Do you travel or do you explore?

My life is simple. I'm passionate about a few things in life and they give me immense happiness. The list goes like this: family, writing, environment, reading, travelling and music to name a few. All of these make up a large chunk of my life. When people ask what I would have been if not for an environmental engineer, I always say : a writer preferably, the one that will help pay my bills while I travel the world; or better yet, write about my travelling experiences. Oh, what fun that would be!

Imagine you are on the top of the Himalayas, breathing fresh air (a rare commodity these days); looking at the infinite space in front of you, I’m sure you’d be inspired and ready to embrace life with a new respect. Or, amongst the bustling crowds of New York City, moving along with strangers together and alone in your journey to a destination that might or might not be the same. Or, getting proposed to on the top of the Eiffel Tower (Don’t ask me why, but that has always been the dream :P). Aah, what a life that would entail!

I can call myself a fair traveller, been to around 15 states and 2 UTs in the country and just recently, 3 countries outside India (4 if you count the time I went to Nepal to buy a chocolate :D). I am always looking to expand this list. Travelling has always been an interest, a hobby and luckily, my family loves travelling too. And hence, the numerous trips we took to visit various parts of the country right from my childhood. I like ticking places off my to-see list. But I have never travelled alone to any place. I know I do travel from Mumbai to Hyderabad and back all alone all the time but I don’t mean the physical aspect of it, rather about actually being a solitary explorer in an unknown city. I have never had the chance to experience new cultures on my own; it was always under the shadow of friends or family’s protection. (Not that I am complaining). Until recently...

I was asked to visit Jaipur for a client meeting. Man, how excited was I! It was one of those things I always looked forward to – like I mentioned earlier – travel for work and write about it. And believe it or not, I went there twice this very month and the month hasn’t even come to an end yet. Jaipur, fondly known as the Pink City, was a sight to see. It was so beautiful, so well maintained, so neat & so royal. I was awed by the richness the city effused. I was inspired by the royalty that dripped from every structure in the city. The city had majestic buildings that chronicled its regal story. It was a magnificent place, somehow juxtaposing modern culture and history. Somehow, we Indians always manage doing that – maybe because we are not yet ready to let go of our culture.

And you know the best part – I hadn’t realised it at that time, but it was that I went on my own. It wasn’t that I don’t enjoy company (some of the greatest memories were made with family and friends away on a holiday, a trip out of the daily routine). But imagine this - you don’t have to worry about what others wanted to see, or where you could have been if not for your friend who wanted to shop. I would like to first take in the culture & feel the place. Some of my best moments are spent alone in an unknown city, away from my responsibilities (you might ask, what responsibilities, you are not even married yet, but I have my list) & just your thoughts to keep you company. Like, reading a book on a beach shack. Or just pondering over life, while you are gazing at a monument that existed from much before your time. Or listening to music as you stare into the ocean while rocking away on a boat to an island, with nothing but you and the serene waves surrounding you.  

After this trip my only advice (though, unsolicited) to you is this: If you haven’t tried going on a holiday alone, you should go at least once. Maybe before you get married; or before you fall in love; or perhaps just to take a break from work; because, a little me-time on a small holiday goes a long way – both literally and figuratively.

Travel; glimpse the world; learn a new language; embrace a different culture; fall in love with a new place; 

Because somewhere in between all the exploring, you will discover yourself. :)