Footprints on the Mountainside

I am not usually an avid cricket follower, but this World Cup has got me, and I am biting my nails from the suspense with the rest of India, as we wait to see if we even get into the Super 8.

Initially, it all seemed to be going well, as we won against the West Indians in the warm up match, but then, chaos struck. India lost to Bangladesh! Many would say its impossible, but then, this is cricket. India seemed to be not fully there on the field, and Bangladesh was outstanding, with the result that India is in its current situation and unsure of even qualifying for the finals.

This certainly was a completely shocking time for both India and Pakistan, when Bangladesh subdued India, without even seeming to be struggling too badly, and Ireland trounced Pakistan so badly, that it has been referred to as sent “Paking”. Both these results were totally unexpected and have shaken the status quo pretty strongly, with some devastating results for Pakistan. They are out of the Cup. Fans have been out in the street screaming for blood and chanting for death to Woolmer and Inzamam. Worse, their coach Bob “laptop” Woolmer actually died in mysterious circumstances on the next day.

I bet the Pakistanis hadn’t wanted their wishes answered so literally. Then followed a spree of resignations from Inzamam himself and others on the PCB in sheer humiliation. The final straw comes with the Jamaican police insisting that the Pakistan team cannot leave the country until the investigation of Woolmer’s death is concluded/they are cleared. Things are going really bad for the poor guys.

India wasn’t too far behind, with that bad, bad match against Bangladesh and the completely shocking defeat. The only consolation being that they aren’t out - yet. Fans in India were enraged as well, expressing their anger out on the streets, burning effigies of players and overall demonstrating how fickle they are, when the results of one match can get them screaming for the blood of those they were worshipping a couple of hours ago. Dhoni’s home being constructed in Ranchi was attakced by irate fans and armed security was immediately rushed to the homes of all players fearing similar acts.

Shame! The defeat hurt. It hurt really badly, but it shouldn’t result in an attack on belongings or the safety of players families, while they are supposed to be away fighting for the honour of their country on the field. This is pure stupidity and could sabotage the emotional well-being of our players and destroy what little chances we have of victory after being put into this tight spot after the defeat against Bangladesh.

However, Raka says that this is India’s way. India has often lost first matches and then pulled up their socks in a hurry to deliver good performances after the shock. I certainly hope it is so. India now needs to win the big one with Sri Lanka after the record breaking win against Bermuda in the next match. The Bermuda win went a long way toward healing the feelings of the fans and advertisers as well as the scores, in case it comes down to a battle of run rates.

It also depends on how Bangladesh and Sri Lanka play and what their scores read like at the end of the day.

Keeping fingers crossed and eyes glued to the screen!

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I just came across this bizarre, but interesting bit of news on the internet. Where most of us whine about the sorrows of travelling on rough terrain in sorry local transport, here’s a novel idea that transforms it into an adventure anyone would wish to join.

Take a look:

Tralliance Corporation, the .travel Registry, is sponsoring the latest travel adventure in the name of charity, The Rickshaw Run – a 2,000-mile trek across India’s toughest terrain in the world’s most unsuitable vehicle, the auto-rickshaw.

Based on the success of this year’s Mongol Rally, an 8,000-mile charity race from London to Mongolia, the League of Adventurists and .travel, the top-level Internet domain created exclusively for the travel and tourism industry, have once again teamed up to bring travelers a memorable charity event.

Beginning in Cochin in Southern India on December 28, 2006 with a game of cricket, 34 teams from seven countries will embark on the two-week journey through India’s mountains and jungles, encountering everything from searing heat and mud to mechanical failure along the way – all in an effort to cross the finish line in Darjeeling for a spot of afternoon tea.

“These auto-rickshaws are uncomfortable, loud, smelly and totally unsuitable in every way imaginable,” says event organizer Tom Morgan. “They’re the perfect vehicle to tackle a monstrous 2000-mile adventure over wild terrain and dirt tracks. Each rickshaw is only 150cc and is sure to break down on us at every possible and inconvenient point. Think of them as a motorized mule.”

Throughout the course of the Rickshaw Run, the teams will travel through very remote areas with no support system of any kind. While there is no specific route, drivers have the option to cross a number of prearranged checkpoints. The knackered, bruised and dirty teams that manage to cross the finish line are expected to arrive for a celebratory cup of tea in Darjeeling after roughly two weeks. ”The Rickshaw Run is going to be incredible fun,” explains Morgan. “It’s a great adventure, but also a great opportunity to contribute to a worthwhile cause and help out some of the poorer members of the communities we’ll be visiting.”

“We are proud to be the title sponsor for this amazing event and worthwhile cause,” expressed Andruff. “As part of an initiative that promotes a new age of how travel information will be found and with a goal to galvanize the global travel community under its exclusive space on the Internet, we believe .travel provides the perfect ally for the League of Adventurists and their Rickshaw Run.”

Like the Mongol Rally, the Rickshaw Run also aims to make a significant contribution to charity. Each team must raise a minimum of about $1,300 to cover the cost of purchasing their auto-rickshaw, as well as any necessary repairs. At the end of the race, all vehicles will be donated in an effort to combat the injustices of excessive hire charges and exorbitant loans common to poor auto-rickshaw drivers. The process is being coordinated by a local NGO, monitored by Mercy Corps UK.

Established to lift the tourism industry out of the anonymity of the ‘.com’ web, .travel empowers the broad spectrum of bona fide travel-related businesses and organizations to better promote their products and services within their own industry specific space on the Internet. Travel entities that wish to purchase a .travel domain name can e-mail placenames@travel.travel or call 001-954-769-5999.

Link:http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/article/20061213103850191

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