My trip to Himachal

It’s very rightly said that “Those who travel solo are even more likely to learn about themselves as well as the world as they go.”

“This Solo Trip is a journey I am taking with my soul, for my soul, and towards my soul…

so, this is one very special trip I am taking towards me !!”

– I had written this just before going on this trip.

Now, after coming back from the trip-

Do I feel the same?

Ummm… maybe partly!!

So, many times, we anticipate certain events to go in a certain way in our lives. Simply because we create those anticipations or expectations, looking at the people and situations around us and based on our interactions with the (virtual) world we live in and social media.

But then we get hit or come face to face with our realities, which might be very different from what we expected or thought it to be!

The expectations – come from what everyone else puts out there on social media!

The learnings – the realities are very unique to each one.

How two personalities are unique and can not be the same, likewise, two experiences can never be the same… it has to be unique!

And that’s what makes everything very special and very unique!

Does that mean I had a ‘not a good’ experience on the solo trip?

In fact, I had a great experience that is so unique to me, and that might not match with anyone else out there. So, like every time, let me share my experiences and thoughts about this trip.

This was a kind of solo trip where I did not plan or get into many details (so me) because I just wanted to explore the places at my own pace and choice, meet new people, and locals, experience the ultimate sense of freedom, and grow as an individual. My first stop was Delhi, and I had to go to ISBT Kashmere Gate, this was going to be my first visit to Kashmere Gate and I had certain images of this place and people based on whatever I had heard so I was a bit skeptical about my guard on!

And, I’m happy to report and accept that my image was distorted.

Upon reaching ISBT, I had enough time in hand so with my heavy bag, I had a good stroll in the area with some yummy roadside chole- kulche with garma- garam chai in dilli ki sardi! After filling up my stomach with yummy food, I realized that I had to search for the place from where I was supposed to take my journey ahead. And I found out it was on the other side of ISBT. I thought let me walk as I have enough time and it will also help me to know the area a bit, hence I started walking, and, again me being me… lost in my world, I missed my step and I fell flat on the footpath, it was like “Humpty dumpty had a great fall”!

For a moment, I lost my senses along with my balance. There was complete darkness in front of my eyes. It took me a good few seconds to come back to my senses. I realized I was lying on the ground my face down, filled with dust, on the footpath. I was somewhere, my bag, and my phone somewhere else. I just couldn’t get up. One of my legs and hands were paining terribly, and I was shivering. I thought I fractured a few of my limbs, which I’m not sure till now.

All the rickshaws and bus wala came running. They offered me help and got my phone and bag back to me. Offered me water and a place to sit. One of the auto wala dropped me at my stop as he realized that I was not in a condition to walk. He also asked me if I needed some medicines or a doctor’s help.

Though the fall gave me physical injury it healed me from inside. Many of my wrong perceptions about people and places got wiped away. I am thankful to the universe for that fall as it opened my eyes. Even in that acute pain, I felt so much gratitude towards them and their sensitivities. Anyway, the whole night road journey alone, the cold weather, and so much pain tasted my grit as I did not know if I had got any fractures. At one point, I felt like returning, but then I wanted to test myself and take the challenge. After some time, the bus stopped at a small place and I saw a girl approaching the bus, I had a feeling that this was not the bus she was supposed to board but because of some or other reason she had to take this, and the only vacant seat happened to be beside me. She came and sat there and silently greeted me with a very sweet, friendly smile. Then we started talking. Fortunately, she was also going to the same destination as me. For some reason, I felt better. After some time, upon realizing my pain, she offered me an ointment. It gave me a bit of relief and further made me feel better. The morning after reaching the destination, she helped me carry the bag, got tea for us and we shared the cab to the place where I was going to stay, miraculously, her place of stay was just one minute apart from mine. After that, though, I did not meet her again, but she left me with such positive vibes and feelings. She was like God sent an angel to me then.

Each step I was experiencing humanities at its best. Receiving empathy and sensitivity to the maximum! And then…The local cab driver, a very genuine and nice human being.My co-travelers, co-guests, all the staff of the place I stayed…I made friends, gathered experiences, and carried memories of a lifetime.

At each step of my stay and my entire visit, I received goodness and only goodness and positive vibes. I have had very happy and positive experiences in all the places I visited. I was mesmerized by the beauty of nature, the mountains, the snow, the dogs, the valleys… everything! But what stole my heart and remained with me post this journey are the memories of all the wonderful people I met. I came back more enriched than I was! Indeed!

Few (Un)usual things solo travel can teach us –

• We realize we have much more strength than we had imagined about ourselves.

• It truly helps us to reinvent ourselves.

• We learn to adapt to a life that is out of our comfort zone, and this makes us more flexible, patient, and emotionally strong. 

• It surely enhances human interaction. We find so many amazing stories and people, and they inspire us to grow positively in life.

• We learn to manage many details, including the very small ones.

• We develop a better sense of direction because being alone means being the only navigator.

• It certainly is a great stress buster and a break from the daily hustle and bustle, which helps the mind to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge.

• It makes us more joyous, content, and calm.

• It can expand our minds in a way we could never realize was possible.

• Meeting and talking to people from different corners of the world improves our mental health as we connect with their experiences and lifestyles, distinct from ours.

• We gain a new perspective and how the basic recipe for living is simple and beautiful.

• It teaches us to find beauty in small things that we might not have noticed before.

• Exploring places can give us a fresh start if we are recovering from a major transition in our lives.

• Going and staying somewhere where we feel excited and intimidated at the same time can help us toughen up mentally and emotionally. 

• Another psychological benefit of traveling is facing challenges and resolving them on our own.

• Research says that treating yourself with a vacation or a getaway is one of the best ways to show that you care for yourself.

• Moreover, the valuable lessons that we learn along the way broaden our perspective, making us more aware and open to new things.

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world, you change things slightly, and you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life—and travel—leaves marks on you.”

– Chef Anthony Bourdain