"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." - St. Augustine.
Being a solo traveller from the past three years, I've gotten to meet some very interesting people on my trips. And while there are many beautiful people I've been fortunate to meet; one stands out very clearly in my mind as the best till date.
May-2011 - Vaishno Devi.
I started my trek at 8:00 in the morning, very sure I would make the climb all the way up the 14 kms; even though I did not have company. Afterall, it was my first visit to the shrine!
It's an upward climb & it can be a good long one if trekking solo.
Nevertheless, I started, hoping to be back down by evening. But not one hour into the trek and I had sprained my ankle!
Thanks to the couple of medical stores along the way, I brought some painkillers and a pain reliever spray to carry on. But understandably, it was very difficult to walk without me taking long breaks at short distances! :(
People who know about VaishnoDevi know that there are semi-bred horses all along the way ferrying devotees up and down the hill. Disappointed with my state, I decided to take a horse for the shortest distance so I could cover up for some lost time and also give my foot some relief. It happened to be a 1.5 kms. ride ending nearby a checkpoint.
After dismounting the horse and applying a good dose of the pain reliever and a tablet down, I started walking again feeling slightly better but not as fine yet.
As I walked out of the security check I see this dude-guy alongside me who looked at me and rightaway asked, "Weren't you on a horse just now?" Now, its such a stupid feeling to be asked that question from a random stranger! Gives you a feeling of being so unfit... for the need to take a horse, especially if you're someone who prides in trekking the length & breadth of most travel destinations!
Nodding in the affirmative, I tried to be polite. When he noticed my careful walk.. rather my slow walk; he asked me if I was OK, so I stated the reason to him. Turned out he was a Doctor!
n turned out he was a solo pilgrim too!!
Maybe because he had an almost patient in his hand, he was kind enough to keep at my pace through out the climb; even after me suggesting him to carry on.
The walk obviously became slightly easier because of the company and also because I was mentally relieved to know I was in the company of a Doctor; incase I needed one. :P
We exchanges interesting anecdotes from each others lives.. and I also learnt a lot about VaishnoDevi, since he had been there quite a few number of times.
We reached VaishnoDevi shrine by noon and were fortunate enough to have superb Darshan pretty soon. Then after a slight meal, we started towards Bhairo Nath, which is a higher trek.. and a tasking one at that!
Again, thanks to the company, I managed to reach the top inspite of all the pain, fatigue and a scare from the ever-present wild monkeys there!!
By evening my sprain was intolerable and that's when he was such a help.. in the form of encouragement he kept giving me to walk down the hill, prodding me all along.
Finally when we did reach down at 8:15 PM, he gave me a few medications, dropped me at my hotel and got going on his way to Delhi.....
I personally feel he really was a God sent for my trip there. Had I not taken that short ride on the horsey, I would have missed meeting him and immense help he provided. I would never have gotten back down on time too.
It's been 10 months now and not to say, we stay in touch - became good friends. [How cliched! .. but since this is not the movies - it's true! :P]
Sometimes, unexpectedly we bump into people, never knowing they'll become a cherished part of our lives...of our memories.
For these very experiences of life, with life... I So love travelling.
© All rights reserved with Biraj 3Vedi. To re-print, prior permission required from the author.
Being a solo traveller from the past three years, I've gotten to meet some very interesting people on my trips. And while there are many beautiful people I've been fortunate to meet; one stands out very clearly in my mind as the best till date.
May-2011 - Vaishno Devi.
I started my trek at 8:00 in the morning, very sure I would make the climb all the way up the 14 kms; even though I did not have company. Afterall, it was my first visit to the shrine!
It's an upward climb & it can be a good long one if trekking solo.
Nevertheless, I started, hoping to be back down by evening. But not one hour into the trek and I had sprained my ankle!
Thanks to the couple of medical stores along the way, I brought some painkillers and a pain reliever spray to carry on. But understandably, it was very difficult to walk without me taking long breaks at short distances! :(
People who know about VaishnoDevi know that there are semi-bred horses all along the way ferrying devotees up and down the hill. Disappointed with my state, I decided to take a horse for the shortest distance so I could cover up for some lost time and also give my foot some relief. It happened to be a 1.5 kms. ride ending nearby a checkpoint.
After dismounting the horse and applying a good dose of the pain reliever and a tablet down, I started walking again feeling slightly better but not as fine yet.
As I walked out of the security check I see this dude-guy alongside me who looked at me and rightaway asked, "Weren't you on a horse just now?" Now, its such a stupid feeling to be asked that question from a random stranger! Gives you a feeling of being so unfit... for the need to take a horse, especially if you're someone who prides in trekking the length & breadth of most travel destinations!
Nodding in the affirmative, I tried to be polite. When he noticed my careful walk.. rather my slow walk; he asked me if I was OK, so I stated the reason to him. Turned out he was a Doctor!
n turned out he was a solo pilgrim too!!
Maybe because he had an almost patient in his hand, he was kind enough to keep at my pace through out the climb; even after me suggesting him to carry on.
The walk obviously became slightly easier because of the company and also because I was mentally relieved to know I was in the company of a Doctor; incase I needed one. :P
We exchanges interesting anecdotes from each others lives.. and I also learnt a lot about VaishnoDevi, since he had been there quite a few number of times.
We reached VaishnoDevi shrine by noon and were fortunate enough to have superb Darshan pretty soon. Then after a slight meal, we started towards Bhairo Nath, which is a higher trek.. and a tasking one at that!
Again, thanks to the company, I managed to reach the top inspite of all the pain, fatigue and a scare from the ever-present wild monkeys there!!
By evening my sprain was intolerable and that's when he was such a help.. in the form of encouragement he kept giving me to walk down the hill, prodding me all along.
Finally when we did reach down at 8:15 PM, he gave me a few medications, dropped me at my hotel and got going on his way to Delhi.....
I personally feel he really was a God sent for my trip there. Had I not taken that short ride on the horsey, I would have missed meeting him and immense help he provided. I would never have gotten back down on time too.
It's been 10 months now and not to say, we stay in touch - became good friends. [How cliched! .. but since this is not the movies - it's true! :P]
Sometimes, unexpectedly we bump into people, never knowing they'll become a cherished part of our lives...of our memories.
For these very experiences of life, with life... I So love travelling.
© All rights reserved with Biraj 3Vedi. To re-print, prior permission required from the author.
Interesting article.I agree sometimes we meet people who are there to help you and continue to be friends afterthat.I have been to vaishno devi and can understand the boredom a solo traveller might feel trekking..keep writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anki! :)
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