DROVE MYSELF CRAZY

I'm not a very impromptu person. I like my things planned. Organised. Especially when it comes to travel. Even my impromptu plans are planned. Weird, I know.

Probably that's why I prefer going solo.

I don't know what happened, how it happened. Because life wasn't throwing lemons at me, I jumped into the lemonade itself and decided to go on a solo road-trip. Only my car and I, to my Zen place – the hills. Also thought of giving my aged and loyal backpack a leisurely trip this time, just like Bagwati had in ZNMD. This trip had been on my mind for quite some time, but unconsciously I kept delaying it.

Perhaps because the Bigg Boss season had got an extension! Eeeks. Jokes!

I thought it was very normal, and everybody goes on road trips all the time. I can do it too. Plus I love driving. Driving for long hours is not a hassle for me. But on conferring with my people, there was less of cheer. More concerns. Yeh hogaya toh, woh hogaya toh and all that happened. I confirmed my booking 3 days prior to the trip and Ohjeeez – I was on a roller coaster of emotions not experienced before. Fear, curiosity, excitement, nothingness. All blended up. However, I was pretty clear in my head that no matter what happens, I gotta do it. With every passing day the fluttering in my stomach reached a new tempo.

Anyway, the day arrived. I left very well on time, without having to wait for anyone. With 2 chai-loo breaks, I made it in exact 6 hours to the hills.

One of my golden moments was when I spotted the golden arch of McD lit up by a stray sun ray, the moment was almost magical. ‘Could this be any more perfect?’ – my inner Chandler said. Bought and enjoyed my favourite Fillet-o-fish and made it a meal with an outstanding view. Yeah Burger King, you can suck it.

With a happy fish-o-fillofied tummy, I reached my destination right at the check-in time. Had the entire day to myself. The place I booked turned out to be exactly how I imagined. The balcony opened straight into the lush green valley of Kasauli. The air crisp and cool. I slept without interruptions. Away from work. Kept my mind quiet. Light diet.

Day 2 came with a new set of apprehensions and excitement about pulling my driving act and 2 sets of booty uphill – mine and Kwidi’s. However, the journey through my second day was a smooth sail. Felt like the universe let me have it my way. Went for a morning drive. Had light conversations. Walked past a scattered troop of monkeys and stayed cool. Some kind strangers helped me capture lovely pictures. With the trip turning out to be so seamless, I extended it and drove further up the hills. This solo road trip felt like having my personal Nike moment. Just did it.

One year down, here I am, accomplished 5 new rounds of solo road trips despite the pandemic taking away almost the entire year. Of course, if I wasn’t blessed with a supportive and caring family, a stable source of income, my instinctive driving skills and a wild mind, this experience would have been nothing but faffing. I used all the blessings in my life to make this happen. We all must.

Nah. This write-up wasn’t to give a TEDx talk about overcoming your fears and doubts.

When I considered how the trip unfolded in hindsight, I just had to gift words to this experience. While planning for the trip, every time someone raised a concern about my venturing alone seeped deep into my skin, revealing new and thick layers of strength in me. Actually felt pretty smug about it #sorrynotsorry. Also realised that creating your own dares and fulfilling them is the wildest game you can ever play. Only one player is required and that's you. And what you get in return is inexplicable. It’s a must-try.

Cheers!