Roller-coaster ride

This weekend, I went on a roller-coaster ride of varied moods and emotions. This is why and how it was.

One of our friends is leaving on a short-term on-site visit. So we thought of giving him a surprise party early Sunday morning and whisk him off on a one-day trip out of Bangalore. The place decided was Hogenekkal falls, located in TamilNadu, some 170 Kms from Bangalore.
Mood: Excited

Hmm..My mom freaked out. She has been hearing too many freak incidents of people being washed away in such waterfalls. So I promised her i would come back home if the plan changed (Mood: Determined), or better still, we could always change the location.
Mood: Confused

Anyways, was all ready and geared up early Sunday morning at 5.45, awaiting my friends. Well, they didn't turn up so early (they did arrive at 6.45), but the cat did :-). So took a few quick snaps.
Mood: Sleepy but Happy

We did make it to his house at around 8.00, and boy!! Was he surprised. :-) We made him cut a cake (called Mango Truffle or so..didn't taste all that well. Strictly for those who love lots of cream) and after a quick photo session, drove towards Hogenekkal falls.
Mood: Accomplished

Oh!Wait..Didn't I tell my mom that I would back off??? Oops..How could I be so stupid!!??!?!
My mom calls me up (turns out she was very worried, since I didn't give her any updates :-( ) and I am not even going into the details!!!! Just that i promosed her I wouldn't step into the water. :-(
Mood: Sad and Sulking

Well, the rest of the journey was kind of dull (for me), but my friends did their best to cheer me up. We played Antakshari for a while and that did indeed cheer me up!! Well, a lil bit.
Mood: Cheerful yet distant

We reached Hogenekkal Falls around 1.00 pm. God! Was it hot!!! Well, the falls are such that, to reach them, we should traverse a short distance in small row boats across a river. Now came the dilemma of "What to do with Vinutha!!??!!" After a lot of contemplations, and stern "NO, I wont come" and "I am not climbing into that boat!" cries, it was decided that they go and visit the falls in 2 trips. That way I wouldn't be left alone and everyone could catch the splendor of the falls.
Mood: Determined
Friends' mood: Irritated, Frustated and what not!!

Well, spent the remaining time loitering on the banks of the river. The place should strictly be avoided at weekends.
One scan around the place and you can see people bathing and washing clothes!! Looks like the surrounding locality people come here almost everyday for this. But it is even worse at weekends I surmised. It should be banned seriously. Speaking of ban, the place is supposed to be a no-plastic zone. Huge banners are placed everywhere, but one can see plastic covers and bottles strewn away carelessly. Pity no one takes it seriously! :-(
Mood: Disappointed

Ok. So after admiring the amazing falls through the pics in the camera (yes, my camera was more lucky, and had been on a ride to the falls!!), we set off towards Bangalore. The return journey was merrier with a stop at the ghats (the view was lovely) and a pit stop at a local Dhaba.
Mood: Plain Happy!!

Towards the end of the travel, I developed motion sickness. Cardamom and Lemon juice sans sugar at a friend's place did help me relax a bit. But went home feeling sick and ready to puke!!! This was a blessing in disguise. It did save me from a LOT of admonishing from my folks. :-)
Mood: Exhausted

Well, at the end of the day, my friend was happy and that was what mattered.

Sorry guys, you had to put up with a lot of my in-famous fussing!! Also thanks a lot for understanding and being there with me. :-)
And sorry mom/dad/sis, I’ll try not to behave so irresponsibly again.
Mood: Grateful and Happy again!!

Points additionally noted:
1. The feeling of sickness increases exponentially with the amount of time one spends in a doctor's waiting room.
2. Pets are great stress relievers.
3. Oh yes, the Scorpio is also very smooth at higher speed limits! :-)