I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure.

I was in Bangalore for a short break and was all set to go back the next day until I got the opportunity to go on a trek that could change my life. I am writing this story because, at that point, I was vulnerable to let go. I wanted to explore; the cost that I paid turned out to be more rewarding than its actual value. If you have decided to read this story further, let me tell you, you are not going to regret it: just like I did not.

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 1/11 by Supriya Sahu — The view from a home away from home.

It was an 18 km trek in the western ghats. The month was July, and it was peak monsoon season. News about frequent landslides was pouring in from the Himalayas. And worst of all, I was living a sedentary lifestyle for many months in the pandemic. A night before the trek, this translated to thoughts that wanted me to stay in a safe space, cancel the plan and wait at home. In this, what would have pushed me to take a plunge, break the bulwark, come out of my safety walls, do the trek and have one of the best adventures of my lifetime?

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 2/11 by Supriya Sahu — Hiking!

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 3/11 by Supriya Sahu — Hiking!

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 4/11 by Supriya Sahu — And More Hiking!

I had delayed my plans for years and years, either because I am a girl or because it was not the time yet. This time, I deliberately convinced everyone and myself that this is the time, and I can not wait any further.

“On the way, I found stories that I would never find while staying at a place.”

Later, while performing the trek, when water flakes got stuck on my face, and my feet landed in a muddy pool, I realised that I was indeed doing it: Bandaje Arbi Falls and Ballalarayana Durga Trek.

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 5/11 by Supriya Sahu — The point where the trek started.

To say that it was challenging would be a bit of exaggeration. Yes, it was 18 km, but the trail was also loaded with glamorous panorama, dancing wind, and birds’ chirping. Sometimes, when one looked on the side, it was kilometres and kilometres of forests, laid over grasslands, green mountains, husks of brown trail and dazzling sky—that made it all manageable in real sense.

“Love nature; nature will love you back.”

I also got a good company of leeches on the way. Initially, I was scared, but then I learnt about the benevolent nature of these creatures. Someone told me once, "Love nature; nature will love you back". I can’t deny this. They suck blood but are parts and parcel of everything that comes with nature. And hence, pretty.

“We go back for Mountains and Stories.”

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 6/11 by Supriya Sahu — Losing my way in between conversations.

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 7/11 by Supriya Sahu — Some leisure time at ease.

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 8/11 by Supriya Sahu — What better way to enjoy than playing in water?

People say that they go to mountains for mountains' sake. But today, when I write this entry, it feels like I was always right about people who are similarly filled with passion and love to walk miles and giggle with strangers. It's gratifying to hear stories from people and see their excitement when they talk about their past and future. You won't believe I have talked about things with strangers that I don't share with anybody. I want to go back to the mountains for ‘mountains’ AND ‘people’.

In a group of 30 other people, I felt open and close to everyone who engaged. This doesn't happen every time. We played games, tasted tropical food and watched shooting stars.

Oh, and before I speak anything further, I must stop here to reminisce about the time I spent monitoring the stars break open.

“Death is Beautiful.”

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 9/11 by Supriya Sahu — (C): Wikimedia Commons

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 10/11 by Supriya Sahu — (C): Wikimedia Commons

They say, "death is beautiful". I realised it is. I am talking about shooting stars. I have never seen something like that—stars breaking open and emitting white light on the way before dying, as if one last time, they want to look the adorable. In the background, there is white light that is celebrating the whole scenery by being suspended in the dark black ocean: clapping, dancing and twinkling. It left me tickling in the stomach.

As much as I endured nature, my body refused to get lost in the nothingness of sleep: It wanted to ask the most stupid questions, stay awake in the gorgeous night, and carry all of it home.

Later that night, in the company of clouds, open sky and various constellations, I slipped into my sheets and wondered why we consider that our lives are bigger, that it has a meaning, that whatever happens, happens for a reason? It’s a question I will happily ponder on my next journey. For now, the cells in my body scream for the world that I can see, learn and be.

Photo of I Cancelled My Flight Ticket at the Last Moment, in the Pandemic, for a Strange Adventure. 11/11 by Supriya Sahu — Drenched in fatigue, I rest.

Note to self:

A lot of powers of nature come together to distribute pamphlets of knowledge. Despite all the inventions and technological advances, most of the answers lay hidden here, in the wild, and you must come here to find them for yourself.

Along with the happiest trek that I have done, I would like to remind myself that ‘Change is the only constant’. And we must not flinch from the opportunities that lie ahead of us.

And for you, I will keep on convincing you until you also break free and travel the world.