It was time to leave Rishikesh and back to one of my favourite places, Manali. I’d missed it, I always miss it.
In true Indian style we were heading 517km from 900ft to 6000ft on a motorbike, I’ve always been a bit crazy but this was a ride I’ll never forget.
I wasn’t ready for the dirt on my face it was pretty filthy so I tried to wrap a scarf, needless to say I had no idea what I was doing and it was pointless, until we hit a chai stop and these two beautiful ladies helped me out. It was essential because the terrain is unforgiving. We went from almost 30 degrees to -12 passing endless chai stalls, temples, countryside and towns. I wish I’d taken more footage but I also didn’t want to die filming the trip. By the time we were deep in the mountains my legs were struggling, but having just left vipassana I was able to breathe through the pain.
We arrived back at the hostel very late so decided to sleep on the rooftop in -12 conditions, none of the many blankets seemed to be keeping out the cold. The morning came and I was welcomed home the standard Chia, Chillum and Chapati the only real way to start the day after such a journey. I was embraced in the mountain life. I didn’t want to leave to be honest, and I didn’t really have too. I was offered a dodgy business deal and could have lived that life, a part of me wishes I’d stayed but my heart knew it wasn’t the time.
I had to see other parts of India, so I went on a little bus trip to Dharamshala. It was here I saw the Dalai Lama; I fell into that again by accident and to be honest I couldn’t hear much and I didn’t get the hype. By this point in my trip everything I was hearing I was learning more through the books I was reading. Antient Indian knowledge is the key to life, it’s the answers I’d be looking for but it breaks my heart to see what has become of something so deeply rich. They say money is the root of all evil and you can see that clearly in the streets of any Indian city.
This trip opened my eyes to life but in my head, it was time to go home.
Back in my hotel in Delhi and I was planning my whole experience of home. Who, what, where, how everything was going to be, and until this point I’d never missed a plane or train in all the counties I’ve been too. I guess India didn’t want me to leave because I missed that flight home. I still wasn’t listening and had to book the next flight. Luckily it was pre covid prices but looking back I should have just followed my heart and saved myself a lot of money.
This was one of the happiest times of my life and I thank everyone who was on this ride with me. Some life long friends along the way and I can’t wait to take my son to the place it all began.
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