The Day I Realised That I Am Alive: MY FIRST SOLO TRIP- NARKANDA DAY 1 (XXVI)

2nd May, 2015- 4th May, 2015

For the first time I walked in hills alone

For the first time I got up at sounds of birds, I was so determined to see the sunrise

For the first time I saw red clouds, with sun-rays passing through them

For the first time I didn't realise the bruises on my hand until I saw them

For the first time I realised if food is delicious I can relish it alone

For the first time I saw a Labrador barking on crow

For the first time I realised that writing in a diary is better than typing on word in laptop

For the first time I laughed on my own loudly, while reading a book

For the first time I was quiet for such a long time.

For the first time I realised I enjoy this silence, my silence and my time.

This was my first solo trip to Hatu Peak, Narkanda.

Day 1

Delhi-Kalka-Solan-Shimla-Matiana

I sat in train (Kalka Shatabdi) in all hurry with an only anxiety whether I sat in the right train at the right seat. When I was confirmed that I was right I took a deep breath. Gazing out of the window I suddenly realised, 'O Shit! I am seriously doing this. I can't believe this.'

I was reading my book Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho and I suddenly looked out of the window. The sight was unbelievable. There were thousands of Sunflowers glittering, shining, smiling at the sun, as if a large yellow bed-sheet with black dots has covered the earth.

I reached Kalka and took a sharing auto till bus stand to find a bus till Shimla. With me there sat a young couple with their daughter and an old Punjabi couple. From here the conversations started:

Young lady: Where are you going?

Me: Matiana from there Hatu Peak, Narkanda

Young lady: Where is it?

Me: It's 70 kms ahead of Shimla.

Young lady: O! So far. So have you got relatives there?

Me: No

Young lady: Are you working there?

Me: No

Young lady (all confused): So why are you going?

Me: Just a trip

Young lady (shocked): Alone? Just like that?

Me: Yes

Young lady: O! Wow! Great! But why are you going so far? Why not Shimla?

Me: I have been to Shimla thrice. That's why decided this place now.

Young lady: We are going to Shimla for the first time. What all is there to see?

Me: Jhaku Temple, Mall Road, go to Kufri, ride on horses and go till hill top, go to Chail.

Old lady: Oh! Is there any other way to go till hill top except horses. I get scared of horses.

Me: It's worth it aunty. Take a small horse. It won't be difficult for you.

Young lady: Arre Aunty! My father-in-law sat on a horse when he went to Vaishno Devi and he is 70 years old. You will surely be able to do it.

And our bus stand came by this time. I took a bus till Solan.

After changing 7 vehicles from Delhi and travelling for more than 12 hours I finally reached my resort Krish Rauni at Matiana. Seeing outside my room balcony I forgot all my tiredness and was all fresh. I gazed at the mountains, at the clouds, at the moon for a long time, wrote my diary, had dinner and went for sleep.