“ITS THE UNEXPECTED THAT CHANGES OUR LIFE”

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. — Gustave Flaubert

Today, I bring you beautiful real short stories from my trip to ‘Land of High Passes — Ladakh’. Also termed as Broken Moon since its remote & inaccessible, sitting at an average height of 6000 meters accessed through several mountain passes.

I recently finished my travel to Ladakh— A terrain filled with arid mountains, barren yet beautiful region, dramatically crowned rocky outcrops, picturesque Gompas, high altitude dessert, meditational mani walls and multi hued flags are few of the many sites that exemplify the beauty of this place.

The travel left me little speechless and I felt it’s even making me a better storyteller! I am trying to bring back to you few of the interesting short real stories of the people & place from my experience of being there.

STORY ONE: “ITS THE UNEXPECTED THAT CHANGES OUR LIFE”

Woke up early morning, rushed from Turtuk (Northern last village outpost in Ladakh, India) to Diskit Hospital in Nubra Valley. My fellow traveller had to go through a mandate X-ray for his continuous pain in ribs after a bike fall last evening. Since this hospital was advised to be equipped with right facilities and to my surprise it also had an in-premise Canteen It brought big smile to my hungry tummy!

I rushed in to check if I can get something hot to eat with a good cup of tea. The COOK said he can make Alloo Parantha & Tea. What more I could ask for!

Bring it On! While my friend went for his med appointment, me being the only customer in the canteen, I was intrigued to ask the COOK more about the place & it’s people. To my surprise, he kind of started telling me about him instead as if he wanted someone to hear what he has to say.

He was a business man & studied artistry after his school life — Yes , you heard me right, ‘An Artist’. He did his after school education from somewhere in south of Karnataka and opened his own Artistry business in Himachal Pradesh, India. At some point of time had his own crew and they all use to make sculptures, paintings etc.

I had series of thoughts running in me: A hospital canteen cook who is very averagely rather shabbily dressed with his deep greyish blue eyes, sweet smile yet holding some pain & discomfort deep inside — What the hell he is doing in this remote hospital’s canteen after working as Artist his whole life? The two different professions were very much un-relatable to me.

And he continued telling that ‘Life can change your trajectory at any point of time’. You should not be afraid of the change — however I was lil fearful when it happened. At times future arrives unannounced. By this time I was all ears to listen what’s he has next to say! and he went On…

I was diagnosed with an Eyesight issue and my eyesight kept on going down every month since my work required finer details as an Artist. My doctor advised to refrain doing it if I want to see World for rest of my life. Hence I have to take some tough calls.

I hardly use to see my family in months in my earlier profession. With this unannounced change in my life, I had to be back here in Ladakh which is my birth place and started living with my family more.

His family was living in a small remote village in Tso Moriri, Changthang Plateau in Ladakh in Northern India. Hence he decided to pick up profession of cooking in peace for a hospital canteen near his village in Diskit and now he travels every weekend his home to meet family & lives happily with what ever small he makes working here.

He also taught me two very deep lessons with his life story:

First: Every day is Gift from God, learn to thank the Giver while enjoying this Gift.

Second: Life is so much Simpler when you stop explaining yourself to people and just do what works for you!

Hold On! There is more….

He offered me 2nd cup of tea, mentioning I will not charge you for this. Just to make sure I heard him right I asked him for the final bill and yes there was no mention of it in final bill.

I kind of insisted him to take the full amount for food & his humble sweet service but he was nodding completely in left & right in a Big NO.

Since he knew in our conversation, that I am heading next day to Tso Moriri which is his current and forever home, he returned me INR 10 from what I gave him and told me — you are like younger sister to me. When you reach my village — pls have chocolate with this money.

I had a no reaction face for few minutes, completely frozen & thinking deep — what on earth makes him say that! What material is he made up of? Where such people are manufactured?

Looking at his wrinkled face, reading his shiny bright eyes filled with happiness — I learnt his heart is so contended & has no sign of wrinkles at all!

He is offering me free tea & also some money from his earning so that I go & have chocolate from his village.

My Take Three:

Having a Big, Contended, Peaceful, Satisfied Heart is never wasted. It always make a difference! It blesses the one who receives it and I bless you My Dear Giver!

May you get all what you gave me!

Stay Tuned — Continued…….