Impressions of Detours that walk a long way!

Literally got my lungs popped out for this joyous moment of getting myself clicked with a chicken, after 20 mins of continuous chase and blink & miss moment, where I not only had to calculate every second but time my next move strategically to get hold of it, I now gladly take this picture as one of the treasures found during my journeys covered by road. Little experiences like these make travel stories more fulfilling and add so much quality to it. This picture was captured en-route Jodhpur, Rajasthan, during our quick stop over at a road side Tea shop; though we were running off schedule already but definitely on point for living such moments.

All ends great when the heart and mind finds its peace in such joys.

Being someone who has always been fond of travelling for is it spontaneous drives around the city or to work, the Challo! Let’s go shopping drive or the local rickshaw rides, catching metro to skip the traffic or walking up to a park for some fresh air, the nostalgic train journeys or some serious road tripping. Everything sums up to just one thing for me, being in the right place at the right time. How therapeutic!! I believe the feeling of experiencing and appreciating simple things around us can only be felt when we aim to be at a place on right time. Now, you may think who knows what's the right time; well, there's actually nothing called as a right time, its just when once in a while you let yourself free from the travel goals you've set for a particular trip; you can sometimes end up building some of the most unforgettable memories and stories to tell; which also is been stated as 'Being in the right place at the right time'. Sometimes its okay to let go the fear of missing important landmarks and be in the moment; yes, of course if you plan to do a trip by road its very essential to keep time as a key but then sometimes one of the best memories are also made by doing things which were not planned in the whole skim of journey.

Welcoming detours doesn't mean time isn't the key while covering each milestone through road but it simply means; to enjoy all the lemons life throws at you!

So do my stories of travel sounds like, full of thrill, surprises, little moments of joy and so much contentment that can only be felt if major parts of the trip is been pre-planned but also not forgetting to welcome few detours alongside, and the experiences that comes along with it.

In today’s world when artificial intelligence does all the work and a constant state of mind which fears missing onto things widely, managing everything around us keeping the precious of all 'time' in mind, can make us feel like a machine but then to maintain that hearty heart, mindfulness and contentment we need to give ourselves in that very moment. Often we worry about the places which couldn't be explored, even after pre-planning most of the journey but then, if life turned out to be as easy as what we wanted it to be like; we wouldn't have had enjoyed the little surprise elements it has to offer.

For me it has always been very important to live and enjoy every moment of my trip; then be it just a bad experience of getting stuck in a traffic jam on Mountains or travelling extra mile to find a comfortable spot to pee. No, I am not kidding! These are very basic things you get to experience while road tripping. By the way, have you ever experienced the bloat in your tummy when you hold onto your pee for one more minute before your bladder seems to burst? Haha..I have thousands of adventurous yet hilarious pee episodes from my travel diaries; which of course I am not going to share on this blog.

Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever on the road. - By Jack Kerouac, On the Road.

I see and understand this quote as a Bible which helps me keep my hunger alive to explore more and more as I move forward in my journey. Having guarded my roots since the age of four, I have maintained the thirst of knowing more, covering that extra mile and being in the moment. For me, my biggest lessons learnt during the trips are from the unplanned U-turns where I have not only discovered the true essence of our journey but met some incredible people alongside. I feel blessed to have an opportunity to live the dreams of millions; while also fortunate enough to experience an innumerable tastes of cultures & traditions during this beautiful concept of road travels. If this can be explained as living in the moment or just a coincidence of being in a right place at the right time, so be it.

For those memorable roads which are hanging on the walls of my room becomes the biggest treasures of a lifetime. And I say this only after 20 years of keeping my eyes on the Highway, no feeling is as big as a spark in the eyes when you are able to live in the moment you have been planning for. From stopping by a road side Omelette shop to experience the same joy as of many people who's daily meals depend on such stalls, or just running around the streets helping sell a local shopkeeper his freshly made buns, to enjoying those butterflies in our stomach by riding on a local goods cart; to me these are the little twits and turns a journey should be filled of which also becomes the real fun at the end of the day.

So, this is for all you people reading this blog- Loose the count of the number of Lemonades you drink during your journeys because the idea is to enjoy all the unseen circumstances during road tripping. There are always opportunities waiting for you on the other side of the road.

Upcoming are more such stories and enriching experiences from my Travel Chapters.

Stay Tuned!