DAY 4 - GULMARG

11 JUNE

Our advice of starting early for Gulmarg was taken seriously. Everyone was packed and ready by 5 30. Breakfast was packed. Our bus was delayed by half an hour. But, nothing to worry! Our heavenly abode was here and we had no pictures. We clicked as many pictures as we could. To our heart’s desire.

Aboard the bus

At 6: 30, we all were inside the bus. And started our journey to Gulmarg. It was some 100-110 km away. Today, Sethi Uncle looked in an even better mood if that was possible. He sang songs, told us stories, anecdotes and jokes. He carries a folder with all these written and a mike with him wherever he goes. (This is duly noted now -:D, for large group trips). One was about how his birthday came about to be on 2nd July and it was an absolutely hilarious account.

It was also Sunita aunty’s birthday. Sethi uncle sang all the birthday songs he knew. Some other folks also sang their favourites. And I was obviously their unofficial photographer and videographer for the trip. I recorded them, then sang a few of my favourites in my singsong, no melody voice -:p.

PoleStar also presented aunty with one song - Mere Sapnon ki Raani. -:D His voice is far better than mine. :p

I would have loved to hear more songs from him but jitna mil jaaye usme santushti rakhni chahiye insaan ko.

Then we stopped over for brunch at some dhaba, I think it was called Raja Dhaba. Again, I didn’t feel like eating for some reason. I told my mum I will take a stroll to the opposite side of the road and took off.

I did find something that looked interesting two blocks away- Artisane Gallery. And I went there. PoleStar being the omnipresent person that he is – saw me going off. We spoke in sign language and I told him I will be fine by myself. I went inside. The gallery and it had a very aesthetic feel to itself and a very pleasant owner. He showed me around. Some workers were weaving Pashmina shawls, some weaving carpets. It was like a showcase. Usually all this work would be done in some villages in communities.

Just as I was talking to this man who was showing me around, PoleStar came breathing heavily. He must have run up till here. I had told him I would be fine. But aaj tak meri maa ne iss baat par bharosa nahi kiya meri, to ye to bechaara abhi mila hai!

Although just like the previous time, when he had appeared out of nowhere in the woodwork shop, it was good to have him here.

We checked out the place together. The gallery and their wooden artefacts room. I saw a similar woodbox again, but again at the same price - 12500 with some 12% discount. What didn’t make sense was there were just 2-3 boxes. I wanted to buy from a place that had them in bulk I could choose from. But seeing the same item at two places at exactly the same price made me feel maybe it was of this standard price. I took the place’s card. And the owner’s number. And we started to walk out.

The owner’s name was Hussain (if I remember correctly) and he told me Artisane– female artisan, a word with french origins. Now the name made sense! He said he could talk in French and since French is the only language I know apart from Hindi and English, we carried out the rest of our conversation in French.

Just then our bus driver came running in saying - Your mum is freaking out looking for you with a glass of milk. I remembered I had ordered buttermilk and told my mum I was across the road. Whereas I was two blocks away from where she expected me. I had lost track of time and I knew my mum. She would have stressed out not finding me where I was supposed to be. I literally ran back to the dhaba at full speed.

Got an earful from all uncles. My mum was on the verge of tears and had panicked more than I had expected. I was doomed. Khushbu told me on the bus what all they had imagined in a span of 10 minutes when they didn’t see me around. My mum was silently crying to herself. I was myself surprised by their imaginative skills. It is enough to say, none of the scenarios they had imagined are suitable for putting on paper. What I heard will have stay between me, Khushbu and my Krishna ji and to go my grave with me :p

I got scolded enough to spoil my mood for the entire day. No more songs, no more mood.

See, I very well know it was my fault. Knowing that my phone didn’t work here, I should have told them the exact place I was going to. I should have come back within 10 minutes rather than getting carried over by the aesthetics of an art gallery. I should have not given them the chance to let their imagination run wild with worry!

Par phir aise chote chote shehron mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain. Had I behaved the way I was expected to..to ye script kaise banti? I couldn’t have written it on my own using my imagination and creativity :P

The only relief was– Hopefully they didn’t say anything to PoleStar over my carelessness. So, on later thoughts, after the day is just a story –Thankyou Krishna Ji for this script and this experience :). This story I will fondly remember as what Khushbu tells everyone - Ladki ghum ho gayi thi humaari :p

To Gulmarg

Shortly afterwards, around 1, we reached Gulmarg. We were told it would be the most beautiful place we would be seeing on our entire trip. After Pahalgam, I had my doubts! What could be more beautiful than the place I had stayed at the previous day!

To reach the topmost point of Gulmarg - We needed to take 2 gondolas (trolleys). The 1st Gondola took us from Base to Phase 1, and the 2nd Gondola from Phase 1 to Phase 2.

After this point, sadly PoleStar couldn’t accompany us. To joke, he said - From this point - We are strangers -:p As if my mood was not already bad enough!

Anyway, I cheered myself up.

Clicked some pictures with Khushbu.

We had to take a trike scooter ride to reach the base. I tried to convince the driver to let me drive it, but my persuasion skills failed terribly. We reached the base and there was a queue. If there was anything that could further dampen my spirits, it was a never ending queue.

But somehow, with Khushbu with me, we survived gossiping and bitching about stuff. :D. That is the thing about friends, you put them together even in hell, and they will manage to have fun and party. :P

Even my mom tried to cheer me up after we had both spoiled each other’s mood. She sang – Zindagi ek safar hai suhana, and if you can believe it around 1000 people started singing with her. With what seemed like zombies lines and people on the verge of breaking, it became a live concert cum antakshari..

After what seemed like forever, we reached our gondola and within a few minutes phase 1. We didn't stop there. And directly took the second gondola to phase 2.

Here, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was like heaven. There was land and trees in the clouds. Like a whole city in clouds. The way they show heaven in movies. That is all made through technology. I didn’t know it was real.

Seeing that, I deliberately tried to cheer myself up as much as I could. I didn’t want to spoil my experience over my temporary bad mood. I sat by myself and tried to absorb as much of it as I could.

After everyone had come we had to go to the point where there was snow. It was some half a kilometre away and the path was like a trekking mountain path.

Running uphill was the most fun. I wish I had someone to race with there. (Adding this to my checklist for next time).

Once we reached there, we had to walk up the snow to a higher point from where we could sledge down. The folks there carried people up on the sledge uphill and then we came down on the sledge. Going up on the snow was fun. Sometimes the sledge guys dragged us on the sledge, sometimes supported us to climb up. Them dragging us uphill on the sledge was a torture on them. That should stop. They can support us, there was no need to drag as such.

Some techniques I knew – like walking with feet at 90 degrees to the direction of incline. Some on how to make holds in snow, I learnt.

Next time, I want to climb there on my own, without any support maybe. -:) And sledge too if not ski on my own.

Arun Uncle conducted a session of laughter club at the topmost point. This guy’s energy is at next next next level. He is 65+ (almost as old as my grandfather) and totally fit. The only person fitter than him was my mom. Obviously I was the fittest and fastest, but I am in a different age group. :p (*touchwood*). If at 65+ I can be the same, tab baat hogi.

And Khushbu knowing the routine escaped from the session and had pictures with a ski! -:D

Even the Gods blessed us with snow. It wasn’t on the forecast but it snowed. it was a top up. :D

After sledging downhill, we started descending again through the rocky path and I again wanted to race. (Noted for next time! )

I reached first sat at my spot to have my moment of *fika* – (meaning - a moment to slow down and appreciate the good things in life) to take in the heavenly beauty. The City in clouds.. Here there were no vehicles, no diesel, just pure air. I could breathe in freely.

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Back to Base

After everyone had come down, we started taking gondolas to phase 1.

At phase 1, awaited the real test of patience. There was a huge queue at least 500 m long in front of us. And it was not even moving. Jaate huye I understand queues. Waapas aate huye queues, I was seeing for the first time. -:(. All of us were already drained out, after the snow activities. We were all so tired, we just dragged along. Except, of course, Sethi Uncle. He was chattering happily, showing us pictures of Aru valley and talking about random things that I didn’t have energy to register.

Two hours in line and we finally got the gondola back to base. From there our scooter.

Finally,

After washing up and changing from the borrowed snow coat and boots to my shoes and jacket, could I finally breathe. Everyone had a snack and I had my final views of Gulmarg in peace.

Yes, the added relief was seeing Polestar around again, talking to other stars over call. He somehow always felt like home.

To Srinagar

Then we hopped onto our bus and went back to Srinagar. Reached there around 9: 30. Unloaded our luggage. And took shikaras to our houseboats. By now I was relaxed. My bad mood, the tiredness was all behind. I was looking forward to dinner, diary, a hearty chat with Khushbu and then some sleep.

The Houseboat

We were to stay in a houseboat today. Our trip was well planned. The last day was to relax. Our houseboat had a balcony entrance, a guest room, a kitchen, a dining hall, and then 4 bedrooms in tandem. The last bedroom was the largest one, the family room, and we got that. Since we were 3, me, mummy and Khushbu, we got that.

It was all made of wood. And the carvings and designs and decor was royal. After freshening up, we all headed for dinner.

Dinner

After the queues for Gondola today, my detour to Artisane, this was the worst thing today. Food. It was uncooked. Half cooked! Bad! Just barely edible.

I was used to just having a hearty dinner. I would have eaten before if I knew I wouldn’t get anything.

I ate whatever I could and we left out to walk.

Khushbu told my mom that she wanted to have all her trips with me. I felt so happy hearing that. In fact, I share her feeling. I also want to have her on all my trips. I have always loved her as a friend, but after the last two trips together, our friendship has deepened many layers. We know each other better. And I want to spend more and more time with her having hearty conversations, if possible everyday. -:)

Night Shikara Ride

Me and Khushbu wanted to sit on a boat at night and have that experience. One shikara had gone to drop off someone from our group whose houseboat was far. But there were no shikara rides as such.

We tried to ask around but nothing. Then one guy had to go back to the other side and we decided to go along with him and come back. Obviously we didn’t get permission.

But when the boat came, I hopped onto it and said I would be back in 5 mins with the driver. I tried to pull in Khushbu but she didn’t join me for fear of the elders. I wish she did join me but it was either we both miss it or I went alone. So, I did. The ride was soothing. Like a perfect closure to a day with so many feelings. I wish Khushbu was there and we could both ride together for a few hours. But jitna mil jaaye insaan ko usme santushti rakhni chahiye. -:p

Calling it a day

After the ride, we retired to our rooms. I was in a happy mood now after the ride. Though no energy left. Mom packed up and took out clothes and stuff for the next day. Me and Khushbu had a small chat in the meanwhile. And before we knew, before we kept our heads on the pillows and draped ourselves in blankets, we were fast asleep.

- manu

- twwg

(Link to master post --> https://www.thewarriorwizardgirl.com/post/kashmir-diaries)