Yathirajaswamy Betta

The first InVANA expedition began, as it turned out, with a discussion about breakfast. We could serve the food before the climb, or carry the hotpots to the top so that everyone could enjoy a hot breakfast with a beautiful view.

Once the group decided on a hot breakfast at the summit, the next question followed naturally: if we want hot food at the top, who will carry it? Without much hesitation, the children shared the responsibility and carried the hotpots up the hill together.

The climb itself was only about twenty minutes. Some climbed quickly. Some took their time. Some stopped to admire the view. Some encouraged others along the way. There was no race — everyone climbed at their own pace, and everyone reached the top.

After breakfast, we spent some quiet time sitting on the rocks. No worksheet. No lecture. No checklist. Just the breeze, the mountains, conversations, laughter, and a little time to just be.

Before leaving, there was one more responsibility. We looked around carefully to make sure that nothing we had brought remained on the mountain. Every wrapper, every fruit peel, every bottle came back with us.