Zion/Bryce and Vegas baby !!!

So here goes the trip log for the trip that earned me my first driving ticket in the US. Well, that is a pessimistic start but I actually do not intend to sound negative here because the trip was simply fabulous. Yes, it was and you will come to know why it was so. To start with I was not at all enthusiastic about the trip which we had conceived long ago. The reason behind my not being gung ho about the trip was mainly due to the tough times I was going through. I was not sure as to how would I enjoy on the trip with so many things on my mind. However, I was wrong. The trip helped me to do away with my worries for at least a few days and I came back feeling better and rejuvenated (only to go back to the same mode a few days later ;-)

Enough of history surrounding the trip and now back to the real meat. We started on the Friday before Christmas day and rented a Pontiac G6 coupe with plush leather interiors. It was an amazing car and we zipped past straight to Page. The drive was comfortable and we had our dinner at Page. The drive from Page to the entrance of Zion was a little eerie but I followed a car for most of the time so that we had some company on the dark road. However, soon we were to experience a 15 mile drive which we had and wish never would have to encounter in future. We had to cross the Zion National Park in order to reach our hotel in Springdale, UT. It was already pretty late at night and it was dark and to top it all it was cold and little icy. We were all alone on a undivided curvy road. But, nothing could be done. We never anticipated that it would be such and we headed straight to the hotel. There was nobody except a few deers who gave us a little company on the way and luckily didn't get hurt. But, I would say it was one of the most longest drives I have ever been through. Those 30 mins or so were really an experience :-)

Finally, I would say all is well that ends well. We reached our hotel safely, were greeted by a "Desi" and slept for the night only to see a beautiful, sunny morning the next day. The next morning was simply awesome. We got our national park permit made and had a really heavy but good breakfast, did some shopping in the mart and finally headed to the scenic drive inside the Zion National Park. We were looking forward to trek in the park and so we did. We went to a few hikes but thanks to my Nike Sneakers couldn't take on the real hard hikes since my shoes would not allow me to indulge in such extravagance. I slipped and slipped and slipped over the icy paths and so finally decided to be safe and play safe and only ventured on the "Safe" hikes. But I think my shoes saved us from a lot of trouble later because for us even the "Easy" hikes were little treacherous with all the snow and slopes. We enjoyed the beauty of the Zion National Park and left the park in the early evening and started our journey to the Byrce Canyon.

Reaching Bryce Canyon before dark was a big relief since after yesterday's drive I didn't want to take the risk. Our hotel in Bryce was grand. Even though it was a Best Western I would say it could give competition to any other 4 star hotel. The lobby had a fire place, an indoor swimming pool which was heated, jacuzzi, the size of room was the biggest I have ever stayed and it was simply great! We enjoyed our stay in the hotel that day and the next morning started to immerse in the beuty of the big hole in the earth - Bryce Canyon. Bryce is simply stunning. You never get tired of seeing the hoodoos and and revel in this marvel of nature. We saw almost all the points of the Bryce Canyon and there when we were just metres away from the Park exit and I pulled my car into the parking of the visitor centre I noticed a park ranger car parked behind me with the lights flashing!! Shit!! Yes, that was my first reaction. Or was it Fcuk? Well, I don't remember. The details about my offense(s) is censored for this blog but trust me it was not a very major offense :-)

Finally, we left Bryce driving within the speed limits for some time and reached Vegas. Yes...Veags! What a contrast from the natural beauty to the glamour and glitz and hmm...natural beauty but of the other kind ;-) We had only one night in Vegas and made the most out of it. Had desi dinner, gambled, freaked out on the strip and finally retired to our suite..yes a suite in one of the hotels on the stip! We were lucky to get an upgrade because the hotel ran out of rooms...hehe...good for us!

Finally, as always good things do come to an end. We headed straight back to Phoenix in record time! It was a short and sweet drive back home and it was good to be home. Adios!

Wow! I was reading my previous post and realized how high (or low??) I was. Was it Tequila that day or whiskey? I don't remember actually but it was something. So, what has been going on in my life or in the world since the past few days. I think it would be more interesting to discuss about the world rather than my life as there has not been many interesting things going on in my life. Yeah, this is untill you find someone being fckued interesting, I guess you would. Isn't it?
Actually, at one point I thought of simply penning down the things that went bad, but then I though leave it the list would become too long and the reader would lose interest.
Oh yes, before I forget guys, I got my first driving ticket! It was in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah when I jumped the stopped sign. Was it only that? Yes. ;-) Gosh! I think I haven't written about the Zion/Bryce trip. How could I do that blunder. It would require s separate post so I wil not write it down here.

Well, it has been again quite some time. Many new developments in my life, in the world and in the life of people across the globe. Saddam Hussein hanged, Killings in Iraq continue, 3000 US military deaths, Serial killer caught in my hometown - Noida, President Ford died and so did the legendary James Brown, genocide in Darfur continues, new racists attacks in the UK unearthed but still New year welcomed by great cheer by all...

The past few days have been tough. Really tough. With not a few but many disappointments. Today, as I write this blog I don't actually know what to write. I want to write about good things like my vacation during the christmas break but I just can't get into that mood. Why? I don't know the answer myself. Is it a bad timing? Yes, it is. Well, that is a nice excuse. The fact is that maybe its something else that is bad and not the timing? Am I going overboard? Maybe. No. Actually, it seems I am. So, should I change something for good? I tried but I failed. Failed just not for changing things. I am halfway on my journey and am at a point of no return. I can't turn back because that will make me wonder about my past years. However, the road ahead is also very dark. I think I am on a wrong track? Did I choose this track myself or was I destined to be on this track? Both actually. You decide. So, actually the crux is that I am in a middle of nowhere. I am on a wrong track where I cant turn back and I cant move forward because its dark. I need a rescue? There is no rescue. To make matters worse, things more complicated I can't even stop now in the middle of the road. Maybe a few years back, I would have stayed at my current location without turning back or without moving forward. But can I now? I wish I can, but I know I can't.

So, I cant turn back, I can move forward, I cant stay and I cant be rescued.