A Whole New World ---

The silence of the night has always fascinated me. It intrigues me with its mysterious enigma. Most of all, it lets me be at peace with myself. Staying awake into wee hours of the morning is something I love. Colorado's mountains gave me the chance to explore this interest of mine even more. Venturing into the hills late in the night is a breathtaking experience. Words cannot do justice to the sight one gets to see. Only two trips old and I am already addicted.

The first one was a slightly less risky trip.The uphill ride to a panoramic view point at 3 in the morning was lovely. En route my friend and I made a stop over at a random spot. I didn't know that a creek was flowing by until I heard the water move. This is what I love about night, it doesn't want you to see things but wants you to feel them with your ears and your heart. If you do listen to it silently, it tells you a lot. The night with its sheer strength always humbles you telling you that you are just a speck in the vast universe. This drive was a special one, for on one side of the road there was the towering creation of nature, the brown rocks blanketed in green but all blended into one color black at night while on the other side one could see the shimmering lights from the city, a result of man's creative spirit. Mr.Edison thanks to you, I got to witness this sight. The gushing wind, bells jingling somewhere in a distant place, the moonlit mountains, stars adorning the sky, what more could one ask for. I stood there letting the wind brush my skin gently. The natural fragrance of the air was even more enticing. That is when you heart feels like flying into the sky. It yearns to be a part of the beautiful night. As we drove further up the hill, we reached a point where all that we saw was the colour black.With the headlights and even the car speedometer light off we experienced the term "pitch dark". Black is bold and beautiful. And so was the moment.

The second trip was quite an adventure. We started from home at around 11pm at night. By the time we reached the winding roads of the mountains it was midnight. That is when the night is at its best. I am not sure if I can put the feeling into words but let me try. These were the same very roads I had been through during day time. Then they seemed very friendly and open. But tonight they were not the same. The sight was eerie. But it is this eeriness that made it special. This drive was not like the previous one. This time around all that one could see was huge mountains on either side of the road. The fear of a wild animal attack was always there. Making a pit stop was inviting trouble. But then what the heck, it has to be experienced. We stepped out of the car to be numbed by the stillness of time. I have never seen so many stars at the same time ever in my life. I felt like nature was singing these lines from the song "A Whole New World" to me as it unfolded itself.

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming

A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky.....

P.S. - To Prasanna(my friend who patiently drove us all the way) - Thank you for taking me through such a memorable journey!!!