Week 43: Shaky Feet, Teary Eyes and 55 mph Speed Zipline!

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

Last week we had been to Smoky Mountains. The trip was divided into 2 major parts - the fall color sight seeing and the adventurous zipline. This week, I will be covering the exciting zipline story!

It is 43 weeks now, and by now you know me! You just know how timid I am and how I run away from anything that is even a little daring. You also know that I have fear of heights and yet I did parasailing at Key West. Now imagine me doing a zipline course which had 2 very wobbly bridges and 7 ziplines, the fastest moving at 55 mph and longest being 1500 feet and at a height of almost 200 feet. Not being able to digest this, right? Me too.

Ever since we decided to do zipline at the Smoky Mountains, I have been practicing it in my mind till the point we actually went there. We had chosen Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park as our wings provider who promised to make us fly with their renowned ziplines.  The zipline course makes sure you do not set your foot on the ground and till the 7 zipline course is done you are either on a zipline, a bridge or on a platform high from the ground level. We were introduced to our guides who were Chasse and Luke. They helped us with the harness and gave us the basic information and we started walking towards our first bridge. At every step forwards I was feeling like going back. The first obstacle was a wobbly bridge which was hardly any long. And guess what?? I started cringing there itself. I just could not take a step ahead and Luke came up to me from the other end and gave me his hand till I completed the first obstacle. 

From the second point onwards started the ziplines. The first one was a very short one. I was 5th in the queue and as everyone was jumping off, my mind was racing and my feet started trembling. Until it was my turn. I got up on the elevated platform with Chasse checking all the adjustments on my harness. And I just could not go ahead. It was scary and my mind was fogged with all images of me falling off. Every time I took one step, I took 2 back. My husband Sujoy was calm and motivating me from behind, my friends who had crossed the zip were shouting from the other end and yet I just could not do it. Tears started rolling from my eyes and I was pleading Sujoy to let me not do it and go back. Sujoy did not budge by that, as you know he is accustomed to my tears and crying and panic attacks during such occasions. I was there for almost 10 minutes with the heavy feeling of me being a big inconvenience for all the other people around, delaying unnecessarily. And yet I could not go ahead. Finally I decided that I will go last and let others go before me. 

When the time came again to go. I was still very nervous. After spending 10 minutes again amidst uncertainty of taking the plunge or not, I asked Chasse if he can come with me. Chasse agreed, but he said I can just hold your arm. I very innocently asked, "Can I hold you instead?" He agreed and there I was flying for exactly 10 seconds holding tightly to Chasse with my eyes shut completely.

It was the turn of the second zip. I was last. I could not do it again. Chasse was trying to explain it to me scientifically stating the weights of all the harness components saying this rope weighs 200 tonnes, this piece weighs 22 tonnes and many other parts which will hold me tightly. But my brain was too cloudy and it refused to take any scientific data and process it logically. The height was making me dizzy and I could not go beyond the safety of the stable spot we were currently. So yet again, I came with Chasse holding him tightly but this time keeping my eyes open.

The third zip was the last one in this series and after this we had to go up the mountain in an ATV and start the longer and faster ziplines. I spent 20 minutes at this spot saying I can't go alone. But this time Chasse said, "If you cannot do it alone on this zipline then I am afraid you won't be able to go ahead. As the next ziplines are longer and considering safety constraints you cannot tag along with me from this point. You have to do it alone". There was a point when I had decided that I am going back and not doing it. Chasse explained it to me that I cannot go back via the zipline course as the ziplines work in just one direction. The only other way is to get a vehicle and put a rope on the platform where we were right now and get me down to ground via that rope. I started thinking then which one was scarier, the rope act going down or the zipline going across. Trust me, it was one of the most difficult decisions to make!

As I was pondering over my options, I saw Luke coming from the other side of the zipline. He was coming in the opposite direction and he literally pulled himself with his hands over the zipline to come to the point where I had stranded Chasse along with me. He came up to me and said. "I am going back now and you have to start after 5 seconds once I go back". I did not understand the logic behind this but the fact that he came up the opposite side on a zipline just to talk to me and convince me made me feel that I should atleast give it a try. Sujoy and my friends on the other side had given up on me and they were sure even if I come, this time also I will come with Chasse. 

But you know what? I looked at Chasse, then on the other side and let myself off in the air! I did my first zipline alone which was the longest till now and also deeper than the earlier two. After the first 5 seconds, I was free in the sky looking around at the beautiful fall colors. It was a liberating experience as if I let go off all my fears and apprehensions. As I was approaching the other end, everybody down there were pleasantly surprised. I could see Sujoy's smiling face and my friends cheering for me. Even the ones who were not with us were saying "She did it!". A very homely couple who was also a part of our zipline group hugged me and said "Well done". It was a moment of triumph for me and more so for everyone around as they wouldn't have to wait at every point for me to come from now on. 

And I did it! You can still see the slight fear on my face!

From that point on, it was an easy task and I completed the zipline course successfully without falling off or halting between zips. The fastest one was 55 mph and I could feel the speed in the air lashing my face. The longest one had a beautiful view with streaming water, fall colors and magnificent landscape. Once I did the first zip on my own the next zipline course finished in a jiffy. 

I owe it to Chasse and Luke for making me atleast try and attempt to do the zipline all by myself. I had 2 super heroes in my life that day - Chasse being Tarzan and carrying me safely from one tree to another with him and Luke being the spiderman trailing on the zipline in the opposite direction just to come up to me and talk me into taking the plunge. If it hadn't been for Foxfire Mountain's encouraging staff, I really doubt if I would have dived off into the air. They had nothing to lose, the money was already paid and they didn't have to do so much for someone who was not even ready to try! Can't thank them enough! :)

Chasse on the left and Luke on the right, my superheros of the day! :)

Not to forget my friends and especially Sujoy for being calm as always and encouraging me till the end. I am really lucky to have him in my life, he is my support system. I had to get on my knees yet again at the Prosperity Bridge which is the longest hanging bridge in the US and propose.

Proposal time yet again!

I laugh at all the drama I did that day. All of us had a hearty laugh remembering the small small incidents. I was told that at one of the points they were waiting 20 minutes for me and my friends discussed about what to eat for lunch and dinner later as I gave them a lot of time to plan the remaining day. One of my friends said that it was all scripted - how could she just write on her blog that I went to do zipline and did it in the first go. The blog should have some spice and hence all the melodrama. Sujoy said Monty who was our ATV driver who was supposed to take us from the third zipline to the higher point for the longer ziplines was bored waiting for us to come and he could not understand why is it taking so long today. Sorry Monty! I feel stupid right now for being such a meek person, but I am proud that I at least tried it. 

Cannot have been happier!!!

So if you are also afraid of heights and think you won't be able to do the Zipline at Smoky Mountains. Come to Foxfire Mountains Adventure Park and let Luke and Chasse help you fly in the air :)

Stay tuned for next week where I will cover the Smoky Mountain Nature Trail and Fall Color Fiesta!

Week 42: Halloween Fever

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

Halloween is here and our neighbourhood is getting spooky day by day. Halloween is actually celebrated to remember the dead - the saints, the martyrs and the faithful departed believers. In the US it is celebrated by trick or treating, carving pumpkins and costume parties. I was on a look out this week to everything related to Halloween and I did grab a few photographs of the same.

Pumpkins are there everywhere now. Special farm events, all major grocery chains setting up a separate counter for pumpkins and not to forget your local market. Pumpkins in all size and shapes.

Big ones at Publix

The Church arranged for this pumpkin feast

Now let us see all the decoration items we have on the counters at various shops. Michaels was oozing with festive decorations while Publix had the more spookier stuff. Hotel Transylvania characters seem to be making rounds in almost all shops. Here are a few of the Halloween decorations.

Halloween is not about spooky stuff but a few cute things too

Artificial decorative pumpkins

My favorite peanuts in Halloween avatar

Eeeow! Spiders crawling everywhere....

The best part till now has been my neighbourhood. The houses nearby are getting dressed for Halloween and I just could not ignore the creativity and fervor of some enthusiasts. So much intricate work to decorate homes. I am stumped.

Stickers to brighten up

Those blood hands are scary

That made me laugh!

Halloween is here and I can feel the chills already. I am thinking of carving a pumpkin. Maybe my next adventure is about the pumpkin carving or maybe it is about our fall trip to Smoky mountains! Yes, we are headed to Smoky mountains this week and I cannot wait to explore the fall beauty and if possible do some adventurous stuff down there. Stay tuned!

Week 41: Pani Puri Marathon

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

The last week's food trip was not enough that this weekend we headed out to an Indian Restaurant. It would have been a normal outing until I saw pani puri on the buffet menu and trust me I could not have been happier.

It was the first time I was eating pani puri in the US, almost 2 plus years now. Though the pani puri was not as yummy as the street food of Pune, it was good enough to tantalize my taste buds. A typical pani puri of Pune consists of sour and sweet tamarind chutney, spicy chilly water, mashed potatoes, crunchy Indian snack called sev, semolina puri and white peas masala. You fill in all the stuffing in a hollow puri and then put the entire puri in your mouth with a volcano of vivid tastes bursting on your tongue. Eternal bliss!

A typical pani puri in Pune looks like this and it provides all taste sensations at one time. Image Source

This is how you gulp the explosive puri. Image Source

Now that you know what a pani puri is all about, I can give you an account of the pani puri which I had at Indus Herbal and Indian Cuisine. Of course, it was not served by any food vendor to me but it was on the buffet menu and I had to prepare my own pani puris. I took tamarind chutney, the potato and chickpea filling, chilly water and of course puris in my plate and set to the task of being a pani puri vendor for the day ;)

That is my vendor's plate. I actually had 10+ puris on the plate, but I removed them to look a little sophisticated for my blog ;)

It is difficult to take a picture of your food with just one hand, not to forget the temptation of gulping that yummy food.

I prepared pani puris for Sujoy first and then sat back and went on a hogging trail with a marathon of puris. I do not know how much I ate but it was enough to stir a buzz amongst the other people around having their food. But when pani puri is on the plate, who cares about the onlookers :P

Till I go next to Pune and relish this delicacy, cheers to such small moments of happiness which make staying so far away from your home a little easier :)

Week 40: Seafood Galore!

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

I still cannot believe that I have come this far. 40 weeks already and just 12 weeks more to go. And if I pull this off, the year 2015 will be of one new experience every single week. I have grown as a person these past 8 months, each day teaching me something new. I still feel dazed on some days that I have come so far :)

Last week was a kind of gastronomic experimentation for me with a lot of seafood. Though I am born and brought up in Pune, India my roots are from Karwar ( a small beautiful coastal place on the borders of Goa and Karnataka). My parents come from Karwar and it is my native place. So there is this coastal soul inside me which loves the beaches and adores seafood :)

Friday night, Sujoy was out with his first love i.e. football and I was with my second love i.e. food :P. Or maybe my second love is books. There is a slight conflict for the second place. But my first love will always be the same. For the record my first love is Sujoy :). 

I had gone out with my friends for dinner. More than the food, the ambience was lovely. It was a restaurant on the docks and we could see the Jupiter Light House from where we were seated for dinner. It is a place called U Tiki Beach which serves Caribbean food with a lot of seafood variety.

Isn't it a beautiful sight? It just gladdened my eyes :)

Now the coastal freak that I am, I had a Maine Lobster Roll which obviously came with the quintessential American french fries. French fries seem to never leave any cuisine in the US! The lobster was good, but the preparation was mediocre. Blame the Indian taste buds I am accustomed to, the filling was a little bland for my taste. But yes, I did enjoy the lobster. I nibbled at the roll a little and then got half of it boxed :P

I just want to go back and maybe take a bite again as I am gazing at this picture now!

It was a nice evening spent with friends, good ambience and fine food.

The gastronomic treat just did not end here. The next day we went out to experiment a new cuisine and that was Vietnamese. The food was very different from what we expected and it was in HUGE quantities. Sujoy and me both went for the hot pot. Sujoy took Pho Ga Dac Biet which essentially was a soup with chicken breast, chicken meatball, egg and rice noodles. I opted for Seafood Noodle Soup which was a egg noodle soup served with a galore of sea fish viz. shrimp, cuttlefish, imitation crab, squid and scallop.

When the pots came, Sujoy and me were taken back with the size of the servings. As we started eating, Sujoy commented "I will let you write your blog this week only if you finish the Vietnamese food". I skeptically looked at my bowl, but cooly replied "Sure! Only if you finish yours, I will abide by what you say."

You guys are reading this blog now, so you know who won ;) Trust me, the serving was mammoth.

That is Sujoy's chicken hot pot

This was mine seafood overdose

The soup was very tasty with all the blending tastes. It was hot too, would have been perfect for Minnesota weather ;). The Vietnamese was good for one trial, we doubt if we will go again. We had loved our Lebanese experiment, but Vietnamese was not that much fun.

So yes, the last week was an overdose of seafood for me.

On other note, I wanted to mention that I am still pursuing my swimming stint and I just cannot take my hands off my crochet needle and yarn. It is just a reminder to me that I am still learning and growing each day with all the new ventures I have taken up till now this year.

I am getting rid of my water fear slowly :)

Yarn shopping is addictive. I have started a shrug now and then later will make a scarf too!

Cheers to Lily and Jenn, who are also still put on this dynamite adventure series :)

Week 39: Rock and Roll, the 60's Style Baby!

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

Last week we had a blast from the past at the Gold Coast Toastmasters Club as we celebrated it's 55th birthday with fun, potluck and dress like 60's theme. 

Now, one of the biggest questions I had was what to wear for the occasion as I had no clue about the 60's. I tried asking my mom about 60's in India and she was not a help at all. Sujoy asked me to wear a saree and go as saree has been an integral part of Indian culture since a very very long time. There was no way, I was going to wear a saree for sure. So, I settled down for a cute frock with a little bright color to suit the occasion.

Then was the question of what to prepare for the potluck. I have another friend Trupty staying in our Community and also a member of this Toastmaster Club. So I bounced the idea of preparing something together for the potluck and she immediately said yes. With a lot of discussion, Trupty came up with 'Gajar ka Halwa' (a dessert prepared from carrots, milk, sugar, clarified butter, nuts and raisins) suggestion. So Trupty was the master chef and I was her helper. After a tedious 2.5 hours of standing and stirring, finally we had a delicious gajar halwa ready.

The final yummy product :)

When I entered the Club room that day, Oh my God...I was blind sighted for a second with all the bright colors flashing everywhere ;) We even had a bright screen to emphasize the 1960's effect.

Ya, that's the bright screen

And then everyone started pouring in. Hippie hairstyles, blonde wigs, unnaturally colored jewellery, hip bags, shiny bandanas. You name it and all of it was there. All the glitter and jazz of the 1960's.

Rock and Roll Baby

Groovy Us!

The hippies and the blondies

How's my hair?

We are a bunch of diverse people from different age groups in this Club and yet on this day everyone seemed to have evolved from the 1960's. The carefree atmosphere and the scintillating energy made it such a lively and vibrant occasion. Of course, Patty Antolik's 'something' mixed cookies also might be the reason for our carefree gait ;)

The program itself was intellectually stimulating with speeches and contests designed with the 1960's themes. As pictures speak more than words, here is what I want to say -

Michael talking about how it was being a Gold Coast TM 35 years before and now!

Scott and his impeccable 1960's attires

Claude always plays his part well

Can you believe, it is the same Scott again?

We had a wonderful potluck lunch and some getting together. Everybody devoured our gajar ka halwa. We had some wonderful time chit chatting and mostly hogging.

The food spread

As the meeting ended on a high note of vibrancy, here are two things which will always stay in my heart -

The Club presented $300 to Rich Otten for covering his expenses for his work at the Gavel Toastmaster Clubs. Gavel Clubs are for those unfortunate strata of the society who are in the prisons and serving their sentences. Some one going out there, reaching out to them and helping them grow - My respect! Every human being has a right to progress and I for sure was touched with this concept of gavel club and moreover with the kind gesture of our club. Respect and Salute!

Our President Barbara Strasdas acknowledging Rich Otten's work and presenting the check

The second thing which really touched my heart was that the Club decided to have the party at the Club itself to make it affordable for everyone. Initially it was supposed to be in a hotel. I for one was happy that it was at the Club. More than the expenses part, being at the Club in the comfort zone of all others in a friendly ambience is so important. The Club thought about its members and that is what made all the difference at the party. I doubt if we could have been able to be so carefree at a hotel set up. It was a very small gesture on the part of the Club, but trust me spoke volumes about our attitude :)

So yes, overall it was a fun evening. Kudos to Gold Coast Toastmasters! Kudos to Toastmasters International! Kudos to every Toastie who is on the journey of self improvement!

Week 38: Arijit Singh Live!

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

Arijit Singh was coming to Orlando and there was no way I was going to miss his soulful songs sang in live. When I asked Sujoy about going to Arijit's concert, he was not that keen as Arijit is an excellent singer but his songs are more towards melodious and peaceful tones. Sujoy would have loved to go to a bubbly singer concert instead. So giving due respect to Sujoy's say it was decided that we are GOING to the concert ;)

We were 10+ folks from our community headed towards Orlando on Friday evening. It was a 3 hour drive one way and we had decided to come back the same night as I had my Toastmaster Area Level Contest the next day which I am very glad to say that I lost. We were 7 folks in a car, in which the husbands were actually dragged by their wives for the concert (certain aspects in each home sometimes are very similar). 

We reached the concert place well before time and were overwhelmed to see such a large Indian population gathered at one place to listen to the most soulful singer in Bollywood today. We took our seats and were awaiting impatiently for Arijit. And then he came (whistles, smiles, cheers all Indian style) :)

His smile is to die for :)

The next 3 hours were pure bliss. I initially noted down all his songs as he was singing to put in the blog. But then I realized chuck this off and just sit and enjoy. And then I did exactly the same. I sat back, danced while sitting (my usual dance style, I get too conscious to stand up and dance) and I yelled and cheered at the top of my lungs forgetting completely that tomorrow was my speech contest. But hey Arijit was here and I could not worry about a contest, right?

Women were going crazy for Arijit!

The moment he took charge of the piano and started singing old songs like 'Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar'.......Oh My God...complete elation. My heart was singing with him and my mind was in a peaceful state of trance. His voice is magical and he proved it yet again why he is the best today. You can check a glimpse of his concert songs on the piano here.

The crowd went crazy when he took charge of the piano singing all old melodies

He ended the concert with the favorites Kabira and Hum tere bin abhi reh nahi sakte. And I was in a melted state of respect and awe. What really heightened my state of euphoria was - Arijit Singh at the end of the concert kneeled down on the stage and thanked the entire crowd for being there. Such humility!

Respect!

It is Sunday today, 2 days past the concert and I am still humming Arijit's songs which is gladdening my heart and soul! :)

If you get a chance, don't miss experiencing his magic in live!

Photo Credits: Facebook posts, Shweta Vernekar-Navlakha for the sketch.

Week 37: Cricket and Fun!

For those who have stumbled on my blog just today, I am on a 52 weeks adventure this year wherein I decide my own adventures! For more details, check out here!

So what happens when in an American Community, you have 20+ Indian families? Nothing much but a wild surge of cricket fever! :)

Yes, last week there was a cricket tournament in our Community with the Indian men all set to try their hands on the game of cricket on a tennis court! Yes, you read it right - 'game of cricket on a tennis court'. When you want to do something, you find out a way to do it!

In normal circumstances I would not have paid much attention to this tournament, considering the guys play every alternate day. I dismissed the tournament as 'galli cricket'  (or a game played by almost all Indian kids in small streets back in India). 

To summarize, this is what happens in 'galli' cricket back in India! 

But what caught my attention was that there was an auction for the players to be distributed in 4 different teams on the lines of IPL (Indian Premier League). Now isn't that fascinating? The organizers actually worked on an auction software which pulled out data and statistics about each player and his performance in the previous tournaments. This was the time when I could not ignore this tournament, and 'GPL' (Gardens East Premier League) caught my full attention and respect.

The amount assigned for each team was $30,000 and the captains had to bid for the players. Whoever bid the highest would get the player. The rules and regulations were so carefully formulated that I was awestruck. If the bid for a player went beyond $10,000, then the captains of the team had to send a sms with their final bid and whoever bid the highest would get the player. Now this was so clever to avoid wasting too much time on the bidding for one player. Smart move there!

This is a dummy screen of the auction software for you to rave about! :)

The fun did not end here, the real game started when the teams assembled to play the next day and then the finals at the end. The better halves of the players were also on the field, cheering their dudes to win the game! 

We are always there to cheer our husbands! :)

One of the members of the finalist team was my husband Sujoy. So obviously, it was very clear which team I would be supporting. The match was a very close one. We had 30 runs to win and in the last 2 overs we had to make 11 runs. Last over left and we still had 11 runs to win plus a couple of wickets gone. Sudheer was on the field who had won the last game by a winning sixer shot, so all of our hopes were pinned on him. But alas, our team did not win! :(

That was our cricket field!

But you know what? Even though our team did not win, I had a great time watching the matches. I reminisced the times, when I used to watch cricket with my Dad. Dad and me supporting the Indian team while my mom and sister waiting for the game to finish off as they despised cricket! It was a different time then, now cricket doesn't interest me much.

Good old cricket days! :)

Looking at all of them playing, I just realized all the years I have wasted being a bookworm and getting good scores. I never was a sports person. When I look at Sujoy today, the graceful way he accepts defeat and learns from each game - I simply feel 'respect' for him and all other who have learnt this art. Sujoy's passion for sports is admirable. It took me some time to get used to his passion. I might have the better exam scores, but he has a better perspective towards life which makes all the difference today! 

It was just a game of cricket, but in just 2 days it made me walk down the memory lane and showed me my major flaws which I need to work on! And also 2 days of mad loud cheering, feet stomping in frustration and of course a few curse words! ;)

So, who wants to join us for the next GPL?

****Special thanks to the organizers of GPL for sharing the auction software pictures. Also to all the players who displayed such great play and made the audience run for their money! I was biting my nails for most of the time. Not to forget, all the lady charm who came out to support their husbands! Kudos to everyone!****

*Sketches done by Shweta Vernekar-Navalakha. She is my sister and doesn't she have some talent there? :)*