In the midst of all this discussion about Bandhavgarh, the time taken to drive there, the route etc., Ramkya1 piped up - "from where and for how much can I pick-up a gear lock for the Scorpio?". The good samaritan that I am (read, ready to earn commission anywhere & everywhere) I volunteered and organised one for him.
I've to mention here that my wife is a Rajasthani; a rajput from Jodhpur and Priyanka Gupta has a very glad-eye for Rajasthan. Give them Rajasthan anyday. After our return from Dudhwa, when Bandhavgarh was zeroed upon, these two had suggested Jaisalmer. We had vetoed it, and the male lung-power succeeded.
Ramkya1 left for Ahmedabad and we dispersed planning for Bandhavgarh and the Plan-B was Jaisalmer if the bookings etc., were not forthcoming in the jungle. Like Dudhwa we wanted only the FRH inside the jungle and nothing else. A head count was done and accommodation for 11 was to be found.
We had to convince one tough customer amongst us and that was Sairee. She had not come to Dudhwa as some creature comforts were required for her infant daughter and the FRH there was having bare minimum. I would like to produce some privileged communication amongst us during Dudhwa trip, that shall give you an idea as to why Sairee was next to impossible to convince - THOU SHALT NOT LAUGH..
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From Roshun on 17th December '07
I tried getting some info on Tiger Haven... as an option, can't get a
number for the place. The other hotels in Palia... does anyone know
the code? All 3 digit numbers, and can't figure out if we'll be
better off or worse off there.
As the days draw nearer,
Sairee's asking more questions :-) gulp!
(
Like running hot water, does it mean a 'kancha' will come running
with a bucket?) I happened to casually mention thinking of
buying a 'sleeping bag' and she hit the ceiling.
SS, any idea where I can pick up a Kabsons stove? The small cylinder
type. AG - this should keep 'dudhwa hot enough, and actually I need
it to boil 'dudhoo' for V!
Cheers,
RP
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From SS on 17th December '07
A good place to hunt for the little stove is Lajpat Nagar, or any of the larger community markets. Even the Hauz Khaas market is good for it. While buying, be sure to buy a branded one, since the cheaper variety tends to spring a leak and go 'kaboom!' in the back
.
And RP, while you're suppressing facts from Sairee at your own risk (it'll be fun to watch her chase you with the saucepan into the sunset), suggest you prepare her just enough to carry necessary baby-kit for the less-than-domestic facilities at that end. Else, the chase will be over much sooner and a body-bag will be the order of the day and not a sleeping bag.
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From SS on 17th December '07
Actually, I suggest RP bites on a bar of soap and sends you his denture imprints. Of all the fellows in the group, I believe only you are qualified to give some respectability back to his jawline once Sairee is through with the Anjali, or Hawkins or whatever passes for a saucepan in that household..
SS
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From Roshun on 17th December '07
Memo to self: Saucepan classified as dangerous weapon. Please
conveniently forget to carry it. Thanks RP.
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From SS on 17th December '07
(
I call this the coup de grace...GD)
You know, I'm getting shivers right now, at the prospect of witnessing the '
hunt'.
Imagine..the rest of us would be perched on top of our elephants and the mahout would hush us. Suddenly, the hapless RP would break cover from the elephant grass near our huts and make like the wind towards the river. A fraction of a second later, it would be Sairee in hot pursuit of her quarry, steel frying pan glinting in the setting sun as it whirls above her head.
Will he make it? The dust clouds up from 4 pair of heels and obscures the fantastic scene for a while, but not before we see the pan leave Sairee's hand in a gentle arc over the rising dust, twirling gracefully in the ochre sun and then - CLANG!! He's down! RP's been brought down by the beautiful manouevre. As Sairee catches up to the now prone RP and rolls him around, we see that tell-tale sign of the prey - crosses where the eyes should have been and a silly smile pasted across the now unconscious face. Whew! Did someone get that on the camera?
Cheers! This is going to be a ball!
SS
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Re-reading evoked guffaws and tears again..To be continued......