A Traveler's Memoir

Hill stations are the best places to blend in with nature, to be surrounded by a million creatures, living so close to each other in harmony is a happiness many have stopped cherishing. This is the kind of life I need, I told myself.  The bus was slowly climbing the Kodai ghats when my thoughts started haunting me again. What if the given phone number is turned off or if nobody came to pick me? What do I do next? Would I have any cash left to go back home? I even thought of going to Palzhani, shave my head and then go back home if I was left alone. I reached around 3 PM and called Nitesh, Shaju Ettas cousin who was supposed to pick me up. He came in a yellow scooter and took me to a lodge run by them. He showed me to my space where I rested the luggage before going out since he had some work in town. We had to book a horse for photoshoot, then fuel his Honda and later waited for a guest to make a payment. Meanwhile it started raining, as the rain slowed down, he took me to treat so...

Before reaching Imphal, I sent a few  Couchsurfing requests for accommodation. As I reached, I found a Bajaj showroom and I went in to check for the oil measuring cap. The people there were so unpleasant, they said the store was closed and they were helpless. It was just 4:30 PM and when I tried to explain, no one cared since it was a Platina. I came out disappointed when I received a message from Sunil saying he could host me. I called him and he shared his location and guided me to his place, a village about 20 kilometres away. On reaching his place I met his father at the entrance who welcomed me in. I met Sunil, he looked charming and showed me the room to sleep in. He had left his room for my use and moved to his brother's room. They served me dinner with fish and we slept.  I relaxed the next day as it was a Saturday while Sunil had work. He said he would join me tomorrow to do some sightseeing. I went around the place, took a few pictures and rode to the city around noo...