Timeless Trails: A Journey That Lingers
It’s amazing and a bit weird at the same time how one trip from many years ago can stay so clear in your mind, like a picture that never fades away. I haven’t had the chance to travel a lot. My life has mostly been spent on the same roads, in the same city, following the same daily routine. But there was an amazing trip that stayed with me.
It was an unforeseen trip to Nainital, a remarkable location that brought with it the opportunity for blissful escapism from my life at home. Even now, seven years as a recollection, I repeatedly think back to those days. I find myself wondering whether, or if, I will have another experience that will ever be like that once again.
Sometimes, making decisions on the spot leads to the most exciting experiences. My uncle, a man who could have easily been a stand-up comedian if life hadn’t tied him down to responsibilities, was the mastermind behind it. He was free-spirited and adventurous, with a spirit of laughter, providing everything a planned life could not. And there we were, cruising along the road amid hills that paced like ancient sentinels in stature, overbearing and reassuring at once.
Despite passing what must have been a thousand trees, the thirteen-year-old me was still mesmerized, wide-eyed at every bend in the road. A homebody like me found a strange sense of belonging in the vastness of the mountains. Then came Dolmar—an unusual name for a roadside eatery, an even more unusual experience. In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by hills, we took a break for a meal, which I still think about to this day.
We had aloo paratha and tea. It was simple, yet nothing else seems to compare. Either the briskness of the mountain air made everything taste so good, or it was genuinely the magic of that time. There was a fountain, with little fishes splashing around in the water, and warming under the lovely sun which gave the setting charm. I feel nostalgia even as I write. Sometimes I wonder: do I remember it as it was exactly or has my mind remade it a bit somewhere along my desire’s and memory’s way?
With laughter and bliss, we finally reached Nainital. The journey up the hill, winding and endless, almost made me feel sick. But there was no time to rest—we forced ourselves to walk for another two to three hours at the Nainital Zoo, and when that wasn’t exhausting enough, we wandered for another two hours in the bustling market. Simply recalling it makes my legs hurt, but what bliss! By the time we sat down to eat at Moti Mahal, the tiredness had sunk into our bones like an old friend did.
And yet, that wasn’t the end.
As if fate had saved the best for last, just before we were set to return home, the heavens gifted us snowfall. A rare event, something we hadn’t expected, and yet there we were—watching the world turn white. Snowflakes danced around us, silent and weightless, settling on our shoulders as if whispering, Remember this. I still have the pictures from that day, frozen in time. Pro tip: always take pictures. They are the ultimate medicine for comfort and nostalgia.
That was seven years ago.
Since then, life has moved forward, as it always does, pulling me deeper into studies, responsibilities, and routines. Every year, I find myself waiting—when will we have another unplanned trip? But the years slip by, and the world outside my hometown remains unexplored. I wonder, sometimes with quiet anxiety, Is this it? Will my life always be contained within this 50 km radius? Will I ever pack my bags again and set off, not knowing where the road will lead or my yearnings will never be answered and I would stay here, as always, withering away as the clock of time keeps on turning?
Travel is not just about visiting places; it’s about those unique moments that stick with you. These are the brief but wonderful times you can’t relive in exactly the same way. When life becomes too hectic or feels like it’s going nowhere, these memories of travel help keep our spirits alive. Exploring new places through travel is one of the best ways to care for ourselves. It’s like a form of therapy that stands apart. For most of us, it’s serves as a reminder of the vast world beyond our everyday routine.
As time passes, I begin to question – was it the places that made the trip extraordinary, or was it the people who were with me? There was a real sense of wonder in not having a plan and just going where the road took us. We spent so much time laughing together in the car, and that is what I remember the most. They stand out to me as the very best part of the trip.
Those shared moments of being tired but happy after exploring, they might be the real joys of traveling. It makes me wonder if traveling is not just about the distance but about who we are with. I often remember my uncle and how his jokes filled every silent moment. Despite his many responsibilities, he always had a free spirit. Life has a way of calming even the liberal hearts, and I worry that if I stay in one place too long, it might also calm me down.
Even if the surrounding environment is peaceful and still, my heart and mind are never truly settled. I frequently think of the gently falling snow on the hills of Nainital, the crisp air, and the stunning views. I remember the delicious smell of aloo parathas; hot and amazing! I remember twisting and winding mountain paths that boast beauty and adventure around every bend.
In my mind, I see future potential trips where things are out of the ordinary and where I can break away from every day life. Traveling is more than just a journey between point A and point B; it is a chance to create moments and experiences to collect. Even if I only stay in one place, my imagination is always traveling and dynamic in nature. It always wanders for the next exciting story, adventure waiting to happen, or moment of pure joy and freedom.
By: Aliza Quaisar
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