I travel & I become!!

I have had the opportunity to travel to a few countries outside India - Japan (my dream destination), France, Cambodia, now the US. Since then I have wondered even more about what exactly is travel? Why should humans travel? Why has it been so important to humans since the beginning of time. 

When you travel the world, you interact and experience the place - the architecture, culture, lifestyle, design & technology, cuisine, nature, and yes also it's people. I have had enough experiences as a traveller to classify places which I really admire. The places which have realised their full potential through several years of experimentation, improvisation and enhancements. Generations after generations humans have put great effort in becoming an integral part of the place and finally have realised that THIS IS IT!! - cycling in the mountains to reach office is just as perfect as driving a convertible through the vineyards of the country side. 

In a diverse country like India, every corner gives a rich and varied experience presenting you layers of history. What you experience depends on the person you are. In Japan, it is the ingrained hospitality of the people which strikes instantly. In France, it is the love for beauty - the architecture, the museums, fashionable lifestyle. In Cambodia, it is the vastness, the great human endeavour. In the US, I am yet to figure out, really, it is such a big conglomerate built for convenience!! 

I have also realised - the great love for travelling also derives from the good company you travel with. People who keep the world above them to absorb the travel experiences rather than obsess over themselves endlessly and disturbing fellow travellers. People who have some discipline, who can plan and execute to make good use of time. People who can recognise the existence of 'Mother Earth' and admire it. I know such friends who love to lie down under the blanket of stars and instantly be part of the larger cosmos. Such bliss!!

Yet, sometimes you don't have a choice, you have to cultivate some patience, compromise at times on the company. But it is okay, know what to absorb and what to ignore along the way. 

Travelling will help you be more comfortable with the world and it's people. It adds new perspectives to life. It revitalises and sometimes teaches a few lessons. 

How do you retain those experiences? write, collect artefacts, sketch and add pictures to albums and share stories.

Hence, I travel to become!!

Indeed it was a memorable trip: Part III

“Reluctant to wake up in the early morning cold, we complained, cursed n pulled each other from the beds!! Had breakfast, charged up n started uphill ride. Driving on the roads where landslides are frequent. But our vehicle is tuff n driver is very experienced.. the rest... we leave it to God!!"

Sikkim roads are built by “BRO”- Border Road Organization. Tough task to make roads in rocky terrains...

                   Men at work; The bridge we crossed; Concrete stepped structure to prevent landslides

View of the valley- enthralling....

The Tsmongo (Pronounced chongo in Sikkimese) lake is well protected n its a reservoir of medicinal herbs.     Again my heart falls for this pure beauty..

                "morning color of the lake.. sun basked luminousness with blueness and nuff of green
Astoundingly,, the lake turns navy blue.. n then slightly brownish to gold as we walk across the pavement on the other side.. we realize the golden skim is the reflection of overlooking colossus mountain..."

               

                                           

                                              This lake freezes in January n people skate on it!!

      
                               

         

Indeed it was a memorable trip: Part II

           The second day was "journey day". We preferred journeying during the day due to safety reasons.. we flew from Kolkata to Bhagdogra,,we had booked a package tour to Sikkim through North Bengal tours and travels. Their correspondent received us at Bhagdogra Civil Aerodrome. We clarified the journey time and route we would be taking. Met the driver at the entrance who would be escorting us to Gangtok before it gets dark(was the rule). Four hours was the journey time on the National Highway connecting Bhagdogra and Gangtok. We soon reached Siliguri, another major city in North Bengal. From there was a journey,, most endearing...

her enchanting graceful curves.. 

her elegant shades.. turquoise, aquamarine, lightSeaGreen, emerald..
her tranquility..n casual composure.. as she flows..  far.. 

...keep all her spectators spell bound

at once u grieve, she is gone

      then she would be flowing beside u again

so far she flows.. far beyond your eyes can reach

so far she flows..relentlessly 

      thro the ranges of great Himalayas..

far across the country

      ..to meet her companion BramhaPutra

Well that was about river Teesta.. :) Phew!!.. she has a tuf ride. com'on BramhaPutra u cud hav as well turned ur course to meet this beauty.. :p
But, we couldn't stop to take her pick. n so pics from moving vehicle has degraded her charm,, u would curse me.. 

                        ..so here are some pics (i flicked from net) :p

                                                                                       Thank You ...  for all the great photographers  who took these beautiful pictures

                                                                                                                                 

Gangtok; first aspect u notice about this place is its "plastic free & very clean". Second, soon u realize you are in a toy land with doll houses around. Third,, cute people with tiny eyes n their refined demeanor, n how can i miss their versatile hairstyles(faux hawk, spikes, all sorts of funky haircuts). Forth,, a mother and daughter can run a wine shop here!! :D :p

       We checked into Hotel Anola.. our tour correspondent met us n gave the itinerary for Gangtok’s stay. We compared it with list we had prepared n tweaked in few more places then he informed us tat permit for Nathula pass will be provided for specific days of a week… as our days of stay doesn't match with permitted days there is little hope of going to India-China trading border. We dint want to let go so we insisted him to get us permit if possible and gave him our passport copies. We were in dismay and regretted for relying completely on tour organizers for this. And due to Gorkhaland protests we had to cancel our visit to Kalimpong and extended our stay in Gangtok,, which left us in mixed emotions. 

      Once we stepped out of Anola into streets of Gangtok we were taken over by a wave of exquisite pleasantness. Clean MG Marg with pedestrian tiled-walkway as broad as a road! It provided benches for fagged shoppers’ n dustbins to help keep it clean :) Foutained divider as u can see in the picture above..

      We entered Hotel Tashi which was close by. A long aisle covered with glass bricks was architecturally admirable. There was a Ganapati moorti carved out of wood..at the corner was a receptionist who welcomed us with warm smile. we Turning slight left..realized the restaurant itself "is a great piece of art! Had roti and dal..!! was reluctant to try native dish. I am not a foodie, i prefer home food!

 

Bdw..MG Marg is expensive,, just like MG roads of other cities.. but there is a parallel road housing mini shops.. u can buy mementos or souvenirs back home. You can shop shawls and sweaters in native shops. You can buy traditional dress of Sikkim “Bakhu” in any native shop,, but do explore a lot before u buy it.. u have options of vivid colors, opulent golden/silver prints and different quality of silk

Indeed it was a memorable trip

[Elaborating the lines,, written down in bits n pieces in a composition book, during my travel to Kolkata and Sikkim in Dec (12^th -20^th) 2009]

I love traveling. To note few of my trips: have traveled to Andaman n Nicobar islands, been on a trek to Himalayas, a trip to Wynad, leisurely tours to Malnad (as its my mothers native) n many more. I guess I have got this from my mother,, she was an unweary traveler.

But this trip is different from other ones. If u ask me why??

 “As I write these lines,, the aircraft hovers over Karnataka…jetting towards Kolkata, it carries a bunch of passengers awaiting to get back home. Among them is a lone traveler who is a stranger to the land jet is heading to. Right, I’m sitting here,, all packed up and excited…amidst stranger co passengers. It’s a beautiful day. As I watch the brightly lit cotton clouds fly with me, I smile , i wud see my best friend soon.. :)

                         Fingers clicked overpowering my senses.. irresistible shot (12th Dec 2009)

However hard i think, very few things i can associate with Kolkata:
Huge idol of Durga and Kali, chubby people living on sweets, old buildings, red round bindis, bengali accent pôsond (pasand..like), bôdol (badal..exchange), shôsta (sasta..inexpensive)

Wonder what could be more...its a short stay at Kolkata."

Then echoed the Pilots voice-outside temperature 26'C, very fine weather, he wished a nice stay at Kolkata..n apologized for late arrival.Flight's departure was delayed a little..so i thought i should forgive him,, after all he brought us safe. I love the feeling of sitting in a descending plane,, makes u feel light weightless. Through the window, could see a map drawn below getting zoomed every second.. finally trees n building ran behind n squealing plane parked at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose international airport. I smiled and approved air hostess n stewards their patient service. All the more excited, i hopped down the craft collected all my baggage..rushed through the exit.

I found my friend,,PK! :) Waving, grinning,jumping with excitement we greeted each other and sank into a cozy conversation. A moment unaware of surroundings, i was. And the next moment moms words flashed in my mind “don’t ever lose sense in excitement..there are lot of things in this world which u wudnt want to see.. so be very careful”. "Aithamma.." tho mom wanted me to see the world she was little worried, she convinced herself we are brave kids. But mom was convinced more when PK’s mom said,, naan Kolkata ge hogidnalla,,avle(PKne) nannan ella kade karkond hogiddu, kalsi enu aagalla, ibru nodkond bartare.. :)

Since we had decided on low cost best trip..we waited for the airport bus. I quickly turned around to get the first glimpse of Kolkata,,a queue of yellow taxis in the stand, a politician with folded hands on big Bengali banner.. people rushing in n out of the bus..walls with movie posters.To make maximum utilization of time,, standing in-front of the airport we listed important places to visit,time it takes to reach the place, and time visitors are allowed. As PK was very much acquainted with the place during 4 n half years of her stay..she was quick in sorting out ‘what to visit, and when’. Bus dint turn up so we tuk a taxi.. big yellow taxi(counting crow song ringing in my ears),,

   comfortable is the journey through the streets of Kolkata..outside the window i see cycle rickshaws, man pulled rickshaws, wooden buses,,old buildings...like sequel of frames of old paintings displayed. Then a feeling of wonder creeps in me n i become speechless...am taken back in time..

Sunny afternoon, 12th Dec 2009

Nearly an hour we traveled n paid “dada” 180 bucks (no sir or bhaiyya). The first impressive factor about Kolkata is cost of living-u’ll completely agree with me when i talk about bus fare. After refreshing and a bit of relaxed chat we headed to Dakshineshwar. We traveled 1 hour in bus from salt lake city to banks of river Hooghly. When we asked which stop we need to get down for Dakshineshwar, many people sincerely offered help. People there are helpful and kind (inference from entire stay). Paid Rs. 9 for the journey..! 
Walking through a connecting street with local shops we were attracted to white “ivory” bangles (traditional Bengali bangles called Shankha pola)..having no time to shop :( we headed straight to the temple[Visiting time: 5.30 A.M. To 10.30 A.M. and 4.30 P.M to 7.30 P.M ]. 

Welcomes you with well designed gate and you can never imagine what is awaiting for u inside.  

...beautifully crafted marvel with perfect combination of two earthy colors...stands on enormous courtyard..stuns all its viewers...

Entrance of Dakshineshwar

Main Shrine of Goddess Kali

4 among the 12 subsidiary shrine for Lord Shiva

The temple is built by Rani Rashmôni, devotee of Kali. Capturing its beauty, we seek blessings of Lord Shiva in a subsidiary shrine. Huge Crowd n long queue made it impossible for us to go inside the main temple..so we got a glimpse of Kali Mata in the oil lit lamps. Courtyard is surrounded by 12 temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Flowing beside this temple is river Hooghly.

               ...n there lies astonishing beauty,,where mans creation blends thoroughly with nature's..

Vivekananda Setu..view from temple [12th Dec 2009, 6:30 PM]

People on the boat..heading towards Belur Math

Belur Mutt on the other bank.. reminds of movie "Water"

We visited Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Kottadi at Dakshineshwar which was so calm and silent,,cut off from outside world. Few bhaktas sank into meditative moods.

A boat ride to Belur Math was inexplicable..the mist cover over Hooghly river,, soft pink n purple painted the sky.We chose to sit on the front end of the boat..slowly engulfed by the thin mist..chilled us. Getting closer and closer to the bridge we were amazed to realize there were two bridges,,which were superimposed. Belur math (on the other bank-Howra) lights dimmed through the mist...

Belur math is noted for its architecture-Combination of Hindu,Muslim n Christian styles as symbol of unity of religions. Darkness prevented us from capturing it. It is the head quarters of Ramakrishna mission,,and founded by Swami Vivekananda. We sat a little while listening to bhajans. Then headed to Ramkrishna Museum..but we were late by few minutes :(   (met few Kannadigas in the campus,,:) )

After the brief visit to Belur math we took a bus from Howra to New Market. Walked through the brightly lit energized streets,, preparing for Christmas. We had "totally yummy" gur [bella(kannada)..jaggery] rasgullas.. my mouth waters as i write this. Dined at Piccadilly Square(Subhas Bose road)..a small cute London based restaurant with sweet ambiance..place was lit with "light poles"..we had delicious aloo waffles.

It was 10 pm by the time we got into a taxi to return..i was surprised to see lot of female commuters. Kolkata is a safe city comparatively. That night,, stayed at university guest house..

Next day would be a big day.. Journey to Gangtok...