Gardening teaches you Discipline, Dedication, Love and Patience

 

Gardening - Discipline, Dedication, Love and Patience

My love for nature and plants grows day by day. Gardening has been part of my life and learnt lot of valuable lessons. As Ikigai (The Japanese secret to a Long and Happy Life) says, do what you love, and it will make you happy and content. I feel the same when I am with my plants. I spend hours together with them to make sure they are lively and healthy and always get lost in them. Green plants around me gives me so many positive vibes.

Gardening is also a form of exercise that can be good for us as it helps to release endorphins, the hormone that helps to make people feel satisfied and relaxed. Also, direct contact with sunlight can boost mood.

It’s scientifically proved that simple things in life make you happier and more beautiful. Every day clicking the colorful photos of my flowers and green plants makes my day happy. Let’s make our life simple. Yes, simple things make your life much more beautiful than you think and gardening is one of them. A garden is the best place to notice the little things that are so important. Reading a book in your own garden with a cup of chai (tea) is a bliss. 

We can get connected to many aspects of life with gardening, it defines our dedication, discipline, love and patience. As it is said, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ same way beautiful and healthy garden takes ample amount of hard work, time, love and care to flourish.

You can relate your work, relationships, children, exercise everything to gardening.

Work – As plants need water, sunlight and nutrients daily to keep growing, we need to keep adding new skills and knowledge to our work daily to grow & develop.

Relationships - Just as we remove weeds around the plant which will take all the energy from the plant and make it weak, we need to remove the negativity from your mind and around us to have strong roots in any kind of the relationships.

Children – You need to show love and caring towards to your children to give them a healthy lifestyle same with the plants you need to love them as your kids.

Exercise & Health – ‘You reap what you sow’, the more you dedicate time and energy for exercise it will give you healthy life. The same with your plants, dedicate more time with them to get good results.

Gardening is educational and develops new skills including Responsibility– from caring for plants. Understanding– as they learn about cause and effect (for example, plants die without water, weeds compete with plants) Self-confidence – from achieving their goals and enjoying the food they have grown.

Enjoy gardening!!

 

Study Abroad Onsite staff

Working in study abroad international education for more than a decade, I have learned that a new generation of global citizens loves to travel and wants to experience new places, food, culture, and traditions. They have a strong attraction towards India and its diversity. However, the prime concerns of these students, parents, and study abroad providers are mostly about health, safety, and security and how to overcome the challenges for cultural adjustments while traveling to different countries.

 Taking all this into consideration, we have created a safe, secure, and hassle-free learning environment for these students. Our trained staff will teach them how to deal with cultural shock and how to overcome the challenges of cultural adjustments during the program and in onsite orientation. Our homestay families will introduce them to Indian Culture, family structure, and heritage. We also take care of expenses, planning, resources, and execution. 

For any study abroad student, onsite experience is the most important component as it creates a platform for the students prior to full immersion. Therefore, it is designed meticulously by study abroad professionals considering all safety guidelines. Guidance and mentoring done on-site is important for every student for a positive learning experience and are provided by the onsite staff, who are the main pillars for any study abroad program. 

Study abroad programs mainly focus on Pre-departure, onsite, and reentry to help the students adjust physically & emotionally in their new country. Predeparture starts before arrival on the program which introduces students to the visa process, immigration, program, academics, country, and culture in brief. These pre-departure orientations and handbooks will not much mean to students unless they are guided onsite. When students participate in study abroad programs, they have experiences and stories that can be life-changing. 

Onsite staff will cover all the areas and questions below including pre-departure orientation, onsite arrivals, and orientation, housing, etc. They prepare every aspect related to student and their safety. Read below a few areas of the tedious work they do. 

  Predeparture orientation - General Information about the program and onsite program 

- Housing 

- Academics

- Onsite staff 

- General logistics

 - Wifi and electricity 

- Health Safety & Security 

  Prep for onsite arrivals - Have the students reached safely? 

- Who will pick up the students at the airport? staff or local peer tutors or assistants? 

- Have the students informed their parents about the safe arrivals? 

- Have onsite staff informed your management team abroad or study abroad advisor or schools about students’ safe arrivals (within 24 hours of arrival)? 

- Do they need any food or water? who will supply it? 

- Is their passport safe and have they checked their immigration stamp?

 - Have they received all the baggage at the airport? If not or missing what are the next steps? 

- Have they settled in their respective accommodations? 

  Below are the different stages of onsite orientation provided by the staff to run the program smoothly. 

Topics covered in Onsite Orientation - General Information about the program and onsite office 

- Housing - Wifi and electricity

 - General logistics 

- Health Safety & Security

 - Intercultural differences (food, academics, dressing, behavior, etc.) 

- Dos and Don’ts in India/Hyderabad/program 

- Program/Local Rules and expectations 

Hope this is helpful. The next article will focus on the detailed information on the topics above. Wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year 2022.

Attempted 200km cycling but dropped at 70km - First experience with Hyderabad Randonneurs

 

HYDERABAD RANDONNEURS - Audax Centenary 200K BRM

“Ride as much or as little, as long or as short as you feel. But ride.” – Eddy Merckx

After doing couple of 100km cycling events in the past years (2017, 2018 & 2019), I have decided to test my endurance to cycle 200 km this 11^th September 2021. In fact, I registered for 200km brevet with Audax in Feb 2020 but couldn’t join the ride because of dry cough. My last 100km cycling was in Aug 2019 and last ride was Women’s Day ride 30km in March 2020 (before pandemic & lockdown). I couldn’t train for the event during lockdown as I was in USA for 8 months. On ride day, I started cycling with full of energy but dropped at 1^st check point Aadhya Grand Restaurant (69.6 km) after dragging there for almost 4:45 hrs and informed the volunteers that I cannot push more further, and they noted DNF.

DNS/DNF – Do not Start/Do not finish are the remarks for the riders who do not finish the ride on the stipulated time or who dropped in between the event. These are the strict rules of randonneruring. Before going further let me give you a brief about what is Randonneruring. (Data from internet)

Randonneuring (also known as Audax in the UK, Australia and Brazil) is a long-distance cycling sport with its origins in audax cycling. In randonneuring, riders attempt courses of 200 km or more, passing through predetermined "controls" (checkpoints) every few tens of kilometres. Riders aim to complete the course within specified time limits and receive equal recognition regardless of their finishing order.

A randonneuring event is called a randonnée or brevet, and a rider who has completed a 200 km event is called a randonneur. The international governing body for randonneuring is Audax Club Parisien (ACP), which works with other randonneuring organisations worldwide through Les Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM). Randonneuring is popular in France, and has a following in The Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, United States, Canada, Brazil, Ireland, India, Korea, Japan and Malaysia.

This was my first brevet event with Hyderabad Randonneurs. Thanks to my friends Ashish, Dev, Shiva and Praveen who was supportive throughout the preparation for the ride in the form of encouragement, warning and precautions for the ride. Dev let me borrow his reflective jacket and cycle bag, Shiva gave his cycle stand for my car and Ashish helped me buying the extra tube for the ride. They all trained very well by riding couple of kms for 4 to 5 weeks before hitting the road for 200kms and told me too many times to do practice. I just did 22km before a week of the ride. No excuses but didn’t train my bad. I was pretty sure that I will only ride till my stamina and will not stretch beyond the point. Preparation started a week before the ride to make sure that I have all the mandatory accessories for the brevet. Without these they will not allow the rider to start.

Mandatory items for the ride

-          Helmet

-          Front and Rear lights

-          AIR card/rider number

-          Reflective jacket

Tried holding it but later kept it inside

Night before the ride, I checked all the mandatory accessories, clothing, and snacks for the ride. Packed few energy bars, raisins, ORS, and salt to keep myself hydrated. Loaded my cycle in the car at night to avoid morning rush as we must start early to the start point. We were 4 riders from our township (me, dev, Ashish, and Praveen) and reached to start point at our own time. I woke up 3 am in the morning and got ready for the ride & my friend and sweet neighbor Vandana made tea for me and her husband Ashish. Early morning tea is bliss 😊. Relished my tea and started to the start point in my car. It took me 40 min to reach the start point. It was energetic atmosphere at the St. Martins Engineering college where volunteers made sure that we are set for the ride. It was lovely to meet many vibrant volunteers including Anitha and Srinath Manda. Mandatory accessories were checked, reported, scanned our ride cards and directed us to the start point. Took few pics with fellow riders.

Me, Dev and Praveen

Shiva, me, srinvas garu and Dev

Ride started at sharp 6 am from the start point and after 1.90km there was a left at Dulapally Junction and then start road till the first check point (Aadhya Grand restaurant) at 69.6km. Initially I was pumped up and started to enjoy the ride by watching the beautiful nature and munching my raisins in between. Many riders crossed me, and we wished each other a hello or good morning it was so nice to see so much energy around you. Couple of them suggested that my seat was very low, and I might injure my knees. I got adjusted my seat with the help of another rider Bheem singh ji. He was checking on me now and then whenever he crossed me during the ride.

Apart from fellow riders, road was filled with heavy trucks, local buses, autos and 2 wheelers along with many careless 2 wheelers who are coming on the wrong side. Sometimes it was tricky and scary to cross them along with the huge trucks beside you. In middle of all this chaos a huge truck’s tyre suddenly burst with a loud noise and black tube flew on the road near my way luckily it didn’t hot me or my cycle. But for few minutes my ear was hurt due to that huge explosion. That truck guy carefully stopped his huge vehicle to left. It was a heavy truck with 8 or 10 tyres with a full load on it. That was scary but I didn’t stop and kept riding my cycle slowly. After 50km my energy started to drain, and I was stopping now and then to drag myself to the first checkpoint.  I was all alone as many riders went way ahead of me and 2 people dropped at 50km and my motivation levels started coming down. I understood that I was not in a condition to finish the ride as I had a bad pull on my right side thigs suddenly, but I wanted to make it to the 1^st check point to inform the volunteers that I will be dropping from there.

It was beyond 10:30 am and I still must cover 12km to the check point. I called Hemanth and Rajeev Kalva to inform that I will be reaching to check point for sure and then will decide to continue or not. Hats off to these two who picked my calls and tried their best to resolve the issues. I literally dragged my self at 10:55 am i.e., 4:45 hours since I start my ride. I informed the volunteers that I will not be going further, and they noted DNF.

Until then I didn’t eat my breakfast as I was munching my nuts and sipping water throughout. I had idlis and bottle of mazza and then called Rajeev to check the options to go back to the start point. As it was self-support ride, we need to take care of bringing ourselves and cycle back to the point. Rajeev was attending a rider who had an accident was rushed to secunderabad hospital. Even then he lifted my call and suggested me couple of options. There were 3 more riders who dropped there, one was badly hurt as he fell down and other two had cramps. Two were picked up by their friends and family and I was left with one fellow rider.

We both crossed the road and waited for an hour to get the lift. Local bus and couple of autos rejected to take our bicycles and then later we found a small empty vegetable van which was going towards Hyderabad Malakpet to get some veggies. We were so happy that we got a ride back to start point, I didn’t give a second thought that I was sitting with a stranger in a vegetable van but was little cautious as traveling with total strangers. I made sure that all were wearing mask in the truck and the driver offered me sanitizer too. Ashish Ranjan (fellow rider) and two other men stood back side of the van with our 2 cycles, and I was given seat in the front with driver and his helper. It was a different experience hopping a van and chatting with the unknown people. Driver was telling about the tough time they had due to lockdown and now they are happy to be back on roads.

 

Finally, after an hour we reached at the Dulapally junction and ride back to start point. My bad day didn’t end there when I found that another car was parked in front of my car. I was hungry tired and wanted to go back home. It was beyond 3 pm and I don’t want to wait until the event to finish. I again requested Rajeev to keep my car keys and hand over to Ashish who can help bring my car back and I took auto back home. I got my car back safely.  

Didn’t finish the ride but still learned lot of lessons throughout the ride. No regrets and will be back to track soon. Once again, thanks to my family, friends, and volunteers to their wonderful support.

 

Love yourself - accept and face the reality

 

"No disability or dictionary out there, is capable of clearly defining who we are as a person."

Robert M Hensel

It’s Never Late to Learn, I always admire this quote which keeps my hunger to learn new things in life. Learning can be any information or can be about yourself. Me and my twin sister are born with a congenital facial paralysis It is a rare congenital neurological condition which primarily affects the muscles that controls the facial expressions and complete eye closure. It is considered as one of the Rare Disorders (RD) basically there are more than 7000 RDs observed in the world.  Recently, I found out that this condition nearly matches with a RD called Moebius Syndrome (MS), but we do not fall under that as we do not meet all the criteria which defines the Syndrome, so it is still considered as congenital facial paralysis. 

Out of curiosity, I contacted Dr. Kathleen Boghart who is a successful academician and TEDx Speaker, Health Psychology professor and who is also part of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation (MSF) and Ms. Vicki McCarrell Co-founder of the MSF to learn about the syndrome and the foundation. They welcomed me into the MSF family and accepted my interest to volunteer with them in future. I want to create awareness and provide above all emotional and psychological support to the affected individuals and families in India and abroad. I was surprised to learn that there are 4-5 people excluding us in India who are affected with this kind of RDs.

What do MSF do ?

The mission of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation is to provide information and support to individuals with Moebius syndrome and their families, promote greater awareness and understanding of Moebius syndrome, and to advocate for scientific research to advance the diagnosis and treatment of Moebius syndrome and its associated conditions.

https://moebiussyndrome.org/who-we-are/mission-and-history/

Fortunately, we were blessed to born in a family where we were surrounded with a lovely and caring parents, siblings, family, and friends who never let us feel that we were different from others. This is one of the reasons I never took interest to learn about this RD in depth in these many years. Despite this abundant love, we faced a lot of issues in our childhood, in school, and college. If not all few strangers or any one at the first meet as many do not know how to react or do not know what it is? Always that strange look given by some people hurts because they are uneducated and impossible to explain them what it is and they are surprised if this kind of RD exists.  

Some showed empathy and others sympathy. We both also faced the major difficulty during our jobs and marriage. Coming from an Indian society where most of the marriages were/are arranged my parents faced lot of issues to find us a life partner who can understand about this RD and can accept us the way we are. Many rejected and some were ready to marry only if we agree to pay huge dowry for which I never agreed. 

My father who was my strong pillar, my mentor and he always motivated us to be financially independent and that has made me a strong independent woman who is not ready to give up her choices and freedom just for the sake of marriage. My sister got married and have 2 beautiful daughters who are the proof that this RD is not genetical and it may or may not pass to next generation. I have a little knowledge about scientific research in this area, but will provide emotional support to the needy as I can totally understand and relate to the pain they have gone through or undergoing. 

I am not sure if any serious research or diagnosis is done in India or maybe I am not aware of it.  After learning about MSF in USA, I am happy to be part of their research & want to work closely with them to spread awareness and support people by sharing my experiences.

I want to advocate the individuals with any kind of disability especially women in India who are shy and afraid to stand for themselves or worried about being defamed. Raise your voice, love yourself and stand for yourself rest will fall in place. 

Believe in yourself. 

Stay safe 

Madhuri

 

 

My Cycling experience 100 kms J

Life is a journey that must be traveled no matter how bad the roads and accommodations. – Oliver Goldsmith

Long distance cycling is challenging event but doable. The more you prepare for it, the more you will be ready to face the reality of toughness. So far, I have done five times 100kms cycling and every time there is a new thing to learn from it and make my experience more valuable. Honestly, I do not much train before the event, which is a drawback but cannot help it because of my busy schedule. I want to share couple of moments from each of the rides where I learned and understood my strengths and weakness.

The Pearl ride was the first longest cycling event I took part in 2017 and I did not prepared for it. I was excited and confused and anxious that how will I finish it. I went in a wrong route and ended up cycling 120 kms but unfortunately dropped at 95kms. However, I was happy that I tried my best to test my fitness levels and was able to ride continuously for 7 hours. Also realized that you must prepare ahead for any event. It not only makes your ride smooth also leaves you injury free.

After, the first failure of not finishing the ride and dropping in between, I decided to train a bit and try again to cycle 100kms. Before that, I took part in couple of 50kms rides and finished with better timing. That confidence made me to register with The Bike affair in 2018. I prepared mentally for the ride this time and was able to finish it in 7 hours. I totally believe that mental strength is stronger than physical fitness. In between during the ride, many a times I felt to give up but couple of fellow riders encouraged me and supported me to finish it. Kiranmayee garu was my best ride mate ever. Many a times, she slowed down her speed and made sure that I finish the ride. Her patience and endurance has impressed and inspired me a lot. It taught me how important it is to have a person to support you when you lost all your stamina and energy. Always remember to support your co-riders.

Best Memory – When I finish the ride, though it is late organizer’s comment - ‘Madam we know that you will never give up and will finish the race no matter how hard it is”. These lines makes me feel happy about my achievements. These make me keep going J

Some tips for long distance cycling – 60kms, 70kms and 100 kms

1.     Keep hydrated throughout the race

2.     Listen your mind first and then body

3.     No matter what don’t give up

4.     Your goal is to finish the ride safely

5.     Do not compare with other riders speed

6.     Try to follow the cut off time if unable to do so, do not worry keep going

7.     Do not use the head phones or listen to music

8.     Always make sure you follow the map and instructions provided

9.     If lost ask locals ( I always miss my route J)

1.     If too tired and both your body and mind has given up, please do not hesitate to call the organizers and go back safely with them.

Who organize such rides?

#Thebikeaffair  #Hyderabadbicyclingclub  #Cykul

Why organized rides?

1.     They will make sure you are safe & hydrated well and will have SAG at required distance for all participants.

2.     They provide water and sufficient snacks at all SAG points

3.     Yummy breakfast once you finish the ride

4.     Ride recce done prior to the event.

5.     Route map provided

6.     Photographs for memory

7.     They check your cycles before the race start (if needed)

8.     Guidelines and rules are strictly followed (for our safety)

What you should do before event?

1.     Sleep well at least 8 hrs before night

2.     Eat some snack before the event start

3.     Check if your cycle is in a good condition

4.     Have a little plan in mind that how many kms you want to finish in an hour.

5.     Have raisins in your pouch and keep munching them (Thanks Kiranmayee garu who gave me this amazing tip)

Hope these tips are useful. Now I want to train myself for 200kms J Wish to be fulfilled soon! Good luck for your rides. Happy riding!

Only female rider at Mass ride in Medchal (50kms in 2 :30 hrs)

Kiranmayee garu who supported me during the ride

Madhuri Gunti meets Nanda Ghunti - My first Himalayan trek

Me and my gang from Hyderabad

My First Himalayan Trek aka Bramhtal Trek. 

 Proud to accomplish one more trek and happy to say Madhuri Gunti went to meet Nanda Ghunti (Nanda Ghunti is a 6,309-metre-high (20,699 ft) mountain in Garhwal, India. It lies on the outer rim of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. The mountain was first surveyed by T. G. Longstaff in 1907). Ghunti is different in pronunciation and is nowhere related to my surname Gunti but I was happy that the name of mountain sounds like my surname.

Madhuri Gunti meets Nanda Ghunti

Bramhtal trek is in Uttarakhand where we witnessed awesome Mt Trishul, Mt Nanda Ghunti and Garhwal Himalayas decked with the blanket of snow. The most memorable part of the trek was visualising the mountains in Chilly wind where sun was playing hide and seek to make us feel warm.  Apart from that lying down in meadows and watching the clouds dancing with happiness to meet their favourite mountains was mesmerising view for one and all.

I successfully finished this trek with my old trek mate Sayantan (a passionate photographer & trekker), his wife Shalini (caring and lovely wife who is equally passionate about photography & travel) and their friends Dew Maria (a tiny bomb who can blast you with her enormous knowledge about World War II and star gazing. Her high spirits and communication has bagged her the most enthusiastic trekker award for this trek and Shivam, Finance background IT freak from Lucknow currently working in Bangalore who changes his job as we change clothes and keep his company on his toes and he is a foodie. Shivam joined us in Delhi airport from Bangalore whereas me, Shalini, Dew, and Sayantan reached from Hyderabad.

Me, Shalini, Dew, Sayantan and Shivam

We were later tagged along with another 21 enthusiastic trekkers from different parts of India with a diverse backgrounds, interests and skills. Mahesh Karve – an excellent cook, traveller and software developer at boeing and his wife Bhavani – who captures beautiful birds in her lenses and enjoys her husband’s dishes :P are from Banaglore, Bhavani’s brother Kiran software Engineer and his wife Bhargavi faculty at IIT ramaiah in Bangalore. A group of young boys from Jalgoan including -Mahesh Ozha, traveller, consultant and Marathoner, Rushabh Jain, CA, marathoner and who is recently engaged, Rushab Shah who is an International chess player and owns his own company. He changed my name to Manisha from Madhuri during our round of introductions. Abhishek Limaye, Harshal, Venugopal from Jalgoan. Another Tumkur gang including  Abhishek Rajashekahra – National Yoga awardee, Pratik Agarwal, Deepika, a photographer  & Pradeep VR, hard core sonu nigam fan who  got a beautiful voice & he sang lovely songs for us. We had another badass best friends like in 3 idiots from Bangalore – Mayur – Jovial person who made sure that everyone is alive by shouting- come on come keep walking and Breathe in and he always take an alternate route throughout the trek. Muthu Raj calm observer who owns his real estate business and is an excellent cricket player who dived into the edge of sleeping tent to catch a water bottle during a game  and Ravi Kumar – Photographer, HP tech employee who is getting married on this April 27. Lady from Bhopal,  Neelam – doctor at Indian air force and avid traveller with her BFF Shilpa from Delhi – silent brilliant lady with wonderful hidden talent. Aparna aka Aps and Vivek from Mumbai who both were into marketing and investing sector.

Gang of Bekaltal Trek we 26 with trek leaders

Lovely to meet each and every one and keep in touch.

I want to thank Indian hikes who had provided all the logistics, support and care from the beginning to the end of the trek. Job done by each and every member of India hikes at all the campsites, online and offline support is tremendous. Let me introduce the awesome people who virtually helped us during the trek.

Chachaji giving me finish certificate behind me Varun and Pratap

Our trek leader Varun who is not only an excellent trek leader but also a doctor, story teller and entertainer. He knew so many stories and games to keep us engaged all the time.  I will always remember him for his high energy levels throughout the trek and Oxymeter reading. He made me scratch my nail polish as it was not reading the accurate measurement of the oximeter.

Our Guide Bhagat chacha (who lead the route & trek) aka chachaji was eldest of all about 59 years but always was the first person to reach the basecamp & waiting for all of us with the same smile and patience which he showed at the beginning of the trek. He shared couple of stories of Bekaltal and Brmahtal Lake. Pratap Bhai our Sweeper (who makes sure no one is left behind on the trail) was a good story teller, player and singer too. These people are the ones who makes the entire trek lovely, lively and memorable. Each of them have different stories to share about the place and trek.

Bramhtal lake, in Uttarakhand, is said to be a sacred place where Lord Brahma once mediitated millions of years ago. This lake becomes spectacular in the time of winter when it reflects the himalayan ranges on its frozen cover of ice. But unfortunately we can just see few clusters of snow from far a distance and couldn’t experience the snow fall. Pine trees all over and paths lined with Rhododendren, made our trek more beautiful and fun.

Daily Routines at all camp sites

-          6:30 am Tea and hot water

-          7: 00 am breakfast

-          Oxymeter check before and after the trek (Oxymeter monitors your oxygen level)

-          Packed Snacks and Lunch

-          Filled water bottles (water was not available on all trials)

-          6: 00 pm Tea and hot water

-          7: 00 pm Dinner

-          Stretching exercises before and after trek

-          Games in the evening at every campsite.

-          Washing lunch box and glass with freezing cold water

Trek Begins ……

We flew to Delhi on 23^rd March and later went to railway station where we took rest at IRCTC lounge for couple of hours. We caught a train to Kathgodam on 24^th March at 6 am which reached to Kathgodam at 12 pm and took rest in our pre booked hotel Relax Inn. Next day morning on 25^th March we were picked by cabs from Kathgodam railway station parking point to Lohajung. We all started in 4 cabs to our destination with stops for Lunch and tea in between.

25^th March Day 1 – Lohajung (Base camp at 7,600 ft). It took 10 hours drive to reach there.

This route to Lohajung crosses Nainital and we can see beautiful views. But I had to take Avomin to stop vomiting during narrow and curvy roads. We reached around 6 pm to Lohajung. The base camp, Lohajung, is a small market area that started off with catering to basic shopping requirements of people from the nearby villages of Culing, Mundoli and Bank. This is also where the very popular Roopkund trek begins. There were quite a few shops stocked with gear required by trekkers. We all were introduced to fellow trekkers and trek leaders with some info on do’s and don’ts on treks. We shared rooms in the basecamp.

Start at Lohajung

26^th March Day 2: Lohajung (7,600 ft) to Bekaltal (9,885 ft); 5 hours, 6.3 km

After finishing our breakfast and offloading our bags (it’s optional) and storing the extra luggage we don’t need for trek we kept aside at the base camp. We had our lunch, water and snacks packed for the day. We all started the trek around 9 am with chacha ji through the trials, ups and downs climb was a daily routine. However fit you are, the trials will put on the edges to drag yourself to the base camp. By huffs and puffs I made it to the day 1 campsite with other trekkers. We all reached around 2 pm to Bekaltal. We sat near the lake and heard interesting stories of the lake has been named Bramhtal Lake. Freshly cooked dinner- Dal, roti, sabji and dessert was served at dinner. Black tea and hot water was provided at every base camp. India hikes volunteers made the tents ready for us before we reach the site. Tents were shared by 3 in a tent with Sleeping bags, liners and sleeping mat. It was cold during night around 4 degrees. I had my 3 layers on and pushed myself into my sleeping liner and bags. It need lot of patience to change inside the tiny tent and then sleeping inside the cold sleeping liners and bags. Toilets were arranged as small pit holes with commode fixed on it. This is the only day we had wet toilets rest of them are dry toilets aka no water. If we are using wet tissues, we have to carry them back to city as we cannot throw them on trails.

me in my tent

27^th March Day 3: Bekaltal (9,885 ft) to Brahmatal (10,440 ft); 5-6 hours, 7.2 km

Washing face and brushing with hot water in chilly mornings was like a punishment. It will be cold once you pour water on your body. Packing and unpacking backpacks was a difficult task too.  After having breakfast and offloading the bags, we started at 9 in the morning. The trail starts out of the campsite and climbs steeply into the Oak and Rhododendron forest. After an hour of ascent, we descended to a meadow. This was the summit day. The gently ascending meadow walk brings us to the highest point of the day at 11,500 ft. From there, it was a very gradual descent to Brahmatal. We reached Bramhtal around 4 pm and played some games outside our base camp. This campsite was livelier as we had dhaba where we spend time in having tea, Pakoda, Jalebi and singing songs and playing various notorious games altogether. We were welcomed by a sweet girl Babitha and his father who runs the dhabha. After dinner we continued to share some stories. The temperature was dipping and we slipped into our sleeping bags and liners. I was feeling so cold that I had to keep heating pads on my hands while sleeping.

Babitha and her father in dhaba

on way to next mark

me on my way

dense forest

28^th March Day 4: Brahmatal (10,440 ft) to Tilbudi (11,240 ft) 5 hours, 6 km

Next morning we started at 9 am to Tilbudi which was ascend and decent through scary narrow curves but beautiful valley surrounded with mountains and forests. If we slipped from the trail it will be fall from 11,240 ft. There were snow blocks in between which were melting and making the ground more slippery and muddy.  We could see a vulture on the top corner and all the photographers tried capturing her. Somehow we made to the summit at rested for an hour. Later we walked to Tilbudi campsite descending. We reached the campsite and played different games including interesting game Mafia introduced by Dew and Shalini. Best part of Dinner was we got to eat delicious hot gulab Jamun as dessert. The temperature was very low around 2 degrees that night.

found a chunk of snow in hidden rocks

scary route before summit

group pic at summit behind are all three mountains

29^th March Day 5: Tilbudi (11,240 ft) to Lohajung (7,600 ft) via Wan (8,000 ft); 2 hours trek + 1 hour drive

Next day morning we started at 9 to our final destination of trek Lohajung through a small village Wan. This entire trail was descending which was hard on my knees. We reached by 1 pm to Lohajung and had our lunch. Wan village was very beautiful so were the villagers and kids. Whenever they see us they will greet us Namaste it was very welcoming and heart touching gesture. We travelled by car from Wan to Lohajung before lunch time. Evening 5 pm we had our wrap up session by Varun and his team. Dinner was provided at the campsite but couple of us had chicken at the nearby hotel. Most of us showered and took rest and boys played cricket with locals and won the game. Later we packed our bags for next morning drive to Nainital. All the groups departed to different destinations. We 5 from Hyderabad and Mayur, Muttu, Ravu, Aps and Vivek decided to go to Nainital. Accordingly buses and cabs were arranged by India hikes and we paid to the driver at the destination.

30^th March & 31^st March Day 6 & 7: Drive from Lohajung to Nainital. We reached Nainital by 6.00 pm .

Morning we started with all our luggage to Nainital. My condition was horrible, instead of Avomin I took Vomistop which couldn’t stop my vomitings and I vomited thrice throughout the route. At lunch point I took Avomin and slept for 2 hours. We reached Nainital at around 6 pm and took rest in our hotel. Next day morning we met Mayur, Muttu, and Ravi and went around Nainital sightseeing. Nainital was a beautiful city with beautiful lakes, botanical garden, waterfalls and Caves. Later we met Vivek & Aps at Lunch. We 5 of us departed to Kathgodam to catch our train to Delhi at 8:40 pm.

caves in Nainital

1^st April - We all reached Delhi at 5 am and departed to different destinations. I went to see my family friends in Ghajiabad and later took my flight back to Hyderabad at 5 pm. Delhi airport was crowded because of 4 days long weekend.

My trip ended with lots of beautiful virtual memories and learnings

Learnings  

        

  We can survive without social media aka phone, whats app

-          People can survive in mountains with basic needs.

-          We just need food, air and water to lead a simple normal life.

-          Until you push hard you never knew your tolerance levels.

-          Do what you like rather than what other likes you to do.

-          Give time to yourself to fulfil your dreams, desires and passion.

-          Take a break from routine busy life and spend time with yourself in mountains :P

-          The more we travel and explore the more we can adapt new culture, tradition or situation.

Hope you like this !!