To Go Or Not To Go? That was the question. As Bijli was busy bargaining for a meal extra with the camp operator and Dhamankar was busy double-crossing tourist bus agents to lower costs, I was doing nothing at all but waiting for signals from my tummy that had wrecked havoc the past week. Thanks to the discipline enforced by my dear roomie, I felt better and finally decided to embark on my most adventurous trip ever – Rishikesh.
In the bus, the usuals started. One group singing songs and another, surprisingly small group, Smirnoffing. The songs slowly became too difficult for me and so I decided to join the intellectual conversation happening on the other side. These guys, I have to say, become exceptionally brilliant when drunk. There was a terrific discussion on Congress and politics, which, to my anger, they didn’t even remember the next day. After a few ‘Secretary, Sports’ and ‘EOM’ dialogues people started sleeping though my height and weight meant I couldn’t. But I had Miss.PS for company. She has taken an oath never to sleep on trips like these.
The extra meal that Bijli successfully fought for was missed as we reached late helped by the traffic and fog. A small trek and we reached the Camp Zero. Ganga for the first time. Oh My God. Amazing. This was the ‘Jumping around Phase’. I was so happy that I couldn’t stop shouting and jumping around. Very Happy. Just couldn’t take my eyes off her. But it was time for Lunch. But in this tour there were two things that should be mentioned. At times I felt, “ Was the purpose of the trip taking photos?” coz, thats the only thing we did. The other was the excess of would-be-managers in the group. Everyone was part of the decision making process and naturally sometimes ‘Too many cooks...’. After some volleyball we were ready for Rafting, the best part of our trip.
This is ‘the Anup Rao Phase’. It really was the most adventurous hour of my life. For most of us I guess. There were too many instructions from our boat ‘Captains’. Zero Degree Ganga was splashed on us for us to get accustomed to getting drenched in it. Life Jackets were tightened and ‘Ganga Mata Ki Jai’ bhajans were shouted. The first Rapid came. Anup Rao went. Deep into the water. Panic followed and he reappeared the same way but this is one event he is not going to forget ever. Neither will we. Manali too fell but was able to come out immediately even before she had the time to panic. In the next rapid Gathoskar thought ‘Why should Anup Rao take all the limelight’ and fell as well. He didn’t panic much and was rescued. Then all of us jumped into the water in clear peaceful waters and did some fake swimming.
By this time, while the other blessed souls were ready for cliff jumping, my ‘Shiver-a-thon’ started. I enjoyed too much it seems. I continuously shivered for 2 hours. Couldnt speak or walk even. Nothing doing. Finally when we reached Camp Zero at night it was time for Camp Fire, the first in my life. I expected a lot of dance, singing, shouting. Something to happen all the time in the camp. But nothing happened. It was ‘Melody time’. My attempts at singing songs like ‘Ashiq banaya’ or ‘Dhoom Dhooom come and add my fire’ failed. Again I had PS, anup and Dhamankar for company as we heard a few Tamil songs as well and finally slept around 2.
Next is the ‘Romantic Walk Phase’. Disclaimer: This only means that the time was best suited for such a walk. But we were 3 boys and 3 girls taking photos and enjoying the walk in the early morning as others were sleeping. We were supposed to start at 7.30 in the morning and we promptly started at 9. Naturally we missed Haridwar. I had the most beautiful breakfast of my life(Never used this adjective with BF) on the banks of the Ganga under Glorious sunlight.
Then came the ‘Walk-a-thon Phase’. We walked and walked and walked. Saw Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula and an Ashram. Lunched at Chotiwala. Then started the Fantasy League Phase. From then on till 5 in the eve when we had Tea, we spoke nothing but the World Cup. Who scored how much, how did he get out, who ran him out, what was his economy, what did yuvraj have for Lunch. All these were discussed too much that it became infectious and the next phase started.
The customary Antakshari didn’t happen but DumbCharades was played. Gathoskar, Arora, Dhamankar, Vishal came up with unknown films, the Dukanians were brilliant and all of them worked hard to give me a simple Hindi title and heaped praises on me as I enacted them. Then ‘the Great Mail Scam’ broke out. For once, all of us became ‘Hypa’. All of us told ourselves not to speak about it yet were doing anything but that. It is another issue that Manali and Rusty were sleeping blissfully unaware. Anything more about this here would screw me.
Then after Happy Birthday singing for Bhadada, we reached hostel, again later than we expected. But this was one helluva trip. Not to be forgotten as easily. Though a bit overshadowed by ‘the Great Mail Scam’, the happy memories are on top of my mind. On others’ too I guess. Thanks Bijli and Dhamankar. Gujju and ViSa took care the finances, rightly. Thank you Amar, Swati, Manali, Arora, Kanika, Dukanians, ‘for all seasons PS’, Anup Rao, SCSS, Gangs, Photographer Raghu, Laxman, the only swimmer in the group Rusty and Gathoskar for making this time Memorable. And the biggest Thanks is to the Holy Ganga. Waiting to see you again.
