An Unexpected Exchange: A Darjeeling Memory in a Second-Hand Book

I’m not usually the kind of reader who goes for second-hand books. I feel like each book holds a secret bond with its first reader- a mix of memories, feelings, and experiences. When I read, I live through those characters, they become part of me, and I like that bond to feel fresh and unshared. But this one? This was different.

It was the second day of my recent Darjeeling trip. I was wandering around near Darjeeling Zoo, craving a cozy little spot to relax with a cup of tea. That’s when I stumbled upon this vintage rooftop cafe called Panda Belly. The place was super inviting, painted in warm yellow tones that practically called me in. So, without a second thought, I went inside.

The vibe? Pure magic. The whole place radiated warmth and positive energy. A super cool girl with short hair, wearing a blue sweater and fishnet tights under shorts, welcomed us. The cafe was small but bursting with personality-  hand-drawn sketches and vintage printouts covered the walls, giving it a funky, Pinterest-worthy feel. It was quirky and colorful, with unique decor all over. My eyes landed on a huge Guns N’ Roses poster, some old wine bottles used as plant holders, and all sorts of cute & funky posters.

But the star of the cafe was a feature wall filled with random cool items- everything from an old phonograph CD to empty 7up, Pepsi, and Coke bottles, rocks, a dartboard, old cassette tapes, a radio and, of course, a collection of old, wrinkled secondhand books. It was a wall of memories, and it looked absolutely stunning.

I couldn’t resist the book collection, so I reached for a random one. It was titled You and Me on Vacation by Emily Henry. Perfect title, right? I showed it to my travel partner, and he gave me a huge smile- it felt like the book was calling out to me. Just then, the cool girl brought over two cups of tea, served with so much care and love. And as if the universe was adding to the magic of the moment, the cafe started playing Sombr's "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind." I had recently discovered this song and had been listening to it on repeat throughout my Darjeeling trip. Hearing it in the cafe felt like a sign- I knew I was meant to be there. I read the first line while sipping my tea, and instantly, I knew I had to take this book home as a memory of this trip.

My friend grinned and teased that the title suited us perfectly. He even joked that it was meant for me, a coincidence too perfect to ignore. Excited, I headed to the counter and asked if I could buy it. That’s when she introduced me to the cafe’s owner- a guy around her age, in grey trousers, a winter shirt, and a cap. He was just as warm and humble as the cafe itself.  He took me to the wall where I found the book and explained the story behind it:

Every item on that wall had been gifted by past visitors! They had this super cool tradition: if you wanted to take something, you’d have to leave something personal in exchange. It wasn’t about the monetary value; it was about meaning and memories.

Challenge accepted! My friend and I looked at each other, then at ourselves. What could we possibly offer? We’d left almost everything in the car, so all we had on us were our phones and some random items that didn’t hold any sentimental value. The owner and the cool girl felt genuinely sorry that we couldn’t find anything to exchange, and they kept apologizing as we walked out. I was disappointed; I really wanted that book, not just for the story but for the entire experience of finding it.

As we walked toward the car, an idea hit me- my little woolen flower! I’d bought this violet flower on the first day of the trip, and it had become something of a travel companion. I’d taken it literally everywhere, and it appeared in almost every photo. I held it close as a quirky little keepsake and had come to treat it almost like a living thing. It was precious to me.

I looked at my friend and said, “I’ll trade my flower for the book. If I’m taking a memory from here, I want to leave something equally special behind.” He nodded, knowing how much that flower meant to me. So, I dashed back to the car, grabbed my flower, and rushed back to the cafe, excitement bursting out of me.

“Here- my favorite flower for the book,” I said, offering it with a huge smile. They were both a bit stunned by my excitement as I practically burst back into the cafe. But they loved it. Really loved it. The guy took the flower from my hand, admiring it, and couldn’t stop talking about how pretty it was until I finally left.

“Here, take your book home,” he said, handing it to me.

But I couldn’t leave without getting his name and the date written in the book. I wanted to remember this forever, and each time I saw his handwriting, it would take me back to discovering the cafe, meeting these amazing people, and the story of how I got this book. He was kind and happy to sign it for me, adding the date. We shook hands, exchanged smiles, and it was time to go. Before leaving, I asked for a photo, and they didn’t hesitate- they even struck a few poses! And just like that, with a signed, second-hand book in my hand and a big smile on my face, I left Panda Belly. 

This book isn’t just my first second-hand book- it’s a treasure from Darjeeling, a reminder of an unforgettable experience, and a memory of these amazing people I met along the way.