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!!
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!!
