After taking little rest I went for trekking. My
host and his friend were waiting for me at market. To save time we decided
cover road area by car and then almost 12km we will trek. By 4 O'clock, we
reached at trek point. Sun was bright but not scorching. We started trek and
came across with a village called Sunkadiya.
Though the villages are changing and adopting a city culture now but still I
can sense the aroma of village from little distance. When we entered in a
verandah of a house, dog started barking. Lady with two kids came out, kids
were hiding them behind their mother. Lady was in traditional dress. She had
covered her head with a printed cloth and was wearing a traditional Dhoti. She was
speaking in Regional Language, which I couldn’t understand but my host talked with
her easily. She stared at me, giggled and
then said – come come !!! He won’t bite
!!! Two kids were still hiding behind
their mother…
Architect of the house was Kumauni but made by
cement not by stone. Outside of the house, 2-3 cattle were chewing fodder. Field
was covered with yellow mustard flower and in little distance; I saw a village
temple also. We crossed the village and walked upward. Far from distance, a red
colour's monastery attracted me. Red architect of monastery was looking gorgeous
with Himalayan background. Though the Himalaya was not clear but still it had
its own charm…
Slowly-slowly we were moving up and city left
behind.
My host shows me a closed Magniz factory and said - It was a bad luck for city that the factory got closed. He said
with disappointment - The city people and
city politics itself responsible for this. Workers cheated the factory owner
badly, he became bankrupt, and he has to close the factory… Now only remnants
of factory are there …
We were
moving up to our destination. Now scenario has changed and we entered in a
dense Deodar jungle. Weather became cold here. My host told me - The point we are going is called HUPANI.
Its local word and the meaning of this is Snow Water. This place coldest like
snow and if we will be lucky we may see the bear also. I said – we will be happier if bear will let us all
go. All started laughing. From here I saw Bhrigu peak also, Bhrigu was saint and used to sit here for
meditation.
Well we reached our point safely though I wanted to spend some
time here but sun was going down and bear could hug us any time so we thought to
cross the area in light.
When we turned the light was very soothing and
everything was bathing in sun rays. I took some pictures of the city in this
light. We met with some ladies also who were cutting trees. I did try to threat
them but my host stopped me and we turned back. By the time we reached to car
it was pitch dark. Without wasting any time we drove back to city. This time
again, I went to market and saw the mall of Pithoragarh, which was not very big
but good enough for city people. Market was about to close now and some guys
were enjoying fire on road. I bought some local snacks, eat some betel-leaf,
and back to hotel. Next morning I had to return to Nainital so I arranged a
ticket shearing cab for me. My return journey was again very adventures so I
want to share this also…
Cab driver reached sharp 4:30 at morning. I was
ready so came out and entered in cab. Cab was already full. I said goodbye to
Pithoragarh though Pithoragarh was still in deep sleep. It was only 10 minutes
drive and lady sitting behind has started vomiting. She was making noise badly
and all other was getting irritated. Everybody start giving their own advice to
stop her vomiting. There were so many ideas coming but two funniest ideas, which
made me laugh, were like this. Man sitting next to me said – you must sit on newspaper to stop vomiting.
Before I could react on it second idea came from the man sitting behind and said
– you must drink a glass of beer.
Hmmmmmmmmm I was feeling like burst out with laugh
but somehow controlled myself and suddenly second problem arrived and driver
said – Mam can you please open the window
of your side. I looked at him with wonder and said – why ? He said - AC is not working and moisture is collecting
in front window. I said – but it’s too cold, how can I open window ?
He requested me so I opened it with little disappointment. After that, I was
shivering through journey and voice coming from behind was making me more upset.
Well, I think this is the real fun of
journey which I enjoyed…
On the way I saw a big group of sheep moving
downwards. 2-3 people, who were in different dress, with this group. Driver
told me - They are nomads and coming from
Munshyari. They will spend whole winter in warm places and in March-April they
will return to their places. Nomad word made me curious to know more about
them. I asked detail about them. Driver said – They will sell wool, herbs, milk product etc. They always walk in-group
of sheep, 2-3 ponies, 1 dog. They don’t use any vehicle and pitched their tent
in jungle but don’t harm jungles. Well
it was a my good luck for the journey…
One more thing happened with me at Ghat. As
Pithoragarh attach with Nepal boarder so some security persons wanted to check
our luggage, specially mine. Well I had only one problem, which was cold. I came
out and started shivering badly. Driver also came and said to security person –
Mam is journalist, show him my tripod and said - she has a big camera also. Well
by the time I opened my bag and show him. He got satisfied and was sorry for
the trouble. I said - its all right I
have no problem but tell me why you only wanted to check my bag ? His reply made me amused. He said – your bag was very good in quality. I was so
surprised with this reply. Now the sun was rising and weather become warm
so open window was not bothering me. At Danya we took paratha in breakfast
again then headed to Almora. From Almora I made my way to my city Nainital…
End
