Espresso Shot to the Soul: The Perfect Brew
In today’s day and age, most people follow a daily routine which, more often than not, is possibly described as “boring” or “dreary”. The same group of Most-People also have a routine way of cutting out a niche in their routine lives that falls out of the daily parade: A Holiday.
Holidays or Vacations are a perfect excuse to step out your comfort bubble and go on an adventure. It’s a chance to explore, discover and rediscover the magic of a certain place on this planet. While some prefer a visit to their ancestral home or some other place of nostalgic magnetism, others prefer to go out there and tour a whole new world and bring home memories of a brand-new place. Of course, while going back to one’s roots is undoubtedly a great way of keeping oneself grounded and relaxed, I prefer the latter option. The notion of experiencing a new city, a new culture, new cuisine and new architecture is what I would call an espresso shot to the soul.
I hope, Dear Reader, that you are following my train of thought so far. There is probably a very small percentage of people who have never been excited about a trip to a new land. However, let’s get real for a moment. We go on such extravagant vacations and mirror the several movies that revolve around holidays and cruises, but how much are we actually letting go of the routine that we try so hard to get away from? Do we actually break free from the leash of everyday expectations or are we so accustomed to it now that it acts as a safety blanket? Truth be told, we end up following a whole different set of rules and guidelines set out for the vacation by- you guessed it- tourism agencies.
The whole prospect of a vacation, one might say, is to get away from the throngs of people we encounter every day. But visit a tourist hotspot during peak season and in a matter of minutes you’ll be missing the solitude of your own room. As everyday we follow the white-collar throng to work, so during our days off we follow the brightly clothed throng to a view point. Tourism is nothing more than business, and it is this depersonalisation of a vacation that snatches away the glamour and promise of it.
From a very young age, I have been extremely fond of travel. Whether it was the foothills of the Himalayas or the backwaters of “God’s Own Country”, I have thoroughly enjoyed and cherished every moment of it. For this, I must thank my family for being unique in our methods and priorities during our travels. We have never been very fond of crowds, and neither have we been fond of travelling in a noisy bus packed with people visiting one spot after another and crossing them of the list. No, the key to a good travel experience is to explore and discover on your own.
Consider this, you visit a town you have never stepped foot in before. The sights are fresh, the smells are new, and the cacophony of words may be in a completely alien language! Sometimes you find a street corner that reminds you of a similar looking street back at home, but once explored, it can prove you wrong in a jiffy. My father has a rule he lives by during a trip: Rise before the sun to explore the city on foot. On several of these excursions, I have accompanied him. The wee hours of light are usually hailed by the natives. Common sights include the opening of tea stalls, the sorting of news papers by the news paper boy, the vendors setting up their goods for and the prayer bells welcoming a new day. Now these sights may seem familiar to you, after all there’s nothing unique about a tea stall… but what about the tea? Is it the same as the masala chai back at home, or do they infuse it with ginger? Perhaps the Rajasthani tea stall uses camel milk while the Pahari chai-wala prefers a yak’s or buffalo’s? It is always the details that make an experience special. The morning breeze by the sea may leave you feeling slightly lethargic and in the mood to settle down on the sand for a bit while the sting of the crisp mountain air may rejuvenate you into a brisk walk.
I have been lucky enough to have traveled to nearly all the states of the country, and from each of my travels, I have learned something new and irreplaceable. So if you’d like to really enjoy yourself on a vacation, here are to some of the golden rules to follow:
Punctuality: I know some people are ill equipped when it comes to maintaining time. Trust me, I count as one of them. We cannot control the weather and make perfect conditions for a flight, nor can we control the time at which a train reaches a station. However, if you have an elephant safari scheduled at 5:30 A.M., its best to be up and about by 5:00 A.M. Once you miss your slot, it is extremely difficult to get another, and even if you do, your schedule for the entire day will surely go haywire. I realise this must contradict my first few statements about how a vacation must never involve routine. The truth is that you get to decide your own routine. Keen on watching the sunrise or going birding? Get out there before the crack of dawn. Prefer the sunset and a leisurely evening stroll? Stay in bed all morning and make your way to a vantage point in the early afternoon. Wish to take the whole day off just to get a great night’s sleep on the comfy hotel bed? Do just that. As long as you don’t sabotage your own routine, your trip will ensue smoothly. After all, remember that tourism is a business and you are a tourist. You wouldn’t like a customer to disrupt your daily duties, would you?
Travel Light: Unless you intend to rent out a suite for a month, its best to carry as little as possible. Rucksacks are the best option for road trips. It helps compartmentalise and is easy to transport. Always remember that you will not be dressing as you do when you go for an outing in your own city. To pack for travel is to pack for comfort. Having a weather forecast and being aware of the climate of the region will ensure you pack accordingly. It is also best to carry as few knick-knacks as possible. You definitely do not require several sets of jewellery, nor do you want to worry about losing them. Try to carry multipurpose grooming products and minimal make-up if necessary. The more you pack, the more you’ll have to keep track of. Valuables will also certainly cause a nagging worry, so they’re best left at home. A list of packed items and a secure way of packing can make all the difference.
Never be Fussy: So perhaps you’re used to a three-course lunch at home, but during a trek to the snow-covered Himalayas, you’d be lucky to find a stall selling plates of hot Maggie: Enjoy your lunch! It usually leads to quite a mess when a tourist demands for something that isn’t readily available, for example: Fish curry and rice before entering a Himalayan pass (I have personally experienced this situation, and the poor stall owner seemed terrified). If you do however, have some personal preferences that you cannot do without, ensure that you are able to handle it independently. Try to impose as little as possible on your fellow travellers and remember that resourcefulness is the golden trait of a tourist!
Be Friendly: During your travels you will surely meet several new people with whom you’ll require understanding and coordination. Of course, treating the hotel staff with respect is common sense, but the people you’ll spend maximum time with are the drivers and guides. People who work in tourism are only doing their jobs to ensure that you have a memorable time. They adjust themselves according to your needs and follow the schedule set out by you. They are always polite and will quite often take an interest and find out more about you, so they can gauge the best tourist spots for you. If you are part of a tour bus of course, there is little to no interaction between the tourists and the driver, but if you have rented a car then its best to interact with the driver and put him/her at ease. The bonus of this is that the drivers and guides are usually natives of the place you are visiting and know the area like the back of their hand. The more you talk to them, the more you’ll find out about the region and the native lifestyle. They can provide information about everything, from the local cuisine to the local politics. They will tell you about the changes they have witnessed in and around the city and give you a running commentary about the locations that you pass by. It is always best to be in good terms with the people handling your trip as they will put in more effort into making it a success. The guides and drivers you hire will also have an uncanny ability to set you up with the right people when you visit a market or go on a safari. They are also aware of the various restaurants for any budget range and will direct you to the right ones depending on the choice of your palate.
Tailor Your Trip: Whenever we visit a new location, our first instinct is usually to find out more about the place. We fire up our search engines and begin to look through the reviews of the various tourist hotspots. While some people are keen on analysing ancient architecture, others prefer embarking on adventure sports. Some love taking leisurely strolls through gardens while others would head straight for the sunrise safari. While travelling via an agency, it is always best to discuss the various sites one should visit. This way you can ensure that that you do not waste time visiting lakes when you would much rather go hiking (or vice-versa). The more time you spend doing what you love, the better you’ll be able to unwind and relax during your vacation. Another suggestion is to look up the history of the place and research a few facts. That way you won’t be totally lost in the new city and you’ll be able to appreciate its true beauty.
Experience the Culture: The pro of a vacation is that you get to leave behind the monotony of your home and daily life, the con is that you’ll also have to leave behind the comfort of your home and daily life. For some, homesickness is something that strikes quick and hard. I personally cannot relate to the feeling, but I have heard several accounts of it and have also seen fellow travellers miss the ambiance of their own homes. Several tourists bring along home made snacks and try their level best to find restaurants and markets that would cater to their homely needs. While there is nothing wrong in doing so, my preference and recommendation is that you taste the local cuisine and experience the blend of flavours of a new culture. The more immersive your travel experience is, the more you’ll value and enjoy it. Tourism is not just about sightseeing. Visiting a historical monument or a famous zoo will not complete your travel experience. What really makes your trip memorable are the people you meet, the cultures you learn about and the cuisines you try. Appreciate the culture and empathise with the locals. Respect their traditions and listen to their stories. Travel is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons and expand your knowledge, but that is only possible if you keep your mind open and neglect any bias.
Respect Your Surroundings: Always remember that your vacation spot is someone else’s hometown. To ensure that it remains a paradise for future tourists, and that the denizens do not begin to dislike the tourist community, we must do our best to keep our surrounds clean. Several cities such as Shimla, which depend heavily on tourism for income, have imposed severe laws and heavy fines when it comes to littering, and for good reason. We must respect their way of life and follow through, for when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Tourism is one of the biggest sources of income in our country. If we disrespect our environment and ignore the rules, it will surely lead to deterioration of the versatile beauty our country is famed for.
Make Memories: The entire vacation revolves around unwinding and relaxing and making lovely memories that you can always revisit. Whether you prefer writing down your experiences in a journal or capturing every Kodak Moment, or simply memorising the beauty in your mind’s eye, enjoy yourself and have a wonderful time!
