Unplanned

In contemporary society, planning permeates nearly every aspect of our lives. A significant portion of the population exhibits a reliance on meticulous planning, often stemming from an apprehension of uncertainty. We meticulously plan our diets, travel itineraries, career paths, academic examinations, public addresses, lectures, weddings, and birthday celebrations, among countless other endeavours.

 

While planning is an undeniably valuable tool, excessive adherence to it can be detrimental. It is imperative to cultivate adaptability and preparedness for unforeseen circumstances.

 

Numerous literary works and online resources extol the virtues of planning. However, this discourse aims to explore the concept of the unplanned in an unstructured manner. Consequently, should this note appear disorganized or disjointed, it is a deliberate reflection of its unplanned genesis.

The Unplanned Fast Trek

Our trekking expedition in Pune was entirely spontaneous. We arrived at the location in the evening, only to discover that entry to the trail had been closed 30 minutes prior. Upon request, the manager graciously granted us access, acknowledging our youthful Vigor, but stipulated our return before sunset. We commenced the trek on a particularly hot and humid day, maintaining an uninterrupted pace. Initial fatigue gave way to an exhilarating sense of accomplishment, and we completed the trek in half the time typically required by an average young adult.

Had this incident not transpired, we might never have recognized our physical and mental limits. That day, we gained a profound understanding of our inherent resilience.

 

The Unplanned Trip

The adage "The unplanned trips are the best" resonates widely, yet paradoxically, we meticulously plan nearly all our travel endeavours. A multitude of tour and travel companies offer comprehensive planning services.

One evening, while casually researching potential travel destinations with a friend, we stumbled upon remarkably inexpensive flight tickets from Delhi to Leh. Without hesitation, we instantly booked them, leaving us a mere three hours to pack and reach the airport. Fortuitously, we managed to catch our flight.

Upon landing in Leh, we promptly realized that our prepaid SIM cards were inoperable in the region. We proceeded to secure a taxi and hotel accommodation upon arrival. Our next priority was locating a vendor for a local postpaid SIM. With these logistical matters addressed, we then commenced planning our itinerary.

During breakfast at a local restaurant, we consulted the owner for recommendations on tourist attractions. Following our discussion, we rented a motorcycle and traversed Chang La, unaware at the time that it is one of the highest motorable passes in the world.

The weather during our visit was exceptionally cold, characteristic of Ladakh, a high-altitude cold desert. The dry, frigid air was intensely piercing, and my attire was ill-suited for the extreme conditions, especially while operating a motorcycle.

Given that it was not peak tourist season, Chang La had a sparse number of visitors. As we were capturing photographs at the summit, an army officer approached us. He gently touched my thin, lightweight windbreaker and remarked, "Don't be Gama on the Land of Lama."

Our exploration of the entirety of Ladakh unfolded without any prior planning or research. We experienced and perceived everything in its raw, unfiltered essence.

The Unprepared Viva

The Unprepared Exams