February 2025
 
Last May, I bought tickets to the Ottawa Writers Festival to hear Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau launch her new book, Closer Together. I’ve always been a fan of Sophie and her ability to balance the responsibilities of being the prime minister’s wife, raising a family, and staying committed to her career and philanthropic work—all the while remaining true to herself and her values. It’s something I truly respect and her message about embracing authenticity and resilience truly resonated with me.
 
To my surprise, however, this event would introduce me to another extraordinary individual - someone who would inspire one of the most incredible adventures of my life. That one brief encounter will likely have a lasting impact for years to come. As I reflect on it now, I see how moments of unexpected inspiration can shape our paths in ways we never imagined.
 
May 2024: Ottawa’s Writers Festival
 
I was late to arriving early. I had planned to arrive an hour early to the venue so I could secure a front-row seat, but I lost track of time and ended up arriving just before the event started. As I rushed into the elevator, I met an older woman - likely in her eighties, who was also on her way to Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau’s book talk. We exchanged a quick hello and shared our excitement about the event. 
 
As I had anticipated, when I entered the room, all the seats near the front were already taken. The woman from the elevator chose a spot near the back, where there was plenty of space. After surveying the crowded room, I decided she had the right idea, walked towards the back and asked the woman if she’d mind if I sat beside her. 
 
We quickly struck up a conversation about the book and what had drawn us to the talk. I told her how much I admired Sophie and was eager to hear her speak. She, in turn, learned about this event through another event she attended earlier that day, My Fight for Freedom and Human Rights in Afghanistan by Sima Samar. She explained that she worked with a nonprofit dedicated to restoring women's rights and girls' education in Afghanistan, which was promoting the Ottawa’s Writers Festival. 

Curious, I asked what had led her to become involved in this cause. She smiled and told me it was something deeply personal—something she had been passionate about for years.

Then, she began her story.

Nearly 50 years ago, in 1973, she embarked on a solo journey around the world, traveling for two years. From the ages of 29 to 31, she explored Australia, Asia, and Europe—long before the internet, social media, Google and emails even existed. I couldn’t even imagine travelling without having any of those apps. It was also a time when societal expectations pushed women to settle down and start families, she defied the norm and chose adventure instead.

I could see her eyes light up as she recalled those distant memories. After a stint in Australia, she continued her journey through Asia, starting in Nepal and backpacking through Nepal, the Middle East, and eventually into Europe. She travelled to dozens of countries, but Afghanistan had a special place in her heart. Afghanistan in 1973, before the Taliban control, was considered more modern than many parts of Europe. Women's fashion was more liberal, women pursued higher education and were treated equally to men in society. As a woman in her late twenties, travelling to the beat of her own drum, she felt more understood in Afghanistan than in Canada. She was also touched by the warmth and hospitality of the Afghani people, especially to  foreigners. Eventually she continued her world tour, before stopping in Toronto, where she had intended to waitress for a month or two before she continued travelling. Instead - she met her future husband and decided to settle down in Ottawa.

Years later, when the Taliban rose to power and stripped Afghan women of their rights, she felt compelled to take action. The memories of the women she had met, the freedom they once had, and the country she had fallen in love with ignited a passion within her to fight for their rights.

While I initially attended the event to hear Sophie, I was myself equally captivated to hear this woman’s story. Both Sophie and this lady embodied immense courage - the willingness to dive into the unknown, defy cultural norms, live true to themselves and stand up for those in need. And truly you can do everything you dream of. You can travel the world, build a fulfilling career, and still choose to settle down and have a family. 

I told her I had been contemplating solo travelling —an experience I had never had but wanted to try before settling down and starting a family of my own. Yet, I had my reservations. Traveling alone felt daunting, and at 29, I wondered if it was already late to the game.
But hearing her stories—of navigating the world 50 years ago, without technology, and entirely on her own—left me inspired. It felt like a sign from the universe. Despite the five-decade age gap between us, I felt more connected to her than to many girls my own age. I thought to myself: One day, I want to be in my eighties, looking back on my twenties, having that spark in my eyes and knowing that I just went for it.

As the talk came to an end, I turned to her and thanked her for sharing her story. She took my hand in hers and with a knowing smile said, I know you’re going to have the best time.

PART 1: NEPAL, December 2024
Fast-forward seven months later, I was embarking on a solo trip to Nepal and China. I banked all the overtime hours from working in the summer and took the entire month of Dec off. The trip was my perfect trip and very uniquely me. It involved all my favorite things: mountains, great food, rich culture, and cutting edge train technology. 

The trip was a blend of hiking through the Himalayas in Nepal, followed by a culinary food tour through China. I was intentional in picking a trip that I felt right for this moment in my life- something I couldn’t simply postpone for later. 

A 5 hr train to Toronto, followed by a long 35 hour flight to Kathmandu is a lot easier to do now in my youth than when I’m older. I also craved both a true physical and mental challenge. Trekking in Nepal would push myself to my physical limits, while navigating China - where few people speak English and firewalls block Western apps for Google search and navigation - felt like a true mental test. 
Nonetheless, it was the perfect trip for me - at exactly the right time.

Everything felt like a sign. Meeting that woman by chance at the book event, learning that she had traveled solo at 29—the exact age I was at the time—and discovering that she had started her journey in Nepal, a place I had dreamed of visiting for years, all felt too serendipitous to ignore.

The signs didn’t stop there. My direct manager and one of my colleagues were Nepali and were incredible resources, sharing their insights and enthusiasm about their home country. My manager even connected me with a friend of a friend who ultimately became my guide. Having that reassurance that I would be trekking with someone my manager knew directly was great. I also got a great deal - everything included for 12 days on the Annapurna Circuit -  private guide, porter, permits, transportation, food and accommodation during the trek - $1500 USD. 

Once I started talking about my plans, I was surprised by how many people in my office had also been to Nepal—and every single one of them described it as one of the most unforgettable experiences of their lives. With so many connections and affirmations pointing me in this direction, it fueled my excitement. 
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December 3 - Day 3 of the Annapurna Circuit, I wrote in my journal. “I saw the snowpeaked Himalayas for the first time. They took my breath away. I cannot even explain how beautiful and grand they were. The mountains with the cute little towns, it’s all just so picturesque.”

Hiking in December, during the shoulder season was the best decision. From September to November, as many as 250–300 people typically start the hike each day, but the day I began, only 19 others had set out. This created an incredibly personal experience where we had the trails almost entirely to ourselves. At times, we were the only guests staying at the guesthouses, which led to intimate interactions with the hosts—sharing dinner and drinks in the evenings or sitting by the fire in their kitchens in the mornings.

I enjoyed the familiar rhythm of the days: waking up early, having breakfast at dawn, and hiking 5–7 hours until we reached the next town around 2 PM. Afternoons were spent resting—I would often sit by the fire, reading and writing, before dinner and go to bed early. The balance between trekking and rest felt perfect.

What caught my attention the most is how Nepali people are the ultimate hosts. They are the most welcoming and open-hearted individuals I have ever met. Social awkwardness? Not a thing here. Community is at the heart of everything. People know their neighbors, and strangers are just friends they haven’t met yet. On the road, drivers would often stop to say hi and sometimes even chat when passing eachother. At restaurants, it was normal to start talking to the table besides you. My guide, Rupak, even invited me to his home for dinner one evening, and it seemed like everyone knew everyone by name in his neighbourhood. Family is everything in Nepal. Generations live together under one roof—grandparents, parents, children, cousins—all sharing a home. It made me reflect on how different things are in Canada, and how important it is to return to our roots by prioritizing community and family. 

One of my biggest concerns about coming to Nepal was I would have trouble adjusting to the food - most people who travelled here said it was their biggest hurdle. Luckily, I adjusted perfectly. Every meal was amazing —fresh ingredients, rich flavors, and a vibrant variety of dishes. My absolute favorite? Daal Bhat—a staple of Nepali cuisine. Imagine a perfectly balanced plate: rice, lentil soup, a spiced vegetable curry, pickled veggies, sautéed greens, a choice of meat, and warm Nepali bread. Every region, every family, every cook adds their own twist to daal bhat, making each meal a new experience. It’s also tradition for the host to keep refilling your plate until you’re completely satisfied. (Quite the contrast to Western culture, where shrinkflation is getting out of control.)  It’s such a beautiful gesture of hospitality, and I absolutely loved it.

And despite the remote locations, I was constantly amazed by how every guest house had a full menu and never seemed to run out of ingredients. I’ll never forget the 20-year-old young guy living solo in Ledar, who made the best potato cheese momos I’ve ever had—entirely by hand. From kneading the dough to crafting the filling, every step was done with care - and he did it in less than an hour! Supplies in these high-altitude villages had to be brought up by mule, which made the quality and variety of meals even more impressive.
Traveling on Nepal’s roads was an adventure in itself. Who needs an amusement park when you can experience the adrenaline rush of driving through Nepal’s rugged terrain? It took two days to get from Kathmandu to our starting point on the Annapurna Circuit, navigating bumpy, narrow, single-lane roads shared by buses, motorcycles, and pedestrians—yet there wasn’t a single accident that I saw. I would highly recommend taking the drive from Muktinah to Poon HIll - from desert to tropical jungle on the side of cliff - I can’t believe these landscapes exist. There are no words to describe how beautiful these places are.

Despite Nepal’s visible poverty, I was surprised by how safe it felt. There was virtually no crime.  Families would start small fires outside their homes, yet I didn’t see any fire trucks. The roads and traffic were chaotic, yet I didn’t see any accidents. It was such a paradox, my mind could not make sense of - a country that appeared unpredictable yet functioned harmoniously in its unique way. 

My favorite thing about the hike was obviously the breathtaking views. I’ve been dreaming of the Himalayas for the past 8 years and I’m so glad I finally did it. It’s beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I absolutely love the mountains. I loved the remoteness of the hike. I love being immersed in Nepali culture, from food to music to their cultural traditions. All the mountain villages, temples, prayer flags against a backdrop of towering 8,000-meter peaks—Manaslu, Annapurna - was just so beautiful. Every step felt like walking through a dream. It was truly my dream vacation - As we reached higher elevations, the scenery evolved. Coincidentally, the air got thinner, making each breath more laborious. I had to power through the headaches, but the mountain towns with their charming guest houses made the journey rewarding. The higher we climbed, the more breathtaking the scenery became. The sunrises and sunsets were especially out of this world. 

Reaching the summit was an unforgettable moment. We woke up at 4pm to try to catch the summit at sunrise. It was dark, over 5000m elevation and cold. It had actually snowed the previous evening. If it wasn’t for Rupak and Prakash helping me, there is no way I would have had the stamina to finish the hike. Rupak was so helpful, taking my backpack, letting me take frequent short breaks to warm up and catch my breath. The exhaustion, the headaches, the cold, lack of showers and running water, it really tested my limits. But finally we rounded the corner and reached the Thorong Pass. I felt an immense sense of accomplishment and relief - I will never ever forget this entire experience. Not only did we get to watch the sunrise but we were also the first ones at the summit. What an unforgettable experience. 

After the hike, I spent another week in Nepal, 3 days in Pokhara and 3 days Kathmandu. Prakash went back to his hometown, but Rupak didn’t have any tours lined up so he actually was kind enough to show me around Pokhara and Kathmandu. I loved Pokhara especially - nestled into a valley with a lake and surrounded by a full 360 of the Himalayan mountain range. I understand why it was the city of choice for digital nomads. It’s such an amazing place and I actually preferred it to Kathmandu. 

Yes, I was there for the hike, but I left with so much more. I fell in love with the people, their simple way of life, the food, the raw beauty of nature, and the mesmerizing sunrises. The warmth of the people, the sense of community, and the incredible food made it unforgettable. It made me realize how much we could learn from a culture that values togetherness over isolation, generosity over transactions, and connection over convenience. I’m sure when I’m in my 80’s, I’ll have the same light in my eyes as the women who inspired this trip in the first place.