An Ode to the Summer gone by
Some summers are magic
The sun is boiling and the heat unbearable. I’m staring at a longish hot summer ahead.
Back in the day, I recall, I welcomed summer. Living in a valley surrounded by the Himalayas, summertime was a hoot.
It came after a long, cold, and harsh winter. The blanket of clouds slowly split wide open to give us a clear view of the sparkling blue sky- the weather balmy and the air sweet. Ah! What a feeling!
Tired of sitting mostly at home in the winter months, we couldn’t wait to go outdoors to make full use of the change in weather. Carpe diem.
Since the summer temperature was mild, there was no need for air conditioners, not even ceiling fans. Just a humble table fan and we were good. We received ice-cold drinkable water spurting from taps. Thanks to the melting snow from the mountains. Life was incredibly easy!
Our family and extended family arranged picnics whenever possible. It was a gala affair. Carrying picnic baskets, hiking, discovering new trails, spreading picnic blankets, enjoying lunch, and snacks- and that was the definition of good times.
I visited Dal Lake often with my immediate family. It was our stomping ground. Enjoying tea with snacks in the nearby park at the foot of the mountains was delightful. Watching water surfers zipping or enjoying a shikara ride too was fun- sometimes taking in the beauty of a sunset or simply promenading along the lakefront brought cheer and smiles.
Our schools actively arranged excursions that included hill-climbing or sometimes just picnicking in different locales. This was a big deal. A hang-out time with friends in those super cool vistas! Nothing can beat that when you are young.
Often the bus ride to the far-off locations left me enraptured. Watching the hinterland, the joie de vivre of a summery vibe, the brooks and canals- the abundance of raw beauty mesmerized me. These pictures offered a vignette of a very simple and content life. They’re firmly framed and etched in my mind even today.
Though the valley was blisteringly gorgeous, visited by tourists we never had too many of them. Internet was unknown so we never faced crowds. Nature’s beauty beckoned us to be part of its canvas- the meadows, the cool breeze, the glorious sun, the gushing ice-cold rivers, the majestic mountains, and the frothy waterfalls. It rejuvenated us.
The arrival of summer also meant the summer fruits (cherries, plums, and peaches) flooding the market. Some villagers took the disappearance of snow as an opportunity to hop to cities to sell their farm fresh vegetables. Their taste was super delicious. Amazing flavours!
Summer was inexpensive, dripping with enjoyment. I cherish those times. We, humans tend to take things for granted while we have them.
Coming back to the present time, here summer is a beast. Complaining won’t solve anything, this is what I tell myself. Let’s be grateful for whatever we have.
Thanks for reading! 💚
