Monday, December 10, 2012

Travel

Bangkok was the first destination. What it means is that I knew it was Bangkok but where in Bangkok? More often, we try to forget the vastness of our mother earth and just assume that things can be easy. Bangkok is one big city and not knowing where you want to go after coming out of an airport is a case of insanity. Tired due to lack of sleep and early morning blues; the answer to the taxi driver's question of  "Where to?" after exiting Suvarnabhumi airport was confusion and exchanged looks.

We did spend a good 30 minutes soon after landing trying to figure out where to go. A true traveler has no fixed plan, and has no intent on arriving - Laozi. I so believe this. What fun is it if you know which hotel you are staying, what kind of bed you will have and what food you will eat for your next meal? How predictable? OR how so BORING?

Thus, never thought while flying or back home when planning where to stay, what to do, what to eat. All that was known was the cities in that order so as to book the flight tickets. I have always thought if I was a traveler or a tourist? Which category do I belong? Is there a distinction between the two? At least not for the locals of the place. We are all visitors to them. 

To me, there is a distinction. I call myself a traveler; oh no! not the kind who shun the "touristy" places  like monuments, heritage sites, museums, parks, markets. I would definitely visit those touristy places; if not what else will I have to see? But additionally, I would also explore the hidden gems of the land; to get an authentic experience. Now such places have also become 'touristy' with travel shops offering an 'authentic' experience.

Anyway, my point is a traveler should be open minded and embrace the place as is without complaints  with a hunger to experience. Oh yeah! there were times when I exclaimed "How do they eat this?" but this is my natural human tendency. Complaining is what one must avoid.

The mystique that surrounds the traveler - aah no words to express. Folks, go out and experience is what I would say. The spirit of adventure, grittiness and that urge to experience the unknown is how a traveler differs from a tourist. But its difficult to be a pure traveler; my own travels have been touristy often but cant be avoided. Just the spirit and open mindedness is not enough; one needs enough time as well; free from the clutches of career, finance and responsibilities. I dont get the luxury of letting myself lose with time being more luxurious commodity than budget. How I wish my parents left me good property and money! :-P

So I wouldn't agree if someone said a traveler is one who eats only local food, moves very slowly or lives in a shack to live the way a local would does not necessarily make one a traveler. I have seen such 'travelers' mingling with fellow travelers holing up in a hostel sipping cheap beers; not really venturing out anywhere to experience the place or talk to locals. To me, its about learning something new, experiencing the place, taking a piece of the spirit of the place with me when I leave. The thirst grows and compels only some of us and prepares you for the next you wouldn't even dream of. I never thought I would turn up one fine day in the rain forests of Costa Rica or feel the silk cotton trees outgrowing in the ruins of Ta Prohm at Siem Reap. And who knows maybe I would be walking the landscape of Tierra del Fuego on my way to Antarctica?

What each one of us gain is our own making; the goal is learning about yourself and the world and discovering yourself in the process. Every destination is not a check list to be ticked off; but a point of departure to another place. It need not be exotic location; it could be anywhere. A traveler cant differentiate between a good place and a bad place, wont be able to answer "Which is the best place you have been yet?" For him, every place is unique and offers something different and the possibilities are endless.

When you are a traveler; you are blessed to experience every little thing and cursed with a drive to discover.

Aw, I started to write about Bangkok and realized I deviated. The travel bug in me took over. I will leave this piece as is; Bangkok in my next post :)

17 comments:

  1. "Every destination is not a check list to be ticked off; but a point of departure to another place."
    umm getting a bit philosophical I suppose and certainly a wise statement.
    I guess a person like Balan would comment well about the spirit and essence of your post.
    The mystery in every travel and the experience of the unknown!

    See you reporting soon from deep in the Andes or the icy world down south.

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    1. Haha Anil, pray for that. Lot of logistical limitations traveling from India to the Andes. But hopefully I will make it some day

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  2. Well said! A traveler goes to a place without any presumptions, he has an open mind towards everything while a tourist knows what he is going to experience and how he’s going to experience it! It's more fun to be a traveler! Looking forward to your Bangkok experience! :)

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    1. Thanks Shilpa. Yeah, its the unknown that beckons :)

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  3. Everyone writes about the places but the feelings and the pre-set views associated with the travels are rarely talked about.
    Good u talked about them.. travelling is so much fun. I liked ur idea of unpredictability..

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    1. Manjulika,

      Welcome to B Log and thanks for your compliment. Its nice to hear an honest view. Yeah, not many talk about travel experience as such. Even I started writing about Bangkok but ended up quoting my feelings here :)

      Looking forward to your visit more often here

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  4. I hopped over half Europe with family without booking hotels or flights and arriving a city each day by Eurorail to discover impromptu:)That is my idea of being unpredictable during travel!

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  5. While planning for upcoming holidays I mentioned this to Chandan that how I miss being a traveler. The best of my travel experiences were the one unplanned.

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    1. Kavita,

      Yes, its best that way. But if you are going with kids, then you cant afford to be adventurous is what I have heard. Though if it were me; I would train the kids to be adventurous as well :P

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  6. I agree with Shilpa..there are those who are travellers and those who are tourists.
    Unfortunately,I am former

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  7. It was pleasant and reflective to read your post. Often I would pause and reflect on what you have written. The very post distinguishes you as a traveler than a tourist. Who is a traveler? A Sherpa once told Galen Rowell, well-known mountaineer and photographer - "Many people come looking, looking, taking pictures..no good. Some people come, see.Good!" That, B, is the essence of the spirit of the traveler.

    One day, I hope I will join you for a trip to Tierra del Fuego! Till then.... :-)

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    1. :-) You are welcome Balan. Were you serious when you made this comment of joining me for a trip to Tierra del Fuego?

      Yeah, you feel the place, the little rocks, the sound of birds, the smell of the food...you take them all in and experience. Thats the spirit.

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  8. B, I don't know whether you have read this - it is among my collection. But your post took me back to it. To note that you started writing about Bangkok, but digressed to the philosophy/ spirituality of travelling... you have a long way to go, B, Good luck!

    A Traveler True

    A traveler never forgets
    The trees that gave him shade.
    A traveler never forgets
    The streams that quenched his thirst.

    The paths he trod
    The winds he rode
    The grass he slept
    The rocks he leant.

    To remember and to be grateful
    Is the way of the traveler true.

    And –
    The trees and streams,
    The paths and breeze
    The grass and rocks-
    They too, will remember him.

    As he passes-
    The trees, the streams
    The paths, the wind
    The grass, the rocks-
    Will heave a sigh, happy-
    As they wait
    For you, my love.

    So, heed my words-
    To remember and to be grateful
    Is the way of the traveler true.

    ****************** BALACHANDRAN 22.11.2006

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    1. Absolutely delightful and true words. I have always felt the same Balan, the way you cherish the rocks and the streams and the paths, they do too. You can connect with them, I do. And thats why each place is special

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    2. Just love this poem. Kind of touched my soul. Thanks Bala for sharing it with us.

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