Beginning of the journey

The truth about solo travel is that it is as much a matter of practice like anything else. The social media posts and content won’t show you the unexpressed anxiety, fear or moments of self-doubt a solo traveler might be going through (Yes, not for everyone) even after many years. But I am very much a part of “everyone” who goes through it.

The reason for anxieties might be different yet they have an underlying doubt – what if something goes wrong. I am heading out for my Himalayan sojourn after almost a year and there’s a strange feeling. I can’t name it yet I am unable to ignore it.

After a lot of delay, finally I land in Delhi towards June end. My initial plan was to go to Mandi, Himachal Pradesh but suddenly it’s in news all over for the bad weather. My family including and many who have a fare idea of my travel don’t stop me; still, I can sense the concern in their voices.

Its been a week in Delhi, I am still clueless on what to do. Finally, I made up my mind to head to Himachal after carefully checking the weather updates and enquiring from few travelers about the situation.

I decide to head towards Kangra instead.

July 05, 2023

I booked a two-night stay at Kangra town just to give myself time and not rush – take it slow.

Do you believe in signs? Seems, I do.

As I board the metro and head towards ISBT Kashmere Gate, a fellow passenger who seems to be travelling (carrying luggage) smiles at me. We get into a conversation and her response on me leaving my job, choosing to travel turns into an unexpected admiration. Before de-boarding, we exchange our Instagram profiles to stay connected. For me, this is a first sign that I am supposed to embark on this journey now.

Heading from ISBT

Being a weekday, I easily get a Delhi – Kangra bus scheduled for 21:20 PM. Settled on a window seat, I look out of the window and a familiar nostalgia seeps in. It’s a flashback mode to all the wonderful journeys this road has taken me on.

The bus is quite empty and literally spinning and tossing me over. There are just a handful of passengers who seem to have settled in remote corners of the bus. I begin to think whether it was a good decision to take an overnight bus to mountains. I have done it so many times, what’s new? Something is bothering me.

To answer my prayers, the bus makes the first halt for dinner. All this while, I didn’t pay much attention to a young girl sitting right in front of my seat. She was shivering with the air-condition and we begin to chat. As it turns out, she is a doctor and heading home to Dehra, around 35 kms prior to Kangra town. The girl is friendly with an infectious laughter and doesn’t waste time before inviting me to her home as if we were long lost friends. I politely decline though she shares her contact number to call her, in case I decide to visit.

I am unsure but this is my second sign in a row to continue.

Late night indulgence

The next few hours till Una flow by with old Bollywood songs in the background. Soon, I doze off. At the onset of dawn, we cross green patches after Una and soon the first sign of ascent shows – the board reads 70 km to Kangra.

I take a deep breath to keep my upward journey smooth. I begin counting small village sign boards reading Bharwain, Dhaliara, Dehra and finally give up. Suddenly, a strange discomfort begins and feeling claustrophobic, I rush to sit in the front cabin. The bus conductor immediately offers me a seat and apologizes as the air condition has stopped working.

Least bothered, I begin to breath the fresh air and soon get back to my senses. Meanwhile, the skilled driver and conductor keep me engaged in a conversation suggesting places to visit, showing a temple atop the hill and so on.

To my surprise, the last 25 kms have literally flown and we reach Kangra around 07:45 AM. I thank them and get down.

I am trying to document my ongoing travel through my blog – without much edits and real time captures. Read the next post:

A town named “Kangra”