Five Girls, on a trip after school, I mean after leaving school. Somehow, anybody you have known back then, remains frozen with the same tag, even decades after.So, five of us girls, from school decided to take a welcome break and reconnect with each other, in the pristine environs of Subathu, a lesser known cousin of Kasauli.
The journey was planned almost three months prior, but till the last minute there was an air of suspense as to how many will make it. Also a mix of anxiousness and anxiety, coz this wasn’t a group of 5 best friends, but rather a group of 5 classmates thrown together, after a longish time; desire to take a break and shared year/years in school, being just the two common factors.
We caught the Chandigarh Shatabadi from New Delhi station and on route caught up with the going ons in each other’s life and even more in ‘the others’ who were missing. The fifth friend, a resident of Chandigarh, who had organised the entire trip was there to receive us up at the station.The five of us and our 8 bags (women!) were loaded onto an Innova and set off for Subathu, with a small halt at Kasauli.
Subathu, is a small hamlet, with a lovely army cantonment. Thanks to the Army Wife in the group( also of course her husband), we were given great accomodation and service in the officers mess. Huge, open clean spaces, manicured lawns and breathtaking view, what more can a man ask! But Women can.
What is a trip without some shopping ! So off we went the next day, to the local market and returned with bags full of stoles, suits, woolen caps. The Army supplies shop was also explored and we could barely camouflage our delight at the stash we found.
Had a great time together, was surprising how we had grown into such different individuals, from what we were back at school and how differently we bonded now, and as we spent 3 days together, each took up a role based on their domain; the F&B manager, ensuring great supply of snacks & cocktails; the teacher, keeping tab of time; the Child infusing the group with her exuberance; the narrator, regaling all with the tales from back then and the nature lover, pushing all to witness the sunrise.
You know the best part of being on a all girls trip, a great time lazing around, unhurried shopping, nobody pushing you around or hankering for attention. An absolute must for all, in fact the best therapy, to be practiced every six months!
