I come from a Himachali family but was born and brought up in Chennai. Many people get surprised when I tell them that I’m a North Indian woman who’s never been to the hills. In fact, my fluency in Tamil makes my family background more unbelievable. In my 22 years of life, I had never traveled across Tamil Nadu even for holidays. However, my grandparents never left Solan and continue to reside there.
They did visit me and my parents once every two or three years, but only for a brief period. Owing to this, my interactions with them have been very occasional. Recently, they bought a new house in Chester Hills (Solan) and invited us for a summer vacation there. I was about to complete my B.Tech soon, and had some time meanwhile before applying for an M.Tech program. So, I readily agreed to the plan. I was very keen on visiting and exploring this place closely related to my family history.
As soon as my exams got over, we decided to plan out the trip and settled on the 10th of May this year. We reached the Solan Railway Station in the morning. The weather was clear with moderate temperature and I experienced an amalgamation of wonderment, excitement, and nervousness. We took a taxi from there to Chester Hills and on the way, I was bewildered by the magnificent mountains around me. I had been to some hilly areas in my state before but never saw such high peaks.
The clean and cool blow of the breeze soothed my spirits, making me realize how I never got a chance to connect with nature. Soon we entered a big residential premise and I saw my grandparents standing at the entrance of a building to greet us. Their apartment was on the third floor and I was amazed to see how luxurious and spacious it was. It was sturdily built and beautifully designed with elegant ceiling lights and breathtaking interiors. The curtains were drawn neatly and the natural scenery of the hills outside the windows added to the overall beauty. I felt like I had entered a parallel universe with everything so dreamy and perfect.
Solan is in itself a calming place, far away from the fast-paced life of metro cities. On top of that, living in Chester Hills made it more fantastic. It was a small town that had every amenity to make life easier. Very soon I got accustomed to living there and started to spend more time with my grandparents, especially with my Dadi ji (grandma). I would often go with her to the serene Meditation Park and Yoga Center, usually in the early morning.
Being a gym freak, I also frequently visited the Gymnasium there. It was a fully-functioning workout space that was no less than the ones you’d find in big cities. There were numerous types of equipment with an ideal environment to sweat out the calories. Besides, I visited numerous Shops for daily items with my mom and Dadi Ji. I won’t deny how I couldn’t resist the fascinating things and indulge in spending a bit recklessly.
There was more to this place with Gaming and Sports areas, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a Gold Class Movie theater, too. My family and I relished amazing times watching at least 2 movies in a week. Another awesome aspect of this trip was strolling with Dada ji (grandpa) through the valleys with delightful paths of flowers and bushes, as he narrated anecdotes from his vast pool of experiences. In the last few days there, I got a new haircut from the Salon and went to the luxurious Spa and Jacuzzi section to unwind my mind and body.
The time to bid goodbye came soon but I had no will to leave the place and return to my busy life in the city. I got used to the serene and sorted life here and I’m eager to revisit this place. Well, that was my first uphill experience at Chester Hills. What’s yours?