Exploring - Travel Tales (ASSIGNMENT 1, ARTICLE 3 - IDM)

When we try to explain a cat's daredevil behaviour, we say 'Curiosity killed the cat', and when it survives, we overlap that with 'A cat has nine lives'. The same could be said for explorers. No one really knows what drives a person to risk all - to stand on top of a mountain or dive deep into an ocean's trench. What we do know is that a good many follow their lead, and their acts often define the history. To quench this unsatisfying urge of being at the farthest of lands, people risk it all and push their boundaries to the maximum. One such tale is of the two gentlemen I met during one of my travels in 2020 - the year when very few had the opportunity and the privilege to travel. 

I was on a weekend getaway to a small town in Himachal Pradesh called 'Kasol'. Kasol is a beautiful and pristine village nestled in the Kullu district of Himachal and is about 75 kms from Manali. The serene atmosphere of Kasol is disturbed only by the chirping of birds and the gurgling of rivulets. On my last evening of the trip, we lit a bonfire and decided to invite a few fellow traveller over to our little party. 

Robin and Bach, both from Russia, found themselves stuck in India after the worldwide outbreak of the COVID 19. Since the country soon announced a complete lockdown, the two had little in mind on what to do. Without a plan or an itinerary, they left for an impromptu and indefinite stay in Himachal Pradesh immediately the night when the lockdown was announced. After the first one and a half month of strict lockdown, they started organizing mini educational hikes and outings for the local children of the mountains. They'd teach English and Math during the day and have long fun story-telling sessions at night. The schools were shut and the joy of being able to contribute to the young children's growth was euphoric, they say.

For them, the first phase was difficult as they had little cash to even buy groceries and language was another barrier. It's almost about one year in the lap of the mountains and uncountable day hikes and treks, they've learned and enjoyed to the fullest and seem to have no plans of leaving anytime soon.

After listening to their experiences in the mini hamlet amidst the majestic Himalayas, it was time for me to leave and take along the cherished stories. As the fire died and the place started getting colder, we all left for our lodges, leaving it to our good fate to meet again. I realised that it's through stories like these that we keep the rawness of our existence going, which is very important to balance with the advancing technology and silicon.

Self clicked image from the trip.