Memories of lifetime : The people we meet while traveling and trekking.
Hello all,
I read somewhere, “We all are just strangers with some memories.”
I am not a very social person. I like to stay alone; I enjoy my own company… I can not talk with strangers instantly, and I am also not a good conversation starter. People might view me as rude, but that is how I am, while Sheel is different. He can talk with anyone. He likes people, and he enjoys talking with new people. So it is always easy for him to start a conversation with strangers during our treks. Satva is more like Sheel. He loves talking on the trail. He can chat with our guides endlessly… while Shaurya likes to roam alone, lost in his thoughts…
But one thing is sure… we met some fantastic people during our treks. People who have inspired us, people who have guided us. People who share a common interest with us. I believe that when a person goes to the mountain, they never return as the same one. Mountains always teach them a lesson or two.. and that, too life-changing. And sometimes people along the journey do the same. Aren’t we all travelers in this journey of life? The least we can do is be patient and good listeners and, if possible, average storytellers…
These people can be right from your driver to your host. Your guide or your porter. Your organizer or your fellow traveler. They all share something with us and become part of our journey. And thinking about those journeys and those days may remind us of these people. Some make deep impressions, while some linger in our minds.
You can remember a single sentence by a fellow traveler for a lifetime or sometimes just a simple smile of a stranger melts your heart even though you are sitting thousand miles away from them and you don’t have any idea where the person is. It’s not like you will make lifelong friendships during those travels or treks, but somehow they have imprinted some lines in the book of your life, and those lines will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Our kids still remember our taxi driver from Bali whenever they eat Bhakharwadi because he loved it so much. They frequently think of our Dzukou valley porter, Khekhre, a young college student, for his favorite game. The conversation was something like this…
Shaurya:” My favorite game is cricket.”
Satva: “My favorite game is tennis.”
Khekhre: “My favorite game is a video game…”
They always recall all our guides from our treks, an avid mountain lover Deep Bhaiya to ever encouraging Manishbhai. Kind-hearted Eli Didi from Dzukou to understating Chandubhai… All have created a profound impact on our kids’ minds and behavior. They have motivated them, encouraged them, and taught them some meaningful lessons which we cannot as their parents. And believe us, they don’t want their parents to nag them continuously during the trek!!
So you see, not only us, but kids also have memories of people they meet during their treks and travels. And travel is nothing but memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Talking with strangers has always made me vulnerable. People say that sometimes you can share your deep thoughts with strangers as they will not judge you. They accept you as you are, and you don’t have to pretend to be someone else. But as you can see, I am still in the learning phase and feel awkward starting a conversation…
I still can’t forget the advice of a young boy on the Delhi metro. We were on our way to Delhi railway station from the airport and going to Dharamshala via Pathankot. We had our trekking poles in our backpacks, and he just asked us, “Where are you going? Are u going for a trek with kids?.” And as he had already done his Triund trek, he was delighted to hear that we would do the same. The glitter in his eyes when he talked about his journey is as fresh in my mind as flowers. He also told us to do Kheerganga trek once. And like this, we can’t forget people, their talk, their expressions, and their feelings… Because somehow we had connected with them at some level for some time at least.
On our way to Triund, we met a couple who must be ten years older than us, but they motivated us as none had to date. Similarly, we can’t forget the gentleman who was trekking alone during our Mount Batur trek, and his wife was in Ubud for a cookery class. They had set their priorities, and they both respected them. And here, we talk about a couple-goals!!! We have seen some fantastic live examples during our treks and travels…So many places to go and so many lessons to learn!!!
Sheel always talks about this trekker guide Ankit (insta @mynotesfromtheroads). On our way back from Dzukou valley, we had stopped for a routine water break. Sheel and I were way back, and when we reached the spot, we were amazed to see Satva chatting with a dashing young guy and describing his third trek! And than to utter surprise Ankit introduced Satva to his fellow trekkers whom he was accompanying to Valley, representing the passion and innocence Satva had and how easily he managed to Dzukou, which should be inspiring for others! When we talked about him, Satva still grins ear to ear.
How can I forget a gentle lady at Barnala base camp who had offered us fresh mathha from her hut? I cannot end this tale without Mr. Ravi Ravat ! He is the perfect example of simplicity at its best! We met Mr. Ravat at Barsu Homestay on our way to Dayara Bugyal! During our talks, while having dinner a day before our trek, he described how his patriotic feeling made his return to Uttarakhand and do something for the village where he grew up! Kids were dumbstruck hearing him talking about his experience of trekking…
These are some of our experiences during trekking and traveling.. What about you? If you have some incredible travel tales, please do share them with us. As Christina Pfeiffer said -“The fastest way to make a friend for life is to travel with a stranger.”
Thank you.
If you liked this post please don’t forget to share.
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Outstanding !
Thank you so much…
captivating description Kajal. Keep up the energy and enthusiasm. Your blogs are inspiring.
Thank you dear…
I came across this through a friend in Tejas Vidhylay ! This is so easily crafted that it makes me feel i am tracelling with you guys
Why dont u people start Official page wherein you guys have entire plans and list it as easily moderate and on and on and mention there in everything so will be easier for people like me just hook to site
Thank you so much. This is our official page only where we write about our journeys and experiences sometimes just tips for trekking with kids. For major treks we have already mentioned difficulty levels. But Loved your idea, for easier access will make some changes soon.
Kajal didi i am a big fan of yours !
would love to join one day whenever back in India
thank you so much.. sure we would also love that.
Kajal keep it up !
I am so much hooked by the content that every weekend i keep on checking when is the new update !
I must say what ever you are continuing needs exceptional motivation ,immense strong grass roots to the culture which u want to pass through to your generation
Isnt it so that we live in an information technology age, we often find ourselves in failure to communicate situations.
Thank you so much…whenever we can’t go on Sunday we just try yo focus on what we have gained in our past trips. Those trips and comments like these motivates us to do better, to explore and yet to stay rooted.
The best speakers in the world are the best storytellers.
I dont think there is better way to teach kids about this rather simply hoonking them whole day !
Exciting enough that strangers have a gift to not only tell a great story, but also share a lot of the details that many others wouldn’t
Thank you so much. Yes sometime strangers can teach us the lessons which we can not learn from books…
When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
You guys are setting perfect example to generations to come !
Thank you so much. yes listening is one of the best habit that is slowly declining and we trying to improve in it.
Superb !
Thank you so much…
Awesome !!! Thanks for sharing, it’s amazing how you do this with so much fun. It shows your positive outlook. Cheers to you !!!
Thank you so much dear for encouraging and motivating always…