Shimla to Amritsar: A Journey with Full of Memories and Experience of Solo Traveling

Solo Traveling is difficult sometimes, specially when you are sick or stuck somewhere. Faced similar situation during my solo Traveling back in 2018.

It is my first time to Shimla and everything was pre planned.
Govt Bus was booked which is supposed to start from Shimla ISBT at 7:30 AM.
I was supposed to reach Amritsar by 2 or 3 PM.
Like they say nothing goes by plan.
It was very heavy rain in the morning and i was searching for the cab to get me to ISBT. At that time digital payments were accepted only a little. I had only 200 Liquid cash with me and many cabs were refused to take me to ISBT for 200. Many demanded for high price since the availability of cabs are less in such heavy rainfall and in such early mornings.
The locals suggest someone to help me to get to the bus. I was worried that bus might gonna miss since the time is running out. The cab guy had accepted to take me to bus stand with 200. I had left without any single penny in my pocket till then.

He made me reach bus stand just before the time. Bus was delayed for 30 mins due to rainfall. I thanked the cab driver for dropping me safe and helping me to get to the boarding point.

Bus Journey had started. There were many empty seats on bus. I hoped to reach Amritsar on time and enjoying the weather. After 30 mins we had a halt due to fallen tree which blocked the way. It halted for 3-4 hours without moving an inch. Many vehicles lined up on both sides. During the halt i read the book for sometime, got down from the bus and socializing with locals on situation and understanding that it's common to them since they have seen bigger road blockages. Drivers were getting information from the opposite vehicles regarding the way.

After we crossed the path after 3-4 hours, the bus has halted for 10 mins. This time not for any blockages but for the free food which was being distributed by locals. Since I didn't had food from morning, i received it and believe me I felt like i earned reward for being solo traveler. I had it less due to being sick last day and the bus journey continued...

I Thought we might be reaching the Amritsar by 3 PM or so. But there was another halt. This time it's a huge one. We reached the halted place around 12 PM. Since then vehicles didn't moved an inch for hours due to landslide. Many people coming out of their vehicles and roaming around. Some had lunch, some having group chats, some were roaming around, everyone was in their tune. I had no idea what to do, all i did was waited in the bus. It was almost 3 PM, i didn't have the liquid cash to have food. There was a guy in the same bus has offered me some snacks along with cold drink. That was a sweet gesture. I was so hungry and we had it together. That's how we started talking about the things and knowing each other. It was almost 6 PM and started getting dark. Since many people started walking towards the source of Jam, we both thought the same. We took our bags from the bus and started walking forward. We continued our walk and saw a larger landslide happened and a truck which was carrying was on the edge of the cliff and the tomatoes were scattered everywhere. We continued to pass by and the fog was hitting us and decreasing the visibility.

Deep down i was scared to trust the unknown person, thoughts were running in my mind of insecurity. We asked policemen out there regarding the way, he said better to take bus instead of asking for lifts since it is dangerous way and not recommended to ask for lift. We walked almost 5kms. We boarded the bus which cleared from the Jam, the same guy had paid for the bus charges as well till Chandigarh. I was so thankful to him for being so sweet for a stranger. We reached Chandigarh by 9 PM.

Quickly i went to ATM and withdrawn money and returned it to him back for all the expenses he made on behalf of me. I thanked him alot for being nice and sweet and helped me to reach the destination. We dispersed from there.

I boarded the Amritsar bus and reached at 3AM in the morning. I was worried all long the journey since it is a new place and facing new people.

Though i had to paid double the charges for the trip, had experienced the memorable moments like meeting new people and helping hearts everywhere along the way and beauty of nature and the place.

At last I wanna say thank you for reading this. Wherever you go nature will help you in everyway possible.

P.S: please ignore the grammatical errors. (Learning the write ups)