Pavani Chithari
Here comes the day which everyone dreams of, yes…it is. Finally, a night out with best friends under the bare sky, with same old talks but with blinking stars, campfire with limited logs and a touch of cold breeze in hot summer, yeah…we planned our camping in summer but nature is beautiful and unpredictable and that one day clouds showered its happiness!
Vishaka & me started from Hyderabad and are excited to meet Anisha, whereas Anisha already in Pune is looking after the arrangements for our trip.
Three girls away from the city…. That’s the reaction we received from Anisha’s parents, but they never stopped us. Escorted by driver and a car, lucky for us, he never spoke much but experienced our singing talent throughout the journey. How everyone plans for a two-day trip which includes a night camping? not even a single minute to be wasted at home right? after the permission is granted! We packed all essentials and left home before sunrise. So, what all is packed? It is just a two-day trip. Clothes? makeup? Snacks? and a bottle of vodka, who would miss that moment of drinking with best friends gazing the stars.
After a long fun-filled drive, we reached Wai, our first location, Mahaganapati mandir which embraced river Krishna. Left our footwear in the car, realized that it is summer and was too late by then. Massive Ganapati painted in orange, resembling Hanuman, prolonged our observations. Felt blessed and ran back to the car with burnt feet to continue the further journey.
Hungry, we reached Mapro garden after an hour drive. Exploring eat streets and tasted the best charcoal oven-baked pizza and a famous strawberry cream with freshly sliced strawberries picked from the garden, it was the most beautiful dessert I have ever seen which allayed our sweet tooth. Before starting off to the next place our bottomless pits reminded to carry fresh strawberries along.
Second place is Shri Panchganga Mandir, Anisha reading out — Krishna, Venna, Koyna, Gayatri and Savitri, they are born here! Vishaka pointed her finger to the other end where these five rivers are fusing and flowing through the mouth of a cow carved out of stone which tasted like amruth and continuing to fill the large enclosed area.
Light passing through the old rocks, air carrying the purity of rivers and feet smiled touching the damp friction less dark rocks.
Around 4:30 PM, we stepped out and explored the other side, long row of stalls on both side, people shifting from one stall to another. Dirt raised teasing our eyes, heavy wind and clouds turning dark, we felt that chill in our body knowing what is going to happen next, which was missed throughout the journey and yes it started raining!
Lowered the glass of the window, experiencing the beautiful change in weather. Lost in our thoughts and suddenly heard Vishaka talking to herself, describing the weather again and again. I did not get a proper sight as she was sitting behind me. Anisha started laughing and teasing Vishaka, who is trying to get that one perfect post.
A question popped in my mind. Camping and rain? and the prayers began. Felt like the day is designed according to our plan.
Finally, we reached the camping spot — Wai Lake in Maharashtra. Enormous stretch of land with a view of magnificent hills, light blue water with little waves due to heavy winds running like snow white puppies. As soon as we reached, Vishaka decided the camping spot and informed organizer to place the tent away from other tents after noticing the crowd. Heard snoring from behind,searching & found two large white fluffy fur balls sleeping, dog lovers Anisha & Vishaka started patting one of them, she is DOLLY, told the organizer. Dolly started growling… he told that Dolly gets irritated with belly rubs when she is sleeping. I thought I would better stay away from Dolly. The other jumps suddenly from behind, He is Mylo, the owner felt happy introducing his babies to the crowd. Mylo is larger than Dolly, wagging tail and welcoming the guests.
Walking towards the water, Vishaka excited and screaming! Guys there… far away I saw clouds floating in between the sky and ground with a massive green hill in the background, it looked as if few clouds were selected and tied down to an anchor with an invisible thread. I started capturing them and was speechless after seeing a beam of light through the dark sky and the light extended to the top of the hill, it appeared just like the spotlight on dais.
Later, we did not believe our eyes, thought this place is magical, a fire shaped flame disappearing behind the hill and that is one of the unique sunsets we have ever seen.
Dinner is getting ready and boys started pitching tents one after the other. It is dark already and we spoke to our respective families, dinner is served. My plate filled with chicken which attracted Mylo too, I did not mind sharing and have placed a piece of chicken near his paw, he immediately grabbed the chicken piece and started chewing wildly, my heart sunk after realizing that huge Mylo moved even more closer and waiting…… I stopped eating, was confused and scared, placed one bigger piece with bone little away so that I can finish half of the food till Mylo returns. That bone made the situation even worse, Mylo picked up the chicken piece and started eating wildly than before. I stopped eating again and finally heard someone calling Mylo and I thanked the lady in my mind. Quickly finished our food and headed towards the tent.
Our tent is away from others with a huge mat in front, a tiny bulb hanging from a pole providing enough light, bricks are placed with coal for chicken & paneer barbeque for midnight snack and limited logs for campfire. Everything is perfect and then, Anisha- guys washroom… yes this is always a tough task when we travel. Fortunately the camp organizer’s place has washrooms but is almost one km away from the tent, after a while struggling and trying out all the possible ways, which did not work, we saw the saviors, boys are coming on a bike to give the materials required for midnight snack and he gave the most awaited ride to Anisha and also extra logs for campfire.
Talking about life after shots is always a new experience with my friends. Lost in deep conversations & scattered facing the sky, a guy appeared from nowhere, tiny in shorts, confused, hesitated and finally spoke, was not at all happy after his ask. Arguments lasted a while amongst us whether to be kind or selfish, and kindness won the match, we sacrificed the biggest log we had to the stranger. He took the log, thanked enough and disappeared in the dark.
People are dancing and singing in the far. We started playing music and piercing the chicken pieces followed by onion and bell peppers. Anisha experimenting the same with strawberries, which surprisingly tasted good. Life talks, self-cooked food, shooting stars, music and drinks in that place satisfied our urge to travel from a very long time.
Logs turned into ash and fire turned into smoke. Turned off the tiny bulb and zipped the tent. It was pitch dark and calm, suddenly we heard screeching of tires nearby and all are alert. We noticed a beam of light which is approaching our tent. Only one idea popped up in our minds. Call him! Call him now…. had no choice as the car is approaching our tent in full speed. I picked up the mobile and started dialing the organizer’s number, with a drunk scared voice “Bhayya humare tent ke paas koi hai, a car full speed me humare tent ke upar chedadhega” (“ someone is near our tent, he is going to crush us with a car in full speed”). He immediately responded, please do not worry and I am sending my guys to look after.
Sound and light faded away, it is pitch dark and calm again.
Later we realized that we must face the organizer in the morning to clear rest of the bills with an embarrassing face.
There’s some movement outside the tent, trying to push the tent from outside. Anisha checked her mobile and told it’s 5:00 AM. Vishaka felt that push too, woke up, unzipped the tent and that’s Mylo again, white fur with big black beautiful eyes, I thought that tiredness and darkness were the factors which made me not to pet when I first met him.
As usual Anisha & Vishaka started patting Mylo, literally squeezing him. I felt their love towards Mylo, my eyes are fixed on him. Waiting for my turn but thought he would leave as I’m not accessible for him, pushing the tent, making his way and stood right in front of me. My heart just melted resulting in a long squeeze.
Mylo likes water and fetch games. Trying to throw far away from him and pretending that I have already thrown… I can read Mylo’s face now — stop teasing me Parul…let’s play…
Mylo here! Mylo run! Happy Mylo, jumping and running with snow-white puppies…
