27-August-2023

Prabalmachi Trek:
A Journey to Remember with SPARC

By Calista Moraes

The 27th of August, 2023, marked a memorable day for our Confo-alumni group, SPARC. With excitement and adventure in our hearts, we embarked on a trek to the picturesque destination of Prabalmachi. The day began early as we gathered at the church, ready to set out on this thrilling expedition.

Before setting off, we gathered together and said the rosary, invoking blessings for a safe and successful expedition. With spirits fortified by our faith and a sense of unity, we were prepared for the adventure that lay ahead. Here’s where the adventure took an unexpected turn: due to a little miscommunication, we mistakenly grabbed some hotdogs that were meant for the faith formation kids. This delightful mix-up, which was discovered by Fr. Aaron, led to a hilarious delay of about half an hour as we waited for the person to come pick up the hotdogs for the kids.

With spirits undampened by this amusing incident, we continued our journey with even more laughter and camaraderie. Music filled the air, and an infectious enthusiasm surrounded us. We couldn’t wait to start our climb, even though some of us already felt a bit “half-dead” by the time we reached just a quarter of the way.

Nevertheless, the allure of adventure spurred us on, and we soldiered ahead, occasionally losing our footing but never losing our determination. The moment we reached the first base, it felt nothing short of epic. We snapped photos to capture the milestone and were welcomed with an unexpected shower of blessings – a blessing indeed, even if it soaked us to the bone.

After a brief 15-minute pause to savor the moment, most of us continued our ascent towards the second base. As we trekked through the fog, we encountered some impressive spiders and dipped our feet into the refreshing, cold waters.

The youth among us opted for the waterfall route, taking turns getting drenched and snapping photos. We banded together, helping one another along the way.

There was a momentary hiccup when we lost our way en route to the point, but with collective effort and determination, we arrived, feeling euphoric.

Our group photos captured the essence of our triumph as we sat on the rocks, gazing in awe at nature’s magnificent creations.

The thought of descending from this beautiful path left us all with a tinge of sadness, but we reluctantly began our descent. The journey downhill was filled with slips and falls, but the promise of a sumptuous meal spurred us onward.

Once back at the base, we indulged in a delectable feast that reinvigorated our spirits. As we reunited with the batchmates who had stayed behind at the first base, we shared stories of our adventures and took a well-deserved 45-60 minute break. Exhaustion was beginning to set in, with a few of us even catching some much-needed sleep.

The prospect of the descent wasn’t all that appealing at this point, as fatigue had set in, but our determination prevailed. We pushed ourselves to reach the bottom line, where we were greeted with cold beverages, courtesy of Fr. George. After a quick refresh and a change into fresh clothes, some enjoyed chai and vada pav while others reflected on their journey.

The return journey was a mix of emotions. We were dead tired, but the light music and the gentle breeze provided a soothing backdrop. Some of us chatted, others enjoyed snacks, and a few simply absorbed the scenery. Despite the unexpected delay due to traffic, spirits remained high.

As we finally made it back to our starting point, we each received a couple of bananas as a token of our successful trek. With joyful memories etched in our hearts, we returned home and slept soundly. SPARC’s fourth event was undoubtedly a triumph, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance and mentorship of Fr. Aaron, Merlyn mam, and Dwayne sir.