To the soldier that stopped to check that I was doing okay. Ladakh, India.
Dear Soldier,
We met briefly when I was on a bike trip in the Himalayas surrounding the Ladakh region in May 2024.
I traveled to Leh, the capital of Ladakh—a beautiful union territory of northern India known for its incredible views of the Himalayas, its tranquil Tibetan culture, and a cuisine quite different from what most people think of as “Indian food.” I met some boys in a hostel there, all solo travelers. After a couple of day trips, conversations over the fire pit that lasted until early morning, way too many rum and cokes, and a few canceled flights, I decided to join them. Just five boys and me on an eight-day road trip along the winding roads of the mountains. We drove from Leh through the Chang La pass, past Durbuk to Pangong Lake, and then through Loma and Nyoma to get to Hanle.
Somewhere between Pangong and Loma, you were posted at a checkpoint. As the boys took a break from their helmets to stretch their legs, you approached me. I was standing there in my puffy jacket, probably looking a little road-worn, when you smiled at me politely. In Hindi, a language we both spoke, you asked if I was doing okay and if I felt safe traveling with the group. I smiled back reassuringly and said, “Yes.” You nodded in satisfaction and disappeared into one of the offices.
As we were getting ready to get back on our bikes, you reappeared. You handed me a bag, saying “safe travels” with a hand over your heart. It was filled with water, cookies, chocolate, and chips. I thanked you and waved goodbye, but I don’t think you realize how much that meant.
In that moment, you made me feel so safe. It struck me how a simple, quiet check-in from a stranger could carry so much weight. You weren’t a friend or a family member; you were a stranger who went out of his way to look after me. In a world where authority can sometimes feel intimidating, you chose to treat me with a kindness that felt like family.
For you, it may have been a small gesture, but my smile held the warmest wishes for you. I would’ve hugged you if you weren’t in uniform—though I know how inappropriate that would have been!
I still send you good thoughts from wherever I am in the world. I hope you are safe, and that you are always surrounded by the same love and care you showed me that day.
With Love,
Mia
© Dear Dhuniya 2026