The drudgeries of life

Monday, August 01, 2011

There was greenery all over the place – be it in the form of shrubs, trees, leaves strewn around here and there. We had been trekking, rock climbing and had remained in constant motion for the past 3 hours at least, and all this while, I felt as if I was engulfed by silence in the wilderness. There was not another living soul save for us in the vicinity. It was time to halt. The steep slope of the hill ensured that standing with both feet at one level was not possible. After merely 60 seconds had elapsed, I realized the irony that though the silence was missing thanks to constant music, there was a strange mesmerizing tranquility and placidness to be found there - there, in the middle of nowhere…

Ah! The music! It was drizzling. The gushing waterfalls nearby, the rain drops falling on the trees' leaves, the drops from leaves hitting the ground, the restless insects, the inquisitive frogs, the slightly soggy leaves and branches rustling in the rain-laced breeze – all resembled different musical exponents competing against each other to showcase their best performance, the combined end result being a musical composition as soothing as any I have ever heard. Mother Nature, needless to say, was the perfect conductor of a symphony orchestra made up of her varied elements.

The last thought on my mind at that heavenly moment was that we were lost!!

I could brag and boast about my amazing weekend trip with 4 friends (sans any guide or a huge group) to a little known place called Rajmachi Fort somewhere amidst the lush green forests of Maharashtra, but none of it would do justice to Mother Nature in her entirety!

From the late night journey on Friday from Hyderabad to Karjat; the yummy Vada Pav’s at Sattu’s; the daunting 8-odd kms long trek and treacherous climb commencing from Kondivade; the hypnotic sceneries, the hundreds of waterfalls seeping through the rocky hills; getting lost after hitting a dead-end but luckily finding the helping hand of tribals to put us back on the right track; the undying spirit of my gang which trudged on despite rain, slush, bushes, thorns and pain; the fantastic night stay at a hut in Rajmachi village; the early morning climb in the rains to Manaranjan fort up in the hills, the 14-odd kms long trek back to Lonavala encountering muddy roads and streams (both usually ankle deep), wading through a knee-deep river, to finally ending it all on a successful note when boarding the Hyderabad Express at Lonavala - it was an experience of a lifetime!

Best part was taking the risk and clicking hundreds of photographs in harsh, camera-unfriendly conditions! Memories galore…

There’s something special about traveling to distant places, especially those which are yet to be ravaged by commercialization and pollution. I only wish people learn the art of not dirtying up places they visit, and help preserve the virginity and dignity of such untouched lands. Anyway, taking no chances, I’m all set to explore such unchartered territories whenever an opportunity presents itself, lest I get to experience the beauty in preserved form later on only in some bloody history museum *shivers*

Thanks to the constant state of being drenched in the rains over the weekend, and walking all over the show like that, I’m down with a leaking tap of a nose *snort snort* It’s another matter that the source of mesmerization has changed hands, and the slight fever and phlegm have taken a back seat J

Fingers crossed for my Hydventura nomination for the Silent Valley Trek later this month getting accepted! Visiting and exploring Kerala has been a childhood dream! Also, need to start preparing for the Hyderabad Marathon if I plan to run the 21 kms in under 2 hours. Sighs!

Time to head home and recover!

Plan some neat travel trips, you all… :)

Cheers!

Labels: Friends, Photography, Rajmachi, Traveling, Trek, Weekends

posted by Smartalec at 7:15 AM 2 comments

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Friday, December 03, 2010

The New Calcutta

With all the hoopla surrounding the advent of the new age and modernization, it's probably easy to ignore its naysayers. Sometimes I feel that the latter do have a valid point.

While not being an opponent of modernization per se, I hate the prospect of it ruining the heritage and history of a place.

Take Calcutta for instance.

Three days ago, when I disembarked at Howrah Station after 5 long years, with lots of luggage in tow, all I wanted to do was roam around the beautiful city of Cal on foot (baggages and burdens be damned!); revisit the places that my parents, my sister and I had been to almost every single December in the past decade, and relive memories; last but not the least, make a serious attempt to capture in pixels Cal's undefinable beauty, mysterious charm, the constant hubbub yet the ironical calm!

And walk I did...

There she is!

The sight which awaits you once you step outside Howrah Station...

Howrah Station

That very rooftop by the clock tower where, while waiting for our train, Dada used to take us for a night view of Howrah Bridge!

Competition for Delhi Metro's Yellow line!

Hanging bridge!

That's Howrah Bridge for you...

This gigantic structure has had me mesmerized, since 1986 :)

Howrah Railway Station, as seen from the other end of Hooghly

(Pic clicked with the permission of a local cop... seems photography on the Howrah Bridge is prohibited!)

Colors galore

And you wondered what the rail tracks in the middle of the road were for? :)

Never seen such active traffic cops...

And they were all yellow!!

Five years ago, when I last visited the place, I remember having witnessed the emergence of malls, and a few branded shops at the ancient (to me, at least!) New Market. At that point of time, I thought nothing of it save for the fact that they were measly eyesores that would not last long...

This time round, it was simply impossible to ignore the way gaudily colored hoardings were eerily masquerading atop the once beautiful colonial buildings, how superficial malls were breaching the privacy of traditional markets, how swept up open parking spaces gave an artificial look to the once crowded yet somewhat charming surroundings.

Probably having grown up side-by-side with the advancement of modernization, the gradual changes in the surroundings didn't affect me much earlier.

But what I witnessed in Cal was contrast at it's best - a VLCC style before-and-after picture. And believe me, I didn't find it one bit rosy!

I dare say modernization if stretched beyond limits is like cancer... it slowly by slowly eats into the rich heritage of a place... it's akin to rape that violates modesty... damn! It's outrightly blasphemous.

A few years ago, all you could see from the this very spot was the "New Empire Cinema" board...

Today, you can't even spot that name in the mayhem!

Contrast!

Eyesores, anyone?

Simpark Mall encroaching on S. S. Hogg Market territory :(

Blimey! Just a few years ago, this was Hotel East End!

Phew! A surge of emotion. Apologies.

I belong to the old times?! Yep, I know :p

Thankfully Calcutta has still managed to retains it's old charm... How long will it last? Search me.

It was a pleasure walking and walking, then fetching a bus ride, resuming walking, then traveling via a Cal-style rickshaw, walking again, and finally settling for one of the ubiquitous yellow cabs!

From the Howrah Bridge to New Market, the colorful cluster of flower vendors under a bridge, the winding streets, the myriad of alleyways, the lazy trams, the sea of yellow cabs, the queue of poor people awaiting their turn to bathe under a road-side tap, the rickety bus, the lake in the belly of the city, famous skyscrapers (or at least the Indian versions of the lot!), street-side hawkers, a plethora of shops, Nauhoms and its yummy goodies (can't resist a *slurrrrpppp*, sorry :p), Nizam's, the cuppa tea served in a earthen cup, the one-of-a-kind rickshaw ride, Chowringhee Lane, Kyd Street, Hotel East End (now Sofia Continental :( ), Park Street, St. Thomas Church, Planet M, Flurys, and lots more.

That's when I had to take off for Salt Lake City. And I was glad that I had decided to travel in this state (straight off the train, minus a bath, with luggage in tow)... I knew I wasn't coming back with such little time at hand.

Early morning reflections seen in the pond in New Market's backyard.

Dilapidated buildings, nouveau high rises, greenery, rhythmic hum of traffic in the background, calmness, symmetry... quite a blend!

Two is a crow'd ;)

Destination: New Market!

Shuttered paradise!

The old New Market, as I've always referred to it.

Somewhere I belong... especially during Christmas time :D

Nauhom!

Underground labyrinth!

Still Elite :)

THE place to have rolls! *yummy*

"No Beef", mind you :|

Best breakfast I've had in ages! :D

Still there...

The world outside New Market

Time to head for Salt Lake City...

Contrast galore... be it in the architecture or the vehicles...

Somehow I missed the late night Delhi traffic!

Chessboard at the intersection?!

Ever-active market place...

It's 3 AM for Heaven's sake, but Sealdah is abuzz with activity!

What ensued were 2 very busy days!

What topped the list was meeting Shruthee at her college (W. B. National University Of Juridical Sciences) and spending a good time there! Played Sassywoody (her Guitar!), clicked pics, walked around her neat campus listening to her kahanis, had maggi and omelette-pav (her usual meal, I suppose :| ), shared gyaan with her! She sure loved my company... given that it was exam season, I was a better choice over law books!

Next up, meeting Raj at his huuuge research facility, discussing robots and robotics! Man oh man, I was impressed \m/

Then came Ankur's Bachelor Party and the frenzy (:p)! I better not say much...

Next morning, accompanied A to some nostalgia-inducing places in Salt Lake City itself...

Phew! Managed to meet the big man Chirag too! Dhanya ho gaye hum, sirji :D

Met Parinita after 8 long years at Infinity Towers, Sector 5... awesome reunion! :) Nupur, I'm going to kill you for not being there! Grrrr

Then the last minute shopping... and meeting Sharma after 4 years!

Finally the loooong marriage ceremony that stretched into the wee hours of the next morning! And my relentless *click*, dance, *click*, munch, *click* till everyone called it quits... loved it all!
Before we knew it, Ankur had bitten the dust! :p

Loads of luck and best wishes for a wonderful life together, Kirti and Ankur :)

That was that!
Couldn't manage as much shopping on Esplanade as I would've liked. Time's such a scarce resource.
Back in Delhi now... for a while!
Back to the drudgeries of life... (pun intended, for a very stupid donkey)
Bon nuit!

Labels: Cal, Calcutta, Esplanade, Friends, Howrah Bridge, Howrah Station, Marriage, Modernization, New Market, Nostalgia, Park Street, Photography, Salt Lake City, St. Thomas Church, Taxis, Tram, Traveling

posted by Smartalec at 2:58 AM 4 comments

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

walkie walkie :))

Long hot day. Pleasant evening.

Loooong walk. Nice company!

Winding roads. Blinding lights. The sepia effect ♥

The mad rush. And then patience. Sexy contrast.

That abandoned park. The neglected "I Love You" scribbled on the dilapidated bench.

The broken swing. The dusty seesaws. The rusty slides. The nostalgia...

The sexy, tree-lined streets. The shadows. The pedestrians.

The long walk back. The imagined invitation to take this walk again...

Maybe soon... :)

Labels: long walks, Nostalgia, Photography, Sepia

posted by Smartalec at 2:10 AM 0 comments

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Saturday, March 06, 2010

Around the campus in one day!

How come exam times tend to be the free-est days?!

This time round I'm appearing for the final exams for the final time in my life... hopefully :P

Roamed around the campus today afternoon with a camera in my hand, and clicked pics at every nook and corner of IMT!

I've seen the campus so many times, but today was the first time in 22 months that I had a good look at it :)

It's like this: If you travel around a city on a bike or a car, chances are that you fail to take in the little details of the place... hop aboard a cycle rickshaw and you observe each and everything properly!

So for once, I was in no rush... I took my own time to observe and capture the beauty of the place ♥

Have kept some spots on hold for night photography!

What astounded me was the degree of parallelism on campus... almost as if Stanley Kubrick designed the layout of the campus, just like his parallel universe, and he decided to place sets of things in parallel! B)

A few glimpses: