Himachal Diaries March 2016, Day 1:

When one arrives on a mountain from a city or the plains, one must be clear what it is that they seek. If you seek silence, you must be aware of it. The mountains are silent to the point that they are a mirror to all that is around. You will hear only that which you wish to hear. And often you will find yourself talking to those who travel with you or the local residents, in the loud voice that comes naturally in the cities since you won’t be heard over the noise. The quietness in the mountains can unnerve a city person because it leads you to think and breathe and feel instead of speaking and acting and communicating endlessly.