It is pitch dark
The sea is roaring and screeching
The waves break in the rocks and rift
The sky bears no luminaries
The Moon hides in the dark cloud
A thunderstorm accompanied by lightning
Flashes revealed the agony of losses.
After every death, there arises litigation
An arraign of greed, to grab the material
Someone held by sweat and blood
What an irony, can't relate to a sensible mind.
When we bid goodbye
We are helpless to take anything
But still, we are battling
To our near and dear.
Someone placed in a better position
Someone blessed with good metier
The envious mind wishes to inflict misfortune
Derives pain from what others have
Became a victim of bad luck.
The little star in the clouds
Seeks a promise
Get rid of the habit of comparison
Get rid of the malice that bars pleasure
Envy and hatred are sicknesses
Strike it from the heart.
When truckloads of jealousy visits
Shut down the doors of the soul
Never be rebellious and jeopardy
Enjoy the nectar of sweet relations
The gift of loving humans
Correct the thought pattern
And count the blessings,
Find the mesmerizing vistas
The hidden gems of Happiness
The starlit sky is colorful and vast
The sea is wailing and booming
Up above, the umbrella protects and consoles.
Contributing Writer & Poet, Art Of How To,
Retired Finance Officer, Kerala State Electricity Board
Daydreamer, Traveller, Freelance Writer
Home Chef, Mother & Wife
An over-thinker who finds solace in the cathartic effect of writing.
Whenever the futile try ensued
Mother punished the little bird
And encourage it to master foraging food
The little wings were exhausted, disproportional
The tiny tot was worn out with hunger.
While watching the little ones' hardship
The mother bird was asked why?
She started narrating a story.
"There once lived a mother and child
Their bonds were such that,
The baby was her whole world.
Whenever he was scolded by someone
She fought with them,
For her, he was the epitome of perfection.
On the way to school
She protects him by holding him,
Not being hurt by stones or thorns.
Unlike others, she took his school bags
Up to the classroom
She didn't sleep until he finished his studies.
She gave him pocket money even without asking
She wanted him always be delighted
The smiles on his face were her sunshine.
She prepared sumptuous meals to relish him
He was her life and happiness.
As his wings got resilience,
He flew away far away
Her calls were left unanswered
Her searches went in vain
The chill of loneliness hurts her spirit
She waited and waited.
At last, a call arrived.
She was on cloud nine to receive it
She went to see her bundle of joy,
The sight was dreadful,
A heart full of grief, she called him,
The voice didn't come out
The boy in the chain wanted to hug her
She approached him in a semi-conscious state
He hugged her, called' Amma,'
Within no time, he bites her ear,
Spits out the bloody words
"if you punish me for my wrong deeds,
Direct me to the right path
I wouldn't land in this world of offences."
The mother bird, with tears in her eyes,
Stopped for a while,
The little one started up,
With beaming joy and love.
—–
Contributing Writer & Poet, Art Of How To,
Retired Finance Officer, Kerala State Electricity Board
Daydreamer, Traveller, Freelance Writer
Home Chef, Mother & Wife
An over-thinker who finds solace in the cathartic effect of writing.
As summer sets in, daily life and work wrangle people of their stamina. There is no trace of rain, wind, or chill. The UV index will increase these days, and the sun’s vertical glares will cause more discomfort. The annual experience of the horrible summer makes the children weary, and the only happiness during summer is having the mid-summer vacation. Recreation felt good, being away from schooling and examination. I had ample time but couldn’t enjoy it fully as outdoor games are unsafe. The villains, like allergies, prickly heat, sunburns, etc., made the situation more horrible.
In those olden days, the means of transportation were minimal. People usually prefer walking or going by hiring bullocks carts for long distances. As a gesture of benevolence, Nani (Grandma) usually made buttermilk, adding crushed ginger, green chili, and curry leaves, and poured it into a big jar with a glass tumbler placed next to it under the big jackfruit tree around 10 am daily till the end of the season. The passersby mainly were people riding bullock carts. They halted under the apparition and quenched their thirst by tying the bulls near the shadow.
I curiously scanned the people who visited my Nana’s (Grandpa’s) workshop to fix the iron shoes called Laadam (animal shoes) for the poor animals. Seeing the pain these poor animals endured while repairing it was terrifying. The legs were tied, and I was wondering and questioning my Nana about the purpose of the cruel masquerade.
Nana explained to me the benefits of fixing Laadam. Otherwise, walking on a hard surface took a lot of work. However, the pain would subside gradually, the Laadam would become like permanent shoes to them, and their journey became comfortable.
Nana playfully told me they couldn’t go and buy a chapel to wear, so we made one for lifelong use. Anyway, I decided not to go near the place or gaze at it again. The unbearable crying sound, the flowing saliva as foam from the mouth, and the tearful stares were like nightmares for me. The men stayed in the courtyard and prepared their meals, mostly rice gruel with jackfruit or tapioca curry, which they collected from our compound. The aroma of the masala and seasonings were stimulating, but we were used to something else in our home. They dug small pits in the ground and placed folded vatta leaves collected from the enclosure, and served kanji and curry, munching comfortably. Not far away, my watchful eyes followed every tiny fragment of their act. Although, after seeing me, they sometimes offered a share of their banquet, which I was dying to have, I knew my Nani didn’t like the idea of accepting anything from strangers, so I rejected their offer as if I didn’t want it.
As days pass-through, one day, a group of barely clad gypsies comprising women, children, and animals arrived with huge sacks on their shoulders. They sought permission to make a temporary shed and a place nearby to prepare an elixir made of black langur for business purposes. They claimed the potion is a delicious Rasayanam for health, and the ingredients include dried plant medicines, jaggary, ghee, etc., including the flesh of a black monkey.
The children were holding two restless monkeys tied to their legs. I was afraid of the animals having glossy black fur and golden brown on their heads. Their frightening sounds and the long sharp tooth were a cause of concern to me. After much discussion and the repeated plea of the men, my grandparents allowed them to stay in the backyard for a while, subject to certain conditions. Within no time, the place was turned into a visual treat for the onlookers. They gathered thatched coconut leaves, bamboo ply, logs, etc., and made a temporary shed for sleeping and keeping their things. While watching the monkeys, fear started creeping into my mind. I wanted to clarify it, so I asked my Nana, do they kill the monkey? Nana pacified me. No, dear, these are all their business tricks. I was thrilled to watch the men at work.
Even though my Nani wanted to keep me away from those people, I used to visit the place secretly whenever I got a chance. I liked seeing the small child with them, he was almost naked, and the only luxury was a black thread tied to his waist with a metal Elas fixed in it. He held a metal toy with a head and tail that produced a giggling sound while jerking, and he laughed upon hearing the sound. At first, he was reluctant to come near me but told his mother, “Nodi, nodi Akka” whenever he saw me. I didn’t know what he tried to say, but his mother told me he happily acknowledged my presence to her.
Slowly we became friends. I often shared the sweet snacks prepared by my nani with the child secretly. I saw Nani gave old clothes to those people, so I asked her to provide a pair of clothes for the baby too. But she was unhappy with me befriending them, which made me sad. I noticed the small boy ate whatever was given to him with both his hands. I saw hunger and poverty in their eyes. Yet, even though they lacked basic amenities, moving from place to place for a living, they were always happy. I found out that those children seldom bathe. I followed them and saw the children scooped and dived like fishes into the nearby muddy water of the small stream, which I was not particularly eager to tread in.
As days passed, the atmosphere was filled with the smell of jaggery, ayurvedic medicines, ghee, etc. The elixir was in the enormous vessels under preparation. On seeing me near the place, they told me to give a bottle of the product for free as a token of gratitude. Hearing this, I felt thrilled.
But fate had in store some strange and unfortunate incident that shattered the whole lineage. One fateful night everything went upside down. A massive fire engulfed the shed. Smoke and blaze and frantic wailing of the people awakened me at midnight. I was trembling with fear and couldn’t understand anything. Help was not visible nearby. When people gathered, everything was over. With much compulsion on my part, after a couple of days, Nani took me to the accident site. Above a heap of ashes, I saw the orphaned metal toy.
After a while, I understood the painful truth. A feeble child, a weeping woman, the screaming men hung out in my dreams for several years. The sufferings of the victims and the unbelievable cruelty of nature made my holidays look like a horror movie that ravaged the innocent smile of the sweet baby forever. Those broken pieces never mended, but I could still listen to “Nodi, nodi, Akka” and the sweet giggling voice not far away from my memories.
——
Contributing Writer & Poet, Art Of How To,
Retired Finance Officer, Kerala State Electricity Board
Daydreamer, Traveller, Freelance Writer
Home Chef, Mother & Wife
An over-thinker who finds solace in the cathartic effect of writing.
You know,
Good actions always give happiness
Worst acts grant promising lessons
The best person offers good memories.
Never search for happiness in others,
That'll make one alone and unaided.
Instead,
Even when left isolated,
Search in thyself,
And feel comfortable.
Be thankful,
Acquiring talents and looks.
Be grateful,
Creating money and fame.
Be prudent,
Developing attitude and ego.
Life's not so hard to live,
Sit quietly, embrace that dream,
And never let it go.
All those twists and turns
Are part of life, do not let anyone stop you,
Wipe out tears, looks towards the sunshine,
Shadows will fall behind.
Delight the little pleasure.
When it comes to,
If possible,
Spread it to others.
Happiness never subsides
By being disseminated.
Give away the darkness from the past,
That blocks the light in the present
And live in this moment of elation.
Whatever may happen,
Never blame anything
In lieu,
Fix yourself in such a way
That you'll always be subtle.
Contributing Writer & Poet, Art Of How To, Retired Finance Officer, Kerala State Electricity Board, Daydreamer, Traveller, Freelance Writer, Home Chef, Mother & Wife. An over-thinker who finds solace in the cathartic effect of writing.
Do not for,
Seeking and asking
I am a donor, believe in yourself
When we give away
Happy and peaceful is the mind.
Do not for,
Craving so much
We get what we desire, at times
We don't, at other times.
If everyone is standing
On the side of fancy
Oh, who will give??
Do not for,
Begging and looking
If we don't reap what we ought
Companions are anger, hurt, and uncertainty.
Do not for,
Wishing the limitless,
The shift from wanting to granting
On the side of needs
Happiness is never guaranteed.
Do not for,
The phase of criticism,
When we denounce
We want people the way
We believe is right.
Do not for,
The way of comparison
When we collate
We ought to be like them
The veritable perishes.
Do not for,
Mingling person
Who gave, distress, guilt, and anger
No to, energy vampires
Ever tidy up the mind to pull out
The stain of bitterness.
Do not for,
Alluring irrelevant chatter.
Life is so sweet,
Learn the art of giving away
Comprehend easier life choices.
By adding value to others
Practice giving, instead of taking.
When one gives, one gain
When one grabs, one loses
All givers are happy
All takers are tormented.
Be a giver,
Achieve the very purpose of life
The infinite euphoria…
It's winter again,
It's dark, darkness everywhere
A whirl of thoughts wrapped me,
My illusionary thoughts.
Who'd help to take me out of this darkness?
It's midnight now
Like water drifting through my fingers
Sleep also drained from my eyes.
Peeping through the window
The sky bears no stars
Even the stars are sleeping
The whole world is sleeping.
Taking pills is still not a cure
The God of sleeping away, far far away
Times may keep getting harder.
I want someone to converse with,
At this odd hour?
Everyone is in deep sleep,
Check my mails,
The inner me ridiculed
Who's there to send mails?
Check messages,
Again heckling,
The message box was empty.
Can't call a friend,
Can't relate a neighbour,
Now thinking of lazy days.
The sun may shine beautifully
Sharing it's heat and light.
I just want to scream
Kick someone or jump
Singing songs, skipping down the street,
Saying hello to a friend.
The night grew darker,
It blew through my window pane
It was cold and cold
Remind me of winter
Yes, winter at my door step.
Time to shed my inner covering,
Shedding my egoes,
Holding life in hand,
Woven around a mystical winding.
Oh, winter, I welcome you,
It's next to me.
Welcome every onlooker's eyes
The Restless desire flapped its wings
I called you lovingly, and at last, you heard me
Oh, Kashmir, without banging an eyelid
I wanted to make a snowman
I wanted to glide through the flakes
So, let's visit the paradise on earth.
Kashmir, a land dedicated to water, is unique by every means. The weather, landscape, snow-capped mountains, lakes, culture, cuisine, and fantastic people make Kashmir the country’s finest.
From Srinagar airport, we went straight to Dal Lake. The magnificent view was just breathtaking. We stepped into the houseboats anchored at the Dal Lake near Shikaras (wooden boat). Dal lake is the summer capital of J&K, enclosed by majestic pirpangal mountain and Mughal gardens. The mercury plunged to minus degrees. The one-night stay in the houseboat was marvelous, except for the frequent power outage. The houseboats were different from the ones we are used to in the backwaters of Kerala. Shikkaras cruised quietly, and the houseboats stood still with perfect poising. The one-night stay in the houseboat was a unique experience, a remarkable memory of a lifetime.
After breakfast, we proceeded to Pahalgam. On the way, we witnessed the beautiful chinar trees, the signet of Kashmir. The leaves were golden in colour. Besides walnuts, cherry, berry, pine trees, and willow trees were also seen. Some of them had already shed their leaves and looked naked to greet the arrival of winter. Fun fact, cricket bats are made out of willow trees, and bat-making manufacturers were also seen on the way.
Nearing Pulwama, every 50mtrs on the road saw CRPF men and Trucks loaded with army personnel guarding rifles on the highway. Of course, the region is under the army’s control. But, for the residents, it seemed normal. Everyone had to face the strict security check in the army camp while returning to Srinagar airport.
Saffron is the most expensive spice known to man. It takes 70,000 saffron flowers to make 400 grams of saffron spice. Pulwama is famous for its production, a vastly exported product of the region. Besides Saffron, Pulwama is renowned for producing milk and has surfaced as the Anand of Kashmir, with dairy cooperatives operated by women and youths transforming milk production in the Kashmir Valley.
First, the people are impeccable and attractive. One can easily assume the secret of Kashmiri beauty lies in the amount of Saffron and walnuts used in Kashmiri cuisine. It was fascinating to encounter walnuts in food and drink. It looks like Saffron enhances the skin’s glow and improves skin tone, and consuming almonds enriches beauty. Time to supplement our eating habits with more spice and nuts!
We visited a shop near the saffron field. Purchased Saffron, Saffron oil, and dried fruits of different varieties. We tasted Shahi Qawah, a herbal tea mixed with Saffron and minced dried fruits. The taste and aroma were exquisite. They are perfect for our health. The rate also seemed more affordable. It was a sure thing to purchase.
The roads were narrow. Common people were using small vehicles, and buses were rarely seen. Roads were only good on highways. On the way, we visited the Avanthishrava Temple ruins in Avantipur, under the control of the Department of Archaeology. Tourism and agriculture were the primary sources of income.
Our stay in Hotel Milan in Srinagar was alright. A visit to the Aru Valley and BetabValley added a delight to the nature of Kashmir. Pine trees and snow-capped mountains surrounded the place. Silver lakes were turned gold in the light of the dawn, and the jewel blue river was the soul of the ice-cold mountains.
A visit to Apple valley was ever unforgettable. Apples are everywhere, and we can pick and buy them. Moreover, at a more reasonable rate, we could purchase fresh apple juice and other apple preparations like jam, pickles, etc.
Gulmarg. The visit alighted us to some unknown world. We were lucky enough to experience the sudden fall of snow. Words were not enough to explain. Gulmarg is a must-see place. Once in your lifetime, you should visit.
All four seasons are apt to visit Kashmir. However, as a precaution against accidents, only small vehicles with chained tires are allowed into the mountain area. On the way, we changed into boots and coats on hire to sustain the ice-cold atmosphere. Roads on either side were snow-covered, snowflakes were falling like rain, and a meadow of snow led us to a more heavenly zone.
Surrounded by lofty snow-covered Himalayas, meadows of flowers, deep ravines, and evergreen forest valleys, Gulmarg also had the world’s second-largest Gondola. A ride in the Gondola offered us a beautiful scenery of pine trees covered with fully embellished snow. Gondola riding was the top attraction of Gulmarg.
A word of caution to the tourists, out of our bad incident with the local sled pullers. They appeared poor and helpful, but they were tricky. While completing the small distance through the ice, they loot us with more than double the amount they initially agreed to. Cheating tourists out of their helplessness was not suitable for a place where the primary source of income depends on tourism.
The Shikkara ride in Dal lake was enjoyable. While riding, many small boats approached us with loads of elegant accessories for trading. On the shore, shops were seen with intriguing handcrafted items, dress materials, woolen goods, etc. Samovar ranging from 7000 to 4000, was an excellent item to purchase for keeping as an antic lifelong memorial. We visited Nishat and Shalimar Mughal gardens. A visit to this place was worthy of seeking peace of mind and happiness.
Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam heavily influence Kashmiri culture. The original hand-woven pashmina clothes occurred as a signature of Kashmir. Pashmina shawls are created from the finest cashmere wool from Ladakh. A single shawl requires thread from about three goats. It sustains a temperature of minus 5 to 50 degrees Celsius – costs starting from ten thousand to lakhs – Kashmiris gifted pashmina clothes to the bride during marriages. It lasts for about fifty years without damage. Pashmina shawls, blankets, carpets, traditional jewelry, silverware items, and samovar for making tea were specials in Kashmir. They usually drink salt tea made in the samovar to suspend cold.
They had developed the art of cooking to a very high degree of complexity, quite distinct from any part of the world. Basmati rice dishes of different varieties were served in the restaurant along with Rogan Josh, Goshtaba, Dum Aloo, Rajma, Naat Yakni, Arabgosth, etc. These were recipes from Kashmiri pundits of the Mughal era. The rich aroma and flavours tantalize the palette and stay in mind. They preferred dishes made out of lambs. Different types of rotis were also seen in the way-wide shops, and the smells were tempting to a foodie like me. A paradise of mouth-watering dishes also awaits those who visit there.
The distance saw longer
I am away and away
But you have always been
In a thousand ways
Adieu beautiful Kashmir
My dear beloved
I always remember your fragrance
That the garden offered me
Not just in memories
It would grow old together with me.
Uketamo means “I humbly accept with an open heart.” Uketamo is a Japanese Wabi Sabi Philosophy to live by. The core of their ideology is the essence of acceptance to the core. It is a doctrine followed by the Yamabushi monks who dwell in Dewa Sanzan, a mountain range in northern Japan. They believe, the faster you accept all the good and bad life tosses at you, the lighter you will feel.
Oh, God,
Grant me the wisdom
To accept the things I can not change,
Grant me the courage
To alter the things I can.
Oh God,
Grant me the insight
To know the difference between right and wrong
Grant me the perception to face challenges
That life throws at me
And accept all the good and bad things.
Grant me my freedom
To find the path to growing up
Which puts a stop to all suffering
Oh God,
Grant me the opportunity
To learn and expand from struggles
Grant me the sagacity to deal with
The inevitable realities of downfall
Grief, worry, and loneliness
Grant me the knowledge to abide
The imperfect flow of life
And find peace in
What is right here in?
Oh God,
Grant me the intuition to know
How weak I am when in greedy
How powerful and blessed when in devotion
Grant me espionage,
To give from the finite
Then to receive from the infinite.
Oh God,
Let me relax and go with the surge,
Let me stay calm, strong, and steady…
Oh, wanderer, where are you going?
Oh, gypsy, take me with you,
I am not afraid of the roaring sea,
Nor the hot melting sun,
The snow-studded mountains,
The world is my home.
My beautiful home.
Travel helps make the unfamiliar familiar. It is said to be an effective remedy for adjusting one’s life, stresses are relieved, and a feeling of refreshment comes along. So let’s travel and travel again. Our first part of the trip took us through the United Kingdom, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and Germany. We made our way to Switzerland from Germany, and our journey continued to more exciting towns and cities.
Switzerland
It is a mountainous central European country, home to numerous lakes, villages, and the high peak of the alps. The land is also known for its ski resort and hiking trails. Switzerland is famous for its mesmerising alpine scenery, branded watches, and deliciously milky chocolates. A melting pot of many cultures, it is also known for its fascinating cities and scenic train rides that showcase the best of the country’s natural vistas.
Famous chocolate brands like Toblerone and Lindt are worldwide household names. Alpine milk from the high altitude is its special ingredient. Swiss cheese is another renowned food product. Every kind of swiss cheese boasts its unique flavour. Swiss fondue is the most popular national dish. Swiss watches are the benchmark in terms of quality and make excellent gifts. Another popular item is the swiss army knife featuring plenty of utility tools in addition to the primary blade.
Engelberg is an alpine town in central Switzerland. The highest mountain, Titlis, a revolving rotary Golconda, leads to the summit. On the way, the sight of the flock of cows and sheep grazing and the sound of the bell on their neck was a fantastic experience. Titlis cliff walks to the suspension bridge, and the glacial park Trubsee offered a heavenly experience, ice walk, playing with ice forgetting age, health conditions, and the extremes of temperature. In the base, there were restaurants and shopping malls. Everywhere there was a strict rule to be in line. The queue systematically followed. They are famous for timeliness. For the swiss, being on time isn’t simply a gesture of courtesy. It is said it is a way of life. It is famous for being one of the safest countries in the world.
Albert Einstein and Roger Federer are world-famous alumni of Switzerland. We all knew that the origin of the Red Cross was also Switzerland. It’s truly a beautiful place in more ways than one, also living there seems quite expensive.
Austria
Officially the republic of Austria is a landlocked country in central Europe, situated in the Eastern alps, a federation of nine States. Its capital Vienna is the largest city and state by population. It is famous for Art & Opera. The infamous Marie Antoinette, then Emperor of Rome from Austria’s youngest daughter, Archduchess of Austria, married King Louis XVI, hailed from this part of the world.
The city of Zurich, a global center for banking and finance, lies at the North end of Lake Zurich in northern Switzerland. Lichtenstein, a German-speaking 25km Principality between Austria and Switzerland, is known for its medieval castles, alpine landscapes, and villages linked by a network of trails. No crime, no military, and people wouldn’t lock the doors of their houses. Dentistry is the main business of the people. Interestingly, Aug.15 is independence day. On that day prince invited everyone to his castle for lunch.
Innsbruck
The capital of Austria’s western state of Tyrol, a city in the Alps, has long been a distinction in winter sports. Innsbruck is also known for its imperial and modern architecture. From Innsbruck to Hungerburg, we traveled by funicular drive cable car to 2750 ft. It was famous for snaps, a locally made fruit brandy. The classic movie sound music was shot in this country.
We visited the Goldenes Dachl in the Old Town. Believed to be the city’s most famous landmark, it was a delight seeing the structure constructed in 1500 still standing with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles. Commissioned by Emperor Maximilian I to mark his wedding to Bianca Maria Sforza is now an open museum. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby.
Venice
The wealthiest city in Europe, a group of more than 100 islands, is sinking to the backwaters. When we crossed a bridge, we entered one island to the other. We enjoyed boat riding to see the scenic beauty of Venice. The streets were densely crowded. If we were a little bit careless, our belongings were to be someone else. The jail where the legendary Shylock got imprisoned is a monument now. Venice was famous for its pizzas and glass wares. We visited a glass factory. The artists there demonstrated how beautiful Ferrari motifs were made with a molten goblet.
Padua
Even a slight wind can change the course of the tide; that’s why God intervened in everything. Saints are human beings who God directs to serve the people. St.Antony, a Portugal, abandoned everything to help the poor people. St.Antony’s tomb was kept in the famous basilica of St. Antony’s church. The visit to the church was soothing to the mind and body.
Proceeded to the Tuscany region on either side of the road, apples, peaches, Vineyards, and sunflower farms were seen. Stone pine trees and conical pine trees added beauty to the region. The place was famous for cattle breeding and leather goods. Shopping was worth buying original leather goods at a cheaper rate.
Rain was a deficit in Italy. For the past two years, there has been no rain. But we didn’t feel any drought-like situation. On the contrary, the sight of Vineyards and apple farms added cooling to the eye. Breakfast was very nominal in Italy. Italians took little time to cook but took hours to enjoy food. The pasta was the main dish. They prefer a three-course menu including chicken and sweets.
Florence
Leonardo Da Vinci’s buildings were all in terra cotta style in the city of Michelangelo. On the way, we saw the magnificent the sculpture of David. What an incredible sight! Colosseum, the Amphi theatre was an incredible sight too.
The Vatican
With a population of just 850, the Vatican is the smallest country where the Pope, the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church, resides. Unfortunately, our visit was scheduled for Tuesday, so we missed the opportunity to get blessings from the Pope. Nevertheless, the visit was beyond description.
Now it was time for us to return home. Fourteen days passed away, like a few hours. On the way back to Milan airport, we visited the leaning Tower of Pisa and splurged on some shopping.
Travelling promotes new memories and makes us learn new things, discover different cultures, and make new friends. History surrounds us everywhere we go. Getting out of our comfort zone doesn’t only reduce stress. It’s also great for physical health and makes us feel more positive about life.
Travel helps make the unfamiliar familiar. It is said to be an effective remedy for adjusting one’s life, stresses are relieved, and a feeling of refreshment comes along. So let’s travel and travel again.
As the saying goes, a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. Although life’s short and the world is vast, and those who don’t travel read only one page of the world’s book, when you travel, the whole world opens up. Each time we travel, we see the world with new eyes. The more we get lost in our travels, the richer our lives become. We began our journey as a group of forty people. It was a capsule journey, not an elaborate one, so here are few of the cities, let’s go.
Europe is the continent of hopeless romantics. A place that radiates warmth, happiness, and enchantment in the form of hot summer nights under the stars. I saw youngsters thronged in front of pubs with beer, vine, and cigarettes in their hands; when asked out of curiosity, it was customary during weekends. Each magical European city writes a love letter to the past through its customs and architecture.
Let’s visit the UK and Europe. My European Tour highlights.
United Kingdom
Our start. The UK, comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is an island nation in northwestern Europe. The birthplace of Shakespeare and the Beatles is home to the capital, London, a royal city surrounded by a rush of modern life. The city is full of traditional heritage, contemporary culture, green spaces, and a few surprises, a city jam-packed with culture going on around the clock. Unfortunately, due to the unexpected sad demise of The Queen, the authorities shut the city down. Furthermore, they did seal off all tourists’ access to Buckingham palace and the surrounding areas. Unfortunate but understandable.
A ride through the London Eye offers the most beautiful views of London city. For example, London Bridge, which we hear as a nursery rhyme, passed through it. In my mind, the verse just kept playing.
London Bridge is falling down
London Bridge is falling down
Falling down, falling down
London Bridge is falling down
My fair lady.
A visit to the Madame Tussauds wax museum was a magical experience. We met Indian celebrities and enjoyed a photo shoot with legendary figurines. A ride through the magical world with light and sound was enjoyable to both young and old.
Our next stop was from Heathrow to Amsterdam by Eurostar. The train journey was fascinating. We travel under the tunnel through the sea. We didn’t feel anything unusual, only darkness everywhere.
Amsterdam
Famous for cheese and vine. A city and port in the Netherlands known for its historical inducements, collection of excellent arts, and commercial and financial center of the Netherlands. About 1/5th of the workforce still relies on the honoured bicycle for transportation. Thousands of different types of cycles were seen on the curb-sides. All roads had red coloured cycle corridors, and both young and old were comfortable riding them. I do feel a need to appreciate this. The sight itself occurred, rejuvenating the eye.
Amsterdam is famous for its Asian restaurants. I noticed marijuana in numerous varieties sold in every small and prominent shop. It is legal, and people are seen relishing smoking marijuana or, as we call it, ganja after a sumptuous banquet. Tourism accounts for about 1/10th of all jobs, and local people appear friendly. The major attractions were canal cruising. We enjoyed it very much.
A very intriguing happening on the train trip shows the typical South Indian trait. The train canteen offered unlimited ingredients for a cup of coffee. Our fellow tourists used milk, sugar, and coffee powder to make self-made coffee. The fun fact, no one bothered to take a spoonful of hot water. The person in charge’s watchful eyes turned red with anger seeing the mess they made with the empty packet of milk and spilled milk on the ground. Soon he put up a board showing canteen closed.
Getting anything for free is a weakness for us. We grab as much as possible; whether we require it or not is out of the question. Frittering food is considered an offense in Europe. The authorities may have thought we were seizing someone’s food and wasting it. Take only what we need, and respect another person’s right to survival—something we need to learn.
Brussels
Our next journey was towards Belgium. It is the most densely populated and prosperous region in Belgium. La.grand Palace in Brussels is a remarkably homogenous body of public and private buildings. Mannequin piss and Atomium were the most significant attraction in Brussels. Mannequin, the lucky charm of Brussels, pisses beer during festivals. Yes, one could enjoy unlimited beer from him.
When it comes to food, the world is so diverse, and each country has its specialty. Unlike us, European prefer to eat cold foods. They didn’t drink tea. Belgium is famous for its Waffles and the tastiest ones in the world.
Transfer to Paris from Brussels took about 4hrs to 320kms. Going through the highway on either side, we saw Birch trees, maple trees, and cedar trees. The leaves were falling. The same tree holds different colours of leaves, like green, yellow, brown, and golden. The beginning of Autumn. It was so beautiful to witness.
We should also learn to shed our ego by gathering together, unbundling what is undesirable to our inner self, and forgetting about what we are or who we are. Explore the Autumn in splendour, and even the trees began relieving their coverings, so metamorphosis yourself into a new one.
Paris
Apart from “Baguettes, Croissants, and Eclairs, Paris is “The city of love, fashion, and chocolates. Love birds flocked together and flooded the Seine river with love locks, a mad belief that by doing so, one could get your love forever. Unable to hold it anymore, the river was recently cleaned, and the city banned people from dropping love locks into the river.
Your love could exist in every object you pass through, not limited to one person or one entity, and bearing the burden of proving its worthiness is not at all a good idea. Love to be bloomed and its fragrance to be spread everywhere you exist. Let’s love unconditionally.
We missed the opportunity to visit the famous Louvre museum, where the beauty queen Monalisa mesmerised the whole world with her ever-charming smile. However, we are satisfied with the photo in the gallery.
Eiffel Tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel. The wrought iron lattice is a powerful and distinctive symbol of Paris, impressed by its stature and daring design. We were lucky enough to ascend to the entire third level and enjoy the panoramic view of the city.
In the evening, we saw the wholly rhetorical Eiffel Tower under much pomp and vigour, and its beacon reached 80km at 360 degrees. The Tower had witnessed and sometimes been an actor in important events, both sumptuous and tragic in France’s history.
The water cruise through the river seine also gave us some refreshments for the mind and body. The roads were well maintained, and it was said every six months, roads were repaired. Whether it requires or not was out of the question. No trace of waste was seen elsewhere, and there was no foul smell. An interesting thing I noticed was that the seat behind the driver was always kept unoccupied. It was a precautionary measure to avoid the driver’s attention, if any, from the action of people sitting behind. Unlike us, the drivers had a specific duty time. Working beyond that was not permitted. I wondered whether the whole of Europe was a no-horn area. Yes, blowing the horn means they were reprimanding. People were crossing the road only through zebra crossing and walking through the walkway. Even though no one was crossing, the driver stopped the vehicle at the pedestrian crossing. The disciplined way of following the road rules was to be learned.
Karlsruhe (Germany)
The Tower of the 18th-century palace offers views of its fan-shaped layout. From the city of Zurich, a global center for banking and finance, we proceeded to The Black Forest, a mountainous province in Germany bordering France. It was known for its dense evergreen villages, associated with the Brothers Grim Fairy tales. The place has been renowned for the Cuckoo Clocks factory since the 1700s. A visit to the factory was a memorable one, and there was a presentation on how the clock was taking shape practically handmade. We saw Titi See (lake), and the Rhine falls on the way. Shopping inside was perplexing because each one occurred better than the other.
There are many other places and cities and stories to share, and I will share them other time. I was really in a trance. Words are not enough to explain. More to come soon.
Art of How To 