the beginnings

it was a casual - or may be not all that casual - call from a friend asking if i would be interested in visiting mansarovar and Kailas.

in a moment of excitement, i said SURE, and .. in sotto voce, let me think about it.

when my wife, sister-in-law and her husband were also interested, the decision was made, not still realizing what it would be or mean in terms of preparations.

one added incentive was that we could get the early bird offer, if we paid up in the next few days.

with the subsidy from the Karnataka government, it made a very good proposition.

this was sometime in October 2011.

and then, slowly, I realized that many persons among known circles had either visited or knew others who had visited Kailas and mansarovar in the past.

and almost all of them had fairly discouraging stories to tell.

discouraging in terms of the hardship, facilities etc.

and then, there were these blogs.

and some books - including one that out family doctor gave to read.

all of them mentioned the challenges, the difficulties - but were silent about the actual parikrama.

reading about the government route, made the trip more exciting - and knowing that the private tour is not as long [14 days compared to 30] and strenuous [mostly trekking   versus just a few days of trekking, mostly carry your own food and make do with tents along the way to sherpas worrying about good, timely food and staying in mud houses or semi-permanent tents in most places] made it appear less daunting.

but then, a couple of aspects that were needed anyway : physical and mental fitness.

physical fitness including ability to cope with the high altitude aspects of low oxygen levels and mental fitness, to stay calm under not so convenient surroundings.

though there was no specific requirement or regime for physical training, we were advised that regular walking of a few kilometers every day should be fine.

however, regular pranayama was a must - to have greater control and stability over one's breathing.

but then, there were different techniques - breathing slowly, quick breathing, retaining the breath longer and slow exhalation etc.

anyway, having decided to take the trip, talking to others only added to the anxiety - particularly to other members of the group - as one would always end up with the feeling that one is very under-prepared.  the same feeling you get talking to your classmates before an exam - that you have taken somewhat lightly [don't ask me which subject i did not take lightly!].

it does not matter what they said - whether they were doing a lot of things - including organizing a personal trainer, or walking up chamundi hills in Mysore regularly - or that they have not yet bought their shoes and have not started any routines -- one felt that the former group is overdoing and the latter is underplaying, while they probably have been doing something, surely more than oneself!

the children were also very excited - that they get to stay home alone for two weeks! not realizing what they were getting into..