Sometimes, when I travel, I try and keep my expectations absolutely nil from a particular place. That helps me make the most of my surroundings, and also makes it better if I am pleasantly surprised.
Well, the recent trip I took to Mahabaleshwar was one such trip. The one thing I wanted to try doing was to have a good walk, the cool weather was making me itch to go out, and the other thing I hoped I would be able to do was to sit at a beautiful spot and read.
Much like those beautiful shots you see in movies, where the actor is sitting under a tree on top of a hill, looking out to the valley, and reading (well, in the movie they may not be reading, but in real life, at least I can, right?).
So, with that intention in mind, I headed out with a book and a jacket, and my trusted pink shoes all in place.
I can’t really say I followed a path. The hotel where I was staying was bang in the middle of the main Mahabaleshwar market, and it can get really crowded, especially during these cool months at the end and start of the year (the same also happens during monsoon, which is during June and August). The loner and wanderer in me can’t stand crowds, so I took off the moment I found a free time slot.
The one smart thing you can do when traveling – ask around for information from locals.
I asked if there was a valley view or even a garden I could find, and you know what? Right in the middle of that crowded place, there is actually a beautiful garden, where you can sit in peace under the trees (yay, just what I wanted), and read or sleep as much as you want, being one with nature.
I took a turn next to the there-famous Wax Museum, and came upon these steps that were heading somewhere. And as the steps ended, I reached the beautiful and so peaceful garden.
As I started heading back, the itch to find another trail took over, and I continued my walk in the opposite direction, heading away from the hotel. Let’s admit I got lost, and I guess the look on my face was enough for an old uncle to realize I couldn’t figure out where I was. He kindly crossed over and started speaking, explaining to me where to go.
Which is when this group of very sweet young school boys, barely about 13 or 14 I guess, was also on the opposite side of the road. The kids started sharing their knowledge of the way right from where they were, to which the old uncle called them over, and in a cute way of admonishing, told them he was doing just that, and that they could now go off.
Uncle: explaining me the directions
Too young school kiddos from the other side of the road: Oh madam, idhar se..udhar se…left..right..
Uncle: idhar aana zaraa
(the boys come over with super naughty bachcha type of grins)
Uncle: hana, fir se bataao…
Boys: idhar se…udhar se…(repeat the same instruction exactly as uncle was doing)
Uncle: to main kya Jaapaani mein samjha raha thha? Chalo bhaago!
Isn’t it difficult to hold in your laugh? I am still learning!
The bachchasgave a shy smile and went off, and as I thanked the uncle and headed to the hotel, I told myself I would come back again, in another cool month, to explore some more trails.
Read Also: Finding My Walk Trail Through The Paths Of Mahabaleshwar
