Now this is a blog I did not expect to write. But I must confess that today the tranquility of our stay in the Vagamon hills of Kerala was shattered. Cintra and I found ourselves on the rockiest, bumpiest ride on a four-wheel drive than we have ever before experienced.
It all started when our friend at Econest: Ashasadan offered to help us enjoy another calm, rainless day by going for a half-hour drive to a farm. Sounds simple and painless.
So we joined him and Jibu (the other physician on site at the centre) on Jay’s four-wheel drive to this special place. We enjoyed a couple of kilometres of paved roads and then some gravel, followed by rocks that seem to get larger each time.
Earlier in the day, Jay and Thomas, the new manager, took us on a visit to a tea factory. On that ride, I pointed out to Jay that his fuel guage was on E. “Not to worry,” he assured us. “I know how much I have. It is quite enough.”
Now on this rocky road to who-knows-where, the ride was getting bumpier and the roads were getting higher. As we traveled another couple of kilometres in these conditions with no civilization in sight, I asked, “What if we run out of diesel? How will we get back?” Jay repeated his confidence in his tank.
I drew upon my reserve supply of faith and accepted his assurance.
We started to go downhill over some very uneven tracks, and as we got to the bottom, the engine sputtered and fell silent. A few turns of the key yielded nothing. I suggested he dip a twig into the tank to check the level. He did and found there was a trace, but not enough.
So we continued on foot. I was not prepared for outdoors, so I had casual slippers. Cintra used an umbrella for support and I found a short pipe to use as a walking stick. We continued, trying hard to find safe spots on which to step.
After what seemed like about three kilometres, we saw a building and a truck. Jay rushed on foot, had a conversation in Malayalam and waved to us to stay where we were.
Then the truck engine started with a ‘roll start’ and headed our way. It had an open back, so Jay, Dr. Jibu and another chap hopped on the back and Cintra and I squeezed into the cab with the slightly large driver. There was barely enough room for my leg to leave space for the floor shift.
If the drive coming down in Jay’s truck was rough, this was out of this world. I have never been bumped up and down so much in my life. By the way, seat belts are not generally used here.
The bumps shook up every part of my body, including my bladder. And we were dangerously close to the edge of a cliff and the driver was quite non-challant as he held the steering with one hand.
We made it to Jay’s disabled truck, left the three guys and we accepted the offer to have the elder four-wheeler drive us back to Econest.
Cintra had previously declined an offer to have a Reiki treatment by either Dr. Mercy or Dr. Jibu . After the ride, she visited Mercy for a treatment. We will continue to more peaceful existence for the remaining few hours of our visit.
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