A Traveler's Memoir

Reaching Chougan around 4 pm, I called Yudhvir Singh, he said we could fly the same day. He took me in a taxi to billing for my first flight after an 18-kilometre drive through the winding roads of the Himalayan Mountains. He strapped me and himself into the Harnesses and all I had to do was take a few steps to be airborne. I don't know why, tears started rolling in down my eyes. It felt so beautiful. I thanked him for the ride and decided to spend that night there. Found Amar guest house run by Sanjay Dutt, no not the actor, who offered a room at 400 and I stayed.  That flight, Opened me up to a very different dimension, a new feeling, a feeling of self-love, a feeling of being alive, I felt a change in me forever. My mind was so full, I couldn't think about anything beyond that flight. Some things just cannot be explained and I decided that I must learn the sport though didn't have the money. I thought if it costed less, I'll do it else it wasn't my cup of tea. Y

I packed my luggage and rode towards Malana and Kasol. Being a stoner, it was something to cherish, to be there for the New year. With the present climate, I could not start early. I started around 9 in the morning and found a stay by 7 in the evening. On reaching Malana after 2 days, I ended up at a fake party that brought me together with a few boys from Kerala. We just smoked up and lazed. On the 31st we took a bus ride to Manikaran for a natural hot spring bath. My plan was to attend a party as it was the new year but ended up cooking dinner for 5 people.  Happy New year 2020. Yeah, Cheers!  The first day of the year was lazy and I didn't like it. Everything happens for good and good things take time.  The place was a mess. Torn blankets, filthy kitchen, dozens of bottles stocked up, ashes everywhere, with cigarette buds thrown around. Cleaning happened only once a day though. The guy running it, Regish was a lovely soul but in vain. He said he used to work in Dubai for a few

Unfortunately, Jim Corbett needed a 45-day prior online booking and cost 1500 per person. I skipped it and rode towards Haridwar. Reaching up North into the hustle again, for once I missed home. In the evening around 4PM, while I cruised through the normal traffic, a Muslim family on a bike overtook me, slowed down and came closer asking if I was from Bangalore? I said, "yes, nearby." We continue to talk on the road, riding side by side for a while and he bid goodbye and rode ahead. He slowed down again and invited me for tea at his house. His name was Rashid, a barber working at a salon in Bangalore. He was riding with his wife and a 10-month-old baby, he was home on vacation. I agreed and followed him to his house and he ran outside again to grab some more snacks for the unknown guest. They served me water, tea, biscuits, carrot halva, samosa and egg pakora. Took me out for a smoke, bought me an extra cigarette, rode further and introduced me to his cousin, assured me of h

Chander Verma is a father of 3, a local resident of Munsyari. Having done various jobs in the past and now running the Mayank Homestay by himself, on lease at 3.5 lakh a year. The day I reached, I told him that he was paying way too much but he already made an agreement for 3 years. He did magic with his hands when it came to cooking though. No bad habits, would smoke a cigarette rarely if someone offers, humble and a neat gentleman. Lovely kids and a beautiful family, living life on what they could afford. He knew his expenses would gradually increase so I asked him to think wisely before he did anything. I had long conversations with him, numerous times during my stay. When I called him to discuss my bill he was kind enough to offer the room at 500 and dinner at 150, even suggested that I extend my stay till the roads ahead were open. I wasn't moving around much but had to be paying rent for my stay and took only 1 meal. Dinner. Survived the rest of the day with biscuits and tea