I was in a deep sleep, completely unaware that I was on a bus speeding down the highway at 80 kmph. The cabin was filled with the cold, crisp air from the AC, making me feel cozy and lulling me into slumber as I gazed out the window at the occasional flashes of light in the post-midnight darkness.
Suddenly, the helper’s voice jolted me awake: "Gokarna!" I snapped out of my sleep, scrambling to gather my things, realizing I had just two minutes to pack up and deboard the Airavat bus. As I stepped off, I was greeted by pitch darkness. I checked my watch—it was 5:50 AM, ten minutes ahead of schedule. Even in the dim light, I could make out a few auto-rickshaw drivers across the road.
Along with me, a middle-aged man and an elderly gentleman, who seemed to be his father, also deboarded. The three of us were heading to the same destination: Gokarna Main Beach. A local man, waiting at the bus stop, informed us that the bus to Main Beach would arrive in about half an hour. So, we decided to wait together. The early morning breeze was chilly, sending shivers down my spine as we stood there, the cold air cutting through the silence.
At 6:40 AM, with no bus in sight, the older man made a decisive call: we’d take an auto. He kindly invited me to join them, and I agreed. We climbed into the auto-rickshaw and set off toward the temple at Main Beach. The 8-10 km ride cost us 300 rupees. During the journey, the elderly man shared that he had always wanted to visit Gokarna, Murudeshwar, Udupi, and other temples. However, he didn’t want to undertake the pilgrimage alone, so he asked his son to accompany him.
As we reached the main temple, I offered my share of the fare, but the old man’s son, following his father’s instruction, declined. I thanked them and moved on.
With my map set to Sunset Café—a place I had never visited before—I began the 1.3 km walk from the temple. The streets were eerily quiet, with only a few stray dogs roaming around. I walked on, passing the backs of sea shacks, my mind racing with doubts: Was this route safe? How would the stay be? But I pushed forward, even as fatigue weighed me down. Along the way, I passed a few foreigners on their morning walk and spotted a group enjoying breakfast near Namaste Café.
Finally, I reached RK Beach Cottage and wondered how much farther Sunset Café could be. After another 80 meters, I spotted it—well, actually, I first noticed a swing in front of the café. The child in me leaped with excitement. I looked around for the reception but found no one. A few people were sleeping in tents nearby, and I wasn’t sure if I should wake them. Unsure of what to do, I called the reception. Satish answered and soon came to greet me.
He informed me that check-in was at 11 AM, but seeing my exhausted state, he suggested I rest on a chair until then. Eventually, he showed me to the dorm and told me I could sleep there and do the check-in later. As I entered the dorm and looked up, I saw a window above my bed—with a view of the sea. I was amazed—this was exactly what I had always imagined.
Later, I grabbed my bag and decided to check out Prakruti Café, a place that had been hyped up by someone I encountered on Facebook. It was about 700 meters away from Sunset Café. I arrived and asked to see a private room, as that was what I had been seeking. But the moment I saw the room, I felt uneasy. The owner asked me a series of odd questions—why was I traveling alone? Did I have any problems? Then, she started sharing her own issues, which only added to my discomfort. She even mentioned a recent incident where a dead body had washed up on the beach, just 200 meters from Prakruti Café. That was enough for me—I decided to leave.
I quickly called the caretaker to inform him of my decision. As soon as he saw me, he guessed my intentions and asked, "Do you want to leave?" I nodded, and without wasting any more time, I took my bag and started walking back to Sunset Café. Exhausted, I took a pit stop at a small stall selling coconuts and drank some refreshing coconut water before continuing my journey.
When I arrived back at Sunset Café, Satish greeted me warmly, "Hey, where have you been?" I told him I had been walking along the beach. He then introduced me to Sandy (Sandeep), his co-owner, and to Jo (Jyothi Tharuni), my dormmate. Finally, I checked into the café and settled into my bunk bed, relieved and content.
As I lay settled on the bed, a sense of safety washed over me, reminding me of the profound importance of trusting one’s intuition. This journey to Gokarna has been a reminder that, often, the mind gets clouded by the opinions of others, pulling us in different directions. Yet, there’s a quiet voice within that knows what’s truly right for us.
Upon arriving in Gokarna, I felt a deep pull towards Sunset Café—a place that seemed to resonate with the energy I was seeking. But then, as it often happens, doubt crept in. Opinions from well-meaning strangers and locals suggested alternative spots, each with its own appeal. I found myself torn, my initial certainty now muddled by the weight of others' expectations and experiences.
Despite the confusion, I found myself returning to Sunset Café. The energy of the place felt right; it matched my vibe in a way that others didn’t. And as I settled in, I realized that safety, especially when traveling alone, is about more than just physical security. It’s about feeling at home, even in unfamiliar places. Sometimes, we find that sense of safety with strangers or in unexpected places rather than those recommended to us. It’s a reminder that what works for others may not always work for us.
It’s crucial to pay attention to the signs our bodies give us. When we start feeling uneasy or out of place, it’s a signal that something isn’t aligning with our energy. No matter how much effort we’ve invested, or how appealing a place or person may seem on the surface, if it doesn’t feel right, it’s time to make a change. It’s about honoring that inner voice, even if it goes against logic or the advice of others.
In the end, perhaps the key is finding a balance between logic and intuition. Both have their place in decision-making, but when it comes to personal well-being, the gut feeling often knows best. This journey to Gokarna has been a testament to that, teaching me to trust myself and to seek out spaces and people who align with my energy.
As I continue this journey, I’m reminded to listen more closely to my intuition, to embrace the places and moments that make me feel safe and at peace. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about where we go, but how we feel when we get there.
Comments