprise that person remembered me.One call and we were back on the same track we left long back.The others followed.
I don't know whether this was sheer luck or something else that made this happen.But one thing is for sure,we are very lucky to have born in this age of technological boom where people are just a call or a mail away!We just have to think about it and the next moment it all seems so very possible to get connected or re-connected!
Thanks to everything that has contributed to this reunion!

Trekking-A dream worth hunting!

I was introduced to this world of adventure through a friend.He was already into a trekking group-Youngsterz.I went to the most simplest trek which is to Lohagad in June 2007,I loved it but since it was the first time I was more into observing and absorbing things in and around Lohagad.I can't say I enjoyed that trip exactly but I learnt that if one gets passionate about this sport it can wok wonders to one's mind, body n soul.Well all the philosophy apart,I got started with trekking that year but then that was the only one I did the whole year due to time constraints.
But the next June i.e in 2008 ,I went to Mahuli with Youngsterz again.Here I met the core members of this group whom I had missed the last time.We hit it off instantly.I actually enjoyed sweating out like a pig amidst the clouds.For a moment when I was alone at the highest point,I realised I love doing this.I loved the quiet sound of wind gushing past me and threatening me to carry along with it.For the restless person I am,I thought I was totally at peace with myself though only for a few moments.It was great,I had decided wanted to do more of this.
Youngsterz had planned a 2 day trek to Harishchandragad after a week's gap after Mahuli.The group leader convinced me that It was one of the most beautiful place on earth with photos as evidence.I gave in;convinced my folks about the overnight feat and was desperately waiting for the day to come.
Meanwhile just out of excitement I convinced my classmates to do a trek together.Together we planned to go to Peb the following week before harishchandragad.As fate had its own plans,I broke my left hand hitting a pole outside the train on my way to Neral.Since then I have gone through a lot, be it the gruelling pain or the dreadful surgery.But one thing kept me going the words of my friends I had met during Mahuli and the hope of getting cured as soon as possible and getting back on track with lots of trekking.Someday I will go to this place and the other wonderful places and hopefully with the same funloving people I am with today.:)
Even today I am waiting for the day when I can actually get connected to nature like did someday.The hope keeps me going and I dream of that moment every time I am pondering over things.And all thanks to my friends ,They keep encouraging me to get well soon and join them soon.So isn't this a dream worth hunting for?????

Lucky Me,
DG:)

Women Power!

I always wondered what is this so called ,much hyped "woman -power".I could never understand this till I read the book "Thousand Splendid Suns".The way the author has connected the lives of two women from totally different cultures n eras is totally mesmerizing.I was amazed to know that a man could express the emotions of a woman rather the companionship between two woman so beautifully.
I am still stuck with the words"A legitimate ending to illegitimate beginnings",these words seem to be so apt to the situation i.e just before the hanging of one of the characters -Mariam.The tribute Laila pays to Mariam by visiting her village and feeling her there is so special.Its like they are bound to each other in life n beyond.
After a long time I read a book which touched me in so many different ways.This book asked me to redefine my already existing relationships,made me to see them in a different light.I am glad I read that book in a phase where I was about to lose my closest pals due to physical distance n various other reasons for which we are not responsible.
I guess ultimately I understood women power as something very subtle but strong.I guess "Resilience" would describe it in one word.
That's all I can write ,for my first blog.I hope to keep improving as I continue writing.;)

DG

Successful!

After wondering lots about what exactly is blogging,I have successfully created an account n have learnt to use it to some extent.Now I am desperately hoping to continue this new interest of mine than to dump it altogether in a few days!
As of now I am very happy to write something out of nothing!