Hiking back on an old trail

I always had this madness of wondering off to places since when I was in school. Our village back in India is
right at the entrance of a big forest. When I was in school, my parents would never let me go out without telling them where and why am I going anywhere just like any others in this world. I wanted to go out to the forest to hang out and catch great of views of nature. The way into the forest leads to the top of a hill and it was spectacular view from there. I used to see it when ever I passed by in bus. But I always wanted to stop there and spend some time. From the top the hill, I could see the telephone tower back in my village about
5 miles away and villages and farms in view. There was a small water fall and small berry trees. It was a great place.

I dared myself out to this place first time in eight standard. I was not alone and there were 5 more friends of mine who shared the same madness. We paddled 5 miles to the hill top on 3 bicycles. I still remember it was
a great feeling, first time out on my own breaking away free. By the time we reached the hill top we caught a great view of the sunset. We decided to head back quick since it was the first time and we knew it would be late by the time we get back home. We started our ride back and in less than a half a mile a motorcycle over took us and slowed down to a stop right by a small ditch. It was our social studies teacher coming back from his village where he owned some land . He seemed puzzled and did not say much to us. He asked us what we were doing there and told us to get back home soon. We were all terrified by the thought of his class tomorrow. My bad luck did not stop there, later I came to know that my dad met our teacher and got the news. By the time we get back home it was late and we did not know the news reached our homes faster than our bikes. When I reached home I pretended to look normal until my dad asked where was I all evening. I told my parents the whole story and they seem to be disappointed not by the fact that I went outside the limits but for the reason that I was there until dark and I did not say a word to them before leaving. I understood their concern, obviously it was not safe to be in the forest after sun set and I should have told them about it. But on the whole I was happy that they considered me to be old enough to go around.

I still find myself doing the same thing after so many years. In the past few years I went to hiking many times. But the one we went to yesterday was different. It was untouched area and not many people know about that place. We ended at a small fall but it was almost dark so we did not get a chance to explore much around the place. On our way back I thought about the past and current. Places changed, people changed but
I am still what I was then.I always had this madness of wondering off to places. Our village is right at the entrance of a big forest. My parents would never let me go out without telling them where and why am I going anywhere just like any others in the world. I wanted to go out to the forest just to hang out. The way into the forest leads to the top of a hill and it was spectacular view from there. I used to see it when ever I passed by in bus. But I always wanted to stop there and spend some time. From the top the hill, I could see the telephone tower back in my village about 5 miles away and villages and farms in view. There was a small water fall and small berry trees. It was a great place.

I dared myself out to this place first time in eight standard. I was not alone and there were 5 more friends of mine who shared the same madness. We paddled 5 miles to the hill top on 3 bicycles. I still remember it was a great feeling, first time out on my own breaking away free. By the time we reached the hill top we caught a great view of the sunset. We decided to head back quick since it was the first time and we knew it would be late by the time we get back home. We started our ride back and in less than a half a mile a motorcycle over took us and slowed down to a stop right by a small ditch. It was our social studies teacher coming back from his village where he owned some land . He seemed puzzled and did not say much to us. He asked us what we were doing there and told us to get back home soon. We were all terrified by the thought of his class tomorrow. My bad luck did not stop there, later I came to know that my dad met our teacher and got the news. By the time we get back home it was late and we did not know the news reached our homes faster than our bikes. When I reached home I pretended to look normal until my dad asked where was I all evening. I told my parents the whole story and they seem to be disappointed not by the fact that I went outside the limits but for the reason that I was there until dark and I did not say a word to them before leaving. I understood their concern, obviously it was not safe to be in the forest after sun set and I should have told them about it. But on the whole I was happy that they considered me to be old enough to go around.

I still find myself doing the same thing after so many years. In the past few years I went to hiking many times. But the one we went to yesterday was different. It was untouched area and not many people know about that place. We ended at a small fall but it was almost dark so we did not get a chance to explore much around the place. On our way back I thought about the past and current. Places changed, people changed but I am still what I was then.

On a sleepless night

It’s about 2 O’clock saturday morning. I could not go to sleep for some reason. I tried for a couple hours to put myself to sleep but did not seem to work so I gave up and I was thinking of doing something. I tried TV but there is nothing much going on in there except for an old Sarah Jessica Parker movie. So I decided to catch up on my blog. But what do I write about it?

I thought about Barak Obama winning Dem nomination. That did not sound much exciting. I do not think it will change anything whether it is going to be Clinton or Obama. I thought about the children of Texas polygamist sect. They had their just justice already. Space shuttle discovery is a week old news. So I decided to write something about the gas prices.

If I remember correctly the lowest gas price that ever saw was $1.73. Unfortunately I had no car then but recently I bought an Accord V6. I used to have a Honda Civic 98, which was pretty good on gas. When I had my Civic, the gas prices were just started to get high but it was not big concern then. A tank full used to last for 2 weeks. But now I get my tank full twice as often and for almost double the price. I just noticed that the Oil barrel went up today by $11 and I started to think where would this stop. That reminds me of a recent business week article in which even the pundits did not seem to agree about the future gas prices. I guess one of them said it will stop at $8/gallon at the rate it is going up. I wish I was in Venezuela where gas is still 12cents a gallon.

Neither I nor the people around me never complained about the gas prices until it started to get close to $4. In Alabama, today it was $3.93 and I already had the privilege of filling my tank for $4.10/gallon on a recent trip to Houston. On average I pay a $150 for gas each month. So assuming the predictions will turn out to be true, very soon I will be paying double that amount for gas.

What are my alternatives?. Here is the list of possibilities  that  I came with. I can gather some people around and start car pooling. Which does not sound like a great idea because everybody that I could possibly car pool with have their schedule to work and back but I might adjust to circumstances. The second possible plan is to buy a bike, may be  not one of those sleek Harley-Davidson’s, but something simple. But I will think about the value in doing that considering insurance and all other stuff. I could sell Honda Accord V6 and buy may be a hybrid. The new Honda Civic Hybrid looks real cool. Now That’s a possibility.  That’s all I can think of for now.

It’s about 3 O’clock now. I will try to get back to sleep. I knew I am not going to decide upon anything right now. May be some other day.. Good Night!