Running My First 5K

How much ever easy running seems to anyone, it isn’t as simple for some. Running my first 5K in Edinburgh, the city I am in love with, followed by a fun tattie run while my tot excitingly cheering for me and concluding the day, a happy mom enlivened her toddler participating in his first race. Ohhh! my proud mommy moment!

As I began to run with many others who were running for some social cause, tears rolled down my cheeks, my heart started pumping more blood not only in response to physical activity but for clearing emotional blockages. And during that moving meditation, I realised the sacred cause behind my run – a cause to ease my heart from pain, a cause to elevate my spirit, a cause to pull my inner self out of the swirling whirlpool of over-thinking, and a cause to regain my very authenticity. Having finished what I started (in context of race), conveyed a sense of accomplishment after long time. The collective energy of the event had a healing effect but chemically speaking, the endorphins produced were genuine heroes.

Start was as difficult as ending successfully and in-between was the real test of endurance. Never thought participating in a simple run event can become an intramural workout for my depressed brain cells. And developing a habit of regular physical workout, checks our courage & persistence before leading us to tremendous personal growth – physical, metabolic or psychological. I believe one good cause to work for in the world is purifying thoughts and intentions to direct our inner self towards a meaningful life.

 

One Fine Funday In The Granite City Of Aberdeen

The diurnal variation of weather in Scotland is one of the main deciding factor for an instant outdoor or indoor activity plan. Basking in the sunshine on beach on an occasionally bright sunny day in the summer months or celebrating a usual dreich day by indulging in some brain exercise, one always has to be prepared as per the very changeable but lovely weather. What can be more captivating than experiencing four seasons in a single day and as one Scottish saying goes “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes”. So here is my one day of relishing in such weather.

 

Balmedie Beach

 

Sand dunes, golden sandy beach, seabirds, seashells, a sight of surfers riding the waves, some pill boxes from WWII, children’s play area altogether makes Balmedie beach a perfect spot for a family day out.  Witnessing a picturesque part of 24 km dune system stretching from Aberdeen to Newburgh is an experience to live. I was mesmerized by the scenic beauty of sand dunes along with the beach on a bright sunny day, and end up relaxing with a power nap on the beach. While my toddler was enjoying digging, pouring, sifting, scooping the sand using all his sand toys and his imagination to build sand castles and sliding down the sand dunes as well, for me running my fingers and toes in sand was more like a recreation therapy. Always better to carry a thin layer to protect from the windy cold (that’s the beauty of Scottish beaches) and try to absorb your fair share of sunshine in the beautiful Scotland.

 

 

Break-Out Games

 

I think the concept of escape games is inspired by the famous Bollywood song “Hum tum ek kamre me band ho aur chabi kho jaaye, socho kabhi aisa ho to kya ho” (“If You and me are locked in a room and the keys get lost, just imagine what will we do then”). Well I believe, its a good activity to put your thinking hat on and test your brain for how much can it help you escape.

 

 

Whatever, but it can be real fun to be locked in a room along the people you resonate with and hypothetically the only way out is by solving the various brainteasers stepwise to find the key in one hour time. If you can break out then feel like a hero with a “Break-Out Certificate” just in a photo or on the social media (haha!) otherwise the team will open the room after 60 mins and celebrate being a loser holding a “Locked-In Certificate”. As we were busy scratching our heads, brainstorming to solve the puzzles to find the keys of the room we were locked in. Meanwhile our terrible ‘2’ toddler was creating a bigger mess for us by shuffling the clues for the puzzles & riddles. Although a bit expensive for two people but a good workout for the brain cells, it could cost reasonable for a group of six people depending on the type of room chosen based on the hardness level. A fine & fun way of challenging the boredom that creeps in between those monotonous days.

 

Falling Freely In The Heart Of Scotland

I have always been thrilled by ‘The Science of Risk’, so I seek out ways for that adventure hormone to rush in my adrenal glands. Although I have enjoyed many daring activities in past like bungee jump, flying fox, white water rafting, camping in jungles, trekking on Himalayas, para sailing, para gliding and the biggest adventure of my life – quasi-arranged marriage (a marriage concept prevalent in  parts of Asia when one decides to marry  the individual selected by her/his parents) which turned out to be one best risk I took as I found an amazing partner. Haha! Yet life throws some challenging circumstances to keep the primal fear stored deep inside us as an evolutionary requisite to safety from dangers; it is our duty to jiggle it off and cleanse every cell of our body, like an elephant shakes off excess dust after a dirt bath.

And here I was dangled from an iron cliff again with rubber cords tied on my ankles after six years of my first bungee jump but this time with my partner sharing the adrenaline rush and our toddler encouragingly clapping & waving at his crazy parents, in the heart of Scotland.  An experience to live for sure. Later on, however, he cried his lungs out for not finding us close by and threw away his shoes creating havoc for the lady of the Killicrankie bungee team who offered kid care for the time we could finish the jumps. We chose Pitlochry mainly for bungee jump but found ourselves enveloped in the lap of surreal beauty and 360 degrees of landscapes and activities waiting to please any explorer.

Pitlochry, famous as the heart of Scotland, is a perfect retreat to enliven your soul over weekend or a few days freedom from the monotone of life. It is located on the river Tummel in Scottish Highlands of Perth & Kinross council.

A free-fall from the river Garry bridge in Killicrankie, 3 miles from Pitlochry is a thrill. Do a spiderman jump (one can wear her favourite character’s costume for the jump), or tandem jump with a partner to share the adrenaline rush, or jump in the night. It costs £75 per person per jump and a discounted second jump by the same person on the same day at £30 or a package of multiple activities. The jump photos, videos cost additionally. Quad biking, Clay pigeon shooting, rafting on river Tay and river Tummel, bungee swing (planned to start in June 2017) are some other activities to enjoy. The other popular location is Titan Crane bungeejump in Clydebank, Glasgow.  More info –https://www.bungeejumpscotland.co.uk/

Pitlochry is strikingly exquisite.  Enjoy being an ogler to spectacular panoramas all around. Looking at the bridge view, it can be called “Lovelock Bridge”. Or get entranced by the splendid landscapes while cruising on river with Loch Tay Safaris.

Blair Athol Distillery & Edradour Distillery can be captivating for whisky lovers. Blair Athol Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland working since 1798.

Blair castle is a treat to history lovers. And Pitlochry Festival Theatre has many wonderful comedy, tragedy play shows, and concerts every day. Pitlochry Dam, Loch Faskally and a fish ladder for thousands of salmons are there to visit.

Visitors can join Scottish country dancing at venues Pitlochry Town Hall or Recreation Ground after 7 pm in summer months of May to September. We went in April so it was a miss. sobs!!

Nearby places to Explore – Climbing Schiehallion, the centre of Scotland (also known as Fairy Mountain) is more like a winning experience. 20 miles from Pitlochry, this is the area used by Maskelyne in an experiment to help calculate the mass of the Earth in 1774.

B&B Stay

BungeeJump

Blair Castle

The Joy Of Receiving You

To the great Himalayas and the flora, I declared,

Dangled from the hilltop, widely opening my arms, leaving all fear,

Through the departing tears, releasing all withheld despair,

I declared my love for you, I declared; I Love You.

And felt the joy of receiving you, My love.

                

To the witnessing pious fire, I pronounced my heart,

Gathering the firewood, rousing the flames, burning all negations,

Through the religious oomph, glowing my soul,

I pronounced my love for you, I pronounced; I Love You.

And found myself encased in your heart, My Love.

 

To the holy water, I out-poured,

Immersed in eternal essence, sailing the stream, rinsing my cadaver,

Through the divine flow, fostering purity in my core,

I out-poured my love for you, I out-poured; I Love You.

And found the happiness as your soul embracing mine.

Return To Innocence

Lost myself in the midst of worldly possessions,

Tired of being fixing in frames others have chosen.

Standing at the open window gazing the sky,

Child in me, one day, insanely cried.

You, Destroyer of my innocence,

Keep craving for true love, peace of mind,

Or better return to innocence.

Cool breeze coming all the way through,

Blowing my hair, releasing all withheld despair.

Listening to the cool silence, deep into the darkness,

I stood there wondering, fearing,

Searching the way back, that gentle wind

Mollifying my soul, pleasingly whispering,

Beloved!! I am returning your innocence.

Wrapped in my quilt, embracing myself,

I felt, eternal ecstasy is here itself.

The charmed sunset, the enchanting branches,

Soothed my soul, I heard the music my heartbeats making.

Singing pure melodies, enlightening,

Sweetie!! Open up, I am returning your innocence.

Oh my solitude, thanks for your silence,

How happy I am, free from all nuisance.

My soul grew stronger, filled with undying faith,

Endless peace, eternal love, pure from heart.

Contented breaths full of sense, declaring

Oh!! I am returning to innocence,

I have returned to innocence!!!!!