Chaos in Maine

Whether I follow chaos, or chaos follows me is a matter of debate between myself, my family, and my friends. Friends have nicknamed me “Tedhu” because of my complete incapability to do stuff the right way; some call me “King of chaos”. I agree that things start-off chaotic with me, but in the end it is all well done. The chaotic temperament of my life is best exemplified in my two vacations to Maine, one last year, and the other this year.

Last year, I went to Maine for an overnight camping plus rafting trip with my friend Vivek. After driving five hours to Maine, we reached the camping office at 6 pm, only to find that the real site for rafting was a different river located some four hours away. Vivek as usual was stunned. I don’t blame him. Anyone will be stunned on knowing that they have gone to a completely wrong location for rafting, and that too 250 miles away. But we still had to reach the camping site before night, so that we can camp and be ready for the rafting early morning next day. So, I drove my car at some crazy speed for four hours on a one-way street in some forsaken part of the world that did not have a single house or store. My friends consider my normal driving a little adventurous; my four hour drive that night was probably more adventurous then the rafting trip the next morning. There is another story about me trying to teach Vivek how to lit a campfire, but that’s for some other time. But all in all, the entire rafting trip was awesome.

The second instance was my trip to Bar Harbor in Maine with Swati. After driving for five hours from Boston, we reached Bar Harbor. I had booked a cottage for two nights. Upon reaching there, I was told that my reservation request was rejected and I was emailed to that effect. I had indeed received an email two days back, but I thought that the email confirmed rather than rejecting my booking!!! And then, I was informed that this being a long weekend, all the motels and cottages in the entire Bar Harbor areas was full. The receptionist still called a friend to enquire about an empty room, and guess what, there was a vacancy right on the neighboring property. The rent there was cheaper, and the cottage was SO beautiful. In many ways, the undulating open land reminded my of my childhood vacations in Rajasthan. More about it later, but the entire journey with Swati was awesome.

So the message is this. Go out, explore, and enjoy. Chaos will happen, but ultimately things are set right. And when one sees how chaos is defeated, faith develops.