Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Rajgadh trek with Calsoft

It all started on a casual chat with a friend, the inception of trekking. Trekking had already registered its name in activities I used to do. Casual discussion kicked off with a small group in Calsoft. It all got set so quickly that before I could realize I was already trying to sleep to get up early for Rajgadh trek.

Just back from Goa previous weekend I was already in the mood. A group of 18 people looking to have a good time together. Most of them had met each other a day before, the common ground being the enthusiasm. A lot of fresh college grads added to the energy level giving the much required high to get things going. With a light drizzle to welcome us for the trek, we all started heading towards Rajgadh on the NH4 highway. A quick break at McDonalds and we hit the country road off NH4.

Its this moment onwards, things changed for me. I was completely covered with enthusiasm of trekking after a long time, trying to get involved in every possible activity happening around. Trying to know people and get the conversation going. Trying to be chirpy and help get over the initial talking barrier between the new people.

The country side roads, the green fields, the light rain and my car, it all changed the scene in a flash. Wonder this is what I had been wanting for so long. It was a different group, a different ambience and a different mood. A group not so well known allowed me to unwind myself in my own way. Got closer to the nature and started feeling the mist. The fresh morning country side air was refreshing in its own way. The cattle, the early morning villages with smoke coming out of tiny huts, the small waterfalls I started recollecting it all. It was such a common experience some years back and then it made an exit. Before I could realize, I was already thrown in the glory of past. What I could see, hear and feel was the beautiful time already spent. The same childish tweets, the same leg pulling and the same romance with nature. It was all the same. Not letting it go for one moment, I started giving myself up to whatever was happening around. Soon we reached the base and started our trek up in the hill which was half submerged in clouds. It was all mystic, the flow of water along the step farming, chirping birds, gush of wind, the crystal clear water flowing over the washed black rocks and the morning breeze added by the background of playful individuals.

As we started to climb up, I got into the perfect zone. All the treks from the past revisited as game of cards. Each one bringing its own story, each one making me observe and feel what was around. The shackles of mundane life were giving way. I could see more, hear more and feel more. The story of present looked so similar to the story of past. Its all the same but for the transformation from 1st person to 3rd person. Its all the same.

We climbed up in our destined time and were welcomed by a small shack on the top serving hot poha and much needed tea. It was all happening for us. After the quick tea break we started moving towards bale-killa where the tough part started. The patch was well conquered with a lot of hand holding and spirit. The younger ones trying to show how they can handle the tough situation :) doing a lot of times what is really not required. I see that all, After all, isnt that what I used to do. As we conquered the bale-killa, we opened our food stock. Had a sumptuous meal and hurried to a little shelter from the chilly wind. Dhiraj narrated a story from the books about the fort. It was a time well spent at the top.

A little relaxation and we started climbing down. The group got divided into smaller groups. On our way back to the fort from Bale-killa, we lost our way but soon realized it and found our way back to join the remaining gang. There we had a small official intro with each one of us trying to know others.

I was all nostalgic by now and everything that was happening here was like a movie play for me. The foreground of past and background of present were playing joyously together. Having forgotten who I was, was the best feeling of the time. This was the same freshness uncovering the pages in heart. Making me enjoy the rains, making me enjoy the smile, making me enjoy the wood, making me re-live the past.

In this small trek, I might have lost the present but I certainly lived my past. This small writeup is for all of them who made my past and for the ones who know my present.