"Another missed opportunity" was what the newspaper headline read, as I looked over this man's shoulder in curiosity. Then, as I looked up, I realized I could see the snow-capped peaks of Triund in the Himalayas. How inviting they were! My friend and I had talked many times about making the day hike up, but had yet to head out on our way. Could this be "another missed opportunity"? It was time!
So, the next day, we decided to head up the mountain. After filling our bellies with fruit muesli, curd, and honey - delicious - at our favorite breakfast spot, we started the hike. But where was the path? We stopped to ask several locals and travelers along the way, but alas the only direction we received was "up." Of course, the "path" was obvious - left in the photo - but we thought trekking the other way - right in the photo - was more appropriate. What were we thinking?! :)
One of the reasons we had stalled in making our journey was that I lost one of my tennis shoes on the way to Dharmasala (yes, someone will most likely be wearing one of my shoes when I return to Rishikesh). Still, one of our friends here said, "Sure! All of the Indians trek up with sandals - you'll be fine!" So, I made the trip up in my trusty Rainbows.
Is this a path? As we began to make our way up, I started to get a bit nervous about wearing sandals - and, more importantly, my water ration. I scratched myself several times in the thorny bushes, slipped out of my shoes dangerously close to a steep ledge, and only had 1/2 litre of water left on me. As I slowly realized we might not be on the path to Triund, but instead a precarious path to nowhere, I lost faith in my trusty sandals and got a bit nervous! Still, it's funny how two calm two people who are meditating and practicing yoga daily can be. We just kept breathing, hiking, and taking in the views - fantastic!
Then, thankfully, after about two hours of hiking, we reached some signs of humanity - tibetan prayer flags. I immediately reached for my water bottle and guzzled a couple of mouthfuls. As we turned the corner, we saw a couple of monks conversing with one another. Was this Triund?! Patience young grasshopper - just as quickly as the monks had appeared, back into the woods they disappeared. So, we chanted our mantra,
up, and continued along our way.
After about another hour hike, we reached more signs of civilization - garbage. So, we picked up our pace and headed optimistically on our way. As we first stepped out of the brush, and Indian man yelled at us, "Where did you come from?! That is not the path!" Appropriately scolded, we headed on much more comfortably, along the well-trodden path. We stopped for a chai at a small "restaurant" along the way, and then listened to encouragement from travelers heading down, insisting "only 15 more minutes!" for the last one and a half hours of the hike. Then, finally, we arrived.
Should I even try to explain the magnificence? Everything from the freshly cut grass, to the animals, to the snow-capped peaks, was incredible. We had to stay the night! So, we immediately found a tent to hire and settled in. Interestingly, a pack of dogs followed us constantly - apparently our protectors in this beautiful and foreign land. It was going to be a wonderful night!
From the moment we arrived, one particular dog caught my attention. Her beautiful coat contrasted with most of those that I have seen during my time in India. I thought, how Josie would love to play with you! She was protective yet gentle, loving and calm. How could she not be? Look at her home - beauty itself. Think she would like Texas? :)
So, that night we gathered around a campfire with the other backpackers staying in the base camp for the night. Most of the travelers were making their way up to the glaciers the next day, but my Rainbows just aren't quite that trusty! One of the visitors had brought a guitar, so I played a few of my new songs aside the fire. I have to say, I love them, and they seemed quite at home in this beauty. I really felt like my "little light" was shining through the darkness.
In the morning, I woke to the most beautiful sight - the mountains. Then, I heard quite a strange sound - goats? A group of sheepherders made their way through the camp with their flock of over 500 sheep and goats - incredible. It was almost as if all of those parables I had heard on Sunday mornings as a child came to life at once. My parents would love this place.
And of course, the amazing spirituality did not stop there. A group of Tibetan monks soon made their way through the camp to hang several hundred feet of prayer flags in the forest above. How peaceful they were with their rainbow umbrellas protecting them from the sun. Part of me wanted to run away in the mountains for years after seeing how at peace they were.
So, finally before heading down, we took some yoga pictures against the incredible backdrop of the mountains. A perfect icing on the cake, the headline here was certainly not "another missed opportunity."
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