The need for some adventure

Not many years ago, actually before the dawn of the pandemic era we as a family would just get out of home and drive where the mood took us with no real destination in mind. Wherever we found a nice spot to trek we could park our car and let our souls find peace in nature. Some of these trips may not have been great adventures but the fact that none of us knew where we were going made these trips so much fun.

This morning as we walked around our neighborhood I remembered how much we enjoyed these trips and told the hubs that I wish I could do all those things once again. Right now it's plain wishful thinking with a back that just won't get any better without a surgery, which I so detest.

However, on one Sunday many moons ago, right after our church service we decided to drive across the border to our neighboring state. We had plans then of buying a farm house in a semi rural area. We decided to just look around to see which would be the place most suited for our family. The boys as usual were thrilled at the prospect of a long drive. They always lay down on those long comfortable seats at the back of our nine seater vehicle during these trips and caught up on the lost sleep. On Sundays they always had to wake up early to attend the church service.

Our survey of the land wasn't very satisfactory. We decided to drive further as we noticed that there were a lot of bikers going in the same direction. We learned from them that a few kilometers ahead there were a few places for rock climbing and trekking. We though we weren't exactly rock climbers we decided to trek.

The place looked so peaceful, there was a tiny hamlet on a hill and being city dwellers all our lives we had never seen such hamlets. The view was stunning as the climb was adventurous. We had to climb a long flight of stairs to what looked like a temple upon the hill. Most hills here have temples right at the top. We decided to get a good view of this area from the top of the hill.

Our heads were in the clouds as we climbed higher and the rarity of the air smelled so different from the city air. It was so pure and wonderful even if it made us a bit breathless. Being the least fittest of the lot I was the last to climb. The boys ran up as fast as their legs could carry them and sat down waiting for me. The hubs kept an eye on the boys and made sure I was okay.

After a few halts and sips of cool water we finally reached the top and it was truly worth the effort. The place looked so peaceful. However, we couldn't visit the hamlet as it meant we had to walk another mile or so in the opposite direction down hill.

One of the things that seemed so strange to me was the small cluster of stones tidily stacked up all over the hill. We asked around but language was an issue, we couldn't comprehend what the villagers said and they probably had trouble understanding our question as this was the done thing there. India is a land of many languages, something in the range of 398 languages exist and there are about 1000 plus dialects spoken. Some of the rural people speak some different dialects which are hard to comprehend for city dwellers like us even though we speak at least 8 languages between us.

At the top of the hill we spread out our little picnic blanket on the ground and sat down to enjoy some lemonade, cookies, cakes and sandwiches which I always carry around when the boys are with us. We stayed up there for about an hour until we felt rested, refreshed and ready to make the trek downhill.

The villagers gave us curious glances as they always do when the see city dwellers. They had this puzzled look on their faces trying to understand why a bunch of people would come all the way from the city for nothing, we didn't even go to worship in the temple. They must have written us off as weirdos as they always do with city dwellers. I have heard that often from my former house maid who is from a village.

Trips like these were not just good exercise for us couch potatoes but also great points in education about the traditions and cultures which are so varied in our country. We Christians stood out like a sore thumb in our country because our culture and traditions are very different from our country men of other religions. Amazingly despite these barriers we have healthy respect for each other and get along well with our neighbors.

Things are changing now its seems everyone has adopted every other person's traditions and culture. India is now a melting pot of various cultures and traditions and yet very uniquely different.

I am so happy to relive this walk from the past with you and offer you a tiny glimpse into our southern culture. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday walk!