When I close my eyes I see
A smiling face of me.
Maybe it is what I have
or, maybe it is something I hope to be.
Nonetheless, a smile on the face is what
we all hope to keep.
And when I open my eyes post that sight,
that smile somehow comes to me.
Therefore every time I long for a smile,
I close my eyes and just see.
I feel happy.
Standing at 2850 m, Triund is a small hill station situated in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is a part of the Dhauladhar ranges. While the trek is called Triund Trek the magic of this trek starts from this beautiful place named McLeod Ganj.
A few minutes outside the serene and religious town of Dharamshala lies the mesmerizing McLeod Ganj. It harbours so much within itself that you feel all that you need is right here. I wanted to get lost in the streets of McLeod Ganj.
So it started in the month of Dec’19 when I called my buddy from college and told him about my past treks. For some reason we both decided that the next time I go for a trek, my friend Nikhil will join (no matter what!).
2 months passed and here he was. All the way from Bombay and ready for his first ever trek. I am glad that I was the one who got to share this experience with him. It was Mar’20 and we were all set to climb and experience the infamous Triund.
Part 1: Mumbai to Delhi via Jaipur 😛
So this story consists of 2 friends. Let’s talk about one of them here. He boarded a flight from Bombay which was scheduled to reach Delhi at 5:30 pm but due to Delhi’s ever persistent air traffic, our friend Nikhil ended up circling the capital for almost 2 hours or so before his flight captain decided to divert to Jaipur.
Result: We missed our bus from Delhi to Dharamshala that day. It was 6-Mar-20. Nikhil reached Delhi late in the night. But… little did life know that we two are perhaps the most stubborn of people when it comes to plans. We booked for the very next day and handled the minor hiccups.
Part 2: Delhi to Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj
So, it was 7-Mar-20 and time was 8:30 am. We reached Kashmere Gate bus stop and started with our trip. It was a slow but a steady start. The journey was of 10 hours but we had so much catching up to do that time flew by and amidst laughter and nostalgia we reached Dharamshala at 8 pm (bus was running late).
Time flies when you are enjoying it, doesn’t it?
Nikhil & I
Even though the distance between Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj is next to nothing, I really want to share this experience with you all. So we reached Dharamshala and were hungry as ever. Luckily we found this Street food Vendor who was selling some version of Bread and Lentils and Spices and Potato and whatever… I was hungry. We ate and fixed ourselves a cab. The Cab driver took in two puffs and raced Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 on the drenched & narrow roads running from Dharamshala to McLo (McLo is what they call McLeod Ganj).
Talk about SWAG! 2 Puffs and Vroom!!!!!!!
What the heck is this?
Part 3: Now the fun begins (8-Mar-20)
After a good night sleep, both Nikhil and I started our TREK. We reached the starting point where we met a couple of interesting people and bonded over our shared love for adventures and nature. It was cold and thanks to our lucky stars, it had snowed the day before. Good things happen to good people. We were all geared up and fired up to climb this mountain. Let’s go now!
Let’s start
This trek consisted of some beautiful waterfalls and views along the way and we made sure we live each and every part of it. Well at least we tried to. The calming sound of water falling from the top and resonating echoes in the valleys made us forget about music. Here are some pictures for your eyes and soul. (Enjoy the Slideshow)
After a climb of 4.5 hours we reached the top and it sure was welcoming. We were greeted by Snow and a lovely view of the mountains at the front and a valley at the back. What more could we have asked for?
Oh and yes, we also made a friend over there. Man’s best friend. A mountain dog.
We stayed there overnight and once again were lucky because it was Full Moon that night. Good things happen to…
We talked for a while, wandered in the mountains for a while, had the most healthy of dinner (so healthy that we took two plates each), drank tea and coffee, heard someone play Guitar which echoed in the valley and just stared at the vastness of the Mountain that was standing right infront of us with all its might. Once again, I am falling short of words here.
Unfortunately both of our phones ran out of battery and we did not have with us a good camera so we couldn’t click those images properly.
In the morning we met some of the beautiful sun rays and it seemed as if someone refreshed the green paint in the valley at night. It was so lush, so mesmerising, so…
Part 4: Down Trek and McLo
So on 9-Mar-20 we trekked down from the top of Triund and came back to McLo. Trip is not over yet. We, being the explorers as always, decided to wander into the streets of McLo and understand the place that it was. We went to the famous Monastery which also happens to be the residence of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, explored the narrow market roads of McLo and Nikhil being the food fanatic, found this beautiful authentic Tibetan restaurant. Later we visited a famous Church in McLo which was built in the 1800s.
It’s the simple things in life which should excite us for they are true to the core.
Food Food Food
Sheer Happiness
Lost as always
This Church is beautiful from Inside. More beautiful 😉
So yeah, later we came back to Dharamshala and waited there for a while for our bus to take us back to our lives in the cities. But while going back we both had a big smile on our faces because, we just got to live these beautiful 3 days which gave us the much needed boost and happiness.
What started on 7-Mar-20 ended on 9-Mar-20 and each and every moment in these two days was utter bliss. I don’t know how to convey such a feeling through words. Being a Poet I am falling short right now because this is much bigger than me and I love this feeling. Maybe this image will help.
In the end all I could say to Nikhil after Triund and the entire experience was,
Hey! What about the next trek dude?
He replied: Anytime you call me.
My Best Buddy.
Last Part: The Learnings & Experience
On 8-Mar-20 we conquered Triund and stayed there for a whole day. What Triund gave me was
Thank you for walking with us. Lots of Love. Take care.
A message from one to another.
And when this all will be over,
Would you take a walk with me?
We shall revisit our favourite places,
Drink lots and lots of coffee.
Crib about calorie intake
while eating a 3 course meal
and share that pudding cake,
Your presence makes me heal.
Talk about our days
and laugh at our old mistakes.
Convey so much without saying,
Let our eyes do the talking.
You pick me up and I shall drop you later,
Hours pass while we discuss silly matters.
And then when this all will be over,
Would you take a walk with me?
I know I would want to
Because I Love You.
Every time the dusk got delayed,
Or the morning sun felt harsh,
Sound of life seemed disarrayed,
Or water disappeared in the marsh,
Loved ones took a separate turn,
Old enemies met at the crossroads,
Water started to burn,
And decrypted were all my codes,
I came to this place I now call home.
There is always a place for me,
Here I am always allowed to be,
The person you see every now and then.
I cannot tell you how but,
The Poet and the Pen (my blog) saved me.
Blogging has this beautiful thing in it. It makes you feel so special, so connected to yourself. Sometimes I find out so much about so many things when I sit behind this blog and dive into the World of Words.
Blogging is a good addiction and I am addicted.
Something was missing that night,
Perhaps a Star.
Moon had clouds for company,
Despite being far.
Such an Irony…
Sky makes us believe
Something which is not true.
Look up at the night sky,
Every time you feel blue.
I see glimmering lights,
Pictures being clicked.
Blissful nights,
And my wave doing tricks.
I see a grand welcome,
And smiles all perfect.
In the presence of loved ones,
An atmosphere just so correct.
I am a hero there,
And they are mine to care for.
After completing the day to day affair,
I came home through the door.
♦️Not all spotlights need a red carpet.
Finally that morning had come.
My eyes knew what they were about to see.
For before going to bed yesterday,
I knew it was meant to be.
It took us years to get together,
Years that felt like centuries.
But this feeling couldn’t get any better.
So many bitter-sweet memories.
Your eyes were just like mine,
Bright and happy and no longer wet.
And therefore this morning is oh so fine,
For there are no Teardrops on my pillow set.
I want to try something here. I urge all my readers to kindly post their understanding from the said lines in the comment section.
Play Fair. 🙂
Just curious and hey, no one can be wrong for that’s the beauty of Poetry.
250th post. Each Post (on The Poet and the Pen) is done with the sole purpose of spreading a message. Message of Care, Fun, Love, Laughter, Happiness and Emotions.
I grow each and every day through this blog and many of you out there who just like me are on a quest to make the world a better place, I want to say Thank You.
We blog not for likes, comments, shares or anything. We blog so that someone who reads this irrespective of his country, location, colour, language and situation gets to know that we are here, we are with you and if we can do it so can you.
Lots of Love.
For every tear that you dropped in silence,
For every goodbye that scathed your heart,
For every smile that you projected despite inner violence,
For every day you played your part,
For every friend you lost and let go,
For every enemy you won by letting go,
For every step you took for a better tomorrow,
For every brave moment you faced your inner sorrow,
For every harsh truth you accepted,
For proving that you cannot be defeated,
For not treating the world as you were treated,
For spreading the good message that your misery created,
Thank You.
Fun side of staying at home these days.
वो क्या है ना,
आजकल सुबह भी देर से होती है,
और दिन भर सिर्फ बाते होती है.
नजाने कितनी बार चाय और कॉफ़ी उफनती है,
चुहलें की आग मुश्किल से बुझती है.
सारे किरदार टी-शर्ट और ट्रैक पैन्ट्स में दिखते है,
पासे आजकल हर घर में गिरते है,
बड़े भी हार में बच्चो से झगड़ते है,
और हाँ, सोशल मीडिया में रोज़ नए ट्रेंड्स निकलते है.
घरो में रहना सबको काट रहा है,
पर सच बोले तो आलस से उठा नहीं जा रहा है,
माहौल तंग है, समझ आ रहा है,
पर घर रहके तू अपना फ़र्ज़ निभा रहा है.
वो क्या है ना,
वर्क फ्रॉम होम में नेटवर्क वैसे तो ख़राब है,
पर नेटफ्लिक्स में सब समझ आरहा है.
ऑफिस के वीडियो कॉल्स नहीं हो पारही,
पर दोस्तों से घंटो बातें किया जा रहा है.
पर ठीक है, थोड़ी मस्ती तो बनती है,
इतनी छुट्टी तो स्कूल में भी नहीं मिलती है,
और जब तक चीज़े वापिस ठीक नहीं होती है,
घर पे रहो, बस इतनी सी बिनती है.
घर पे हो ना?
Can you?
See I am smiling.
Oh, how foolish, you cannot.
Oh wait, you can but.
