A Unexpected trail with a guide with five senses

by Manicklal Chakraborty (India)

I didn't expect to find India

I’ve had the privilege of serving the hospitality industry half of my life. I’ve visited different places and countries during the early days of my career. I’ve had several different experiences and I’d love to share one such over here. It wasn’t an experience with another fellow human but was with a stray dog, those that you see on the corner of your streets. Extremely faithful & loyal dogs are! Well Said. It was a cold day in Andaman. The clouds covered the skies and nobody could predict when the rains might come down upon us. As the ferry reached the shores of Havelock Island tourists started rushing towards the booking offices and the nearby tea stalls to find some cover. As the tourists waited for their agents to come pick them up and take them to their resorts, I stood there waiting for mine as well. There was this dog that came near me and was wagging it’s tail. It was a little scary all of a sudden but the feeling of warmth that moment is indescribable. I’ve personally always loved dogs. I was on my phone trying to reach my travel agents but the network was shady and calls weren’t getting through after two long hours my car came and it pick me up. The dog sat there accompanying me and I saw it leave the place as I entered my car. I reached my resort with the front office staff waiting for me and after a quick conversation I head off to my room after an excellent dinner which was served at the place. I’ve always been a lark, It’s a habit picked up during my childhood when I used to go for walks in the railway quarters., that’s where I lived most of my life and have carried the habit all the way. I was wanting to explore places and I asked this Bengali guy who serves my morning breakfast and he suggested me onto the Radhanagar beach which was half a kilometer walk. I quickly freshened up and got ready and went downstairs for the security wishing me with a bright smile and telling me that “I know you’re headed towards the Radhanagar beach” and guiding me with some direction and also added that it’s a beautiful place to visit ‘especially early in the morning’. I took my leave from there and started walking with a cup of coffee in my hands. I soon reached the place for it to welcome me with a cool breeze and the morning sun light falling onto the side of my face. I wasn’t alone, I saw fisherman getting ready with their boats setting out to their voyage into the waters and fellow tourists sitting near the concrete gutters clicking pictures of the scenic views. Suddenly I see this stray dog running towards me and I wasn’t afraid anymore and I start asking “What’d you want, boy!” He barks back possibly asking me to come walk the beach with him. I start walking besides him, he goes in front of me turns back every now and then probably ensuring whether I was following him, I followed him for a while and I notice I’ve come farther down the beach and stand there confused whether I go further or walk back towards the shoreline leading to the roads. But then the dog barks back at me and comes running wagging it’s tail, It wants me to follows him for a little more. OKAY! So did I and to my surprise he led me near this cave where there was a relic of Lord Shiva and there were other stray dogs resting. It was so beautiful and immensely satisfying. I sat down closed my eyes, savored the beautiful peace out there and started my way back.