The Familiarity and Unfamiliarity of Life

My usual hike on the Pipeline Track is a quiet affair. A time for solitude, for walking and thinking under a soothing sun. But on this particular autumn afternoon, the path had transformed. It hummed with a contagious energy. As I began my walk, the familiar hussle-bussle of a local marketplace seemed to have relocated to the forest trail.

My eyes scanned the crowd. Students in their school uniforms, their laughter echoing through the trees. Friends of all ages, their chatter weaving into a vibrant soundtrack. Foreign visitors with their security teams, offered a friendly wave as they passed. And there, on his usual spot, sat the dungagali Baba, a constant amidst the changing tides of humanity.

A group of girls, perhaps in eighth grade, caught my attention. Their cheerful singing filled the air. Seeing them so delighted by their trip, so alive in their shared experience, was a sight to behold. For a moment, my own preference for quiet gave way to a deeper curiosity. I wanted to witness their joy, to understand what it was like to find happiness in a crowd.

I walked faster, wanting to go further, to see more. But the crowd was thick. Their countless footsteps kicked up the dry autumn earth, creating a haze of dust that clung to the air. I tried to shield my face, but it was a losing battle. The sheer number of people made it impossible to maintain my pace for long. I turned back after completing only half the track, the crowd and dust proving too much for my reclusive nature.

Despite the bustle, autumn’s beauty was a persistent presence. The trees wore their seasonal finery, a breathtaking palette of red, gold, and orange. The views were magnificent, the warm sun appearing and disappearing through the rustling leaves. The soothing warmth of its intermittent rays was a welcome counterpoint to the lively noise and motion of the track.

My hike was not what I had intended. I went seeking my usual peace but found a different kind of beauty—the beauty of shared experiences, of group laughter, and of a community of strangers finding joy together. I was an observer, an outsider, but even in that role, I was a part of the moment.

The experience was a beautiful contradiction. I had started my journey craving solitude but ended it with a deeper understanding of companionship. Though I eventually retreated from the crowd, I carried with me the memory of their collective spirit, a beautiful image to reflect on during my next quiet hike.