I DID IT!

 

I kept my word before we see 2025 off.

 

My previous blog “Before the year Ends”  https://www.musingswhileunlearning.com/2025/10/before-year-ends.html) gives the background to this blog and I aver in it, to go on my first ever solo vacation for 2 nights and 3 days and I DID IT!

I had promised to give you a detailed report in my subsequent blog (only this might be less of a blog and more of a novella), whatever be the outcome. We had just wanted to try our best, (whether or not we succeed) on one thing we so badly wanted to do but were wary of or plain funked by. Mine, among others, was solo travel.

Here is what happened the post blog of 29Oct25. I was excited and I kept mulling over different places I would like to go to, which were also safe for a lone woman traveller. I decided on the Rann of Kutch. My daughter was home on vacation and I gingerly put across my plan after making her read my blog. I was wondering what her reaction would be. She was working on her own project but she promptly abandoned it and came to me with her iPad.

In minutes, we got onto their official site and Boy! I was in luck. The dates matched. I had tentatively decided on the dates and we tried to figure out whether it would work and guess what, it was ideal. Yet, from where I stayed it would mean flying out early morning and then either taking a train for 12 hours or more or a ten-hour taxi ride. I was so excited, that I let all my physical limitations fly out of the window, I was as fit as Usain Bolt and I would be the next Jane Goodall, but of Wild Asses, in the Rann of Kutch.

In our discussions I did realise that my daughter was more practical than I was, but my dreams and desires had taken the lead. Once we worked things out roughly, in the middle of the night, I texted my son for the availability of dates. For those of you, who are old readers of my blog, you might know I have a Labrador, Joey, who needs to be taken care of, so unless, the kids could be home to take care of him, my trip would not materialize.

My noble son agreed. He said that since I had told him well in advance, he would manage it. My daughter’s semester schedule would come later but at least one kid was available.

The next step was to run the plan by my husband. He is the most practical and grounded person in the family and so he took out a needle of words to burst my idiomatic bubble! He made me realise that it was my first solo trip and the idea was to enjoy the trip so that I could do it more often and not push myself to the limits and come back and announce “Never again!”

I absolutely despise it when I am shown the reality when I am (in this case) already reveling amongst the flamingoes at sunrise; especially because it was true. Yet, my ego was bruised and I claimed I knew my capabilities (I was still feeling like Bolt) and how could he trash my plan without even looking at it in detail?!

He relented. He pored over it and all different permutations and combinations of travel so I would be comfortable and then he said we should watch a few YouTube videos so that we get a better idea. Meanwhile, he had circled a luxury tent for me to stay (on my insistence) once, we were sure.

All this, that I have written thus far, happened over a period of 15 to 20 days because my husband is a busy man and I wanted him to be around when I booked because he is thorough in his research and I start yawning after looking at two places but I needed to be involved this time so we took it slow.

Once he showed me the videos, he didn’t have to say another word. I started thinking of other vacation options. Don’t get me wrong. I will surely go there but with company. Those lovely content creators were so detailed that they showed me the insects that turned up if the tents weren’t sealed and they showed me how much I had to walk and worst of all, they showed me the number of people that turned up. I was exhausted.

For about 4-5 days after this my husband was at peace and I, like my doleful Joey, brooding, more so if someone looked at me. There were just about 15days to the dates I had fixed and no signs of a plan but I decided on Puducherry (Pondicherry). By this time my daughter had also confirmed that she would be coming home.

Just as my husband and I decided Puducherry should work and we booked flight tickets and the hotel, Cyclone Ditwah hit, and where do you think that was? Meanwhile, I was taking out woolens for my son and husband who were to travel to Delhi and return one day prior to my trip. The worst thing I could do. The musty smell that emanated was enough to begin a bad asthmatic attack. The previous one was two months ago and lasted for 40days. I was now in tears. I had two minor health related issues as well so my morale was low. (If you remember, in the previous blog I had mentioned that when I am scared, I might even start falling sick, to avoid the plan and I am guessing this was it)

Added to this, I was not telling my parents about the solo trip and though they knew the trip was on, they thought I was going with my husband. Calling them overprotective parents is an understatement. Now, this was also making me uncomfortable. I don’t lie and they ask too many questions so I began to avoid talking to them (the asthma helped).

My husband reassured me that I would go, despite the cyclone, my asthma and whatever else. I was grateful and then I started doubting whether this was love or was he running out of love and trying his luck!

Well, just two days prior to the trip my asthma was under control despite the wheezing. Now, it began really sinking in that I was going. I started cooking for the kids and my husband so that they could have at least one or two home cooked meals a day. Shortly after, my iPhone charger behaved abnormally. Now, when you are spiritual and in the tarot community, everything is a sign so I was sure, so many signs meant that this wasn’t a good idea. Yet, I had made this promise of just doing it! So, I would proceed.

Everything was done and I was packed nearly a week prior except for last minute chargers etc. D Day minus one, my son was to arrive at one, my daughter at twenty minutes past one and both were to reach home by four latest. My husband was to reach home by seven that evening. I was to leave at 0845h the following day. And then it began. The chaos! To cut a long story short, my son reached home at 1930h, my husband at 2300h only to go back at 0330h to pick my daughter up and then they got back home four hours before I had to leave. The house-help who was to come early before her usual time came well after her usual time and yet, I left the home in time.

Strangely, a calm came over me as I sat in the cab. Was it calm or numbness, I do not know but the driver was a wonderful gentleman, calm and peaceful and maybe his energy rubbed off onto me which I am grateful for. I thought I would check the reviews about the hotel once again but as tech savvy as I am I went on to read questions to the hotel and the two questions were; “Are day couples allowed?” The answer said everyone is allowed, couples, day or night, family, singles, all are welcome. The very next question was, “Do they have raids in your hotel?” I was horrified. Was this a seedy hotel? I was sweating and then I told myself, I could handle it. And I shut the phone and the thoughts that came with it.

We reached the airport in time and I went in to find I was early by their standards so I had to generate my ticket and drop my bag on my own, which was much better actually! That done, I finished with everything and reached the gate after having bought an egg sandwich.

As I bit into my sandwich, a gentleman walks up from behind towards my seat and I gave him a look that made him walk ahead to the two men sitting before me. That is when I realized, that he was on in years. He started talking to the men in front, that he was brought there on the wheel chair and abandoned at a gate that was different from his own, as reflected in the ticket. Those men just gave him a wishy-washy answer possibly not understanding Hindi. I told him that they would come at the right time. He insisted that they should have been here as boarding had been announced at the gate. He was walking towards the other gate but I could feel his panic. I had gobbled my sandwich by then, dropped my packet into the dustbin and walked after him and told him I would help him out.

The lady at the desk said she was aware that he had to go so I took him back to his wheelchair and asked him to stay put lest those guys miss him. My coughing was threatening to start so I went looking for coffee. As I was drinking my coffee and calming my throat, my thoughts went to the elderly gentleman. I walked back with my coffee. The boarding of his flight was in full swing and he was sitting at the edge of his wheelchair in front of another gate.

 I asked him if the boys had come to him yet and he said no and he was visibly shaken so I asked him to relax and went in search of the men. I found two, chatting away and I asked them whether the wheelchair boarding happens before or after the passengers. They said before and so I asked them why the gentleman was left stranded on another gate, on his wheelchair while the boarding for his flight was well underway. They said that was not his flight. I insisted it was and sure enough, they realized their goof up. They quickly spoke to whoever they had to and soon the grateful gentleman was on his way.

By the time this was done, the boarding had started for my flight. Fast forward to the flight. Everything was smooth, and on time and then there was some delay due to some technical issue so I had to endure two very loud men discussing and trashing the airline and everything they touched upon. They also played some loud music repeatedly. The flight was 2 hour long and I dreaded the volume levels but thankfully, they went quiet till landing.

The flight was smooth and we reached few minutes before time despite the delayed departure. I was the second person to deplane and I loved the little airport. I hurriedly walked in. and so my bag was almost the last to reach!

Here I was, in a new place, all by myself. I took in a deep breath and then went out and booked a taxi; they would drop me to the hotel and pick me up two days later and drop me back to the airport. This was good. Maybe I would enjoy this trip after all.

As we proceeded, I started chatting with the driver. He knew the hotel so I guessed it was popular. It was at a great location, in White Town. I asked him whether Uber was the best cab to take if I wanted an all-day trip. He was friendly and told me to book with the same taxi service I was using. It was just a few hundreds more. I asked him, if he would come so he asked me to call the operator and ask for him. So, we planned an 8hr package and he said he would pick me up at 0900h. He also said that the Promenade beach was a short walk from the hotel and I should visit it by night. I asked him if it was safe to which he replied, “You won’t find a safer place. The police are deployed from sundown all through the night” I was assured.

Five minutes later, he dropped me off and I climbed the few stairs lugging my suitcase into the lobby. I realized in that moment that I do not like photographers. This did not look like anything I had seen in the pics and it was dimly lit and I was, despite myself, thinking about the raids. The manager was attending to an elderly French couple and he caught my eye and smiled. “You are a Malayali?,” he asked with a heavy “Mallu” accent. I nodded and he grinned. Then, he picked the form right on top with my name on it. He was obviously expecting me and he finished with them and finished the formalities in 2 minutes flat. I was relieved.

He put me at ease in minutes and showed me to my room (which gave very shady vibes) while following the other couple to theirs. He said he would return. I explored the room, happy to be alone but disappointed with the room. It was like the pictures but it was not. Do you get it? I also noticed it wasn’t well maintained. There was a small seepage patch in the room and I was worried about my asthma. Turns out that the last traces of wheezing left me here!!

Anyway, before I could do anything there was a knock at the door. The manager gave me his number and all the customary info and then being my country cousin chatted with me for a while, till someone called him and he left with the assurance that he was a phone call away. Bless him, for he was a kind and helpful man and I was at peace because of him.

The windows were sealed. I couldn’t look outside. I tried to call room service, the phone wouldn’t work so I called the manager on his mobile. He registered the complaint. I was hungry. I tried the phone again. It worked. Some loose connection. Even the lamp kept flickering at my touch. I ordered a prawn biryani. 20minutes later, I was tucking in. It was yummy and that was a huge relief. It wasn’t spicy either which was a blessing.

After calling home and giving updates, I decided to nap before my walk to the beach. I couldn’t nap but stretched my legs and in minutes I could hear heavy rain. This carried on the rest of the evening washing out my evening plans which was good because shortly after, the egg sandwich started playing up. Let’s say, this is the last thing you need even when travelling with company. I also realized that the medicines I carried were plenty but all related to headaches, allergies and asthma. I never need anything for my stomach especially while travelling because I am very careful. By 2100h I was tired and sad, especially since I couldn’t get medicines and I fell asleep with a light on.

I woke up at 0400h. It was raining. I did not go the toilet all night and I seemed stable. I kept lying in bed and finally got out at 0530h and was bathed ready by 0615h. The rains seemed to have stopped a while ago.

I whiled away my time to see I was indeed okay before heading out. I mustered up the courage to step out of the room. There was no one at the lobby so I stepped out quietly and headed to the beach. The walk was beautiful. I took everything in. Very active lot of people of all age groups, out for health walks and yet, it was quiet. There was a huge church which took up a lot of boundary wall and one lady was busy sweeping the steps. I walked past and then turned onto the final street before reaching the beach. It took me 10 minutes (I have been practising leisure walking) and then, I was on cloud nine.

It was even more beautiful than I could imagine. It did give Mumbai Marine drive vibes but different. The weather was cloudy and my spirits soared. It was magical despite the crowd. Every seat was taken except one. I hurried towards it though my logical mind told me there would be a problem. There was: the seat was missing, just the arm rests of stone remained. I stubbornly sat on it and took in the highly energetic sea and watched the waves crash against shiny rocks. The cloudy sky with a touch of the benign sun added to the perfection.

                                                                   

Then, a frail old lady with a toothy smile came to me and asked me why I had to sit uncomfortably on stone when I could walk further and look for a seat. I told her that I was comfortable enough. She was selling beaded bracelets. I asked her how much it cost and she said it was pure stuff so it was 200. I bit in my laughter- it was pure junk with one evil eye bead. But I fell in love with her so I said I would buy one whether it was pure or not, just because she was out so early to sell her wares. While doingso I brushed the bangles with my left hand…it was closer but she chided me and told me to quickly touch it with my right. I obliged. She handed me the bracelet and I realized I wasn’t carrying my wallet, only the phone. I knew I would disappoint her but was pleasantly surprised when she said, “I have google pay!” I paid her and in return she checks out the rose quartz bracelet I was wearing along with a howlite one and she said, you have been tricked into buying plastic; mine is pure glass!! This lady made my day!!     

                               

She left me shortly after and I sat a while longer. I decided to walk back in time, have my breakfast and then wait for the cab. I got lost a bit but a young jogger pointed out it was difficult to get lost, there was just another road and they all led to where I needed to go. I walked back via the church and then was tempted to go in. I did. I am so glad I did. It had been years! There was one young girl in her twenties praying and I just sat there soaking in the peace, the tranquility, the piety, and the beauty. I sat there for about fifteen minutes and then hurried back, right up to the rooftop restaurant for my free breakfast! I had a few small paniyaarams and some poha and decided to stop. I had a whole day of sightseeing and had no medicine in my kitty yet.

At ten minutes to nine, the driver calls and we are out dot at nine, our first stop being Aurobindo ashram. He dropped me 200meters short and asked me to go and deposit my phone and head in. They just wanted me to deposit my shoes, switch off my phone and then go in. Absolute silence. I walked in not knowing what to expect. There was a samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, decorated with fresh flowers. I paid my respects and along with many other people already there, found a spot and sat down to meditate. Five minutes was all I could manage for I was inquisitive. The samadhi was next to a large Gulmohar tree and there were squirrels flitting about. I took it all in. I was wondering what was behind the doors and windows I saw. It was a double storied bluish grey and white building (White town has French architecture) and I wanted to know what an ashram looked like on the inside. Was it a dormitory or rooms? Austere living or was it modernized? They remain questions for no one spoke.

I got up and walked back, a tad bit lost and I was silently guided to a library to make a purchase. I bought a book and one picture of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, for the wallet and one of their samadhi. I thought I could give them as gifts. Back home, no one wanted them. I should’ve known. If you are not a believer, you won’t find it worth your while and I had overlooked that fact. My father kept the wallet picture with a thank you. My mother’s look I cannot describe. She said you bought it; you keep it, with an expression that said so much more.

Anyway, I got back to the cab shortly after and I told the driver to stop at a medical shop before the temple. He looked shocked. The temple was next door. Well, I had no clue. I thought it was the next stop. I was in no mood to get back there because it was quite an ordeal shooing off the roadside vendors. After, the medical stop (it was a hole for a shop but he had what I wanted), we head to Auroville, the township created by the Mother based on Sri Aurobindo and her vision of a model town which knew no boundaries of any kind. People of 46 countries are said to reside there on date. It had started with more than a hundred. There is no concept of money for the Aurovillians.

We travelled for nearly 30minutes and I kept telling the driver, that I would be okay seeing the dome of Matri Mandir from outside and then we could head to one of the many beaches. He said yes to everything and promptly got me into the parking area, got me to pay, and said that he would be waiting here for me to return. I looked at him with my mouth open and then took it as a sign. I am glad I did.

                        

I am going to hurry from now on because I have written a lot already and I doubt anyone would want to read so much, in a blog. Well, I walked through the beautiful tracks, with so much greenery on either side and so well organized, right up to the entry of the Matri Mandir Museum and view point (or so I thought). The hall was done beautifully, explaining the vision, the process, the progress and more. It was very interesting. This was when I loved being alone because no one else would have been interested in reading every word. I took my own sweet time (it was liberating) and then I saw a dark room with a TV playing something. I was alone. I sat there and I was in luck. They began playing the video about Auroville and Matri Mandir in particular. I was enthralled. I wanted to go in. I had tried booking a place online but it did not materialize. They do not allow casual visitors in. I found out all about the entry for a next visit, someday and then headed towards the viewpoint and the famous Svaram Garden. I bought the ticket and had 30min before the vehicle would arrive to take me there.

I loitered about the stalls nearby, bought a fridge magnet, overpriced because it was handmade out of recycled stuff. I clicked pictures and headed to a café and had a slice of carrot cake with icing. Only it wasn’t a slice. It was huge but fairly good. I rushed to the desk and I was told to wait. 15 minutes later I was stuffed into a rickety van that had seen many years (and hats off, for it lived despite the roads) with a Bengali couple and their 7year old and two sisters with a 10year old son. The sisters turned out to be great company and guess what, my country cousins as well!

 After a few instructions, we were off to a shop that gave us information on various instruments and Priya, I must take her name just because she played the background score of Harry Potter, on a xylophone kind of thing (I have forgotten most names of the instruments by now) pouring life into us, with it. After a half hour demo, we were stuffed back in and taken to Svaram garden. Another 20 minutes of instruction regarding huge sized instruments in a vast garden and after which we had an hour to explore and make our own music. It was amazing to a point and then with so many people playing, I was on my way to getting a headache. I found a quiet spot under a tree and took in the Sun and watched butterflies dance from one branch to another.

Back to the van, for the third bumpy ride to the Matri Mandir viewpoint. There was a long walk, uphill, to the viewpoint and we saw the glorious Golden Globe from quite far. We clicked a few pictures and headed back to the pick-up point. Gayatri and Gata, the sisters, and Kichu, the young man with them, were a blessing. It would’ve been a stretch without them.

            

Back at the pickup point, we boarded a proper bus for a change, and had a comfortable ride back to the museum. I parted ways with my lovely companions and headed back to the taxi. I was hungry.

We were supposed to go to Serenity beach and then lunch, followed by Eden beach, one of the ten blue flag beaches in all of India. I decided I was tired and would go for lunch followed by Eden beach and gave Serenity a miss. I asked the driver’s choice of restaurant and he praised one. I will do better research in future. Anyway, I asked him to join me but he was shy and parking was an issue so he told me to call when I was done. He left and I climbed into a narrow passageway with a bench and six girls looking at me. Brothel vibes. Too many Bollywood movies!

I could barely get past them to the counter behind hundreds of Bisleri water bottles. The lady said they were full as soon as she saw my face. I spoke to her in Tamil. She smiled and said 20minute wait. I said okay. Meanwhile, four girls on the bench, got a table so I got place to sit. After ten minutes, one table was free for me on the first floor. Two narrow flights of stairs and one table of four which was soon occupied by two young men, one of whom was intrigued by me. Why was a grey-haired Indian lady, in a skirt, sitting alone in this restaurant?! He had to ask. We got talking and I found out that they were law students doing their post-graduation.

Lunch arrived and looked spicy so I ate the bland bits, packed one prawn curry and chicken biryani for the driver, wished the young lawyers Goodluck, paid up and headed back to the cab.

Last stop before heading to the hotel. Eden beach. A long drive, over half an hour. The sun scorching by now. The walk to the beach was a long one by my standards and with an unsatisfactory lunch, I slowly walked to the beach, past the stalls, and a lot of happy, stray dogs. I did stop to buy a toy for Joey. The breeze was cool as the Sun was hot! The beach was cordoned off on both sides as cleaning operations were on. post cyclone Ditwah, so despite the time of day, the little expanse that was open to the public, was over crowded. 

  

I walked barefeet to the beach and was surprised to see the drop to the water. It was slopy. The water was cold and the sea was in high tide. It would have been fun if half the people had stayed at home. I was getting a full-blown headache now with a rather loud set of young men and stayed for about 20minutes and left. On my walk back, I stopped for the sweetest, loaded coconut water, I have had in a long time. Made it to the taxi and then to the hotel.

The manager was there but I was exhausted to speak beyond a few pleasantries. I reached the room, gave the family updates, ordered a coffee and mixed veg pakoras and had two painkillers. It was six when everything was done. I got into bed, wrote my journal, pulled a few tarot cards and slept. The sleep was better than the night previous but I still woke up with a headache.

I had planned for another walk but I did nothing. Went for breakfast after a nice hot bath and got back to have another two pain killers. I just rested. Check out was at 1100h and the flight at 1715h. I got out, handed the baggage at the lobby, paid up for my meals and just sat there and kept chatting with the wonderful manager who was doing everyone else’s jobs as well. Talk about the x factor. It was a busy day and the hotel was full.

I sat around till about 1230h and then went for lunch to the roof top restaurant.  I ordered a dish which was German, I gather. I do not remember it but it was potatoes, mushrooms and cheese. It was served piping hot and I took my time and enjoyed my meal. I did have company before the meal arrived, another manager but he left me to enjoy my lunch for which I am grateful.

I went back and chatted with another gentleman, who had a few properties of his own in Auroville. Then the manager got back and after a while, my cab driver called and I was good to go.

The return was just as smooth and my husband was there to pick me up.

The next few days were spent in narrating the experience and doing all the jobs that were waiting for me.

And now, I can walk into 2026, with my head held high, for doing what I have always wanted to do. I have my husband to thank for and my children. Also, once I reached the hotel, I did tell my parents I was there alone and was pleasantly surprised at their happy reactions. I am after all turning 52 next month!

Lessons learnt were; good physical health is of utmost importance. Taking yourself out and spending some time with just yourself is liberating; great in confidence building and a great way to say thank you to yourself.

Enjoy the last few days of 2025, dear readers, whether you did what you said you would do or not and tell yourself you are worthy no matter what!!!