After children's exam, there was a week leave. With summer blazing in Hyderabad, we all decided that we will travel to a cool place down south. After lot of discussion, we all decided to travel to Yercaud. It is small hill station near Salem, Tamil Nadu.
Lot of us in our group were not aware of this place, so everyone googled and said looks good, let us try. We were a group of five families.
All of them of the opinion that we should take a flight to Bangalore or Coimbatore and book a cab from there... opposing the popular view, I said how about an idea of going by train to Salem and taking a cab from there!!!
Hyderabad to Salem is around 15 -18 hours by train. We can board a train from Secunderabad around 12 noon and may reach there by 8 in the morning. I further stated that as we are many it would be fun. We can spend a lot to time together...and after-all its holiday. We are going there to spend time together...aren't we? I asked... A few got excited with my idea and a few were not. After a lot of debating it was decided that we travel by train...
More than anyone... I was very excited to travel by train, I always liked train journeys. As a kid when we used to travel, I would fight with my sister for the window seat. She and I later used to come to a compromise, "for some time you and then me". Hours together we would look outside, sing songs with the wind (We used to travel in sleeper class), small villages, paddy fields, people walking, and waving hands to everyone. We used to make a note of names of all the stations which we passed....for which we had a book! By the time dusk sets in, we loved watching the light coming from far away houses...
Asking Dad to buy anything & everything the vendor used to bring and the sound of Tea/chai???...Teahh...Teaahhhh... by the vendor is still fresh in my mind. Sometimes we would befriend with people travelling with us in other seats and by the end of the journey, we would know them very well. We would start playing card, some other board games as well with them.
To sleep putting up of berth was a big issue. I always wanted the top berth and my dad was always scared that I may fall down... I would cry and crib for that...then he used to allow me to sleep on top berth but I would wake up on the lower berth...When I asked how it happened, my sister would answer that Police had come and put you down. And the fool I was, always believed it and never thought how come she is in the top berth... While sleeping she would tell me all kinds of stories.
I wanted to re-live the moment with my kids now...
On the day of the journey, we all decided that we will meet up, half an hour before at railway station. We were all dressed up in our holiday clothing and got into our 2AC compartment. It took some time for us to settle down and luckily all our seats came close by. As the train was at 12 noon, we bought our lunch from a restaurant. Everyone got their parcel and there was lot of noise that our group was making and I was thoroughly enjoying that.
After lunch, the younger group started moving to their seats, most of them on their mobile listening to music, playing on the mobile or may be chatting with friends. The parents group, one by one started going to take a nap, I was disappointed looking at this...I thought maybe they are tired and once they wake up I will ask them to join for some group activities...I was prepared with playing cards, board games etc...
After an hour or so, I felt as if I am travelling alone, the whole compartment was silent. I was sometimes looking out of the window, and sometimes towards my kids who were just reading some books. I thought my group is boring, let me befriend with other people in the compartment...I had a walk from one end of the compartment to other; everyone possible is on his mobile or on Laptop. I gave up and went and sat near to my younger son, he was also on his mobile. I peeped into his screen and he was on his Instagram, looking at some very beautiful pictures of natures. I said, “wow!”, it looks cool; can I have a look." To tell you the truth, they were really awesome. After a couple of minutes, I moved the curtains of the window and asked Aryan to look out. We were crossing a bridge. He was thrilled to see the bridge and river full of water. He said I have seen this kind of bridge on Instagram as well, I smiled at him and he called his sister and friends to show the Bridge.
Once they crossed the bridge kids started moving to their seats, I didn't want to lose this opportunity to bring all of them together. I said loudly “would you all want to see some magic...” Kids all came back but still the little elder once were not in the gang...
I pulled out a pack of cards from my backpack and showed them few tricks. They all were happy and wanted to learn that... An Ice-cream vendor went by and I asked him to give us...Everyone took their flavor. I said I have a wonderful story, is anyone interested...by this time late teen boys and girls also joined my team...I instantly made a hijack story and made 6 of the kids the heroes... They were very happy!!! The story was becoming very gripping and at that point I told everyone that I will tell the 2nd part after dinner and now let's play Monopoly. They screamed," NOOOOOOO!!!! We want you to complete the story." I said okay on one condition, "Until we return, none of us will touch the electronic stuff...."
That was a little too much to ask, a little too early...Everyone started looking at each other, and they were not sure what decision to make. Harsha who was caught by the terrorist group (in the story) wanted to know what he is going to do...so he said "yes uncle, I am with you", once he said yes, rest was not so difficult.
So I said Eight of you and I, we all will undertake a vow that we will switch on the Mobile after the holidays only we will use them and we all placed our thumb mark on a colorful card...and called our gang "Crazy gang"...Surely it was a crazy idea, not to have mobile for a week! We continued with our story and by the time the story had come to an end it was late evening and kids wanted something to eat....
I told our friends that "Crazy gang" will sleep together and we all sat at one place and started playing board games. A few of the elders also joined, all our mobile and laptops had gone in and we were without any gadget for 6 hours, which in itself was a success...
Next day while travelling to Yercaud in our Bus I asked our "Crazy gang" to live the moment instead of selfie and asked Sam to take photographs. We had a DSLR camera, not the mobile phone... she is good at taking pictures. Lots of talking, kids started placing hands on shoulders of each other and walking...It all started looking like a group.
Once we reached the resort, Srikanth took the lead to find out where all we can visit...There were not many places to visit but the climate was too good and as we stepped into our cottage, it started to rain. Reshma and Rekha are crazy about rain and they immediately dumped their bag and stepped out to get wet and you can imagine bunch of kids followed and just getting wet turned out to be rain dance. It was a wonderful experience; I missed getting wet as the camera came back to me from Sam as she wanted to dance.
Rishab, Tamanna and Aanavi found out there is a trekking program the next day and our gang decided to join. A few mothers also hopped on. It was a 10km stretch. It took us some time to climb. We crossed a river, a village, not to ask the natural beauty, all of us so happy to hear the bird singing and saw few elephants and wild animals on the way.
There were lot of us who had seen all these animals in Zoo, YouTube or TV but for the first time ever they were passing from very close distance. Our guide was very experienced; he was taking us from a route where there were not much harmful wild animals. We also could see a bunch of Antelope and Deer.
Suddenly we hear someone screaming. It was Bhavana!! With her hands trembling, she pointed towards the ground. "Is it a snake??" Our guide came running. He had a close look; it was rope under dry leaves... She was frightened, we all took a break, and asked Bhavana to take some water...we all also had some refreshment....
Sam was busy taking Photos all the moment and she had captured the frightened Bhavana as well...Bhavana wanted the Photos to be deleted, but we didn't do it...Bhavana till date wants that photos to be deleted…
From an Ant hill to Flowers of different colors, different shapes of plants and tall trees, every details was been captured by Sam and rest all enjoying the nature....No one really bothered to take selfies.
By the time we were back to Resort, we were tired and all those who went for a trek, had gone to sleep....No one from the Gang was asking about their mobile, in fact no one was missing their mobile...Busy always, with people, Playing outdoor or indoor and having fun time. Time just flew...
The next morning, we had a flight back from Coimbatore, so we had to leave resort after breakfast. I called my gang and told, I wanted to show you one another side of your parents... They asked me with lot of inquisitiveness what it was...
I made kids into groups and made them to write some invite, some to make other arrangements. Everyone (We invited other guest in the Resort with the help of Resort Management) had to assemble at Amphitheatre at six in the evening. In the meantime I had requested the Resort Management for musical Instruments.
We made Reshma as an Anchor for the evening, Most of the guests of the Resort were invited and to our surprise a lot of them came. There was a bonfire. I knew Anand and Archana sing very well, I have heard them in college. Rajesh used to play drums...corporate life and busy schedule had killed the art in them. As Reshma announced name of both of them and Rajesh they were surprised and shocked...I went to them to escort the Singers to the stage. Hesitatingly all three went to the stage; we wanted someone to play the guitar, so we announced if any one can join. A guest from Resort Sayyid came forward, piano was played by Ramesh (He has been a friend for 10 Years and I didn't know he played Piano).
We planed the evening for a couple of songs and followed by dinner but the program went past Midnight. Lots of guest, kids, all participated...from Songs to Stand-up and some dance as well. It looked like a professional musical night.
Kids were surprised. They never knew that their parents were so fun loving and had so much talent within them... When we reached Airport, I took out everyone's Mobile and started giving back to the gang members. Parents looked at me and asked, "why is that you have all their mobiles?" I looked at them and smiled and said, "You guys never noticed, "Crazy gang" was without mobile for last 6-7 days and we did not find the need to have mobile with us. Rajesh instantly reacted, "If I spend time with Sam, she wouldn't need a mobile!!"
To my surprise the kids were not in a hurry to switch on the Mobile they all sat in a group and were chatting....
Lot of us in our group were not aware of this place, so everyone googled and said looks good, let us try. We were a group of five families.
All of them of the opinion that we should take a flight to Bangalore or Coimbatore and book a cab from there... opposing the popular view, I said how about an idea of going by train to Salem and taking a cab from there!!!
Hyderabad to Salem is around 15 -18 hours by train. We can board a train from Secunderabad around 12 noon and may reach there by 8 in the morning. I further stated that as we are many it would be fun. We can spend a lot to time together...and after-all its holiday. We are going there to spend time together...aren't we? I asked... A few got excited with my idea and a few were not. After a lot of debating it was decided that we travel by train...
More than anyone... I was very excited to travel by train, I always liked train journeys. As a kid when we used to travel, I would fight with my sister for the window seat. She and I later used to come to a compromise, "for some time you and then me". Hours together we would look outside, sing songs with the wind (We used to travel in sleeper class), small villages, paddy fields, people walking, and waving hands to everyone. We used to make a note of names of all the stations which we passed....for which we had a book! By the time dusk sets in, we loved watching the light coming from far away houses...
Asking Dad to buy anything & everything the vendor used to bring and the sound of Tea/chai???...Teahh...Teaahhhh... by the vendor is still fresh in my mind. Sometimes we would befriend with people travelling with us in other seats and by the end of the journey, we would know them very well. We would start playing card, some other board games as well with them.
To sleep putting up of berth was a big issue. I always wanted the top berth and my dad was always scared that I may fall down... I would cry and crib for that...then he used to allow me to sleep on top berth but I would wake up on the lower berth...When I asked how it happened, my sister would answer that Police had come and put you down. And the fool I was, always believed it and never thought how come she is in the top berth... While sleeping she would tell me all kinds of stories.
I wanted to re-live the moment with my kids now...
On the day of the journey, we all decided that we will meet up, half an hour before at railway station. We were all dressed up in our holiday clothing and got into our 2AC compartment. It took some time for us to settle down and luckily all our seats came close by. As the train was at 12 noon, we bought our lunch from a restaurant. Everyone got their parcel and there was lot of noise that our group was making and I was thoroughly enjoying that.
After lunch, the younger group started moving to their seats, most of them on their mobile listening to music, playing on the mobile or may be chatting with friends. The parents group, one by one started going to take a nap, I was disappointed looking at this...I thought maybe they are tired and once they wake up I will ask them to join for some group activities...I was prepared with playing cards, board games etc...
After an hour or so, I felt as if I am travelling alone, the whole compartment was silent. I was sometimes looking out of the window, and sometimes towards my kids who were just reading some books. I thought my group is boring, let me befriend with other people in the compartment...I had a walk from one end of the compartment to other; everyone possible is on his mobile or on Laptop. I gave up and went and sat near to my younger son, he was also on his mobile. I peeped into his screen and he was on his Instagram, looking at some very beautiful pictures of natures. I said, “wow!”, it looks cool; can I have a look." To tell you the truth, they were really awesome. After a couple of minutes, I moved the curtains of the window and asked Aryan to look out. We were crossing a bridge. He was thrilled to see the bridge and river full of water. He said I have seen this kind of bridge on Instagram as well, I smiled at him and he called his sister and friends to show the Bridge.
Once they crossed the bridge kids started moving to their seats, I didn't want to lose this opportunity to bring all of them together. I said loudly “would you all want to see some magic...” Kids all came back but still the little elder once were not in the gang...
I pulled out a pack of cards from my backpack and showed them few tricks. They all were happy and wanted to learn that... An Ice-cream vendor went by and I asked him to give us...Everyone took their flavor. I said I have a wonderful story, is anyone interested...by this time late teen boys and girls also joined my team...I instantly made a hijack story and made 6 of the kids the heroes... They were very happy!!! The story was becoming very gripping and at that point I told everyone that I will tell the 2nd part after dinner and now let's play Monopoly. They screamed," NOOOOOOO!!!! We want you to complete the story." I said okay on one condition, "Until we return, none of us will touch the electronic stuff...."
That was a little too much to ask, a little too early...Everyone started looking at each other, and they were not sure what decision to make. Harsha who was caught by the terrorist group (in the story) wanted to know what he is going to do...so he said "yes uncle, I am with you", once he said yes, rest was not so difficult.
So I said Eight of you and I, we all will undertake a vow that we will switch on the Mobile after the holidays only we will use them and we all placed our thumb mark on a colorful card...and called our gang "Crazy gang"...Surely it was a crazy idea, not to have mobile for a week! We continued with our story and by the time the story had come to an end it was late evening and kids wanted something to eat....
I told our friends that "Crazy gang" will sleep together and we all sat at one place and started playing board games. A few of the elders also joined, all our mobile and laptops had gone in and we were without any gadget for 6 hours, which in itself was a success...
Once we reached the resort, Srikanth took the lead to find out where all we can visit...There were not many places to visit but the climate was too good and as we stepped into our cottage, it started to rain. Reshma and Rekha are crazy about rain and they immediately dumped their bag and stepped out to get wet and you can imagine bunch of kids followed and just getting wet turned out to be rain dance. It was a wonderful experience; I missed getting wet as the camera came back to me from Sam as she wanted to dance.
Rishab, Tamanna and Aanavi found out there is a trekking program the next day and our gang decided to join. A few mothers also hopped on. It was a 10km stretch. It took us some time to climb. We crossed a river, a village, not to ask the natural beauty, all of us so happy to hear the bird singing and saw few elephants and wild animals on the way.
There were lot of us who had seen all these animals in Zoo, YouTube or TV but for the first time ever they were passing from very close distance. Our guide was very experienced; he was taking us from a route where there were not much harmful wild animals. We also could see a bunch of Antelope and Deer.
Suddenly we hear someone screaming. It was Bhavana!! With her hands trembling, she pointed towards the ground. "Is it a snake??" Our guide came running. He had a close look; it was rope under dry leaves... She was frightened, we all took a break, and asked Bhavana to take some water...we all also had some refreshment....
Sam was busy taking Photos all the moment and she had captured the frightened Bhavana as well...Bhavana wanted the Photos to be deleted, but we didn't do it...Bhavana till date wants that photos to be deleted…
From an Ant hill to Flowers of different colors, different shapes of plants and tall trees, every details was been captured by Sam and rest all enjoying the nature....No one really bothered to take selfies.
By the time we were back to Resort, we were tired and all those who went for a trek, had gone to sleep....No one from the Gang was asking about their mobile, in fact no one was missing their mobile...Busy always, with people, Playing outdoor or indoor and having fun time. Time just flew...
The next morning, we had a flight back from Coimbatore, so we had to leave resort after breakfast. I called my gang and told, I wanted to show you one another side of your parents... They asked me with lot of inquisitiveness what it was...
I made kids into groups and made them to write some invite, some to make other arrangements. Everyone (We invited other guest in the Resort with the help of Resort Management) had to assemble at Amphitheatre at six in the evening. In the meantime I had requested the Resort Management for musical Instruments.
We made Reshma as an Anchor for the evening, Most of the guests of the Resort were invited and to our surprise a lot of them came. There was a bonfire. I knew Anand and Archana sing very well, I have heard them in college. Rajesh used to play drums...corporate life and busy schedule had killed the art in them. As Reshma announced name of both of them and Rajesh they were surprised and shocked...I went to them to escort the Singers to the stage. Hesitatingly all three went to the stage; we wanted someone to play the guitar, so we announced if any one can join. A guest from Resort Sayyid came forward, piano was played by Ramesh (He has been a friend for 10 Years and I didn't know he played Piano).
Kids were surprised. They never knew that their parents were so fun loving and had so much talent within them... When we reached Airport, I took out everyone's Mobile and started giving back to the gang members. Parents looked at me and asked, "why is that you have all their mobiles?" I looked at them and smiled and said, "You guys never noticed, "Crazy gang" was without mobile for last 6-7 days and we did not find the need to have mobile with us. Rajesh instantly reacted, "If I spend time with Sam, she wouldn't need a mobile!!"
To my surprise the kids were not in a hurry to switch on the Mobile they all sat in a group and were chatting....
You nailed it raj....live experiences. Cannot be replaced by gadgets.....and with little effort from parents. for sure we can make experiences last a life time...
ReplyDeleteGood old memories :)
ReplyDelete