Salli or Naddi

The first group of backpackers arrived in Salli at the beginning of the season. As our house was 200 meters up from the road, we had to go down to receive the guests so that they won't get lost in the jungle. We would help them carry their baggage while guiding them on the way. Every visitor would come with excitement to Salli. It was our second season to host people so we were better prepared than the previous year. Noa would help in bringing people to Salli by advertising the place in the closed Israeli groups. She helped a lot in introducing many people to Salli. There were also many people who would come just to see Madhu. These two ladies put Salli on the map and attracted many backpackers. Our place was becoming famous all over Dharamshala and we would receive many calls every day enquiring about the stay. The maximum number of people we could host was 20 so we had to keep the rest on waiting.

I would reach Salli every Thursday night and help Madhu for the next 3 days before I would leave for the office back to Naddi. I was loving managing the guest house business and spending time with interesting people from all over the world. I would look forward to those 3 days every week when I could come to Salli. I wished if I could work from Salli and also share the party vibe. My initial intention to come to Himachal was to stay and work in Salli. But work took me away and it started bothering me a lot. I felt like the reason I came to Himachal was not getting served and I was getting involved in something else altogether. But I didn't compromise on the quality of work no matter what I was feeling. I would do my job with complete focus and commitment. Noa had put trust in me and I didn't want to break it for any reason.

I had connected to many people all over the world because of my stay in Himachal. Life was enriching meeting different kinds of people and sharing stories with them. Every evening in Salli would be unique and fun. Staying with 20 different people in one house would be one kind of experience. The vibe in Salli with Madhu and Noor would not let me leave for Naddi. I had to pack my bags and drive with a heavy heart every week. I was looking at ways to manage work from Salli but it wasn't possible due to bad internet connectivity. My brain would ask me to go to Naddi and my heart would beg me to stay in Salli. I was getting torn between these two polarities. Sometimes I would go clueless on which direction should I move my life. Being clueless was my inherent quality. I let the time decide for my future and I kept working to the best of my abilities in the office.

The Question of Salli or Naddi Remained Unanswered.