This is for all those who have always wanted to travel but never did or could like me or those who one contemplating travelling with TLOW for the first time, like I did. I think it’s next to impossible to pen down my experience of this trip since words would just not do justice, but here is an attempt.
I had decided to take this trip when I had almost given up on life and myself but then treaded on the path of finding myself and the meaning of life! What better way to do that than travel to a place you have never before. It was a leap of faith as I had nothing to lose but lots to gain.
This trip has made so many of my dreams come true like I always used to look at the beautiful screensaver on my laptop and think to myself when would I get to be at such places, I would look at monasteries and monks on the travel channel and just hope that I get to be there, someday. When I started learning meditation, it was my deepest desire to sit inside a monastery hear the prayer and meditate peacefully in that aura of peace and tranquillity.
Trip went through lot of changes in the itinerary due to an off season snow storm and blizzard at the pass. The way to Bhumla pass and the lakes was shut down for three days if it gets very dangerous with such bad weather condition. Sherwin took utmost care to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
We explored Tawang by ourselves which led to hiking down a steep hill to reach a monastery and climbing all the way back up! Never in my life would I have thought I am capable of pulling that off! Never realised when strangers on the trip became not just friends but a support system who kept encouraging.
The snow turned out to be a happy surprise for us. We played in the snow like 5 year old. Each homestay had a different experience to offer, each place had something to offer, each place had something to teach! I learnt to survive in -7 ° temperature, how to wear 10 layers of clothing, what to pack and what not to, survive without showering for seven days and snow blindness. It is very important to carry UV protection sunglasses.
The beauty of the mountains was so mesmerising that it felt unreal. Take your phone and randomly click anywhere and you have a new cover photo, it was that picturesque. The first three monasteries we visited were very beautiful. We even played with Lama kids and clicked selfie with them, which was another dream of mine. But something was still missing for me, I was still craving to hear the lama prayers.
With our changes in plans, we got to spend more time exploring the village, do lots of shopping and discovered how people are full of surprise from the tea and momo shop ladies who chit chatted with us, discussing men, relationships and what not. There were also the cute college girls who held all my stuff, just so that I could hold a cute puppy and they were sweet enough to click lovely pics of me. And there is nothing that good food can’t cure – the local restaurant serve finger licking food with lots of love!
We also decide to visit the Bomdila monastery on our last few hours of the trip and as I was entering the step, I couldn’t believe it! I could hear the chanting of prayers, the most soothing sound I ever heard!! I had two pair of eye on me, the two wonderful girls on the trip with whom I had formed an amazing bond. The kind that only travel can lead to – since they know all about how much I wanted to experience this! I ran up the stairs, entered the monastery and sat down. There were so many emotions running through me, a big smile on my face with tears streaming down that one feeling of gratitude when you desire for something very strongly are almost about to give up and the universe grants you your wish – the universe truly loves a stubborn heart! It is that moment which makes you believe the universe is with you, that there is hope, there is happiness and you do good, the universe reciprocates.
I sat there for a few minutes lost in those chant and rituals the melodious voices and vibration of the sounds and drums played in perfect coordination with the timely bells and gongs. It was without a debt, one of the best moments of my life.
I hope have every reason to believe that whatever happens , just keep believing and doing good, eventing eventually falls into place like piece of puzzle loming together. Letting go is so so difficult but take that first step , take that chance and it changes your world!
Like I said, words would not justice but if I have to say one thing to you, if you are contemplating a TLOW trip believe with all your heart that anything can happen and take that plunge, that leap of faith. There is nothing to lose but so much to gain! Whatever the reason that lead to that contemplation a job that sucks, a boss that’s more like a demon, a broken heart or a broken marriage, boredom from routine, the need to get away from “life” or yourself or friends who can’t seem to make time, the desire to find yourself or lose yourself or any reason is good enough just take the plunge and change your world!
I don’t know if I found myself or the meaning of life but I made few dreams come true, dreamt some new ones, made awesome connection and I am going back with more love for life and more faith in myself and oh yeah, a treasure of great DP’ and cover photos what more could I have asked for!
Thank your TLOW and Sherwin for this great trip filled with many “first time out-of-the-world experiences” for me and precious memories. I may have a lot of great trip in the future but this one will always remain special.
