This entry serves as an extension
of thoughts from a previous post by Guru ‘Why Travel Gyaan?’ The question ‘Why
do we travel?’ am sure, has entered the minds of many travelers. Am also sure
that most of us have some sort of an answer to it. After having read through a
few people’s experiences, I came to observe that for most, the answer was more
emotional or spiritual while for some others, the aim was purely, to have fun.
And then, there were the ones that wanted to endure, to test themselves.
Ergo, It is difficult to categorize and quite impossible to come to a single
conclusion. So, the question is still open.
Why do I want to Travel?
- To Dare Myself
Not in a ‘Man Vs
Wild’ sort of way, but in much saner methods. To perhaps ‘go’ behind a bush or
snorkel with baby sharks around you, in Langkawi. To trek in the valleys of
Kashmir where little stones rolling under your feet threaten to send you sliding
down to the bottom or try hard to stay afloat in the sea after getting thrown
out of a high-speed water ride (F.Y.I. Don’t know how to swim). When you’re
pitted against such circumstances, well out of your comfort zone, you truly
understand what you’re made of.
- To Experience New Things
Like a cup of
‘qahwah’ or saffron tea as they make in Kashmir .
It is not just the tea, but the houseboat, the sunrise, the shikaras et al,
which enriches the experience. One cant get that back home in the South of
India with instant tea, drunk from a coffee mug & a newspaper in hand. To
pet scorpions in Singapore
or make eye contact with an elephant on its way to a watering hole in Wayanad,
Kerala. Every little thing counts for a big new experience.
- To (Re)discover Myself
The spiritual
bit I was talking about earlier. I don’t know for sure, if I will ever understand
what that means. Like photographs, at times I find myself in good light &
in other times, in poor light. But the endeavor to be in the right light is
still on.
- To Party And Have Fun
Travel is fun!! On
New Year’s Eve, North of Goa, one will come across totally bizarre people and
get to see one’s self in a completely different way. Or perhaps white water rafting on the river
Cauvery, in Coorg, Karnataka. You will find yourself screaming in different
octaves on contact with different grades of rapids. What is more fun is when
you have gang of pals screaming with you.
- To Be Grateful
for having the
opportunities & resources to undertake news journeys. For the ability to
enjoy the experiences with fully functioning physical faculties. And finally,
to be able to share it with friends & family.
I am yet to see
the world. But for the teeny bit I have seen around home, I have thoroughly
enjoyed and learned. Who better a teacher, than nature! And what better way to
revel, than travel!
