It’s a Jungle Out There

It’s the third week of November 2020. I’m packing our bags for a weekend getaway.

“Ma, where are we going? Are we taking a Holiday? Where? When? With Whom?” Rapid fire questions and I just nod in the affirmative.

YIPPEE!!! The squeals are deafening!

This has been the year of THE PANDEMIC. Apart from the bimonthly visits to the grocery store we have not stepped out of our homes. A complete six months have passed and we are bored to our bones. So, after meticulous planning and speculation and more planning- the plan is ON!

Thanks to the Corona Virus we’re actually headed to a destination that would have never been possible with my set of family- A Jungle Retreat!! You see, we are the ‘laze by the beach’ or ‘shop at the mall’ kind of family.

Open Air, Drive into the lush green forests where the virus would not be so prevalent seems to be our line of thought. Whatever it is- I couldn’t be more pleased! A trip to the Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan has been on my bucket list since I was 10. It’s my fascination with the Indian Bengal Tiger and a desire to see the beauty in its own territory that spins this dream.

Ranthambore not yet, It’s the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Kabini that we are headed to. At the luxurious resort we make a booking for the afternoon “JUNGLE SAFARI”.

“I hope we come back alive” jokes Mister. He’s trying to keep it light to hide his excitement. Anyways, as we start off we all say a fervent prayer – My only prayer is to spot a Tiger. Please God, please, please, PLEASE!! “

“There are around 120 tigers in the Park” tells our Safari Guide. That’s a BIG number!!! My heart soars!! “Sssshhh- you must be very quiet if you want to not disturb the wildlife”-he warns. With the number of kids in our mini bus his stern tone is quite deserved. All the parents glare at their respective offspring with menacing “fingers on your lips”. The silence is eerie...

It’s a lucky start as we spot a wild Indian Elephant with long trunks. He is splendid!

My daughter who wished to see an elephant is ecstatic- Humph!! If only the wretch had asked to see a tiger-we could have used her luck. That's 'Incredibly Mean' me.

Moving ahead we capture on our phone cameras some Spotted Deer, a herd of Wild Bison, an Iguana, the beautiful Samba Deer and lots of black faced Langurs. There is no dearth of eagles and the endangered horn bills! A striking kingfisher and a beautiful white crane languish by the lake. We wait for a while as this where a tiger was seen in the morning safari. No luck! Maybe it’s not thirsty right now (:

Peacocks and Mongoose also appear as we drive back and forth -deeper and deeper into the forest looking out for the Wild Cat.

Ahead deer are running- IS IT A WILD CALL? A tiger's on the prowl? Our bodies stiffen...

No sight of anything but more deer. I’m close to tears.

It’s getting dark – the forest looks fantastic. I look at the gorge down and imagine a tigress with her cubs hiding behind. The dream seems so close but yet so far!

A frantic call on the guide’s walkie talkie informs that a tiger has come to drink water at the lake that we left behind a while ago. “Let’s go back” we insist.

“It’s too late ma’am.  We must be heading back. “

Back at the resort we are crestfallen. Let’s go for the safari in the morning. We must try again.

It’s a breathtaking sunrise! The sights are the same- just a family of elephants is the highlight of our trip. Another tiger less safari. I’m seething with rage! We’ve been cheated! All these safaris are a waste of time. There are no tigers- they are just conning us. It’s an endless barrage of complaints.

As the holiday comes to an end we meet other fellow travelers most of whom have been on at least 4 safaris. Try, try, try again seems to be the mantra for success. The elusive cat shows itself only to the Lucky Ones or to the true believers. The smooth slow walk of the striped beast is worth the wait. Catch the The Eye of the Tiger -Mesmerizing to say the least.

On the picturesque drive back home I realize how the jungle safari was so much like the journey called LIFE. We pass such beautiful sights on our way but wear blinkers on our eyes. Each person chases his own dream of success. Endlessly looking for that wild elusive cat- “happiness” while tiny pleasures pass by unnoticed. To have so much fauna around and yet say we didn’t see anything. It’s what most of us do. Chasing the elusive we lose value for the definite and confronting. The little joys lose meaning when compared to that one big sighting of “success”. Also, in life too success comes to those who persevere- the mantra of hard work and luck never fails.

The Jungle out there taught me a lesson I won't forget- To be content with what I have. The cool breeze on my face, the sights and sounds around that I take for granted. 'Right Here'-must be valued for what it is. Am I a changed person you ask?

NO WAY! A promise to go back in the summer. We shall not rest till we hear the 

Tiger ROAR!!