MOMENTS THAT MATTER ✍️

An early morning trek with a small group of ten, in the chilly hills of Mussoorie...

Laughing our hearts out, at some spur of the moment rib-tickling jokes…

Two hours of non-stop singing of old Hindi film songs, on a long bus ride…

Listening to the childish banter, of a very intelligent 3 year old…

Spending valuable moments in the company of colleagues…

Turning the tables on my boys, and playing some pranks on them for once…

Whiling away the hours, in the cool climes of Uttaranchal…

Having a cup of hot sweet corn soup, to combat the freezing temperature…

Driving through the lush forests of Corbett and not sighting a single animal…😔

Preparing a hilarious mock Jungle Safari for the boys, to make up for the disappointment…

A spine chilling yet entertaining night walk with colleagues and new found friends, in Nainital…

The fantabulous setting of Wild Crest, Corbett…

Giving the beggars in the train a run for their money with our new-found begging skills…

Enjoying the company of our unforgettable, enthusiastic, friendly and fun-loving tour operators, Jayesh and Majid (urf Himesh Uncle)…😄

The fantastic super-fast train ride home in the Garibh Rath 3-tier AC train…

The inevitable parting at Borivli station which left me visibly teary-eyed...😢

These are just a few of the highlights of the last 9 days, that I spent in the extremely cool hill slopes of Uttaranchal. 

Most of them are apparently insignificant moments of my life. Moments like many others, that I’ve had before, on the many other tours that I’ve been for, over the years. Despite the fact that I’ve been for a tour, a camp or an outing, with my school staff and students, almost every year since I’ve joined the school; I always end up coming back home, with a trunk load of treasured moments. 

I’m not that much of a shop-o-holic. So I don’t really pick up too much stuff, from the places I visit. However, after almost every trip I’ve been for; I’ve come back home, armed with a whole bunch of 'Memories', that I can savour and cherish for a life-time.😊

This year was definitely no exception. After an amazing trip to sunny Goa, with the X std. boys (which was absolutely memorable); I didn’t really expect the next trip, to top that one. I knew I would have a good time (the way I always do); but I went for the trip without too many expectations. 

Was looking forward to visiting the land, that I’ve only read about, in Ruskin Bond’s stories; and the place wasn’t a disappointment at all, (although I would have loved to see more of Dehra Dun). It was absolutely amazing. Of course, I have to add that more that the places we visited; it’s my interactions with the people who accompanied me on this trip, that made it so special.❤️

Parth, a small little bundle of joy – my colleague’s son, who brought so many smiles to my face, while I was on this trip. He was a 'one-man entertainment channel', and kept everyone entertained right through the trip. I will miss not having him around all day long, now that the trip is over. 

My colleagues and friends from work, with whom I just laughed and laughed and laughed, right thru’ the 9 days…Some of us are absolute clowns; and putting so many cartoons in one place, could prove to be quite disastrous for the weak-hearted.😂

Of course, my boys (some of whom are regulars on the tours), whose company I always enjoy. Others, who were coming on the trip for the first time, and left no stone unturned to help make every minute of the trip, memorable.

...And an extremely naughty bunch of 6th std boys, whom I was put in charge of, while on this trip; who managed to actually get on my nerves and lose my temper, more than a few times, because of their constant bickering and quarreling. For some strange reason, they just never got on with one another; and that made life rather difficult, for the teacher in-charge - That’s me - who was holding on to the last strands of her patience, whenever it came to dealing with them.🤦‍♀️😄

Without a doubt though, these are also things that I will remember, when I sit down and think about my memories from this trip. 

Lastly, the Tour Operators, who were like the glue that bound this trip together. After going on so many trips, I’ve interacted with quite a few of them in the past: but no one has been able to gel and mix with the group, as easily and whole-heartedly as Jayesh and Majid. They were the life of this tour, and helped to make this trip absolutely worthwhile. So, kudos to them, for being two of the best Tour Operators, that DB has ever seen, in the last 5 years.👍

While the country is being torn apart by violence and strife, in the name of region and religion; I went for this trip with a lot of apprehension and fear. I wasn’t too sure, if I would come back, safe and sound. 

This trip though, helped me to forget all my worries. It gave me a chance to relax, and enjoy the company of friends and students, in a completely informal setting. It once again reinforced my belief, that it doesn’t take very long to make friends. 

I realized how grateful I was, to be blest with opportunities like these, to mingle with people, and to visit so many places, all over the country. 

I always knew, that I had an amazing ability to make friends. This trip made me marvel at, how quickly I got attached to people. The tears in my eyes at the end of this trip, were tears of sadness, at having to part ways from friends and students; who were my family for the past 9 days...No doubt school begins in two days, and I’ll be meeting almost all of them again; but it just won’t be the same. 

As I sit down to write this post, I am once again grateful to God, for bringing special people into my life. People who make the world a happier place. People who give me a reason to smile. People with whom, I am able to create so many 'Moments that Matter'.✨️✍️