My 11 Days Stay In The Woods At Seliger, Russia

The tents in the woods

Last year, in July 2011, I got the awesome opportunity to spend 10 days in the woods! Yes, you read it right. In the woods. I was part of the Indian delegation that represented India at the reputed International Youth Forum, Seliger, 2011.

Rafting in the lake Seliger

Seliger is a lake situated in the centre of Russia between Moscow and St. Petersburg, amongst the forest territory of Valdai Hills. The lake is a big and beautiful system of lakes linked together with many small islands and is surrounded by forests of pine wood. Even though the scientists also can not give the exact number of islands on the lake, it is estimated that there are about 200 islands on the lake. The crystal clear water of the lake that gives a transparency for as long as 5 meters and probably that is where this beautiful lake has derived its name from. Seliger is a Finnish word that means ‘clear lake’. The Seliger lake is in the Tver region that falls in the northern part of Russia about 350 kms away from Moscow.

Exit from the Moscow airport at night

I, along with about 11 members of Indian delegation, reached Moscow on 2nd July after our flight was delayed by more than 24 hrs! A member from Russian Seliger team was awaiting our arrival at the airport. From the airport we boarded the bus and headed to the venue of the forum. Thus began the incredible journey of 10 days that involved meeting with some creatively genius minds from all over the world, staying in the tents, bathing in the fresh and chilled lake water without any bathroom and eating the raw-est food I have ever had. It was like a big-boss house! Not in the scary way. Confined in a pine jungle, staying with national and international strangers and no connection with the outside world – but the overall experience was far better and cherish-able than what the inmates of the BB could have.

Tents spread all across the woods

We all lived in small tents and slept in the sleeping bags provided by the forum organization committee. It was this wholesome experience of living in woods that has made the trip worthwhile. Starting our mornings with Russian national anthem and then some hummable nursery rhymes, we would head to the main stage where we had aerobics lessons from the pros! Then was the breakfast time. And later to the education hall. This was the hall where all of us gathered for the classes. I would not say much about what classes we attended and nor I would comment on the level of education or learning in the forum. All I would emphasize here is the life changing experience people carry off from this place.

That is the education hall

I met some amazing people, leaders of the future. Indian delegation itself consisted of some creatively distinct minds and it was intellectually pleasant experience to interact with many of them. One such person was Mr. Dilli Bhattarai from Nepal. We all know what state Nepal is in. But it was indeed motivating to see a candidate from Nepal who had come all the way from Kathmandu to attend the forum. Talking to him made me realize that a nation’s instability does have lasting effects on its citizens. In the words of Mr. Bhattarai himself ‘“Living in small country is one thing but living in a country with full of problem and uncertainty is really difficult. But problems and difficulties make people perfect. In the world great leaders and great people are mainly from such environment where there were full of problems, uncertainty and difficulties. Napolian would not be so famous if there was not any problems in his time. Gandhi would not be real Gandhi if there were no British in India. B.P. Koirala would not be famous in Nepal if there were no Rana Regime in Nepal at that time. So, there are many opportunities in developing countries where people can develop themselves as a great one. But only it needs inner feelings and desire’. Personally, I liked the experience of being in nature. Though, even in Andamans I bask in nature’s glory but seliger was different. There were no fancy beds or bathrooms or lavish bungalow to stay.

The lake Seliger beach!

My 10 days stay in Seliger taught me the basic lesson of going minimalist and how convenient and simple it makes life for us. Getting up early in the morning with the birds chirping all around and coming back to the tents for lunch. Evenings were mostly spent in taking a stroll along side the beautiful lake and watching the sun go down.

At the beach that was also the bathing spot

In some happening tents areas, sunset marked the dawn of dance and fire as you can see in the picture below. One of the most memorable events from the forum was the international events day! On this day, several countries put up small stalls that show cased the culture of their country. It was an experience that is almost impossible to find anywhere else. Seliger, being an international youth spot, gave us the opportunity to witness many different cultures at one place and on one single day. And finally what came as a lovely surprise was the wedding day! On the last few days, there were several marriages that took place in Seliger.

Grooms lined up; waiting for their brides at the wedding venue of the forum

In a nutshell, those 10 days of the forum were like a whole short life well lived!