On the 14th of June, we had a family of four go with us on trek to Kareri Lake. Drs Arti and Hemant Trehan and theri two kids Tanvi and Angad. I have to mention here that those two are the most well spoken, thoughtful and lovable kids I have met. Credit to the parents and to the children.
The Trehans are Doctors in the Air Force, the same Government Organisation my father served in. I have a soft spot for the services as My grandfather and father served in the Army and Air Force, respectively, and I have been the direct beneficiary of their service - good schools, excellent people, so much respect. It is huge leg up in India when your parents belong to the forces.
I was very keen on having a family on a trek as I was curious to see how my guides would respond to having kids on a trek. I was even more curious to see how the kids would do.
The weather was perfect (maybe a little on the hot side) and we set off towards our first day's destination all happy and smiling. We were all still happy and smiling when we reached! Excellent so far and I noticed the kids were so good at walking, making friends and being kids. We played cricket til Hemant and I could not run any more and thankfully, were saved by the rain. Had a bit of a hailstorm, nothing serious. The rest of the trek went off well. Good weather while trekking, a good heavy hail storm when we had camped. Lots of good food, no emergencies and no whining kids!
On the subject of potable water, I know by experience, no one gets sick drinking water from the river after we cross the last habitation. On the way to our camp site on day 3, we walk along this river flowing over these big boulders. Hemant pointed out at how perfectly water filtration was taking place in front of our eyes. The rocks, fine shale and sand were perfectly, naturally proportioned, there was sun and air for the process and the water is perfectly potable. These kind of things are awe inspiring and just hearing of the actual process described made us love what we do even more.
In the course of the 5 day trek, the kids made friends with all of us. I would find them deeply involved in fun and games in the guides' tents, washing dishes, cooking food or just exploring the area we were in. I definitely want to get more families to treks and have an outdoors experience. I can' forget Hemant's face while walking, it had pure bliss written all over it, or the kids playing games with the guides, their enthusiasm for everything, or just the happiness the mountains gave the family. It was a treat for us as guides. If your clients can appreciate every thing they are experiencing without slotting them as good or bad, then you feel fulfilled. You feel happy that you chose this as your profession and you are doing something right.
The Trehans are Doctors in the Air Force, the same Government Organisation my father served in. I have a soft spot for the services as My grandfather and father served in the Army and Air Force, respectively, and I have been the direct beneficiary of their service - good schools, excellent people, so much respect. It is huge leg up in India when your parents belong to the forces.
I was very keen on having a family on a trek as I was curious to see how my guides would respond to having kids on a trek. I was even more curious to see how the kids would do.
The weather was perfect (maybe a little on the hot side) and we set off towards our first day's destination all happy and smiling. We were all still happy and smiling when we reached! Excellent so far and I noticed the kids were so good at walking, making friends and being kids. We played cricket til Hemant and I could not run any more and thankfully, were saved by the rain. Had a bit of a hailstorm, nothing serious. The rest of the trek went off well. Good weather while trekking, a good heavy hail storm when we had camped. Lots of good food, no emergencies and no whining kids!
On the subject of potable water, I know by experience, no one gets sick drinking water from the river after we cross the last habitation. On the way to our camp site on day 3, we walk along this river flowing over these big boulders. Hemant pointed out at how perfectly water filtration was taking place in front of our eyes. The rocks, fine shale and sand were perfectly, naturally proportioned, there was sun and air for the process and the water is perfectly potable. These kind of things are awe inspiring and just hearing of the actual process described made us love what we do even more.
In the course of the 5 day trek, the kids made friends with all of us. I would find them deeply involved in fun and games in the guides' tents, washing dishes, cooking food or just exploring the area we were in. I definitely want to get more families to treks and have an outdoors experience. I can' forget Hemant's face while walking, it had pure bliss written all over it, or the kids playing games with the guides, their enthusiasm for everything, or just the happiness the mountains gave the family. It was a treat for us as guides. If your clients can appreciate every thing they are experiencing without slotting them as good or bad, then you feel fulfilled. You feel happy that you chose this as your profession and you are doing something right.
1 comment:
hey,
this was such a great time for us as a family.. . and you all were just perfect. the best part was that although we knew we were clients, you guys treated us like friends and went far benyond the quid pro quo of money. who in the world gets you tea in your tent with hailstones in it!!!!... you are in the right place .. stick with it.!
the kids miss you guys and are ready for another trek, but arti wont come along coz you didn't mention her in the blog!!!!!! WOMEN!!!! so get your act together Raja.
hope sachin, vinay,ishan and kapil are fine.. ( the kids are prompting me with their names as i type this !) say hi to elise.. which is wierd coz she's probably the one who's going to read this .... so .. HEY ELISE !!! SMILE if you're reading this..
hope to see you all soon
hemant
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