Today on 6th August, I am waiting for my trekking bag to arrive from Decathlon. I was on a shopping spree for last couple of weeks and my shopping site was Decathlon. I didnt knew which other site or shop to refer when it comes to sport specific items. Trekking... i knew nothing about it. Its my first time, i thought to start slow 1 day trek but couldnt materialize any plans. Everytime I have an opportunity something comes up and I cant go. So this August when I came to know about Valley of Flowers trek.. I jumped at the opportunity. I tried to convince my hubby, but he was sure,, he is not going for trek. I also tried to find a partner in a friend, collegue, gym buddy, neighbour, phone friend, whatapp contacts, but no one came forward. So I decided to go alone, This is my first solo trek with a group I dont know today but will definetly be buddies by the end of trek... or not... I dont know.. Just 4 days to go now!!!
I planned to go to Hem Kund shahib this August. It was on my wishlist since I came to know about this place some 12 years back on my way to Badrinath. I heard about Hem Kund, the lake in midst of snow, a gurudwara where you can only trek and go, no other mode of transport. I also read about Valley of flowers, the place where once stood the Drona parbat,, which Hanuman took it with him to Lanka..
I am all set to visit the place that is considered as a painting by nature, where colours come to life, where the slopes of mountains feels like lines in a canvas, the place which gave birth to the word beauty. I can only imagine, what it will feel like standing in middle of a painting, feeling the 3d canvas with natural beauty all around, rain pouring from the sky on the fertile slopes giving every flower a new shade of life. Where colors dance on the tune of nature, gives meaning to have a sight, a memory of life time or may be more.
At home I switch on my gyser without a second thought when the temperature dips before 21, but here I am planning to take a dip in freezing cold, in a freezed lake at the top of the mountain after a tedious 6 kmts steep mountain trek, to know i have to change and again decent another 6 kmts down in the same freezing chill windy rainy season. This thought make me wonder if I am sane or not? I know what I signed up for, and have been preping mentally for it... but still am I sure Why I am going there?
I am a little bit of religious but not orthodox, but thats not the reason I planned for Hem kund shahib. I never did trekking, so love to conqur a mountain cant be the driving force here. I always went of vacation with family, and enjoyed it, never went alone for a holiday, but has gone to multiple solo business travels. I know I prefer travelling with my family, so that can also not be the driving force.. So why am i looking forward to a vacation that seems to be a physical torture when i can opt to visit goa and relax... I signed up for the trek, paid for the trek, booked tickets, air-train-bus everything... booked hotel , applied leaves, everything i did with this doubt why I am going there.
But today when I started to write this blog I realized I always had this answer with me. I want to know about myself. This is a self realization journey where I am planning to explore my own self, my own boundaries, my own limitations, my own dreams, my own fears and my own strenghts. Venturing into the unknown in extreme climatic conditions, with all strangers can I live up to my own expectations.
I am going to a place, I never have been.
I am going with people I never met or known
I am carrying a camera that I never used
I am wearing a shoes that I never wore
I am going to do something that I have never done
Am I prepared? I have no clue.. But I know I will return with an experience that will make me a better person. I am looking forward to find myself.
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