I went on a hike in Scotland along the Great Glen during the spring of 2010. It was a very memorable trip for a lot of reasons. I accompanied Dolly Sim, a veteran hiker, now serving as a naval officer in Singapore. While on the go, I couldn't figure out east or west but she was always great at finding a way out through the woods. I remember, we even wandered into a creepy place in the middle of the woods decorated with plastic dolls and threads hanging from trees and recorded a video just in case we don't make it out of there alive! So without further ado, I'd like very much to reminisce on that lovely experience and list out some things that I took back from the 6 day trip.
1. Lead a good life and play your fiddle with pride! - On the first day of our hike, we were having our dinner in a beautiful home-stay. It was just getting dark outside and from the door I could see Ben Nevis, the tallest peak in Britain. It stood majestic and undaunted, framed in the fading silver light. Just a couple of days earlier, I got all worked up to submit a couple of sheets of assignment on time. But at that moment, staring at that intimidating yet welcoming mountain, all those worries and shackles in which your mind is almost always caught up, seemed so irrelevant and silly. Life seemed so simple and easy. So if you're all worked up at something, just pause and check if it's worth it. Just lead a good life and keep it simple.
Lesson 1: Life is simple. Keep it that way.
2. Have a thick skin to enjoy life - The trees and mountains and farms and meadows were all so blissful and satisfied, it seemed to me. You bend a branch on your way, it gets back to where it was when you're gone. It doesn't chase you to get even. I know it cannot do that but it is also not worth it. You can't drill sense into the galactically stupid. Do your job well, help if possible and leave it at that. Interference often makes situations worse (The string of U.S secretaries of state would probably vouch for it).
Lesson 2: Don't waste your time trying to get even.
3. Know when to say nothing! - I often rambled on things and Dolly shared her experiences too. But at times during our walk, we just walked. Nobody said anything, it was just the rustling of the leaves and the rush of the water. These phases were so lovely. And Dolly just knew and kept it that way. She never spoilt these silent spells with 'hey the weather is good' or 'those trees are lovely'. She sensed perfectly when to say nothing.
Lesson 3: Silence at the right time is awesome. In the long scheme of things:
When the quality is less and talk seems like a lot of bore;
It is not that I like speech the less, but value silence the more.
4. The country charm - It was the first time I was venturing into the countryside for almost a week. The famed charm of nature and the merry, easy-going attitude of the people really got to me. I made a note to myself to live in a village in India for at least two years.
Lesson 3: Experienced the beauty of a laid-back country life.
5. That terrific gesture! - This was perhaps the defining moment of the hike for me. We were in the last phase of the walk and I'd lost my jerkin on the way. We were in high altitudes, it was moorland, the wind was cold and then it started drizzling. My fingers soon went numb and the rain was really consistent now. I looked at Dolly and asked 'Why aren't you wearing your jerkin?' She said 'Well, it wouldn't be good if I wear it and you just get wet. So I decided I'd give you company!'. Dear me! Was I touched! We walked a few paces in silence and then I mockingly said 'If you're bent on getting wet, then I'll use your jerkin'. She smiled back and we just walked in the rain, without a jerkin.
Lesson 5: When the moment comes, choose the right, large-hearted thing to do.
For a much better and less bullshitty account on the hike, visit Dolly's blog. She has a complete account of all her hikes (remember, I told you she's a veteran!).
