I always loved last minute plans. But birthdays are something that you wouldn't want to screw up with, planning in the last hour. So I carefully started planning over a month in advance- weekend getaway options, friends, budget, dates, leaves, permissions- the check list was ready. All me and my friends couldn't decide on was a destination.
May 22, 4 pm: My friends were on time to pick me up, but neither of us knew where we are headed to. As we reached to pick up another friend, we fought over destinations. Mr. Adventurous Aakash wanted to explore a new place every hour. He sometimes wanted to go to Ooty and sometimes wanted to visit Dandeli and oh yes, Kabini Jungle resort and the list goes on. Mr I-agree-with-everything Aditya was obviously agreeing with whatever places Mr adventurous threw. Then we picked up Ms I-only-want-mobile-hotspot Priyanka, who just like Aditya, agreed with everything, as long as she had access to Internet :P. But Bengaluru was a place I personally wanted to visit. On my birthday, I wanted to be around my favourite people and Bengaluru hosts two of my best friends, so the choice was obvious. (P.S. I had never been to the city previously.)
9 pm: We realised we would be reaching Bengaluru in next 3 hours (at least that's what we assumed) but still did not have an accommodation. But hey, din't I tell you about how awesome last-minute plans are? We quickly stopped by, booked an accommodation we had been dodging for over 48 hours and voila! the plan seemed to have fallen into place. As we passed by, Priyanka, a devotee of lord Hanuman, spotted a temple and said that we must visit it. We heard her and moved on.
May 22, 4 pm: My friends were on time to pick me up, but neither of us knew where we are headed to. As we reached to pick up another friend, we fought over destinations. Mr. Adventurous Aakash wanted to explore a new place every hour. He sometimes wanted to go to Ooty and sometimes wanted to visit Dandeli and oh yes, Kabini Jungle resort and the list goes on. Mr I-agree-with-everything Aditya was obviously agreeing with whatever places Mr adventurous threw. Then we picked up Ms I-only-want-mobile-hotspot Priyanka, who just like Aditya, agreed with everything, as long as she had access to Internet :P. But Bengaluru was a place I personally wanted to visit. On my birthday, I wanted to be around my favourite people and Bengaluru hosts two of my best friends, so the choice was obvious. (P.S. I had never been to the city previously.)
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| Disney fan :P |
9 pm: We realised we would be reaching Bengaluru in next 3 hours (at least that's what we assumed) but still did not have an accommodation. But hey, din't I tell you about how awesome last-minute plans are? We quickly stopped by, booked an accommodation we had been dodging for over 48 hours and voila! the plan seemed to have fallen into place. As we passed by, Priyanka, a devotee of lord Hanuman, spotted a temple and said that we must visit it. We heard her and moved on.
2.30 am: As we reached Bengaluru, we were overwhelmed to have been welcomed by four street dogs (read angry street dogs). But the apartment made up for everything. A private terrace, a studio apartment, a room of our own and with the best people around me, the best way to kickstart my birthday. :D You know the best part? Mr Adventurous (oh, and did I say nature lover) Aakash was still fighting over the destination we must explore 200 kilometres away from the city. But did we care? Oh yes, we did. But that night we retired to our beds as all of us were tired. But Mr I-agree-with-everything Aditya agreed to stay awake since I wasn't sleepy. Did I mention how awesome late night conversations are? Ok, now you know. Oh btw, it was Priyanka who wished me first (followed by Aditya and Aakash). Whoever she informed about the plan were upset and secretly wished that it got cancelled, but she made it to the trip. Speaks volumes about how much she loves me and I love her moreeee. (Ok, she doesn't like PDA :P)
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| My favourite people- Sharath, Akash, me, Aakash, Aditya and Priyanka. That's Sharath's favourite pose btw :P Like he always says, 'PEACE' :P
Next stop: Look your best and go party! The best way to bring down the birthday. My beautiful group of friends :*
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Last day of trip: We woke up at 3:30 am to fulfill one last desire of Aakash, to visit Nandi Hills. And god, do I regret? The place was so beautiful. As we drove by the foggy roads, steady drizzle, we surely experienced bliss. As I quietly sat at a corner, lost in the beauty, wishing I could stay there for longer... not interacting... just me, my thoughts and a lot of peace. Just as I was lost in thoughts, Priyanka took me along for a few photos. And then we left for Hyderabad, never wanting to depart.
Of course no, the story doesn't end here. Life isn't a bed of roses. You need to experience a few thorns as well. If everything went right, what stories would I have shared with you. Things had to go wrong, at least for my blog.
TRIP Part 2:
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| Aditya and Aakash trying to change the tyre. Bad photography credit: Priyanka :P As we were excited about being just two hours away from home, our car decided to give up. We experienced everything that you would while on a road trip, as they show in movies - car breaking down, strangers stopping by to see what is wrong, passerby, more passerby and then finally that one good soul that decides to help when you almost give up. |
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| Hero Aditya with superhero Mahesh :P |
Mahesh, resident of a nearby village, was passing by with two of his friends when he noticed us and stopped by. We asked him if he could take one of us to the nearest puncture shop, which he did. He helped us get the mechanic till the car and we thought he is doing it for a few quick bucks. But when we offered him money, he politely refused and stayed with us till the car was fine. Though the car wasn't absolutely fine, we had to drive depending on two screws or bolts or whatever you call them, and had to restrict ourselves to 60 km/hr to 70km/hr, I was glad that Mahesh did what he could to help us without expecting anything in return. Imagine, what would have happened if help did not arrive while my friends were trying hard to do their bit in the scorching sun.
While we sat at a hut-shaped shop that sold food near the puncture repair point, we noticed a Hanuman temple right next to us (remember Priyanka wanted to visit one?) Coincidence much? At least I thought so. :)
We later reached Hyderabad, but not without our share of memories. There were many firsts during this trip- First road trip with friends (travelling over a thousand kms), first time got birthday bumps, first time a sense of independence induced into us and a lot more. Though the trip was just for 3 days, it gave me memories that would last a lifetime.
Priyanka, Aakash and Aditya, thank you so much for making it happen. And as we know, APAN awesome :)
Cheers!
As I finish writing this blog at 3.30 am, I realise that late night conversations are the best. It is that hour of the day when you are most comfortable talking about anything. Agree?
We later reached Hyderabad, but not without our share of memories. There were many firsts during this trip- First road trip with friends (travelling over a thousand kms), first time got birthday bumps, first time a sense of independence induced into us and a lot more. Though the trip was just for 3 days, it gave me memories that would last a lifetime.
Priyanka, Aakash and Aditya, thank you so much for making it happen. And as we know, APAN awesome :)
Cheers!
As I finish writing this blog at 3.30 am, I realise that late night conversations are the best. It is that hour of the day when you are most comfortable talking about anything. Agree?
