Parbat se kaali ghata takrayee
I spent the weekend in Zurich.
The place is gorgeous, built around a lake, hemmed in by mountains and lascivious vegetation.
The city boasts of marvellous churches, chic shopping malls, cobbled stone streets -- reminiscent of an era which would have probably forbade one such as me to ever walk them, and of course the eternally good and divinely sensuous, chocolate confectioneries.
The Zurich See (as lake is referred to in German) teems with yachts and boats -- with motors and oars. Divers and swimmers jump off their decks and slice through the water with mind-numbing agility, and as the wet, rippling muscles stretch out to grab the boat, one is mesmerized by Nature's sense of congruency water, mountain, tree and the rippling sinews of a well-formed forearm.
Of course I was ogling!
A little further from Zurich is the world-famous Jungfrau jocht (very loosely translated as Young Girl mountain). One can reach it via train, bus, cycle or foot.
From Zurich we hitched a two hour bus ride to Interleukin (the city between two lakes) whose skies were dotted with colorful, whirling para gliders.
Unlike Zurich, Interleukin is a tiny town (elevated to the status of a city by the tour guide). Nestled in the lap of sheer-faced mountains it offers a panoramic view of the Alps. The Alps, majestic and unmoving, glimmering like a mirage on the distant horizon entice even the most faint-hearted like yours truly to rush into their inviting folds.
So onwards ho from Interleukin to Jungfrau jocht.
It is a mesmerizing journey alongside gurgling streams, Alpine pines, flowers in colors and shades far beyond what the mind can imagine.
As one starts approaching the summit, the breathtaking view of the valley below and the craggy mountains facing us is daunting with their sheer splendour.
Jungfrau jocht is majestic in it reach. Draped in shawls of grey-white clouds, it stares (or so I imagine), unflinching at us tiny specks, ascending its heights in tin cans.
Arriving through a 9 kms tunnel, testimony to human ingenuity, one finally sets foot on the highest peak in Europe.
I stepped out gingerly from the funicular eager to find my peace on the mountain. But recoiled in horror to see the sea of humanity which had already laid siege.
This was followed by a spurt of mountain sickness, the thin air on the top can induce splitting headaches, nausea and worse -- queasy stomachs. Over-coming (at least a wee bit) these one can visit the various 'spots' atop the peak. The observation deck overlooking the glacier was crowded with people. Same was the case with the altenglacier (old glacier). Inside the snow palace things were just a wee bit better what with only a few daring to cross its slippery floor. But out in the patio, with its numerous restaurants one was jostled amidst crowds yet again.
Trying to make my way through crowds bustling for the exorbitantly priced sandwiches and coffees I overheard a young, shrill voice shout in amazement, 'Mummy dekho, yahi par parbat se kaali ghata takrayee hogi' (Mummy see, the clouds must've hit the mountain, lyrics of a famous Bollywood number, at this spot!)
Things were well under control until 'Mummy dekho...' But that one liner put my head in a final spin from which I am yet to recover.
The place is gorgeous, built around a lake, hemmed in by mountains and lascivious vegetation.
The city boasts of marvellous churches, chic shopping malls, cobbled stone streets -- reminiscent of an era which would have probably forbade one such as me to ever walk them, and of course the eternally good and divinely sensuous, chocolate confectioneries.
The Zurich See (as lake is referred to in German) teems with yachts and boats -- with motors and oars. Divers and swimmers jump off their decks and slice through the water with mind-numbing agility, and as the wet, rippling muscles stretch out to grab the boat, one is mesmerized by Nature's sense of congruency water, mountain, tree and the rippling sinews of a well-formed forearm.
Of course I was ogling!
A little further from Zurich is the world-famous Jungfrau jocht (very loosely translated as Young Girl mountain). One can reach it via train, bus, cycle or foot.
From Zurich we hitched a two hour bus ride to Interleukin (the city between two lakes) whose skies were dotted with colorful, whirling para gliders.
Unlike Zurich, Interleukin is a tiny town (elevated to the status of a city by the tour guide). Nestled in the lap of sheer-faced mountains it offers a panoramic view of the Alps. The Alps, majestic and unmoving, glimmering like a mirage on the distant horizon entice even the most faint-hearted like yours truly to rush into their inviting folds.
So onwards ho from Interleukin to Jungfrau jocht.
It is a mesmerizing journey alongside gurgling streams, Alpine pines, flowers in colors and shades far beyond what the mind can imagine.
As one starts approaching the summit, the breathtaking view of the valley below and the craggy mountains facing us is daunting with their sheer splendour.
Jungfrau jocht is majestic in it reach. Draped in shawls of grey-white clouds, it stares (or so I imagine), unflinching at us tiny specks, ascending its heights in tin cans.
Arriving through a 9 kms tunnel, testimony to human ingenuity, one finally sets foot on the highest peak in Europe.
I stepped out gingerly from the funicular eager to find my peace on the mountain. But recoiled in horror to see the sea of humanity which had already laid siege.
This was followed by a spurt of mountain sickness, the thin air on the top can induce splitting headaches, nausea and worse -- queasy stomachs. Over-coming (at least a wee bit) these one can visit the various 'spots' atop the peak. The observation deck overlooking the glacier was crowded with people. Same was the case with the altenglacier (old glacier). Inside the snow palace things were just a wee bit better what with only a few daring to cross its slippery floor. But out in the patio, with its numerous restaurants one was jostled amidst crowds yet again.
Trying to make my way through crowds bustling for the exorbitantly priced sandwiches and coffees I overheard a young, shrill voice shout in amazement, 'Mummy dekho, yahi par parbat se kaali ghata takrayee hogi' (Mummy see, the clouds must've hit the mountain, lyrics of a famous Bollywood number, at this spot!)
Things were well under control until 'Mummy dekho...' But that one liner put my head in a final spin from which I am yet to recover.
Comments
Post a Comment