food for d soul

being in the lap of nature and having a little adventure - i think these are the two most important things that reenergize me and provide food for my soul.. the corbett trip was just that and more.

there was lots of work, a training to manage 24 x 7 for an entire week from the word go to end, 19 grown up kids to take care of, very little sleep - pretty much being on the toes the entire time. but it was a good bunch of people, and that made the experience memorable. the one day outbound piece was a high point for all - someday i would be part of such a set-up.

and finally, one morning, we all went for the jeep safari - a 3-hour ride in the jungle to be able to spot a tiger! well, we didn't see the tiger, but we had a very exciting experience, what with a very enthusiastic driver and an experienced coach. i think we got really close to the tigress/tiger, but s/he weren't in the mood to oblige us - after all we didn't go to corbett for a sighting, the jungle ride was incidental. fair enough. coming back to the ride, we were advised to be very quiet, the driver and the coach would talk in whispers drawing deductions from the sounds they could hear and the general direction from where these sounds were emerging. we drove through unexplored tracks in the jungle, crossed streams, drove silently at the speed of 5, and then sped through the jungle at neck-breaking speed. the jeep would suddenly stop and our driver and guide would stand up and start scanning the jungle; and of course we would follow with the general air and demeanor of a detective. the two guys just could not understand why they were unable to spot the tiger when all the signs pointed to it being very close. so near and yet so far.. truely dat seemed to be the case.

well, no sighting, but that didn't take away anything from our experience. it was good and i promised the tigress/tiger that i'd be back, and this time with the sole purpose of being obliged by your highness.