Chapter 2: And The Journey Began!
“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best out of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next” ~ Gilda Radner
Kathmandu, a place that has been close to my heart ever since I visited there as a child. Upon landing in Nepal, I was greeted by a refreshingly cool breeze, and that moment also brought with it a sense of peace. After walking out of the airport, it all hit me: I had taken the leap of faith, but now what? What would tomorrow bring me? Was I going to be able to live in a new place with no one of my own?
I booked a hotel in one of Nepal’s most bustling areas known as Jhamsikhel that housed both corporate offices & restaurants. The city hadn’t changed much except for growth in its populace, and the Nepalese were as warm as ever. After getting dressed I decided to tuck into a scrumptious plate of momos with their signature spicy chutney. I harbored a sense of fear since I had come with no planning, no lists, and I had no idea what supplies I needed when I touched Bandipur. Since I had managed to dig out a connection through an old colleague, she helped me get all that I thought I needed to settle into Bandipur. Once everything was procured & put into my hotel room, I decided to visit the Stupa in Boudhanath. It was an enthralling experience: the stupa, the chanting, the serenity.
It was almost like energy was preparing me for my future!
The next morning started with a bang- I woke up late, scrambled around to put all my things into my suitcases & almost missed my bus to Bandipur. As luck played out I got myself a window seat and as the city zoomed by, I saw the majestic Himalayas looming on the horizon. The dust & dirt were replaced by a rather cold wind.
A few hours zoomed by before our bus stopped at a dhabba- a roadside eatery that served delicious Nepalese fare. The eatery’s owner, through his broken Hindi, was able to paint me a picture of Bandipur- a beautiful town nestled away in the mountains. To my relief, he also let me know there was never a shortage of essentials, and I would be able to settle down comfortably. However, he did warn me that winters were gloomy, frigid & dark- and that I would have to prepare myself for them.
Once the journey resumed, the bus had taken on a few more passengers and after a few moments a thin, fair lady came & sat next to me. While she fidgeted with her baggage, I couldn’t but help myself from striking up a conversation. As hassled as she looked, she was very friendly & soon we got talking away like two old friends had met after long! When she asked me about my move to Bandipur, I simply replied that I was looking to be in the mountains, alone. I told her how I wanted to get away from the corporate world and become a writer. She was more than just a mere co-passenger, she has told me something that continuously echoes in my head, “One can only understand true self when they are all alone, on their own and don’t worry you will be fine it’s a great place to find the lost you. The best way to find yourself is when you’re vulnerable. Yes, there will be many moments of discomfort but this experience is solely going to be yours and the change you will see later will be surprising and it’s okay if nobody understands you until you understand yourself.”
She was familiar with Bandipur and gave me a list of all those places I should visit- whether recreational or for supplies. Her story was similar to mine, she had transformed from being a university professor into a social worker. Nepal’s tragic earthquake was her calling- and she was now working to uplift the lives of the underprivileged.
Though the journey was five long hours cramped in a rickety, crowded bus, I didn’t feel it. The woman’s words, her personality will stay etched in my memory forever.
Destiny is reminiscent of motion-sensor lights, it illuminates your path up at the right time, and my destiny had shown me my path.
Well to know further about my story do wait for the third chapter. Until then please stay safe and take all the necessary precautions and be yourself!
