Trip to Siddapura

We just returned back from a trip to one of my friend’s(Mali) village. The sojourn was more than a fulfilling experience. We didn’t do anything exceptional or something out of the blue. It was a very normal trip but reminiscent with wonderful memories. We drove a few hundred kilometers to the north of Bangalore to a small place called Siddapura. We reached there late evening around 8PM and without wasting much of our precious time, started doing what we enjoy doing the most! Drinking of course!! With a mini bar set-up in the midst of an agricultural land, the ambience was very soothing. The inhabitants of that place (ants, frogs (and snakes maybe)) didn’t seem too impressed with aliens invading their lands and tried their bit to spoil the party. But, determined we were to get stared irrespective of anything. We started to sip our respective glasses which basically contained water mixed with some sort of a liquid which people generally call alcohol (I am not an alcoholic- I drink water which just smells and tastes different).


Once we downed a couple of pegs, discussions on variety of topics (excluding cricket :(, thanks to Swetha and Varsha who didn’t entertain a smallest of small discussion on this wonderful sport) started and didn’t last for long. Discussions made way to singing and this is when the lead guitarist of our group popularly known as PJ (as in Phaltoo Jockey) did what is does best- played the guitar!! With singing sensations like Mali, Sandy and Kunzi around him, he felt a little uncomfortable in the elite group. Nevertheless, he played the guitar and I must say he played it wonderfully well. We were impressed. Three cheers to PJ!!


The night ended on a high- both in terms of alcohol and music and late in the night we made our way to sleep. And boy, we slept really well!!


The next morning started as early as 6 am (for the sun I mean – poor chap doesn’t know the pleasure of getting up late) and we rose at 9 and headed to the well. We loitered in and around the well for nearly 2 and half hours. In the process, we discovered a couple of highly talented divers in Mali and Ram. Don’t be surprised if you see these guys in the next Olympics. When Mali dives, others in the water die and when Ram dives, he just dives. :)


The swimming session ended and the lunch session started. We were hungry like wolves and we could have literally eaten anything- yes, anything. Since good things happen to good people, we were served with delicious village food customized for city taste buds. We all relished the food except for Kunzi. The food was predominantly rice and Kunzi might have felt out of place since he’s not a heavy rice eater like we are. We felt a little sorry for our dear friend but we honestly didn’t care ;). We ensured we were satiated and hoped Kunzi would have eaten enough to keep him going through the day!

We took a nap under the trees smelling cow dung which was gracefully dropped at a distance. We didn’t complain. We slept well. After a while we got up, packed our bags and bid goodbye to the folks who took good care of us during our memorable stay in Siddapura. The engine of the Scorpio roared to life and the vehicle was steered towards Bangalore. Thus, ended a delightful journey with friends, and with nature.