Doodhsagar and Tambdi Surla Trek

The idea of a trek is probably to have different set of people join together for an adventure. In one recent trek, a group had four type of people. The scared one (SO) - who is ready to take very minimal risk; The don’t care one (DO) - who doesn’t really care about the trek, but only about the food and sleep that he can get; the Responsible one (RO) - who consider all the risk factor and make responsible decisions; The out of the mind one (OO) - who as the name suggest is out of his mind; probably because of last night inebriated state. So the SO, DO, RO and OO set for a last moment trip to Dudhsagar. They did not have any plan so they decided to plagiarize Bangalore ascender’s plan.

Waiting for Chennai-Bangalore-Vasco Express at Hubli

At Castle Rock Railway station

Tickets were booked in Tatkal to Hubli, as only 16 tickets were available for the direct train from Bangalore to Castle Rock- The usual starting point of the trek. Once they reached Hubli, they waited for Bangalore Vasco train for which they earlier failed to get Tatkal ticket. The journey from Hubli to castle rock is around 3 hours. Around 11, they reached Castle Rock. The entire station was covered in mist. It was a pleasant view indeed. Many trekkers were already preparing for the 14 Km trek along the railway track from Castle Rock to Dudhsagar. After taking few photos, they boarded the train while it started whistling for its departure. As soon as the train departed from Castle rock, everyone in the group started feeling bad about not trekking from Castlerock to Dudhsagar. The trains have one more stop in the midway between Dudhsagar and Castlerock. They decided to get down there. Unfortunately they forgot the food that they had carried, which included chocolates and 35 chappatis. They realized this only after getting down and by that time train had started moving. SO wanted to get in the moving train, this was an unprecedented move from him as it was evident that it should be DO who should show the desperation for the lost food. SO reveled that he was scared of staying hungry in the forest, which solved the puzzle.

Trekkers trekking from Castle Rock

The 7 Km trek from the midway till Dudhsagar is also very beautiful. Many tunnels, 100 year old bridges, mist covered valleys and small waterfalls made that trip a memorable one. It was expected to rain, but it didn’t. Travelling in railway track is similar to walking in a mine field, mines are everywhere, somewhere fresh and somewhere old. OO wondered on who had time to plan these mines when the train was passing through the nature at its best. It took them around 2 hours to finish the 7 Km and finally they reached Dudhsagar railway station, the water falls was just 1.5 Km away from it. As they had lost their food, they decided to make use of a small mess/hotel available at Dudhsagar railway station. For Rs 40 they got enough pulav to appease their hunger. As expected DO was not happy about the pulav.

First waterfall that we encountered on the way to Dudhsagar

On a bridge on the way to Dudhsagar

First tunnel on the way

 Dudhsagar was a majestic view. 50 m high waterfall looked similar to someone who spilled his milk bottle on a rock. OO wanted to take a bath in the waterfalls and soon after taking a few pics, he went directly to enjoy the milk bath. To his desperation there was no Cleopatra there, a few were looking from the top of the bridge, enjoying the sight of many potbellied half naked men enjoying the milk bath. OO felt completely rejuvenated after the bath and was ready for the next 11 km trek to Kulem. They were supposed to follow a Jeep trail. Many bloggers had suggested them to look for a Jeep trail after Sonalim station which came between Dudhsagar and Kulem. Once they reached Sonalim, they enquired about the jeep trail. The station master at Sonalim advised not to take that route as the water in the streams to be crossed are very high and there are chances to find wild animals. OO still wanted to find that trail and take the risk. SO was definite that he was not going to take that route. SO’s jinx worked as they couldn't find the Jeep trail. Thus they walked from Dudhsagar to Kulem, another 11 Km in the railway track avoiding mines. Around 5 they reached Kulem. Kulem has good veg and non-veg restaurants.

The whole gang at Dudhsagar

Her highness Dudhsagar

 Stay at Tambdi-surla foiled, as SO along with RO decided not to go there as no one else is camping in Tambdi-Surla on that day. Tambdi-Surla is 22 Km away from Kulem and one has to rent a taxi to reach there. It is a completely deserted forest with no human settlement near to it. They decided to stay in the tent which they had carried along. RO and OO was all set for putting up the tent in the Kulem railway station, when scariness and sleeplessness struck SO and DO respectively. Both went searching for a hotel and found a house to stay for 250 Rs per head. They moved to the house and arranged for a taxi next day to Tambdi-Surla at decent rate of 1600 for round trip. Stay was decent and they all had dinner together and went to sleep soon. The next day early in the morning they went to Tambdi-Surla.

On the way to Kulem

 Tambdi-Surla is a serene forest, on the way from Kulem to TS we could grab a sight of peocock and wild boars. SO and RO convinced the driver to join us for the trek. Before trek they decided to visit Mahadev temple. The temple was built in 12^th century and is believed to be a permanent residence of a huge King cobra. The temple was surrounded by forest and was beside a stream. The sight of the temple lying in the tranquil solitude of the forest, misty mountain in a drizzling morning will sure make even the hardcore atheist to visit that place. The priest in the temple showed us the way to Tambdi-Surla water falls.

athos porthos aramis and d'artagnan at Tambdi-Surla

Mahadev temple at Tambdi surla

The trek to Tambdi-Surla water fall is a 5 Km trek. OO showed justice to his name when he decided to remove his shoes and trek the 5 km in bare foot, which he regretted just 500 m into the trek. The trek was a medium tiring trek. Crossing many streams and ticking away the leeches, they reached Tambdi-Surla water falls. OO decided to go closer to the Water fall. He used a tree which had fallen recently to reach a rock from where he could enjoy the best possible sight of the water falls. He could not get a good photograph of his feat as the rain started pouring immediately. After spending sometime there, in the rain, they descended. Rain added an icing to the trek. Tambdi-Surla is definitely a must go place and according to OO one should plan to stay at Tambdi-Surla. There is an open space available for putting up the tent, which is beside the stream and at the starting point of the trek and is very clean according to trekking standards.

On the way to Tambdi-Surla waterfall

The distant view of Tambi Surla

Close up view of the falls

SO, DO, RO and OO, though had different interest and opinion at many point during the trek, managed to come to conscience very fast and could enjoy the trip to the fullest. OO after coming back from the trek told the author of this post that he is ready to trek with new type of trekkers- PO, The Pro One’s and probably move from OO to RO.

The Beauty that transcends sun shine and rain

This title used to be the tag line for Asian paints in their advertisement. More than that, this was used by one of my teachers in school to address a few of us who had a darker complexion than others. I wanted to write this post as I saw one of my friends who recently put up a post in Facebook against NanditaDas’s initiative “Dark Is Beautiful”. This post is not to argue against his views, rather to point out my views on the same, through different anecdotes that happened in my life. 

If I start it in the chronological order, it starts with my mother on her wedding day overhearing one of my aunts speaking to someone that my mother will have “kaka kunjungal” (literarily translated in English to crow babies; usually used to comment on a kid with dark complexion) as both my mother and father were dark in color. There I was being judged well before I was born. My mother made sure that her first son, my brother, is fair enough to be not called as a crow baby. She used cream of milk along with turmeric powder on my brother’s body when he was an infant, which she claims to be the reason why my brother turned out to be fairer than me. In my case, I was born sick; I was admitted for 3 months just after my birth, also I had frequent fever and other diseases which made my mother less worried about fairness of my skin. So I turned out to be the crow baby which my aunt predicted four years back.

That was just the beginning, in school, one of my teachers used to address all students with a darker complexion using the title of this post. I was a decent boy who wouldn’t hurt anyone or fight with anyone because if I start a fight with someone he/she would call me “karimban” (Malayalam slang for Dark guy). And that used to hurt me a lot during that point of time. Though “karimban” just meant Dark Guy, for me it used to make me feel that I was an insignificant worm at whom people kick or look with contempt. There were many of my friends who used to get teased by this above mentioned teacher, if they did some mischief or sometimes for no reason. I, being a studious boy, was teased very rarely, but when he did, it did hurt me. Surprisingly this teacher used to be our favorite in school. I am sure many of my other friends who also got teased by him might have felt bad. If not they might be highly mature at that time to know that life is more than the color of skin, which I realized very late. I was good at sports and studies, in fact I got both proficiency prize (prize given for academic excellence) and sports championship in the same year, but I sure was ready to trade both of these to get a fairer complexion.

Life continued, I started realizing more important things in life. I joined NIT and on one Onam I went to visit my old school with two of my friends. I was pretty famous in my school though I was visiting it after 3 years. All the teachers and the office staff still remembered me and they all asked about my well-being with great interest. I felt really good, so I decided to take stroll through the school campus and ponder over the nostalgic days left behind. Onam celebrations was going on, students in all classes were busy preparing flower carpets. I was received with warm welcome in all classes and I was asked to rate their flower carpets. I was walking with a lot of pride and giving comments about their flower carpet whenever I was asked to. During this time, students from 5th got hold of my hand and dragged me into their class and asked me to judge their effort. While I was thinking about what to comment, I heard one of the boys asking another who is this “karimbootham” (Dark devil)? I felt as if I was an air filled balloon whose open end was just released. All the pride and happiness that I felt vanished in a fraction of second. There I realized that all the concept of fairness not being an important part of life, which I developed, was similar to a castle of cards, ready to be shattered by a gentle breeze. Though I could laugh at that incident when I told this to my friends, deep down I could sense that the wound was still not healed.

Though my obsession for a fair skin dropped drastically once I joined the college, few of my habits still had link to this obsession. I selected only light shades of shirt; I considered very fair girls to be way out of my league; I took photos only when there is enough light or flash turned on; I made friends only with crap looking guys (Arjun, Gokul, Ashley, AKP and Das yea I meant you guys itself). It’s only in final year of my college I started making changes to this routine with my girlfriend convincing me to try dark shades of shirt who herself was far far fairer than me. Though that relation was short-lived, she could instill the confidence in me that I was something more than a “karimban”. I still take photos with flash turned on and am still friends with those crap looking guys. But my outlook has changed a lot, though I have never tested how rigid my beliefs are.

But I still live in a world, a world where my neighbor was not sad because her son married a girl from other caste (this is the usual case) but because the girl had a dark complexion and was very happy when her grand-daughter turned out to be fair, a world where my friend asked me to check if I know any white girl suitable for her cousin brother who is very fair and a world where tons and tons of fairness cream is produced to meet the demand. I am not sure whether NanditaDas’s initiative will achieve the desired result, but it sure would have made my childhood more fantastic.

PS: When I look back, I don’t feel angry towards people who teased me for my complexion, but owe them for making me understand what is important in life.

Yea that's me; I guess I had a melanin deficiency at that time

My brother always has been this cute, thanks to milk cream and turmeric powder.

Look at the amount of powder on my face.  

My name is Febin and I am not an actor

In my opinion there are two kinds of people in this world; ones who know what they want in life and ones who don’t. Some people at some point of their life switch sides to the other category, some stay there forever. I belong to the latter; I don’t have an answer for what I want in life though I have answers for what I don’t want in life. I use the method of elimination to decide what I don’t want in my life. When I struggled with my biology I knew that I didn’t want to be a doctor; when I tried unsuccessfully to tune a song written by myself, I knew that I didn’t want to be an composer. When my mother looked at the innocent face of a fifth grade and said that I sucked big time in singing, I knew that I didn’t want to be a singer. I follow this method of elimination to decide what I don’t want in my life. This post is about my small stint before realizing that I didn’t want to be an actor either.

I was in fifth grade and was for the first time experiencing the phenomenon called crush. Those days I was not that popular in school and my crush was in a different division. School anniversary was nearing and my English teacher was preparing for an English drama and was under the process of casting. The drama was an adaptation of Kalidasan’s Shakunthalam. Her first choice was the first rank holder and second choice the sports champion. I, being not there in vicinity of both spots, was sitting in my science class and thinking about nothing. The topper was studying dance along with his crush for last two years which made him not available for the top job: Dushyandhan’s role. The sports champion had already been given the second best role: Vishwamitra. This made my teacher look for less popular people. The sports champion was given the responsibility of casting. Dushyandhan’s role involved keeping his hand over Shakuntala’s shoulder. Touching a girl was considered to be a taboo by all the boys during that point of time. As the science class progressed Vishwamitra started giving cameo role and started picking his enemies for the role of Dushyandhan. After few people, I finally got the call.

When I entered the room I saw my crush along with many other girls. The fact that I was being watched by my crush made me completely oblivious of what was going on there and I completely forgot about the taboo. English teacher asked me whether I was ready for the audition and I in my half sense nodded. I don’t even remember the teacher asking me the question, but she sure was happy that finally she found one guy who was ready to put his hand on the shoulders of Shakuntala. She asked me to act the scene. I put my hand on the shoulder, only to hear every one laughing and realizing that I have kept my shoulders on my English teacher. I turned back and saw disappointment and disparage on my crush’s face. My English teacher was also furious at me. She scolded me for not listening to her and asked me to enact the scene again. The scene was very simple: put my hands on the Shakuntala’s shoulder and walk for a few feet. There was no dialogue involved and I was so desperate to regain the reputation. There I just finished my first audition and the teacher was happy that I didn’t show any reluctance in breaking the Taboo. I got the part.

The complete drama was in English and I was given a big sheet of paper with my dialogue to be mugged up. The next day was the first day of practice. I mugged up all the dialogue and just after my lunch ran to the practice room. I soon realized that my crush is going to be my mother in law “Menaka” and that Vishwamitra wanted me to suffer while he flirted with my crush. I really don’t remember any of the practice session other than hanging out with the topper who also happens to be my best friend. We both were discussing on how to succeed in flirting with our respective crushes. School annual day was very near and my parents were excited to see their son in limelight. My father with his experience in acting in the cliché dramas that used to happen in churches gave me a lot of advice. The only advice that I remembered from his long lecture is that not to worry if you forget the dialog because someone from behind the curtain will always spell it out for you.

The day had come and I was worried about the whole concept of Green room. My English teacher was happy with my performance during practice session, so I was able to convince her that I will wear the King’s gown over my pants rather than removing the pants and wearing the gown in front of everyone else in the green room. I was the sole lucky guy on that day who didn’t have to strip down in front of everyone (including other unlucky girls) for the makeup man to show his talent on us. I had my first Mickey Mouse moment on that day. (Don’t know what Mickey mouse moment is? Search google with “Da thadiya” and Mickey Mouse as keywords). There were many Mickey Mouses that were playing around there in pink and white background. But I don’t recollect having the Mickey Mouse moment with my crush. Still, the evil me can recollect a few of the other moments exactly.

The drama was about to start and we were all taken near the stage. My crush had started dancing around Vishwamitra on her venture to seduce him. My role was approaching and I was completely nervous. I didn’t want to let my teacher down, more than that I didn’t want to see the disappointment on my crush’s face. I couldn’t recollect the first dialogue that I was supposed to say but I didn’t worry because as per my father, there would be someone who would tell the dialogue from behind and I just needed to repeat it. Soon the scene was all set and I was standing there waiting for the person behind me to tell the dialogue. Nobody uttered any word. The complete stage was in silence. Shakuntala was staring at me. Her maids were looking at me with pity. I turned back searching in vain for the non existing person who was supposed to spell out my dialogue. I didn’t have the strength to look at my teacher’s direction. I directly started with the second dialogue. The completely mugged up Shakuntala couldn’t say her second dialogue without delivering the first dialogue. Though I don’t remember the dialogue the audience was for sure laughing out. I could remember all other dialogue and after the first stutter all other dialogues were rendered with perfection. But by then the damage has been done and I had realized that I don’t want to be an actor any more. Time passed by, the drama got over and I returned back to the green room with a bowed head to avoid the disappointed eyes.

PS: Sure I have added a lot of masala.The original characters please don’t get offended by the post. I am still in touch with Shakuntala. She is now mother of a cute little girl. Vishwamitra was blessed with a cute girl recently and I am sure that Menaka also might have settled down somewhere with her true Vishwamitra. The topper is still my Best friend, and still gives me a call sometime from US to advise me on my new crushes.

PPS: I recently met Bharathan who is the son of Dushyandhan at Kannur Bus stand. He had a beedi on his lips and lot of communism in his head.

There I am taking a break from delivering dialogues in style

The Journey from a Layman through Demigod to GOD

The Journey from a layman through demigod to GOD

I decided to write a blog on this because I usually write a blog when some remarkable event happens in my life. Today is definitely one of those days. Today we reached the final destination of our journey from a layman, then to a demigod, to god. It all started when I noticed one of my friends sharing a link for Klueless 8 teaser. I opened it and could solve the first three levels. Then I got stuck in the fourth level. I couldn't complete it, but I had decided to pursue the real challenge when the original was bound to start on Friday. I called up Arjun and Ashley to join this pursuit. Being oblivious to this event during the last 7 years of its existence, we couldn't dream of anything other than solving a few levels.

So on Friday night by around 9 pm we three joined (thanks to Google in introducing group chat) together. Initial plan was to complete first few levels by the time the Hall of Fame got filled.But we were surprised and happy to see that we could solve the initial levels easily and started admiring our never-before-seen abilities. After 3 hours we had cleared almost 8 levels. Then I saw Ijaz online there I made a good decision of adding him to our group. So now our group had atleast one person who had proven his credentials in GK. This was a moral boost to our group which was already struggling to find solutions as levels went by. Within first few minute after he joined he cracked that level. We were back in track. Around 1 pm we got stuck at the sheer brilliance of Klueless level 10. Finally we had to turn to the ORACLE (Shafeeq) who gave us small hints without which we couldn’t have cleared that level. Around 3 we were stuck at another level and almost at 4 we decided to call it a day. I and Arjun decided to spend another 15 min, but nothing happened. I asked Arjun to get some sleep and spent another 15 min on that level. With remorse and desperation I went to bed around 5 in the morning.

The next day I got up around 1 pm, I saw that my phone was dead and I rushed to see that Ijaz and Arjun had cleared the level where we got stuck and added to more to that. Together we cleared 3 more levels and finally reached 17th. As I was going home that day, I had to catch a train, Ijaz had to go out and Arjun too got busy. Ashley on the other hand had completely disappeared from the scene. I was feeling desperate as I started dreaming of clearing the levels though the thought of entering hall of fame had still not struck me. But there we were losing some valuable time. Finally Arjun and Ijaz joined together around 7, I tried to contribute from my side with the 3.5 inch screen mobile that I had. Soon we cleared few more level but unfortunately Ijaz had to call it a day so Arjun was left alone. I couldn't contribute any more as I was travelling but gave my complete moral support to Arjun. We were informed that ORACLE is stuck at level 24 for more than 4 hours and when we were struggling at level 20. Our dreams got bigger. Arjun single handedly solved 4 more levels to reach 24. It was around 4:30 when he slept that day.

Next day I reached my home around 9 30 in the morning and around 10, me and Arjun started looking at the big 24^th level. To our surprise we solved it in less than 10 minutes. After sometime,Ijaz joined us. Ashley again was absconding. We cleared many levels quite swiftly and reached level 30 where the ORACLE was stuck for another 3 hours. We started to realize our transformation to demigods as we started looking at it. The 30+ levels were completely different from the earlier levels and were very hard to crack. We were stuck in that level for god knows how many hours. Finally with the clues from ORACLE we crossed it. By this time ORACLE was in 35. We expected to make it to the Hall of Fame. But the next few levels were very difficult to crack. By the time ORACLE was on 38 we had managed to reach only 33. When we reached 35 oracle reached his glory. I suddenly felt desperate, because we were stuck at 35 for more than 2 hours and I started losing hope to make it to the Hall Of Fame. As we were going through the blogs many people had already congratulated the Klueless team for the brilliant effort they had put in. I started losing my patience, I couldn't contribute at all I just wanted someone to tell us the answer so that I could keep my tail between the legs and enter Hall Of Shame. Oracle gave us a final hint before going to sleep with which we finally cracked that level and moved on to the next level. Already feeling lost I was about to give up. But Arjun was in control. He made both me and Ijaz stay awake and contribute in solving that level. I was asking him to go to bed as he had office next day. Ijaz was already indifferent about the result. But Arjun was not ready for any of this.I never thought we were moving in the right direction but mechanically did what Arjun asked me to do. His level of frustration was clear in his words when with our minor contribution he cracked that level. He said “Da I am going to bed as I f***in cracked this level.” His patience and perseverance finally got us through that level. Just two more to go but it was already late, so we decided to call it a day. Next day I and Arjun started solving the penultimate level. That was easy and finally we moved to the last one. Ijaz joined us now. The final level was another headache. But now I knew I could count on Arjun; we went through all the crazy stuff and in 2 hours we cleared the final level. I was overwhelming with happiness, so were Arjun and Ijaz. We thanked the ORACLE. We were living the moment. Because we finally cleared a feat which we considered unachievable two days back. But we were not sure until the Hall Of Fame list was published. We were expecting somewhere around 240+. But around 4 pm, the list was published and we were at 66, just 27 behind the ORACLE. What more do we want!!! We finally made it and made it in style. This is for you Arjun, without your perseverance, patience and spontaneity we will not be where we stand now. This is for youIjaz, who came at the nick of time to join our group. This is for us, Arjun, Ijaz, me and Ashley (in low voice) because WE ARE DEFINITELY GODS!

PS: To My Dear Cousin's : I apologize for not responding to your calls during last 3 days :)

In the land of Nawabs

For a traveler it is not the destination that matters, but the journey. You don’t have to google it, I just made it up. Err… I just googled it, someone from America has already said that!!!  I was on an on-site support to one of our customers for two weeks and my destination was Hyderabad. I was here one month back, but that time it was hectic and the places I saw was limited to the journey from airport to the IT Park. This time it was not hectic, I had a lot of free time and some days only that. Some days I even took the courage to ward off boredom by reading editorials in Hindu. There was also a pathetic situation when I refreshed my facebook page thrice in one minute and was momentarily excited to see a notification, only to my dismay It was an invitation to some app. I had one weekend in Hyderabad so I had decided to bring my family here for a short vacation. I booked a hotel nearby mine for my parents and had planned to smuggle my brother into my hotel. A room for my parents in my hotel was denied by the numbers in my monthly pay check.

They arrived on Saturday morning; I had rented a car and went to pick them up from the Bus station. On their arrival I asked my father which all places he wished to see. I got a prompt answer; Golconda fort and Charminar. I guess these are the only names that he remembers from his old social science book (same is the case for me). The same question to my mother was met with a smirk and an answer in low voice. She just wants to do shopping. Similar question to my brother will be just a waste of time, obviously he needed some pics to post in facebook. Our driver took us straight to the hotel; we had our breakfast and started for our first visit: Golconda Fort.

Golconda fort had a lot of historical importance and architectural admiration to be done. There are guides available to explain all these. But when a guide approached and told us his fees my father lost interest in guide, for my mother it is the shopping area outside the fort that mattered, for my brother to take photos; guide seemed redundant. For me, admiration of beauty was anyway restricted for two reasons. One I was with my parents. Two, most of them wear purdhas. We followed the direction mentioned in sign boards to see all places. The view from Golconda fort was good. I wish I had the ability to admire the architectural brilliance of that fort. A proper visit will take at least 3 hours, we completed it in one hour. We went to the shops adjacent to the fort, there we spent more than one and half hours on shopping and bargaining. People usually advise me to travel before getting married I guess this is the reason why they say that.

Our next destination was Charminar, It was a busy street with “Lad bazaar “adjacent to it. I bet my mother was thinking only about visiting the bazaar during the 53 steps ascending to be done in charminar. These places look beautiful only in the photographs. I might be hurting many architectural admirers but for a common man like me (or below common man) a visit to these places is done only for namesake. But for my mother, a visit to Lad bazaar is no small affair; it involved bargaining, shameless fighting and finally gifts for a few of my cousins. Our driver being an experienced one took care to take us through all the shortcuts and had taken 1.5 hours for travelling 10 km (sarcasm intended). We spent another half an hour finding him in the busy streets near Charminar and Mecca masjid. We finally decided to wind up for the day after visiting Chowmahalla place. I don’t have to explain it as the same story is repeated here too. We returned back to hotel. I took them to paradise hotel to try the biriyani about which I had boasted a lot and which they detested after having .

At Golconda Fort

Charminar

Mecca Masjid

At Chomwmahalla Palace

Vintage Cars in Chowmahalla Palace

Rolls Royce

Vintage Vehicles in Ramoji

With an old friend

It took me 5 min to get this photo

Spending Quality time with chaplin

Don't know her name but i guess she enjoyed my company

Mughal Gardens cum Brindhavan at Ramoji

In the sets of ramayana

Inspired from Spider man

I successfully smuggled my brother to my hotel and we decided to spend a night swim on the open terrace swimming pool. The next day  we had plans to visit Ramoji Film city. Ramoji film city was something worth going ten years back. Almost everything there is outdated now.  A short journey in the vintage bus is something worth remembering. It took us through many film sets, which included the Mughal gardens, London Street, Indian bazaar, housing colony, air port cum hospital building, railway station cum police station, Ramayana TV series sets. This short journey spoiled all my good memories about films. The realization that I was being deceived all these years was something hard to accept. We went through many film sites like munnabhai, yes boss etc. Myself and my brother spent time playing dashing cars, video games and ferris wheel in the final few hours in Ramoji. It had started raining in Hyderabad, as we waited for our cab to come and pick us up. We went straight to Inorbit mall near our hotel. That was a small effort to get my parents adjusted with the modern lifestyle. I had a hard time convincing my mother to get into an escalator. I ordered small meal from KFC thinking they won’t like it. But to my surprise I had to be in queue two more time to satisfy their hunger. The two days went very fast and the next day I went to drop them. After dropping them I realized that I was home sick and started thinking about the purpose of this life and the usual stuff like that.

I was supposed to leave that Friday back to Bangalore, but my stay was extended for another three days. Being tired of luxury I decided to roam around Hyderabad. But unlike Bombay a walk through Hyderabad isn’t mesmerizing. It was similar to any common place, nothing great about the streets. No ancient architecture to admire. One thing worth going in Hyderabad is IMAX. For a first timer it is a wonderful experience. An advice will be to select the back seats with no one in front of you. It doesn’t make a difference if it is third or forth row. But if no one is there in front of you then the experience will be great.  The screen is huge compared to the multiplexes and 3D film will be a feast for the eyes. The IMAX visit made my visit to Hyderabad appreciable. Though it is good in many cases like late night food, cheap auto, train connectivity and pricing of film ticket. One strange thing that I felt when I was away for more than two weeks from my company is that I miss my company.

Bangalore to Home via Hitchhiking

This idea was planted in my mind long time back, but never had the guts to execute. Google maps said 330 km of journey from my Bangalore house to my homely abode. It usually take 7 hours of journey by bus in the night, adding an extra 3 hours to my journey it would take 10 hours for me on a day journey that too with complete strangers. As it should be it was completely unplanned and thanks to Kingfisher my plans to visit Delhi had been just cancelled, so on Mar 24 Sat I set for this epic journey.

I woke up at 6 in the morning took a back pack with some snacks, I avoided my camera, took 300 Rs as cash in my hand , debit card with 3k in it and a fully charged mobile with enough credit in it. My First destination was Nanjappa circle, the bust stop near my home. I stood at the bus stop for 15 min, a bus came I avoided that as I didn’t know how to start the journey but I just knew that I will not take any bus or taxi. I was having a starting trouble and wanted to boost up my spirit to start looking for a hitchhiking option. Standing at the bus stop and looking for a hitchhiking option was a very bad idea. It took 15 min for me to realize that, so I started walking towards KR market which was 3km away from my house. Just after walking 200m I finally had the guts to show my hand for a lift, but the driver didn’t notice it. I waited there and started waving my hands clearly then on. A moped guy finally stopped, frankly speaking when I started the journey I expected beautiful ladies riding on Honda activa or guys moving very fast in high end bike or an open shield car as my mode of commuting. But the only guy who cared for a foolish hitchhiker was a moped guy. I asked him if he can drop me at KR market. He just nodded. I took my seat behind his back. He was my first stranger; I still didn’t know how to start the conversation. I had taken a learn kannada guide and looked in that for a suitable conversation starter. But I couldn’t spit out any words. I just sat behind him, he didn’t ask me anything. He left me at the Market and went away without waiting for my thank you. Thus my first driver to the destination and that wasn’t a good one. I had thought that I would be  more social with a nice little smile when he drops but instead I was received coldly. For an instant I thought of catching a bus back to my house, but it was late to make such a decision after all “der ki aage jeet hai” .

I walked along the flyover which will land me straight to the mysore road. Once climbing down the fly over I waited for my next commuter. The second one was easy, a young man stopped. I asked him if he can drop me to Kengeri, next big stop on Mysore road. He was friendly; he agreed to drop me at Mysore road satellite center which was almost halfway to Kengeri. On the bike he started the conversation, I told him what I am up to, he stopped the bike for a while looked at my face and then drove again. Then he started giving me advice on the precautions need to be taken. He told me to take only two wheelers as the travelling option and to not travel in the night and much usual stuff. We had a nice little chat during our journey. His name was Darshan. He was like the guy with whom I wanted to travel in this venture. Very near to Satellite Bus stand he stopped to talk with one of his relative. While they were talking a 50+ aged man came to them riding on splendor. They were talking something in kannada while I was surfing through my mobile. Darshan started saying something about me and I started smiling for the each look the old man gave me. Darshan had told him to give me a lift as he was going to Kengeri. He seemed to be reluctant in doing so, but Darshan was doing the convincing part. Finally he asked me to get into his bike.

That was most probably the bad decision that I ever made during my journey. Just after saying bye to Darshan, the old man took me through the busy Mysore road. He started advising me during my the 10km trip to Kengeri. I could decode only half of it and I knew that he was talking that the whole hitchhiking is a bad idea. He was like an infinite source of advice and I felt pity for his children. He asked me to catch a bus from Kengeri to Mysore and dropped me at Kengeri Bus stand. He showed me the bus to enter and waited for me to enter that. Once I entered he left the Bus stand, I looked around and when I was sure that he was not around, I got out and started walking out of Bus stand. I didn’t know whether I will be disappointed in rejecting the old man’s advice, but I had miles to go before I sleep.

Next stop that I had in my mind is Mandya which was almost 80 km from Kengeri. Few two wheelers stopped but hearing Mandya they left. I continued my walk along the mysore road. I showed my hand asking for lift in between. This time it was a real estate agent who stopped to give me a lift. Ahmed asked me, where to, I smiled and replied “Mandya” expecting him to reject me. His was riding an old bullet, it’s always a pride to ride on a bullet even if it’s as a pillion rider. He is going to save my 80Km journey from Kengeri to Mandya. It was already 9 and I was only 16 Km from my Bangalore house. Ahmed was settled in Bangalore, he usually visit his age old mother on all Saturdays. He was the eldest son in the family and opted to move to Bangalore when he got married. His beard was dyed with henna. He was proud about that and much more proud in helping his mother to go for Hajj with him. He talked about his first saving being spend on that. He obviously seemed to be a proud son honoring age old mothers wish. We stopped in between to have breakfast, I started paying for him but he stopped me and told that he had an account their and he used to pay it only on the month end. He must be a frequent rider.  We continued the journey. He took only 1.5 hours to complete 80 Km. During the journey we talked about religion, monotheism, jihad, campus love and even films and I liked his ideologies in all these. I admired him, no reason why he rides a bullet. That was the expected beauty of such a trip, you meet people in whom you find yourself and finally leave them at the end of the journey. I never told him my name, he never asked. He left me 2 Km past Mandya.

It was almost 11 and the sun was very hot and I was walking. I was sitting for a while so I thought of walking at least a Km and then continue my begging for lift. In a shade a guy was selling sugarcane juice, I went there and ordered for a glass. As I was waiting there a kerala registration Wagon R came by and stopped for a drink. I was happy to see a kerala registration vehicle thinking that I will get another lift as Mandya to Mysore which is almost 50 Km. But to my sadness they both were talking in hindi and I wondered how they got a kerala registration wagon R. This time it was they who initiated the talking. They smiled at me and complained about the climate. I told them it is better here and it is much worse in my native kerala. I wanted to stress that I am from kerala. That clicked!!! We started talking in Malayalam from then on. They were vipin and Irene, both malayalees but born and bought up in N India. They were going to Mysore for the weekend. So I decided to break Darshan’s advice and asked for a lift in a car. Next 50 Km went very fast, we talked non-stop during the entire duration. Vipin was a super cool guy and he made a perfect pair with Irene. Vipin was working in IT industry and Irene was working in SBI. We talked mostly about films and I gave them a good idea about the Malayalam must watch films. Being with a couple who is perfect for each other always makes you feel good. Vipin took the pain to let me off at the madikeri road , he parked the vehicle and didn’t let me leave without the lunch that they have packed. My journey was going to be 100% success, I had chappathi and chicken curry and I congratulated Irene for being a good cook. We shared few jokes and finally they left me in madikeri road. Vipin took a U turn and went back to mysore city.

Now I was ready for anything, I rated my journey as complete success. I still have 200 plus Km to my house, but I was happy. I walked along the Madikeri road. Mysore-Madikeri road is very wide with big trees along both sides of the road. I walked for at least 4 km. No one stopped. It was almost half an hour since I said good bye to Vipin and Irene. I was ready for any option; I started showing my hands to almost all the vehicle. I became desperate, I thought of taking a bus but even that didn’t seem to come. I was moving towards the country side. Unlike Mysore road, Mysore -Madikeri road is not at all busy. Very few vehicles pass by, no one cared to stop. Even few Kerala registrations passed me. One hour back I thought my journey was success but still with 200+ Km left to my house, I seemed to lose my heart. I saw a National Permit Lorry with a name tag “Mary Matha” (referring to the mother of Jesus) at a distance. The scenes from almost all movies passed through my mind. Though many National permit lorries didn’t stop before, I had a notion that this will stop and that did.  I asked the driver’s accompany in Kannada if he can drop me in Madikeri. He waited for driver’s nod and asked me to Hop in. They both were talking in some strange language. It might have been Kannada with an unusual accent. But I couldn’t understand any of the questions he asked as the vehicle started rolling. Finally he stopped asking me question and they both started minding their own business. A wet underwear kept for drying on a rope tied  just behind my head kept on banging to my head during the entire journey. We all were silent during the entire trip. The accompany dozed of frequently during the trip, but he got up with a response when ever driver talked about something. The entire trip took 3 hours. If I hadn’t got the window seat, I would have bored to death. The driver stopped the vehicle and asked me to get down. I obeyed; I didn’t have any clue which place that was. I asked people on the road side to the road toward Irrity, the other side of Karnataka forest which I am supposed to enter in another half an hour.

I was walking through the Madikeri town I was looking at the street vendors. A man waiting just outside a textile shop asked me in Malayalam if I am going to Kannur. I told him that I am going to Iritty, he asked me to get in the front street. That was the easiest commuting option during my entire journey. He was there to get some textile for his shop in Iritty and he was waiting for the porters to load it in the back. It was Mahindra’s commander, I sat on the front seat waiting for the porters to finish the job. Once they were done he still was waiting and I felt bad because I saw many two-wheelers passing by whom I considered as a good hitchhiking option. It was already 5 30 and I doubted about reaching home in time. Finally his apprentice came back and murmured to him in Kannada. He got into the last row were textiles were kept, and the driver started the vehicle. Just after moving 50m he stopped and a couple with their children got into the middle seat. Then I started feeling bad, maybe he wanted me to give him some money for the lift. We started with casual talks, the couple behind us were talking in Kannada. He told me that textiles are cheap in Madikeri and he come here to refill his stock once in a while. He told me about a place in Bangalore called chamrajpet were sarees are very cheap. He was a pure business man and whenever he talked, he talked about how he can make profit from that. He drove very fast. We reached Virajpet and the couple got down. My expectations were all let down when those couple paid him few notes. He waited there for another 10 min looking for a replacement, finally he left to Iritty. It was already past 6 and we had started travelling through forest. He drove really fast; I wanted to tell him to slow down so that I can enjoy the forest journey. But every look on my watch gave me a shiver. It was almost getting late and I didn’t think I can make it as expected. I might have to board a Bus from Iritty to my home.

It was 5 past seven when I reached Iritty. The driver asked me to pay 50 Rs for the ride. My epic journey is no more an epic journey as I couldn't full fill my demand to not board a taxi or a bus. Though my last vehicle was a private one and not a taxi, when I handed him 50 Rs note my pact to myself was getting broken. I walked to Iritty Bus stand, It was getting late and as my plan to go on a complete hitchhiking trip was shattered, I decided to board a bus. I had to travel another 50km to reach my home. Bearing the shame I got into the bus and handed the conductor the money to Thaliparamba from where I need to get into next bus to reach my home town. Finally at 9 30, I walked into my house to the complete surprise of my mother, I asked my mother to cook good dinner and went to have a shower to erase the bad memories of losing the race in the last lap.

Mumbai Memories

It had been a long time since I wrote something, the main reason being the scarcity of ideas, so I decided to go on a trip to Mumbai. It was an unplanned trip, my sister arranged accommodation for me with her friends and I booked ticket in tatkal and everything was well. 

Journey from Bangalore to Mumbai takes almost 24 hours by train. My train left Bangalore around 8 pm. I had the company of a couple with their cute 3 year old son Ankush and a chatterbox and his girlfriend, whenever he took a pause he was hugging and kissing his girl friend. Ankush and the chatterbox kept me occupied throughout the night and soon I was off to sleep. As a traveler I had come in terms to myself to get up early in the morning as any place looked beautiful in the morning sun. I woke up at 6 30 am, even as everyone near my berth was asleep, I moved to the next compartment. I asked the young women over there to give me the side seat, so that I can enjoy the morning sun. But as hindi was the medium of communication she didn’t understand a word so I had to enact it for her.( an advantage of travelling alone is that all the stupid things that u do won’t come out as blogs). The morning view was great, the mighty sun at the end of the vast corn field was a splendid view indeed. Later I moved to my berth and got entertained by Ankush. Soon they got down and the chatter box had resumed his duty. The sight from pune to Mumbai was gorgeous. We were travelling through mountain ridges and tunnels, finally at 8 in the night I reached Mumbai CST, took a ticket to “Govendi” place where TISS is located (Tata Institute of Social Service) were my sister was doing her PHD. My sister and her roommate had prepared dinner for me. Her friend joined us for dinner whose room I would be sharing during my stay in Mumbai..

Pune- Bombay Route

Back in room, I was getting acquainted with my sisters friend “Goldy”. He turned out to be my senior in REC. Actually an REC dropout. HE walked out when he was in second year protesting against the educational reforms taken by incumbent communist party. Now he is working for the emancipation of dalits in Jharkhand. It took some time for me to understand his level. Then later he explained the electoral reform campaign he is taking part now and finally something made sense to me. During the conversation his roommate entered. Anand gave me a good idea about the itinerary to be followed next day and was kind enough to lend me his small collection of maps of Mumbai city. 

Side View of Victoria terminus

Flora fountain

For a person who usually woke up at 10, 6 30 can be considered as midnight. So I woke up at midnight and freshened up to begin my journey. My first stop was CST/ Victoria Terminus. I admired the beauty of that marvelous British architecture. Similar kind of buildings were lined on both sides of the road which lead to Gateway of India. Every single step in this walk was worth the effort. On the way I crossed flora fountain, then to the gateway of India. I took many snaps of Gateway of India and Taj Mahal hotel. That was a very happening place. From there I went to Prince of Wales museum. Mumbai authorities had this weird behavior in which they change the name of almost all the historic monuments to some sivaji related name. Soon after taking the ticket I realized that I did not belong there, but as I had taken a ticket I went inside. The view there brought pleasure to both eyes and heart. There were some 50 plus children who I assume were from some daycare with their ayahs. Ayahs wouldn’t be apt enough description as they looked like they were models of Pepe Jeans. I followed them during my entire journey inside museum. Meanwhile I took a photo with a crown on my head for which I had to pay 10 Rs. Next destination was marine drive. Marine drive was a virgin beauty. Spent a little time there and took a different route to Gateway of India and took a ticket to elephanta caves. Soon a bachelor and a boat full of couples set sail to elephanta caves. Elephanta cave is a trekking spot for girls as there was nothing worth watching other than a little walk which girls might consider adventurous. The elephant caves boasted sculptural beauty made during mauryan empire. For me appreciation of art was limited to ogling and as I was already late for my duty at marine drive I returned to the boat. On my return journey I had a series of unsuccessful attempts at taking photographs of a Sea gull. When I reached back at gateway of india I had this urge to go inside the taj mahal hotel. But my bank balance held me back.

Gateway Of India

Taj Mahal Hotel

Marine Drive

Sculptures in Elephanta caves

I was a little late for my duty in marine drive. All those stupid reformers who work against women discrimination, I say they have never been to marine drive. Tears will flow through their eyes if they had seen the princely treatment every girl received from guys. I took off my sunglass as my eyes thrived for freedom. After the long walk through the marine drive I went to Wankhede stadium. I gave a salute and put my hands on my heart and remembered all those warriors especially sachin and dhoni. I was done for the day and went back to TISS.

Inside Tajmahal Hotel

 Next day I woke up little earlier than midnight (6 15 am) and resumed my journey. As my salary was credited last night, I convinced my friend (challi/ Vivek) to have breakfast at the famous TAJ MAHAL hotel. We were stopped at the entrance by the security and when I told their manager that I was there for my breakfast in a hotel inside tajmahal hotel he let us in. There we were in Hotel Shamiana inside the famous taj mahal hotel. A beautiful lady butler received us, and had a casual talk. My friend and I freshened up in tajmahal hotel and soon we were ready for our buffet breakfast. After the enormous breakfast we left for some epic photo sessions in front of gateway of india. From there we left to haji ali dargah and from there through the newly built Bandra worli sea link to bandra. We visited few churches there and went to have a look at “Mannet” King khan’s abode. We took train from bandra to churchgate to the famous Leopold café in colaba. It was the famous pub in colaba causeway built in 1871 where we filled ourselves with “erbe”. It was near to sunset so we left to marine drive to view the sunset. We watched the sun hiding under the waters of Arabian sea. Thus my impromptu journey was coming to an end. As we were waiting for the taxi, my mind itched to visit one mischievous place “Kamatipura”, the red street of Bombay.

Sunset from Marine Drive

I wanted to visit this place, but when the moment came when the taxi driver asked us where to go I didn’t had the guts to say it. My friend rose to the occasion and asked the driver to roam around kamatipura and leave us in CST. As we approached kamatipura, I rolled up the window, It was a busy street and was around 7:00 pm. The whole lane was about 100m in length and was very crowded. There was as many as 50 women in the bright dress with maximum make up in their face. To be frank many of the ladies were beautiful. Our driver drove slowly while he explained us the money range for these ladies. The cheaper one were for 500 and the luxurious reached 2500. I wondered what he meant by luxury. Finally we drove past the final girl, I was being paranoid about this place. There was no problem in walking through that street and having a good look at all those ladies and get canvassed by many.   

The second day was different from the first and I enjoyed both the days in its own way. Chali’s company was a bonus for me and thanked him and hugged him as we parted our ways from CST. I catched the suburban train, the experience about which deserves a complete blog. I saw only the rich areas and met many people every one was friendly and helpful. Mumbai gave me very good memories which I will cherish for my life. . I was feeling sad as my train left CST, all good things need to come to an end, so did my trip and so does my blog.

PS: If u r into the art appreciation Monday won’t be the right day as it’s a holiday for most of the historic place in Mumbai.

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