Why do you travel? To see new places and explore previously uncharted waters? Or to transform? Yourself, your habits, your very life?
I still remember the first time I undertook an outstation pleasure trip. It was to Nainital, a picturesque little hill station tucked away in the rolling mountains of Uttarakhand in North India. It was 1991 and I was but a child. However, the travel bug had been well and truly installed in the OS of that 10-year old. Since that time almost 30 years ago, I’ve come a long way, and I can honestly say that I have not looked back. That first trip started my obsession with travelling, an obsession that shows no signs of abating anytime soon. The 10-year old me would religiously record all my travelogues in a ratty little notebook that I guarded with my life. I still write and preserve my travel stories in all their glorious detail. The only difference is the medium (hence this blog! J) As a child, writing about my trips helped me improve my writing skills (those dratted school essays!). But for the adult me, writing about my travels helps me enrich my life in ways the child-me could never have envisaged. I call this process of life enrichment through travel and writing – ‘Travel Transformation’ (TT).
When I travel, I don’t just explore new places. I also bring back with me the nuances of different cultures and peoples. When I get back home, I try to assimilate the best of these subtleties into my own life.
When I travel, I do not book luxury business class seats on an airplane, nor do I always stay in plush rooms in 5-star hotels( I have tried these too ). I mean, why choose to travel only in the lap of luxury? These choices will end up limiting your travel experiences at the end. According to me even if you have the means its better not to choose luxury holidays everytime. I would rather get to wherever I want to go and experience every surprise and shock the trip has to offer. Whether the final experience is good, bad or ugly – it matters not to me because I believe (and always have) in live and learn!
So what is TT? TT emphasises novel-themed travel. You could sign up for a relaxing getaway to the beach or a trek in some remote mountains. You could undertake a meditation trip or choose to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the Old World. It doesn’t matter what travel choices you make. The point is to travel and learn because every trip offers the potential for learning that can transform your life for the better. All you need to do is open your mind and your soul! Because every time you travel and push yourself out of your comfort zone by trying out at least one thing that you’ve never tried before, you transform!
In many ways, travel has the potential to yield the highest Return on Investment in life. It can create priceless memories that can lift you up during times of stress or unhappiness. When you aim for TT, you become self-confident and fearless. TT helps you improve your response to negative stimuli and stay cheerful inspite of them. TT makes you humble, empathetic and capable of forging deep and meaningful relationships. Plus, it can make you a phenomenal storyteller and the most interesting person at any party!
The great Helen Keller had the right of it when she said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Now that is Travel Transformation!
So the next time you go on a trip, don’t just travel. Transform.