And now I wish to explore...

While scanning a travel book I read a beautiful quote worth sharing, ‘We do not take trips, trips take us...’ And as you must have guessed I am going to spill few things about travelling.

I love travelling, who doesn’t? We all do. But just while talking to a friend about our professional journey, I once again realised how my perspective of travel has changed. I have been thinking about this from a really long time and today thought of officially sharing it.

For many, travelling is going to the best travel agent and getting an excellent package of an exotic location. Lot of people like to travel in luxurious modes of transports and scanning the tourist spot by travelling in an AC car. Eating food at fine dining restaurants and visiting spots which are planned by their agent, and at the end they happily return to their respective burrows.

Just like everyone even I have done this. But I have deeply realised that more than an AC car I prefer to travel by the city’s local mode of transport and sense the new place. Eating at a Five star restaurant is fine once in a while, but to know the actual flavour of the city I am more than willing to explore the dhabbas and street joints of that particular place. I can’t say I have been to a place by just visiting the tourist spots over there. Rather than spending my time in this, I would prefer to ‘feel the city’.

I can say I have explored a city if I visit at least one house and family of that exciting place and know what exactly their lifestyle is. I would prefer visiting a local school and meet those tiny ones with sparkling eyes and enjoy the beauty of that place. Attending a traditional wedding or any festival will be more happening than visiting a national park where I see are just few wild goats.  

How many are actually lucky enough to do this? I guess most of us have seen these events in a travel show, or in a movie. But when it comes to reality we prefer making our trips luxurious and safe. No, am not against enjoying our trips lavishly, even I prefer it that way. But many a times we fail to add a pinch of adventure and real fun to our trips. Hope next time I plan my vacation, I don’t want to just visit it, but I would like to explore it. And I hope... this happens very soon.

P.S- I have developed this new perspective thanks to my profession. Though super hectic, being a Journalist is sheer fun. And in a way it has liberated me.