Of Monks and Monkeys: travel encounters and revelations

“Monkey Business”: Painting by Rama (Medium: photo ink on paper) We often come across some key moments during our travels that tend to have a profound influence on us. I am going to describe 2 such incidents that took place during a short trip we had taken to Dehradun and Landour (in Mussoorie). One of them is heartwarming, while the other is hilarious (for the reader, not in the least for me!).

The first incident – We visited a Tibetan monastery in Dehradun. Since the main sanctum was under repair, we decided to rest on some steps under the shade of a portico roof in the hope that someone would let us enter the shrine. Whilst waiting there in the peaceful premises, we spotted some child monks all dressed in crimsons, oranges, and yellows running about, possibly on a break from their routine in the monastery. They seemed so happy and content. In fact, looking at them, we were reminded of the simple pleasures of childhood that children in today’s day and age miss out on because of the digital vortex! One kid chased after the other with a sandal in his hand; some roamed around with their arms around each others’ shoulders, cracking jokes. One of them with a broken mirror (procured from where I don’t know) was trying to reflect light off of it and onto all the surfaces of the monastery- his expression was as though he were a superhero with a laser weapon! Then there was a kid who chose to take a more adventurous route back to his dorm that involved a balancing act on a pile of bamboo scaffolding laid across the aforementioned repair site!

A fleeting question passed through my mind that made me feel somewhat wistful – These children, were they blissful in ignorance, in that sheltered environment of the monastery; or were they frogs in a well, forced unfairly into a life of asceticism; or were they fortunate to have entered that simple life away from material pleasures, where sensitivities heighten with mindfulness?

Whatever may be the answer, I felt that these kids couldn’t have been happier, in that moment.

Revelation 1: When life gives you fewer options, you find happiness and contentment in every experience that comes your way. You are likely to lead a more fulfilling life. (Note to self: Try finding more joy in the little things.)

The second incident was a more dramatic one. And yes, you may find it funny, to my utmost indignation! You guessed it right from the title, that it has something to do with the notable troublemaker: our ubiquitous hill monkey – the Rhesus macaque. We were checking out of our Airbnb after a memorable sojourn in Landour, Mussoorie (home to renowned children’s books author- Ruskin Bond). After a tedious climb from our bungalow in the valleys, to the motorable road above, I stood near a railing catching my breath, guarding all our luggage, as my husband walks away in one direction to find our taxi guy who had lost his way. Here I was, scrolling on my phone, completely oblivious of my surroundings, while a little simian nonchalantly walks towards my handbag (which was open, thanks to my carelessness) and begins scouring the contents shamelessly. I freeze in shock, my anxiety levels shooting right through the invisible roof, reaching the brilliant blue sky above. The monkey very coolly looks at me, looks into the bag, and then back at me. Now I begin screaming, wildly flailing about my hands, trying to shoo it away, but in vain. It wouldn’t budge, buttressed to the spot, baring its teeth at me. Not a soul on the road for my aid. Then, all of a sudden, eureka! It struck me that there was a bread packet in the other bag that was kept beside my handbag (the one the monkey had been happily digging into). Mustering all the courage that I had in the deepest recesses of my heart, I grabbed the bag, opened it, took out the bread packet, and flung it across as far as I could. The monkey, to my relief, darted across and began munching on the bread while I quickly collected all the luggage (2 suitcases, 2 handbags, and a food bag) and made a dash for it! As I ran lugging the bags with great difficulty, in my head I could hear the little imp guffaw away at the sight of the palpitated, panic-stricken lass, a.k.a me, and smirk at its effortless victory in bagging food from yet another human victim- oh, so breezy!

Revelation 2: I think better when I panic (in reference to the eureka moment when my heart was pounding in my chest). Which means that anxiety is good for me?

Wow, that is some self-destructive epiphany.

As I ponder over the astounding complexity of my overthinking brain, let me simultaneously get to planning my future travels. At least I can create content out of my conundrums!

#epiphanies #monkeyencounters #Travel #travelogue