#TripotoTakeMeToSandakphu You never know until you go !

"Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone."If any of you believe this line to be true and fascinating, I would request you to pack your bag and leave for this trail.It was the last week of February and I was really excited to rush to such a place which has been on my list to start with a trekking experience. Somehow conditions were not favourable...Highways being jammed..etc. But as soon as I heard the news in my favour, in no time I called one of my friends to get ready for the short adventure we were going to experience.The urge to travel was on the edge that's how after listening so many Nooooss....I prepared myself to go alone. But then, there is always one friend who watches your back and he (let's name him X) was ready to leave with me.We left from Delhi to Mcleodganj by a Volvo bus and it took about 12hrs. to reach the destination.It was 6:30 in the morning and the hustle at the Mcleodganj bus stop was noticeable. So many locals gathered to provide us the cheapest and the best deals for accommodation. We managed to reach Mainsquare at Mcleodganj and searched for a room. We both wanted to travel at minimum cost, so we took a room for a day at decent prices (season was off). Inquired about the TRIUND TREK from the staff of the hotel and left to take some rest.Our plan was to roam around a bit for the day and then to spend the following days experiencing the adrenaline at TRIUND. After some rest we went outside and went to a very famous restaurant and bar "MCloe". It is probably the most active place at MAINSQUARE and can be noticed easily. Food was good and it felt relaxing having a jar of beer in our hand and serene beauty captured in our eyes from the rooftop.We left for the MONASTERY soon and it was a place of silence ! We took time for our prayers and respects and left for the very hyped place called SHIVA CAFE. It was a long tiring walk till BHAGSUNAG WATERFALL.(there, people have a habit of saying "just 2kms. more" but we realised there 2kms. are very long compared to ours) We walked and walked along the trail of the waterfall and the nature around was perfect beauty. We reached shiva cafe, set ourselves free and ordered some tea and maggie while it started raining a bit. The evening was getting cold and X and I were negotiating for the so called BHOLE BABA KA PRASHAD. The stuff here is said to be commendable but as we were low on cash, we lost the negotiation and left. At that very point of time I promised my friend...."Tera bhai kl tujhe triund pe maal pilwayga..tu chinta mt kr" I was so sure that I will find someone there and that's how you make friends and share stuff. We called the night, had some booze and it becomes mandatory to talk your heart out while having it. That's how you keep your friendships true and make memories around it.The very next day !We ate their authentic THUKPA and headed for the trek.Now let me tell you...the trail starts from GALLU temple and people take taxis till that temple which is a 6 km walk from Mainsquare.I am glad we were on foot till we reached GALLU. (afterall that's why we came here...to walk !)It took us around 2hrs. to complete the trail till GALLU Temple. On the way we bought some fruits to keep us going.NOW, Gallu is the point from where the real trek begins. It is about 6kms from GALLU to TRIUND TOP. It was not crowdy that day and I was happy about it. We walked and walked for a big tiring time, took 5-10 mins break where we found some shops to sit. Keeping our phones out to capture the most awaited trip of our lives and the beauty it serves.After a very long walk of 3hrs...we reached at the top, threw our bags and enjoyed the view. At that point I was not feeling tired and was enthusiastic and was feeling proud to reach the desired destination. Patches of the last snowfall were visible and they were the icing on the cake.We wasted no more time and met someone who can provide us a room for the night in the Govt. guesthouse. We were lucky to grab one as it always used to be full. CRICKET OUR RELIGION !NOw imagine playing cricket with a cloth ball and a plank of wood at the top of some hill. That's how playing together unites us and happiness is shared. We immidietly met a group of guys and I said to myself "aaj raat stuff to mil gaya". These guys were from Delhi and we mixed up real quickly. Sat around together, had tea and meanwhile we introduced each other and shared our stories. They got shocked when they heard that we were on our foot from the mainsquare and that's when we felt a lil proudy about ourselves. The NIGHT arrived and we gathered some dry wood from the forest around to work on our bonfire for the night. We sat in the circle around the bonfire, had DAL CHAWAL made by the person keeping with the dhaba over there. He gave me some discount as I shared some of my rum with him and then he also shared some of his experiences.

Dogs at the Triund top are superfriendly and they sat in our laps when we were chatting, singing and dancing around the fire. The stars in the sky were something I can never forget in my whole life. Imagine, you getting high and high watching those multicolour stars so closely yet how far they were. " MERE LIYE NASHA DARU MEI NAHI... USS RAAT AUR UNN TARO MEI THA" We sang and sang, shared some of the bitter and happy experiences and tasted a very small proportion of what life is all about. Our old monk was the only thing which kept us warm and which kept us going. I am reliving that night again while writing about it. The night gathered, we left for our tents and rooms and promised each other to meet again at the sunrise.I woke up at 7 in the morning, had a cup of tea and grabbed a point to sit in mere silence waiting for the sunrise. I wanted to capture each moment of that time around me, enjoying the silence and searching for a better version of my soul within me.We all had a group photo, some of them were leaving and X and I were about to explore a liitle more in the daylight. We left for a walk , came soon , packed our bags and left that paradise called TRIUND. After reaching at the mainsquare, asked for JIMMY's FOOD (heard a lot about it) and believe me, it is worth going when you are in Mcleodganj. This TRIP offered a lot to remember...memories to relive for...friendships to carry forward...and an experience which consumes your spirit and motivates you to walk ahead in life.