I met David before a dinner at Taj Safari’s Banjaar Tola Lodge. There was Alger (the naturalist who took me to Kanha National Park for all my four rides) an Indian couple staying at the lodge, Mohit (another employee) and myself. All of us were chatting nineteen to a dozen. The Indian couple had a home in Italy and they were talking about some beaches they had visited in the USA. Soon David and I started chatting among our self. Here is how it went.
Me: “So David, what a life, living inside a jungle!”
David: “Yes, this is exactly what I wanted.”
Me: “David are you married?” (Hey this was not the first time I was chatting with him. And among Indians this question can be popped easily. OK, OK I know I am sounding defensive).
David: “No.”
Me: “Hey no one will agree to come and live with you in this jungle!”
David: “Look at …, he lives with his family and his daughter loves it.”
Me: “So where are you from?”
David: “From Kerela, have you been there?”
Me: “No, but have to go there one day.”
David: “So how do you find the lodge?”
Me: “The room rents are way too high, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
David: “Hey we are used to hearing this!” (laughing)
Me: “Do you manage to take vacations?”
David: “Yes, recently I was in Nainital. I travel on budget”
Me: “Why, that is such a crowded place.”
David: “I went bird watching and in off beat places. I can do brid watching all my life.”
Me: “We are also budget travelers, I do such trips usually on sponsorship.”
David: “Hey I am sure we would meet in the Himalayas somewhere and say Hi to each other again.”
To that he went up and left for his accommodations on the premises.
Woods are lovely dark and deep,and I have promises to keep,But miles to go before I sleep,But miles to go before I sleep.
Thanks for that lovely quote Tarun.
The pics are amazing..This path looks so divine 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Megha thank you.