Bharatpur

Mom has gone out of town leaving my dad and me to fend for ourselves. Since the idea of four days of looking after the home on my own sounded like a Herculean task; I along with dad planned this lil escapade. The destination chosen was Bharatpur. Yes Handa. The decision to go there was entirely because you were there. However, it wasn’t a trip to meet you. We were looking for a getaway; and Bharatpur seemed like the right place –the quiet and solitude of nature along with the opportunity to meet someone who has been, whether I may like it or not, a big influence (sometimes too much, right Srini?) and an integral part of my life in the past few months.

The first thought when I saw Handa was that he doesn’t look as “awaara” (for want of a better word) as I had imagined. His behaviour in the time we spent together just substantiated the first impression. He sure can be well-behaved if he wants to!

Bharatpur has the beautiful Keoladeo National Park – a bird sanctuary. Visited the Park twice- once on Thursday afternoon at 2:46 p.m. and the second time on Friday morning at 10:15 a.m. (found the ticket..it was in my jacket pocket!). The time in the sanctuary was spent walking and looking at birds, without binoculars unfortunately.

While the walk and the quiet of the park was just amazing for the city person fed up with noise that I am, Handa who inhabits the wild environs of Kharagpur was bored to death! He seems to prefer bird watching of the other variety ;-) Not to mention the fact that I spoiled his plans of total relaxation in holidays by making him walk for 8 kms each day. And I scolded him all the time, he later told me grudgingly. I, of course, was blissfully unaware of the fact that I was scolding him. Telling him he is lazy, wasting his time, can do much more in life, should have had the sense to bring chocolates, NOT to litter or smoke: that’s hardly scolding…ummm..or mebbe it is. Sorry dude! No wonder you didn’t have the words to describe meeting “ “someone whom you like a lot” or thought that you did until you actually met her”.

Overall, I had a great time. Can’t say the same for Handa who was made to walk till his legs ached; starved and scolded. Or did he? Back to you Handa