Snow: I feared and had fun!

I fear nothing. First thing anyone will come to know about me is that she fears nothing. I have to tell you that one thing form which I had always feared is cold, worse even is the cold in snow. When clouds start gathering  I generally know that I will face some challenge regarding health. I had gone to Leh during June- July in 2005. It was a summer then, yet I felt as if I am in a big fridge. While I was starting from Surat at the end of this February to Mussoorie via Delhi and Khadi, I was told to be prepared for cold. I had packed an extra bag for warm cloths. It was raining heavily at Khadi when I had decided to travel to Mussoorie. We heard that it was snowing at Dhanolti and in mountains seen from Mussoorie.  Hence, we had changed our plan.  On 9^th March  eight of us had started for our search of snow with our leader Aranya Ranjan. We went to Chamba and went further in the direction of Dhanolti. We got a patch of snow and after parking a vehicle few feet ahead all of us got down. We went behind the rock and found snow there too! We were careful as we wanted no shoes marks spoiling the beauty. We got into  a quick photo session. I had walked in snow at Manali long ago. I saw tiny flowers on the ground while walking carefully.

Planner of the day, Aranya Ranjan with our younger fellow travellers

   Being careful so that foot marks don't spoil the beauty. Photo credit: Aranya Ranjan 

Before I  had reached at the bigger patch  others from the group had started playing in snow. While others were throwing snow balls at each other I was happy having held the snow ball for few seconds fearing illness. They had made a rabbit of snow too.  

We went upto Siddhpith Ma Surkanda Devi temple’s base. We were happy to return having lunch there. Instead of climbing we started walking downward on the road. Soon others had joined us. Again around that patch of snow we had stopped for a while.  

The snowman? No a rabbit.

 Found snow

Sky was changing colours from cloudy to clean blue where we could see the white moon. We saw more snow on our way back which might have fallen when we went ahead. Day ended with much fun and life had a plan  for another joyride for me as I was to be dropped at Mussoorie next day by the same route.  

Changing sky

Others like us

We had started  our short trip around noon. Trees having all new leaves made the landscape so beautiful that I can’t express.The beauty was captured in heart baring few pictures that I took. As we went ahead of Chamba, the weather started changing again. It started with drizzling, falling of hail and again dark and cloudy.  Something was cooking up there! The weather changed only as much as we could witness the show and not cloud busting of the killing beauty in the sky. I thought “Devlok must be like this.” In past 3 years I have overused the term “devlok” but can’t help it. Snowing a bit on  a road can make the trip very challenging but for us it snowed only as much as we could still drive through with joy. In time, we had safely reached Mussoorie. I was given my preferred room from where I could see mountains. 

Of course I was there to see friends after a decade and life had planned to offer me more under the care of them.  The ice had partially covered the artificial carpet in the courtyard next morning! It came to greet me at my door. 

My foot print

Fresh snow far there

We were happy with that but life wanted to offer me more! Trust me I didn’t ask for.  My wish were fulfilled which I had not asked for, nor did I dear to dream of. It was something like Vidya Murali said once at Facebook. I don’t remember the verbatim. Later on, a partial rainbow was seen from the balcony. 

The hail started falling by the evening. I checked it in the balcony. Persons born and brought up their told me that when it snows if feels as if flowers are falling down. They said it is after some 12-13 years this type of weather is happening in March. In few minutes I was out to experience snow falling on my face. It was time for hand print on snow and selfie. 

Shadow in snow

Hail on the wall of the balcony

Snow against light

Snow falling on my face

Hand print in snow

The next day morning  there was more of white cover all around.I was encouraged to be out and make a snowman. Wow! What was happening? The sky was clear and the temperature I was told must be zero degree Celsius. I again feared that if I will feel cold. So I was advised to use woolen gloves. I started playing like a child. As Juhi has rightly identified just like a girl aged four. I was bit lost with the experience I was having. I was also justifying to the men working around me, “You as children must have had fun playing with snow. Same is happening to me.” “Why only during childhood, even today we feel like playing in snow!”,  one of them said and made  it easy for me. I also tried snowball effect to make the snowball for the head of a snowman.  I could not gather much of snow to make a base of snowman. In between I was distracted with flowers standing there in snow. 

Snow on the road there

Snowball effect? Photo credit: A member of the team which was guiding me on making snow man

The two local men who are no strangers by all means took out few minutes from their work and built up the snowman. One  of them had used a tool he had.Oops! This one was looking like a snow-woman with a gown like attire. I was encouraged to make nose. I was not sure it if I could mold the snow that well. Then I gave my glasses to the snow woman besides making a “duppatta” her scarf. 

Helping hands

More needs to be done.

I have been taking session on clay modelling as well as art and craft work with children. Here I was being taught.One of us had tried to find suitable stone for her eyes. Leaf did not stay as a  replacement. We had no grain or pluse which could be used for eyes. Oh! What now? I went inside the room and found my earrings. The idea worked perfectly. The snow woman looked complete now.  The session of creation was coming to an end. Photography of final outcome was done. I had to have her with me in a same frame. Just like friends do. Someone called it my daughter “Krini” and I was finding a friend her and not a daughter.

 Flowers and they were strong

Amid snow and happy. Photo credit: As mentioned earlier, a member of the team

Finally a final version

Slowly we took back the decorations from snow woman. Funnily my empathy was strong enough that I removed ice put her on head for making a cap. I thought she will catch cold if ice was on her head! The green carpet worked as a great background.  I  am done for the lifetime about playing in snow. As in, even if there is  a greater satisfaction awaits for me being in snow again, I am so contented that I am not looking forward for another opportunity to create another thing in snow.  

White and shining next day

Simplified  creation

Back to original, pure and simple

The snow-woman/ doll was not melting that quickly. Without any decoration she was looking as pure and simple and of course pretty! Just like me! It took few days to see her gone.

Not gone as yet

On 16.03.2017

Yet to melt

 

The experience of the team work will stay in my heart.  Snow and fun, I will never forget. Thank you life that I was not born in Oymyakon! I had my share of joy in Mussoorie!