Sunday, June 14, 2009

A Perfect Saturday is...

You get up at 9am without rush; switch on the TV to watch the weekly Hindi programs. Sit and watch Shahrukh dance and ogle at John Ibrahim in New York teasers. Make some “Illaichi waali chai”. Sip it while watching Mallika Sherawat’s in “HISSSS” teasers. Between sips agree with spouse on what an awesome “cha-maker” you are and plan the day. Should you go to Costco to buy the cleaning stuff because you are out of Clorox wipes and also want some mushrooms and “palak”. Or go to the Indian grocery for “gobi” of both kinds for the coming week’s veggie quota. Don’t you need to go to the library to pick the golf DVD and also return those cords that won’t work with the laptop?

All the while thinking about the wonderful weather that’s happening outside- make use of it before it turns all temperamental once again. One of you will suggest chucking all the chores- stuff and driving to the beach. The other one will pick the good opportunity for a fight and get proactive. Will continue fighting over breakfast, washing and while getting ready (to go out some place yet a wonder). Then realize it’s too late to prepare lunch and one will suggest the Indian Vegetarian buffet thinking about the malai koftas, the other will agree promptly thinking about the yum vegetarian pizza and no hanging in the kitchen. Drive together thinking of the entire list to be taken care of, then drool over the awesome food laid in front of us.

Start with chaat papri, dahi-vadas, cold slaw and macaroni. Then move towards pav bhaji, puri-allo, pakoras and the VEG PIZZA. Then the main course consisting of chowmein, Manchurian gobi, veg pulao, malai koftas, and navratan korma. Nope, we are not done yet. Dessert consists of samplers of pastries, fruit cakes, sweet buns, cookies and gajar ka halwa.

Yes, the fight is over and the decision is made.

Content and happy you head towards the beach. To the very beach that was in news the previous day that a family of gray whales had decided to make this their home for quite some time. The weather is cooperative and the blue horizon in sight. We decide to walk on the trail instead of walking on the sand. As you walk uphill on the trail enamored by the natural garden that keeps unfolding itself- Purple, pink, yellow, white, orange wild flowers everywhere and beyond is the blue-green pacific, with the horizon clear in view. It’s a special day- you are happy being sun stroked instead of fog soaked.

And just like that you see it. Straight and clear in view, the gray whale huffing and puffing and blowing water fountains. You stand still as you take in the truth- you are watching a Gray Whale at its lunch hour. The whale breached twice in a span of 10-15min and then it became elusive, showing itself in irregular periods giving no time to capture the moment in camera. But you do not need this moment in camera this will be forever in your memory. You take the trek to the top of the hill. Sit on the ledge for a long time, and keep a watch for the gray whale to surface while you look at the lone sea lion busy with luncheon on and off.

The day, the ocean, the hills, the flowers, the town itself is perfect.

Then drive along CA-1 for a while and come back home. Have another fresh cup of “illaichi wali chai”, prepare dinner and recall and talk about the times you drove 3 hrs to see the humpback whale and her calf, drove to Point Reyes NP for some whale viewing instead saw a school of dolphins display synchronized performance. And each time just as surprised by the beauty of nature.
Gray whales are added to the list.

It is real and it is perfect.

4 comments:

Piper .. said...

wow!! You did actually see the whales??? I wish you did have your camera though. You couldve shared it with us! :)

Spontaneous Mini said...

@ Piper- I had my camera just never enough time to set it up and click. You never know when and where it decides to surface. This event is for such a fraction of the moment that its better to live it than to regret :-)

Odessa said...

a perfect day indeed. don't you just love the bay area? so many opportunities to enjoy nature's beauty! <3

Anonymous said...

Wowww! Lovely lovely day. Really perfectly beautiful. I have come to believe that this is what 'being perfectly happy' means. Its about simple things going right and keeping ourselves happy!