Akshay Surve

On October 8th, I had planned a trek to Peth (near Karjat) with friends (Sankool, Swapnesh, Hardik and Manav). Like all other treks it was awesome. Just the right weather to go for the trek! It was shady during the ascent and drizzled a little while on descent. Last year I had been to Peth-Bhimashankar overnight trek. We halted at night in the caves of Peth fort. This time it was only one day trek.

Some interesting tit-bits…

We started late (anyone cud have guessed that ;-) and Manav who is in Pune joined us from Karjat. From there we hired Vikram(10 seater) to reach base village of Ambivali. This journey was coOL and enjoyable. Lots of PJs + stories to tell eachother. On reaching Ambivali we quickly asked for directions and started out trek. None of them had an idea of Peth except for me. I just told them that they won’t believe me when I point out the fort to them. Primarily because it seems impossible at start but is pretty doable. You just need to have a trekers mindset. My favorite line is always “We trek only to a point from which we can return safely.” I say this just to make them feel comfortable. Also, I only choose treks which are comfortable to first timers. So, on the whole I make sure they reach the top (touch-wood).

The initial part of the trek is crossing a mountain and getting to the plateau from where you can get to the base village of the fort. It is only then that you get a clear view of the Peth fort. No first timer can believe we would make it to the top of that fort. There was Hardik who thought I was joking, Manav and Swapnesh knew I was serious but had no clue how and Sankool who knew I was serious and there would surely be a way to the top. Their perspectives tell you how seasoned trekers they are. We took a lot of snaps here. Next we reached the Peth base village and had nimbu pani in a house and also asked them to arrange lunch for us when we come back.

Now from the base village we started our ascent of the fort. We missed a right turn towards the top and ended up taking almost a half circle of the fort before we realized and to our luck we were guided by two females who were carrying firewood back to the village. Its fun getting lost and then finding your way back again. We were soon on the right track and were gaining altitude soon.

We reached the gate of the fort soon and did a customary ‘Jay Gunj’ which is a salute to Chattrapathi Shivaji Maharaj. Next we visited the caves. Now there was another interesting thing which is fairly unique to the Peth fort. There is a secret(everyone knows about it though..) tunnel to get to the top of the fort which is just superb. At the top of the fort it always feels amazing. You feel victorious and satisfied at the same time.

The descent from the fort was also exciting and we did it pretty quickly. This time we didn’t loose our way to the base village. Also, it drizzled just right and for the right time so it felt good. We had our lunch in the village and then just lazed away for a few minutes.

On our return journey we were quick and didn’t take a halt. We were back to the base village of Ambivali just before it got dark. We were damn tired by then. We lied there on the road for sometime just to let the feeling seep in. Then we tried to take some pictures of ourselves sleeping on the road in a formation. After a few pics we could hear Vikram ( the 10 seater ) making a vroommmm sound and approaching us. We boarded it and it took us back to Karjat station. The journey back was unforgettable as it was nice and coOL by then and the ambience was moonlight. I could not stop myself from singing “So gaya yeh zahan…. soo gaya asssmaaan …. ” ( I am sure others surely wanted me to stop.. for obvious reasons but I went on… .>!

Manav got a train back to Pune quickly and rest of us had to wait for another hour. Travelling in the train was also fuN and I started a story telling session which was quite interesting. Hardik (dukh bhari kahaniyaan) and Swapnesh also shared their own stories. By then we reached Dadar and then in sometime to our sweet homes.

Yup, every trek is truly unforgettable and unique :D

Pics from the Trek:

Click on the image below to browse the album:

Never before had I been to a GaRbAa night. Except for one forgetful evening when I had been to one around 10:15pm and it got over by 10:30pm. :p

So this year (29th September) it was my first time and like all other things was unplanned and was decided at the last moment after some coaxing from my colleagues (Hardik, Ashwini and Pawan). I just happened to say ‘yes’ and then the next thing I remember was changing in to a shirt given by Hardik.

Ashwini made a couple of phone calls to ensure a pass for me was available. So me, Hardik, Pawan and Ashwini left for Mithibai college where the event was. Reshma, her dauther Anoushka, her husband and brother-in-law were going to join us at the event.

I was sure I would not be able to pick up the steps naturally. I am not a born dancer ! But I knew if someone gave me a crash course I may pick it up. Inside the music was loud and everyone were all enjoying. I was coOL… good music, coOL people and gr8 looking guju babes around :p

Among us Hardik was a pro and so was Ashwini, Pawan had two left feet and I had one ;-)

Hardik and Ashwini joined a small gang and started dancing. I was warming up (;-) and just trying to let the beats seep in. Suddenly the music stopped and looked like the show was over. Unlike my previous experience this time I knew they would start again bu this time without the loudspeakers. It would just be the band and no vocals. It wouldn’t make a big difference to me.

I said to myself I am not here to see others dance… I wanted to try dance too. Hardik was extremely supportive and encouraging. He told me, “Akshay you need to learn the steps before the band starts playing again. Its your only chance!”. I said, “Fine! I don’t care whether the music is playing or not…just teach me now.”

So, there he was teaching me his favorite (and now mine too) move called ‘Popat’ while others were taking a break and resting. I was trying my best to match up to what he was try to teach me, but it wasn’t working. The flow wasn’t there. I would somewhere go wrong on the turns. There were people who were seeing us dancing with no music but we continued. Also, not all were interested in watching us, my steps were not that amusing.

So, to cut things short it wasn’t working untill… I came up with this algorithm.

Algo: POPAT_GARBA (2 - 4 : This is how its signaled :)

(Intialise: Face to the center of the circle formed)

1. Take a step towards your right. ( This may also look like a step and a half )
2. Now take a 180* turn in the clockwise direction
3. Take another step, this time towards your left and stop
4. Now take a step towards right.
5. Now take a 180* turn in the anti-clockwise direction
6. Take another step, towards your left.
7. Again take a 180* turn in the anti-clockwise direction
8. Now take a step towards right.
9. Now take a 180* turn in the anti-clockwise direction
10. Take another step, towards your left.
11. Again take a 180* turn in the anti-clockwise direction
12. Continue from Step 1 untill everyone decides to change the step. Also, even if you miss any keep continuing.

This may seem childish but I am sure people who are not well versed with Garba (lik me) may find it useful. Also the key here is taking the turns in the right orientation (clockwise/anti-clockwise).