Seemed like one of those victory dances in ancient medieval ages – being given the opportunity to get that much awaited break after long hours of hard work @office. As usual the challenge to selecting a place/runaway spot for weekend is a real tough one - specially when the team size is around 30-35!!! So we ended up selecting Bhimtal and thats when this story began.
Different people might have different versions of it but this is my blog and my version - so any one has a problem, please go and take up the pains to write their own version...
So here's my little story which I'm hope adds value to all the folks who are looking for a small weekend getaway. As an official trip - didnt sound much - I mean Bimtal was just 1 of the 9 lakes such as Nainital situated in a valley. We spoke to a few travel sites to organize a trip for a day or two. The best deal was to Bhimtal - so the fact that we lacked options - we say a dim yes.
We head out on a delux AC bus on a busy friday night from Noida at 12AM. Team was of approx 30 people - every single soul looking for a break away from the hush - mush of the city life - which we are so used to now-a-days.
Weather changed in about 2-3hrs and it was pouring. Apparently its risky to drive in the hills specially during rains - being blessed with land slides etc - but we were looking for some serious fun..jpg)
Journey was adorned by songs (which sounded totally out of sync & would bring shame to the original singers) coming from the rear of the bus as groups began the usual antakshari and Dumb Charades etc. All in good fun – with frequent boosters from Deepali and Vivek to infuse new life into the theme whenever spirits felt low due to motion sickness being introduced by the amazing palace on wheels. It was our time and we intended to reclaim it back – totally.
Good thing that the driver’s section was barred by a somewhat sound proof glass partition else there could have been screams such as “Nahiiiiiiii ab saha nahi jata – bas karo!!!!” but he was safe from our award winning bathroom singers who would over shadow the worst 3rd Degree torture.
With Pepsi bottles being tossed around which tasted like 50% soft drinks and 50% Bacardi – it didn’t take much time for silence to prevail as everyone snuggled into their little seats and pretended to be a log. Ahhh – finally …Peace at last.
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DAY 2 - (Rejuvenation)
In the early hours of the morning we reached our destination – Country Inn resort located a few kilometer above
Every story has a villain and a hero - apparently this one had leaders, followers and "Oh what the hell" type of people. And I must add - remember you are unique - just like every one else! Enthusiasm had its own definition for everyone - some went into a cocoon for hibernation, some frantically looked around "where's the booze???" while other gazed out to find some NATURAL BEAUTY - again the definition varies from person to person.
Breakfast was like a breath of fresh air after that cramped up drive of 8 hrs all the way from Delhi. Everyone ate to their heart's content - and wow warm tea/coffee tasted even better in this amazing weather.
No journey is complete without accidents and mishaps - so our hero emerged as Abhinav Katiyar who unknowingly volunteered as that guinea pig. The devil is disguise was the popular game for Indians called Cricket. Nature has its own way of avenging sins committed in your present life - so Mr.Abhinav happened to climb up on a bolder for catching the ball and got hit - nightmare coming back to life...its payback time!
TL went up the hill to catch a ball of rubber, he fell down & broke his crown and a boulder came tumbling after.
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In no time we had ourselves a casualty – with hotel staff frantically calling in for medical aid and 99acres team members paying flying visits to check out Mr.Abhinav as he bravely explained his latest fiasco in a very graphic fashion. People rolled with laughter and as a part of human nature – someone’s agony became amusement for others but less did we know that fate had some surprise in store for all of us.
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In a very filmy fashion, the reception told us the nearest hospital was 20 kms away – hummm I always wanted to sit in an ambulance and tear through the traffic with that loud siren but alas the doctor turned up (courtesies of the hotel). With a quick tit-back (I’m not sure where he got it though) our TL was back on his feet – but this time he had won himself a new name – “Langra Tyagi” as we all declared. What a cruel world I tell you…oh did I mention that it was my idea to call him by that name?
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Abhinav’s face resembled that popular Savlon commercial – “Tumhey kya pata - nahi nahi jaleyga”. As we diluted Dettol to create a white viscous fluid which he used to gently washed off his wounded left leg. Mr. Long legs as we used to call him – was wearing a pair of white shorts which now had patches of green and black – like a memento of his adventure. This made him look like one of those run away kids from school wearing clothes which had grown short – but for Abhinav, it was a style statement of some sort - I guess.
Award for Excellence - to Mr.Katiyar(Artificial Intelligence can never challenge real stupidity)
I soon took a dip into the pool to relax my spirits and get back into the action. After over 2 hours of swimming, I was dead tired – but then came in this ridiculous idea of watching Die Hard – 4 on the laptop. It was funny but we were way too tired for any sort of outdoor physical activity anymore.
Guitar tunes from Hotel California
As the evening began – we soon gathered in the small hall which was named “Mehfil” – any guesses why??? Booze + Music = Well a whole bunch of people who can’t tell the moon from the sun since god had switched off the lights.
We had managed an amazing local Guitarist (Amit) and also a singer to add sparkles to our evening. As he played and sang to us our favorite tunes – suddenly we had been transported back to college days of “Purani Jeans aur Guitar”.
Soon the entire group was humming their favorite numbers and then of course was this little request game which kicked off – with all sorts of requests coming up from Ghazals to Country Music & from Rock to Romantic numbers. “Mera wala gana”…as we claimed.
People seemed a bit confused – on one end was the little in house dance floor situated right next to our “Mehfil” which according to directives given by Uttaranchal Government would shut down after 11PM. We had a hand full of people catapulting between guitar beats and dance beats of the huge speakers which thumped away in the room near by. At times the loud music seemed like it would scare away all the wild animals which might have found refuge in the wilderness around us and the seasonal birds which would have migrated to this area would give up their new born and commit suicide in the calm Bhimtal lake.
However our lone guitarist kept up his tunes till the end & we being cruel by nature – did not let him stop till his fingers gave up. This was apparently when all the booze which we had smuggled in from
In the midst of all this action – we had forgotten than there were 3 people in our group who had their birthdays lined up. For reference sakes lets call them Mrs.T, Mr.L & Mr.N. And since we were all in a party mood – we thought it to be a good sport to celebrate it on the pool side (with an evil plan up our sleeves). After all we had to look for an alternative source of entertainment.
Birthday wishes from Devils in Disguise
It was 12AM and that calls for the party. With everyone gathered on one side of the pool – the cake was staged in the center for the honors. I’m sure all those three people would feel sorry to be born on that day had they known our plan. Luckily everyone was too high to figure our any damn thing. But for the folks staying in the rooms around the pool side would agree that our loud voices would probably give a headache to an Asprin.
Get set go – the cake was cut and since we were had no appetite left to eat it – it was beautifully smeared over their faces to make them look like clowns with white makeup. Next lined up was our little evil plan – birthday bumps and then throw em into the freezing pool. Oh yeah – no prizes for guessing that one. Mr.L got lucky to land into the Jacuzzi – half wet and looking totally bewildered. Next was Mrs.T who ran away and since women in this country enjoy some special privileges – we moved ahead to our next victim – Mr.N.
He was tossed into the pool like a drunk would get thrown out of a bar on a Friday night for not paying up – landing into 5 Feet deep mountain water. Soon realizing his phone was also in his pocket – “Holy cow!!!”
I extended my hand to pull Mr.N out of the water and end his misery but Yash walked right in and stopped me saying - “Mainey isko dhakka dia tha ab mai hi isse nikalunga ga”. Fate it seems is not without a sense of irony – and suddenly some magic happened. A busy hand appeared from the crowd behind us and pushed Yash into the pool. Abra-ka-dabra – Yash went head first into the cold water as people screamed in excitement. As I said before – its a cruel world and people find amusement when others are in a state of predicament. It took a while for Yash to recollect himself and then his hand reached into his pocket and he pulled out his mobile phone. I wonder – 70% of this planet is water but the brainy folks who design technology totally neglect the 70% probability of their innovations getting wet – ridiculous.
All said and done – if we did not head back to our rooms now and keep our voices low – we would have to sleep in the bus. And like zombies we walked back and crawled into our beds – some looked as if they were sleep walking – c’mon guys wake up! Oh we were asked to get up early and check out at 8.30 – Jesus Christ in our present conditions I wouldn’t be surprised if people stood back up before 8.30 PM the next day.
Good Night everyone…
