What a whale of a time I had in the last 48 hours.A group of 13 people, staying in the same complex, a few known to each other and the rest absolutely unknown, went on a short vacation to the near by Hill station of Panchgani.The age group spanned across a band ,starting from 7 years to 72 years, and had an equal mix of both genders.Talk about religions,there were Gujarati's, Marwari's, Maharashtrians from all walks of life.They have a background that ranged from free lance consultants , to Directors of a Global Robotic firm, to a Kids School Owner, to a banker and a businessman.
Packing of in 3 cars, with different premium brands ranging from an SUV , to the rock solid Octavia and the sleek Honda City, we took off at different times due to various commitments we needed to close before we land up for a real well deserved break.I was pretty curious, as we had literally packed our stroller just a few minutes before departure, had no idea where were to stay and what arrangements had been done, and only knew that we were to be carted along with one family who had ample space in their SUV ,inspite of it being packed with luggage and snacks.It was fun to rush into a blind alley and yet not being apprehensive just by the fact that we had company along and we would manage any situation that we confront.So ,we started our journey @1400 hrs,and saw our friend ,who is a super enthusiastic driver , who would drive any place anytime, when its his time.Distance etc doesn't matter one bit.He inspite of being under the weather, got himself and the family all set for this awesome vacation.The others were somewhere on the Google map, planning to reach the set destination,just a few hours apart.
The driving experience, or rather being driven in that SUV, sure got me the jitters, as seated behind, I was taken across at breakneck speed,cutting corners ,wedging so precisely in between 2 vehicles that made my heart jump out 102 times in the 90 minute journey.I had to cling to my seat and the seat belt ,asking both, to remain with me through the journey.My wife,probably must have created enough holes in my skin to start a fountain of sorts till we reached our destination. Whoa!!!What a roller coaster indeed.Fortunately we all got into the bungalow which was to be our abode for the next 48 hours , in one piece and in good time.It was beautifully nestled in the midst of thick green bamboo surroundings and a foliage that had practically all shades of green and enough space for us to have any tournament we wished.Then started the interactive sessions that spilt out the eternal truth about each individual and their families.Their values, their talents, their unrealized potential, their dreams,their differences, their opinions, their thoughts and ideologies, the child in each and every person irrespective of age, the likes and dislikes for food and the thrills and adventure they all faced in life.That set me thinking.Each episode that unfolded, from 0600 in the morning, till 0100 hrs next morning,was so intense, so rich, so informative that I wish to thank god for giving me the chance and opportunity to meet these wonderful friends, not on a social network, but in real life .The multi-talented, the deprived, the orthodox, the easy going, the silent brooders, the chirpy enthusiastic partners,the matured elderly fatherly figure,the kids and their smart moves, was an eye opener.One common thing I learnt was each one was fighting to secure himself & his family,oblivious of the fact that he is loosing quality time which he is not utilizing, running after those $$$$.Mostly all of them were concerned with their state of health,some over anxious and stepping up the fitness regime, and others just letting things float.Some of them, getting hyper active and going on overdrive worrying about whats gonna happen next in the coming 2-3 days, and loosing sleep over it.A few of them uncorked their hidden talents of opening up their vocal chords, and lighting up the skies with sweet melodies, never heard before.Some blazed the floor with such moves that would put the most seasoned dancers to shame.They flitted in all combinations and revealed their exciting sides to the crowds.These were some without the golden fuel effect and some with the effect.Either ways the results were mind blowing.
The struggle, the pangs of separation due to heavy travel and business schedules, the late night and long hours, the dreams and desires, the long wait is so common across families.The children had so much talent that simply rubbed of each other and set the stage on fire.Be it music, games, songs, dance and boredom.The innocence, the mischief, the bored look at times, the happiness and ecstasy when they went on the bumping cars or played the noisy electronic games in the parlor.Eating strawberries, horse riding, painting the town red, going bonkers on shopping,and creating a havoc in this audience ,living life at their own terms was a lesson for the seniors.Then came the evenings that went on till early mornings, with discussions on spirituality to watching the IPL cricket matches, reading palms and giving every one around a chance to pin someone around so that the real persona emerges.That bought out so much out of each individual that unmasked the personalities , created new friends,and established new equations which drew out the truth.
But the sheer engagement and delight it bought on the faces of each of us till we popped of completely zapped.The return journey ,was inevitable, and that woke us all up to the Monday morning blues that were to take place.Fagged out by the sheer activity and yet excited about all that took place and will take place,certainly made me richer in terms of experience and knowledge that has taught me a few things in life -What to and what not to follow in life, who ,and how to connect with the people ,who you know are genuine and not wanting to be with you ,for what you have, or what you would do for them.Looking forward to more such exciting encounters.
Packing of in 3 cars, with different premium brands ranging from an SUV , to the rock solid Octavia and the sleek Honda City, we took off at different times due to various commitments we needed to close before we land up for a real well deserved break.I was pretty curious, as we had literally packed our stroller just a few minutes before departure, had no idea where were to stay and what arrangements had been done, and only knew that we were to be carted along with one family who had ample space in their SUV ,inspite of it being packed with luggage and snacks.It was fun to rush into a blind alley and yet not being apprehensive just by the fact that we had company along and we would manage any situation that we confront.So ,we started our journey @1400 hrs,and saw our friend ,who is a super enthusiastic driver , who would drive any place anytime, when its his time.Distance etc doesn't matter one bit.He inspite of being under the weather, got himself and the family all set for this awesome vacation.The others were somewhere on the Google map, planning to reach the set destination,just a few hours apart.
The driving experience, or rather being driven in that SUV, sure got me the jitters, as seated behind, I was taken across at breakneck speed,cutting corners ,wedging so precisely in between 2 vehicles that made my heart jump out 102 times in the 90 minute journey.I had to cling to my seat and the seat belt ,asking both, to remain with me through the journey.My wife,probably must have created enough holes in my skin to start a fountain of sorts till we reached our destination. Whoa!!!What a roller coaster indeed.Fortunately we all got into the bungalow which was to be our abode for the next 48 hours , in one piece and in good time.It was beautifully nestled in the midst of thick green bamboo surroundings and a foliage that had practically all shades of green and enough space for us to have any tournament we wished.Then started the interactive sessions that spilt out the eternal truth about each individual and their families.Their values, their talents, their unrealized potential, their dreams,their differences, their opinions, their thoughts and ideologies, the child in each and every person irrespective of age, the likes and dislikes for food and the thrills and adventure they all faced in life.That set me thinking.Each episode that unfolded, from 0600 in the morning, till 0100 hrs next morning,was so intense, so rich, so informative that I wish to thank god for giving me the chance and opportunity to meet these wonderful friends, not on a social network, but in real life .The multi-talented, the deprived, the orthodox, the easy going, the silent brooders, the chirpy enthusiastic partners,the matured elderly fatherly figure,the kids and their smart moves, was an eye opener.One common thing I learnt was each one was fighting to secure himself & his family,oblivious of the fact that he is loosing quality time which he is not utilizing, running after those $$$$.Mostly all of them were concerned with their state of health,some over anxious and stepping up the fitness regime, and others just letting things float.Some of them, getting hyper active and going on overdrive worrying about whats gonna happen next in the coming 2-3 days, and loosing sleep over it.A few of them uncorked their hidden talents of opening up their vocal chords, and lighting up the skies with sweet melodies, never heard before.Some blazed the floor with such moves that would put the most seasoned dancers to shame.They flitted in all combinations and revealed their exciting sides to the crowds.These were some without the golden fuel effect and some with the effect.Either ways the results were mind blowing.
The struggle, the pangs of separation due to heavy travel and business schedules, the late night and long hours, the dreams and desires, the long wait is so common across families.The children had so much talent that simply rubbed of each other and set the stage on fire.Be it music, games, songs, dance and boredom.The innocence, the mischief, the bored look at times, the happiness and ecstasy when they went on the bumping cars or played the noisy electronic games in the parlor.Eating strawberries, horse riding, painting the town red, going bonkers on shopping,and creating a havoc in this audience ,living life at their own terms was a lesson for the seniors.Then came the evenings that went on till early mornings, with discussions on spirituality to watching the IPL cricket matches, reading palms and giving every one around a chance to pin someone around so that the real persona emerges.That bought out so much out of each individual that unmasked the personalities , created new friends,and established new equations which drew out the truth.
But the sheer engagement and delight it bought on the faces of each of us till we popped of completely zapped.The return journey ,was inevitable, and that woke us all up to the Monday morning blues that were to take place.Fagged out by the sheer activity and yet excited about all that took place and will take place,certainly made me richer in terms of experience and knowledge that has taught me a few things in life -What to and what not to follow in life, who ,and how to connect with the people ,who you know are genuine and not wanting to be with you ,for what you have, or what you would do for them.Looking forward to more such exciting encounters.
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