Serendipitous Siliguri!

The moment I landed in Bagdogra, the first thought that crossed my mind was

"Someday, I'll come here for my trek"

Siliguri for work was never on my mind to begin with!

Gosh, so much I love new places.. I find myself smiling every time I travel, most of the time, throughout, without any reason and it comes naturally! 

And I try to control it every time I find a curve on my lips, crazy happy kid! :)

My journey began with very weird incidences an evening before my travel, long long story which I would not like to discuss. :P

I landed in Siliguri on Thursday afternoon, in a super hot weather, coming from Delhi, I was wearing a sweater and a jacket and since, a friend told me it's cold in Siliguri, I was carrying a leather jacket too. 

Definition of cold for someone living in Delhi and in love with snow is a bit different. I landed here and was all in sweat instantly, like I was in Chennai.. Ah, my Chennai Love! :P

Soon after check-in, I left for work, my work here was to be a part of an event organized by my company, and just to tell you it was a 'food festival' and people in East are crazy about food. And I was traveling alone from our North office.

This place felt so much like Calcutta but without yellow taxis and Rosogullas, the day ends here by 5pm, you can see dark night sky and bright moon by 5pm.

It was a feeling like what  you feel between Delhi and Chandigarh, Chandigarh is organized though. :P

I met people from my Calcutta team here, luckily, the guy I met on day 1 was a half Delhiite, he lived in Gurgaon for almost 12 years, so we had quite a lot to talk about. From Rice Liquor in Gurgaon to Korean Coffee to the most happening places and the life, THE LIFE IN GURGAON! Crazy! 

Of course, who knows about life in Gurgaon better than me. :P

On day 1, I tried the famous Singada which is known as Samosa, and Puchka, our very own Golgappa in Delhi.

On coming back to our hotel, we tried local food for dinner, another different thing here was, everything you eat is made of refined flour, no wheat flour.. forget instant breads, even rotis, parathas, pooris were made of refined flour. Not trying to act pricey, ate whatever I got quietly. In Delhi, I avoid brown breads too, here I was eating white chapatis! And was loving it, thoroughly! :P

Next day, more people joined us from Calcutta and the group was now a big one. Too many people, too much to listen to.

One more thing I have noticed in Calcutta people is, they are too possessive about their city.

I was having breakfast with someone from the city, must be in his 50s, during a general discussion, I was telling him how similar I find Siliguri and Calcutta, on which he argued as if I said something very disrespectful. I mean, It's my experience and observation, indeed no two cities are same but they tend to resemble. He defended Calcutta by saying there is no other place like Calcutta in India. Ah! Right!  

I like Calcutta, It's slow, calm and relaxed like no other metropolitan. Best of both worlds, life in metro with a peace of small town, absolutely chilled out!

But then I love Bombay, so amazingly fast and happening and safe and what not! 

It was writing about Siliguri and I am roaming in India. :P

I seriously feel my Siliguri trip was Serendipity, I never expected it, nor looking for it but I am really happy it happened. :-) :-)

I enjoyed every bit of it with work, though, it was very hectic but I really cherished it all this while.

December is here and my history of Decembers is crazy, already started with a super exciting and mad one. :P

By the way, I finished few more books and already halfway through my next one, which makes it 8 in November and since my December is here let's see how many more I'll be able to finish! :P

For me December is Devil's month, all my demons are highly active, creating mess in my head and life.  

Dear God, I love you. Please take care of my people and please please help me sailing through December! :* :*

P.S.- Belated Happy Birthday Pearl :)

Heart vs Brain- On midnight Snacking!

Now a days it's happening more frequently.. On almost everything there is a conflict going on between my stupid heart and stubborn brain... today.. it's on midnight snacking...

11pm

Heart- I am hungry!

Brain- Go, eat paneer.

Heart- I wanna have something unhealthy and delicious.. you know something like butter popcorn or creamy cheesy pasta or crunchy buttery cornflakes :D

Brain- shut up! It's 11pm.. it's not the right time.. have warm water.. and go to sleep.. .

Heart- dude, I could have asked for pina colada or beer or LIT... I am just asking for snacks.. that too light ones.

Brain- huh!

Heart- and I always consider your opinions.

Brain- As if you listen to me!

Heart- Whatever!

Brain- Go. Eat. Brush. Sleep. And don't irritate me. You have to get up early.

Heart- you are a sweetheart ;-)

And this is how I ended up stuffing myself with snacks... :P

Brain is so right sometimes. :P

Good night God... Muaah.

Where there is a WILL!

My mom always say "where there is a will there is a way"...

My upbringing was very different than other kids... I was really naughty as a child and my parents never tried to tame me... I was left on my own to make decisions since I was a small kid... I was never forced to study while other kids were compelled by their families to score well.. My parents always told me the relevance of things and left it on me to decide whether I want it or not... I was always allowed to play outside, climb on trees, watch TV and do whatever I wanted to do...

And trust me the result was amazing... I always used to score well and most of the times used to top in my class plus I was independent from the very beginning... I was always involved in sports, extra curricular and later on in students' union..

I was independent, rebellious and responsible. I made rules for myself and had no limits. For I knew I can do everything I ever I wanted to.

I sincerely believe we should have one person apart from our family whom we can trust blindly... Someone who can advice us from a broader perspective of the world outside.

Once my super boss who is like a Godfather to me shared something from his work experience... He said "I joined this organisation as a customer care executive 12 years back... I worked day and night to build this.... In the course of my journey, I met many people who were better than me in terms of skill-set, communication, contacts, experience and many other things... But, I outgrown them for just one reason.. I had a will to grow which was stronger than anyone else and I never gave up.. So, if you are willing to grow nothing can stop you!" and today he is heading North India for the organisation.

Although there are many things I get inspired from.. This is something I always keep in my mind.. If your will to do something is strong enough and you work hard for it... You'll eventually get it.

Yes, there are outside factors.. and they might not support you but these all are just supporting elements... Faith is the biggest thing.

I'll share an example, in school I was always a language topper and my English & Hindi teachers always admired my command over language plus the ability to put my mind forward... It encouraged me to deliver my best... But, in class 9th's final exam my English paper was checked by some teacher who had certain grudges against me and had her own pets in class. I scored just passing marks after doing my best and I stood 2nd in class.. I lost my rank by 3 marks... And the difference in my marks in English with the topper was of 40..

I cried, felt shattered.. did everything I could.. Being rebellious makes you a fighter without any fear plus I always knew my family never stopped me from doing what was right..

Well, nothing happened. I stopped everything... I focused again on my studies... Worked hard and I topped my school in all languages in board exams. I was called on stage and given a medal for the same. In front of all the students and the teachers. And that was my answer.

So, people might misuse their power to pull you down at times but there is a power above all of us... That power knows us and if we are good at heart... Honest in our efforts.. No one can stop us from growing.. If not one place... May be some other...

I strongly believe.. Will makes things easier & faith makes them possible.. So, be kind... Work hard, decide it and do it...

There is a quote in Hindi too- "Nishchaye kar apni jeet karo"

I really wish to write more on this.. But, I am getting late for work... :D

So, go rise & shine.

Thank you God for everything... Take care of my people.. Love you :-))

Love at First Sight- Snowline!

TRIUND

SNOWLINE

MCLEODGANJ

SHIVA CAFE

I strongly believe in love whether its family or friends or lover or animals or life or any other form.

And love at first sight is something I learnt from travel... Every time I step on to a new land I fell in love at the first feel of it... I love every sunrise and sunset in a new place... Star gazing... the air, the feel and every damn thing... And just to be a part of it is an unmatchable feeling... I discover a different me every time I travel... And that’s why I love it to the core.

My 2016 came with new surprises; I always wanted to see snow... And my first trip of this New Year fulfilled my 2 dreams- My experience with Snow and Triund trek.

Triund trek was something I was planning since 2014 and somehow I was not able to go... one or the other reason. So, I decided to go solo... I searched a group online going for the same and joined them.

And the adventure began....

It was 3 day Snow-trek to Triund & Snowline. Triund is a place above Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh and Snowline is 4 kms above Triund.

I met 15 strangers during my trek... They were from Mumbai & Pune... And we started our journey.

The temperature was -6 degrees and was dead cold. The only life saviour was fire but we had no wood to burn on day 1 so we just played antakshari... Not even for a second I felt I was meeting these people for the first time... May be travel makes me feel at home and everyone I meet like a family... :-)

Night 1 was deadly without fire... we were all freezing...

Next morning we had to trek to Snowline to meet ‘the snow’ :), I was super excited as this was going to be my first experience with snow... and what a sight... :) I was totally mesmerised... I didn’t realise I was sitting alone for quite some time... Totally hypnotised...

We came back by lunch time and had awesome vegetable pulao... couldn’t be any better!

As the evening was approaching we were all scared of the cold night... In the evening we again went for a short trek to the other side of the mountain and enjoyed the sunset... by the time we came back it was almost dark... We enjoyed star gazing and started bon-fire... Aah great relief... We started fire at 7pm... And refused to get up at all... had dinner by the fire, talked about different things, discussed game of thrones, Sherlock, suits and every thing... played antakshri... By 11 fire was almost over... we were still sitting there trying to manage some heat from the left over.... We managed till 1.30am... Night was good till then :P

Temperature was too low... we all decided to sleep... The tents were frozen, the dew on the surface turned into ice... deadly it was... I somehow managed to slip inside my sleeping bag and tried sleeping....

We all never loved sunrise so much, as sun was the only relief in the cold weather...

Once again the night was over and sunshine was all around... We quickly ate breakfast and came back to Mcleodganj.

Since, it was our last day, we had to explore the cafes, markets and the most talked about Bhagsu falls and Shiva Cafe..

I quickly grabbed my Espresso & lemon ginger honey, changed and left for Shiva Cafe in between I managed to shop some woollen socks and cap... It was again a short trek of around 2 kms...  But it was all worth it. The place was heavenly and the view was beautiful... We ate maggi there... Generally people go there to smoke up and get high... That’s one reason you won’t find many girls up there.

The day was coming to an end and we had to leave. We quickly came back packed stuff... on the way we grabbed pastries , bhelpuri, golgappe, gulabjamun, spinach momos and everything else :P

It was already 7.30pm and our bus was at 7.50pm.. We rushed and managed to reach on time...

Next sunrise was in Delhi, and after coming back I caught tonsillitis... Which is now getting severe than ever.. And might have to get operated (as per the doc) :P

Too much fun and now too much pain... Let’s see ;-)

But, I wanted to jot it down before getting admitted.. By the way, I am already planning my next venture... Will update soon...

Love you God, Take care of my people... muuuaaah  :* :)))

I am an Addict!

O Yes! I am an addict.. A Travel addict...

Like Ranbir said in Ye jawani hai Deewani- “Main udna chahta hoon, daudna chahta hoon, girna bhi chahta hoon ... bus rukna nahi chahta”

I dunno what it is... But, I keep on reading about travel when I am not travelling... I don’t precisely know what addiction is all about, but, I crave to visit new places.... I love travelling... No matter to which place... for me its new... I love nature; I love different cultures, the food, the sunrise, the sunset, the journey, the air, the water and the feeling of my being in a new place...

It gives me immense happiness when I travel to a new destination, and when I am not travelling (I mean sitting in office or at home) I dream about my next travel, I plan another trip.... I read about destinations, I make a list of what is missing in my travel bag... For me... I never unpack my bag... ;-)

My weekends when I travel are more relaxing than the ones I spend at home... Its weird I know but it’s true....

When I am unable to travel to any new place for a month or so I feel upset and depressed... It’s a same feeling which I get when I skip my espresso... you know that addiction wali feeling...

Travel makes me happy... it gives me enormous pleasure to be able to breathe in a different air.... It’s like my basic need... and nothing else can fulfil it... No coffee no shopping no food nothing...

Whenever I visit a beautiful place I feel I leave a part of my heart there and it remains with me... though... I forget everything in maximum 3 days.... Thanks to my memory... I can’t remember anything.... but the feel stays in me.... A connection with that place... A pull that calls me back....

It’s a passion in me which is only growing stronger day by day... Dunno where I will end up... But... wherever it may be... all I really wish is to travel travel and travel for the rest of my life...

God, please help me.... I promise I’ll try to be a better person, but please help me... Love you.... Bless my people... :)

'Shopping festival: Two days @trade fair'- 2

DAY 2

In just 7-8 times, I travel in metro like a pro.. :D.. Lol I don't believe I wrote an entire post on travelling in a metro... crazy me... Now, I enter in a metro station runs towards 'women only' coach and reach my destination wherever it may be... I find Metro convenient.. :-))

Coming to my second day of shopping at IITF... It wasn't there in my day's plan... But, since, I was highly motivated to go to IITF again and knowing the fact I had only one Sunday... I decided to sacrifice... :P

My 'Mela shopping buddy' was running in Delhi Marathon... So, I called up another friend and asked 'trade fair chalna hai' and in a fraction of second he said 'chal'...

It was 10.30am... And we met at Pragati Maidan metro at 12.30pm... Though, I am somewhat new to the list of metro travellers... I have never seen this much crowd at one place ever in my life... :-P.. I was not walking... I was pushed to move ahead... :P

Fighting through the crowd... I reached outside and waited for my friend.. He joined me in 5mins. . We started walking... Walking and walking :P

Entered inside the trade fair.. And started checking out stuff...

Oh! I can't explain the kind of perfumes I checked out at Bahrain's stall... It was heavenly... That fragrance was mesmerizing... I was sticking there for almost 15 mins to bargain since it was very expensive... But, I failed to bargain... We moved forward... All the while I was thinking of those perfumes... But, no worries... I'll buy them from Bahrain itself... ;-)) :-)

I was very interested in visiting Pakistan pavilion once again for the awesome stuff I bought on Saturday... I got some more on Sunday...

This time I bought chocolates, jellies and more stuff to eat for family... And we ate a lot there as well... :P

In evening around 5-5.30pm we heard Sufi music sound coming from open theatre.. We checked out it was amazing... A live band was playing... We stopped there for a while and decided to come back after some more shopping... We shopped more...

And.. in the end @6.30pm... We went and enjoyed open theatre dance performances for dunno how long... Rejuvenating it was after a long tiring day... I was lost in music... :-))

We left around 7.15pm... And I directly carried on with my pending weekend tasks... Reached home by 11pm... Super duper tired...

But, both days were great... I clicked less pictures on day 2... Sharing them below...

Pearl's 5th birthday is coming very soon... yayyy.. I am excited :-))

Thank you God, for being there... Please give me strength and bless my people... :-)