Travel Diaries - Part 2: Tawang, India

Read Part 1 here.

Tawang, a heaven in northeast India

In terms of beauty, I would rate this Valley alongside Ladakh and Spiti among the best in India. Known to have the second largest monastery, this place in the northeast for me defines calmness and sereneness just like the heart of people out there in this Valley. It was around 7pm when the light set in and Tawang had almost gone to sleep. I ran to the last shop that was open to buy some artifacts.

It cost me INR 320 to be precise which I paid and started walking towards my room. I had walked about 100 metres under the darkness with the torchlight on my phone providing me the ray of light, when the shopkeeper reached out to me. He asked me if by chance I had paid 100 rupees more than the bill amount. I checked my balance amount in my wallet and he was right. He smiled as he gave me back the note.

I was curious and asked him, “Most people generally take it for granted, why did you walk down all the way just to hand over me that extra money?” He replied, “People here value honesty. What purpose does a human serve if he can’t be honest with a fellow human being?” Well, I haven’t been always honest in my life but I had a sound sleep that night after that valuable conversation.

Spiti, you beauty

It was a bike trip to one of the most surreal places across the country. Spiti’s natural beauty overshadowed the terribly laid human roads on that valley. We were one hour short of reaching Kaza when the bike broke down, thanks to the bumpy ride. A bunch of unknown fellow wanderers tried helping us fix the bike, but in vain. A passerby local taxi driver drove us to Kaza for no penny and helped us find a room for the night.

The next morning, we booked a tempo to get the bike for repair. On the way back, I struck a conversation with the driver. He hailed from Jharkand and I was surprised as he said that. He proudly spoke about having met Dhoni. He also told me about his friend on the other side of the valley who he meets twice a year when they head back home just when winter sets in and get back when it is almost over. He said, it takes 4 days to reach home. I asked him, “why would you travel so far to earn money while staying away from your family for most of the year?”

To which he replied and I quote, “I tagged along with my uncle when I was 12 as I had nothing to do back home. I drove around the town with no valid license. Recently I procured my license and I have started making good money. People down the hill live in a rat race. I haven’t studied or earned much but I’m happy here. People here are so down to Earth, everybody helps and knows each other. This place is beautiful and life is peaceful.” So much from a barely 19 year old.

“Travel, first makes you speechless, and then a storyteller.” – Rumi