An Escape To The North East

A friend of mine once
narrated the story of his legendary escape to Ladakh. Of course, the legend
was limited to his life, still I couldn’t help but rash at his itching story. He, had
failed his exams for the second time. His father had him mistaken for a mirror
and forced-fed all his dreams in his son’s brain. Well he purged right in the laps
of the Himalayas and came out refreshed. You see, after his results were out,
he had a big fight with his father after which, he just took off without planning
or thinking. I envied him for his guts and spontaneity.

I never had the courage to do something like that, but I never stopped finding
an excuse to be stupid for once in my life. So, this one time in December, I
decided that I was going to stop making excuses and go on a kickass road trip.
My Brain exploded with a thousand reasons that would eventually lead to my
death and destruction. But I managed to stand my ground and next thing I
knew I was in Kolkata boarding a train for Siliguri.

I rented a bike in Siliguri and the following morning, I headed for Darjeeling. It
was cold, really cold, I felt like I was wearing ice. I somehow managed to attach
a speaker on the front of my jacket and jerked on with my special road trip
playlist. The onset of hills was like a bell signifying the start of my adventure.
And no sooner than that, I was winding on the way.
I was terrified as I was alone, especially because this was my first trip, with or
without any companions and I am a woman. I was frantic at the thought of
driving through the valleys. The sharp turns and twists and continuous
uphill/downhill drive was adventure enough for me. And then as I drove
through my fears, I realized that not only I passed through it, it was also
extremely satisfying. I felt confident, but with a sudden glow. I could feel
warmth in my body even though it was really cold around. I felt epiphanically
happy.

The scenery was breath taking and refreshing, like a strong cup of tea in the
morning. I meandered all the way to Darjeeling, where I spent a day exploring
the town. As the sun rays apparelled Kanchanjunga, and my eyes witnessed
this magical moment making an everlasting memory on Tiger Hill, I headed for
Gangtok next. First day, I explored Gangtok, second day, I went to Nathula and
from there itself I headed to Lachung, spending the next day there.

After this trip I became someone to not take life too seriously and travel as much as I
can, not to escape my problems but to realize that as a matter of fact, they are
just problems and temporary in nature.
I have travelled quite a lot after that. Nature has so many variations and each
so intricately woven that it’s hard to shut the mouth. Travel taught me to
adapt. To see even the most disagreeable conditions as a luxury and to learn to
smile through that. To be able to appreciate life, however it may be, and It
goes without saying that, I can survive anywhere.