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_Starry Laughs_

 



_Starry Laughs_

My cousin, her friend Veena, and I went on a hill station adventure that felt like a breath of fresh air, literally. Girivan, nestled in the Sahyadri ranges, proved to be a tranquil escape from the crowded chaos of other popular hill stations.

Veena, our gracious host, led us to her farmhouse, and the journey up the windy and uphill roads was an experience in itself. Finally reaching her house was like stumbling upon a hidden gem—a classic Spanish villa with bold yellow walls bordered in deep red, standing proudly amid lush greenery.

Veena's garden resembled a botanical wonderland, featuring an assortment of trees, from mangoes to bayleaf, palm to bananas. It was a paradise where guava, jaam, amla, peppercorn, and betel leaf creepers coexisted in harmony, creating a serene and zen-like atmosphere.

Our taste buds were treated to a culinary spread by Veena's talented housekeeper. Rustic chicken gravy, sautéed dried fish (बोंबील), bhakri, and warm इंद्रायणी भात .
I couldn't help but feel like I had accumulated some 'पुण्य' in my past life to savour such mouthwatering dishes.
The flavours took us on a nostalgic journey to our Mumbai days, hailing from the bustling city. Our memories drifted to the shores of सातपाटी, पालघर,  केळवा रोड and वर्सोवा!

Amidst bites of delicious food, our conversation naturally meandered into the world of horoscopes, tarot card readings, and other whimsical topics. We started off with Aries ..
Ah, the Aries ♈ brigade – known for their short tempers and impatience, yet absolute suckers for freedom!  My mom nails the Aries vibe to the  T !!!

Jeeji, our resident zodiac encyclopedia, has mastered the art of decoding every sun sign's quirks. After an uproarious discussion, we've decided to go on a mission to find people who match the zodiac variety show.

First on the list:
*Geminis – those charming beings with a dual personality and a fantastic sense of humour, making them the ultimate entertainers in any gathering.
* Following closely are the Sagittarians, known for their adventurous spirit, and the Librans, masters of balance in both life and laughter.
* And let's not forget the Scorpios and Capricornians, wielding a 'punny' and self-deprecating sense of humour that could light up a party faster than a birthday candle !

In our zodiac sign banter, we realised life's a comedy show – greet woes with a
"Welcome to the Circus!" perspective. Juggle problems with your clown nose, as even dark clouds have a silver lining waiting for a punchline.....

MKP
27/1/2024
#girivan
#sahyadrighat
#SahyadriRanges 

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