Food for thought!

I thought I loved Rains!
Then I realised I love Mumbai rains more than anything else once I experienced it in chennai.
Has it got anything to do with the place or is it really that "The Rains" themselves have got a different way of showering and making u feel different at different places???
Just a thought.Too much boredom inspires silly thoughts sometimes irrational too!

Bhimashankar Blues 2

Well my earlier blog,Part-1 was definitely a generalised view of the trek.This blog is on demand by a narcissist I met on the trek and he thinks he deserves a few more words than just the "one of the firangs" in this write up with a detailed description of how we spent the best day of our lives with each other followed by a dedication!
For me its a bit difficult to express the state of prolonged elation that I was in for 2 days continuously as such a long time was a bit new for me.But I am doing this for those 3 most wonderful people who gave me a good time time when I was least expecting it-The Narcissist(Sudhir),Chin2 and Shraddha(The sweetheart).My launguage might suck in this write up as I am finding it difficult to do justice to my emotions with the loss of right words with the right intensity.I would still Like to give it a try specially for The Narcissist and this is more than a dedication.
Well I had no idea I would be going for this trek as there were some cancellations n confusion regarding the registration.Finally when the registration was done I was happy to be visiting this place but I was wondering why I was going there with strangers(though I knew some of them,not friends really) when my own group of friends were going to the same place.The reason was simple,they were an all boys group and if I join them they would have to follow many restrictions.So here I was with a trek group with the same apprehension I usually have but double the enthusiasm as I was desperate to do this trek for almost a year and this was my big chance.
I met Miss S at the station n we liked each other instantly as we knew there were very few of our kinds existing.We had three things in common n which was very important for both of us n that was healthy trekking,talking n laughing with no inhibitions whatsoever.Miss S had told me that she was new to the group and was wondering about how the trek would be.So we were sailing in the same boat with of course different thoughts n fears.With each other for company we were to have a wonderful time.What we didn't know that we would be a part of a group of 4 and go about calling ourselves "We" the next two days n behave like we were lost in some "kumbh ka mela" n met again years later to discover that nothing had changed since we last met!
The other two "bichde hue dost " were the twins(Who were born with a gap of three months);that's what they called themselves.One was the narcissist the worst one I have come across so far n the other his mirror image but a quieter counterpart(Bless me!).This mirror image was supposed to be the elder twin n he was called "Chin2".Now my doubt was if he was the elder one why did people call him "chin2"?????Well my doubt was ignored conveniently.
Like Miss S even the Narcissist had told me that this was his first ever trek n he thought he n chin2 would have to stay confined to each other n have fun as they always do as all others were total strangers.His biggest problem was who would take their photographs if they were to be among themselves!!!!!Oh well as luck would have it they found us laughing incessantly on anything n everything n making fun of them as "The Freshers" who knew nothing.
We were actually ragging each other giving stupid names n the twins weaving not so wonderful stories about their twingiri n confessing how freaking the ladders were.The thing was I couldn't believe that they were twins(neither could Miss S) not bcoz of the 3 months gap that they mentioned but bcoz there was nothing similar among them.One thing was amazingly similar for sure ;they were wonderful Liars n co-ordinated very well in trying to fool me n Miss S.They had answers for every query that we asked n it was so damn fool proof that we were almost on the verge of believing that they were actually twins.But hard luck,chin2 stumbled as I was cross questioning him about their birth dates n birth year and their twin crap came to an end.
Among the four of us,I got along well with the Narcissist n Miss S with Chin2 which was quiet visible.The narcissist n me arguing on everything that was being discussed n Miss S chatting continuously n Chin2 giving her a good ear.The photo sessions including the 4 of us exclusively ,the legendary khawaja dance video,the Narcissist teaching me all the wonderful gaalis n Chin2 enlightening Miss S on how to make songs n helping her in remembering some of them all of these became a part of our lives which we will remember for days to come.
The minute basis tiffs that me n The narcissist had is worth a mention here.There was a small argument between the Narcissist n another friend of mine.Its quiet obvious that the king size ego that the Narcissist had was the fuel.The next day we were discussing this n actually hit each other in anger(Which I am still not able to comprehend!)The narcissist asked me to stay away from him n not talk to him and challenged me that I can't possibly ignore him.Well he was in for a big surprise when I actually behaved like he didn't exist n there it was "the minute basis tiff".There after every argument we had we would not talk to each other for a few minutes n back to the conversation.For me this was the most wonderful part as this narcissist was someone I didn't even know except for his name n the usual credentials n here we were comfortable with each other like we were the best of friends now n forever.
All the four of us were equally in awe at the end of the trip when we pondered over the connections ,not for a moment did we feel the bitterness of not ever meeting again.The Narcissist had declared this would be his last trek,chin2 was mum as usual ,Miss S was sure we won't ever relive these moments and I was already so saturated with elation that there was no space for further expectations."WE" were simply happy n didn't dare to ask for more.School friends ,college friends and "our" group going out and having a blast is normal but 4 stranger's reunion as I said was something at least I experienced for the first time and I am glad I did.Now I know that quality wins over quantity.Months n years of knowing can equal a day of unknowing familiarity provided u r open to it and embrace it with a smile that turns into laughter.
Now for the saddest part,while saying goodbyes after the trek The Narcissist says to me,"Bada maza aaya tere saat...................Chin2 ko" n chin2 says"Bada maza aaya tere saath ....................Narcissist ko"
So much for being twins n we breaking our heads over it.Woh logon ne sach me ....... banaya aur bada maza aaya :) :) :)

Bhimashankar Blues!

I know its been a very long time since I have written something let alone blogging.Well today I had to write this to get the "Blues" out of my system.Its been only a day back from bhimashankar and I am already missing the place,the people and the crap that followed!It definitely was a blissful crap.
After so many treks back to back I finally went to a place where I wanted to go desperately for a very long time with a completely new set of people which I am a bit used to now but with people with an amazing sense of humor n brainzzz that dripped wisdom unlimited in the most tacky way.
The journey started with the usual introductions n I met Miss S,Some Freshers including a sweet little virus and the fake firangs "FF"s. It was Ms.S's laughter and innocence which caught me off guard as I was getting used to being a bit vigilant n careful in most of the treks when it came to unknown people.I have to give her the credit for being so sporty as every member of the group had given her a different name starting with "s" which could have added up to 1760 as Mr Tinku said.With this girl I was all in for fun and laughter that echoed through the magnanimous mountain we were about to climb.
We were ascending through Shidi ghat n descending through ganesh ghat as per the plan.Shidi ghat as the name goes had ladders which freaked out every member of the group as it started raining just when we were climbing those ladders.There were three ladders in all and the second one was the worst of all as the ladder was a bit shaky as one took it and the ascend was of course without any help so we were left to deal with our fears on our own.Post this climbing came across a tiny miny waterfall which was a relief after this torrent of adrenaline.We had the longest photo session there with the firangs and Miss S posing till they dropped dead.We were 2 hours behind the scheduled time for lunch and we rushed toward the a settlement with a few huts where we had our lunch.We had just come half way in our journey,the other half was still to be covered when our leader Mr.Tinku enlightened us saying that the remaining journey was comparatively easier.This Mr.Tinku has "Time Dyslexia" never giving the appropriate time taken to cover a patch.But the journey was easier n we took a lot of time to cover it as we were full n the climb was strenuous.
After the final climb came the show time.We i.e the Firangs,Miss S n myself we did a short photo session followed by a khwaja dance sequence beside a lake with the clouds hovering around us(Oh how I wish I had the video now!).One of the firangs was taught the marathi word "Aaicha gho" n he used or misused the word wonderfully popping it up every now n then.We all danced our way with "Aaicha gho gho gho"as our slogan ,shooting n ragging every single trekker in our group irrespective of whether being active or passive.We completed this fancy dance by playing "ringa ringa roses" in the dark which was the ultimate as "all fell down" without actually able to see the place.
The final destination Bhimashankar Temple came into view within minutes of leaving this dancing ground.We left our baggage in the place booked for the night stay n left for the temple.After offering the prayers a tiny group including me,d firangs,miss S,tinku,B2 n a few others got busy with the "pungi".Actually it was the conch blown in the temples but the attempts at blowing them sounded more of a pungi n an assortment of funny sounds except tinku's who was quiet used to this art.
Back to the rooms where we were staying we sang a few songs killing the lyrics till dinner n slept with a lot of laughter n arguments n loads of hush hush as we were not supposed to disturb the other groups.Following morning was again full of noise as we had tried to remember the names of every member and had a serious discussions on mythology and science.This is already a controversial topic and we made it all the more controversial by adding gossip n arguing our hearts out till it was time to leave for Gupt Bhimashankar.
The first five minutes of this route stinked followed by a total green route with waterfalls n insects.A prolonged photo session at this place and we were hungry.Rushing back to our rooms we had a leisure breakfast with votes for whether to go to a place called Nagphani or not.In the end 10 out of the 42 ppl specially the pune crowd left for nagphani n we got ready to descend via ganesh ghat.Of course with tinku leading us we were all fast enough to cover the distance in the stipulated time given by him.
Few people were a bit slow,some got lost thanks to B2 n the bisons and we ended up waiting for them for almost 2 hours playing in the stream n fighting the mosquitoes.
While coming back to Karjat from where we started our journey in a tumtum we sang till our throats became sore.The firangs taught us to make new lyrics n songs n we all tried our hand at it.Train journey back to our respective destinations was more of a continuation of the 2 day blast instead of dampened n tired spirits.Back home I was all smiles n today am missing all of them.
Well I have to mention a few clinchers here:
1)1760 names of Miss S
2)The "FF"s n their bakwas
3)The freshers(how can v forget them,V taught them so much about trekking n nature)
4)Aicha gho Dance
5)Virus n his Nagphani baba act
6)B2 n co.fighting the bisons with paper cutters
7)Dumpy the humpty dumpty man whose name was so funny we just liked pronouncing it
8)The little stupid conversation that we had with everyone and ended up having such a wonderful time.
Thanks to the whole group for such a wonderful time.Sob Sob Sob ........... I am missing u all lots.Hope to catch up with u all someday again!!!!

A day worth living!

He saw her at Thane station precisely at around 6 am on 25th of December where the group was supposed to meet.They were going to a place called "Dhak Bahiri" near Lonavala for a one day trek.He was an avid trekker.Anything that gave him an adrenaline rush was his forte and he excelled in them as though he was born with the "X" factor that is required to be the best.Trekking had become just another outing for him since he had been doing it for years now, visiting the most famous and remotest mountains of the Sahyadris.Mother Nature had become his companion in the last few years and he ran to her everytime he was in the extremes of his emotions.The mountains stood by him and gave him the strength to be the man he was!The rivers soothed his temper,the mighty winds challenged him to live a chaste life and the trees were his friends who gossiped and hushed about everything that was happening around.
This trek was special for him.He wanted to get rid of all the frustration and pain that came along with the demise of his beloved mother.It was 25th of December and the first ever Christmas when his mother wont be around to celebrate the best time of the year.He still could not believe that this had happened and he could not bear to see his father and his siblings.He wanted to protect them from all the pain and anger but didn't know how to do it.He just wanted to run away from all this and deal with it in a quiet way,he knew he could not fight it,he knew he had no control over the situation nor did he have the power to change anything and that is what made him angry.He couldn't take the "helplessness" more than the pain or the loss.He had this itch to do something,he had to work out and throw the pain out of his system.Draining himself with physical pain seemed to be a good outlet.That's when this plan for Dhak came up.He had wanted to do it for a long time ,this place being one of the toughest treks known in the Sahyadris and this seemed to be the perfect place to be.
He saw her at the station .No,he was not attracted to her,he can't possibly get attracted to someone given the circumstances!But there was something about her that he couldn't take his eyes off her.She was not beautiful nor did she have a capturing face!She was nothing a guy would throw a second glance at!But there she was listening to someone intently,concentrating on his words and laughing easily.In a while he discovered that she was a part of the same trekking group and was heading towards Dhak.Strangely he was neither surprised nor happy!
As the group headed towards Lonavala by Indrayani,he did not see her again throughout the journey since the train was very crowded and they were traveling in "general" bogey as goes the rules of a typical trek!
They reached the base village,after the usual introductions they started moving towards the mountain.By this time he had figured out that there was something about this girl and he had to keep himself under constant check.Composing himself,he started the trek with the intention of keeping a safe distance from her and let his observational skills rule for a while.She had not noticed him yet which was a good thing at least for him.
The difficult trek that it was supposed to be turned out to be a fairly easy one given his experience and instincts.Strangely he had forgotten about everything that was on the top of his mind till that morning.He had the time to think,to brood but he didn't.Neither did he think about this girl who had turned out to be a good trekker ,who was walking ahead of him.He was strangely at peace with himself.This girl was enigmatic but he didn't have the urge to know more about her.She was silent but he could hear her silence.He could sense that she was strong and had the power to hold him ,build him back as the wall that he was.But he didn't want that either.This was too strong an emotion to name it as mere "attraction" and too early to call it as "love",He didn't want to know what it was.He just wanted to live this day to the fullest.
She had noticed him during the rock patches where he stood for helping the people who found climbing difficult,she had noticed him when he slipped every time he walked beside her.She had noticed this and simply smiled as though all was well in the world.He had spoken to everyone, rather almost everyone except her.The conversation would have come off easily if he tried but he was content drawing strength from her silence..He was content with the way the day had turned out,the silence,the smile.He was close to his very own "Mother" nature and she was urging him to move forward, was asking him to be resilient,she had sent this stranger to make him forget the most dreadful of emotions and taught him to live for the smallest and simplest of things that existed and mattered.
No,he didn't want to know who she was,He was happy to let her go as a stranger, as the purpose of his trek was fulfilled.A lesson learnt.Nothing special had happened but still everything was special.He wanted to get back to his world,to his loved ones and do all he can to get on with his life.He had forgiven his fate and was ready to take on life as it came with all its crudeness and elegance.

Death of a Relationship!

Two Friends,called themselves "The soul sisters" after countless discussions in weirdest and the commonest of places.Irrespective of the time and seasons,they stuck to each other like they were always meant to be.There was nothing left that they didn't discuss,nothing was worth their sympathy.They tore apart everything to the minutest of the details by scrutinizing it with their ever sharp and critical mind.Gossip was in their blood and bitching a need!There was light in the darkest of hours when they came together.Sparks,cries,giggles and lot of other noise defined them.Together they had the power to take on anything and anyone and they knew that.Their sensibilities intact,they set out to discover themselves and each other in a different light and that is when the thunder struck!They discovered that the extremities never mingle though they exist.Black and white when pure is powerful but Grey is dull!The funniest part was that they could accept each others darkest side with ease but the easiest and the most prevalent face that was projected in public became an ever disturbing factor.All the worldly emotions took a toll on their already hyper reacting brains and the unsaid,"not so understood" connection broke!Today when they stand together,sparks fly but its not a single spark directed towards a third person but against themselves.They are still strong as ever but not scary as they used to be.They are still cordial with each other but something is missing and dead between them!Something which cannot be defined or revived!Something very cold and unreachable!The innocence which drove them is lost. They will never forget the bond that they shared as it was not friendship but destiny that connected them and now that the same destiny has torn them apart;they gave up on it in an instant and move on as though nothing happened!This kind of death is worse as a part of a person dies and remains inside a person forever!

Determined?Am I?

My friends say I am very determined about not goin for a trek till my exams get over!To be very honest it has become very difficult for me to resist the temptation to pack n run,every time someone calls ,every time I get a msg regarding the plan or the experience I think why am I giving these exams????I even told my mom I would rather be a vagabond ,living in the open,roaming about being close to nature than be trapped in this mechanical world!Such is life,exams can bring out the worst in u or is it the best?well I guess I will have to wait till they get over and I run away to the far away land{which happens to b my very old sahyadris!} chasing my dream to be free and lively all over again!Till then its the blog and d books that scream for my attention!:(

Curiosity kills!

Why the heck don't people talk?????There are so many things that can be solved just by a single open conversation,then y is that people choose the other way i.e. "the silence" insulting the age-old concept of silence with the not so synonymous terms like "patience"???
I really can't digest this fact since I believe in talking and straightening things out.I am forever ready to talk and in fact urge the person concerned to talk but the wish to be stubborn and silent wins over my attempts.Be it a mistake ,a communication gap or plain refusal to explain or justify,everything ends the same way -IN SILENCE!.Justifying your actions or giving an explanation is purely a person's personal choice so this I can definitely understand but even this can be stated in simple words like "I DONT WANT TO TALK" .But no,instead its always left to me to read a person's mind and try to figure out whether there is a need to talk or not.If yes then take the initiative,if no then go to hell.Now I really don't expect this to be the other way round but I can at the least expect some cooperation, right!!!How can a person ever let go of a long term relationship and a wonderful one at that, be in it any name a friend,a relative, a sibling or whatever by just refusing to talk and and keeping the issues on hold and wait for the right time to pop up?Isn't it really worth the effort or is it sheer fear of facing yourself while facing the situation that stops a person from talking!
I have failed big time in trying to understand this behavior and also in trying to accept it as being embedded in one's nature.If its waiting for the right time that is given as a reason then again I would like to know how do u know when the right time comes????If I get a breakthrough in this case I am sure a lot many things will be solved maybe just in a hour's time.Maybe keeping things simple doesn't work or rather its the complications that excites more!Curiosity kills and this time it has definitely taken a toll over my dear little brain!

Make them or break them!

Again a new experience!I guess my blog is going to remain confined to experiences and some of the usual philosophies of life.:)
Well now that I have quenched my thirst of adventure and hunger for sports now I am in for some mental activity.Recently I got a chance to teach practicals to 10TH STD students.I had no prior experience with teaching so everything was new for me.After two demos I discovered that I could deliver.But I was told that the real challenge lies when u face the students as they would differ from batch to batch.
Again one session with the students and I knew that I can actually do justice to the job allotted to me and the best part was this job came with a bonus for me.This was in terms of the variety of kids I came across and the variation in their attitude.
Since they were kids it was all the more easier for me to study them as their thoughts reflected on their faces.Its so easy to read them and understand what is going on inside their head bcoz I have been in those shoes some time ago.This counts as an advantage as its really easy to guide them without actually they having to speak.
Innocent,mischievous,dedicated,arrogant,inquisitive,lost,dreamy,ambitious,stable to categorize them but their this one basic energy flowing in all of them. They all are in a phase where "influence" plays a major role in their life.They are this budding flowers who need the maximum attention and care so that they bloom well to spread their fragrance everywhere and make this world all the more beautiful by their presence.One bad influence and their course changes,the way they look at life would change.
There were so many of them who had expectations in their eyes,an eagerness to learn and a will to grow.I actually felt good when I saw that they understood what I spoke and satisfied with the explanation.This was the time when I realized how a little encouragement here and there makes a difference.A kind word and a little push saying "u can" is a big thing.A teacher actually has this power to build a student's character by proper choice of words.When these kids are just about to face the world, it is the responsibility of a teacher to push them in the right direction.One discouraging comment and the kid's morale is down to the lowest possible.
Being a teacher might be a common thing but being a good one at that is really a herculean task bcoz u never know what happened to the seed u had sowed.Has it grown into a big sturdy tree or has remained a weed is seldom known to the teacher who made a difference.
So if I ever become a teacher I would rather try to be a good one,the one who teaches and inspires to learn more than just be a teacher who teaches.