Having no regrets is all that she really wants.
One Direction
A lyric from one of my go-to boybands isn’t exactly how I thought I’d start this post about my Tenpy experience. For months, I penned drafts and discarded them, thinking some literary semi-masterpiece will be conjured up if I tried hard enough. The more I tried, the more I was stuck.
Unmoving, my fingers on the keyboard; untranslatable, my thoughts into coherent words. Finally, I decided to let it go. The words, my thoughts, my fingers on the keyboard. Like they’ve all been buttered and left to slide on a dish, with no regard to friction or gravity.
It’s pretty much my stance on life now – let it go. What is, is; what will be, will be. This is a stark contrast to what my view was – as a child in school, as a young adult in college and through my first few jobs. I can’t put my finger on any singular event that caused something inside me to change; because there is none. The sum of many moments is my best guess. It also didn’t happen overnight. It happened, without notice – I gradually stopped trying too hard. I stopped getting stuck.
Finding myself nestled in a cosy container home, surrounded by greenery and silence pierced only by the sounds of leaves rustling and birds calling each other, was one such moment – a small part making up the sum. Named after the beloved character from Ruskin Bond’s collection of stories, Rusty made me realize, among other things, that there’s no turning back from this outlook on life that I have now wholeheartedly embraced.
I guess I grew tired of the chase – I spent my childhood and teenage years chasing grades and academic achievements; I spent my twenties chasing love, romance and career aspirations, and lost myself in the process. I turned from human to clay, quickly moulding myself into what others wanted me to be, not once thinking of what I wanted to become, who I wanted to be, and who I authentically was, at that moment. There was no ‘me’; there only was ‘who and what I can be for others’.
What brings me happiness? Rather, what brings me contentment?
Money, yes. Without income and a small kitty of savings, I’d be a fool to believe I’d be content. I’m not yet ready to give up the luxuries of a middle-class lifestyle, and I am aware of my extreme privilege – the one that lets me do all that I want to and be all that I am.
But am I ready to do what it takes to stride into the lap of true luxury?
Nope.
That’s not for me. The ‘hustle’ – side or main – the ‘give up your today for a better tomorrow’ – they don’t mean much to me anymore. I realise that I am but a speck in the unsolvable mystery that is the Universe, with no knowledge of what the next minute will bring, let alone the next day, month or year. So, why would I spend another precious second of now, for something that isn’t guaranteed, and isn’t even mine to claim? Why would I not soak in every little experience, and make myself the main character of the life only I would lead?
At Rusty, I was able to do just that. Sip on hot coffee in the midst of lush greens and browns, not without care because what’s life without a few worries? Walk around the quarry and peek into the pond to see little fish looking for feed in the coolness of a cloudy morning. Devour the simplest of foods made with a tenderness that reminds those who live away from home why they yearn to go back. Trek around the area and then some, trying to find as many lakes as we could and catch an elusive sunset. Spend hours talking about all things life under a canopy of sparkling stars overshone only by the full moon in all its soft splendour.
Rusty became my comfort zone. No digital cacophony, no material distractions and capitalistic goals, at least for forty-eight hours.
But shouldn’t we get out of our comfort zones?
To each their own, I guess. There’s treasure outside of the comfort zone, there’s no denying this. But there’s a different kind of treasure within it, something that I’m not willing to give up, at least just yet. The safety and warmth of familiarity, the simple pleasure in being in the moment and not chasing a future that isn’t written in stone.
I wish that while growing up, I was taught that it is okay to just be. Having lofty goals and dreams is wonderful, but it is just as wonderful to have simple wishes that are easily fulfilled. That aiming for high seven-to-eight-figure salaries is great, but being content with what you currently have is just as great. That everyone is just as smart and just as obtuse, everyone is special and also not. Most importantly, I wish I was taught how incredibly fragile this life is, and if I don’t savour each day in pursuit of a rosier tomorrow, I have lost not just what is, but also what could be.
Revisiting this little haven for a soul detox will feature in my 2022 plans of course, although I may bite and travel a bit further to experience all the goodness that Rusty’s ‘sister’ Heidi has to offer. Wherever I may go, I hope I don’t forget the brevity and the length, the bitterness and the sweetness of life, and the literal once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I have, because of my mere existence. I hope the same for you too.
What you need to know about Tenpy
Both Rusty and Heidi are the tiny home babies of Tenpy, the hospitality service that offers back-to-basics cosy rentals to escape from the chaos of city living. Simple, sustainable and rooted in nature, Tenpy is perfect for those looking for a detox from the loud, the mundane, the hurried and the harried. Think of it as a green smoothie for your mind.
These tiny homes are refurbished shipping containers packed with everything you need for a weekend of unwinding and doing absolutely nothing!
Getting there
Rusty, and Heidi are in and around Bangalore, Karnataka.
- Rusty is located in Chiguru Farms, Bilikal Forest, Karnataka
- Heidi is located in Vishaal Farms, Doddenahalli
Driving to these locations is the best way to reach them. In fact, Rusty is just under an hour from where I live (I rode my moped to get there!), making it a no-brainer for South Bangaloreans to easily add it to their weekend plans. These locations are managed camping grounds, so navigating and safety at these places aren’t things to be too worried about.
Booking
Both container homes get booked pretty fast, so a last-minute trip is out of the question. Planning a month in advance is ideal, especially if you’re looking for a weekend slot.
Bookings can be done either with Camp Monk or Airbnb, via the Tenpy website itself.
What to expect
Rusty and Heide are tiny, cosy home-like structures located away from cityscapes, so expect fresh air, ample outdoor space, visual treats, and a rental home that is equipped with comfortable and clean beds, a kitchenette, a stocked bathroom and even a little library! Freshly-made meals are available on pre-payment, but you can always carry your own ingredients and whip up something easy and yum in the kitchenette.
It would be silly to expect hotel-level service, internet connectivity/wi-fi or a strong cellular network. Tenpy’s tiny homes aren’t exactly in the middle of the city, so it’s best to be mentally prepared to completely disconnect.
Tip: Rusty and Heidi are pet-friendly, so you can always have your furry bestie tag along.
What to carry
Go minimal. Both homes come with basic amenities, but do carry the following –
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and other toiletries
- Clothes to change
- Comfortable shoes to walk
- Insect cream (not bug spray)
- Ingredients, if you’d like to cook your own food
- Cash, for emergencies
Sustainability at Tenpy
The homes are upcycled shipping containers, making them sustainable and minimizing the carbon footprint of the structures.
Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the open surroundings while respecting the local flora and fauna. Obviously, no littering! Avoid carrying plastics, and if you do, you are expected to carry them back with you.
It’s good to chase big dreams. It’s also just as good to chase smaller ones – it’s the little joys, the tiny snatches of happiness, and the many ordinary experiences that make being alive extraordinary.
