Finally I managed to have my much anticipated mini break though I really didn't know how it would turn out to be as nothing had been planned like always. The previous afternoon my lot of friends called me, one heck of reactive atoms they are who always stay in an excited state (chemistry speaks quantum in my day to day language, all thanks to my mum who is a chemistry teacher) proposed their plans for a mini trip. A little hesitant I was in beginning, things dwindling from my side but finally I succumbed to the pressure (quite literally too ;) and I made up my mind of going because somewhere even I wanted a break!!
The very next day I was standing all decked up with my “American Tourister” shoulder bag...bag which has traveled states with me. We managed to catch an ac bus till the main bus stand and finally boarded the “local” version of our desi VOLVO buses...having ac’s which were in a partial working conditions and seats so rigid that once seated you could feel the miseries you had let yourself in. Throughout the journey we hogged on food, sang and tortured our fellow passengers and then after those eight hours of travel in the Oz bus we reached the city beautiful- Chandigarh (as is written on the board at the entrance of city).The name Chandigarh translates as the fort of Chandi, derived from an ancient temple of Goddess Chandi has been so well designed by architects of British India that it catches ones fancy rite at the first glance. The first night was actually spent in checking out the rite hotels. Though five star hotels were beyond reach but then we couldn't compromise on anything less than a three star hotel either (ego issues: vow was taken that next time we would stay at JW Marriott and would travel by Laura of my friend's dad). Finally we dotted on a hotel, had our dinner and drank slice (which read Chandigarh ki thandi slicee). It truly tasted out of the world- unbearable it was!!
The other day we got up, done with our makeup sessions (including face packs, tons of kajal in eyes which is an epitome of femininity and finally some mascara which added to end up as a disaster) we went on to our hunt of a new hotel in some crowded area so that we could get back to our abode late at night pretty safely (as Chandigarh had to be explored in next 10 hours). Finally we found a perfect place located in a posh sector which was our den for the day. We had the bare minimum rest there and all rejuvenated went in search of a famous coffee spot and ended up hogging on all the food in the shop besides the coffee, but that wasn’t the end we stopped on a movable food van and had food of the two worlds- north Indian and south Indian (and not to forget mentioning the Sambhar was simply mouth watering...Even the Padmalakshmi’s cookbook would fail here). We just ate and ate and contributed because part of our billed amount was to be used for the handicapped people. Later in the evening we explored few more places and finally headed towards the Rock garden created by NekChand, which truly is an architecture marvel and all the waste materials have been so well used that one can’t stop praising and then we got near the artificial water fall and it seemed as if it was pulling us or probably we were running towards it and in a minute the four of us were at the top all wet, badly drenched standing on the slippery surface and people around giving us those crossed looks but then who cares about people (unless we know them) !!
After the wetly experience and extended photo sessions we moved to the Sukhna Lake...nothing can describe the beauty of the lake in twilight, the tranquil and serene atmosphere and being in the middle in an amazing company of your pals with nothing but water all around…some things can just not be described in words. Once again we had our chick photo sessions on and soon there was flock of ducks and of so called macho boys around us, after shooing them off we headed towards the center ground and there we were showing off our singing talents on the tunes of Gulabi aankhein Jo teri dekhi…sharabi yeh dil ho Gaya!
Soon all had their eyes on us though mind you it was neither a publicity gimmick nor were we as desperate as celebrities to grab attention but then we were high…high on euphoria!!
Finally the joy ride ended and we moved back to our hotel, all charged up, we went for the dinner and the meal truly seemed sumptuous and then after a walk we turned back all packed up in the cozy blankets we sang and played till the wickets started falling and we fell asleep.
Finally the joy ride ended and we moved back to our hotel, all charged up, we went for the dinner and the meal truly seemed sumptuous and then after a walk we turned back all packed up in the cozy blankets we sang and played till the wickets started falling and we fell asleep.
The other day we left the City *Beautiful…it truly was a wonderful trip.