I have not trekked Himalayas or been to a buddhist monastery
in Nepal. But have visited some of the places I thought I would never go. Be it
getting cheated in the Calcutta temple or walking through Mysore brindavan gardens
or taking the most exotic and amazing 14 Km girivalam, It’s all worth it
I sit in my beautiful balcony I can feel a mild wind blowing and green trees dancing to it.There is sudden thunderstorm and lightening.I begin to dream of that one place I would want to visit in my life.
I have heard people say Mauritius ,Venice ,Greece,Rome ,Australia.They do excite me, but not as much this place where I have spent four Summer holidays.
Up in the hills,5000 ft tall ,this is the place where western Ghats decided to grow taller.It is called Kodaiyar.Its a grueling 5 hrs ride in the mountains.I can never forget the first time we went to this place.I was 10 yrs old.My dad used to work for the electricity board.He was posted in Kodaiyar. It was known for its ruthless terrain and unpredictable climate.A posting in Kodaiyar means we go to Kodaiyar for 2 months in summer.
I was excited to go to a new place.But the thought that I cannot play with my school mates disappointed me.My dad has already explained about the vast mountains,dense forests,river and wild animals in there. So I was geared up for a adventurous trip.We went to Kalidaikuruchi a 2 hour ride in the bus from my house.I became tired waiting for the mountains.
"Meee..when will the mountains come?" I ask my mom.
She silenced me thrusting a muruku in my hands.That satisfied me.I began to gaze outside the window already angry at my sleeping sister who had grabbed the window seat.After what seemed to be long wait and anxiety, we got down at
Kalidaikuruchi and caught the bus to Kodaiyar.I,being very alert raced for the window seat and I got it. The dream journey began.The bus travelled around the myriad hairpin bends through the dense trees.Me and my sister identified certain trees.
"look Orange"..I shouted
"Look there is a teak tree " shouted my sister equalling the score
"Look that's a maina " I shouted feeling proud.There was a tension in the air.After few minutes my sister shouted
"Look monkey" there was excitement around.My mom and dad were also interested.There was a renewed interest in the front seats also.And my sister pointed me giggling.My mom smiled appreciatively at her sense of humour.
That was a great insult.I glared at her.I could feel blood flushing from my face.Then I turned towards the window.The only escape from the current humiliating scene.I got hold of the window bars and kept my face on the chillness of the grill.The wind seemed to soothe me .My rough hair was flying uncontrollably on my face as if they will scratch me.I could feel the moisture in my face.
I caught the sight of tall far fetched trees and the beautiful mountains capped with moving mist.I dint know how long I was like that .but I had fallen in love with that place. Added to it was the excitement of the curvaceous hairpin bends with mountains on one side and deep valley of nothingness on the other.
"You know what will happen if this bus slips?" asked my dad.He paused for a dramatic effect in our already wide open eyes.
"That's it.No one can escape death" he said.
I clutched my sisters hand tightly.I remembered the monkey joke and quickly removed my hand.
I turned to face the window again. I was awestruck by the sudden beautiful sight.Looking like a neatly laid green carpet were the tea plants as if god painted the mountain in one brush stroke.It was just green for the next 10 hairpin bends and then bus pulled to stop.The board read Manjolai tea estate.We have rode 3 hours already.There was a tea shop and some local shops.
"Meee..I want vadai and tea" looking at the tea shop and the waffling smell from it.My mom fixed me with a glance and said
"It is mountainous.The ride up is very curvy.U ll puke" she said thrusting a big lemon into my hands.
"here smell this" It was too big that I had to hold it with both the hands.
I tried to observe the tea plantations closely.In equally placed line there were women plucking the tea leaves.They seemed to pluck the tea leaves with two hands rhythmically as if they were dancing to some virtual music.All of them had colourful scarfs around their head and a basket in the back.The leaves never seemed to miss the basket as they threw the leaves into it with same rhythm.I was already excited about this place.If this is so beautiful what will it be after 2 hours.I could not contain my happiness.
My dad returned back to the bus.He explained how the tea leaves are processed to make the brown tea powder.
"Dad I want to be a Tea plucker in the future " I shouted very proud of my decision.I suddenly realised that I had shouted little loudly to attract attention.But was disappointed to see there was no appreciation around.The front seat people were
smiling as if it was funny.
My dad said calmly " OK OK we will see later".
Today is not my day.I dint say anything wrong .But this is my place I thought.I was already dreaming about living there as a tea plucker.I am not sure what attracted me.If it was the beautiful mountains or the tea plantations or their scarfs
Then the bus started to move.I began to wave frantically at the tea pluckers.The lemon in my hand rolled away.I dint care. The tea pluckers just smiled at me.but did not stop picking. I could see another hand waving from my window.It was my sister.
"I want to be a tea plucker too" she said. At that moment I forgave her for the monkey joke and loved her the most.
