After The Wedding Party

The next morning when I woke up and went out of our room, I found people sleeping everywhere, on the beds, on the floor, on the porch and on the balcony. Food, drinks, clothes, and much more was spread wildly across the house. At some places people were sleeping encroaching on each other, sharing a limited piece of blanket to cover themselves. I only hoped that they knew with whom they had slept, else watching the shock on their face to discover a stranger next to them had been priceless. The last drop of water in the house was over and soon we started filling up the tank, pots and bottles. The food in the kitchen and entire fridge was empty. We knew that everyone would be waking up hungry after dancing all night long. Most of the people out of 100 had left at late night without our notice. There were around 40 people lying half-naked everywhere in the house, about to get up in search of food.

Cooking for that big group in a short time was difficult so we ordered 150 samosas from a nearby village, Darini, from Madhu's friend's shop. We asked her to send them to Salli through ongoing local buses. I went down to the market to collect the most wanted food. Soon everybody got up and they helped us clean the house as it was a complete mess. We all ate our breakfast and enjoyed masala chai in the sunshine. By noon most of the party people had left and a small group had decided to stay back and enjoy the beautiful nature around Freedom Valley. Avior and his group also stayed back. I would often watch those full of life Israelis singing and playing the guitar, sitting on the porch. They would be engrossed in their own world as if nothing else mattered. They would eat whatever we cooked without any fuss.

For them, life was a celebration of every moment. All they wanted was to live to the fullest. For a moment I wondered if their life was without a purpose. The depressive state I had experienced a few months back due to purposelessness was nowhere near getting reflected on their bright faces. Their aimless life had some beauty which I had missed totally. Living a minimalistic life wasn't depressing or sinking into complexity for them. Maybe I was missing to understand something in my life which those 20-year-old Israeli backpackers were living. The silence after the party was soaking inside me, revealing many hidden layers of unconscious thoughts. I would sit alone looking at the beautiful trees trying to find beauty in being aimless life. I guess I was too much in my brain to understand the ways of the heart.

Salli Was Introducing A Heartful Way Of Life To My Over-Thinking. 

Israeli Wedding In Salli

The plan of hosting a party in Salli was getting difficult due to police restrictions. So there came a new workaround which was creating a wedding ceremony of two Israeli couples from the group and then has our party in disguise as the post-wedding party. We already had a couple who had volunteered to get married for the sake of the party. Avior had brought 2 big speakers, backup batteries and Dj mixer the previous night through jeep. We all went down to carry those heavy objects at night and also tested them once we reached home. They were perfect to host a grand party whose beats could be heard in nearby villages. Avior had invited around 40 people to the party and we were prepared to host those many people. It was also the independence day of Israel so the party was going to a grand one.

The next day everybody got up early and started decorating the house. At that time we were 15 people in the house and everyone had their own tasks to complete. Three girls were painting flags of India and Israel on a white cloth which was to be hung high to show love and peace between these two nationals. The Dj lineup was written on a cloth and tied to a Pilar. The Dj room and his mixer were covered with some cloths supported by sticks. Noor would love to act like a Dj and was often seen near the mixer. The open ground on the second step was covered with large sheets for the shade as that was our dance floor. A big poster was made, written on it was Freedom Valley Wedding. Enough food was cooked and we had filled all the drinking water pots and bottles from the mountain stream. The music had started in the morning and all the villagers were curious to know what was going on in our place.

Soon the guests started coming in. The wedding ceremony was completed beautifully where the bride and the groom were enjoying sitting on their friend's shoulders. A ritual of breaking the glass was replaced by breaking a plastic bottle as the glass wasn't available. And then the real party started. Those Israeli backpackers in their 20s were having a blast and going crazy while dancing. One could see people dancing everywhere in the house, on the ground, on the balcony. Village kids would sit on the stairs of the bridge in front of our house, looking in awe at the scene they had never seen before. Some villagers looked shocked while some were enjoying through their eyes sitting far away. As the sun was setting down we started witnessing more and more Israelis coming to the party.

The word of mouth was spread across Dharamkot that there was a grand party happening in Salli. People just flew to Salli even without the care of invitation. Once the private party was turned into a full-size public party. At the end of the day, there were 100 people in the house. The kitchen was open for all so the formality was dropped long back. Everyone was carrying their food and drinks so cooking for all was spared. Noor was having the best time of her life. It was the first party of Noor and Salli. The whole valley was reverberating with the music. I had not seen something beautiful, crazy and fun like that before. Most of the people were complete strangers, yet we were having a great time together. I realized that to enjoy the company of others you don't need to know their name or be familiar with them. Salli was breaking my introverted, shy and self-doubting shell. I was connecting to people and nature in a human way. Life was never so easy, simple and loving before. The struggle to sustain my life was not real but only psychological. I was the luckiest person who was blessed with everything in life and yet I was focusing on the dark side only. Sometimes the realization sinks in late.

Madhu, Noor and Salli Were The Turning Point Of My Life. 

Freedom Valley

This happened around one month before the plan of the party in Salli begun. We were hosting a guest who was also Madhu's CA, Mr Mighlani. It was nighttime when he had reached Salli around 10.30 pm looking at Google maps, driving his Audi Q7. The map took him a little further from our house and he wasn't able to find the way. So I went out in that dark night looking for him. I took the Zen and started driving through the bad patches. At a corner, I saw a monster size SUV waiting by the side of the road. I introduced myself to Mr Mighlani and then we headed back driving our own cars. We parked at our regular spot when he showed me the busted tyre of his Q7 due to the bad patch of roads. We decided to take care of that the next day and started our uphill climb in that darkness towards our home.

That evening our good friend Rohit was also present in the house. Madhu and Noa had cooked a great dinner and we were waiting for our VIP guest to join us. Soon he got freshen up and joined us in the kitchen next to the fire. We were having a great time together chit-chatting as Old Monk was placed in the centre of our circle. For the last 1 year, we were thinking about having a name for our guesthouse. We would come up with different names and then we would unanimously reject it. That evening sitting with my friends next to the fire and by the grace of Old Monk, I was looking at our house in a different way. I had seen so many people visit the place and there was one thing common in their search: Freedom. They all would come to our guesthouse in search of freedom from their mundane lifestyle, daily routines and sometimes from their families.

Madhu had decided to live away from her family, relatives and society in that jungle in search of freedom. Noa also had come from Israel to stay in India in search of freedom. Then I looked at myself and I found that my desire to be in Salli was also in search of freedom. The last 2 years spent in Salli were being played in my mind like a movie in fast forward. Every single person who had ever visited our place had the longing for freedom. So I thought, this house must be representing freedom as that was the common denominator among all. At that moment, a divine thought sank in mind from beyond that if this house represents freedom then this house shall be called 'Freedom Valley'. I put that thought in words and everyone sitting there was stunned for a moment by hearing the newly found name and the explanation behind that name. The excitement on their faces was priceless.

Freedom Valley Conveyed Exactly What Was Our Place About. 

Planning A Party In Salli

The season had already begun and we were planning to have a big party in Salli to attract more travellers. Madhu and Noa had something interesting in their mind. I had just reached Salli on one Thursday night when the plan was cooking. There were few heavy bags of groceries that I had carried on my way. The Zen would be parked 200 meters down from our house. I would put a cover on the car before starting my uphill short trek. The local kids were quite mischievous and we were afraid that they would put some scratch on the car. One time we had parked the car in the village at some locals house and after few days we were shocked to find the seats torn apart by the mouse. So we were very careful about maintaining the car. My inertia was such that Madhu had to remind me to wash the car after few weeks.

There was a group of 10 Israeli backpackers in Salli at that time. All young boys and girls in their 20s, full of energy and life. They soon became part of the party plan. We had designed our living room in such a way that everyone would sit on the ground in a circle and there would be space in the centre to keep food. Then we all would eat together like a big family. That group had brought some amazing energy with them. Avior was one young boy among them who had taken initiative to plan the party on a grand scale. He was a creative gentleman and always smiling with great energy. His painting skills were just fantastic. In fact, everyone in that group was having different kinds of artistic talents. Sometimes I would sit looking at them with amazement that how can people be so creative and full of life.

Avior had planned to rent two big speakers, a battery and a Dj mixer. There was Israeli independence day in few days and he was planning to celebrate that in Salli by inviting all the Israelis present in Dharamkot. That was the best way to market our place to potential backpackers. Madhu, Noa and Avior would get engrossed in planning for the party. Our main concern was how to handle the police as the party was going to continue for 24 hours. Also, we were expecting some shocking reaction from the villagers. Our evenings would be spent mostly in the beautifully designed living room chit chatting, rolling and passing the joints, laughing endlessly for no reason, sharing stories, listening to Hebrew songs and cherishing the blessed time. Evenings in Salli were the most beautiful and memorable moments of my life.

Something Big Was About To Happen In Salli. 

Salli or Naddi

The first group of backpackers arrived in Salli at the beginning of the season. As our house was 200 meters up from the road, we had to go down to receive the guests so that they won't get lost in the jungle. We would help them carry their baggage while guiding them on the way. Every visitor would come with excitement to Salli. It was our second season to host people so we were better prepared than the previous year. Noa would help in bringing people to Salli by advertising the place in the closed Israeli groups. She helped a lot in introducing many people to Salli. There were also many people who would come just to see Madhu. These two ladies put Salli on the map and attracted many backpackers. Our place was becoming famous all over Dharamshala and we would receive many calls every day enquiring about the stay. The maximum number of people we could host was 20 so we had to keep the rest on waiting.

I would reach Salli every Thursday night and help Madhu for the next 3 days before I would leave for the office back to Naddi. I was loving managing the guest house business and spending time with interesting people from all over the world. I would look forward to those 3 days every week when I could come to Salli. I wished if I could work from Salli and also share the party vibe. My initial intention to come to Himachal was to stay and work in Salli. But work took me away and it started bothering me a lot. I felt like the reason I came to Himachal was not getting served and I was getting involved in something else altogether. But I didn't compromise on the quality of work no matter what I was feeling. I would do my job with complete focus and commitment. Noa had put trust in me and I didn't want to break it for any reason.

I had connected to many people all over the world because of my stay in Himachal. Life was enriching meeting different kinds of people and sharing stories with them. Every evening in Salli would be unique and fun. Staying with 20 different people in one house would be one kind of experience. The vibe in Salli with Madhu and Noor would not let me leave for Naddi. I had to pack my bags and drive with a heavy heart every week. I was looking at ways to manage work from Salli but it wasn't possible due to bad internet connectivity. My brain would ask me to go to Naddi and my heart would beg me to stay in Salli. I was getting torn between these two polarities. Sometimes I would go clueless on which direction should I move my life. Being clueless was my inherent quality. I let the time decide for my future and I kept working to the best of my abilities in the office.

The Question of Salli or Naddi Remained Unanswered. 

Madhu's Car

The conference call with our client from Israel would be on every Thursday evening. And the same day I would leave for Salli after 5 pm and would return to Naddi on Monday morning. Our project was receiving more work every week, making it more challenging to manage within 5 people. We started hiring more people keeping in mind that Or would be leaving soon for Israel. Still, we hadn't found anyone who could fit into Or's shoes. We were struggling to train new people and manage the project at the same time. Kaku was then skilled enough to train new people. So we would ask him to shoulder the new responsibility to which he would happily reciprocate. Kaku had the raw material of becoming a manager. We just needed to guide him and sometimes push him towards his hidden talent. We were lucky to find someone like him to build a strong and functional team.

I would wait for Thursdays eagerly so that I could go to Salli. My bags would be packed in the morning only and the only thing that would hold me back would be the clock not ticking 5 pm. Or had joined me a couple of times for Salli. I would leave as early as possible after the office due to the 2 hour-long drive through the adventurous roads of Salli. The last patch which was the most dangerous one would be usually driven in the darkness. Madhu preferred me reaching Salli before dark as she would keep worrying about the bad roads. I would buy vegetables, fruits and other household things on my way to Salli from the roadside village markets. Doing so would make me late reaching home, further escalating Madhu's wait and worry. All my valid explanations would go in vain in front of her anger when I would reach home late carrying those heavy grocery bags uphill through that jungle in the darkness. It took me quite a while to understand that: Women Are Always Right.

Madhu's family had given us their Maruti Zen car which was lying in the dust without anyone using it. Salli was a secluded village in the middle of the jungle and having our own vehicle was a necessity. Zen was considered a sports car of its time that would talk with the wind. The first time I drove it, I felt like driving a brand new car. They had kept the car in great condition, probably with a single-handed use. Life became easier with the car when we had to go to places. It was mostly used by me only to drive to the office. My driving became better while practising on the mountain roads. The one who was used to drive on the straight roads in Maharashtra was now making his way through the adventurous winding roads of the big mountains. I loved driving that car. Life and Himachal had given me more than enough that I deserved. I was grateful to everything and everyone who was supporting me.

Life Was Driving On The Sports Mode. 

Netflix In Office

My work time would usually stretch till night to complete 40 hours as I only worked for 4 days a week. Rest 3 days would be spent in Salli. After Office hours Or would go to see the sunset with his friend. They would come early in the night only to find me still working. Our dinner food would be mostly the leftover food from lunch. Due to our inertia, we would cook a large quantity of food in the day time so that we wouldn't have to be in the kitchen again. During office hours, we had kept turns for who will make tea, clean the office, make breakfast, cut vegetables, cook lunch, wash dishes etc. Everything would be properly delegated. Usually, I would be in charge of making tea, cooking daal and rice. Or would help in cutting vegetables and cleaning dishes. Others in the office would help us as per their turn. Our process-oriented job profile was also reflecting in the kitchen area.

Our office was nothing like a typical boring workplace. Noa had given us enough freedom to enjoy while working as long as the quality of the job wasn't compromised. She had bought office games for us to keep the atmosphere stress free. We had a big dartboard on the wall which was often used whenever systems issues would creep up giving us free time. The guys had damaged most part of the wall around the dartboard showcasing their talent in aiming the target. Only Kaku would hit the bullseye. As playing music was allowed in the office, Or would play some amazing English songs from Youtube. One song became the office anthem due to its super cool lyrics and video. It was 'Men's Not Hot - Big Shaq'. I hadn't seen a more casual office than that ever before with excellent work ethics. Our motto was Work Hard Party Harder.

Or had introduced me to something very exciting on his laptop. That magical thing was called Netflix. It had hundreds of movies and serials of high-quality video and content. I had heard about it long back but had never seen it in reality. Or gave his account access to me to watch it. The first serial which gripped my attention was Narcos. After watching the first episode only I got hooked on that crime thriller drama. I was fascinated by the quality of content and video making skills of the creators. I would watch 2-3 episodes of 1 hour back to back at night. Later I watched a few more serials and a couple of movies but nothing gripped my attention like Narcos. Pablo Escobar became the heroic good guy even if he had committed many heinous crimes. I wondered how the director had the power to change the perception of the viewers. I would go to sleep thinking about the Medellin cartel of Colombia and DEA.

Office Time Was Quite Adventurous.