My Scariest Moment

Parambikulam National Park  lies in Kerala, the God's own country, state of India. It is rich in fauna and flora. This beautiful, highly diversified National Park attracted my attention couple of years back. I am very fond of nature and has always been amazed at its beauty and diversity. So I decided to take a trip down south and explore this park. I was very eager to see Gaur. After doing some research on Internet and making arrangements for my stay at the Park, I headed south.

I reached the Park after traveling on bumpy roads. There I was met by a guide who was supposed to take me around the Park. After greetings and introductions my Guide told me to meet him in one hour in front porch of the lodge where I was staying and he would take me for the first round of the Park. He said that as there are no jeep safaris in late afternoons, we could go for a short walk on the periphery of the National Park. I agreed. As I turned back to walk towards my room, he said, "Madam by the way, do remember to wear leech-proof socks. They are available at the reception desk." I said, "WHAT? Leech-proof socks?" "Yes, Madam" my Guide replied "as there are many leeches around we have these socks  which protect your feet and legs from them. When you want to take a walk around the Park you wear them. They are very helpful." I could not digest what I had just heard so I asked again, "Are you sure that these socks will protect me from those not-so friendly-creppy-crawly-creatures?" "Yes Madam. Don't worry. Trust me." OK I trusted him as if I had any other choice.

Few minutes before I was supposed to meet my Guide, I went to the reception desk and asked for leech-proof socks. The lady at the desk smiled and handed me a pair and said, "Enjoy your trip. This Park has lots to offer." I looked at the socks and I looked at her and thought - Yes the Park seems to offer something I totally dislike. I hope Park does not offer me lots of leeches. It would be just too bad (to put it simply).

I met my Guide at the porch. He saw me wearing the socks and smiled and said, "Now you are ready." I looked at his feet and saw he was wearing none so I asked him, "Why aren't you wearing the socks?" He replied, "I have applied lot of salt on my feet and legs. Shouldn't be a problem." I tried to smile thinking about how courageous this man is. So we started walking towards the Park. He started telling me about the Park, the kinds of various mammals and birds found in the Park. Within few minutes we reached the periphery of the Park.  He said, "We will walk little bit inside the Park and try to spot various birds and animals along the way." I nodded in agreement and we took our first step into the Park. Narrow paths with thick bushes, shrubs on both sides. We could hear birds chirping and spotted some Nilgiri Langurs. My Guide was quite good at spotting birds, he could even name them by hearing their sound. I was quite amazed and happy to have him as my guide. After couple of meters my Guide stopped and I saw him pulling the leech away from his left foot. I looked in horror and almost shouted, "Take it out fast." He looked at me and smiled. And then something struck me  - What if they are on my feet. Not wanting to face my fear I reluctantly looked at my feet and gosh ! there they were....those-not-so-friendly-creepy-crawly-creatures on my leech-proof socks !! Not one but five of them trying to find some way to reach my flesh. I froze. My Guide looked at me and said, "Not to worry. I will remove them right away". He took a twig and started removing them. By the time he removed two there were three others making their way up to my feet. I could not stand it any longer. What I did next was something my Guide might have never seen before and would at least in this lifetime not forget. I ran !! I ran like Usain Bolt, maybe even faster in the direction of the lodge. It took a while for my Guide to comprehend what had just happened. But he soon started running after me and shouting, "Madam wait ! Madam wait!" Of course, I did not want to hear anything. I knew my goal....my lodge, my room. I knew I would be safe there.

As I saw the lodge I tried to run faster. I was tired and panting. I climbed the stairs of the porch as fast I could. There were some tourists standing there, they looked at me in puzzlement. I saw a chair on the porch and ran and sat on it. I quickly started removing my shoes and then those socks. Luckily there were no leeches on them anymore. I took my socks and threw them away as far as I could and ran towards my room. In the meantime I could hear the voice of my Guide. He could hardly breath after running so long. He could barely climb the stairs of the porch and hence sat on them panting. He gave me a very angry look. I did not care. I ran towards my room, opened the door and locked it firmly and jumped on my bed.

I did not come out of the room for the rest of the day. I also knew that I had become butt of the joke at the lodge. Next day, feeling bit embarrassed, I met my Guide in the morning. We were supposed to go for a morning jeep safari. I thought he would mention something about that incident but throughtout the safari trip he did not utter one word about it. I felt so bad. Of course, I later apologised to him and said that though I am a nature lover but these creepy-crawly creatures are definitely not my best friends and hence I was totally shaken when I saw them crawling on my feet. He smiled and replied, " It is alright. It happens. As a guide in the Park I am used to such things but many tourists aren't. I want you to enjoy rest of your trip." And that I of course did (without encountering leeches again)!