Changing perceptions

by Kangkana Kuwali Brahma (India)

I didn't expect to find India

"Did we finally decide on where are we exactly going to? ". Changing travel destinations and procastinating had been going on for months because my family cant decide on one single destination they want to visit. Me, on the other hand, amidst the pressure of college, wouldn't help but always imagine an exotic beach vacation in Thailand, soaking the sun, wearing a bikini and drinking a couple of beer. I got so indulged into my dreamland that I even ended up making a vision board where the entire board was filled with luxurious travel destinations. But I would anyway hear a change of destination every two days as if it were a joke. I, with my all my heart felt this vacation of travelling abroad will entirely fail just like it happens every year and that vision boards don't work. " I am coming tomorrow, where did we finally decide to go? Thailand? Kerala? Andaman?" "Sikkim", they said. All of my visions and dreams shattered when I heard about this destination. For anyone who does not know where Sikkim is, Sikkim is the only organic state of India. It is one of the smallest state yet very popular because of its scenic beauty of snow capped mountains and waterfalls, situated in the northeastern part of the country. And me living my entire life in the northeastern parts was more than dissapointed to again visit the mountains. It was not the place that I was disappointed with, it was my over the top expectations. However that is how perceptions change, we started our destination with the capital, Gangtok, stayed there for the night. Moved ahead to the southern part of the state, and I was awestruck with the beauty of not just the nature but the beauty within the people, within their culture and religion. This state, opened my eyes towards how it is to live like a community, have togetherness, not just for the people but for the environment. Couldn't witness a single plastic bag or garbage lying on the road, just how it does in every other state in India. Their gestures of treating their tourist like their own guest had me fall in love with everything the state had to offer and demean myself for having such a narrow mindset and thoughts before even knowing the place. It was a different feeling altogether, staying up with drizzling rain abode the clouds of mountains. Waking up amidst the clouds only to find snow filled at top. The snow pecked mountains, the sweet locals, the peaceful serenity cannot be bought by money. How ironical it was for me to long for luxurious exotic vacations with massages neglecting so much that this place had to offer. My will, when I see them feels it belongs beneath the clouds. I thought, "Can i built a wooden house like these small little home stays they have with intricate wood layers and colourful roofs and stay here for so much longer, meditate and do some yoga". But it was time to go, made up my mind to just move ahead with a bunch of memories in my head. Oh! what a tiring trip it was. But I have to tell you, you made me fall in love with you, Sikkim.