Of Sizzling Pomphrets & ID on the Beach

A long weekend is what every professional slave yearns to get; if not every month, at least once in a blue moon. At the beginning of the year, it is these days which r noted with utmost sincerity; the birthdays, anniversaries, receptions etc, can wait.

August 13-14-15 the long weekend culminating with the 58th Independence Day Celebrations; meant celebrating the spirit of freedom by being far away from home & hearth; amidst the hills, streams & friends. After having slogged the whole week; performing household chores, arguing with folks, admiring the Idiot Box over the over the weekend..are anathemas for an outdoor freak. Plans were made well in advance to embark on a 3 day trek, loitering along the hills.

Unfortunately, the best laid plans came undone with the deluge of 26th July 05. Though a fortnight has passed since that fateful day; life in many parts of the city of Mumbai & it's outskirts ( Konkan, Ratnagiri, etc) are yet to recover. Apart from human life, the deluge seems to have completely uprooted the road & railway transportation infrastructure. The spread of diseases like Malaria, Dengue & Leptospirosis seem to have added to the misery off those afflicted by the floods.

Under such trying circumstances, the city breads would have had to find alternate means of recreation; rather than risk entering these regions; unless they belonged to the bunch of blokes who were socially aware of their responsibilities of rendering help to their affected brethren.

Since most of us lack such a social outlook apart from predicting doomsday & expressing sympathy; we were left with the enviable task of pampering our own self; be it trekking up a hill, biking, travelling or generally lazing around passing judgements on National & International Issues.

I guess, I fit in perfectly into this category; bringing the house down when MTNL took 2 sweet weeks to rectify my wired walkie talkie; or when the Reliance Power blinked for a few hrs every day, or worst when my internet connection went kaput for a while. Apart from the usual sharing of grief with those marooned ..when shown on the television screen; cursing the BMC & Govt for inefficiency & lack of foresight etc., there was nothing much I felt I was capable of contributing.

As the weekend approached; the fear of diseases lurking in the vicinity poured water on all trek plans. In a last ditch effort to salvage the weekend, a Bike trip was contemplated. That too endured the same fate. That brought the final option; ” A ST Bus trip to Ganpatiphule & Back....", along with Ritz. On getting the news of ST's not running beyond Ratnagiri, we had given up. It was already Saturday & plans were made to do local treks inside the National Park on Sun & Mon. Unfortunately, almost the entire gang seemed to have taken to enjoying the comforts of good sleep or clinical amnesia. The appointed time both on Sun & Mon...went past with no soul in sight.

Feeling disgusted, it was time to set things right. Decided to load my camera with Kodak 400 & capture the landmark of CST & Gateway in all it's grandeur on the eve of ID-05. Raj offered to help out in taking night snaps of these places, using a tripod & exposing the film to over a minute. It was quite an interesting journey to roam around town on a bike @ midnight, hoping to get some good snaps. The day ended with a round of Beer & Sizzling Pomphret Sizzlers @ Universal. Caught the last train home & just crashed; having done something worthwhile.

Woke up @ 11.00 to overcast skies; a perfect setting to let the cycle rip, the pedals churn, the gears groan & experience the wind gushing through u'r hair. Post lunch, camera in hand pushed off towards Juhu beach. Was hoping to get some interesting snaps of the place, which I normally dislike; because of the crowd & mayhem.

Ever since I have managed to get the Flying Pigeon from Anup on an extended lease, I have enjoyed every moment spent with this graceful lady. It took a few mighty falls before the beast within could be tamed. Since then, it has been a breeze. The Pigeon gives u a sense of freedom n power .. It just flew while other fuel guzzling machines broke down in the rain. Well ..if BOND has his Aston Martin, I have my Flying Pigeon...Atta puttar..!!!

In about 20min, I landed along the shores of Juhu. The place was overflowing like froth out of a beer mug. Planted my Pigeon safely to one side & got lost in the sea of humanity; with my Yashica Electro-35 giving the Eastman film a good workout.

Had a good time @ the beach snapping the colourful stalls, Flag bearing Buttawallas, Street performers (Acrobats), seaside shell vendors, airplanes & helicopters. As each of these blokes posed along side their weirs, the constant query was...." Kaunse Akhbar meim Chapega...."..it was hilarious.

The acrobat fellow, who had a huge gathering around him; on seeing my camera; gave me the pose & in return asked for 50bucks.... With all the attention of the crowd turned on me, I had to plead with him to be happy with 10 bucks....

The energy level @ the beach was encouraging..& a great way to elevate u'r senses.

A slight drizzle forced me in the shelter with a cutting of Hot CHAI. The tranquillity amidst the cacophony, let my mind wander... as events of the near & distant past tickled my senses.

After spending close to 2 hrs, appreciating , admiring & capturing the revelry; it was time to free the pigeon & be homeward bound. Reached home sweaty & exhausted only to cheer the Queens Eleven thrash the POME's into submission on the cricket field. It was an extraordinary turnaround for a team that was always considered below par. It took captains knock from Ponting to save the Aussies from going 2 down & be blown with the ASHES. Good Work England...Time to Knock the Champs of their High Pedestal; while we Indians, have to endure the ungainly sight of Ganguly running behind the Red cherry; almost pleading it to STOP!!! Singing/sighing... Arre Ruk Ja Re Bande...Hum hain..Dal.mia(n) ke Chamche...!!!

Jzz...what's that stink... !! The rescued kittens have downloaded .... It's a ticking chemical Bomb out here.... Phew....

Snaps of the days Events can be found here.......> SNAPS