It was like deja-vu. Remember that night we spent near the Kedarnath Temple. This night was the same. The proximity from Gomukh was chilling. Those who could not visit Gomukh the other day were slated to start for it early in the morning. And they timely left the camp in high spirits. The rest of us got up with lethargy draining from all parts of our bodies. We discussed the day's plan and started the down trek to Gangotri at a mindbogglingly slow pace as we had all the time in the world.
On the way, there was some blood spilled all over the trek and suddenly we realized we had many Sherlock Holmes among us who presented their versions of what might have happened. As the place was in fact a national park with lots of mountain goats and snow leopards, it was not difficult to guess what took place. The fur spread all over the trek was that of a mountain goat for sure. We looked around in suspicion and suddenly we all started to move real close to each other until the locals convinced us that the wild ones do not come out in broad day light.
In no time, we reached Gangotri and since we had ample time to kill we decided to take a dip in the holy river to wash away our sins. Now even the thought of taking a dip in that icy water flowing at a blistering pace was dreadful. But one by one all got into the waters. I still remember when I put my head inside. It went blank for a while. And so did the rest of the body. There we stood, all frozen up perhaps desperate for an ice-breaker. We then performed the rituals as some of us had deep beliefs in their efficacy. The priest seemed sensible as he narrated in detail the whole story pertaining to the origins of Gangotri meanwhile I pondered whether I can be retrospectively punished for the sins that I just washed away.
But I was impressed for a different reason. At the end realizing that he was addressing a bunch of civil servants, he talked about how corruption has plagued everything. He sighted the rampant corruption present in the maintenance and construction of the ghat itself. He then urged to all of us to practice the right path and to take the nation forward. It was a touching talk coming from a priest. It made a lot of sense and reiterated the point that so much needs to be done. Post that we made lunch arrangements for the party which was coming down after us so as to save some time as we had to start the return journey to Mussoorie as soon as possible.
Road travel is always risky. And becomes even more tragic when you are surrounded by hills. The journey to Mussoorie was going to take around 12 hours which would mean a lot of night travel. That did not seem right to many and hence we decided to take a stopover in between and resumed the return the next morning finally managing to reach the academy around noon. To our surprise, the course coordinator was herself there to receive us as we had made history overdoing the Himalayan trek while most groups returned a day before their schedules.
These 10 days have been truly amazing. They have taken us to places which we could only imagine. They have made us realize that our limits are nothing but our perceptions and can be pushed to any length. They have made us learn the dynamics of a group and the relevance of taking everyone together. And most importantly they have kept us away from the classroom for a whole of 10 days. Lastly I congratulate all OTs for completing the treks. Surely we have come out stronger, healthier and more determined to take on any challenge.
On the way, there was some blood spilled all over the trek and suddenly we realized we had many Sherlock Holmes among us who presented their versions of what might have happened. As the place was in fact a national park with lots of mountain goats and snow leopards, it was not difficult to guess what took place. The fur spread all over the trek was that of a mountain goat for sure. We looked around in suspicion and suddenly we all started to move real close to each other until the locals convinced us that the wild ones do not come out in broad day light.
In no time, we reached Gangotri and since we had ample time to kill we decided to take a dip in the holy river to wash away our sins. Now even the thought of taking a dip in that icy water flowing at a blistering pace was dreadful. But one by one all got into the waters. I still remember when I put my head inside. It went blank for a while. And so did the rest of the body. There we stood, all frozen up perhaps desperate for an ice-breaker. We then performed the rituals as some of us had deep beliefs in their efficacy. The priest seemed sensible as he narrated in detail the whole story pertaining to the origins of Gangotri meanwhile I pondered whether I can be retrospectively punished for the sins that I just washed away.
But I was impressed for a different reason. At the end realizing that he was addressing a bunch of civil servants, he talked about how corruption has plagued everything. He sighted the rampant corruption present in the maintenance and construction of the ghat itself. He then urged to all of us to practice the right path and to take the nation forward. It was a touching talk coming from a priest. It made a lot of sense and reiterated the point that so much needs to be done. Post that we made lunch arrangements for the party which was coming down after us so as to save some time as we had to start the return journey to Mussoorie as soon as possible.
Road travel is always risky. And becomes even more tragic when you are surrounded by hills. The journey to Mussoorie was going to take around 12 hours which would mean a lot of night travel. That did not seem right to many and hence we decided to take a stopover in between and resumed the return the next morning finally managing to reach the academy around noon. To our surprise, the course coordinator was herself there to receive us as we had made history overdoing the Himalayan trek while most groups returned a day before their schedules.
These 10 days have been truly amazing. They have taken us to places which we could only imagine. They have made us realize that our limits are nothing but our perceptions and can be pushed to any length. They have made us learn the dynamics of a group and the relevance of taking everyone together. And most importantly they have kept us away from the classroom for a whole of 10 days. Lastly I congratulate all OTs for completing the treks. Surely we have come out stronger, healthier and more determined to take on any challenge.
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