Ladakh, revisited.

“Not everyone will understand your journey. That's fine. It's not their journey to make sense of. It's yours.” - Zero Dean

3 months ago, after a short holiday in Ladakh we returned with loads of memories. Usually at the end of every trip I would be happy to be back home and settle into my routine.

But this time it was different.

While I got myself busy unpacking, sorting laundry and souvenirs, it suddenly dawned on me that something was missing.

I had left my heart behind! 🩵

It had stayed back amongst the snow-capped mountains, the bluest of skies, the calmest of lakes and the humblest of people. Never had I experienced the kind of peace that I felt there. Never have I fallen in love with a place like this that I could not stop thinking of going back.

Well, maybe there was more to it than what Ladakh offered to me.

During our visit, I was at my lowest. Only a couple of weeks prior, we faced a loss in our family. I was struggling to make sense of the fragility of life. The endless mountainscape, serene tranquility and mesmerising beauty felt like a warm hug to my grieving heart. Like they say, the mountains healed me.

But what do I do with this immense longing to go back again that was kind of crippling my normal functioning?

Well, life is shorter than we think it is so I decided to listen to my heart and follow it like I always do! I was pretty sure it knew its way.  A few heartfelt conversations with family, practical planning and our tickets were booked.

We chose a week of enriching travel and cultural experiences over school as I believe not all learning happens within the confines of a classroom.

From lessons on humility and gratitude, forming friendships across cultures, visiting quaint little villages, appreciating simple living to sharing smiles and stories with hardworking locals - this time we were not mere tourists but empathetic travellers on a humble learning journey.

Oh, what a wholesome journey it has been! 🙏🏻

While I found my heart, a part of it will always remain lost in the Himalayas ⛰️