So, thanks to that, my plans to head back to UK from Mumbai are bombed. Oops. Sorry, pun completely intended. Amid the missiles and the global mayhem, I couldn’t help but feel melancholic. Like a cloud of misery and depression looming large over my head, constantly. Or akin to that nagging pain at the base of my skull, which is only noticed when paid attention to. Otherwise, it is there, silently and surreptitiously eating you up from inside. I feel completely incompetent of getting rid of the sinking feeling.

One question keeps recurring in my mind. When will this end and will it even end? It just doesn’t go away. Visualise a toddler clinging to its mum’s feet and not letting go. The mother finally has to pick up the child and cuddle it. Cuddling a baby has a calming, pleasing effect. But I don’t want to get too close to this unsettling thought. 

Uncertainty and unpredictability are a part of life. But this war has led to unprecedented chaos and volatility, something never seen in a while. Figure this. Some airlines have suspended their flights routed via the Middle east till May. Anyway, we mere mortals have a lot on our plates to handle every single day or every hour probably. To top that all, because of this war, all of us at our individual levels are facing losses and insecurities. Not to mention the refund amount I am following up on, because of my flight being cancelled. No one seems to be available on customer care numbers.

It beats me that why should we, ordinary folks should have to bear the brunt of this war. A war which now is clearly being seen as a strategic blunder. The only silver lining to the entire episode is that my knowledge of geography with reference to Middle East is refreshed. Never before in my life after school I had given the Strait of Hormuz a thought. It is a different matter that this Strait being at the centre of the conflict has thrown the world in dire straits. Now I completely understand the meaning of being in dire straits. No dictionary or chat gpt or thesaurus required. Just make sure you check the news and you would exactly understand what being in dire straits refers to.

Having said that, geography and geo politics notwithstanding, what’s the point? What’s the end game? Conspiracy theories are being splashed across news, thick and fast. Governments are grappling with energy security in a world which is increasingly hurtling towards having neither enough security nor energy.

After a fortnight of this unjustified and unnecessary military action, the leaders seem as clueless and directionless like I was during my solo trip to London without google map. I didn’t have google map but I had an actual map and a pen and diary. Believe me, if not for the pen and diary, I would have been lost. Of course, the WIFI at the hostel helped. My best laid plans of sightseeing were not on a screen but on paper, scribbled with a pen. Of course, I would be silly to compare a war of this magnitude to my inconsequential sightseeing plans. Although I cannot help but wonder, couldn’t the protagonists in this sort of a horror of a film or a bad action film given it a better thought? Would it have been better to define the boundaries of kinetic action – this far and no further, like Bharat did in Operation Sindoor? Whatever happened to giving a thorough thought before embarking on this disaster of a decision? It seems like people are hell bent on messing the world up, rather than making it a better place to live. Better sense prevailing would have possibly saved all of us from this anguish, ambiguity and anxiety. Because then there might have been a direction to this chaos.

Moreover, the immediate fallout apart, I shudder to even lurk in the vicinity of the thought about the larger and long-term ramifications of this black swan event, as it is being called. The impact it is going to have on the global economy is surely something the gurus will be able to explain. And my gut says it will not be desirable.

What also hurts me the most, that my country, which was on the rise, with its economy getting stronger and things getting better every day, one small step by the government at a time, has been hurt. This war, in which is not of our making may drag us back just because someone thought they want to obliterate a ‘plausible’ threat, to their country. They are holding my country’s growth and development of many others’ hostage. I am compelled to ask, even though I know the answer, as to how fair is this? But who cares what I think and what I ask? All I can do is book another flight and hope and wait. Wait which seems endless at the moment.

Note –

When I wrote this blog, it had been two weeks since the USA and Israel versus Iran war, starting Feb 28, 2026.

After having fantasized about visiting Edinburgh, Scotland for a while, I made it there some time back. It was a perfect summer day. It was a huge relief for me because I had anticipated the temperature to be on the colder side. Thankfully, it was not, and it was an absolute delight to roam around the lovely city with my partner. So, what did we do?

To start off, we travelled by train from Newcastle to Edinburgh and it was a pleasant journey. As we got off, we couldn’t stop marvelling at the high roofs and the overall expanse of the Edinburgh train station. We walked all the way towards the city centre, taking in all the sights. sounds and smells. You could easily shoot a period drama here since the city is adorned with vintage architecture all over. All you need is replace the cars and swanky buses with horse driven carriages or hand carts! But jokes apart, after visiting, we understood why Edinburgh tourism is one of the most coveted things for travellers.

Our quest to find more about the city was kicked off with the National Museum of Scotland. It is one of the best Edinburgh tourist attractions. We didn’t know that our rendezvous with Scottish history and culture would be so fascinating and interesting. At the National Museum you can gasp and be awed at collections of the former National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. You will also see national collections of Scottish archaeological finds and medieval objects. Likewise, the museum contains artefacts from around the world, comprising geology, archaeology, natural history, science, technology, art, and world cultures. From huge dinosaur skeletons to the earliest type of machinery and eccentric and exotic sculptures, this museum is a haven for art and history connoisseurs. What we had anticipated to be a quick walkthrough, ended up being a two-hour affair at the museum. And yet, there was still so much we had left.

Our next stop was the Writers’ Museum. It is a bit tricky to find. It is set up in Lady Stair’s House at the Lawnmarket on the Royal Mile. The museum presents the lives of three of the foremost Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Anyone who loves to read and write will find the museum’s collection of portraits, works and personal objects to be fascinating.

A short walk from the Writers’ Museum is the The National Art Gallery of Scotland located on The Mound, close to Princes Street. Designed in a neoclassical style by William Henry Playfair, the building was first opened to the public in 1859. if you love paintings and portraits, this is a must visit.  Although, make sure you have ample time to admire and be amazed at the sheer brilliance of colours, textures and forms on display.

if you are not the artsy types and love hiking, then consider heading to Arthur’s Seat. Just a few minutes from the Parliament building, Arthur’s Seat sits 251m above sea level offering mesmerising views of the city and the sea. It is an ancient volcano and the site of a large and well-preserved fort. It is one of four hill forts dating from around 2000 years ago. It has a diverse range of flora and geology rendering it a site of Special Scientific Interest.

Arthur’s Seat was our last hurrah before we headed back to Newcastle.  even though our trip was short, the memories will linger on forever. Our bodies were tired and heavy, but our hearts were not full. We wanted to explore Edinburgh more. There was much left still to see in Scotland which we hope to cover soon.

But if you have been to Edinburgh, I would love to hear about your Edinburgh sightseeing experience! Till then happy travels!

I have been living in Derby now for a few months. Ever since I have been here, I had been hearing people gushing about Nottingham, which is approximately a forty-minute drive from Derby. So, it was always on my list. But even before that, it was on my list because of it was the land of one of my childhood heroes, Robin Hood and his famous Sherwood Forest. For some reason or the other, I just couldn’t plan a trip. Then came Christmas and what better time could it be to visit Nottingham than this? So off I went to Nottinghamshire. It was indeed worth it and so much more. What made travelling to Nottingham so special and what are some of the things to do in Nottingham? Well, here is what I found out!

Travelling from Derby to Nottingham & Back

The best way to travel from Nottingham to Derby and back is to take the Red Arrow bus from Derby Bus station. The ticket is cheap and the bus takes you to Nottingham in around thirty minutes! Plus, there’s Wi-fi in the bus! What more can one ask for!

Christmas Market

If you are going around Christmas and it ‘your thing’, the Christmas Market in Nottingham is a must visit. It is stunning with loads of fun rides and games. Not to mention the array of food, jewelry and memento stalls. Shopping in Nottingham is never complete without the Christmas market!

Waterstones Bookshop

If you are a book-lover, you cannot afford to miss Waterstones. Disclaimer – You might end up getting lighter on your pocket while coming out of the book store. It is just fabulous. With ground plus 3 floors and an escalator inside, Waterstones at Nottingham is an experience in itself. The presentation and range of books is breathtaking. The tasteful décor and thoughtfully created labels for genres is an absolute treat. If all this wasn’t enough, there is a lovely café at the top floor. Enjoy a cup of coffee while you browse through a book or discuss a book with a friend! I think even a person who is not into books is sure to fall in love with them after visiting this store.

Nottingham Castle and Robin Hood statue

Although the Nottingham Castle, sitting on the castle rock, is no longer open to tourists, the seven feet effigy of the outlaw Robin Hood can still be seen as it stands outside it. His arrow is pointed at the gatehouse and the premises within. The effigy is cast in eight pieces of half-inch thick bronze and is a vision on a block of white Clipsham stone.

Victoria Centre

If you are looking to get some shopping done, then end the trip on a high note at the Victoria Centre. You can shop and eat to your heart’s content here. The best part is the way to the Nottingham bus station is through the mall. Simply get the Red Arrow to travel to Derby from Nottingham which runs every ten minutes. I am sure there must be other places to explore in Nottingham. That will definitely call for another blog. Till then, stay safe and keep travelling and keep exploring!

Get it Done on Weekdays

This applies to UK in general too – just get whatever you need to get done on weekdays. Whether it is shopping for grocery, getting your car looked at or buying something specific, just do it on weekdays. Weekends are strictly no work. Sorry you got to wait till Monday to get things moving!

Be prepared to Own it Up

If you are used to pampering at home, which may happen for some of those from India, then you might be in for a rude shock. One needs to do almost everything on his or her own. Right from keeping the garbage bags to laundry to even returning something you had ordered from e-commerce sites – Yes mostly they will not come back to your residential address if you want to return a product. So, it is a good idea to be mentally prepared to do all these things and maybe more once you are here.

University is a Major Entity

If you are a student (graduate and above) in Derby, you would most probably be studying at the University of Derby. Make use of all the resources the uni has to offer. It is actually the key to making your life simple. A lot of things revolve around the University. It is really the key to getting help and support with settling in. From sports to cultural clubs to various societies, just get involved with whatever piques your interest. Making connections will help you feel more at home, away from home.

Lot of History, Theatre & Art

Once I settled, I found out that Derby has a lot of history to it. Add a dash of art and theatre and you have a perfect combination for connoisseurs of fine arts, performing arts and history. Again, University website can be a good starting point to know more about all these things which make the city unique.

Just the Right Size

London is huge as compared to Derby. Having said that though, Derby as a city is just about right size. It is neither too big nor small. You have everything here, as mentioned earlier. It is easy to find your way around things. It might not seem initially that it is large enough, but as you stay here for a while, like I am doing, it becomes evident that it is.

Last, but not the least, no matter what, help will always be a phone call away. Or you can just talk to your peers from your course or speak to the customer assistant at the convenience store. You are sure to get help. Being on our own can be really scary for many of us, including me. But we all have one person we can count on, travelling or not, and that is ourselves. You are most definitely not going to let yourself down and that is another journey of self-realization we all embark on, without consciously knowing!

 Till next time, keep travelling, learning and growing!

Magical, mystical mountains – The Himalayas are nothing but other-worldly. I recently took a trip to Himachal Pradesh, North of India, which is surrounded by these mighty mountains covered by snow. We took a flight from Mumbai to Chandigarh) and we hired a car to take us to Himachal Pradesh. The first glimpse of the Himalayas (after almost 8 hours in the car) was unbelievable. It felt surreal and it was breathtaking. With them as our travel partners, we reached Dharamshala, a vibrant hamlet in Himachal Pradesh. Some of the spots which are a must see there are the Bhagsu Nag Waterfalls and temple, the Dal Lake, and the Church. Anywhere you go, the Dhauladhar range of Himalayas makes sure that you have amazing vistas to marvel at. For those who are cricket buffs, the cricket ground at Dharamshala is a must-visit.

It is nestled between the mountains and an array of hues of greenery around. The roof of the beautiful pavillion is akin to that of a monastery. It is absolutely hypnotic. The sun-kissed peaks, the greenery and the overall nature’s bounty make it almost impossible for you to leave the premises. But then, you got to, because you have other places too to explore!

One of the best parts of the trip, though, was the cable car or a Gondola type ride from Dharamshala to McLeodganj, another very popular tourist destination. McLeodganj is the place where if you are lucky, you can meet the honourable Dalai Lama as well! But coming back to the Cable Car ride, it has been set up recently. It costs 500 INR for a trip from Dharamshala to McLeodganj and back. If you want just a one way ticket, it is 300 INR.  If you take a round trip ticket, you would have to comeback before 5.30 pm. It takes around 12-15 minutes one way. But you want it to never end. It is one of the things to not miss when you are in the region! For those who would like to avoid the one hour or so long and winding drive in from Dharamshala to McLeodganj or vice versa, can surely consider this option. So, if you go around 10 am, you can spend the entire day at McLeodganj. Take a leisurely stroll around the streets, shop at the Tibetan market, or get a cup of coffee at one of those quaint cafes offering mesmerizing views of the valley below. Then of course, you can have traditional North Indian fare or just go for Italian, Chinese, or the local cuisine for lunch.

Take the cable car back to Dharamshala to enjoy the rest of the evening at the hotel, air bnb or the homestay you might have booked yourself into.

The best season to visit this region would be March onwards till October. Although after April, till August or September, it would be the peak season (pun unintended!). So March or early April can be a great option. For those who haven’t seen snow, like me, March is an ideal time. I got to see snow for the first time ever in my life. It was truly magical. At first glance it looked like a giant thermocole sheet!  I encountered snow on the way to Khajjiar from Dalhousie. Khajjiar is around 24 kms from Dalhousie. it lies on a small plateau with a small stream-fed lake in the centre and is also called the mini Switzerland of India. This, by no means is an exaggeration! The high-altitude Khajjiar Lake is surrounded by cedar forest and Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary. It is surely a delight for the enthusiastic instagrammers as no matter what you do, the photographs are sure to come out fantastic, thanks to the stunning natural beauty of the area. You simply cannot have enough of it. This is one of the best reasons to visit Himachal Pradesh.

Mine was a short trip, but in those 4 days, the Himalayas completely lured me with their beauty and magnificence. Everything seems still around these mountains. No wonder they say that if you are looking to clear your mind, get a taste of spirituality, Himalayas are the place to be. That is what makes Himalayas so special and that is why they are famous. While on my way back to the airport, I couldn’t help thinking, that these mountains are shrouded in this unexplained mystery, and not just snow and splendor.

Right from the time we booked the ticket, we were getting emails and texts about the new norms of air travel. To begin with, it was mandatory to do the web-check in. Just don’t bother reaching the airport without doing that. On the D-day, it was pretty smooth, getting to the check in counter (the masks were on the entire time). Once we entered the terminal, we had to go to the self-help kiosk at the International terminal, where our flight was supposed to depart from.

We punched in our details and took our bag tag as well as boarding pass. So what was left for us to do was to simply deposit the check in bag at the counter and show our boarding pass. Once that was done, the security check was as usual. It ideally should not have been. People should have been more mindful and careful and not constantly brush past others. People seemed to have completely forgotten about the social distancing norms. I was almost pushed ahead by a person standing behind me in the queue and it made me quite uncomfortable and slightly furious. Some people were wearing masks, but it didn’t cover their noses – I had my eyes rolling at them with despair. But the bright side was that the airline and airport staffers were very helpful and patient. They were assisting all the people who were in need.

Nevertheless, that almost nightmarish security check over, we finally breathed easy and proceeded to our gate. A few minutes before we were supposed to board, we were given a face shield, sachets of sanitizer and a mask. Needless to say, we were supposed to wear the face shield for the entire duration of the flight. Thank god it was just a one-hour flight. It was necessary, but unwieldy and uncomfortable. There was no question of not wearing it. So, looking like a faux astronaut/dancers from a harem with the typical headgear, I boarded the flight. In the flight, the horror continued with passengers merrily keeping their bags in overhead bins when it was explicitly told that it is not advisable. All the same, an hour and a glass of water later, we got off at Hyderabad – face shielded and cold due to the AC in the cabin. I must mention here that cabin crew too was cooperative and prompt and all of them had donned Protective Gowns, masks and face shields.

We were told to dispose off the face shield only in the hazmat bags at the terminal and so we did. We saw number of face shields strewn on the floor. I shrugged and thought of picking up those and throwing them in the right place. But then I wasn’t sure if that would be a good idea, so I let the staff know. We collected our luggage and soon we were on our way out of the terminal. That’s where I breathed easy and took off my face shield. It was not bad after all. But looking at the crowd and the callousness, I realized once again how crucial it is for all of us to do our bit. Whether it is washing and sanitizing our hands, wearing masks in public places, not spitting and littering, and overall being aware and conscious for your health and for those around you. I guess that’s the only way we can control and get out of this bizarre situation we have gotten ourselves into.

That rendition of Megh Malhar set the tone for more fabulous things to come. It was followed by Miya ki Malhar and Raag Bihaag in Teental (fast-paced rhythm). Staring off with the slow tempo and rhythm, Upneet Singh and Roopa Panesar took to a crescendo and ended with a flourish. Soon enough, an hour was over. I wondered how can it be that it was just probably 15 minutes or so but apparently an hour had passed. So I guess I had time-travelled too. Nevertheless, here I feel compelled to mention the fact that music has the power to transcend boundaries of time and space (oh what a cliché) never made any more sense to me than during that concert. And the more I have been listening to this amazing sitarist, I feel that the way she plays, there’s just more than the melody or the perfect notes. I always get this sensation that it goes well beyond just the perfect rendition of notes and composition. I wonder if it is the soul or what they call it. But one thing is for sure, I definitely embarked on a beautiful journey of knowing myself by getting completely immersed in the music.

Planning a trip is a science and being a responsible and good traveller is an art. Having travelled a little bit, and having observed people and systems in a few countries, I can say that there are some things which are cardinal sins for a solo traveller. Anybody with internet these days and a methodical bent of mind can plan a trip. But being a good traveller, whether in a group or solo, is not everyone’s cup of tea. There are some people who would probably be sued if there was a court of travel and tourism for their wrong travelling practices. I was thinking about these things people tend to do while on a trip which actually can be avoided. Lo and behold, I thought I would share some things I have learnt (to not do) from my solo travelling adventures.

Being Careless About your Documents & Overall Valuables

The cardinal rule while travelling alone – please please take care of your belongings. There’s no bigger sin than having a cavalier attitude towards your valuables – money and travel documents, including your passport. Cling on to your passport with your dear life (okay, I might be exaggerating here). But seriously, never lose sight of your purse or pouch, especially while travelling alone.

Talking Loudly on the Phone in Transit

Ah, now this, my dear friends is a big no-no. Kindly avoid talking loudly on the phone in the Eurail or any public transport where there might be people sitting next to you. Also, it would be a good idea to not reveal your travel plans in detail while talking to someone on the phone. You never know, the world’s not exactly a completely safe place. So being careful is always a good idea.

Avoid Dining at Proper Restaurant

Well, this is another thing to avoid while travelling solo. I mean, if you are doing that, you would probably be on a budget. If you aren’t, well, then go ahead, enjoy yourself! Who wouldn’t want a crème de la crème experience, right? But if you are on a budget and travelling solo, a small café or street food could help save on money, more so if you are from another country and have limited local currency.

Not Having Atleast a Rough Plan

When I made my first solo trip to London (which was an absolute blast), I had chalked out a daily itinerary, with possible back up options. So I had all that jotted down in my diary. So, every day, I used to check what all was there on my plan for that day and used to proceed accordingly. It was super fun. I also used Google to help with the public transport options and directions. Since I didn’t have an internet connection for the time I was in London, I relied on the Wi-Fi in the hostel I was staying at. Iactually used to write down directions, landmarks, bus numbers and everything else before I left the hostel for the day to explore the city. What would I have done without that! So, to put it in a nutshell, having atleast a rough plan and some options in case that doesn’t work out ensures that you have a great trip or even stumble upon something unexplored, which could be better than the thing you had zeroed in on!

Carrying too Much Cash

Money is a contentious issue. Not carrying too much cash is a wise idea, especially while travelling solo. Whether you are exploring your own country or a foreign one, this is one thing to avoid while solo travelling. The reason is simple. You would be definitely better off not attracting unwanted attention while you pay for something at a public place or anywhere for that matter. Less money could be equal to more safety.

Shying Away From Helpful Strangers

As long as you are alert and cautious and can smell a rat, you are good and should be okay taking help from a stranger. Also, don’t shy away from helping one. Again, the same rule applies. J I was making my way to the Lords Cricket stadium from my hostel in London and I was looking around for the booking window after I had almost reached the place. So while I was looking around, an elderly lady passing by chatted with me and just guided me to the window and the entrance to the stadium. I was quite taken in by her gesture. It felt nice to be helped by a stranger in a foreign land, where I was kind of trying to figure out stuff.

Avoiding Local Food is A Bad Idea

One more thing you shouldn’t avoid while travelling solo is local food. You just cannot stick your desi daal and rice (for us Indians that’s the most important thing, even if we would probably be on Mars or Jupiter) when outside the country. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. So, try the pizza in Napoli or a pork dish in Thailand or meatball and spaghetti in Spain or Italy.

Having Inhibitions

Finally, letting go and being in the moment and not having any inhibitions will surely make your travelling experience memorable for a lifetime. Just go with the flow. Yes, there will be butterflies in your tummy, or you would “what the hell am I doing” kind of a feeling. But just go ahead and do it. When I did zip lining in Pattaya for the first time, I was like “man, am I really doing this? This is crazy!” But I eventually did that and those were some of the most thrilling few minutes of my life till then.

These were some of things to avoid while travelling solo, which I think most of us would probably identify with and sure would probably have done it initially.

With that, until next time, be safe and hopefully soon, we would be able to embark on those exciting, unhindered, and enriching journeys!

Considering the current scenario, even stepping out of the house for a drink with your boyfriend or fiancée might seem like a honeymoon.  But hey, while we all are waiting for the global quarantine to be lifted and for things to be normal, why not share some useful hacks.  So here’s something interesting about booking your honeymoon through a travel agent.

Things to Consider

Actually whether it is your honeymoon sojourn, or a general trip, some things will have to be given extra attention.

Location of the Hotels

The location of the hotels is absolutely crucial to your overall experience. Infact whatever your accommodation, it plays a major role in ensuring that your trip is a memorable one.  It is a good idea to check how far is your hotel from the city centre or places of interest. But wait! Do we really care about sightseeing on honeymoon? You might want to ask them to change it if it is too far off, like the ones we were booked in. It was around 50km from the airport on a small hillock with almost nothing around. If you are a couple which likes to roam around on your own and explore the surroundings yourself, a bad location might be a bummer. If you have booked your trip before the wedding, it is all the more essential to check this, as you are definitely going to be in an entirely different mindset, pre and post wedding.

Consider Customising

Researching about the place you want to visit will be an added bonus. If that is done, you can ask the travel agent to customize the package which they are offering as per your preferences. You may not want to see all the places included in the package. You are on a honeymoon, right?

Flight Timings

I realized that flight timings too can make a major difference to how the itinerary has been planned. So what happened with me was that we had a late afternoon flight to our destination. The duration was 1 hour something. But, by the time we reached, took our bags and reached our hotel, it was almost dark. We couldn’t explore the hotel premises in the evening and we lamented it because it was a beautiful heritage hotel in Rajasthan. Ideally, I feel that flight could have been a late morning flight. Likewise, while coming back, our flight was scheduled for departure at 9 am. It could easily have been an evening flight. When you are returning to your city, you aren’t looking to exactly explore it like the one you haven’t visited!

The Upside

Logistics taken care of

Yes, there’s definitely an upside, to booking your honeymoon through a travel agent, You don’t have to worry about most of the logistics, sightseeing bookings and stuff, especially if it is a foreign country. All you have to do is simply enjoy!

Check the Cheque

Yes, the expenditure is more when it is a package tour as compared to DIY. But then, a package tour means you have already paid for most of things you typically pay for on a trip. So you have an idea how much you have paid and how much you would be spending on your own. In case of DIY, there might be a possibility, that one may not keep an exact track of the expenses. One may end up spending more than planned.

The Paparazzi

Some travel agencies nowadays even hire professional photographers. And honeymooners would  definitely not miss this opportunity of a photo op, especially in the insta’age!  And there is a lot of chance that the charges would be included in the package, so you don’t have to worry about finding and paying the photographer.

These were the musings and learnings of an amateur travel enthusiast from her last outing before the pandemic escalated to scary levels. What are your thoughts? Do share in comments!

 Till, then, Be Safe, Stay Home and lets hope this comes to an end soon !

International Travel – 10 years back, I don’t think I even had that term in my mundane, middle-class, Indian household dictionary. Or maybe it was, but it was perhaps on the last page or the inside of the back cover! But I have heard that whatever is in your vibration and whatever you put out there in the Universe – your desires, aspirations, etc, they do come true sometime or the other. So perhaps, subconsciously I had sent that desire out to the universe that I want to travel outside the country. Retracing my family history, it doesn’t surprise me now that i was bitten by the travel bug, but the effect was dormant. After the first international trip though, it came into its own. Now, I totally jump at the chance of travelling, seeing different cultures, spaces, people and more. To come back to my first international experience, it was all thanks to my friends from my dance class 6 years back. Initially I thought they were crazy. How are we supposed to manage the money, the visa, the works? But then, they had everything figured out, the money came in and we just had a blast! Thinking back, I was ruminating about what made it so special. I came across quite a few things – 

Don’t Plan it Decades before 

One of the most alluring aspects of my trip was that we didn’t plan it ages ahead. My friends were just hanging out and talking about travelling and the plan came into the picture out of the blue. I am extremely thankful to them for asking me to join! Once it was decided, we got everything done in a couple of months and off we went! The danger with planning trip ages before you actually have to leave is that the enthusiasm can fizzle out. Worse, the trip can be cancelled. That worked wonders for us!

Element of Surprise

The element of surprise is one of the best things when you are on your first international trip. I visited Singapore and it was just fabulous. One of the reasons was that I hardly knew what we were going to do and see. I was caught with work and barely had time. My friends took care of most of the things – forwarding me important emails, sending me payment links and the works. They had done a lot of research and I had no clue whatsoever –Nada. So when I landed and we started roaming around, I was completely thrilled and gobsmacked!

Go With The Flow

As I mentioned, I didn’t know what’s on the itinerary, so I just went with the flow. We combined our tour package itinerary with roaming around on our own. It was such a refreshing experience.  Basically, we used to be out from 9 am in the morning to 2 am the next day, as we used to roam around after 5 pm, once we used to be done with the pre-decided sightseeing schedule. We never used to decide, we just used to see the maps and pick a place impromptu and go. We would take the metro most of the times as it was the best way to travel, along with the bus. 

Being Receptive 

Being receptive to all the kinds of experiences you get is the key to making your first international trip special. Not having any kind of presumptions goes a long way to ensure that you have a blast. I remember I was sulking a bit while we were running around, trying to catch the metro, as I wasn’t used to that. I felt I am being dragged to do something I am not comfortable with. Now when I look back, I realize I was sulking for no reason at all! I should have been more receptive and open to it and should have milked it as much as possible. 

Taking Care of Your Travel Documents & Belongings

Yes, it is very very crucial to take care of your travel documents and belongings – and of course it applies to any time you travel and not just your first international; trip! However, there are good chances that your trip would be a disaster, especially if you lose your important travel documents. Please hold on to with your dear life to your travel documents so that your trip is hassle-free and enjoyable! 

Ofcourse, these reasons may vary for individuals and what works for one may not for other. What I would never be able to forget is that feeling of utter amazement and that Alice in Wonderland feeling I had on my first international trip! Having said that, every new place I visit always turns me into an Alice and I am completely besotted with that place!