Epilogue:
Leaving Rishikesh
The finale to My 90 days in Rishikesh
The Ride Out of Rishikesh
A friend and I were leaving on the same day and coincidentally, we were booked on the same flight to Kathmandu the next day. We split a cab to the Nepali Farm bus stand. The ride was slow. Rishikesh traffic is always thick in the evening, and it took a while to break free from the crush of tuk-tuks and scooters.
When we finally got there, the driver charged us a little more than what we’d originally agreed on. I didn’t care but my friend did and she argued about it for a while before finally letting it go.
Quick tip: Be careful who you travel with. A small hassle can turn into a major vibe killer if your companion is easily rattled or confrontational.
Nepali Farm Bus Stand
The bus stand isn’t really a bus stand, it’s an underpass where people wait. No English signs and no announcements. Just crowds of travelers, honking buses pulling in at random and a lot of confusion.
We sat there for a few hours on the sidewalk. My friend showed our ticket to every bus that arrived, hoping someone would nod yes. Most of the drivers didn’t speak English.
Eventually we found our ride.
Tip: Confirm your bus operator in advance and try to learn what the bus name looks like in Hindi. Don’t count on English signage, especially at non-central stops. Better yet, use the Google Translate App photo feature.
Check out: Yoga and Cultural Appropriation
The Sleeper Bus
We boarded a sleeper bus, which meant each person has a bunk with a curtain. Not glamorous, but functional. I crawled into mine and tried to get some rest.
At one point, a few people boarded and started talking loudly. My friend was irritated and told them to be quiet. I just laid back and watched the curtain sway.
Tip: Sleeper buses are cheap and decent for long hauls, but bring earplugs and keep your expectations low. It’s not a hotel, It’s transportation.
Arriving at Kashmiri Gate
At around 5 AM, we arrived in Delhi at Kashmiri Gate which is a chaotic bus terminal where hundreds of people were milling around in every direction. As soon as we got off, we were swarmed by taxi drivers.
Everyone wants to be your ride.
My friend tried to haggle with a driver and it dragged out for a while. I was tired and didn’t care what the price was. Eventually, we agreed on a ride and got in. The cab took us across the city toward the airport. It was so surreal leaving India, I couldn’t believe it and had no idea what was in store for me in the coming months. We made it to the airport and boarded a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. That was it. Just like that, India was behind me and a new chapter was beginning.
Final Thoughts
Not every part of the journey is deep. Some legs are just long and uncomfortable. But even these stretches teach something.
India taught me how to stay calm when everything’s loud. How to keep moving when the plan unravels. How to adapt without losing myself.
That was the end of Rishikesh. But the journey was, and still is, far from over…
