Unpacking Memories

 

You just don’t un-pack your backpack after a trip, you un-pack lot of memories as well. Just back from a trip with my team (yes the office team), I un-packed a lot of memories too. A trip that brought us close to each other, build an alliance and a great deal of camaraderie. I witnessed blossoming from 'Individuals' to 'US' on the trip.

With over two years of virtual interaction, first thing that manager told me when he looked at me is You look younger (Smaller) than you appear on the daily call. And first thing that flashed on mind is how he is so tall. The one who asks for updates every morning and evening seemed soft on the calls is really an intimidating (giant) figure. Had it been a physical interaction on actionable every day, I would definitely be more productive considering his physic and body language.

It was definitely a different feeling meeting people in person & shaking hands and not just greeting on your monitor. Pulling each other’s legs & pranking them and not just obeying the commands. From hesitantly asking my colleagues to fill in for me or attend some work of mine while I’m on leave, now I can command for their help.

Rarely do you realize the levels of camaraderie with your team on the first outing. It was definitely a culmination of different people with different backgrounds & varied experiences meet and play a melody in sync. The gang was just perfect in all aspects.

However what did the trip did to us.. ??

It made us a family and no more a team. Or may be a better way to put it is that we all promoted ourselves to a tag called Office Family and not just a team anymore. Most importantly, the trip gave me rights over my teammates to reach out to them for help/suggestions or anything else without hesitation.  We made vows to continue our holiday (irrespective of us being in the same team or not). Only time will tell if that ever happens

While it was fully worth travelling from casually talking about Delhi’s weather to why Kriti should quit her job and join family business. It is a journey I covered during our holiday which definitely made us better mates. I still cannot believe few things she claims to have done. One of which is polluting water cooler at her school with BP (while in 9^th grade). And how she attracts foreigners with her charm is a story for another day.

 From reminding each other of the time sheets we have to fill to yelling at Prity while she isn’t posing properly for a click is yet another testimony to the intimacy we have built during the trip. I have never seen people who would ROFL for straight 15 mins on a street side dhaba. She is an exception. And her love for roads and laying down on the pavement is fable worth listening to.

However paramount was the fact that excursion transformed me from an employee who is always politely obliging to managers words to telling him you treat me like a step son Suraj, everything I do is wrong…!! He claiming to be Ajit Doval like, proclaiming to be the best singer and mind reader, my Manager is a Master of all Trades. I have seen food bloggers, but I have met a Tea blogger for the first time. You say Suraj Tea…? Doesn’t matter if it is 3AM, 12PM, 7AM or just after a meal… You always get treated with a sizzling cup of Chai.

While these instances are just icing on the cake, there is a big chocolate cake beneath. Experiences, feelings, thoughts and everything associated with those 3-4 days were memorable. Special mentions are when the Green Tea party starts at 9AM and continues up to sunrise. Epic it is.

I have packed all my memories, filed them and saved them on those inerasable corners of my mind. Splendid trip that. Clicked moments not only through my mobile but also through my heart. Wish these trips go on (fingers crossed).

 

Sakethursforever : )