Is Traveling All About Moving or Getting Inspired?

18th July 2021

I have just completed my trek in Ladakh, and as I rest on the bed in my room, I try to connect to the Hotel Wi-Fi on my phone. The videos and pictures of the trek that I wish to share with my parents are still uploading. Yet, somehow everything sent to me is downloaded successfully.

Cloudburst in Dharamshala - my gallery is now stuffed with videos and pictures of the same. And all I can think of right now is returning to my home in Dharamshala.

19th July 2021

The early morning flight to Delhi landed on time. The bus to Dharamshala is at 8:50 pm. So I will try to spend some cafe nearby bus stand and spend some time there and the remaining time at the bus station.

It's 7:30 pm and, I decide to move down to the platform from the waiting hall. Looking at the colorful lineup of the books on the floor, I can't control so I stop to check out some.

The habit of reading is very new to me, as latest as Covid in our lives. Yes, I have incorporated reading regularly into my routine since March 2020. Fortunately, I have never stopped reading ever since I started. Reading is therapy. 15-30 mins read a day is more than enough to make you feel uniquely energized.

Books are a gift that you can open again and again. Isn't it?

Quite obviously, I ended up buying one 'Karma by Sadhguru' from the seller.

8:15 pm, I am waiting at the platform for my bus. The street vendors carrying some 10-15 books in hand keep coming to me requesting to buy some books. I already have 3 in my bag, two old one new. I am yet to start one of them and, another one is just in. So I am resisting to buy any more now. Standing on one corner, I am witnessing the rush on the bus stand and, my mind is drawing conclusions of its own.

8:30 pm - I notice a tiny old gentleman walking towards me with a pile of books in his hand. 'Koi book padhengi?', he asks politely. My focus shifts from my mobile screen to this man, I reply 'Nahi, books hai mere paas'.

After a few minutes, I catch a glimpse for which I am writing this short story.

This man who just tried to sell his books to me, is resting by a pillar reading one from the on sale collection. The name of the book was 'The Secrets' by Rhonda Byrne. I am surprised. I secretly click a picture of him. I still can't hold and, want to walk up to him to have a word.

8:40 pm - 'Aapko English padhni aati hai (Do you know to read English)?', I asked this man.

Startled, he smiles at me and replies 'I can read English. I can write English.'

Me: 'Yeh dekhiye aapki photo' (I am showing him the picture I clicked of him)