It was time for the first trip lady nomads to meet. They were planning and postponing and again planning and postponing. So finally, I made a plan to meet on a weekend and the location was 55km away from Trivandrum city. The Udayagiri Fort. Some of them had already visited the place whereas for some, it was the first time. Therefore, for the first timers, I posted few pics and shared my blog to read and see the place.
All were excited for that day and this time, the registration was closed days before. Few new faces also joined the trip who was the friends of our first trip women.
Sunday morning 11AM! We started picking everyone from different areas of the city and we missed the presence of Bindhu, the senior most in our group. In her language she was "trapped" in some situations and promised to join our next trip to... Yes Chikmanglore!!!
This time we had a kiddos gang in Appooppanthaadi. Rajani's 9 year old Kuttus, Sara's 11 year old Sania and Karthika's 2 year old toddler Paathu. It was more like a family trip for us- Fun filled!!!
Rajani and Jyothi were the main stars who made the team active throughout the journey. In fact, they were not even sitting in their seats!
By the time, we crossed the Tamil Nadu check post, everyone was screaming "We are hungry". Within few minutes, we parked our vehicle in a vegetarian restaurant and everyone got down for lunch. We spent around hardly 1 hour, as everyone wanted to rush to see whats there in Udayagiri Fort. During lunch, those who sat in the front seats of the vehicle had lunch with those who were at the back seat. It was the beginning of another bond of new relationships.
We reached the Fort by 2.45PM. We got the tickets and started wandering here and there. I promised them a walk through the woods but my real intention was to get them to the top of the Udayagiri hill, assuming they haven’t closed the path.
Chasing ducks and swinging in the children's park's swing, ladies moved on ahead slowly. In between, me and Paathu made a bond of friendship. At times, she hung on my hands to walk or at times on my hip. Together we headed to the path where it head to the hilltop and luckily, it was open. Then we waited for some minutes for those who were at the back, still strolling through the Deer park . When they reached us, one by one we started climbing up. I mentioned before that the path wasn’t frequently used for climbing. Bushes on the either side of the path were over grown. Kuttus was leading us and he was climbing faster than any ladies in the group.
Karthika was doing this trekking after a long time. So Neelima, Babitha and me were helping her in each step. I was wondering about the sudden growth of friendship bonds that the gang got in this short journey. Hema, Manju and Sara were handling Paathu at first and then later I held her and started climbing. Sania was nowhere in the scene. Yeah she too was way ahead of us. Those who climbed faster, started taking selfies and those who were done with selfies, waited for us.
In between, someone suggested to drop the plan for climbing up. However, I could persuade them to climb suggesting that it is not that hectic and within few steps we can see the handrails to help us climbing.
Within less than 30 minutes, breathing and puffing, everyone reached at the top of the hill. Greenery and blowing wind was amazing. Kuttus was the first one who ran and had a "semi-bath" in the small pond at the top. Then one by one, everyone took their turns. Hima was advising everyone to dip our legs in the water, which felt amazingly cool and will help in getting rid of our tiredness.
Running around and posing for photos, everyone was busy. While Paathu and myself were exploring the top hill rocks. At times she was whistling. According to her mother's perception, Paathu whistles when she gets excited.
After spending some time there, everyone started climbing down the hill to explore De Lenoy's Tomb. While climbing down too, Paathu was in my hand. She tried to hold the handrails and put her head against the wind. She was not knowing how I was climbing down. :P If I put her down for a moment, she will climb her own way and I will have to run behind her for her safety, stepping over the rocks where she is stepped.
Once everyone got downwe all took a break and started walking towards the Tomb. This was my main persuading point to make this trip a reality. I tempted them using this tomb as my major point through out the planning days of this trip. Either side was with dense forest. There was an eerie silence except the sound of Paathu's anklets.
Kuttus took care of Paathu for few steps and then Sania too came along. When the team went to explore the Tomb, I waited with Paathu in near the Gazebo.
We started heading back to the main entrance of Fort at 5.30PM. On our way, many newly married Tamil couples’ post marriage photo shoot was happening here and there inside the Fort. Watching them, we went to the water source near the entrance to wash our face. Then we went back to Vehicle.
As usual, the Balaramapuram Traffic blocked us and it was getting late for Babitha. So we changed our plans and dropped her first. Then the scientist of our team, Jasna and her friend Sudakshina (whom we call, Sudu). Rajani with Kuttus and Hima got down at the city where their husbands were waiting. We dropped Susan teacher at same spot where we picked her; Sara, Manju and Sania at the crowds of Keshavadasapuram; Hema at Karyavattom; followed by Karthika and our Paathus at their door steps. Jyothy and Jagu (I am still calling her Jagu as I forgot her real name) at Jagu's home; finally Neelima, the pro-driver of our team with me in my flat.
Once again a wonderful day wrapped in fun and happiness ended with memories.
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