ALASKA- Final

FINAL


The cruise was a wonderful experience overall. We watched shows, ate
plenty and got pulverized later. The off-shore excursions were
engaging, enthralling and enchanting. One of them was In Juneau, where
we chose a Zip-line tour. A group of nine were taken to Douglas island
and then in to the tropical forest.

When we reached the take-off point, the small hill that we climbed was
deceptively reassuring. When we looked down from the top, it was
at least 150-200 feet deep and we saw one measly wire connecting two
tree tops. It seemed as though, the economic meltdown had melted down
the wire. "We never had an accident in the last 3 years" said the
guide in a weak tone, I thought. I did not dare to ask if there were
any accidents at all. But our ebullient member was very quick to add
"there is always a first time for anything" an optimistically
pessimist. The impending adventure was intoxicating to the few and
peristalsis stimulating to the rest!

Children were excited, but, I felt I should have packed some
pampers."The wire can hold two thousand pounds", the guide words
echoed on top of the hill. Our ever ready crepehanger was quick to ask,
"how about the trees that hold these wires". This sent the guide in to
a thinking mode. If you lingered with this guy for a day, you would
need Divesh (gastroenterologist) for life. I was convinced that
pharmaceutical company had specially trained this gentleman to boost
the sales of their IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) drugs. The guide
explained that there would be someone at the other end to receive and
secure the persons. "If we reach the other end" was the swift reply
from our ever cynical skeptic. Everyone missed having a duck-tape
handy!
"Who would go first?", asked the exuberant guide, the whole group
enthusiastically mentally pushed this prophet of doom to the fore
front. Before the action could become a reality, Snigdha offered to go
first.

It was my turn, later. If you looked down, your confidence would
follow the suit. My palms were sweaty but I managed look stoic, but
before I could say my last prayer, I reached the other end. The
pessimist was perplexed. We did five more such transfers. It was
delightfully gratifying and satisfying.
It was a trip of a life time.

Pradeep