Madhya Pradesh Tour

So this was the camp that we attended organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)..

Day 1

The day began when I saw the dream of missing train. Ah, that was something like flash back towards my earlier tour, where we missed the train, just because we could not identify it. We went to college to attend couple of classes, and then after having our super quick lunch, Amish, Susant and me; we left for Chittoor. Susant had to go Banglore, and we had to rush towards Katpadi, Vellore. It was 12.40, and train arrival time was 2.20, and we had not yet got the bus. The journey was 45 minutes from our place, however we got the bus at 1, and reached to the station at 1.45. This station looked so messed up to us, nothing managed. However, we got inside the train, and sat on the top. We both had our seats top!

I had movies on my cell phone, Achyut Ghimire’s audio on my cell phone, however, I thought of starting Malala’s book. So, I started Malala’s biography, in the train. Vodafone’s Internet Pack was another way to pass time. Egg Biryani, plus our Tiffin Box had something to eat for dinner. Night was cold!

Day 2

Day to began in the train itself, and we bought some fruits to eat at Nagpur junction. So, deciding not to eat anything unhygienic, we had fruits. Malala’s book was getting interesting, and the movement of train was getting strong. There were few third genders, who came to our seat, but we had learned that we should ignore them, and if they act too much, it’s rather wise to pay them Rs 10. We did not reach to the stage of payment though, we just ignored them. We reached to Itarsi, at 4. How good it was to see Dharmashala just from the station. However, when we reached there, they didn’t had the rooms, or maybe they did not want to give to some young fellows. That was fine, and we were habituated of such reactions in hotels of India. So, we went to a hotel, and after getting fresh, we thought of going somewhere instead of staying in the room itself. We took the bus and went to Namrada Ghat, because that was the only nearest place around there as per Google’s suggestion to visit. It kind of reminded me of Venaras, however despite being Aarati Time, it was not that Veneras type.

The place was good though, and religious indeed. How come, we saw people throwing magnet into the river tied with rope into the river. Ahh! That was the way they were collecting coins that people threw in the river. Tea was good of that place, however, Pani Puri – I felt ‘South Indians can never give the taste of Pani Puri, no matter what!’, IT WAS AWESOME!!

We returned back to our room, and went around looking for some good hotels to have our dinner. That gave us an excuse, to visit around the market during the evening around 8. You know the surprising thing? There were Nepalese in this corner too! And, how funny, they were with the stall written ‘Nepal Famous Biryani’! We did not go there, because it looked unhygienic to us, and we also had experienced, showing emotional respect towards the next Nepalese in India, they will pretend, and look for their own selfishness. I really feel this part of Nepalese habit bad.

Finally we had fine dinner, and went back to room, did nothing but slept.

Namrada River... Kind of Small Venarasi?

I kind of remembered Aarati of Chetan Bhagat's Revolution 2020

Maybe this is like Prithivi Chowk of Pokhara for this place! I don't know!

Day 3

As soon as we woke up, we got fresh and moved towards the railway station. We had to catch train to Bhopal! We got the ticket of local seat, and we got into the train. Standing on train is not that bad as standing on the bus. We stood up for entire two hours, till Bhopal came. Now, we had to look for Palash Residency. We had our google maps. It was, we took an auto there, and moved towards the hotel.

As soon as we went, we saw this guy coming too. We had to stay three in a room, and we were two – Me and Amish. This guy was sent to us too, and his name was – Joy.

Yes, his name was Joy, and I made this up… His name is Joy, he came from Andhra Pradesh, however he stays in Rajisthan, he wears the cap of Goa, and then he is from Sri Lanka! And, he came to this camp to Enjoy! He was a B Tech Student – mechanical engineering.

So, we went into the room. I made the most horrible tea of my life, to make use of the boiler, milk powder and tea bag provided, and all of us, we had it. I was now wondering if I there was wifi, because my internet pack was not working in the room. They told me it was just in the reception, where I saw others people, who looked like someone from the camp too there by.

Now, my ego did not let me talk to that group of Afghans or Sri Lankan group. I kept on surfing the facebook, posting some tweets, posting photos on Instagram that I had of day before hearing these Afghans and Sri Lankans talking. We were called for lunch, and the lunch was like ‘wow’! At least, we got to eat something really good than that of South india! I felt! After having lunch, I heard few Nepali voices too, they were just coming!  Are Nepalese always late? Had they been male, I would talk, but it was not wise to talk to them as soon as they came and because they were ladies.

The tour officially began, when we were taken to two museums! Ah! I hate museums, though I made a quick round up visit. I probably was the first one to get out. I was almost scared, if this camp would be that educational where I would be learning some history around India. It was not just Amish and me, there was this Afghan guy, who was not much interested and got out quick too – Kaif! He was born in Pakistan, and raised there, till he was 16, and he studied his Bachelors in India, is doing his first years of Masters in India too. This guy was cool! That was what we gained, this guy with us on that boring museum! Thank God! They took us to Upper lake, that almost look like Phewa Lake of my country, where we went into the cruise with some rough dances in the evening! It was perfect to look setting down of sun from the lake.

We had our snacks, and went back, where again we started with our WiFi stuff. We were still not talking to others. We again heard new Nepalese voices! Ah are only Nepalese girls here? But I found out that there was a Nepali guy too. Joy was busy with his cricket, when Kaif, me and Amish, we went for a round trip around the hotel. We had our dinner, and did nothing but slept! It was around mid night though’.

I don't like museum at all!

The view from the museum was good though!

This stage of Group Formation is called Forming or Storming

Almost Phewa Lake... Don't you think so?

Night View

Day 4

We got fresh, and were all set to go to new place. We had our breakfast, and got into the bus. We went to Bhojpur, temple of Shiva, that they said were some oldest temple, and then to Bhimbetika – World Heritage Site, that was around 1 hour drive from Bhojpur. Bhimbetika had some old paintings, that they said were made by early men who used to stay over there. That was fine, but I did not like that place much. The lunch in the highway was okay there. We then moved for a real long journey, Sanchi’s stupas the other World Heritage site believed to have pillars from third century BC to 12^th century AD. This was again 46 kms away from Bhopal, so we had to travel back to Bhopal and move towards Sanchi. This place was much more beautiful than the earlier world heritage site. I felt!

We reached hotel – with no WiFi, Gateway Retreat! It was looking okay, but when we found games there to play or enjoy with, it was fine. The best thing was the songs that the local singers sang for us, and in that cold time, the soup tasted so good with that music. We had the fire camp, where we talked with few Sri Lankans, few more Afghans and few Bangladeshis too. Dinner was perfect, and we said Good Night!

This place is temple! They say it's very old!

Bhimbetika

Bhimbetika

Bhimbetika's Turtle

Sanchi

Sanchi

Day 5

Early morning after the breakfast, we got set for the longest journey – 400 kms from that place of our camp. We had nothing to do, but to sit around and talk, I did not thing but inserted ear phone and listened to few latest tracks of Sugam – Timro Yaad, Sanjeev Singh – Timi ra ma, and few OSTs. Ahh! These Afghans started some great stuff that everyone in the bus had to sing! How plain would it be if some one easily accept the condition. I and Kaif, we refused to sing! Ahh! We were all so hungry, and we finally got our highway treat – Lunch! We had already started teasing Chumki Rani – yes, the another interesting part of the trip!

We had to wait for lunch, despite being there at the place, because of some time difference. However, we had it, and again started the journey. I completed the entire play list that  I had set there, and we again started singing songs, where the guide ‘Junge’, Mr. Abdesh sang good Hindi tracks too. The evening was moving and the bus was getting noisy. Teasing Chumki was more interesting when we got peoples from ICCR and guide too teasing her! The long did not get that long, because we were singing, asking Chumki to sing, and teasing her. We almost opened Chumki’s Fan Club! This indeed was interesting.

We reached Jawalpur around at 8 pm. We checked in! Thank God! WiFi was in room, where we were all engaged. The level of coldness was increasing, and we were shivering. We had our lunch, and then had few chit chats around and then slept. We were all tired, so could not make a second thought of waiting long. Ahh, it was Nisha’s Birthday – How would we know? No Invitations! No Informations!

Sunrise

Day 6

We got set after the breakfast. We got to know about Nisha’s Birthday, and talked to our selves, had we known, we would cut the cake at least! But no worries, we though and made a plan to celebrate Kaif’s Birthday. At first we thought of Joy, he did not agree, Kaif was fine with it, and we made it up! The hotel was good, but they did not provide complimentary water, and they mentioned that ‘Rs 35 per mineral water bottle’! What we did was we kept additional bottle of water, with the note ‘Come to Nepal and Sri Lanka, we will provide water on free!’, and we left the key and went for breakfast. This guy came asking ‘Who was at this room?’, we understood as he had the bottle and note, ‘You left this at your room!’, we pointed each other, and took it as if nothing had ever happened.

We were all set to move towards Bhedeghat when the bus did not work at all. They managed some other bus up to Bhedeghat, though late’, and the boating was fun. Yes, boating between the rocks indeed was something really memorable moment of entire trip. It was interesting, and a different experience. The boat guide was interesting, as he showed us elephants, World Cup that was made from marble there. A guy from the top was ready to jump if someone would pay him Rs 20, we said we’ll pay and he jumped from the top and came to the boat swimming!

We then went to the water fall. The water fall was nothing, small one when compared to Sundarijal or Davi’s fall, however there was huge promotion made thereby. There was cable car to see it, Ahh! They even worshipped, and there was huge local market around.

It was already time for lunch! It was 2, but we still had 60kms to travel for lunch, oh this guy told us 80! We had our lunch somewhere in the highway, and it was kind of cold. And then we moved towards Khajurao.

We reached there at around 7, and checked into the rooms!

We said for the cake, but the confusions and because of this guide, who was so cunning, the cake was not prepared! We could not cut it till midnight, so we announced for the next day. We went back, and slept!

Boating at Bhedeghat

Bhedeghat

Bedeghat

Waterfall, and they are promoting like hell

This old man told us that Ram ate this during his banbaas.

Day 7

Trinnng!!!!

Someone rang our bell at 4! Huh!! Did I sleep for even 4 hours? I wonder! The bus would leave at 4.30, so I had thirty minutes. I remember, wearing that blue wind cheater. Since, I am from this hot corner, I normally don’t buy winter cloths, unless I have to be back at Nepal. So, the bus took us to Panna National Park, at 5.30! I probably took nap in the bus, and as we reached there, we were notified that the national park opens only at 6. So, we tried to sleep in that cold there itself. But we barely could. So the clock ticked at six, and we were out! I was freezing! It was cold! And, we were all shocked to see that there was a jeep! Yes- Jeep for National Park safari, with its’ back all open. We had to sit five of us, so it was me and Amish – and three Nepalese girls from Delhi – Palpasa, Alisa and Susmita! We were all freezing! They were from cold place, they should have brought something! My bag was trying to cover my chest, handkerchief was trying to protect my face from the wind, and we were moving!

‘If you make noise, you wont see any thing’ this another guide told us. I did not want to see deers, but tigers. We kept on moving. I did not want to click any pictures of peacock, some strange cows making hand movement in that cold, but I did. Because others did! So, we reached to this place, where they were lightening fire! We got ourselves warm there, and again returned back in the cold thinking ourselves unlucky! Ah! We did not see anything except peacock and deers in Chitwan National Park too. I must beunlucky then! Or Jeep safari is not for me!

We took our breakfast, and got ourselves warm in the sunlight. And then we went to this amazing Khajurao temple, that was near from our hotel. This was amazing temple, of various sex positions crafted on stones. They do have it in Nepal as well, but this one was huge and enlisted in World Heritage Site! There were confusions if Kamasutra got inspired from that temple or if Kamasutra was inspired that temple! Histories were too long.

We went back for lunch, at around 4, and then we went for the cancellation of ticket. We missed some place to visit, but we found this old person who told himself sick and was going to Gwalior for treatment. He treated us too good, but we could not cancel our ticket that was on waiting because of delay in time. Planning to do it next morning, we returned, when the bus was again ready to take us somewhere.

This was lightening show, where they took us for some history explanations. It seemed that they had huge investments there, and maybe it was kind of similar to Akshardham of Delhi, but realistic and dramatic one. We returned back, and went nearby for cake! We did not find any cake to fake birthday, however we found a place, who delivered us. On the way back, we found Chumki, and the interesting thing was she was buying Kamasutra’s book there? Huh!!

So, we celebrated Kaif’s fake Birthday, and that was okay! Birthday was fake, speeches made were fake, but his smile on face was real, his happiness was real!

Ready for Jeep Safari

Did we see anything?

Ahh... this is something!

This one too!

But firewood and fire was the best!

Khajurao Temple

Arts

Night Light

Birthday of Kefayat!

Day 8

So, after breakfast, we were all set for next place, which was really far! This place was Orchha! We reached Orchha during lunch. The place was interesting, but less maintained. We even touched UP state then, and Orchha was in MP again. So, we took photos there, there was guide explaining lot of things. I was less interested. The lunch was really like having in heaven, because it was state owned hotel, that was made within the palace. It was different experience!

We then moved towards Shivapuri. It was kind of slight rainfall, and new year’s eve! Wow! So, we celebrated the new year’s eve by sleeping, when this Kaif called us to this dance party! We had our lunch at 11, and were hanging till 1 in the night! It was new year’s eve anyway!

Orchha!

Orchha!

Day 9

The weather was bad, and we could not get into sightseeing! That was bad, but good too because we could do Tatkal Booking from the hotel itself, and yes, we were lucky that we got two tickets to our place! So, since, we could not go for sight seeing, we moved towards Gwalior! We were already emotional and sad by this time, because this was going to be the last night at Gwalior!

Gwalior Fort was good and interesting place to be anyway. I was not bothered about the history, but by this time I talked to all of the peoples of the camp, and it was time for departure already! That was bad! Yes, sad too! So, the fort was amazing, and this guy opened Saas Bahu (Mother in law – Daughter in law) temple despite being late because we were on official tour under Government of India. This was interesting! So, we reached back to hotel, we went to nearest shopping mall that was kind of far, and the basic reason was to recharge Alisha’s phone? Wow! But the mall was interesting, and we just got inside Domino’s. We went around to see it and Homid was so emotional already and though being emotional we slept!

Gwalior Fort

Gwalior Fort

Mall

So around Gwalior to end up!

Day 10

Next day’s morning was really sad one, because all of them were in mood of bidding farewell. After breakfast, we did our formal stuffs of collecting certificates and we sat all together taking snaps. While others were planning to go to Agra, we were still there, because we had our train at 8.30 pm from Gwalior. We were surprised earlier to see Nisha and Pratima being so relaxed about ticket until we realized that they had someone back in their place for their tickets. So, the place was getting emotional thereby. Here, emotional attachment was more, and the fear of same mess food was there too. Everyone started remembering the food of their place! We were okay with our mess, but still, when same routine is followed, that becomes boring!

We took a lot of pictures! And even had our lunch! Now, the thing got really sad when Chumki started crying, Antara started crying! We hugged each other, and departed like we were family members. I know this sad part, because while I was in training camps before, I used to feel the same! This was one such event, but with wider family of different regions. We bid everyone farewell, and few of us who were remaining went around old market of Gwalior. We were Sri Lankans, one Afghan and Joy who were remaining!

So, by the time it was 3, we were back to hotel, and we bid everyone farewell. Now it was two ICCR’s representative and Amish and me who were left in one single room. We sat till 7 and talked about everything possible from ICCR to India! The TV was with some prank showing on! The hotel was so lonely without all of them!

So at 7.30 we left the hotel. We went to railway station where we figured our train was 2.5 hours late. So we waited, and the train came at 10, we got inside, found our seat. Did we eat anything? I was not hungry! And we slept in the train.

Day 11

The whole day was in the train, where we had fruits for tea and cookies for our lunch. I had Malala’s book for time pass, I almost completed the book in the train. There was only one charging port but some intelligent guy had brought multi plug, where I could charge my phone and check few round of updates on facebook, twitter and instagram! There was this guy down my seat, a kid infact calling me ‘Mota Mass’, which was some bad character in his local cartoon. The day passed in train, where we had nothing to do!

Day 12

We woke up at 6, had the train been on time, we would be there at 4. We did not realize when Chennai came too. Early at around 7, we dropped at Katpadi! We caught bus till Chittoor, from Chittoor we took an auto! And the hostel was already waiting for us! Suman had kept breakfast for us!