Putting all the necessary gears for a tour in a backpack, taking out your car or a bike, and hitting the road for your ‘have to do before dying’ trip is the dream of everyone. But for getting paid for these trips is part of being lucky with your life. Rishad Saam Mehta is this lucky chap who is telling his stories from those roads which he tamed sometimes on two wheels and sometimes on four.
Traveling and Tea sounds best companions just like, book and coffee. This ‘T&T’ love of Rishad made him write all the memories of those companions in his book “Hot Tea Across India”. ‘Kindle Unlimited’ has gifted me the opportunity to grab plenty of books, and I found this treasure of memories in that pile.
Those magnificent Himalayan memories about its beauty, weather, outdoor camping, some incidents which makes you feel measly in-front of mother nature’s forces if you neglect them, made my dream of visiting mighty mountain king stronger by every page I turned. After giving chance to enjoy chilling Himalayan weather, he takes us to have some fun in Rann of Katcha in his chase of a herd of wild asses. The excitement, speed and a battle with treacherous bogs with quicksands in dessert make adrenaline rush through your body.
He also makes us believe that anything can and will happen when hitting the road, some local thug can make you run away with fear of losing your bike to his son in so-called ‘fair trade’ offer, or some anarchist trying to prove their point in local ‘bandh’ by asking you ‘Please can we burn your car?’. But there are many good people out there who make your trip memorable. He found interesting persons to show him around magnificent temples of Khajuraho, or to take in the times of Rana’s of Jaisalmer.
Sometimes, your travels make you acquainted whit some not so famous and posh looking food joints which serves food which can truly be labeled as delicacies. Then let it be in some houseboat in Kashmir or some roadside ‘dhaba’ on legendary Grand Trunk Road. Or even some native nomads ask you to join them for a meal or help you to cook some of their traditional recipes.
In-short your craving for food, fun, drive/ride and photography is increased tenfold when you put down the book after reaching an end. Grab your copy and have some fun with Rishabh’s memories.
Author: Adi Sathe
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Stories on wheels
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And the journey begins…
Image curtsy: internet “It seems journey just started even after 55 years of togetherness. Though I couldn’t recollect my exact feelings, as Mrs. Nandini Suhas Naik, I can recollect those li’l eyes, wandering around with all the courage I could muster while putting my very first step through this heavily ornamented heavy wooden door. In those days, with no luxury of smartphones and WhatsApp, we haven’t even spoken with each other. Just some stolen glances when your grandfather came to see me with a marriage proposal. I was hiding behind the cover of the curtain separating hall and passage leading to other rooms of my father’s house.” Nandi Aaji was telling her story to Vishavas, her 27-year-old grandson.
“My eyes used to get moist every now and then when I was getting accustomed to the traditions of Naik family. Sometimes, I think, if I would have born in this age, would it be different than those years in any way? There are some comforts, some technological advantages to bridge the gap between two houses for a newlywed bride, but I don’t think those advances will be of much help to overcome those teary moments when she misses her home, her father, her mother. You people are fortunate you have all the time to know your partner, but when I became Naik, leaving behind Deshpande part my life, it wasn’t that easy.
Don’t think I am complaining about it. I am very happy and contained for those happy days which I am sharing with your grandpa. Even though it was not customary to take the newlywed bride for an outing, your grandpa took me out, to Matheran. This trip gave us exactly the same chance we were looking to know each other as a partner for life. Indeed it was the best trip I ever had. It was that trip when I truly find my partner on whom I can rely on, in all of the lows hand highs of our lives. Those 4–5 days were the one which made my moist eyes shine again with confidence. Confidence to have a place in a new home, feeling of being part of my new family.
That was the moment of ‘And the journey begins…’. Today your Nandi Aaji telling you this, to give some foresight to look out for your own moment of ‘And the journey begins… ’ Wish you very happy life ahead. Now, go hit the bed, tomorrow is the D day. Isn’t it the way you people call your marriage day?”
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The Joy of Life
Photo Curtsy: ethiopiaskate.org No matter what your age is, one always seek out for joy. Even in a hell hole like notorious slums of Dharavi in Mumbai, or be it some gun running country in Africa. Today early morning, Medium digest gave me little insights of those Ethiopian kids who took this joy hunt one step further. With no roads, no paved areas around, they started to find their joy in skateboarding. Started with 7 skateboards and 25 boys, they now have grown their skateboarding club with a strong foundation, officially called as Ethiopia Skate.
Indeed those kids have done a great job finding their bundle of joy in whatever they have with them instead of blaming their destiny. They made the most of the things around them and started living their dream, they turned abandoned buildings in their skating rings, started riding what they got; converting hurdles in the area in make-shift props to perform tricks.
Photo Curtsy: Daniel Reiter Isn’t that the same thing which we all crave for? Bit of joy in every day, a reason to laugh. But we just keep making excuses for not having something and never try to look in our backpack for small treasures of joy. Many times we even forget about the things which we own; things which used to make us happy in past. Routine for life makes us a slave to money and we simply lose touch with your skills and hobbies.
I think its time to dig out some old brushes and colors to paint some pleasant strokes on a canvas or bring out an old camera to capture a few amazing moments. If you like music then just sit on a couch and play your old favorite track, lay back and enjoy the tune. Take a break and pamper yourself. Indulge in your favorite drink or a food which you can die for. These are the joys in simple things; real stress busters. I am very sure, everyone wants such simple stress busters of their own. So, find your own joy boosters. Have some fun!!!
I had published this article on my Medium blog some years ago. September was busy in terms of this blogging journey. However, last 10 days of October was quite busy at work and other stuff as if I am losing the fun in small things. Today, I found about these Ethiopian kids again. They are an inspiration for me. I am sure that you will also find their love for skateboarding inspiring.
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आस
तुज पाहता दूरातही, ओठांवरी येइ हसे
ना कळे मज अंतरी, काय हे होते असेही पुन्हा संध्या उलटली, अन् पसरले चांदणे
त्या दिल्या संकेतवेळी, तू नि मी जवळी असेका कळे ना आज माझे, मौनही बोलू म्हणे
ऐकण्या ती मौनभाषा, बैस तू जवळी असेहोताच त्या गोड स्पर्शी, शिरशिरी अंगी उठे,
भावनांच्या तीव्र उर्मी, भारल्या कंठी असेना हलावे कोणी इथोनी, काळही थांबो इथे,
या क्षणाला मम मनी, आस एकच ही असे…
Poem recited by Aditya Sathe
Phonetics in Roman Script
Tuja pāhatā dūrātahī, ōṭhānvarī yē'i hasē nā kaḷē maja antarī, kāya hē hōtē asē hī punhā sandhyā ulaṭalī, an pasaralē chāndaṇē tyā dilyā saṅkētavēḷī, tū ni mī javaḷī asē kā kaḷē nā āja mājhē, maunahī bōlū mhaṇē aikaṇyā tī maunabhāṣā, baisa tū javaḷī asē hōtācha tyā gōḍa sparśī, śiraśirī aṅgī uṭhē, bhāvanān̄chyā tīvra urmī, bhāralyā kaṇṭhī asē nā halāvē kōṇī ithōnī, kāḷahī thāmbō ithē, yā kṣaṇālā mama manī, āsa ēkacha hī asē...
Rough English Translation (non-poetic)
A smile emerges on my lips even if I see you from far away, I have no clue what’s happening me these days?
See the evening turned in the night and the stars are twinkling above us, you and I are together, at this time, as decided.
I don’t know why, but my silence wants to speak up today, and I want you to sit close by to listen to this silent tongue.
With our hands’ touch, the whole body is -ignited, and my mind is filled completely with a burst of emotions.
No one should move now, even time should stop right now, at this moment, this is the only wish I have in my mind. -
सांगेल कोण याला
वारा पहा सुटावा, का आज या घडीला,
अंगात आग लागे, सांगेल कोण याला…मृद्गंध दरवळुनी, का हो छळी मनाला
मी दूर आज आहे, सांगेल कोण याला…हा जीव वेडावतो, पाहून पावसाला
विरहात मी बुडाले, सांगेल कोण याला…
Poetry recited by Aditya Sathe
Phonetics in Roman Script
Vārā pahā suṭāvā, kā āja yā ghaḍīlā, aṅgāta āga lāgē, sāṅgēla kōṇa yālā... Mr̥dgandha daravaḷunī, kā hō chaḷī manālā mī dūra āja āhē, sāṅgēla kōṇa yālā... Hā jīva vēḍāvatō, pāhūna pāvasālā virahāta mī buḍālē, sāṅgēla kōṇa yālā...
Rough English Translation (non-poetic)
In Marathi, many words are masculine which have common gender in English. This has made the impact of the poem in Marathi, wind, fragrance of soil after rain and rain are masculine words so as her partner.
So below is the translation.
Why the wind is blowing at this hour?
It put my body on fire, Who will let him/it know?The fragrance of a wet soil which otherwise pleasant is torturing my heart, today, we aren’t together, Who will let him/it know?
My mind goes crazy when I see rain,
But today I am longing (for his company). Who will let him/it know?
I am taking my Alexa Rank to the next level with #MyFriendAlexa. My current ranking is 1,571,612. I am trying to improve on this. Hope you all enjoy my Marathi poems. You can find my other posts in this campaign here. I would like to thank Blogchatter for the support you guys extend to us.
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झड
बघ, बाहेर लागली आहे पावसाची झड,
अन काळजात चालली आहे तुझ्या आठवांची धडपड
नकळत होईल उराची घालमेल,
अन् सावरतांना उडेल धांदल.
तेवढ्यात जोरदार बरसेल एक सर आणि होईल ढगांची गडगड,
आठवतंय तुला?
अशाच एका पावसात रंगला होता आपल्या गप्पांचा फड,
अन् सुटलेल्या थंडगार गार वाऱ्याबरोबरच भावनांना आला कढ,
आवेगाच्या नावेत बसून आपण केव्हाच सोडला होता थड,
आवेग ओसरला, पाऊस पालटला, मग आली पानझड,
मधल्या काळात तशी बरीच झालीये पडझड,
पण आजही जेव्हा लागते पावसाची झड,
काळजात होते तुझ्याच आठवांची धडपड…
Poetry recited by Aditya Sathe
Phonetics in Roman Script
Bagha, bāhēra lāgalī āhē pāvasāchī jhaḍa, ana kāḷajāta chālalī āhē tujhyā āṭhavān̄chī dhaḍapaḍa nakaḷata hō'īla urāchī ghālamēla, sāvaratānnā uḍēla dhāndala. Tēvaḍhyāta jōradāra barasēla ēka sara āṇi hō'īla ḍhagān̄chī gaḍagaḍa, āṭhavatanya tulā? Aśācha ēkā pāvasāta raṅgalā hōtā āpalyā gappān̄chā phaḍa, suṭalēlyā thaṇḍagāra gāra vāṟyābarōbaracha bhāvanānnā ālā kaḍha, an āvēgāchyā nāvēta basūna āpaṇa kēvhācha sōḍalā hōtā thaḍa, āvēga ōsaralā, pā'ūsa pālaṭalā, maga ālī pānajhaḍa, madhalyā kāḷāta taśī barīcha jhālīyē paḍajhaḍa, paṇa ājahī jēvhā lāgatē pāvasācī jhaḍa, kāḷajāta hōtē tujhyāca āṭhavān̄cī dhaḍapaḍa
Rough English Translation (non-poetic)
Look outside, rain is constantly
pouring,
and in my mind, your memories are struggling.
I will be anxious unknowingly,
and to reduce it I will be will fumbling.
(do you) remember?
Just like this it was raining and for long, we were chatting,
emotions took over when a cold breeze came blowing.
and we left the shore, in the boat of passion we were sailing.
passion receded, rain shopped, and then arrived the fall,
in the meantime, many things came down crumbling.
But, whenever rain is constantly pouring,
even today, in my mind, your memories are struggling.
I am taking my Alexa Rank to the next level with #MyFriendAlexa. My current ranking is 2,011,001. I am trying to improve on this. Hope you all enjoy my Marathi poems. You can find my other posts in this campaign here. I would like to thank Blogchatter for the support you guys extend to us.