An August Visit in August!

It was my official 30th Birthday on August 12. Since I was entering loosing my young age, and entering towards the matured age, I decided to celebrate it with a twist, with a difference. Gaurav had been blessed with a baby boy last month, so I had to visit Kota and greet Ganu the ‘chhota Gaurav’. Fortunately my schoolmate Ajeet visited Mumbai and stayed with me on 11th night. We had a dinner outside and some evening ‘walk the talk’ with him. I was in fever but we had to leave early morning. I had the Jaipur flight in morning 5:30 AM. So, though Ajeet had his flight to Delhi at 10:00 AM, I forced him to join me at Airport (to ensure we save on money and Planet!). He had to wait for 3.5 hrs at airport- I am so bad sometimes!
Anyways first halt was at Kota, so I couldn’t stop at Jaipur. Taxi at Jaipur charged me Rs 300 for Airport to Railway Station (from pre-paid counter). Train was on time and dropped me to Kota Station at 13:30 hrs. Honey came to pick me. He is a good driver I must say! Or may be I was a bad back-sitter. The 30-40 min. of informative ride from Kota to Sakatpura was amazing. But the real amaze was yet to come. Apart from Uncle, Aunt, Bhabhiji and Ganu – there were four special buddies waiting for me. Pepper, Babe, Hummi and Cupid, initially hesitated and revolted since I was a stranger. But, we became friends very soon. First part of Day-1 was over with hectic travels. Second part started with my getting freshens up, and lunch with Uncle – followed by some nap in a very beautiful and organized room. Evening tea in veranda, and watching the river’s overflowing water in the courtyard of the house was mesmerizing.

Home was so beautifully designed, made and crafted that you could have full view of the river. Fresh air blows for 24 x 7. Ganu was doing what he does best at 1 months of age. Sleeping, drinking milk and dirtying his nappy. If you are lucky enough, he’ll open his eyes and smile at you – else he is happier enjoying sleeping. Bhabhiji and Aunt were completely busy with Ganu – I was having full time to play with 4 beautiful dogs.

Day-2 was Rakshabandhan. Obviously all Indians are Brothers and Sisters, were bound to be busy. I was only not busy, because I didn’t have any cousins in Kota. So, on Uncle and Gaurav’s advice, I decided to visit Boondi. You have three ways of traveling. Cheapest is Bus – but it will be crowded. Lavishing would be Hiring a Cab for the entire trip. I chose a third way. Following Salman Khan from Ready, I decided to bargain with Auto wala- a 3 Wheeler. After much negotiation and persuasion, the agreed cost was Rs 800 for Kota – Boondi - Kota. Auto driver was a nice muslim guy. We talked a lot while he drove me to Boondi. Boondi is a beautiful place with lots of visiting and picturesque scenes. Places of interest in are: Boondi Fort,

Raniji ki Baori, Sukh Mahal and Lotus Pond, Chauth Mata Temple and Chaurasi khambhon ki Chhatri,

to count a few. It’s a good place for trekking lovers. I had a train back to Jaipur, en-route to Ajmer, so I left Boondi for the day and reached Kota. After dinner with everyone, I left for Railway Station.

I reached Ajmer at 10:00 AM on Day-3; I came again on the bargain mode with three wheeler owners, as I stepped out of Station. But, I came to know that only Taxi’s go to Pushkar – so negotiated a taxi at Rs 500 for Ajmersharif – Pushkar – Ajmer Station. Worshiping Khwajaji was a Roohani experience - I cannot write in words. I was just lost somewhere. I get to know that Kwajaji has two wives. Though Gareebnawaj has a beautiful dome for his body to rest in peace, his wife’s Mazaar have open roof.

I was informed that those souls are still living there, and don’t permit anyone to build a ceiling over their Mazaar. Dozens of unsuccessful attempts made, every time the roof fell or cracked. After this mesmerizing and informing visit, I started for Pushkar – the only known place with the temple of Lord Brahma – the creator God. The drive over and within green hills and forests were so soul touching that I wanted to live there forever. The pond in Pushkar is so big and attractive – it will attract you to sit on the banks for hours. Adding to the beauty were the flocks of Pigeons who fly like marching battalions. The streets are confusing, so I may recommend you to take a guide. Guides are cheap and you can bargain for as low as Rs 20! After worshiping Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, I was back to Ajmer Station and waiting for my train to come. I must say, Indian trains have become punctual. May be thanks to Mamata Didi or may be Railway officials have realized the benefits of punctuality. I reached Jaipur at 8:00 PM; and headed for Loha Mandi area. I was going there to meet my ex-student, her Mom and brother after 7 years.

Day-4 was August 15 and for Lord Hanumanji at Salasar. Salasar is a 4 hours ride and I’d recommend hiring a cab. We hired a Travera for 6 people including me. We had two beautiful kids with us in the troop! The day started with continuous raining. We had the breakfast (Delicious Poori’s and Sabji, thanks Aunt!) and we started for Salasar. Salasar is a pilgrimage. It is said that Lord Hanuman incarnated Himself here. You can listen to the stories of bad spirits getting tied and beaten in some sacred room/hall. The ‘bhabhoot’ from here is said to be very charismatic. We were fortunate that rain didn’t catch us during journey, but the return journey was not fortunate. We could experience the thick and dense rain. Visibility was almost Zero. We were lucky that road was one way, so there was no fear of vehicle coming from opposite side. Darshan took a longer time, so practically all hotels were closed, and we all were feeling hungry. Nothing was working out, so I thought of an innovative lunch. We had 1Kg of Jalebi, 2 Jumbo packs of Chips, 2 small packs of Kurkure, 2 pepsi bottles and 1 mineral water. Lunch was in the Car only! I don’t know if other’s enjoyed or not, but I was enjoying every moment. We halted at a Dhaba. Driver filled his car’s petrol tank and we filled our bellies with road side Tea. Then, en-route Jaipur we get to know that Khatu Village is only 10 Km from highway! We requested Driver Uncle to be nice on us and route the car to Khatu. We had the evening Darshan of Khatu Shyamji (An incarnation of Lord Vishnu). After that we headed for Jaipur at 22:00 hrs. All of us were completely tired with a long ride and lots of walks. Aunt cooked a delicious food again. We enjoyed the food and slept like Pigs.

Day-5 was my returning day. Eyes opened with Good Morning tea and a pleasant weather, with rain outside. I had breakfast, done my packing and talked for long hours with Kusha. She was going to join a job. Balancing life between studies and jobs is very difficult. I wished her to do success at both places and come out with flying colors. I am sure this Lady Amitabh Bachchan has immense potentials and shall surely complete her MCA one day, with managing her professional life. After taking Lunch, I took a bye from everyone and took an auto for Airport. I would advice you guys not to take an Auto when it’s raining whole day, and you have luggage with you. Somehow I reached airport. In the attempt to save luggage from rainwater and spilling road water, I was wetting myself. Once I reach airport, 1st thing that I did after security check-in was changing cloths. Then I rushed for Coffee Counter. It was still One hour in the flight, and I was feeling hungry – so munch something though I didn’t like it. I wish KFC or Pizza Hutt guys open their shop someday at Jaipur Airport. I landed at Mumbai and rushed for home to throw my luggage and find a restaurant to each Tandoor Chicken. Well did I tell you, girls of Jaipur are no good? They have no manners. While the Mumbai-Jaipur trip, a girl used my shoulders and chest for sleeping. May be I was a beautiful pillow for her. I was waiting for an offer of Coffee from her, or at least a Thankyou. Nothing came! She left airport as if nothing happened. Didn’t even see that I was following her till she left – may be I wanted to give her time to say Thanks! While returning back, I got a chance to sit next to a beautiful girl. In the fraction of a second, I dreamt so many things, but she requested me to exchange seat with her not-so-beautiful friend. As a courtesy and like a responsible person, I agreed on her request and exchanged the seat. Again, I was expecting a Thank you for my kind gesture. This time it came, but with a suffix. “Thank you Uncle”. I tell you these Jaipur girls are beautiful, but carry a lot of attitude. I just hate girls with attitude.