I am here to tell my story of how a trip had me feeling every emotion one human could ever endure.
Maybe a little less than I exaggerate.
Crossing things off the bucket list is something that everyone loves to do, if and only if the associated terms are obliging. Trust me, it was a worthy decision.
But, first of all; A trip to Varkala. I was all packed for a day and a half solo trip to that place I was in awe with.
After having a conversation with my mother over the phone, I started my trip on my motorcycle. It was in perfect condition as I got it repaired a week ago. Kerala’s climate is very uncertain just like a human’s emotional wellbeing.
I thought I am going to have a great start when I went to bed the previous night. The morning was just hell. A numbing neck pain.
One could feel it in my text with them. Their words felt comforting. Then it wasn’t only physical pain. The overcast weather was not the only case in Thiruvananthapuram and Varkala. Mind too! Yet, I stepped out of my home.
Reached the road near the beach where I usually spend my Sunday evenings. Almost 25 kilometers were covered in the same route without any diversions. Routes were very scenic and calm, with not a lot of vehicles to disturb, and reached Perumathura, the road got narrower and the boats on the lake towards my right went under the bridge towards the sea on my left. The place was soo amazing.
The narrow roads, coconut trees on both sides, homes that housed many families, and the beach that was only a few feet from the road, so close that I could feel the spray of salt water. The breeze was beautiful.
It weirdly reminded me of that one person-sized doll that sprays Panneer-rose water to incoming guests in any Indian wedding reception but the one I felt here, was tingling my soul.
Occasional opening of the clouds, the scorching sun that roasted my hands. Stupid sunscreen wouldn’t work, I guess.
Finally reached the South cliff. Parked my motorcycle and started walking across the cliff that had a beach almost 80–100 feet down on the left and the shops, hotels, and homestays on the right. What a view! Yeah, the left side ofcourse. The wind wanted to play with my hair. Someone else loves to do that too!
Anyway, I stopped at a restaurant that was the only one operating at the time. Sat and admired my lady from afar.
Oh yeah! That lady’s the ocean. I’m drifting away for every paragraph.
Ordered my a good breakfast. Two eggs — sunny side up, with bread toast, some roasted mushrooms, a roasted tomato, greens, and beans. A cup of coffee to start my day but this neck pain was excruciating. I was talking to some one and they immediately found something was wrong with me. The great soothing voice of Mohammed Rafi in the background. It was a moody morning, indeed. An hour later, walked a little on the cliff and found a homestay. Booked me a room, and changed to shorts from my favorite jeans.
Then gulped a half liter of water almost and went through some social media. Uploaded a photo I took minutes after I finished my breakfast. Texted to some people. Then had a hard time falling into a nap. The pain from my neck radiated to my right shoulder, the entire back, and now my entire body felt like it needs a reset. I mean, who doesn’t once in a while. Wished I could twist my body like a snake.
To continue the vibe from the restaurant, I put on some Rafi songs on Spotify and set an alarm for an hour.
Now for the good part!
I haven’t tracked but I would have walked almost 6 kilometers that day. Cafe hopped and window shopped. Bought something special for a special someone.
So many vertical and horizontal styled videos I took in my phone. Talked to a stranger at a cafe during lunch time and he was quite a solo traveler like me. He had shared why he had been traveling to Varkala, Gokarna, and Goa, all in one stretch. A week each!
Man! That’s something I gotta do once. Too many things to do! That’s what she said!
It was almost 4:30PM and the sun was still shy behind the clouds as I walked towards the North cliff and there was ABBA cafe.
A girl was comforting her partner, hugging him and he was weeping uncontrollably and silently. thought and said to him but within my mind — “Buddy! You’re in a good place man. She’s here for you. Hope you’re better soon.”
I saw them only for a fraction of a second and she noticed me. Without making it awkward, I gave a brief smile and nodded my head. She did the same and her eyes gave so much hope.
Boi! I wish I….
It was heartwarming!
As the sun went down, the temperature dropped down too, but not much for a humid city. I ate very less lunch because I had been sharing a fantastic experience with a traveler. Later on, I never felt hungry because of such breathtaking views from the cliff. The wind could literally blow me away.
The night arrived and I had an early dinner. Because I wasn’t interested in food anymore that day.
It’s the view! The wind, the embrace of nature.
Boi! I wish I was….
It was one fine moment when no one was judging me, didn’t have the mind to re-iterate what my office tasks were, and didn’t care(maybe a little) about the smartphone that was still receiving messages with the slowest network speed ever experienced, didn’t have thoughts about which cafe to select for breakfast by next morning, and I could still go on. Just 5 full minutes with nothing in my mind that I even forgot to wipe tears and oil off my face.
I saw kids running through, an elderly couple taking selfies at every spot they find even when the man found it hard to walk on that cliff. She was his support system. A person from Germany I assume, because of his accent. I never know. He was enjoying a drink and was there with his family.
With fantabulous views, good videos of my trip, pleasant food, and an admirable music symbol on my wrist, there was one thing deep in my heart that certainly felt missing.
We will figure it out. We always do!
I was singing in a Baritone that was missing a Contralto.
With lots of love,
Arvy
