For several years, I’ve been yearning to visit the splendid and magical Fairy Meadows. My longing was not only due to the stories I’ve heard about the mystical place, but I wanted to travel and witness the splendor with my own eyes. Finally it happened, when I managed to convince few of my coworkers. However, it was during my travel, I saw how truly painstaking it was; for not everyone wanted to see or feel how I intended to.
We started from Islamabad at night, and our plan was to finish the road travel as soon as possible. However, we cannot foresee everything, and we cannot know what lies ahead. We had to take a break, and spend a night in between.
My longing grew.
The heartache nurtured.
Everyone slept apart from couple of youngsters. Their vigor was oozing. They wanted to run, and they ran. I saw. I heard. It seemed like it wasn’t going to end. But, it did. And I kept on gazing the shining stars.
The morning was peaceful. The sun came out swiftly. We crossed the mountain pass early in the morning in order to reach Fairy Meadows as soon as possible. I knew I won’t make it before sunset even if everybody else did.
I wanted to enjoy every step, and I did. The jeep track was messy yet it was sensational. I was anxious for the ride to finish, and to start trekking. And I enjoyed thoroughly. But everything changed as soon as I had the first glimpse of the Killer Mountain. It made me forget how to breathe. Although it had a lot to do with my excessive smoking, yet I could easily relate this feeling to my first sight of Nanga Parbat.
Emotions were bursting out. I wanted to write everything that I felt at that moment, but the words won’t come out right. After staring it for some forty minutes, I started to trek yet again.
It was almost sunset. The forest grew darker. I wanted to finish the trek without spending further time on it to reach the mystical place. Yet it seemed like it was never going to end. I took a deep breathe, and thought to myself, I should just take one last break before finishing up the trek. These small breaks have been the very reason I was left all alone on this wondrous trek. I had my reasons, and I guess they had theirs to finish up the trek swiftly.
While taking my final break, which it wasn’t, I was trying to remember a poem I had read back in my college days. It had so much relevance, and it all made sense to me. I never understood it back then, but it all meant so much more to me.
What is this life if,
full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
I was exhausted, and I won’t deny it. I wasn’t prepared. But I guess I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if I’ve come prepared. As I was taking my last steps before reaching the mystical place, I had already started to wonder when I’ll be trekking it again.
Anonymous Traveler
Pakistan Explorer respects every writer’s perspective and encourages them to express their heart out.