Elusive Questions

I really don’t know what my friend, Preetha had in mind when she gifted me a note book. Neatly wrapped in a pretty blue wrapper, she had sent it across as a no-occasion gift. But why did she select a note book as a gift? She could have sent across just about anything else… a purse, a perfume or any other thing which gets conventionally passed between friends as gifts. Why a note book?

I know Preetha is a voracious reader. She reads a lot of books authored by empowered international writers, most of whom I haven’t even heard of. Unlike her, I just act intelligent and pretend to be well-read, while all the while I am stuck with the remnants of knowledge assimilated from my bygone days where I had been a passionate reader. Like another likeminded friend had remarked, being a true blue Gemini, I am blessed with the ability to handle any subject under the sun confidently.  But coming back to our topic, why was it that a well read Preetha, who enjoys a good book anytime, and who ponders over its various unwritten messages, decide to gift me a note book?

As far as I know, my friend Preetha loves listening to TED talks on Youtube by various acclaimed writers. Infact, she had sent me a couple of links which I found to be truly inspirational, one of which was by an African author who spoke on the racial discrimination issue in a very positive way. I had even shared it on Facebook, a medium which I use extensively to communicate to the world. Speaking of communication, I have noticed another of those Geminian traits which I am rather despising these days. Somehow, there is this inherent urge in me to communicate constantly. My mind thrives on stimulating conversation with people and I really enjoy listening to their various experiences. But life has placed me in a situation where I have learnt to be pally with my own thoughts and utilize my power of imagination to conjure up any situation or possibility to the fullest.  But that is another line of thought altogether, while right now I keep wondering as to why exactly did Preetha gift me this beautiful note book?

I have known Preetha since a very long time. But it is only recently that we realized the existence of some common vibes. We may not communicate regularly, but we connect instantly. I feel that is the beauty of any good friendship. She thinks that I am a very positive and cheerful soul who has not allowed myself to be bogged down by any of life’s unexpected twists and turns. To be very frank, I don’t think so. Sometimes, playing a part for a very long time can cause actors to start living the particular role in their real life too.  But why on earth am I thinking of all these when the question in my mind is what made Preetha gift me a note book…

Being someone who perfectly understands the power of words, I must confess that I didn’t dare touch the note book for more than a month. The pretty, spiral bound book lay undisturbed in a corner of my shelf. It is only today that I found the courage to open it, feel the immaculately white, ruled pages, and enjoy the heady fragrance emanating from within it, all the time wondering deeply as to why did my  friend Preetha decide to gift me a note book.

I would be meeting Preetha very soon. The logical part of my mind is cajoling me to get an answer from her directly. But my heart pleads to remain patient. A simple explanation might cause the magic in the note book to be lost forever. Perhaps one of these days, as I fill in the pages of this note book one by one, I might stumble upon the answer I seek on my own… perhaps I might also get answers to the various other questions that are in my mind too…

The Shrinking World

“Breaking the shackles, breaking the tangles, finding a brother, a friend in the other;
  Finding a home in this wide, wide, world.

  Then the miles fly by.. .the walls dissolve… and the creeds recede… In a single human bond!”

Adventure stories have always fascinated me.  Having lived a good part of my childhood in boarding schools, my world and its inhabitants mainly consisted of fictional characters from Enid Blyton books, which I used to devour hungrily page by page. Needless to say, l became extremely familiar with the picturesque English landscapes, Scottish castles, quaint little Sussex villages, ham and cheese sandwiches, ginger beer, muffins, and a lot of other things that were described vividly in these books and somehow, like most other children my age, who grew up on a steady diet of books from this wonderful author, I too imagined myself in such exotic locales, sampling the many delicacies which my fertile mind conjured up.  I still hold dear, the dream of visiting the United Kingdom, taking a tour of all the places which I have known and imagined from childhood, getting to eat a couple of authentic macaroons, and of course, getting into a few thrilling adventures too…

Speaking of adventures, breaking all the restraints that bind us in life and setting out on a rugged road trip to explore unknown territories to quench the inquisitive mind’s wanderlust is about the greatest exciting activity I could think of. I have neither had the courage nor the circumstance to embark on such a drive till today, and have satisfied myself by reading about the great escapades of passionate travelers and living their lives through my ever fertile imagination. Come to think of it, there must be something different about such people which make them stand apart from conditioned souls like us who are content leading lifestyles equivalent to that of stagnant water in shallow ditches…

A trip from Kerala to the United Kingdom is not extraordinary. People fly on a regular basis to the UK and it is seriously no big deal. But for three Malayalee men to travel from Kochi to London by road, across 27 countries in 75 days, in a Ford Endeavour is not something commonplace. More than financial back up, It takes a great deal of guts, a thirsting spirit for adventure, a passionate desire to explore unseen and unheard of territories, a mind ready to face challenges of every kind, and a heart to leave behind all that is near and dear, which not just involves family and friends, but also includes comforts one is used to, habits, and conveniences of daily life which we take for granted.

I got to know of this incredible journey a few months back through a friend of mine, Baiju N Nair, a seasoned globetrotter, author, and an automobile journalist of repute, who incidentally happens to be one among the three men who are embarking on this fantastic drive. Frankly speaking, the very first emotion that tugged my heart was acute jealousy. I would have given my left arm and right leg for this opportunity.  I guess I am not the only person experiencing this sentiment.

 Since then, I also got the chance to get acquainted with the second traveler, Suresh Joseph, an ex- railway man, a veteran roadie, and the team leader of this expedition, whose passion for road trips has earned him an enviable position in the Limca book of records. The third adventurer in this trip is none other than the famous Malayalam movie director, Lal Jose, whose burning enthusiasm for this trip, I hear, knows no bounds.  

Promoting Kerala tourism, endorsing World Peace, Stressing on Road Safety, etc. has been laid down as their prescribed motto during this historical drive that they plan to complete within 75 days. But the benefits on a larger scale, which I personally feel, that this Record Drive would accomplish,  might be the diminishing of geographical boundaries to a great extent and setting the trend for more such adventurous journeys in the near future. Distances get shorter as they are conquered, differences melt away as cultures meet, and ultimately, as three enterprising men push their limits to realize their dreams, it may serve to enhance a deep rooted sense of brotherhood and love among people, which is eventually the greatest need of the hour in this world.

My jealousy has given way to a pleasurable excitement as I take satisfaction in eagerly following their preparations for the journey that is to be flagged off on the 16^th June, 2014 from Kochi. Being blessed naturally with a mind which thrives on imagination, my senses have started working overtime as I eagerly lap up every single input regarding this incredible car journey toLondon. I am the imaginary fourth traveler aboard their vehicle and I plan to experience all the thrills of the expedition through their frequent updates which they plan to record online and which I would be waiting for with bated breath.

Good luck, my dear friends. I wish you a safe and eventful journey!

 

Bitten by the travel bug... An escapade to Nelliyampathy hills

"I thank you God for this amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky, and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." - E.E.Cummings

These days I find myself longing to travel more and more, to explore places unseen, and to lose myself in the lap of nature without a care in the world. I want to take a break from my normal, uneventful days and the mundane role that I play in life.

Wise people are of the opinion that we one should never disregard opportunities. And when opportunity came in the form of a simple thought while reading the Sunday newspaper and sipping a hot cup of morning coffee, I didn’t think twice. I grabbed the thought with my entire mind and decided to head straight to Nelliampathy, a quaint little hill station which is barely about 60 Km from Palakkad. Referred to as ‘The poor man’s Ooty’, it certainly sounded like a great escapade for the day. I wasn't wrong.

It is said that a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Hence i choose to record my journey through pictures.

It was a bright, sunny day as we started off  on our journey to  Nelliyampathy hills, which is about 60 km from Palakkad town. 

The road to Nemmara, a small town situated on the base of the Nelliyampathy hills. It was as though we entered another world altogether. The roads were bordered on either side by a thick clump of trees that exuded a magical feel. Perhaps the magic was in our minds.... Nature does have that power on man.

The sleepy town of Vallengi, which we passed enroute. Being a Sunday, the roads were less occupied and the only crowd we saw was in front of the beverages corporation. Guess that is only to be expected in God's own country :)

The Pothundy dam reservoir. A 19th century creation of the British era, this dam was built unconventionally with a mixture of jaggery and quick lime, and it still withstands the test of time. 

A view of the dam and the valley below. Love the clouds above which seem to be having a life of their own.

Why do i get this feeling that they are used to posing for the umpteen cameras which pass this way? It just seemed like a part of life for them. 

Another breathtaking view of the Pothundy reservoir below. Wish i could have stood there, being part of this awesome landscape, till eternity...

Need i say more?

A lovely cottage in the midst of all this greenery in the Poabs estate in Nelliyampathy. I kept thinking as to what life would be for the people who stay here.

The Poabs organic shop selling tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper, ghee, honey, squashes, etc.  I  did buy some tea and honey.  And that's my son, Varun, posing for the camera :)

Just fell head over heels in love with this picture perfect view. This is a place enroute to Seetharkundu, and seemed to be simply out of this world. 

Our destination was Seetharkundu a place which offers an amazing view of the valley down below. Tourists throng this spot where one can  get a breathtaking view of the valley down below. But personally, i enjoyed the drive to Seetharkundu better. After all, as some wise person has said, 'It is the journey which matters and not the destination.' 

Looking forward to more such amazing journeys in this lifetime where i get a chance to become one with nature...