When in my 3rd semester, sometime in the first week of October, I heard that a person who was launching an international youth magazine was on the lookout for writers. He came to college to test our writing skills. In the selection process, I wrote 3 very good articles that were highly appreciated. I got selected and earned the title of being a favourite. However, my articles never got published because the magazine is yet to come out and the wait was getting too long for me! So I've decided to post them on my blog!
They are-
1. WHEN MUSIC AND MOVIES MERGE- on some special musical movies from across the world
2. YELLOW! A colour, and much more...- about all things yellow! Information has been derived from books and websites for factual details
3. A FILM TO REMEMBER- a review-essay on Richard Attenborough's film Gandhi
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Where's My Project?
WRITTEN WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO THE PEOPLE WHO MAY, AND WILL BE, OFFENDED BY THIS POST.
For this possible feeling of being offended, I only blame the manner in which the system carves a certain portion of the human mind and psyche so that it adapts, succumbs, without opposition, to the only way an over-populated world seems to be able to run. Don't look at me, I'm afflicted too. But hey, there is a part of me that does not like us students being taught how to be Unknown Citizens, a cog in a wheel, a mere number, and being taught how to accept the ways of the world. This is why I love George Bernard Shaw. He was so cool when he said in Man and Superman- "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
Few are those who teach and encourage us to think and do differently no matter how noisy the cries of the crowd may be. True, we are but a speck in this expanding universe, but the miniscule difference we bring shapes the growth of the world and the universe, and contributes to the evolution of the infinite.
..........................................................................................
We've all (most of us, including me) have been through school, college and all the ups and downs of the education system. We've been given those assignments that most-often actually test our compilation skills! But yes, we do all the research, gather necessary information, then hunt for pictures, and finally spend hours, days and weeks in putting them all together. Don't we all swell with pride, joy and exultation as we show off our creation at home, in class, and finally to the teacher who says, "Wow, very good!" Result? 10/10, 9/10......6/10, 2/10, etc. It isn't the marks that matter. No matter which number column you fit in, what you finally get for your hard work is MARKS and SATISFACTION- IN THAT ORDER. It's normal to feel the way you're expected to feel. Fortunately, there are those kindred spirits who make us feel happy from the depths of our hearts and my heart goes out to them for their support and appreciation.
But what happens when you find out where exactly your project has disappeared?
Into a cupboard, somewhere at the back? Understandable. The teacher has a lot of people to deal with. A store room? Bearable.
To the raddhiwala/scrap paper dealer? You have no other choice. Recycling is important and we value paper because we all love and need trees.
But what happens when someone gets a cut-out of a friend's project under that friend's nose, whatever purpose the 'recycled circular' may serve? It hurts.
I believe in concealing the sundry ways of recycling student material so that the student can lead a motivated life as long as he is where he has to be.
With love to all <3 ,
A girl who goes to the ends of the earth to shed off specks of being An Unknown Citizen. W.H. Auden, you are known to this day :)
Note added on 4th March, 2011: Please see "Here's My Project"!!!
For this possible feeling of being offended, I only blame the manner in which the system carves a certain portion of the human mind and psyche so that it adapts, succumbs, without opposition, to the only way an over-populated world seems to be able to run. Don't look at me, I'm afflicted too. But hey, there is a part of me that does not like us students being taught how to be Unknown Citizens, a cog in a wheel, a mere number, and being taught how to accept the ways of the world. This is why I love George Bernard Shaw. He was so cool when he said in Man and Superman- "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
Few are those who teach and encourage us to think and do differently no matter how noisy the cries of the crowd may be. True, we are but a speck in this expanding universe, but the miniscule difference we bring shapes the growth of the world and the universe, and contributes to the evolution of the infinite.
..........................................................................................
We've all (most of us, including me) have been through school, college and all the ups and downs of the education system. We've been given those assignments that most-often actually test our compilation skills! But yes, we do all the research, gather necessary information, then hunt for pictures, and finally spend hours, days and weeks in putting them all together. Don't we all swell with pride, joy and exultation as we show off our creation at home, in class, and finally to the teacher who says, "Wow, very good!" Result? 10/10, 9/10......6/10, 2/10, etc. It isn't the marks that matter. No matter which number column you fit in, what you finally get for your hard work is MARKS and SATISFACTION- IN THAT ORDER. It's normal to feel the way you're expected to feel. Fortunately, there are those kindred spirits who make us feel happy from the depths of our hearts and my heart goes out to them for their support and appreciation.
But what happens when you find out where exactly your project has disappeared?
Into a cupboard, somewhere at the back? Understandable. The teacher has a lot of people to deal with. A store room? Bearable.
To the raddhiwala/scrap paper dealer? You have no other choice. Recycling is important and we value paper because we all love and need trees.
But what happens when someone gets a cut-out of a friend's project under that friend's nose, whatever purpose the 'recycled circular' may serve? It hurts.
I believe in concealing the sundry ways of recycling student material so that the student can lead a motivated life as long as he is where he has to be.
With love to all <3 ,
A girl who goes to the ends of the earth to shed off specks of being An Unknown Citizen. W.H. Auden, you are known to this day :)
Note added on 4th March, 2011: Please see "Here's My Project"!!!
The Friend We Had- Part One
Before I begin, I'd like to mention that 'The Friend We Had' is not about that one friend you had, and let go of due to certain reasons.
'The Friend We Had' is about all those friends who are, at the end of the day, meant to be a passing phase in our lives, like those interventions one has when life decides to play another song, like those learning signs that teach us a lesson, leaving it to us to work towards an ending that might help us move ahead.
'The Friend We Had' is about the lessons that return as a reminder of something incomplete in the growing picture, and you don't always have to let go of this friend.
Since I do not intend to give a moral science class, or get nostalgic on readers who have a serious-enough life, or preach (since I'm grandmotherly-enough in real life), well, I have to add-
On a lighter note, 'The Friend We Had' also applies to those who very unconsciously add that touch of comedy and humour to every day, and it isn't cruel to turn a serious ending into a hilarious new beginning! So here's to the friends who had no choice but to turn into clowns for my amusement. It's life's way of de-stressing me! And if any one reading this is true to their 'minds' (because the heart can be a tricky organ), you know that we all convert certain friends in our lives to comic reliefs, and 'I' might just be one of the many clowns in your lives, and I don't mind one bit! Cheers!!!
To be continued...!!!
'The Friend We Had' is about all those friends who are, at the end of the day, meant to be a passing phase in our lives, like those interventions one has when life decides to play another song, like those learning signs that teach us a lesson, leaving it to us to work towards an ending that might help us move ahead.
'The Friend We Had' is about the lessons that return as a reminder of something incomplete in the growing picture, and you don't always have to let go of this friend.
Since I do not intend to give a moral science class, or get nostalgic on readers who have a serious-enough life, or preach (since I'm grandmotherly-enough in real life), well, I have to add-
On a lighter note, 'The Friend We Had' also applies to those who very unconsciously add that touch of comedy and humour to every day, and it isn't cruel to turn a serious ending into a hilarious new beginning! So here's to the friends who had no choice but to turn into clowns for my amusement. It's life's way of de-stressing me! And if any one reading this is true to their 'minds' (because the heart can be a tricky organ), you know that we all convert certain friends in our lives to comic reliefs, and 'I' might just be one of the many clowns in your lives, and I don't mind one bit! Cheers!!!
To be continued...!!!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The First Rain of the Year
The first rain of every year is a red letter day for me. There's something about it.
In 2010, it was on February 17th. It looked like it would rain on Feb 17th this year too but the day arrived 4 days later on February 21st. My mother woke me up saying that it was pouring outside and flung open my bedroom door leading to the balcony garden. I delightedly jumped out of bed!
Rain is only gloomy in the rainy season, so spring showers are more than welcome! With a cup of cinnamon tea I sat and watched the rain as it lashed away a majority of the mango flowers and cleansed the green and grey. It cleared up in an hour. However, it set the tone for the rest of my year and refreshed me. That's what I love about the year's first rain.
I never thought of recording such a day before 2010 but I remember the joy those special days would bring, the dangerous feeling of satisfaction that came along with the breeze. It's alright to feel like that once in while along the route of an ambitious life...
In 2010, it was on February 17th. It looked like it would rain on Feb 17th this year too but the day arrived 4 days later on February 21st. My mother woke me up saying that it was pouring outside and flung open my bedroom door leading to the balcony garden. I delightedly jumped out of bed!
Rain is only gloomy in the rainy season, so spring showers are more than welcome! With a cup of cinnamon tea I sat and watched the rain as it lashed away a majority of the mango flowers and cleansed the green and grey. It cleared up in an hour. However, it set the tone for the rest of my year and refreshed me. That's what I love about the year's first rain.
I never thought of recording such a day before 2010 but I remember the joy those special days would bring, the dangerous feeling of satisfaction that came along with the breeze. It's alright to feel like that once in while along the route of an ambitious life...
Monitoring the Mosquito
After a lot of "Come on, you'll miss the train", I get into the car just as it finishes singing London bridge in a very annoying tone...Every morning, Appa drops me at Seetaphalmandi Station where I catch the train to Begumpet to get to college. It isn't just a 3 km drive. It is 3 km and 8 minutes of trying to shoo away or kill mosquitoes. Note that I do not like killing mosquitoes and face the guilt of a creature's blood on my hands. Wait, that's my blood!
Coming back to the point, these journeys completely scare me because I tend to get very paranoid on roads and jump every time Appa claps and slaps a mosquito, his hands a good 4 inches away from the steering wheel. The other much-preferred strategy is to open the window at repeated intervals for it to fly away, the sound of the radio going up and down with the sound of traffic. This strategy does bring in a lot of noise and pollution apart from the hope that the mosquito does not prefer the silence of the backseat.
This ordeal is a routine of sorts. Appa is used to assessing the possibility of a mosquito lurking close to his skin, I'm used to saying, "Don't worry, just drive. I'll take care of the mosquito." Then he claps at it again and I scream...Well, I'm beginning to wonder if the mosquitoes stay just because we look so amusing and sound so hilarious.
If you wonder how these nibbling creatures get into the car with the windows all rolled up, I don't know! They just do!
No monitoring the mosquito until Monday!
A note:
"Appa can afford to take such a risk because he is a very skilled driver"- Amma
Coming back to the point, these journeys completely scare me because I tend to get very paranoid on roads and jump every time Appa claps and slaps a mosquito, his hands a good 4 inches away from the steering wheel. The other much-preferred strategy is to open the window at repeated intervals for it to fly away, the sound of the radio going up and down with the sound of traffic. This strategy does bring in a lot of noise and pollution apart from the hope that the mosquito does not prefer the silence of the backseat.
This ordeal is a routine of sorts. Appa is used to assessing the possibility of a mosquito lurking close to his skin, I'm used to saying, "Don't worry, just drive. I'll take care of the mosquito." Then he claps at it again and I scream...Well, I'm beginning to wonder if the mosquitoes stay just because we look so amusing and sound so hilarious.
If you wonder how these nibbling creatures get into the car with the windows all rolled up, I don't know! They just do!
No monitoring the mosquito until Monday!
A note:
"Appa can afford to take such a risk because he is a very skilled driver"- Amma
A Cloud of Inspiration
I'm quite taken aback that I silently watched my blog float away into oblivion. It will be defunct no longer and I'm now here to stay! The good thing is I never stopped writing; Now I'm ready to share a part of my everyday contemplations however bizarre the idea may be! Here's to a new beginning!
A note to Amma: " As the February showers sweetly dominate the expected sunshine, I'm finally listening to you and writing my experiences! I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them, I hope it gives you something to think, laugh and smile about wherever life takes us all."
A note to Appa: "As you read The Hindu, with the rain dampening hopes of a possible political agitation a few kilometers away, I hope you will be able to overlook my excessive punctuation, which is not as much as it once was, and enjoy my ramblings!"
A note to Amma: " As the February showers sweetly dominate the expected sunshine, I'm finally listening to you and writing my experiences! I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them, I hope it gives you something to think, laugh and smile about wherever life takes us all."
A note to Appa: "As you read The Hindu, with the rain dampening hopes of a possible political agitation a few kilometers away, I hope you will be able to overlook my excessive punctuation, which is not as much as it once was, and enjoy my ramblings!"
Friday, December 17, 2010
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Anacapa Island- Travelogue
Mirage Island
Channel Islands National Park is an archipelago of five islands off the coast of Southern California’s Oxnard Harbour.
The word 'Anacapa' comes from the Chumash word
'eneepah', meaning Mirage Island; indeed like a dream...
Anacapa Island is a small volcanic island with a total land area of 2.947 sq.km. The three islets- the East Island, Middle Island and West Island together support over 2000 plant and animal species. Archaeological and cultural resources span a period of more than 10,000 years.
From the coast of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, the boat journey through the deep blue Pacific on a breezy summer afternoon is a delight, especially with dolphins chasing the boat!
Amazing rock formations: spattered with guano, inhabited by noisy seals
The lighthouse: located on the eastern part of the island,
at the entrance to the Santa Barbara Channel
On entering the island territory, the lighthouse can be seen high on the cliff. The United States Coast Guard built a light beacon in 1912 and a light station in 1932 (Anacapa Island Light). It is the last lighthouse built by the United States Lighthouse Service.
The island being a seagull rookery, frantic squawks of seagulls protecting their spotted eggs are frequently heard along the trail. Possessive birds indeed!
Guarding their eggs: A haven for seagulls
An enchanting aura created by the pink and blue haze can be felt all about the island, especially at the two breathtaking points- Cathedral Cove and Inspiration Point. Looking out at the sea and listening to the waves lashing the quaint chain of islands brings a feeling of peace, of bliss.
Cathedral Cove: Picturesque view from the top of a cliff
Middle and West Islets: Inspiration Point
The museum is another attraction mainly for the huge light that was once in use. For more adventurous souls, camping beneath the stars on a summer night enhances the entire experience, making it all the more worthwhile. Conservation activities are being carried out to protect this fragile island.
Food and drink are not sold on the island but one can find pizzerias and multicuisine restaurants near Oxnard Harbour.
Anacapa Island is a place to visit atleast once in a lifetime for its spectacular rock formations, the lighthouse and mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean.
My sister and I visited Anacapa Island a over a year back.
This travelogue is a part of my college assignments:)
In conversation with Jaya Thiagarajan
Musically yours…
Accomplished Carnatic Musician
Art of Living Foundation Teacher
who adores 'Guruji'
Her mission of life- Sangeet Sewa
(Service through music)
“If I want to do something, I just do it!”
“You can do your best, but something
greater takes over you eventually..."
Jaya Thiagarajan is surrounded by the shining aura of her life’s philosophy. She is immersed in and enriched by her music, creating an atmosphere of bliss for those in contact with her. “Music for me is a 24x7 activity, knowing no boundaries. It is an ongoing learning process”, she says. Having learnt the basics of Carnatic music from her grandfather, stalwarts like D. K. Jayaraman, S. Rajam and Nedunuri Krishnamurthy gave her intensive training. She says, "the styles of different schools have only enriched and enlarged by creativity and repertoire." She has learnt nearly one thousand songs from All India Radio.
She completed her B.A. in Music from
A certified teacher of the Art of Living Foundation, Jaya conducts classes in Basic courses that comprise breathing and meditative techniques and the famous ‘Sudarshana Kriya’. “I started attending and participating in Satsangs at Guruji’s (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) ashram and soon came to be identified as a resource person for music for many of the ashram’s activities and projects.”
Her ability to bring solace to the stressful lives of women prisoners in
Diffident, shy and afraid of risks as a child, she proudly says her sister always a great source of comfort and support to her. Born with the urge to reach out to the people, she is now able to achieve her ambitions with confidence and zeal. Jaya is also a doting mother and is very homely. She loves meeting people and is a socialite in her own way!
It was a great joy interacting with Jaya Thiagarajan. This tete-a-tete revealed all aspects of a musical personality who cut across social barriers to render service.
*You are an integral part of the Art of Living’s phenomenal work. What service you enjoy the most?
I enjoy the Satsang, conducting the Sudarshana Kriya. There is great opportunity to meet people.
*The guiding light that helped you rise above challenges…your source of inspiration?
Initially, I was not so spiritually inclined. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar gave a lot of meaning to my life. Guruji’s knowledge points and practical nature drew me towards what I now do.
*How has your profession changed you, your perceptions, your wishes?
If I want to do something, I just do it. Life should be more of silence and observation. Nothing affects me from the external world. I want to go more deep inwards and understand myself better, to get away from the rigmarole of life.
*Name your favourite performance.
The best performance so far is the one I gave in the
*What do you sense or experience when you are singing for an audience that is ultimately enthralled?
I am lost in my art. I lose myself, I am not able to feel anything around. I sing with complete dedication and devotion. One great inner experience is the Rudra abhisekam – deep meditation while chanting.
*Life’s most trying times, a very touching incident...
My son’s surgery was the most touching incident. While I was praying in the operation theatre, I randomly picked up a magazine called “Life Positive”. As I opened it, I found a small picture of Guruji. This helped me settle down emotionally.
*Your views of the world as it stands today…
The world is very exciting, there is never a dull moment. A lot of things can be done. But we are becoming slaves to technology and are lost without all this.
*What is your message to the youth today?
Stop expecting what the world can give to you. See what you can give to the world.
The youth of today are not easily forgiving. The element of patience has vanished. Unconditional love and a feeling of giving is the need of the hour. Can you teach anything verbally? You have to let one find it within oneself!
*Your greatest desire in life…
I want to be able to reach out to people with a feeling of plenty. One should be able to give and share with the less privileged. My wish is to travel, meet more people. At times, all I want is silence.
*What is the one thing you would like to do that you have never done before?
A crazy thing I want in life is to address a gathering of lakhs of people and sing crazy songs in total involvement. It needs a lot of guts!
Jaya has been involved in activities of the Nadopasana Sankeertana Sangham,
Interviewed on September 14th for a Mass Communication and Journalism assignment (Semester 1)- St.Francis College for Women.
Photo- from the FOCUS, with basic information from an article by Vasanthi Natarajan.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Sequoia National Park
When Preeti suggested that we visit the Sequoia National Park, I was infinitely thrilled! May's second weekend brought with it plenty of sunshine and joy. It was time to set off on our excursion to the sequoias!!! Bags packed and trunk loaded, we hit the road- a long 5 hour drive ahead of us.
The hill-pattern changed at frequent intervals. Scrub-covered hills with the usual yellow flowers gave way to hills blanketed in lush green trees.
As we approached the valley, we were greeted by cows, horses, vineyards and orchards on either side, apart from cement plants and cargo stations.
Preeti and I kept munching sandwiches and chocolate biscuits while music kept us going.
We took a quick break and resumed our journey. The landscape ahead was awesome- smoothly folded mud hills with hues of orange. The orange haze, as we noticed when we got closer, comes from the finely sprinkled orange flowers.
We exited the valley,crossed the lake and reached the entrance of Sequoia National Park.
Preeti: "Where are the tall trees?"
Rarely is one's imagination less wild than reality, very rarely. What loomed ahead of us had us stunned to the bones- mountains. Huge, tall mountains, snow-clad, hanging mist, concealing what we had come to see. Well, what I had imagined was this really big forest with extremely tall trees and nothing to see but the sun through tree tops so high that...
The car began the long, spine-tingling climb up the winding mountain road. It was beautiful. We were encircled by nature's preserved web of life- the river making it's way through the mountains, lush green trees and wildflowers leaving not an inch of soil in sight, the fresh blue sky, still no sign of the tall wonders. Were we in the right place?
As the car turned round the freaky hairpin bends to higher elevations, it got a little chilly. We began to see tall, well-built (because they do not appear slender from the bottom) redwood trees, patches of snow melting onto the roads and hey, a deer! We were aware of the fact that winters in sequoia are snowy (which is why we brought the winter coats that we never used) and range from December to May, but that we would see snow...! Considering the fact that I have seen snow before, I still felt as excited as a kid waiting to make the first snowman of his life!!! Following the signs, we reached the Wuksachi Lodge that is at convenient distance from some of the most wonderful sights to be seen, the Giant Forest among them. Situated at the top of a supposedly low-altitude mountain, we had the best views from our lodge itself. Enormous snow-clad mountains, the now-slender redwood trees, steep slopes- all so stunning.
We went to the restaurant and devoured our eagerly-awaited order- fresh bread, spinach salad and crispy-creamy pasta. The night sky was something I hadn't seen in a long time. Back in the city, with all the pollution leading to low visibility, I can count the number of stars and be proud of spotting the orion belt and the ever-gorgeous moon. Countless stars gazed down at us. It really doubled the joy. We were happy, content. We turned off the lights after watching some T.V. and curled up on the cozy bed.
The next day, we ate a light breakfast in our room. The air was crisp and warm and the mountains look as pretty in the morning as they do at dusk. We drove down to the Lodgepole Visitors Center and got some info on some spots that were not to be missed. We decided to hike to the Tokopah falls for sundry weighted obvious reasons.
So we set out on our hike. It was enchanting. We crossed a quaint little wooden bridge built over the river and hopped onto the trail.
Something really interesting goes on here. When you stand behind a tree or walk across a group of trees that are in front of the river, the sound of the water flowing is softer. As soon as you cross the tree and just stand by the river with nothing to block it, it's louder. It is kind of hard to describe. But it is a lovely feeling. There's so much of music in nature.
Trudging over slippery snow and the rough forest floor strewn with pine cones, we continued the steep climb. At a point, the trail forked into two. While we were wondering which way to go, a Canadian couple came behind us and led the way. We had a good time speaking to this jolly couple and crossing rivers with them. Crossing a tiny, shallow yet quick tributary was fun. We carefully stepped over each huge pebble; it was a mini-adventure by itself! We were trapped in a charming ring of mountains- the snow was still melting, the sun was blazing down, birds went about their activities, ignorant of the many hikers who praise their sweetness... It felt so good! I already felt on top of the world.
Then we reached some falls as big as a bed. Greg told us it was what we had come to see! He was joking...and I was glad. And to think I was taken in?!
As we proceeded up the mountain we met a man who excitedly told us that he had just seen two bears. To prove this, he showed us the pictures he has taken of the mother-son duo. How I wished we could see a bear...from a distance. Or a baby bear following me and then wanting to come home with me...ok, I'm getting carried away.
Finally, gently gushing down the mountain with all it's magnificence stood the Tokopah Falls. Any further attempt to describe the stateliness of these falls will be feeble.
We spent some time enjoying the light, refreshing spray of fresh water.
After lunch, we went to see the General Sherman Tree- the world's largest tree. Many trees in the sequoia are taller or even thicker than this tree. But what makes this tree the largest is it's volume! As Sherman died years ago, he no longer grows leaves. But his trunk get's thicker and heavier as the years pass. Isn't that interesting? We took the Congress trail from there and admired more of the sequoias. They look down so majestically! They seem to be gracing the Earth, living their lives the way it was given to them...
We went to the Giant Forest Museum and saw the Sentinel Tree, another of the five biggest trees on earth. We decided to return to the museum the next day. That evening, we went to Beetle Rock. It was touching. I felt like I never wanted to leave that place.
On top of the rock was a man sitting on a wheelchair. I suppose the very sentence makes you feel something down your heart. It is a rare, touching sight.
Beyond the flat rock was the San Joaquin Valley, stretching to eternity... I could have sat there for hours, thoughts just flow. That place made me feel prayerful, hopeful of what life brings everyday. It's pretty hard to describe. But I think I felt what John Muir did, here in Sequoia. I feel blessed to have been able to come here! Preeti is truly my Angel!!!
We learnt a lot from the small museum that depicted the history of the sequoias with so much accuracy & detail. John Muir's quotes were so touching. He seemed to have lived nature...
On our way down the mountains, we went to Moro Rock. The higher we climbed round the winding steps, the grander was the view...spell-binding, breath-taking. We kept going up, wondering where there would be nothing but the sky above us! Preeti and I were daring enough to climb this high-elevated rock, considering the fact that we were the only ones scaling the rock. No one to see us dangling off a cliff, no one to hear our cries. When we were just a flight of stairs short of the top, we decided not to go further. Better safe than sorry. Dodging the lizards, we made our way down, safely, me bossing Preeti all the time and trying to hand over to her the 'experience' I had been given at school excursions.
The drive down was pleasant, we felt content.
One can spend an entire week at Sequoia and still not have the satisfaction of having seen every place there is to see. The magic of this place is that every pretty spot is so well-hidden by the mountain walls. Preeti and I got to see what really drove us here. Tall trees. It's amazing how they grow only up there. Their life cycle is totally different; the factors required for them to regenerate are unimaginable.
People kept asking us- "Why don't you go to Yosemite"? Only when one goes to the sequoias can he realize the mystic grandeur these trees possess, the atmosphere they create. It's simply captivating, inspiring in fact.
I am certainly living it queen size!
Thank you Preeti!!!
The hill-pattern changed at frequent intervals. Scrub-covered hills with the usual yellow flowers gave way to hills blanketed in lush green trees.
As we approached the valley, we were greeted by cows, horses, vineyards and orchards on either side, apart from cement plants and cargo stations.
Preeti and I kept munching sandwiches and chocolate biscuits while music kept us going.
We took a quick break and resumed our journey. The landscape ahead was awesome- smoothly folded mud hills with hues of orange. The orange haze, as we noticed when we got closer, comes from the finely sprinkled orange flowers.
We exited the valley,crossed the lake and reached the entrance of Sequoia National Park.
Preeti: "Where are the tall trees?"
Rarely is one's imagination less wild than reality, very rarely. What loomed ahead of us had us stunned to the bones- mountains. Huge, tall mountains, snow-clad, hanging mist, concealing what we had come to see. Well, what I had imagined was this really big forest with extremely tall trees and nothing to see but the sun through tree tops so high that...
The car began the long, spine-tingling climb up the winding mountain road. It was beautiful. We were encircled by nature's preserved web of life- the river making it's way through the mountains, lush green trees and wildflowers leaving not an inch of soil in sight, the fresh blue sky, still no sign of the tall wonders. Were we in the right place?
As the car turned round the freaky hairpin bends to higher elevations, it got a little chilly. We began to see tall, well-built (because they do not appear slender from the bottom) redwood trees, patches of snow melting onto the roads and hey, a deer! We were aware of the fact that winters in sequoia are snowy (which is why we brought the winter coats that we never used) and range from December to May, but that we would see snow...! Considering the fact that I have seen snow before, I still felt as excited as a kid waiting to make the first snowman of his life!!! Following the signs, we reached the Wuksachi Lodge that is at convenient distance from some of the most wonderful sights to be seen, the Giant Forest among them. Situated at the top of a supposedly low-altitude mountain, we had the best views from our lodge itself. Enormous snow-clad mountains, the now-slender redwood trees, steep slopes- all so stunning.
We went to the restaurant and devoured our eagerly-awaited order- fresh bread, spinach salad and crispy-creamy pasta. The night sky was something I hadn't seen in a long time. Back in the city, with all the pollution leading to low visibility, I can count the number of stars and be proud of spotting the orion belt and the ever-gorgeous moon. Countless stars gazed down at us. It really doubled the joy. We were happy, content. We turned off the lights after watching some T.V. and curled up on the cozy bed.
The next day, we ate a light breakfast in our room. The air was crisp and warm and the mountains look as pretty in the morning as they do at dusk. We drove down to the Lodgepole Visitors Center and got some info on some spots that were not to be missed. We decided to hike to the Tokopah falls for sundry weighted obvious reasons.
So we set out on our hike. It was enchanting. We crossed a quaint little wooden bridge built over the river and hopped onto the trail.
Something really interesting goes on here. When you stand behind a tree or walk across a group of trees that are in front of the river, the sound of the water flowing is softer. As soon as you cross the tree and just stand by the river with nothing to block it, it's louder. It is kind of hard to describe. But it is a lovely feeling. There's so much of music in nature.
Trudging over slippery snow and the rough forest floor strewn with pine cones, we continued the steep climb. At a point, the trail forked into two. While we were wondering which way to go, a Canadian couple came behind us and led the way. We had a good time speaking to this jolly couple and crossing rivers with them. Crossing a tiny, shallow yet quick tributary was fun. We carefully stepped over each huge pebble; it was a mini-adventure by itself! We were trapped in a charming ring of mountains- the snow was still melting, the sun was blazing down, birds went about their activities, ignorant of the many hikers who praise their sweetness... It felt so good! I already felt on top of the world.
Then we reached some falls as big as a bed. Greg told us it was what we had come to see! He was joking...and I was glad. And to think I was taken in?!
As we proceeded up the mountain we met a man who excitedly told us that he had just seen two bears. To prove this, he showed us the pictures he has taken of the mother-son duo. How I wished we could see a bear...from a distance. Or a baby bear following me and then wanting to come home with me...ok, I'm getting carried away.
Finally, gently gushing down the mountain with all it's magnificence stood the Tokopah Falls. Any further attempt to describe the stateliness of these falls will be feeble.
We spent some time enjoying the light, refreshing spray of fresh water.
After lunch, we went to see the General Sherman Tree- the world's largest tree. Many trees in the sequoia are taller or even thicker than this tree. But what makes this tree the largest is it's volume! As Sherman died years ago, he no longer grows leaves. But his trunk get's thicker and heavier as the years pass. Isn't that interesting? We took the Congress trail from there and admired more of the sequoias. They look down so majestically! They seem to be gracing the Earth, living their lives the way it was given to them...
We went to the Giant Forest Museum and saw the Sentinel Tree, another of the five biggest trees on earth. We decided to return to the museum the next day. That evening, we went to Beetle Rock. It was touching. I felt like I never wanted to leave that place.
On top of the rock was a man sitting on a wheelchair. I suppose the very sentence makes you feel something down your heart. It is a rare, touching sight.
Beyond the flat rock was the San Joaquin Valley, stretching to eternity... I could have sat there for hours, thoughts just flow. That place made me feel prayerful, hopeful of what life brings everyday. It's pretty hard to describe. But I think I felt what John Muir did, here in Sequoia. I feel blessed to have been able to come here! Preeti is truly my Angel!!!
We learnt a lot from the small museum that depicted the history of the sequoias with so much accuracy & detail. John Muir's quotes were so touching. He seemed to have lived nature...
On our way down the mountains, we went to Moro Rock. The higher we climbed round the winding steps, the grander was the view...spell-binding, breath-taking. We kept going up, wondering where there would be nothing but the sky above us! Preeti and I were daring enough to climb this high-elevated rock, considering the fact that we were the only ones scaling the rock. No one to see us dangling off a cliff, no one to hear our cries. When we were just a flight of stairs short of the top, we decided not to go further. Better safe than sorry. Dodging the lizards, we made our way down, safely, me bossing Preeti all the time and trying to hand over to her the 'experience' I had been given at school excursions.
The drive down was pleasant, we felt content.
One can spend an entire week at Sequoia and still not have the satisfaction of having seen every place there is to see. The magic of this place is that every pretty spot is so well-hidden by the mountain walls. Preeti and I got to see what really drove us here. Tall trees. It's amazing how they grow only up there. Their life cycle is totally different; the factors required for them to regenerate are unimaginable.
People kept asking us- "Why don't you go to Yosemite"? Only when one goes to the sequoias can he realize the mystic grandeur these trees possess, the atmosphere they create. It's simply captivating, inspiring in fact.
I am certainly living it queen size!
Thank you Preeti!!!
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