Why do people stack stones /pebbles?

 While I was going through the pictures in my mobile phone, I was struck by this one picture and wondered why people stack rocks?

 

 This stunning location is famously known as Pebbles beach is nuzzled at a few kilometres away from the Bimmah sink hole, Muscat and it offers beautiful, picturesque views of serene sea with plethora of colorful stones at the shores.

We visited this place with our friends in the month of December. By seeing those smooth pebbles, children started stacking them, few fell down and few stood yet they didn’t give up until they made it to a certain height where they felt like, this is it and satisfied. It was fun watching them.

 

One thing, I know that this activity improves one's concentration and patience. And I was happy watching children enjoying doing this.

But, when this question of why we stack stones popped up in my mind, I browsed in internet for reasons and to my surprise or being unknown to the facts of it, I was fascinated to learn these new things about stacking.

 - People who go for hiking stack rocks and guide the other hikers towards the right path. However, misplaced stacks may lead to off trail as sometimes hikers might do this stacking for fun or to release stress/ strain.

 -   A pile of stones can be used to represent how things grow and expand i.e change over time in a variety of ways.

 - There is one spiritual meaning of stacking rocks: As the rocks stand on top of one another, it can give us a message of unity-” Unity is strength”.

Another interesting finding is, In India, there are places like Ladakh, Uttarakhand where we can find this stack of stones. It is believed that this practice of stacking stones is a way to worship or gesture to ask for a wish or good fortune for the person stacking them.

Whatever the reason may be, I love to stack stones and have fun with my friends.

                                                    What about you?

 

 

 

 

Sky Diving in Dubai

I believe having a bucket list is part of making memories and here  I am !

In the process of enjoying the journey  .....

First of all let me tell you how I got this crazy idea  of jumping from the helicopter???

All because of Will smith. After watching his video of skydiving, a  big thought bubble popped up poking me to do skydive.

I told this idea to my husband. He said ‘No’. 

‘I will definitely do now .’ I said. ha ha..

I made all preparations for this.. Pandemic hit all my plan’s doomed. He was damn   happy.

Two years passed.. still Will Smith words ringing in my ears, ‘To conquer fear you must do  skydive’. 

Finally decided to do.

I booked to and fro tickets to Dubai. Hotel booked. Skydive fee paid. Everything done and am super excited to do this.

Just then, a tragedy hit on 12th October morning, I got severe chest pain and was admitted to hospital early in the morning. It’s the third time..nothing much serious bcoz I knew the procedure. Gas got trapped in the chest. They will put drips and will be fine… same happened. 

After three hours , I was fine and got discharged. 

I was fighting with myself whether I will be able to do it or not. If this again comes how will I manage and all sort of worries….

Called up my friend in gym.He simply said , come to gym will workout.

What??

I thought, you will say take rest, think twice before heading blah blah…

I know about you. Just come here at 10 AM 

I just got home it’s 8 AM. Let me eat something then will come.

I went to gym and he made me do strength exercises,felt so good and relaxed sweating out and my confidence level improved. 

He said, ‘ If you can come to gym after the hospital trip, that itself is the first step of winning’.

Travel safe tomorrow , sky dive confidently and come back like a tigress. 

I gained my strength back and packed my bags and set to go …

I booked a hotel in Dubai Marina, but after reaching I came to know that it’s an apartment in one of the towers in marina but not a hotel as It’s not mentioned clearly in the booking website. So, my adventure started from here..

Thanks to Dubai government as soon as I landed, they gave a free dubai sim at the airport which helped me a lot. 

Using google map, I walked around 2 km in Dubai Marina asking few strangers the route to  the tower, one such is a security guard of a huge society. He explained the way and I asked his name. He said ‘Imran Khan from Pakistan’. 

I was like .. and I said, I am glad I meet you ‘Imran Khan from Pakistan ‘  if not original duplicate hi sahi…  then we laughed out loud.. 

I thanked him for the help and moved on…

Then met another guy Nelson from Kerala,India  who was on scooter in-front of this tower. He  guided me in to this tall  tower and spoke at the reception for me and found out that my apartment is  on 42nd floor..he was like never want to leave that scooter.. he came in the lift with the scooter and by mistake the iron part of it hit my right ankle..ouch...

He was so sorry for that.. I said , don’t you worry, once I finish my sky dive, will send the Doctor bill for payment

Hmm..

With this limping leg , I entered the flat. A lady  welcomed me and asked what had happened? Before I explain anything she said, your ankle was swollen let me give you the ice pack. While She rushed to refrigerator , Nelson bid good bye and left.

I observed that the flat is  very pleasant , beautiful paintings on the walls and the view from balcony was awesome. While I was on the couch and observing,  she brought the ice pack and I kept on my ankle for sometime which gave much relief.

She introduced me to her cutie little nine months old baby sleeping on the baby cradle..she is so adorable…

Then she explained about her that she is from Morocco and all… showed the room,it was good. I took rest for an hour and went out to explore the surrounding area.. I observed that Dubai Marina has lot of Men Saloons but not found one beauty parlor for girls near the tower .. People were walking jogging  cycling  children playing and many more activities created a healthy environment and this gave positive vibes to my soul.

I had a bowl of salad for dinner and hit the bed.

Next day 14th Oct 2022 early morning 5 AM , I woke up , got ready and had one banana and took a taxi to sky dive Centre which is 5 min from the tower. 

Gates opened and I am so exited and nervous .. don't know how I was gonna do..

Crew asked us to go to canteen then from there they directed us to the training center , given some ten to 15 min video training .. then came down , met instructor Sebastian. He gave a five min training - knees to bent and head to rest on his shoulders looking up while jumping from the helicopter..

This is it???

Yes.. he said louder. 

Red

Yellow

Green…

Jump 

From the helicopter at 13,000 feet above the ground… oh my god.. can’t explain in words.It’s amazing 

Wonderful experience… felt like am on top of the world.. 

One who is fit in all respects should try this once in their lifetime . It’s just like any other adventurous sport where you  push your limits and experience the  bliss … 

 

Finally , ticked off  Skydive from my bucket list

#skydivedubai 

# dubaimarina

Mutrah-Riam Hike- 11.March.22

What a beautiful day is today! Two lovely women broke all the stereotypes and I believe if we change our perception towards anyone or anything in a right and positive way , everyday is a celebration!

Thank you Priyanka and Suseela Aunty for joining us today.

I asked Priya, will you able to do this hike?

Her answer blew my mind. 'Don't go with my body, I CAN DO IT and will show you all I CAN'

Suseela Aunty ,my friends Mother in law did the complete 2 hr hike in  saree and chappal with great determination ,showing all ' Nothing is impossible'.

To our surprise ,today we met Indian social club Marathi wing members with families n children on the mountain. Made new friends. It's like a celebration on the mountain rather than a sweaty trek.

Today is a very special day and I always cherish these moments!

Thank you guys for making my day....

@priyapathak619

#mountains #mutrah #omantrekkers #omantourism #hiking # women #adventuretime #omanobserver # explore places #riam #scenic #landscape #photography #happyfeetoman #happyfeet

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