“Travel is my therapy.”, a beautiful line of quote justifies that camping solo was always on my bucket list. I was waiting for a perfect time since past three months. When the rainy season started, I couldn’t wait to clear my camping solo list that weekend. It was around 10 AM that I packed tent, sleeping bag, stove and kindle and other stuff necessary for my solo camping and started cycling towards that destination. The Destination was Lakhuri Bhanjyang, South East from the capital Kathmandu.
The excitement was raising over my head that moment when I step my feet towards the destination but also a simple rough smile on my face that I am alone for this moment. I hold my breath and said “Wow” in a soft voice. After passing through city lives, I entered hill areas where I can clearly see Houses made up of woods, trees and a different kind of environment that I was enjoying every moment. This solo journey wasn’t so easy as the roads were roughs, Uphill roads that I have to push very hard to reach there. I was so thirsty that day the scorching sun teasing with me, I stopped my cycle and grabbed a bottle of water from my bag and drank in one gulp. It was around 3PM, I was close to the destination. I was figuring out in my mind where would I set up my camp, and wondering about is there any place over there so I can enjoy the view from my camp. After few hours I reached the destination, I was so happy that I did it alone. All those hard push on roads felt like I just walked on Red Carpet before reaching here however I have never been on Red Carpet but feelings are the same. I sat down on the grass to look the orange and red flavor sun setting down from west. I want to camp instead of being in a hotel on this trip so I searched for a perfect place for camping. I figured out that a 2 minute of walk towards up the hill is a perfect place to set the camp. I climbed up there, I was so mesmerised about the nature. I began to set up my camp at 7 in the evening. It was quite difficult to do it alone however It was nice feeling. As soon as I finished setting up my camp it started to rain immediately. What a surprise weather for me, after a long day scorching sun from beautiful cool drops of water, it felt so relieved. I was inside the tent and it is continuously raining outside. Now my stomach is giving me thunderstorm from inside but there is no way that I can cook on this trip. There is always noodles as options for travellers and which is also one of the most popular instant food from my country. I also love to read in trip for timepass at peaceful night and like always I carried a Novel which is yet to be finished.Then I started to read in background music of rain drops on my tent outer part, It was so peaceful that I loved that combo.
It was around 8 at night, I felt a splash of water outside my tent like someone footsteps coming nearer. I slowly took my head outside the tent, I saw a villager who said he leaves down the village from my camp. He came there to ask me who am I and why I am sleeping alone there. After listening to my crazy, short and sweet rough story, he invited me for the meal at his home. After having a meal which happened to be maize porridge with gundruk pickle made of leafy vegetables he also invited me to sleep tonight in his house. I felt so bad to deny his request but I told him that I am on a mission which I have to pass. I was so overwhelmed by understanding and friendliness of rural life, they may have nothing fancy but Of course, their wide heart they share is something that can make anyone emotional. While I was returning back to my camp I was attacked by a few leeches on my both legs as they were sucking my blood. It was so painful however I removed them from my legs and reached the camp. After reading some pages, I felt so sleepy due to a heavy and yummy meal. Now I closed my book and saw my phone has no connection. I thought to call at home but I don’t want to call because I want to be alone and live that moment like that passing time would not return back to me. It is a memory which is going to be forever in my small brain. I can hear the music of birds speak, a frog’s vibration while I was a little scared at that time because I am pretty close to the forest alone. I thought that I would use an apple knife or whistle if something came near to scare me at that time.
The next day I woke up at 7 AM in the morning there was no rain, I drank water, wash my face, brush my teeth and before I packed my tent and other stuff. I was so hungry I cooked the noodles to eat. After I finished eating, I packed and suit up my dress. As I started to ride my bike, I questioned Myself “Really???. Why should I go home so early and why to go the same way I came. Is this what I wanna do and also not my habit. I should try another trail to Panauti and way back home”. Then, I ride my bike towards the Panauti road and the structure of the road wasn’t so easy than yesterday. The Road was soft and slippery due to rainfall and some places in the road were full of water but I did my best and almost it took 3 hours to reach down the hill. While returning from camp, I saw the beautiful waterfall, I parked my bike for a while to enjoy the scenery carried by that waterfall and drank fresh cold water collecting with my bare hands. Aha!, What an experience, I loved it the way that was happening because I feel the water sliding from my neck to my stomach. I took some pictures as a backup even if my memory fades away however it was mine a solo trip. The rain has left some fresh smell on mud and surrounding was brighter, also today I don’t feel the scorching sun on my body. I was so smiling that there was no limit to my happiness. I love the greenery and a passing wind which is passing like it would take me with it. I was trying to face off with wind by pushing my bike pedal towards my destination. I looked at my face on bike’s mirror, It seems like my face is equally brighter the surrounding was. As I reached the blacked top road, I was sad to leave that surrounding however I convinced my mind and heart. It was so much fun and experience in my life. After Panauti I have to follow the same busy life and crowded highway to Valley. This trip is one of the treasures of my life always stored with a lot of experiences like a leech sucking my blood, fear while being alone and maize meal invitation.
