Leh and Behold !

Leh and Behold 

Coaxing and convincing parents of 3 young, single, beautiful girls was an uphill task to get permission to travel to Leh & Ladakh in the summer of 2015. Amongst unending discussion of people fainting, panting for oxygen, bleeding noses and eventually dying in Leh, three of us finally convinced our parents that we are taking an all-girls trip to the toughest terrain in the country. Fortunately, we were all from the army background and our fathers found some contact for us in the Leh Cantonment for our accommodation and internal travel.

I took an overnight Volvo to Kangra where I was to meet my friends Anu and Akansha. Anu stayed in Kangra with her father, who is a surgeon and Akanksha was then studying medicine in Nepal. We had medical help tooJ.  After a heavy breakfast, we headed in a jeep to Jammu from where we had an early morning flight the next day to Leh. We reached Jammu, stayed over at an army mess, met some local friends there as I had done my schooling in Jammu many years back. Next morning, we had an army jeep to pick us up to take us to the Jammu airport; the shabbiest and the most inefficient airports that I have ever seen till date. 

Nonetheless with all our luggage (as if we were going and settling there) we final took off in our Air India plane. We had to pop a Diamox before we landed to counter high altitude sickness. Did I mention we also carried oxygen cylinders with us? The pilot seemed adventurous; he kept on tilting the plane to show us the tourist attractions of Jammu – Mata Vaishno Devi and the glaciar.

We landed in Leh and Ladakh.

The first step on the terrain, I felt nauseautic or maybe I was hallucinating. There was a sudden change in the temperature so we quickly tucked ourselves in our wind cheaters. There was a vehicle waiting to pick us up and we had to be taken to Kharu , which was 71 kms from the airport. On the way we chit chatted with the driver and the co-driver about the weather and the places to see. We saw some monasteries on the way, took a nap in between and finally reached our accommodation in the army mess.

Day 1- Acclimatization -We were strictly told that day one was only meant for acclimatization – which essentially means getting accustomed to the weather due to the change in the altitude. So after having a heavy lunch we all dozed off and then in the evening we went to take a stroll within the campus (we were actually getting bored). Then, Akanksha played some music and we felt better. We played cards and were honestly dying for the day to end so that we could start our most awaited trip!

Day 2 Thiksey Monastery & the 3 idiots school – Our cab driver, Rinchin who was a local Ladakhi guy, assigned to be our chaperone for the next one week, had arrived. He was cute looking, short heighted with a smiling face. He greeted us – Good morning! We exchanged pleasantries and sat in the car and the ice broke with him when he put loud music for us on the woofers which he had in the boot of his Innova. We knew life 

was sorted!

We took all the info from him. I being a “Punjabi tourist” don't like to leave out anything on the travel list, so i  checked with him if the itinerary which I had planned would cover everything. For who knows when will we ever come to Leh again. He was super impressed with the plan and said whoever has helped you plan it has done it very intelligently. Luckily, my uncle was posted in Leh that time, so, before coming I had done my research, planned the itinerary and bounced it off with him. He made some changes keeping in mind the routes and the altitudes and making sure we got good enough rest in between the tough travel.

So, we headed to Thiksey Monastery, one of the oldest monastery and it had a museum too. I wouldn’t get too much into details here, as I felt after visiting different monasteries in different cities that they all are the sameJ.  With Leh and Ladakh it’s more to do with the journey from point A to point B. I understood the true meaning of the clichéd quote – The journey is better than the destination. Not saying that Thiksey wasn’t great, but the journey to and fro was serene, scenic and full of pure air.

Our new friend Rinchin also became our photographer; I haven’t met a more patient person than him who could take unending clicks of the same pose for us. We really troubled him a lot; I bet he was enjoying our company too.

The next day (Day 3) –Magnetic Hill:   The very fact that we were going to experience something out of the world gave us a different high that day. The Magnetic Hill is nothing but a Cyclops Hill where objects and cars on the hill road may appear to roll uphill in defiance of gravity when they are, in fact, rolling downhill. Rinchin did click one the best pictures of the 3 of us! We visited the famous Gurudwara Pathar Sahib on our way back.

 Day 4- Khardungla Pass- Khardungla Pass is the world’s highest motorable road in the world. We got ready early morning and were half asleep. The distance from Kharu (our base) to Khardungla was around 40 kms which took us around 2 hours of travel on roads with hairpin bends. The terrain was beautiful, it changed every kilometer. When we were about to reach Khardungla, Rinchin told us that he will stop exactly for 10 minutes there as the oxygen levels are quite low so we might feel nauseatic. It had just snowed the previous day. When I stepped out of the car, I did feel a little nauseatic but a picture was must J. The 3 of us got our pictures clicked and then we stopped 3 kilometres from the pass to get some more clicks and there  the oxygen levels were better J. Our next destination was Nubra Valley.

Day 5- Nubra Valley –  Nubra Valley had then become a must visit as Farhan Akhtar trained there for his movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. We crossed the exact location where he shot. There was an ATV ride which we took and we did get Rinchin to click a ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ moment for usJ. We stayed in a homestay at Nubra, which was a very humble experience. I highly recommend Hunder Homestays in Nubra. The night at the homestay was absolutely amazing with a bunch of fellow tourists sharing the same space. They served authentic Ladakhi breakfast the next day. Dinner was on our own. We ate Maggi made in cold water J.

Day 6 – Pangong Tso Lake – Pangong Tso was the most memorable experience for me personally. We did not plan to stay over there but we fell in love with the place and decided to do a recce for another homestay. We managed a great deal in a wooden cottage overlooking the lake only to realize at night that the temperature dipped to -6 degrees.  I barely slept as I wasn’t carrying enough warm clothes. We had to hunt for some alternatives to keep us warm which we eventually did. That’s how we stayed warm and slept for barely a few hours. Next morning we woke up and had a heavy breakfast and left for our next stop – Changla Pass.

Day 7 – Changla Pass – Changla Pass was a similar halt like Khardungla. It’s the second highest motorable road in the world.

Day 8 – Back to base (Kharu)- Back to base we were totally exhausted after the week’s long journey and we decided to relax in our guest room. We had one extra day so we explored the local market at Leh and did what we are best at - Shopping ! Also went to a nice café and had amazing pizzas and felt that we were back to city life again. We bid a teary goodbye to our new friend Rinchin and we could sense that he would miss us tooJ.

Day 9 – Leh Airport to Jammu Airport – With a heavy heart and repeated promises of coming back to Leh Ladakh, we bid the city goodbye and flew to back to Jammu and then back to Delhi.

I will definitely go on a road trip to Leh Can’t wait to take that road again!

Love story of a father....

Love story of a Father….

Federick, a banker, has been married for the last 10 years to Emma; even after she left him in a tragic car accident 2 years back. He is “married” to his beautiful daughters – Isabelle & Amelia; he is “married” to their responsibilities”; he is “married” to giving them a beautiful life ahead. His usual day begins with waking up the girls, getting them ready for school, fixing some breakfast for them, then dropping them to school, heading for work, picking them up, head home, manage their homework, give them dinner, put them to sleep. And his day ends like this …every single day for the last 2 years.

Then comes a time when he sits down thinking about Emma; a void that has existed ever since she left all of them.

He then decides to find “love”. With all his responsibilities alongside, he gets a little selfish and wants to live his life as well. One fine day, he meets Samantha, who is undergoing depression for the last couple of years as she can never conceive. Federick falls for her and there is a ray of hope in both their lives; he gets a loving partner; his girls get a doting mother and most importantly Samantha gets two beautiful daughters; a hope that she had given up forever.

How beautifully a supreme power conspired to bring Federick and Samantha together!!

In Sickness or in Health....

Palki, a young, beautiful, intelligent girl graduated from a prestigious B –school in India was working with a leading technology company. She was doing very well in her career; the only problem was that her parents were not able to find an equivalent match for her. After struggling for 4 years, Palki having met 10-12 “jokers” she eventually hit it off with one “nice guy”.

They were in touch for 6-7 months before they decided to tie the knot and take the plunge. Being a long distance relationship, it came with its fair share of misunderstandings, fights, time differences, availability issues etc. At the same time came trust, mutual respect, respect for each other’s time and space and maybe a dash of love. The bond just grew stronger.

The pre-wedding chaos started; the arrangements, trousseau, event planning etc.etc. ; the list is never ending in India. Palki finally married Ajay – a young, handsome, well-educated NRI settled in US amidst all the near and dear ones who showered their blessings on the young couple.

Palki left her job to concentrate on the newly married life and was awaiting her visa to join Ajay in the US. Meanwhile, Ajay fell ill and was admitted in the hospital. Palki rushed the moment she got her visa.

A newly wed bride, all alone landed in a foreign country; a place she knew nothing about; straightaway went to the hospital; only to find out that her husband has been diagnosed with a serious disease. Hell broke and she froze; not knowing what to do and who to ask for help.

Finally she gathered courage and reached out to the families and friends and fought the situation bravely; she stood by him day in and day out; no complains; all she provided was unending support, love and encouragement to Ajay during these testing times which only helped grow their bond stronger and gave a constant re-affirmation of the love they felt for each other.

Ajay is now hale and hearty and they are enjoying a beautiful life together.

Such is the power of “unconditional love”.

Friend in need is a friend indeed

My father was recently diagnosed with a serious brain condition which had to be operated overnight. Hell broke on my mother and me as we were the only ones along with a helpful neighbor in the hospital. I was stunned when the doctor told me at 3 am that a surgery had to be done first thing the next morning.

Luckily, I was chatting with a friend whose father and uncle happened to be doctors and she was the one who guided me all along this critical phase for our family. I am forever indebted to her. What surprised me was that our friendship was fairly new. but she stood like a rock of Gibraltar all throughout.

Right from being with me while the surgery was going on to the times when my father had the worst days at the hospital; she held me tight.

Fortunately, this whole incident taught me to spend my time and energy on the right people in my life. I was pleasantly surprised by a client from work who I had never met when he came and looked me and my dad up. I was deeply touched by his gesture. On the contrary, there were friends and relatives who were just treating this as a normal passing day.

I asked myself, would I have ever reacted like this if my friend was in such a situation. The answer was a plain, simple, NO.

I feel that such situations are real eye openers in one’s life. They tell you who truly cares for you and who doesn’t.

It’s just a matter of time that we identify the right ones.

I have.

Have you?

The Boy Who Took the Sandwich Home

The Boy Who Took the Sandwich Home

Pratap was a well-spoken and cute looking 35 something lad who had just returned from Dubai in search for a job in India, leaving everything behind. The initial few calls were pleasant and sweet, both of us being at our best. I was travelling to Goa for a wedding and he was in Delhi. He said he wants to meet the moment I am back. I had work the following Monday after my holiday so I knew I had lots piled up even before I begin my week. I proposed Wednesday and then the conversation around where to meet began. Wednesday being a working day for me, I suggested we meet in Noida, which would have also been accessible for him by metro (I was being considerate, that he is unemployed so might want to go a bit easy on his pocket). He got offended and said, “never in my life will I take the metro; I have a car”. I agreed. Suit yourself is what I said to him in my mind. He then insisted on meeting in Connaught Place. I agreed again. To this agreement, he said, “Why are you acquiescent to this? Why are you being so nice to me?”

 “I was only being accommodating”, I replied. I figured that he is slightly disappointed with his job search and therefore a little irritated so I left it at that. I did not say anything more and suggested we meet the next day at the decided place and at the decided time.

I wound up work quickly on Wednesday and got ready to leave early as I had a long way to drive. I was about to leave when he called. He said, “I can’t meet at 5:30 p.m., let’s aim at 6:30 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.”. I was irked. I am someone who is very particular about timings especially when its pre- decided. This time I did not give in. I said, “If you don’t come by 6:00 p.m., I will leave”. He agreed for 6:00 p.m. which gave him enough buffer to plan and reach the destination on time.

I went and sat at a coffee shop and was waiting for him. To my surprise he called me sharp at 6:00 p.m. to say that he has reached. There he was, looked very different than the pictures that were shared on the matrimonial site. I was still polite and we exchanged pleasantries.

The normal exchange of information started; the usual matrimony conversations (which I have started hating now). Then he said something that ticked me off. He said, “You look happier in your pictures than in real life”. I felt like telling him that my otherwise happy face is grueling with anger because of him. Instead I told him, “At least my pictures are recent and not 10 years old”. I could see him turning red.

He was good with his words, so he said, “well I wanted you to see me in real time”. Now I realized why he was denying sharing his recent pictures, as I had once casually asked him in response to him asking me for my pictures.

It would have looked rude to just leave so I decide to spend some more time.

We exchanged notes on our professions; coincidentally we were both from the same profession. He had a habit of speaking more than listening. Another attribute I don’t like in men. I prefer men who speak moderately. I was half way bored and hungry.

I suggested we ordered some food. He was persistent, that he wanted to have a sandwich. I am not too finicky about food so I said go ahead and order. The sandwich along with our drinks arrived and while chatting we ate. The best thing about that evening was the succulent chicken sandwich. We finished and I hinted that we call for the cheque. He said he wants to have another sandwich. I told him I wasn’t too hungry to have another one. He very sarcastically said, “in any case you are paying the bill, so decide accordingly”. (With a smirk on his face).

I had no problem paying the bill as I understood that he is unemployed so I genuinely offered to pay. He ordered another sandwich and told me, “Why don’t you have one piece and the rest I will pack and take home”. I was fine with him taking the sandwich home as at that time all I could think was me going home too J. 

Finally the second sandwich came and I had some bit and then we called for the cheque. The moment the cheque arrived, I took out my card and offered to pay. He said very emphatically “no, we will go Dutch”. I again offered to pay but he kept aside his share and said, “We will share this, but you please pay for my parking”. I was amused at his request. By that time luckily I knew that he is not the one and I was in a rush to go home. So I could do anything to get rid of him.

He said the usual party line, “nice meeting you, I will call you soon”. (Which I knew would never happen as I would never call him back).

I reached home.

I did not hear from him which was pretty expected.

A week later, I saw a mail in my inbox from him.

It read – Dear Priha, it was really nice meeting you the other day. Attached is my resume. Please help me find a job.

I just ignored the request.

Digital Cleansing

Digital Cleansing

In this day and age where, right from waking up, to managing our calendars, to counting the steps we take, to calculating our period cycles, we are so heavily dependent on technology. The “Cell Phone” being our most dependable gadget, we are in some way or the other attached or obsessed with it.

I am.

I had been contemplating changing my phone for a couple of months now and I finally made the switch. As a result of the process and getting a new device I discovered that we are not so emotionally attached these days. In a way, I was pleasantly surprised, as I had thought that it would be very difficult for me to leave my earlier device for a new one. But, here I was. I made the switch in exactly 30 minutes.

As a matter of fact, it did bring out a very positive effect on me – first I was more adaptable to change; secondly, I had started getting used to a new set of tunes and tones. Thirdly, I only had the important people and their contacts in my phone that actually mattered (some were by default thereJ). Last, but not the least, it made me more relaxed as I was not interacting with a lot of people and having unnecessary polite conversations).

Is this similar to changing our friends, boyfriends/ girlfriends, husbands / wives? Have we become stoical that a major change in life doesn’t affect us or are we just emotionally too strong to accept the absence of certain things or people in our lives?

Although it does give you a reassurance that you are still adaptable to change and i might sound clichéd but “change is the only constant". 

This unplanned digital cleansing was just right for my mind and soul.

Try it!

Sher -o - Shayari ....from here, there and everywhere....

      Tu thak ke na baith, abhi teri udaan hai baki, sirf zameen hui hai puri lekin pura aasma hai baki

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      Mana ki teri deed ke kaabil nahin hain hum

 tu mera shauk dekh, intezaar dekh

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      Muqqadar ka toh mil hi jaayega aye khuda

woh ata kar jo kismat mein na ho

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      Mat guman kar apni haathon ki lakeeron par

kismat unki bhi hoti hai jinke haath nahi hote

       

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     Roz kehta hoon bhool jaon tujhe

   roz ye baat bhool jaata hoon

               

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    Ek adhura waada tera, ek shikasta (haara hua) dil

lut bhi gaye to sheher e wafa mein, daulat kitni hai

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   Kuch is tarah se humne apni zindagi ko aasaan kiya

 Kuch se maafi mangi, Kuch ko maaf Kiya 

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Jis afsaane ko anjaam tak laana na ho mumkin

use ek khoobsurat modh dekar chodhna behtar...

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Apni hatheli mein chupakar kissi jugnu ki tarah...hum tere naam ko chupke se padha karta hain

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Shikwe toh bahut hain magar shikaayat nahin kar sakte, mere honton ko ijaazat nahi tere khilaaf bolne ki

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Zindagi bhar apni galti pe rote rahe, 

daag chehre pe tha aur hum aaina saaf karte rahe

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Tum kya karoge sunkar mujhse meri kahani

belutf zindagi ke kisse hain pheekay phaakey

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Khwahishon ke kaafile bhi bade ajeeb hote hain

Ye guzarte wahin se hain jahan raaste nahi hote

Ghazab ka hausla diya hai khuda ne hum insaano ko

Waakif hum agle pal se nahi

Aur vaade zindagi bhar ke hote hain