Gypsies Trek

Lying on the hard unrelenting railway platform the cold wind pierced my skin finding its way through the gaps in the newspaper I used as scant covering. Goosebumps jumped up as I tried to get warm. Tired eyes scanned the horizon waiting for the whisper of dawn. My ears were hoping to hear the welcome sound of the train wheels grinding out its litany on the tracks, signaling an end to this terrible wait. Beside me lay my friends in the same predicament but putting on a brave face. After all we had made the choice. Whom else could we blame? The welcome sound of the arrival of the first train cut through the chattering of our teeth. Slowly we rise to our feet and board. The cessation of wind raises a ray of hope. Maybe we may yet see this day out.

The journey continues in a ramshackle bus filled to the brim with travelers and livestock of every description. The ride finishes when we run out of road. Coughing in the dust of the departing miracle on wheels, we gather our belongings to continue our journey on foot. What begins as a light drizzle turns into a full fledged downpour, drenching us in no time at all. A few songs to raise the spirits is drowned out by the rain. We concentrate on putting one aching foot in front of the other. The clouds clear bringing out the sun , the heat causes our clothes to steam. Doubts about our sanity assail the mind. Why were we in this predicament? Who put us up to it? Who forced our hand? Answers we had none. But we promised ourselves, that of this torture we had enough, no more would we follow this tiresome path.

Like a mirage rising from the mist we see our destination. Emotions run high, we had made it! Another trek had been successful! Forgotten were all those inconveniences we encountered. Spirits were revived. All those little complaints had cleared off like mist in sunshine. The joy of being together permeated our souls. A simple walk together had forged a deeper path. The return would be full of laughter, songs and a deep rooted feeling of well being. Where once each stumble was met with a groan, now it elicits laughter. You plan and wait impatiently for when we can walk some path together again.

There was a point to this narration… for all of us out there who find it a uphill struggle .. wait till you reach the peak … and also these walks on the wild side have given you the precious gift of friendship .. forged while you walked in step … creeping in unnoticed to get into your bloodstream and forever mark you as the …. "GYPSIES"