Wo(a)ndering thoughts!!!

In an ideal world: You pick a place for family vacay or decide it together, family gets excited and pinch in ideas with excitement!! My world: I pick a place, make list of things to do, prepare a business case with costing/flight options etc.,  and then, sit down to discuss it with my boys!! PC:Google Images <Excepted reaction after hearing the name of the place: Jumping in excitement or just a facial reaction i.e smile or least show me a smiley emoji . I’m easy to please. > In reality, all I get is A:   “But why??  there are volcanos.. What happens if we get stuck there.. I rather go to holiday program and stay home!!!” Me: Volcanos does not erupt just like that, we will have plenty of time to fly out.. Ok listen!! We could go swimming with dolphins!!! Isn’t exciting!! A: but you don’t know swimming!! Me: Ok!! You know what!!!   I have decided I’m going on a family vacay to the planned place I wrote that business ...

I’m  writing about 10 things that I’m grateful for.. that's everyday until Christmas, four days to go and  Day 6 is Wanderlust . I close my eyes and pick a place, Somewhere sandy, somewhere breezy, With coconut trees and many more tall green trees, I don’t see a soul in there, It’s so quiet and peaceful, I can hear the waves. ‘Mommy!! We’ve reached, Look out the window!!’, I open my eyes and see my dream. Dreams could go beyond reality, but when it  comes true, It’s just beautiful and perfect.. If I get lost, I’ll find my way back, If the food is blunt, I won’t complain, If the food is spicy, I’ll have an ice cream, I would live like local and Bargain like a tourist. I’m so grateful for all the time I spent in those places and the wanderlust inside me. It changes perspective, it helped widen my mind, it shaped me in a good way. The cultures, people, the food, lifestyle, traditions.. I’m so grateful for everything I learnt on m...

I wrote about blind dates in  lost and found myself post. After writing that, it started to bring back my self exploration memories and I thought I should pen down one of my blind date story from my # theblindlist . Do you agree that people around us influence our thoughts, I’m really lucky most of my friends are always planning their next holiday and inspiring me with their stories. This blind date is special to me because of my fascination towards this country, their history, culture and the accent that has a command in a classy way; More than that the awe for the monarchy that ruled half of the world at one point and ruled my home country almost 200 years. Yes, I’m talking about London – the city of my dreams. Being a big fan of Escape to country episodes, I dream to escape to an English country and live in an old house that has lots of character, surrounded by a huge farm. <With the option of Airbnb these days, maybe I can fulfil my dream soon.> ...

Rule of thumb for a blind date is to trust the process and to go on a date with no/zero expectation. You do not know who you are meeting until you see them. You cannot check their FB profile or see their stories in Insta. You go there with open mind. If you are lucky, you get a wonderful experience and stories to tell your grand children. Mine was no different, I must say I was always lucky with my blind dates. I have had so many experience of this. However, it was not like I didn't have a choice. Like most of you I too had a conventional way, but choose another way.  I'm talking about my blind dates with this world. Would you dare to go on a blind date with this world? I would. I certainly would. I love the idea of exploring the world , a new place without a map/GPS in hand. I just love the idea of embracing the local culture without reading a travelogue. I just love to taste local food at a street shop in a small alley 'coz local people eat there. I...

Angkor Wat  was in my wish list for long time, it felt like some kind of calling**. It could be because I love temples not that I’m overly religious but more for my amusement to the structures and the stories and the whole history behind it. When you grow up in a country where history is taken for granted and you move to a country where History is only 150yrs old, you pretty much appreciate anything older than 200yrs .. To build a house, we compromise so much with our “Nice to haves” and “Wish lists”, sometimes just go with the bare necessity and add-on those “Nice-to-haves” later when possible or if you are lucky, you stretch yourself financially to build your dream home without any compromise. We are still talking about few square meters to few hundred acres of land, which costs few hundred thousands to few million dollars. PC:Google Images I’m seeing these larger than life temples with lot of creativity, fine workmanship, huge labour and their life dedicate...

July 17 th 2003 I’m not sure what I’m feeling right now, nervous or anxious or excited or all mixed. I’m sitting in my window seat, watching the flight caterers push away the giant staircase(truck). ‘Mam!! Seat Belts please!’ Suddenly I hear a beautiful voice of the Airhostess telling me to wear my seat belts.. I try to do it myself, I'm panicking & my brain isn’t thinking straight. Women sitting next to me comes to my rescue ‘Let me help you dear!’ . It is embarrassing, I’m 21 and I’m going to US of A all alone to do my masters and I don’t know how to wear seat belts!!! This is not my first flight.. I have been in flight once before to Delhi with my cousin. But this is different.. This is my first international flight, all alone, my way to experience freedom and Life. If my grandma was alive this minute, she wouldn’t have believed I’m going to US of A to study.. But I’m sure she would be proud of me. I may not be a high-ranker but I have lot of dreams.. ...

Kannamma, Remember your first flight with me when you were 11 months old, I was nervous as hell. Nevertheless, you were so playful and composed, not at all naughty or cranky. You slept most of the time and made my trip lot easier. It is always a pleasant trip when travelling with you. I must admit you are a natural traveller. Be it a new place or a new journey you are always excited and on-board. You started sitting on your own seat (in flight) when you were 2yrs. You even refused to share your seat with me (it was aisle seat for both of us – a walkway in between us) . You sat on your own, watching some cartoon and slept without a fuss. I just sat there looking at you whole night thinking you might fall down in your sleep.   Our first trip alone to Japan with our best friends, it was such a pleasant memory you and our darling Y created except for the fact you both literally fought every day for the right side window seat. You heard it right. There are two windo...