Winters are drawing to a close. Summers are approaching. Along with that comes the promise of a maybe-short-but-much-enjoyable trip to some hill-station. Dr. S.L. Bansal pens a light, humorous and psychological take on such vacations. Read on…
How divine! A stroll on the main road/mall road with a lemon -touched roasted ‘bhutta’ in hand, clouds above and slow cool breeze around. Slowly consuming the bhutta & walking leisurely enhances the joy no end. Two bhuttas at one go is no problem because its hilly breed is very soft.
Fifty eateries on one side of the road & valley on the other side. But it is neither lunch nor dinner time. Roadside maggi stall attracts your child and you have to shell out some money. Dear wifey glanced an overcoat in a shop and now you shell out more. The overcoat is chosen more because of color than the texture or its longevity.
“Bhutta” over, maggi finished and overcoat packet in your hand. You feel tired because it is already more than two kilometers of walk. But the onset of mild rain does away the fatigue and you continue walking. The rain intensifies and the rest postponed for the next day because you are there even then.
Roadside benches are a great relief for children, adults and seniors. So are some covered projections on the road on valley side, giving a boost to personal photography. No stopping the young from various poses for the camera. Limitless time.
Early next morning with bed tea in the balcony of hotel room, you spot a solitary white building atop a separate hill few kilometers away. It fascinates you, you want to be there for a moment but everything else i.e. distance, amount of effort and difficult transport, deters you.
Your 5 years old grandchild wants the ride on cable car. You plan it well and land there on schedule. The thought of your child enjoying it cancels all the botheration about ticket, waiting time and already ensued appetite. Finally, atop the hill with cable car, you feel on the top of the world. Move there leisurely again. Get photographed in hilly attire and look at a distant mountain through an installed telescope. So much for the day.
A visit to a hill station without a look at the waterfall, if possible, is half the charm. So, you land up there. Twenty years back, the fall was like ‘virgin’ and now it is more of a ‘fast food fall’ boasting of various types of noodles. The water of course is in plenty and many are taking a bath in it. Lot of shrieks coming out of enjoyment. The total scene of the glee on the faces of your family does away with all the fatigue again.
On way back, before entering the hotel, you plan an early dinner. The younger lot has varied choices and liking and you settle according to their final choice.
Some years back, you heard of a great ‘hill and child loving’ celebrity residing in the same hill station. You plan to see him and pay regards. His simple and benevolent residence surprises you even when the celebrity is out of town.
Finally next day the back journey to your home town takes you away. But mind you. A hill visit is more or less like going for a movie. With movie ticket in pocket, facial expression is that of glee and curiosity. After the movie, it is different like- join your routine. Coming back from hills is likewise some pain but more of satisfaction.
Been to Mussoorie some fifteen times till now. Ready again if occasion arises.
(The above article is written by Dr S. L. Bansal, practicing ophthalmologist and eye surgeon in Yamunanagar – Jagadhri (Haryana) with an experience of 45.5 years)
