Deepak Mishra

        Leh is a great place, in fact an awesome place. If you are reading this to know how good Leh is or how to reach there, jump to the last paragraph of the post or go to wikipedia or google images. If you are reading this to know how good or bad my unplanned trip to Leh was or how not to reach there, please go ahead. I would be really glad.          First I will tell you, why I planned this trip. I was switching companies from Cvent Gurgaon to Housing Mumbai. My time in Cvent was too hectic. I desperately needed a break. My last day in Cvent was 10th April. I requested Housing to give me joining date as 20th April, so that I can relocate easily. Also as I was moving to Mumbai, I would not be able to travel to Himalayas so easily. So I wanted to travel in probably last time and that too to Leh. Also as I had sufficient time of 8-9 days, I wanted to go by road, and not fly there. As my going to Leh pre decided, I did not research anything...

        I had discussions with many Kashmiri people regarding India Pakistan armies, in my unplanned trip to Leh. May be talking to me was painful for most of them but they did out of hope. They might be talking to tourists in same way to keep them happy or for hope. After 1947 independence, there were no army in Gulmarg or Kashmir inside LOC. Everything seemed happy to them, after all it was independence. Then came Afghanistan troops with swords. Indian army entered Kashmir in name of protection and they never left.         Countries occupying Kashmir get lot of resources, so they never want to leave Kashmir. India and Pakistan all fight for Kashmir. The civilians get affected very badly. The armies get affected as well. The lands in Kashmir got occupied by army for their infrastructure. Kashmiri get just 100 rupees per something yearly for that lands. Government gave these Kashmiris no facilities and these people suffer even more.   ...

        I saw a dream. I was with all the people (around 6-8 people) I met in Gulmarg in the room I stayed in Gulmarg. The hotel guy Rameez brought some drink in a barrel and poured down in glasses. He handed me one of the glasses. I was skeptical about my glass, whether he put anything in it. Rameez told me if I am doubting him, then I can directly drink from the barrel. He poured from the barrel directly into my hand and I drank.         Within 2-3 sips, I felt the kick and in the next sip, I passed out. After regaining some consciousness, I tried to talk and ask Rameez what was in it, but I couldn't. Then a minute or two, I somehow asked, "You put something in it, right?". He said, "Yes, but all of us too had the same thing. You are not used to it, so it kicked you more than us. Don't worry. This feeling will go in sometime. Just enjoy it till then."         After than I just enjoyed the feeling.      ...