When drops of water coalesce and flow together, they have the power to carve mountains and catalyze an infinite variety of life. Thus, a river cannot be identified in the same way as a drop of water. Identity is the basis of all our knowledge and wisdom. Thus, it ought to be our greatest invention. No wonder its effect on us is so profound that a change in identity often creates a change in our behaviour, character and personality. That is why identities matter.
On the first morning of the expedition, we meet at the parking lot. Though the different 4×4 vehicles look impressive individually, they all are different in size, shape, colour and make. The convoy is reasonably sized but in its current form, it lacks character. There are only a couple of vehicles which look like they are on an expedition, the rest just look like regular urban SUVs – clean, modern, comfortable. So, the first morning of the expedition begins with an important ritual that gives the convoy a singular identity and a unique character. Puneet, our expedition leader, hands over a set of expedition stickers to all vehicle owners and as the stickers are pasted, the personality of the expedition slowly comes to life. Though the visual change is cosmetic, it is also symbolic of the unwritten contract that binds us all together for the duration of the expedition, and possibly for life.
The challenge with large stickers is that they are nearly impossible to stick without creasing and air bubbles. Puneet sees my partner, Jatin, and I, struggling with a large sticker for more than 10 mins and then offers a cryptic suggestion – “Use water”. To me that is both counterintuitive and confusing. I am not sure which side of the sticker the water should be used on and how exactly it is supposed to help. So, after another 10 mins and several failed attempts, Puneet returns to intervene. He pours water on the sticky side of the sticker and on the car’s surface, and while the surface is still wet, he quickly places the sticker. Thanks to the water, the sticker is easily slid into perfect placement and the creases are removed without fuss – Job done in under 15 seconds! It is nothing short of a miracle to me.
With the ritual completed, it’s time for the first of our morning briefings. The briefing starts with a round of introductions, and after a short welcome note, Puneet outlines a set of expedition rules:
- Every vehicle is given a sequence number in the convoy that it must not change without informing the expedition leader. 2 vehicles are designated as floating vehicles that will go up and down the convoy as and when needed. Jatin and I are in one of the floating vehicles. The other one is the Isuzu, driven by Shibu, the founder of 4×4 India and co-organizer the expedition.
- Every driver must keep the car in front of him in sight, to the extent possible, while maintaining a safe distance.
- Local vehicles must be extended due courtesy. Every member should yield to local vehicles and allow them to pass or overtake.
- There should be no littering of any waste.
- No one should indulge in any argument or show of aggression, irrespective of the provocation.
As the 4x4s line up in the designated order, their singular identity is on display for the first time. Over the next 8 days, the convoy will travel over 1200 kms, navigating some of the most daunting roads, braving temperatures up to 20 degrees below freezing point and reaching a peak altitude of over 13000 feet.
The convoy begins to roll and there is a familiar sense of belonging. Though the only goal is survival, there is still a strange sense of purpose, as though we are explorers on a quest to discover a new world. Ofcourse, this landscape has been explored many times before, so it’s not really new. But then it is ever-changing and what we will see has never been seen before and will never be seen again!