My Himalayan Trekking Adventure: Certainly, nothing is for certain

It is Tuesday, May 6, 2014. We are in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. It was a windy road up to Gangtok. The city is up, up high. This morning, Ravi and his friend are taking me to the city center so that I may obtain my trekking permit. Right off the bat we are climbing many stairs to get to the main street. And then climb some more again. These guys walk fast and climb even faster. I am getting winded. I think I will keep that to myself. 

It is busy in the streets. Many people and school children are walking to their destinations. I see dogs relaxing. No, they are sleeping - right in the middle of a busily traversed walkway. All the foot traffic doesn’t bother these animals. I am amazed that they don’t even flinch. I think to myself that this would never happen in Chicago. And then I think that the dogs must feel very safe here.

Ravi in Gangtok

We stop at a travel agency for information. No luck here. We are sent to the main tourism office, but the director has not arrived yet. We must come back later. No permit. No trek. What will happen, I wonder. I am in good spirits though. I am so happy to be in India. Whatever happens, happens. We go back to the hotel and pass some time there. In a couple of hours, we are back again at the main tourism office. Ravi’s friend is making calls while Ravi and I sit and wait to see the director. I am sensing Ravi’s impatience. Finally, we are called in. 

Me in Gangtok

The director says, sorry, a foreigner must be accompanied by another foreigner on the trek. Nice man. But rules are rules. I know Ravi is frustrated now. Ravi’s friend is making more calls. I try to think what might happen next, but I’ve got no clue. Time slows down and I wonder if it is possible that I came all this way for nothing. But I have angels on this trip with me. In a few magic moments, a plan is conceived and carried out. I leave with my permit, and a smile on my face. I will get to trek. It was meant to be, after all.

We return to the hotel, pack up, and load up our jeep again. We have the same driver. He is taking us to Yuksom this afternoon. It is a 6 hour drive on a narrow and windy road. As we get closer to Yuksom, it starts to rain. Many potholes. We are driving slowly. It is night and I am tired. At last, we reach the hotel. It is still raining. The proprietors welcome us in, and prepare dinner for our group. As we unload our things in our room, the girls are focusing on something in the middle of the floor. It is a tiny leech that followed us inside. 

I remove some things from my pack so as to lighten my load and leave what is unnecessary at the hotel. But I have no idea which things are more important. They are all important to me. It is a cold and damp night. I fall asleep thinking, ready or not. Tomorrow we trek.

Next: This is hard.