The First One!

First post has to be about something first in life! and here it is, my first ever Solo Trip.

July, 2015

I vividly remember that moment when the idea just came in and took the call and just decided to travel solo. Late past midnight, sitting on the Balcony cum Terrace of our Sarita Vihar Home. I was having Hookah and staring at the stars, in my own world of thoughts. This was the phase where I was not working, and just not doing anything for past 3-4 weeks. I’ve had many such phases in life, and don’t have any logical explanation as to why am I doing this. It happens and just happens, sometimes its for a day and might last for weeks at stretch.

Questioning myself, as to when am free and have time as well, whats stopping me from travelling and exploring some new place and having a new life experience altogether. So now, the next task was to decide the place, an after an hour of brainstorming “Lansdowne” was the place I chose to go for. Both my friends who stayed with me, were surprised with my plan but not shocked as they very well knew me and my ability to take such calls. Boarded a train (Garhwal Express, Train No 14044) at 7:30 in the morning from Delhi Railway Station, and embarked on the journey. I had no clue what’s in store for me on this trip and what will this lead to, but today am just so happy about taking this call and going for this trip.

Kotdwara is the base station for Lansdowne, as the trains do not go uphill and had to take a shared cab for Lansdowne. Close to 2 hrs drive in the cab was not so comfortable one, but when among the hills and mountains I never look for comfort. The scenic beauty, curves and turns on road were mesmerizing. I was lost all through this drive and didn’t even realize when I reached and the drive was over. The first look and feel of the place was no different than any hill station in our country. Bus Stand was at the main chowk, and its the busiest place around.

The first thing which hit after getting down was, I told myself “Akash, for the first time you’re actually having the feel of a traveler and not a tourist. No hotels, no bookings, no itinerary, no plans nothing you have and you’re here at this place. Brilliant yaar! Get going and I had a big wide smile on my face”. Without wasting any time, I inquired from locals (one thing which am a pro at) about the places worth visiting. I started walking and observing, enjoying the natural beauty of the place. It was quite long a walk, but every step absolutely worth it. Sunset point, a common destination at all hill stations was the place I headed for the day. Walking through ups and downs of the concrete road, smiling at random people and getting a warm smile in return was something quite unusual for me (although now, after 4 years, its become a routine thing which I do always). Crowd being there at the point, I just looked around and found my place for solitude and to stay away from the noise and the selfies and the irrelevant talks. Sitting there, doing nothing, just staring at the setting sun did some magic and gave so much of peace within. I didn’t even realize when and how I had a big smile and it just felt so happy, calm being there. No thoughts, no worries, no concern about the job about future or any such thing. It was just that moment and I was living that moment exactly the way I wanted it to.

Walking back to the chowk wasn’t an easy task, it seemed to take much longer while return. Now, the reality struck as in what to do, where to sleep and spend the night. Looked for a Dharamshala, but couldn’t convince myself to stay there and managed to get a Hotel within my budget. Morning was a bit late, and being the monsoon season it just felt as if the shower is not gonna stop any time soon. Planned to return today and take the same train which leaves at 15:30 from Kotdwar. I had half a day to explore more, and I did the best I could in that time. Garhwal Rifles are one of the most respected, Infantry Regiments of our Indian Army. I walked down to the War Museum, only to know that its either shut for the day or will open some time later. Missing this, proved to be a blessing in disguise and what I witnessed that day was sheer bliss, a breathtaking sight which I had never seen before. The Jawans were rehearsing for 15th August Parade, and just standing there seeing it in front of my eyes gave goosebumps and I literally froze for the moment. The coordination, timing, beats, walks, everything so perfectly organised, it was such a treat to the eyes. Standing at quite a distance, I could clearly hear the thump of their feet touching the ground and the sound so soothing. Words are just not enough to describe the feeling I had that day.

I called it a day soon after and headed back to Delhi, but this was a journey which paved way for many more journeys. It gave me my first kick, to be among the mountains and how it feels just to be there. Travelling is something which is now in the blood and its gonna be there!