The first meeting of the group is by the bonfire. We are at the Tethy’s Ski Resort in Narkanda, a beautiful property, nestled in the middle of a cedar forest. There is still a few inches of snow cover all around, from the snowfall a week ago. The temperature is predictably sub-zero, so everyone is huddled close to the fire. There are 3 families from Mumbai, a group of 3 friends from Kerela, a couple from Bengaluru, 2 friends from Andhra Pradesh, a family of 4 from Chennai, 5 folks from Delhi and 3 from Shimla and neighbouring areas. Among the gathering are IT professionals, consultants, accountants, photographers, students, businessmen, homemakers, entrepreneurs and even a government officer. The age group of the gathering ranges from 5 to over 50. They have arrived here driving in 2 Gypsies, 2 Isuzus, 1 Thar, 1 Land Rover Discovery, 1 Land Cruiser, and 1 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The diversity is not just in language, culture, profession, age, gender and vehicle brands, most people have even arrived with their own preferred brand of alcohol. On one side are whiskey connoisseurs, on the other rum advocates. The diversity of the group runs deep and for an outsider it would be hard to fathom what brings all these people together.
A few conversations break out among the strangers. A couple of extroverts break the ice, while the introverts await their opportunity to be introduced or to share an insight. Little by little inhibitions dissipate into the cold dark night – sparked by music and conversation, catalysed by alcohol and vaporized by the fire. By the time it is time for dinner, there are but a few strangers. What binds them all together is their yearning for adventure. That is why they have travelled thousands of miles to discover a land that is as harsh as mesmerizing, as severe as surreal and as unforgiving as enchanting.
