Escape into the wild - A travel narrative through the eyes of an 18-year old

College life is often referred to as one of the most enjoyable days in our life. This is what i get to hear from most people and i think today, on 10^th January 2014, I exactly got to know why…

Let me introduce you to two of my friends who are going to be the other characters in this narration.. Meet Bimal, one of the most mature and well behaved characters I have ever seen in my 18 years. My other buddy is Jason about whom I am at a loss of words. He is just one of a kind... totally unique.

It all started a week ago when Bimal invited us to his home at Mannarkad for the weekend, since it was the occasion of their yearly church fete. It didn’t take more than a moment for us to voice our assent, much to his surprise. Definitely, it seemed like a welcome deviation from our usual routine on a weekend, which was primarily to stay put on the couch, watching movies.

The wait for Friday seemed endless and finally, the three of us boarded the bus to Palakkad – the pit stop being my home, for refreshments and a change into my Jeans. (ain’t it comfy)! Late in the evening, mom dropped us in the bus stand where we eagerly squeezed into a crowded bus to Mannarkad, to reach our destination an hour later.

To be very frank, upon reaching Bimal’s home, which was a 5 minute walk from the bus stop, we were dumbfounded. It was huge and really very beautiful and fascinating as well. I just fell for the beautiful garden filled with birds. I also got to speak to a parrot… an arrogant one at that because it never bothered to reply to my questions!

We were accorded a warm welcome by his father, mother and sister and very soon, we found ourselves in front of a royal feast prepared specially for us. Bimal’s mother’s yummy tandoori chicken, chicken biriyani and various other delicacies, not to mention the delicious homemade pudding... my mouth waters just thinking of it. I still have a guilty feeling about the manner in which Jason and I shamelessly ate everything they offered us! A late night movie and long past 1 am, we finally made it to bed! It was an early morning start for us the next day and the idea of driving through the area, and seeing the rubber plantation bimal’s family owns sounded fabulous. Without any second thoughts, we set out on a journey into the wild…

The three of us got into a classic Mahendra jeep with Bimal at the wheel. Mannarkad is basically a hilly area, and very soon, we were going uphill and winding roads and felt more like a high range drive. The road actually would have taken us to picturesque Siruvani dam, but since it was a little too far, we opted to visit the outskirts of the Kanjirapuzha dam about 7 to 8 kilometers away.

Nothing prepared me for the awesome sight ahead! Bimal took us to the catchment area behind the reservoir which was a really beautiful, undisturbed habitat. Totally wonderstruck by the incredible treasure trove that Mother Nature offered us, both Jason and I lavishly feasted on it. The beautiful mountains.., the majestic lake, the tall and imposing thickly growing trees with the sunlight filtering through the leaves producing what is known as the ‘Tyndal effect’, the carpet of dried leaves on the rocky ground, the birds and their melodious birdcalls…it was a sight worth dying for and we made the most of it, clicking away like mad and having a whale of a time!

As we explored further, Jason managed to convince me to climb down the steep, dense incline that would take us to the water. I was like ‘there isn’t any path! How am I going to climb up.. And more importantly, will I be able to climb back? I was actually a bit scared and frankly wished I were more athletic and a little braver. One only knows in such situations as to how brave they are. Nevertheless, I took the leap of faith to a world unknown to me. Believe me, it felt as though we were in a forest. For the first time I understood the reason why it was important to go on adventures in groups. We were holding hands at certain places, pulling each other up, and supporting one another. After all, what are friends for!

After a steep downhill we got to the reservoir’s water area. It was truly unbelievable. I understood what peace is. It was so very quiet that you could literally hear your own hearbeat! We didn’t attempt getting in the water since both Jason and Bimal didn’t know swimming but it was wholesome fun the whole time and we had an awesome time.  I truly understood the meaning of ‘feeling one with nature’.

 Reluctantly, we left the place sometime later and Bimal took us to their rubber plantation which was situated in a place called Payapullu, about a few kilometers from Palakkayam.  The sight of hundreds of trees planted in a hill looked breathtaking and lots of questions popped up in my mind… stupid ones, silly ones, perhaps, but then I realized that there is a lot more in life which I have to experience and see.

We never knew how time flew... The three of us had to leave the serene environment where we had landed and had to head back to civilization because we could smell something burning... our stomachs! Moreover we knew that our delicious breakfast of aapam and egg curry was waiting for us. ;). Moreover, I had to head back to my home since a few other friends of mine were waiting for me at Palakkad. It was perhaps that thought which motivated us to climb up the hill to reach our Jeep that was parked somewhere far away… I think we reached Bimal’s home faster than we expected. Or perhaps it was the sadness in our hearts at having had to leave this paradise that we discovered, so soon…

In about an hour, after a sumptuous breakfast, we bid Bimal and his family goodbye. Although I felt sad at leaving the serenity of the place, I was happy that I was taking with me innumerable memories and a few pictures, to share with my friends and family, and with these thoughts, we boarded a bus back to Palakkad.

I guess it’s only memories that last forever. I was thinking about it in the bus journey back home. I realize that any journey is a destination in itself. Each one may be different and all the plans we make before, and all the pre determined decisions are all pointless. Is it we who take the trip or is it trip that takes us…? I don’t know.

Anyway, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I think I have taken my first step and I certainly look forward to more adventurous trips that will bring me closer to nature… in touch with myself.

One of those experiences...

My decade and a half old, dog eared, falling apart booklet of a driving license needed an urgent lease of life that would transform it into a swanky laminated card and well… the beginning of the year seemed just perfect to implement that much put off task!  Predictably, I was besieged by advices from all quarters. Someone suggested approaching a local driving school to get the job done painlessly. Another friend swore by online services which could save me a whole lot of time, which I thought was an excellent idea.  But once I logged on to the Motor Vehicles Department website I was stopped at the payment gateway which recognized only SBI or SBT cards, both of which I didn’t possess. There ended my online sojourn.

Finally, I decided to go personally to the RTO office and apply for the same directly. RTO offices in Kerala are generally places which are flooded by bored-to-death driving school agents, prospective student drivers with scared faces and timid voices, irritated and articulate vehicle owners who have been waiting to get their documents authorized, important looking men who have nothing better to do than check available fancy numbers of vehicles, and a lot of other people like me who are unsure of whom to approach for getting information. As luck would have it, I foun

d myself in front of the Motor Vehicle Inspector himself, who to me at that time was nothing short of God incarnate!

You know what… he actually asked me to take a seat (unbelievable courtesy in a Govt. office unless you know the officer personally), helped me in making out an application, wrote a note in red ink on the corner of the application directing the person at the counter to give it a ‘fast track’ status, and directed me to the payment counter outside his office in an extremely pleasant manner. Well…with my head held high and with all the rightful attitude of a proud Indian citizen, I walked to the counter and handed out my papers cheerfully to the clerk. There ends the good part of my story.

One nonchalant glance at my papers, (The eyes were focused on the computer in front of her) and she scornfully says that there is no ‘fast track’ facility for this. Being assured of a preferential treatment due to my application being endorsed by her superior, I am a little taken aback and I wonder if she has seen the instructions written in ‘red’. I gingerly mention that I have been directed by the Inspector himself and she emotionlessly asks me to come the next day since payment won’t be accepted after 1:30 PM. (The time was 3:45 pm). Fair enough.

The next day, very determined, I walk into the RTO office with my application onto which my old driving license along with a photo and a copy of my ration card is stapled and goes to the same

counter where another lady clerk is sitting. Yesterday’s lady was nowhere in sight and after waiting for my turn which was easily about 20 minutes later, I have to satisfy her blank stare by explaining matters once again. This time, the lady explains that they don’t accept cash payments and that payment need to be made via Akshaya e-kendra and the payment receipt needs to be attached along with t
he application. So now where can I find an Akshaya e-kendra ? And why on earth didn’t someone mention the fact yesterday???

The Akshaya e-kendra which was about a kilometer away is manned by two ladies, who are beleaguered by questions from impatient people waiting for their turn. But I must say that inspite of the hectic work schedule the lady who attended to me was extremely helpful and when she learnt that I required an address change in the new license as well, she opined that I need apply only for the same by paying a fee of Rs. 250 instead of the Rs.550 that was prescribed for a duplicate license. It made sense to me and I obtained the receipt. I got back hurriedly to stand behind a long queue and when my turn came, I triumphantly handed over the documents to the lady behind the counter. She scans through it again and tells me that I have to pay Rs. 550 and not the reduced amount. She is not ready to listen to my logic and dismisses me with a vacant expression. So I am back to the helpful lady of the Akshaya e-kendra who has learnt something new through my experience. So have I. 

The next day finds me again at the RTO’s office, predictably facing another clerk, this time a physically challenged middle aged man with a pleasant smile. When my turn comes, he glances through the papers and finds out that the copy of my ration card which is attached to the application requires an attestation and directs me to the employment office nearby.  I have no other option as I rush to the savior who is going to decorate the copy of my ration card with his green signature. A wait of 15 minutes outside the director’s office (he is on the phone) and I am informed curtly that he is too busy to attest in the mornings. If I want, I could come in the afternoon. But nonetheless,

the obliging person directs me to the agricultural office on the first floor where he claimed sarcastically that there were about 4 to 5 practically jobless officers who could help me out.  I thank him for his guidance and not bothering with the agricultural office, I take my chance with the nearby economic and statistical department whose accommodating director helped me out without any qualms. (Bless him)!

Thankfully the RTO clerk had no other ways to torment me and the rest of the procedure was speedy.  I don’t know why, but surprisingly instead of feeling angry and irritated at the time consuming process where in I had to forego my three days of productivity, I am left with a greater feeling that I have achieved something great on my own!!!