At the Airport
After spending my last day in the city of Kathmandu, trying to enjoy every last minute in this bustling, cultural space, my evening flight from Nepal to Dubai seemed to approach way too fast, however, the 8 hour layover in Dubai dragged on for ages. One of the things I really like about airports is the vibe and energy and excitement that it constant, no matter what time it is. There are enough shops and restaurants to keep you busy for a good few hours, which are open 24 hours a day.
Dubai, as well as the other major airports, like London for example, is an area where you see people from all parts of the world, who are going to all other parts of the world. Some are just beginning their journey, some in the middle of a tour, and some ending their adventures and heading back home. By simply looking at the screens showing the extensive list of departures coming up, or even walking past the all the gates and taking notice of the countless, exotic desitnations (some of the places I have not even heard of before), you can quickly realise how big and wide and vast our planet really is. I realise that it is a privilege to be able to travel and experience other parts of the world, and I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity I have to be able to do so.
Home Sweet Home
As I write this post, I am sitting on my very own bed, in my very own room, back in my very own home. No matter how far and wide you travel and how exciting it is to explore the world, there is always that welcomed comfort and familiarity that is experienced when you step back into your natural environment.
As much as I enjoyed my Everest Base Camp adventure, and I can’t wait to return to the Himalayas to explore more of the mountain range, I am really happy to be home and to use the next few days or weeks to reflect on all that this journey was. So, I am back home now, but my dad’s journey is still continuing in Rishikesh, India, where my mum has joined him for a spiritual yoga experience. Something that I am very excited about, is my parents finially getting to meet the family in Delhi that is extremely important to me and very close to my heart following an experience that happened earlier this year, when I was on a different adventure.
A Story of a Lifetime
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to spend some time in Rishikesh, India, where I studied yoga. For me, that journey was so much more than I expected, planned and hoped for. Not only did I gain a wealth of knowledge, get to earn a yoga teaching qualification, and make new friends from all around the world, but I also had the good fortune of meeting a loving family who took me in and looked after me when I was in a desperate situation, without even knowing anything about me. It was, unquestionably, an act of God and I will forever be in awe of the way things played out that day. Let me explain…
I was supposed to be flying from Durban to Dubai, then Dubai to Delhi, and then finally from Delhi to Rishikesh. However, the middle flight from Dubai was severely delayed and, as a result, I missed the final flight to Rishikesh. So, it was my first time in India, I was on my own, and I was stranded in Delhi, trying to figure out the best way forward; take an overnight bus to Rishikesh, or stay at a hotel in Delhi for the night and fly in the morning. In my panic, confusion and stressed out state, I asked a random local gentleman just outside the airport for some advise about what I should do; he turned out to be an extremely helpful pilot named Anil.
After more than an hour of trying to help me locate the correct bus to take me to my destination, he so kindly and humbly invited me to his home to stay the night and offered to bring me back to the airport the next day. Now, I know what you’re all thinking, don’t do it Satz, don’t go anywhere with a stranger you just met, this is how horror movies start and everything goes wrong from here. I’ve read enough stories and heard about many instances when things go terribly wrong, and, trust me, I don’t just normally go places with people I’ve just met; but something felt different this time. I felt safe and in God’s hands and I trusted this man’s only intention was to help me. When we left the airport to his home, I had no idea what to expect his house to be like, or what his wife would be like, or what would come from this leap of faith.
However, as soon as I stepped foot in their modest apartment and met Anil’s wife, Rashmi, I felt a strong connection on a very deep level and I instantly knew that a lifelong family friendship had just been started. Yesterday, almost 9 months later, my mum had the opportunity to meet this amazing and kind family who so quickly and selflessly came to my assistance when I needed it the most.
I think this is a beautiful experience that I was blessed with, and I’m so grateful for my flight being delayed that day; I will never forget this for as long as I live. Thank you, aunty Rashmi and uncle Anil, for your kindness and hospitality. You both are gifts from God, and I honestly feel like we’ve met before in a past life and that we were brought together again and were meant to meet when we did. I am now also extremely happy that my mum has gotten to meet you both in person as well, and thank you in her own way.
Faith in Humanity: Officially restored.
Back to Work
Today was my first day back at work since I returned from my EBC trek and I must say that the day flew by really quickly. Apart from the very many work friends who came to my desk to welcome me back, I got right into the swing of things much sooner and more easily than I expected.
I would like to do a more detailed post about ‘Life After Everest Base Camp’ in the near future, where I will get deeper into the challenges and opportunities of returning back home and settling into normal, everyday life once again. So, for now, I’ll leave this as it is.
Thanks to everyone for joining me on this amazing adventure, it really was a pleasure to write these posts and then read your comments and messages of support and enthusiasm along the way. Here’s to many more adventures together!
Until then, watch this blog space for posts and articles about other topics I would like to share on the website.
Bye for now.