Now that the darsan is over, we got on the pallaki and the carrier asked me how happy I am and how much I am pleased with them. I told them that it was very good and their service was good. Coming down hill wasn't easy. I was nervous because the ground was wet and the crowd was increasing. Everyone going up was focusing on returning before dark. They were given priority on the path. At one point, one of my carriers asked me whether I would be able to walk a short distance since the road is mushy and slippery, the four of them cannot balance easily. I enquired about Nirmala's pallaki and they said she is ok and is a bit ahead of us. I agreed to walk. The path was very slippery, narrow and scary. I was holding on to the bushes and rocks and at one point the walk was on a steep hill. I did not expect that. They were holding my arm trying to support and protect me from falling. I completely ruined my Saree and my new shoes that Gayatri bought for me. It was like a stress test for me. I thought that I would collapse. But I made it and here I am writing my posts. Later on I found out that the other party took turns and carried Nirmala on their back for that distance. He was frank. He said that since I am much heavier than her, they requested me to walk. Well, that is the truth.
When we reached the Dhaba area, where we were supposed to meet the rest of our party, we were let out of the pallaki. They asked for the tip. I gave them a very generous one and Nirmala also agreed to the amount. They were extremely pleased.
Now we looked every where for Umamaheswaran and there was no trace of him. Rao and Bhuvana were trekking, so, they would be delayed anyway. We reached around 3 p.m. They announced that the Helicopter service was cancelled due to bad weather. Now, we are supposed to find tent accommodation. We did not even bring a towel or tooth paste with us. Nirmala and I decided to wait for the others before deciding on the tent. Nirmala was weak and tired and so, I was going all over like a little girl looking for the others and talking to the security staff and so on. We were getting hungry too. We waited till 7 p.m. and then saw at a distance Rao and Bhuvana. Per Nirmala's advice I got out of the 'food line' and approached them. They said that they decided to take the pallaki for their return trip since it was getting dark and they were told that sometimes, they stop the devotees where ever they are and they may have to sleep in the cold. Bhuvana said that her brother came down at 3:15 p.m., rented a tent for all of us and he had been waiting for us there. (How would we know????).
Uma's pallaki carriers also helped him a lot. They carried him almost to the tent. But, he told them that he would pay them only after the rest of us arrive. When it came to paying, he did not want to tip. I felt bad because they had to come all the way to the tent to collect the money. till today I don't know Uma's reason for not waning to pay that money.
Anyway, all of us walked to that tent which looked like it was in a distant town. The rest rooms were a long walk too. If you need water for your use, you have to pay. Well, we were glad that at least there were rest rooms and water. It was about 40 degrees and so, very cold. Nirmala was using all the warm clothes and so, I had to shiver a bit and cover myself with the comforters provided in the tent for the night. Roti and daal were served by the cook in the next tent. Uma was very pleased with the arrangements he made for all of us.
Will continue the saga in the next post.
When we reached the Dhaba area, where we were supposed to meet the rest of our party, we were let out of the pallaki. They asked for the tip. I gave them a very generous one and Nirmala also agreed to the amount. They were extremely pleased.
Now we looked every where for Umamaheswaran and there was no trace of him. Rao and Bhuvana were trekking, so, they would be delayed anyway. We reached around 3 p.m. They announced that the Helicopter service was cancelled due to bad weather. Now, we are supposed to find tent accommodation. We did not even bring a towel or tooth paste with us. Nirmala and I decided to wait for the others before deciding on the tent. Nirmala was weak and tired and so, I was going all over like a little girl looking for the others and talking to the security staff and so on. We were getting hungry too. We waited till 7 p.m. and then saw at a distance Rao and Bhuvana. Per Nirmala's advice I got out of the 'food line' and approached them. They said that they decided to take the pallaki for their return trip since it was getting dark and they were told that sometimes, they stop the devotees where ever they are and they may have to sleep in the cold. Bhuvana said that her brother came down at 3:15 p.m., rented a tent for all of us and he had been waiting for us there. (How would we know????).
Uma's pallaki carriers also helped him a lot. They carried him almost to the tent. But, he told them that he would pay them only after the rest of us arrive. When it came to paying, he did not want to tip. I felt bad because they had to come all the way to the tent to collect the money. till today I don't know Uma's reason for not waning to pay that money.
Anyway, all of us walked to that tent which looked like it was in a distant town. The rest rooms were a long walk too. If you need water for your use, you have to pay. Well, we were glad that at least there were rest rooms and water. It was about 40 degrees and so, very cold. Nirmala was using all the warm clothes and so, I had to shiver a bit and cover myself with the comforters provided in the tent for the night. Roti and daal were served by the cook in the next tent. Uma was very pleased with the arrangements he made for all of us.
Will continue the saga in the next post.
