600 steps to the top of a temple, believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, the monkey god, seemed like an unreachable feat. My 3 friends and I had just biked about 5 miles, trekking historic and religious landmarks around Hampi, the ruins capital of India. Once we reached this temple, I was ready to just sit at the bottom as the rest of my friends went up. But, something told me that I wouldn't want to miss this. As we climbed the hilltop completely barefoot, monkeys surrounded the ancient staircases and women in their saris with their small children swiftly passed us, making their way to the top. Older men and women also dared to take on the climb and, suddenly, I felt a new sense of motivation and determination. With each step, the view became more and more breathtaking. The entire hill was composed of rugged, gigantic rocks. And, looking out into the distance, patches of paddy field looked like a solved jigsaw puzzle. Once we reached the top, we entered the temple that is dedicated to Hanuman and were offered holy water and the vermilion colored powder Hindus wear on their foreheads.
Although my legs felt like jello and I felt physically exhausted, a new sense of energy ran through my body. I really surprised myself. It wasn't just the physical achievement, but the whole matter of it all. I surprised myself that I could break out of my comfort zone and try new things. I sat atop the rock structure and looked around at all the people. Some were meditating, soaking in peace from the refreshing breeze. Others were having an afternoon lunch with their families. I had never felt more inspired in my life, than in this exact moment. For the first time, I was not afraid to let go and push away any inhibitions. It was one of the first moments of my study abroad experience where I felt immensely grateful for the journey I was embarking on. I became stronger and more self-assured. And, looking back now it symbolized the entire theme of my time here. A theme of initial struggle and uneasiness but an instant reward and feeling of self discovery that counteracted any previous fears.