It is never too late to learn.

I learned to cycle at the age of 24. Shocker, eh?

God knows what crazy looks I get every time I slip this little factoid into casual conversation. Apparently, most people around me had learned to cycle as little children, some even before they could say 'mamma' or 'papa'. Indeed, one had learned to cycle even while still inside the womb. I have rather interesting friends, don't I?

On the other hand, one of the funniest stories I've ever told is of the time I tried to learn to cycle as a kid but failed, only to give up completely. But a decade later, I received a letter that said my career, and indeed life thereon, depended on how well I could wield the two-wheeled monster. Isn't fate a cruel mistress?

I cannot but admit I was hesitant to learn at this age. I mean I could vividly remember all the pitiful glances I'd get on the streets when I was learning to drive, with a big red 'L' stuck to the front and back of my dad's old car. After much effort and embarrassment, and with the help of my lovely friend Sharmishtha, I gained confidence and started to drive on a one-kilometre stretch inside my university and park confidently without having to call for help. But one day, as I was driving back from class, I panicked on a narrow stretch of un-cemented road and ran full throttle into a tree. I also hit a guy returning on foot, to avoid whom I had originally swerved. All the confidence I'd gained over weeks went down the gutter in those few moments. I never tried my hand at driving again, partially due to fear and partially because I seldom had the chance thereafter (the poor old car was wrecked and I went away to study further).

It was in mid-2016, while I was pursuing my PG as a Young India Fellow, that I was told I'd have to learn to cycle to pass a fitness test for my first job in Bombay. I was angry, I was scared. I had lost all my bearings. Even so, I half-heartedly set about looking for help. For days, I'd approach anyone I met with only one question: Can you teach me how to cycle? A few of them agreed to help, but plans to start my lessons never materialised. When I finally did try my hand, the fear of letting my feet leave the ground and balance the bicycle on my own proved too much for me to conquer.

I was back again where I had been ten years ago - I had a cycle, I had people who wanted to help me learn, but I couldn't let go of my fear of falling and getting hurt. I was bound by my own demons.

It was a difficult time, those few weeks. I'd almost given up on ever being able to balance on two wheels. But then, one evening, my closest friends - Hargun, Nikita, and Malika - decided to take things into their hands and dragged me out to the cycle stand on campus. Hargun even called in the big guns, Ishan and Shravan - our beloved friends from the university program team. They began my lesson with a motivational talk on learning to trust and letting go of the ground. It was an ordeal for each one of them, I could see. The guys even had cuts and bruises on their hands by holding the bike handles and running with me - but I like to believe they needed the exercise as much I did.

I was in the company of loving, caring, and encouraging people who had made it their personal mission to help me conquer my fears. If I didn't succeed, I'd be letting each of them down. And I couldn't possibly have done that! Within the next twenty-five minutes, I was riding around like Fearless Nadia on a yellow bicycle, a wide grin on my face even as the wind hit me hard. I was told to take it slow, to be careful, but I kept cycling around campus as if I had just been freed from a cage.

I had never felt so free, so mobile, so... empowered.

I'd conquered my biggest and perhaps my only fear, and one that had plagued me since I was a little kid.

While I have my friends to thank - all five of them - for making me do this and bearing with me till the end, I also learned a big lesson through the entire ordeal: that it is never too late to learn new things. It is never too late to conquer your fears. And it is never too late to learn to let go.

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This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

6 reasons why Sikkim should top your travel wishlist

2016 was a beautiful year for me, with a new job in a new city and lots of travel and exploring on my own. 2017 so far has been rough - lots of low points, dilemmas, tough decisions - and it has left me drained of all creative energy and desperate for a new beginning. I'm longing to travel again, to find a place that would remind me of all that's good and positive in this world - beauty, clean air, quiet moments spent in the lap of nature, cool wind in my face, and the sight of still water.

I long to go back to the Himalayas - to the home of my heart. And where in the Himalayan belt have I had my best times ever? Why, Sikkim, of course!

I travelled through South and East Sikkim at the end of last year. As luck would have it, both my SIM cards were out of order for the duration of the trip (for silly reasons), so connectivity was non-existent. But there were some times when I had Wi-Fi, and I made sure to put up pictures and stories on Instagram from all the gorgeous places I was seeing. Little did I know my pictures were inspiring many of my friends to plan their own trips to Sikkim. I was surprised at the beauty of Sikkim coming as such a 'revelation' to so many people. People clearly don't know enough about this tiny Himalayan paradise. So I decided to put together a list of 6 reasons why Sikkim should top your travel wishlist. 

1. Deep blue lakes against a rocky landscape

While people of my generation are busy obsessing over the surreal landscape of Ladakh, I've discovered that Sikkim has the same vistas to offer but without the throngs of tourists that don't let you breathe. I was there in December, when the lakes were just beginning to freeze over. At an altitude of 13,000 feet and set against the barren rocky terrain, it was a truly fascinating sight.

 

 

 

2. Unbelievable views of the Kanchenjunga mountains

Having seen the Pir Panjal, Shivalik and Dhauladhar ranges in the North, I believed I had seen a lot. But Sikkim threw such stunning views of the Kanchenjunga mountains at me, I was instantly humbled. I'm not an early riser, even on holiday, but catching the sun rise over the snowclad Eastern Himalayas was totally worth waking up at 4 am.

3. Buddhist monasteries and the spiritual aura

I've always maintained I will embrace Buddhism the day I feel the urge to turn to religion. Buddhist principles and prayer methods are simple, practical, and suited to my sensibilities. No wonder Sikkim, with its spiritual vibe, beautiful monasteries and high-altitude stupas, is a Buddhist wonderland. I even learned to chant the Buddhist mantra 'Namu Myoho Renge Kyo', which I guess is the only Japanese I can speak. Achievement, much?

4. The majestic Yak (Try petting it!)

You must have heard about the Yak rides offered as prime attractions on the banks of Lakes Tsomgo and Gurudongmar in Sikkim and Lake Pangong in Ladakh. It might sound like a fun thing to experience - it did to me when I went to Tsomgo lake. But I couldn't believe the cruelty with which these strong, majestic creatures were treated by their handlers and just how submissive their eyes looked. A few of the yaks even seemed irritable and surly. I strongly urge travellers not to encourage such abuse of the beautiful creatures for commercial purposes. Don't ride them. Click their pictures instead, or pet them if you are of the adventurous kind (do tell me how it was). Choose to be a responsible traveller. Always.

 

5. The famous Sikkim Flower Show in Gangtok

The Flower Exhibition Centre in Gangtok city is home to countless species of plants, flowering and otherwise. During March, when the orchids are in full bloom, it hosts the famous Sikkim Flower Show that should be on every nature-lover's travel wishlist. The indoor area where the show is held even has a pretty little water body with a bridge over it, and you can purchase any of the plants on display to take home.

6. A glimpse of China at Nathu-La

Nathu-La is a mountain pass that connects Sikkim with China via an open border. As you climb up the stairs that lead to the red-tiled outpost at 14,410 feet, breathing becomes a tad more difficult and you have to stop often. But once you're at the top, the knowledge that you're seeing China on the other side of the barbed wire makes the experience surreal. You can try striking up a conversation with the young Chinese soldier on the other side, but he won't entertain you. Trust me, I've tried. And then the Indian soldiers on your side will yell at you to get back. :D Photography isn't allowed at the border, but you can always sneak out your phone while no one's watching. Whether I managed to get pictures or not, I will not say (*wink wink*).

Mind you, none of my pictures are edited except for minor light adjustments. The skies in Sikkim are really that blue, the water really that clear, and the landscape really that stark. Isn't that reason enough why Sikkim should top your travel wishlist? I was as happy as a child in that little hill state, and so will you be. Give it a try, September and October in fact are perfect months to visit Sikkim.

P.S. I only saw a part of the state on the first trip. But I'm off to North Sikkim in September - so watch this space for my next travelogue! Meanwhile, check out more pictures and stories on my Instagram.

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Update: The first travelogue from my September trip to Sikkim is live. Check out - Stairway to Heaven | Yumthang Valley