Indian Trail Blazers

On our way to Javadhu Hills!

This past weekend I decided to take a chance and head off for a trek with a group called Indian Trail Blazers which I found out about via Couch Surfing. Anyways, I honestly think I can say it has been the best experience I have had in India to date. So when in India I would encourage you to go trekking with this amazing group!

We met up on Saturday morning in Guindy train station at 5 am. I left Tambaram around 4:20 am... lets just say I was not a happy camper. Once the bus started rollin' I knew it was going to be a great trip based on the personalities. It seemed like everyone clicked so well before we even got half way to our destination. Also, considering how early it was I consider this quite the accomplishment of our group! By the way, we were heading to Javadhu Hills, an awesome mountain area in the northern part of Tamil Nadu.

The goats body

Upon our arrival we did a short trek to see some of the village life. We were surprised to pop out at a field where there was a mob of villagers cheering and chanting and conducting a ritual. As we got closer we saw one woman with a pot on her head who was supposed to represent a local God. The woman and a crowd of people were circling around a goat and a chicken until one man came up and chopped off the goats head. Talk about culture shock. Your talking to the girl who refuses to kill spiders... it was definitely a disturbing experience. Afterwards, the man started parading around the goats head because it was going to be used as an offering. At this point, at least 10 villagers started to go wild. By wild I mean these people were possessed. Several woman were convulsing on the ground and one man was standing looney-eyed as he was being whipped by another man. After this chaos started, we got out of there as quickly as possible. Still, something you don't see everyday and something that I don't think I will ever forget.
After that slightly scarring experience, we made our way to a different part of the village where we learned how to make chairs and got to interact with the village children.

Our swim spot

After our village experience, we managed to squeeze 15 people (not including the driver) into an auto rickshaw. I think my previous record was 13 and this trip easily took the cake. Not only were we smushed in and hanging off the sides, but we were driving on a very rocky and hilly trail. So, we were definitely off roading. People who have been in a rickshaw before know that being in one on normal road feels like off roading because of the crazy turns the drivers make and all of the bumps. This driver was no exception but since the auto was so crowded we had to get out multiple times to push it up the dirt hills. My god, this was an experience.

We took the auto to a beautiful (and clean!) dam where we could swim. Finally, after 2 months of oppressive heat swimming was just what I was craving. After taking a dip we enjoyed a very traditional and common meal of South India. It consisted of rice, sambar, rassam, and curd on a banana leaf. To make it all the better I did not pack any silverware so I was forced to do it like a real Tamilian girl. I ate like a Kindergartener but that is besides the point...

After swimming for the majority of the day we climbed back into the bus to make it to our camping destination. On the way we decided to stop and take some pictures of the lush scenery. Pictures will not do it justice. The whole time I was thinking of the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side" because here on the other side of the world the grass really is greener. Well certainly not in Chennai but Javadhu Hills... I'm in love.

After our photo opp we got back into the bus and rode for what must of been at least 45 minutes. It was pitch black but we were going up and up and up. Finally we got out and were in the middle of one village. We all broke into different groups where some would grab our camping materials, some would cook, and some would make torches. Of course I choose the torch group because my inner adventurer could not be tamed. We twisted and turned between straw huts in the dark of the night until we reached one house where we gathered our supplies. We were given sticks and cloths where we assembled the torches to be dipped into kerosene later. Afterwards, we brought them back to our meeting spot and lit those bad boys up. I was first in line for leading the way with the torch. Now, this was a dream come true for me. Consider the facts. #1. It was pitch black and we were surrounded in a nice tropical looking place.#2. We were trekking in what felt like the jungle. Lets be real, my mind was screaming Lost Island. This was probably the closest thing that I am ever going to get to it so I needed to jump on this opportunity to get in touch with my inner Kate. Unfortunately trusting me with the torch was bad for the rest of the group considering that I am very clumsy and about half way to our destination my torch went out.

Eating, it was so dark!

Sunrise :)

Anyways, We were making our way through the fields to find our camp site and all the sudden we started climbing up. At first they were little hills and then there were some real steep parts. Of course it was 10:30 at night and I was left torchless. Not to mention I was leading the pack high out of my thrill of the unknown. After climbing for sometime, we reached the top of a rocky mountain or hill or something. I was not quite sure where we were because it was so dark. It was windy, cold, and very rocky. These are all things I have yet to experience in India. We set up our tents and started our fire while some villagers climbed up to make us a wonderful chicken curry. By the time we finished eating it was past midnight. Debora (a girl from the Netherlands) and I decided that we did not want to sleep in the tent and that we were going to truly rough it for a night under the stairs. I had a sleeping bag and that was about it, so it was a little bit of a rough night but so worth it to fall asleep under the stars.

View from our camp site!

The best part of it all was waking up and seeing where our hike led us. It was so refreshing to see how beautiful this place was and not to mention the sunrise.

The rest of the day was spent in the village taking a tractor ride and dancing with woman. Not to mention eating phenomenal  food all prepared by the local villagers!

clearly enjoying my food

taking a tractor ride

dancing with the village woman

We finished the trip off with a visit to see a waterfall and dinner all together at a restaurant on the way back to Chennai. There are so many more details that I am missing from this trip but think I have provided a good synopsis. All in all it was beyond amazing, I can't wait for the next trek in October!

love my fellow trail blazers!

xoxo,
Becca