My trip Alone.

MY TRIP ALONE

There’s a first time for everything in life, and nothing is as difficult as it seems like the first step we take or the first mountain that we climb.
Same was with me; I had never travelled alone in my entire life, either it with my family or friends. But there comes a time when we have to walk alone, could be the circumstances or some other reason.
Being on my own, travelling alone was a new experience for me and so very different and wonderful, gave me a kind of achievement that I had never felt before. Too much dependence on others can become negative sometimes and independence is the best way of life which all of us should achieve in some stage of life.
Well, now to get on to the journey which I started alone, boarded a night bus to Manali, a hill station in Himachal, was a little nervous but not scared. I enjoyed the journey though it was tiring but it went by smoothly and finally I reached my destination, checked into a hotel which wasn’t up to the mark, so went hunting around for another one and found a decent place, settled in and ventured out in the beautiful hills, I felt so free. I climbed up to this temple first, walked around, exploring the shops, and stopping for my favourite dhaba tea here and there, no one to stop me from doing whatever I wanted to.
I enjoyed my lunch in this good cafe, and then walked up to my hotel to rest for a while, and then stepped out again in the evening to the market nearby and back before it was dark as I didn’t want to walk in the dark alone so I was in my room, watched TV, ordered for some food and prepared for the night and the first day was quite tiring, I did feel odd that first night in a new place all by myself but somehow went off to sleep after a while.
I woke up the next morning relaxed and got ready and went out for my breakfast in this nearby German bakery which was my favorite haunt for the next few days, and then walked to the clubhouse next to the river, sat there for a few hours listening to my music, beautiful weather and breathtaking nature added to my enjoyment..
Then I walked up to this Italian restaurant, enjoyed beer and my favourite pasta, amazing place with awesome food. Lot of foreigners in manali, but in their own world and do not bother others.
On my way back, it started raining and I stopped by in a roadside cafe, and had hot coffee with beautiful pine trees in front and a wonderful view, I could sit there for hours so much peace and serenity nature can give us..
So how time went by, I did not even know for about few days, with my walks, sightseeing, eating in cafes, coffee and cookies, such beautiful riverside restaurants Manali has, good food and above all the scenery and good weather.
Therefore, it was an enjoyable experience, so delightful and relaxing, all on my own... We should give some time to ourselves, look into our own self, we don’t really need others to enjoy and for happiness.
We are so complete in ourselves, so very contented, wish I could live like that forever, but we can’t even run away from reality and have to fulfill certain responsibilities too. That is the irony of life, which we have to face...

POONAM SINGH.