A Rustic Retreat at Rakaposhi
Under the shadows of a majestic mountain
As we strolled through the empty streets of Rakaposhi that night, hugging ourselves for scraps of warmth, I wondered what things would be like if every night was like this — a brief respite from the turbulence of life.
This was our second day’s stop en route to Hunza, after an uneventful (and prolonged) journey through the serpentine highway cutting across the Karakoram. And yet, as half-past twelve struck, although our bones creaked when we walked and our heads pounded in our ears, we could not fathom the idea of returning to our little inn and getting to bed.
The streets were mostly empty, safe for a few of us and some stray dogs. This cozy little town, nestled beneath the shadow of the magnificent Rakaposhi mountain, was a sanctuary for weary travellers seeking to escape the treacherous twists and bone-chilling rockfalls of the Karakoram Highway.
As we strolled past shuttered windows and parked vehicles, a calming, chilly breeze made its way toward us from the mountains. A lone hotel or bakery or jewellery shop would remain open despite the late hour, with a few scattered tourists enjoying the warmth within.
It was here, as we shivered and our teeth chattered, that we espied a small, open walnut bakery on the side of the…
