How often have we abused US, our media especially. When you talk to people, educated people, its very rare to find someone who doesn't have anything negative to say. Its a crime after all to be the sole leading power, when the rest of the world is struggling to catch up. I was shocked the other day to find that the state of California consumes more petroleum than whole of India. A degree of resentment was inevitable.
But this way of life, this blogging for example, this keyboard under my fingers , the screen where I am editing, the software that I am using, is all US. The world has never thanked US for this, hey I paid for that computer its mine now. I feel we fail to appreciate, the society that shaped it. I have a daily list of articles , blogs that I visit, now a days they are filled with US presidential campaign stories, which I don't find interesting. But it made me realize how dependent we are, how uncharitable we are.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
July 5th Delhi and Manali
Landed in Delhi abt 3 PM, no cash no ATMs near the airport, or we didnt find them. Delhi was hot very hot.Took a cab to Chanderlok building. We were pretty tired in the afternoon sun to look for a restaurant. Went to The Imperial , was expensive Rs 2900 for a lunch for two. But we are on vacation well thats all right once in a while.
Manali bus was to depart around 6 PM. Enquired with a travel agency which had its office in that building to be sure we are at the right place, they said to wait in FRONT of the building, while the bus was to arrive at the BACK of the building. After sometime was around 6:10 PM, thanks to a vendor, came to know that the bus waits at the back of the building. Scamperd back with that packed backpack, didnt miss the bus, it was IST timings ofcourse :).
Delhi appeared to be a very well planned city, its THE CAPITAL of course. Took abt 2 hrs to reach to reach the outskirts and soon we were doing > 100kph. The road was good and the traffic disciplined, not that the volvo guys care much abt traffic.Reached Chandigarh abt 2AM abd finally first signs of the Himalayas abt 5:30 AM.
The Himalays didnt disappoint, One glance and you know that these are the highest out there,imposingly standing, after all these have defined the culture, religion and history of India over many centuries.
After stopping for tea and refreshments , with Manali still 131 kms, the road entered the Beas valley. It looked splendid in the morning sun.
Finally reached Manali around 10AM, checked into the hotel. They had some problem with the reservations, got the rooms after a bit of delay.Its a decent hotel "Hotel Snow Park" conveniently located near the Mall. Hot water was there, an absolute essential in these parts,bathrooms were clean. Rooms were a bit small, thats okey for a night.
The hotel guy arranged a cab for local sighting and showed a travel agent who could arrange travel to Leh.Again needed cash, there are 2 SBI ATMS , one didnt have cash, the other one had a long queue, took a long time. The sun felt hot, piercingly hot, even though the atmosphere is generally cool, the sun hits you. It was expected we are around 1000m above msl.
Manali bus was to depart around 6 PM. Enquired with a travel agency which had its office in that building to be sure we are at the right place, they said to wait in FRONT of the building, while the bus was to arrive at the BACK of the building. After sometime was around 6:10 PM, thanks to a vendor, came to know that the bus waits at the back of the building. Scamperd back with that packed backpack, didnt miss the bus, it was IST timings ofcourse :).
Delhi appeared to be a very well planned city, its THE CAPITAL of course. Took abt 2 hrs to reach to reach the outskirts and soon we were doing > 100kph. The road was good and the traffic disciplined, not that the volvo guys care much abt traffic.Reached Chandigarh abt 2AM abd finally first signs of the Himalayas abt 5:30 AM.
The Himalays didnt disappoint, One glance and you know that these are the highest out there,imposingly standing, after all these have defined the culture, religion and history of India over many centuries.
After stopping for tea and refreshments , with Manali still 131 kms, the road entered the Beas valley. It looked splendid in the morning sun.
Finally reached Manali around 10AM, checked into the hotel. They had some problem with the reservations, got the rooms after a bit of delay.Its a decent hotel "Hotel Snow Park" conveniently located near the Mall. Hot water was there, an absolute essential in these parts,bathrooms were clean. Rooms were a bit small, thats okey for a night.
The hotel guy arranged a cab for local sighting and showed a travel agent who could arrange travel to Leh.Again needed cash, there are 2 SBI ATMS , one didnt have cash, the other one had a long queue, took a long time. The sun felt hot, piercingly hot, even though the atmosphere is generally cool, the sun hits you. It was expected we are around 1000m above msl.
July 4th On the flight to Delhi
Well more or less I am off. It didnt start off well though. I was pretty bitter from office. Having ambitions, trying to be in control is good, but for that things have to be planned.You cannot just drum in at the last minute and expect magic.I have very high hopes on fusion but the way the show is being managed makes me wonder if we will pull it through.
Other aspects of the trip are kicking in slowly, beginning to feel the solitude, my music, my thoughts , books and mother nature. The view from the flight never is boring!. Walk in the woods is quite promising, funny, light and cheerful. One line that sticks out is "Man I have shit out there". Its so manly, sniff the air around ! and proclaim your territory, well something like that!.
Delhi is going to be abit tricky. We are expected to land at 3 PM and then we have to reach Chanderlok building. NO idea where that is, how long its gonna take. We have to be there by 6 PM to catch the bus to Manali, withdraw cash, have some lunch and chatter more abt flows :(.
Sing us a song ohh piano man
Sing us a song tonight
We are all in the mood for melody
You got us feeling alright
Billy Joel is good :)
Other aspects of the trip are kicking in slowly, beginning to feel the solitude, my music, my thoughts , books and mother nature. The view from the flight never is boring!. Walk in the woods is quite promising, funny, light and cheerful. One line that sticks out is "Man I have shit out there". Its so manly, sniff the air around ! and proclaim your territory, well something like that!.
Delhi is going to be abit tricky. We are expected to land at 3 PM and then we have to reach Chanderlok building. NO idea where that is, how long its gonna take. We have to be there by 6 PM to catch the bus to Manali, withdraw cash, have some lunch and chatter more abt flows :(.
Sing us a song ohh piano man
Sing us a song tonight
We are all in the mood for melody
You got us feeling alright
Billy Joel is good :)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Stoking the fire on a dull morning
I am not sure when I am going to start logging the detailed itenary. Some memories do stand out, from the trek especially.
There was a group from NewZealand around 6-7 of them. They must be all around 60s or well past them!. Doing the same thing that we were doing, They will get up very early and always walk in a group. Around midday when I used to cross them, they will be still keeping up their steady pace. On the third day we came across the first of the river crossings , the water was not so deep around knee deep but the current was pretty strong, they crossed it without any fuss. Three of them will hold a walking stick and cross together, walking at an angle in the direction of the flow. They made it look so easy. After that we didn't see them the following day, we were trying to finish the trek a day earlier than the regular schedule. I will always remember them, things like this inspire you. When I grow old, If I grow old :), this incident is like, if they can, whats preventing me !.
On the 5th day came across this guy from Israel, He was trekking with his family, his daughter and wife. He is a guide by profession, was carrying all the detailed maps and doing it all alone, without the horses, guides etc.Another thing which he had was an altimeter and at that moment, it read 4730ms. Dont know if I will be able to do it, but I can imagine the bonding that this would create.
Its not even 10 days and I am dreaming of Nepal, possibly cause there is nothing much feeding my dream factory. Some homework that needs to be done.
1. Read up as much as possible on Maps, reading them, getting your orientation. Out there its very very important that you are on the right track.
2. Buy water proof gloves.
3. A good Swiss army knife.
4. A watch, which is totally water proof, has back light, altimeter.
5. Very good trekking shoes, need to research a lot on this.
6. Good quality sleeping bag, need research on this aswell.
7. Good quality walking poles, with compass.
8. More FITNESS, more cycling, gym and right food.
9. Knowledge of basic antidotes.
10. A waist pouch , for maps, ipod and other necessary stuff.
11. A Headlamp.
Lets see how it goes.
There was a group from NewZealand around 6-7 of them. They must be all around 60s or well past them!. Doing the same thing that we were doing, They will get up very early and always walk in a group. Around midday when I used to cross them, they will be still keeping up their steady pace. On the third day we came across the first of the river crossings , the water was not so deep around knee deep but the current was pretty strong, they crossed it without any fuss. Three of them will hold a walking stick and cross together, walking at an angle in the direction of the flow. They made it look so easy. After that we didn't see them the following day, we were trying to finish the trek a day earlier than the regular schedule. I will always remember them, things like this inspire you. When I grow old, If I grow old :), this incident is like, if they can, whats preventing me !.
On the 5th day came across this guy from Israel, He was trekking with his family, his daughter and wife. He is a guide by profession, was carrying all the detailed maps and doing it all alone, without the horses, guides etc.Another thing which he had was an altimeter and at that moment, it read 4730ms. Dont know if I will be able to do it, but I can imagine the bonding that this would create.
Its not even 10 days and I am dreaming of Nepal, possibly cause there is nothing much feeding my dream factory. Some homework that needs to be done.
1. Read up as much as possible on Maps, reading them, getting your orientation. Out there its very very important that you are on the right track.
2. Buy water proof gloves.
3. A good Swiss army knife.
4. A watch, which is totally water proof, has back light, altimeter.
5. Very good trekking shoes, need to research a lot on this.
6. Good quality sleeping bag, need research on this aswell.
7. Good quality walking poles, with compass.
8. More FITNESS, more cycling, gym and right food.
9. Knowledge of basic antidotes.
10. A waist pouch , for maps, ipod and other necessary stuff.
11. A Headlamp.
Lets see how it goes.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Back in One piece!
Well it was not that dangerous really, but there were moments for sure.First the drive from Manali to Keylong, the road was in a pretty bad shape , it was quite slippery as well, cause of the rain.
Then the drive from Keylong to Leh, when climbing the magnificent Gata Loops, it did feel a bit uneasy, that was the first real experience with altitude.
Leh was easy though, you feel breathless while walking on a flat piece of road, but then you kind of aspect it, and when you stop you tend to relax quickly, just a minor hiccup.
Drive through Khardung la was no big deal, no real altitude sickness feeling
While returning through Khardungla, getting stuck in snow and the subsequent trudge to the top,there was a slight concern for frostbite.
Then the trek, first night inside tent, I found it quite suffocating, It was around 2 AM in the morning, couldn't sleep, couldn't get out, cause it was really cold outside, I was thinking, how am I gonna spend 5 more nights in a tent ? Two people in a single tent was kind of crampy and am claustrophobic any way. I kept talking to myself about finding a solution, the solution was to sleep in reverse. Head of one to the toe of other, that just frees a little more space near your face. And work it did, slept pretty well after that.
This is one aspect of trekking,that stands out. Out there, you have to accept things the way they are and adjust, you don't have any other choice, Overcome all that nature and your own personality throws at you for the greater goal of making it to the end.
The last real scare came while climbing the top of Kongmarula, when climbing the last strech, it started to snow ,turned to hail, with thunder and wind. I was scared as scared as ever in my life, but never thought of turning back. There was the altitude and th fear of lightening as well, we were approaching 5300ms and I have never exerted myself at that altitude.
Thats the fun though, being where you have never been. In a way looking at life and asking what else you have got? felt that way. Standing on top of the pass I was sure of myself, sure as I have never been before. Its an amazing feeling to have the trust in yourself, in your spirit, in your body, it makes you very calm.
At the end of it all, you just say "It was walk in the park really". Well there is great deal more respect for nature now as much as for yourself. The other thing that got me excited was , I can be back here, my body reacted pretty well to the altitude, Some other day, some other peak, some other adventure !
Will update day be day itinerary as and when I find time to go through my diary and the voice recordings.
Then the drive from Keylong to Leh, when climbing the magnificent Gata Loops, it did feel a bit uneasy, that was the first real experience with altitude.
Leh was easy though, you feel breathless while walking on a flat piece of road, but then you kind of aspect it, and when you stop you tend to relax quickly, just a minor hiccup.
Drive through Khardung la was no big deal, no real altitude sickness feeling
While returning through Khardungla, getting stuck in snow and the subsequent trudge to the top,there was a slight concern for frostbite.
Then the trek, first night inside tent, I found it quite suffocating, It was around 2 AM in the morning, couldn't sleep, couldn't get out, cause it was really cold outside, I was thinking, how am I gonna spend 5 more nights in a tent ? Two people in a single tent was kind of crampy and am claustrophobic any way. I kept talking to myself about finding a solution, the solution was to sleep in reverse. Head of one to the toe of other, that just frees a little more space near your face. And work it did, slept pretty well after that.
This is one aspect of trekking,that stands out. Out there, you have to accept things the way they are and adjust, you don't have any other choice, Overcome all that nature and your own personality throws at you for the greater goal of making it to the end.
The last real scare came while climbing the top of Kongmarula, when climbing the last strech, it started to snow ,turned to hail, with thunder and wind. I was scared as scared as ever in my life, but never thought of turning back. There was the altitude and th fear of lightening as well, we were approaching 5300ms and I have never exerted myself at that altitude.
Thats the fun though, being where you have never been. In a way looking at life and asking what else you have got? felt that way. Standing on top of the pass I was sure of myself, sure as I have never been before. Its an amazing feeling to have the trust in yourself, in your spirit, in your body, it makes you very calm.
At the end of it all, you just say "It was walk in the park really". Well there is great deal more respect for nature now as much as for yourself. The other thing that got me excited was , I can be back here, my body reacted pretty well to the altitude, Some other day, some other peak, some other adventure !
Will update day be day itinerary as and when I find time to go through my diary and the voice recordings.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
So Long!
Probably the last update .... I didn't like the way I started that. Of course I will come back, what I meant was I wont be having internet access for quite some time so no updates in between.
Tomorrow we start, essentially my longest and most ambitious travel plan so far, not to say the most expensive. Packing is almost done, I am not being too serious abt it, no matter what I will definitely leave a few things behind. Some of it I will suddenly remember after abt 1~2 kms from home, others when I need them and don't find them. This has been a pattern , Its so easy when u make peace with something, you accept it the way it is, so I am not too worried abt the packing.
564 pics per memory card so in total abt 1100 pics, would have loved to strech it but 4GB memory cards don't work with D50. Will have to pick some books, tonight I pick some in Crossword, but they don't really stock travel books , so will have to try my luck at the airport and then in Manali and Leh. Lonely planet recommends a few bookshops there, so hopeful to find what I am looking for.
Ipod is ready with Rock and Country and Prayers , would have loved to add some more variety , but the machine crash a month back didn't help, it takes time to reconstruct the collection.
Teh only thing I feel I am not really prepared for is Cold, my winter wear is pretty scant thanks to the temp in Hyderabad. So banking on stuff available on rent in Leh.Something ominous, I feel I am going to have cold, Its not really cold here but suddenly its feeling that way, you know, the way it feels before u actually catch cold.
Should have taken some pills for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) but no time for that, Planning to do that either in Manali or Leh.Would have loved to carry an altimeter, but no time for that now.
Couple of things that I intend to buy today are
a) Voice recorder
b) Flash light
c) 1 pen/1 pencil. don't know if pens will work in that cold.(Sometimes I am surprised by my smartness :), really this was an impromptu thought, I didn't read it anywhere,you might say its common knowledge, but hey its my blog, and I have a weakness towards indulgence).
So see you on the other side of the trip!
Tomorrow we start, essentially my longest and most ambitious travel plan so far, not to say the most expensive. Packing is almost done, I am not being too serious abt it, no matter what I will definitely leave a few things behind. Some of it I will suddenly remember after abt 1~2 kms from home, others when I need them and don't find them. This has been a pattern , Its so easy when u make peace with something, you accept it the way it is, so I am not too worried abt the packing.
564 pics per memory card so in total abt 1100 pics, would have loved to strech it but 4GB memory cards don't work with D50. Will have to pick some books, tonight I pick some in Crossword, but they don't really stock travel books , so will have to try my luck at the airport and then in Manali and Leh. Lonely planet recommends a few bookshops there, so hopeful to find what I am looking for.
Ipod is ready with Rock and Country and Prayers , would have loved to add some more variety , but the machine crash a month back didn't help, it takes time to reconstruct the collection.
Teh only thing I feel I am not really prepared for is Cold, my winter wear is pretty scant thanks to the temp in Hyderabad. So banking on stuff available on rent in Leh.Something ominous, I feel I am going to have cold, Its not really cold here but suddenly its feeling that way, you know, the way it feels before u actually catch cold.
Should have taken some pills for Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) but no time for that, Planning to do that either in Manali or Leh.Would have loved to carry an altimeter, but no time for that now.
Couple of things that I intend to buy today are
a) Voice recorder
b) Flash light
c) 1 pen/1 pencil. don't know if pens will work in that cold.(Sometimes I am surprised by my smartness :), really this was an impromptu thought, I didn't read it anywhere,you might say its common knowledge, but hey its my blog, and I have a weakness towards indulgence).
So see you on the other side of the trip!
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