An acquaintance once told me that he didn't care much for monuments or history, that he found sightseeing to be boring and all he preferred to do whenever and wherever he travelled was shop. I won't deny that I felt quite sorry for him! I mean, what's the point of traveling anywhere if you have no interest about the place, its people, its past, its cultures, its flavors? Because every place in this world is unique and different from every other place. This particular acquaintance was on a stringent diet so trying out local cuisines was also out of the question for him! And worst was that he's one of a lucky few who have to travel regularly and extensively on work, from that moment on, all I could think was, what a waste that he gets to travel so much!
I, on the other hand, like millions of others, suffer an insatiable greed for travel. The excitement bubbles right from the moment travel plans are initiated. Once tickets are bought and flights are booked then the frenzy builds. I score reviews and posts of the experience many gone before me, brushing up on my history of the place I would soon see, charting the must-see spots, listing the cuisines I should try out and basically making sure I fill every moment of my stay with activities that would create the most wonderful memories of the trip ever.
From day one, every minute is an adventure and my imagination kicks into overdrive. While strolling down centuries-old forts or palaces I can see how life must have once been, rich and rustic, all those years ago. Of course one needs a really high sense of imagination when it comes to the forts of India with most in dilapidated states of destruction. Yet the magnificence of a regal past speaks loudly from the ruins. One such fort that took my breath away was the Amber Fort of Jaipur, sitting high and lofty on the hills.
History has always fascinated me. I enjoy the link the past has with the present and it helps me understand why today the world is the way it is. The experiences of a place over the years builds it character, develops its culture and gives it that touch of the unique that makes it different from another place. The customs of a place is unique to it too. For instance, in traditional Kerala, it used to be a custom for people to wash their feet before stepping into a house. Most homes would have vessels of water placed at the front door step for this very purpose!
I enjoy new flavors of foods I know I may never taste again and I relish the experience, though there are occasions when I have deigned to refuse a local delicacy or two, raw beef, however elegantly presented is a big no for me! I especially prefer to try out small eateries that appear popular with the locals, they serve the best fare. Of course, people would argue that you get all kinds of food at your doorstep these days, but watered down versions are incomparable to the original flavors brought on by authentic local ingredients.
However, though I claim to be a great fan of traveling, I unfortunately wouldn't call myself a nomad, for the heart is where home is and eventually I find my thoughts shamelessly wandering back home while the being is on the exotic streets of unknown regions and then I know, it's time to head back home, but only until the call of travel hunger returns.
I, on the other hand, like millions of others, suffer an insatiable greed for travel. The excitement bubbles right from the moment travel plans are initiated. Once tickets are bought and flights are booked then the frenzy builds. I score reviews and posts of the experience many gone before me, brushing up on my history of the place I would soon see, charting the must-see spots, listing the cuisines I should try out and basically making sure I fill every moment of my stay with activities that would create the most wonderful memories of the trip ever.
From day one, every minute is an adventure and my imagination kicks into overdrive. While strolling down centuries-old forts or palaces I can see how life must have once been, rich and rustic, all those years ago. Of course one needs a really high sense of imagination when it comes to the forts of India with most in dilapidated states of destruction. Yet the magnificence of a regal past speaks loudly from the ruins. One such fort that took my breath away was the Amber Fort of Jaipur, sitting high and lofty on the hills.
History has always fascinated me. I enjoy the link the past has with the present and it helps me understand why today the world is the way it is. The experiences of a place over the years builds it character, develops its culture and gives it that touch of the unique that makes it different from another place. The customs of a place is unique to it too. For instance, in traditional Kerala, it used to be a custom for people to wash their feet before stepping into a house. Most homes would have vessels of water placed at the front door step for this very purpose!
I enjoy new flavors of foods I know I may never taste again and I relish the experience, though there are occasions when I have deigned to refuse a local delicacy or two, raw beef, however elegantly presented is a big no for me! I especially prefer to try out small eateries that appear popular with the locals, they serve the best fare. Of course, people would argue that you get all kinds of food at your doorstep these days, but watered down versions are incomparable to the original flavors brought on by authentic local ingredients.
However, though I claim to be a great fan of traveling, I unfortunately wouldn't call myself a nomad, for the heart is where home is and eventually I find my thoughts shamelessly wandering back home while the being is on the exotic streets of unknown regions and then I know, it's time to head back home, but only until the call of travel hunger returns.
