A night to remember

I had one of the best nights of my life last night.

At about 6 I was told that I was being taken into the jungle for dinner by Filly and Eugene (the farm manager and his wife, who are also the fostered daughter and son-in-law of rick shipway). This isn’t jungle like I have witness yet however, the jungle I have taken the kids through is just at the opening of the thick, jungle book level jungle- which we were visiting, at night! Needless to say I was pretty excited!

We went in the farms ute which is a nice oldish one that im sure has seen its fair share of thrashing- We, being Filly, Eugene, Kelsey, one hostel boy Ashwani, Filly and Eugene’s daughter Angel, and I. This is the first time since the monsoon that a normal vehicle (not a tractor) has gone through the makeshift roads so needless to say the going was rough and bumpy! Eugene had to get out every 5 mins or so to find the easiest way to get through the bushes, ditches and trees.

Last night, I will point out, was the Hindus equivalent of new years and Christmas, called Dewali. For this they have crackers and fireworks, every households has a supply, so all through the night there is a steady stream of loud cracking noises with an occasional spurt of colour in the sky. They make their houses like shiny beacons, like some do at Christmas time at home with lights, except this is India, so its not just one or two houses per street that goes all out, but EVERYONE and all the villages make their homes so illuminated that they can be seen from miles away! As we were going through the jungle we came to one of the villages that is tucked away in the thick of the trees. Seeing this was one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever seen. In the pitch black, scattered throughout the trees were little mud huts, all with tiny clay pots of candles lining their doorsteps and window sills, creating a romantic orange haze around each hidden hut, and casting faint silhouettes of the people, goats and washing lines against the walls. The clay candle pots are put out to invite the goddess of Wealth to visit their homes.

When we got about 15 mins into the drive we were able to get out and stand in the back of the Ute for the rest of the trip. INCREDIBLE fun! It was Kelsey and I, and in between us was Angel. As we swerved (of course Eugene went extra fast for our enjoyment) and turned and dodged holes, trees, bushes and ditches, and at points it was a case of holding on for dear life :P. I became so concentrated on staying upright and not being tipped out sideways from the truck, that the first time I looked forward, I was welcomed by a nice slap in the face from a branch of leaves hanging down. From then on I learned to look ahead. About 7 mins out from the jungle plot, which was our dining location for the evening, we reached a clearing where we had a clear view of the sky above us. It was one of the most incredible feelings to be driving at that speed, weaving through trees and bushes and then to look up at the most pristine clear sky scattered with stars that were racing along with us while we drove. The smell of the jungle was one of such cleanliness, I imagine that if we could smell underwater, that is what the deep blue ocean would smell like. God really is an incredible creator!

When we got to the plot there were two laborers who work and live there, who protect the crop from leopards, tigers and elephants. Apparently the elephants come out in a couple of weeks and when they do, the plot gets quite dangerous and they have to fend them off by making fire walls around the plot perimeter. The elephants have come right up to the hut that the men stay in, and at night they can hear them trumpeting from the jungle around them! The hut that is built there is quite something! It’s all hand made out of natural recourses, long long branches weaved together for the roof then huge logs in the middle of the hut for supports. They live by candle light so at night it looked particularly beautiful and felt like I had walked onto the set of a little house on the prairie during a nighttime scene or something.

We ate chicken infront of the huge log fire, while surrounded by the huge expanse of flat field. Crackling fire, pristine environment, great company, crackers going off in the distance, and an occasional firework rising up over the horizon from where we were sitting, I couldn’t even dream up something that would make that scene better! Conversation was the greatest part of this night though. We were blessed to hear the love story of Filly and Eugene. Their story is so unbelievably romantic and full of everything a good fictional (though it is not) love story has: early childhood crushes, turned teenage moodiness, then late teenage love, secret meetings, punishment, a great escape, running away and then, the elopement. Their story is almost too amazing to be true.

Around 11:30 we decided it was getting too cold so we packed up to go back. Instead of going the same route back however, Eugene decided to risk the river path which is a lot quicker and if we get stuck, we would be closer to the farm for help. We reached the river and they got out to evaluate whether or not it was possible to cross. Convinced he’d found one, Eugene hopped back in the Ute and sped down the bank to the river. We made it most of the way across the 8m wide river before the car decided it was not strong enough to heave us all up onto the other side. So we had to wake miphal (the other farm manager) up from his bed, to bring the tractor to haul us out of the river. For me being stuck in the back not being able to get out because the water had risen over the door, it was actually a blessing. Seeing the water coming right towards me with just the moonlight illuminating the tiny small waves, and then following the river up to see the night sky sprinkled with stars…incredible beauty a photo could not capture ever.

Now I should post this and get to packing, as I’m leaving tomorrow night and have hardly even made a dent in my 3 month growth of junk and rubbish scattered throughout the room! On to Nepal next, where my mother is waiting for me! Hopfuly i will be able to put up a conclusion to india on this blog before i get to the next stage in my journey...its gonna be a tough day tomorrow!


Love to all,
Lauren xox