avatarRicha Singh

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The Time When the View From the Top Was Mesmerizing

Journey into the Himalayas…

All photos by the Author. Author at the Triund trek, Himachal Pradesh, India

I never understood how some places bless you with an immeasurable peace and joy. One such place for me is in the lap of the Himalayas.

Anywhere I go in the Himalayas, I’m one step away from giving it all up and moving there. Maybe I am so obsessed with them because I grew up in the Himalayas.

This is a picture from the Triund trek summit in Himachal Pradesh, India where I went some years ago with my husband. It tested my limits but was also exhilarating.

The only journey is the one within. ― Rainer Maria Rilke

I imagine how fascinating it would be to wake up in the morning fog and enjoy a simmering cup of tea. Follow this up with a delicious mountain breakfast post a walk through the town.

Then I am swaying through a writer’s paradise, looking for the right words to describe my joy. Taking breaks to soak in the freshness.

When the night comes, I drift off to sleep to dream some more. Wishful thinking!

Looking at this old picture in the Himalayas brightened my day today.

I’d heard so much about this view from my husband that knew I had to see it when we went there together a few years ago.

What I didn’t know was how tough the trek was going to be on a rough terrain. Especially for someone who hadn’t trekked on a local hill, forget the mighty Himalayas.

The next picture is me at the start of the trek, not knowing what to expect.

Image by the Author, Author at the start of the trek

This was how it looked from a few steps above. The towns lay in front of me looking like tiny lego pieces.

Image by the Author, view from the trek

I didn’t know I would give up after every 10 steps and complain. Being at the edge of such scenes was majestic and yet unnerving.

Image by the Author, view from the trek

Still, I kept going, with an unwavering will to admire the view from the top and with some encouragement.

In the last leg of the journey, it felt like I was hanging on to the mountain for dear life. But I made it and it was spectacular. Some monks and a German shepherd greeted us as we arrived.

I don’t remember the name of the German shepherd dog now, but I remember I asking the monks.

Image by the Author, view near the top of the summit
Image by the Author, enjoying the company of the monks and a German shepherd dog

While enjoying the view from the top, I didn’t know it would be 10X tougher to get down amidst heavy rains and winds. I feared slipping away as I walked around the edges of the sleek pathways.

I was also competing for space to walk with an uninvited guest, a donkey, for part of the journey back.

Image by the Author, view while going down in the rain with a new companion for part of the journey

I had no choice except to suck it up, focus on the next step, and keep going.

And we made it. In one piece too.

Looking at this picture made me think how certain treasures in life are worth stretching for. I’d do this again, in a heartbeat.

Image by the Author; A mountain dog seemingly contemplating the meaning of life on the journey

The best part is we get to choose what’s worth the pain. Because life cannot be smooth all the time.

Hoping to feel this peace about the pains I sign up for in life when I turn 80.

Some extraordinary paths can’t be discovered without pain, for sure.

You once told me You wanted to find Yourself in the world - And I told you to First apply within, To discover the world within you.

You once told me You wanted to save The world from all its wars - And I told you to First save yourself From the world, And all the wars You put yourself Through.

APPLY WITHIN by Suzy Kassem

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