My Trekking Stories

I love trekking. In fact, I am now a member of the Youth Hostels Association of India (YHAI) and Orissa Outdoors. But, it is a cultivated interest. It all started in 2006, when my first opportunity came. I was not so excited about it then. At that time I had some free time at my disposal. I said, “Let’s give it a try.” So I went ahead and took the risk to join that trekking programme, in the company of my alter ego—DP, who happens to be a trekking enthusiast. With some anxiety in my mind, being quite unsure of what is in store for me, we reached a small village called Shivalingapuram (in Andhra Pradesh), which was where the base camp for the Araku Valley trekking was set up. The event was organised by YHAI. It was to be my first trekking experience.

We had to stay in the base camp for 2 nights. I was feeling a little cut-off, somewhat diffident in the large gathering, not finding anyone who would understand my mother tongue. I was getting bored. But when the actual walking through the jungles and mountains started, I began to feel better. There was peace everywhere. Our group had bonded as a family—a fabulous happy family. I could mix with others using some Hindi and English. I was able to make friendship with some boys and girls. Actually, I became a celebrity in the group, due to my dramatic skills. I also became more self-confident and more transparent in the process.

I got an opportunity to feel the nature, experience the jungle, and drink from mountain streams. Everybody in our group was friendly and helpful. But eventually all these came to an end after 8 days. We left the camp and returned home. But the experience stayed with me. I had developed a distinct liking for trekking. So without any further delay, I became a life member of YHAI and prepared for another trekking expedition.

The next opportunity came in 2007. I joined the Mizoram Trekking and Caving Expedition, again organised by YHAI. When I stepped into Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram, I was astonished to see the beauty of Mizoram—The Songbird of the North East. The blue-green mountains were calling out, “Hello actor.amaresh! This is the right place for you.” I found Mizo boys very handsome and the girls, extra beautiful. It so happened that I and my trekking companion DP had to trek in a small group, with only four local boys. We crossed several villages and met many local people on the way. It was a great chance to know about the Mizo culture, despite the language problem—we spoke no Mizo and the locals knew little English. Still, I enjoyed the whole experience so much.

Finally I would like to say that trekking has changed my life. I have become lighter inside. Even my thoughts seem to have been liberated, beyond their earlier confines. For this, I must thank DP, my other trekking friends, and of course YHAI.