I GeT KnOckEd doWn!!

I get knocked down.
But I get up again.
You're never going to keep me down!

The plan was on since several days and finally the 'D'-day had arrived. Group of 6 colleagues along with our korean counterpart - all of us headed towards Jisan Forest Resort. For skiing !!!!!

Yesterday Bob(manager for our project in Korea) came to us and handed over the tickets. The plan was simple. Get up early. Catch resort bus from close by BusStation and reach resort by 930 AM in the morning. Ticket read the bus was scheduled to depart at 8.27AM. Eight Twenty Seven. It was neither 820, nor 830, but 827.

I should take a moment here and talk about time sense by Koreans. I kept an eye on my watch as to when the bus would arrive. Around 820 the bus reached our busStop. There were several guys waiting for the bus at our bus-stop, and we all boarded. Clock inside the bus was showing 826. As soon as the clock turned 827 - the bus started. Not a second early. Not a second late! This wasn't my first such encounter with timing-sense of korean's but definately memorable one.






Our team - Bob(Hyungu Lee, not in picture) Pavan, Maneesh, Ajay, Krishna, RamMohan & the Obvious.

We reached resort in time. With Bob's help, rented our skiing boards, clothes n all. Thermals - Pants and on top of it - ski suite. If you include inner's - its totally 4 layer protection! We had some food and headed straight to do the job for which we were here. 'Ski'.

There were 4 levels of moutain slopes. We took a tram and reached the starting point for 'Lemon' slope. Based on difficulty - slope's were named Lemon, Orange, and so on.

Ok. The easier steps were all but over. Now came the difficult part. Ski. :-)

Bob took time to explain us the basics. And he convinced us that it was not so difficult to learn. Easy said then done :-)

One hour down the line -- all of us were still lying on the ground, looking (staring) at other skiing people in wonder! We tried n tried n tried, but were unable to stand up. Small kids used to zoom in front of us. And we still trying to take our first baby step! Hands seemed stuck to ground. Was just unable to lift myself and stand up.

---

Why did I come here? was the question going on one side of my head.

One of my colleague (maneesh) some how managed to get up - and slide down for a distance. And then - 'Dhadoooom'. He fell with great impact on to the ground. He got up and tried again. The result was same. Probably I was afraid of falling and here came the inspiration.

'Dhakka de aur chal - zyaada nahi lagti' - maneesh told.

I finally decided to go for it. Gave a push and there I went...

Before one could count one, two and three -- I was lying on the ground again. But that run was good energy booster. My first Ski.

The entire slope was about 400 mts and I fell n number of times before I reached the bottom. Every time I used to start - slide for couple of mts and then 'Dhadoooom'. I didn't understand how to slow down or stop. & easiest way to stop that I could learn was - fall down. :-)

It was remember your old days again! Used to do the same when learning bi-cycle.

I get knocked down.
But I get up again.
You're never going to keep me down!

With that little bit of 'gained' confidence, We took the tram again and started again. Next few hours -- we repeated the same. The board was still controling us, we never were in control of board. And the stopping mechanism hadn't changed much till now. It was same. When ever speed increases, or if you see some-one in front -- Fall down!!

Amidst all this, Bob was trying to explain steps to slow down and stop. It was basic Physics. Press the board on its back edge, Increase friction and it will slow down. :-)

Finally we were able to take control on the ski board. This was after lot of repeated effort and it was awesome. We still kept on falling but at a lesser rate. We did try the second slope 'Orange' and what an experience it was!

Today - a day after skiing -- all the body parts, specially the backSeat and hands are dead paining. Had to do 'reverse sleep' exercise whole night! And sitting on a pillow in typical Sameer (DCH) style now !!

USiRa