Tourism Unites ...

I travel to Gujarat quite often! And also go around during the winter. On one such trip to Pavagadh I saw this old rusting board ... though old it conveys a great message ...

Experiences and Thoughts on Package Tours

The whole theme of my blog is about traveling SOLO to venture out the world alone and a sense of adventure. But, few times when traveling with family I have tried personalized package tours in Rajasthan where everything was arranged for us by a tour operator per our taste. We didn't have to do a single thing! When I visited Italy I took a first class package tour. I was tired of driving long distances, camping, budget accommodation and simple food. And thought of enjoying some luxury of a first class trip.

Travel Souvenirs!

Fridge magnets my favorite souvenirs

From my grand trip to Italy not only I remember the grandeur of the Basilicas but also remember- a family who were with me in the package tour for 12 days. Two sisters and their two teen age daughters. As much as I enjoyed the art and architecture in Italy I enjoyed watching this family shop! Pasta, sun dried tomatoes, olive oil, red wine in Tuscany. Very expensive Murano glass wine serving set, Murano glass bead jewelry and a women's top embellished with fine Murano glass beads in Venice. An exquisite dining table set and few other living room furniture in Sorrento. And what more god only knows! Well, everything was shipped to USA for them. While another retired teacher, who was part of the same package tour with his wife, bought a map of medieval Italy printed on white cloth for 3 euros and was happy that the map had names of all the places he visited. There was another mother-daughter duo who bought whatever looked very cheap as gifts for family and friends back home.

Travel Talk- Slum Tourism or Glorification of Poverty?

Couple of months ago I visited Mumbai for only two days with family and friends. It was my first ever visit to this entertainment capital of India. Well, as a child I have visited Mumbai it seems but I don't remember even one thing. When we were moving around in a rented Toyota Innova, our driver spoke out, That is Dharavi Slum. Do you want to see it? Well, no one in the car wanted to. I know Dharavi Slum is a popular tourist destination on the world tourism map but, I was wondering why visit a slum?

Travel Talk- How to be a Responsible Traveler?

Take home great memories and leave only the footprints ...

Random Thoughts- A one single World without borders!

From space I saw Earth, indescribably beautiful with the scars of national boundaries gone- Muhammad Ahmad Faris

I wish I could see Mother Earth from space some day! Well, most of the times hardcore travelers prefer to call themselves- Citizens of the World. How wonderful it would be huh?! We could move around with curiosity to see and enjoy being in the different pockets of the world. Or migrate to different parts of the world in search of better life. And follow any culture we find suitable!

Random Thoughts- Shutting down the most beautiful on Earth!

I lived in USA for almost 8 years and it was dearer to me than my home country. Even after I left almost 3 years ago I kept writing about my experiences in america, american national parks and monuments. I kept coming back eagerly to see and feel the most exciting places of natural and historic importance. This year too I came ... to the country which I am proud of its national parks. With a grand plan of visiting the most beautiful states, unfortunately in the beginning of October. Me- an ignorant citizen of the world, who only reads, researches, dreams about the natural wonders and heritage that exists on Mother Earth knew very little about politics, budget and ego. I set foot on this land dreaming about red rocks, canyon country, pink and white sand deserts on 3rd of October hoping that the government shutdown will end soon. Even after 5 days I am waiting and waiting with hope and nothing happens.

Interesting India- You are an 'Aunty' or 'Uncle' here!

Another interesting thing in India- everyone refers to others as family or a relative!! Sometimes I get surprised when a person of my uncle's age refers me to as 'Aunty'!! Or say- in a bus station a beggar girl in rags browned with dirt gently pulls my clothes and says ... Aunty, I didn't have food for n-number of days, give me money ... What???? Oh- Yes! It happens! Don't be surprised :)

Travel Talk- Whats wrong in visiting touristy places?

During my backpacking trip in India I visited few very interesting places. One of them was Khajuraho. I was amazed by the beauty of those temples, the stone carving and that amazing architecture. I kept wondering how grand it would have been during the medieval period when all these temples were functioning. It never occurred to me that I was in a 'touristy' place which is visited by thousands everyday. There were so many other tourists, domestic as well as international, who too were mesmerized by the temple complex. If you are one of those so called 'travelers' who say you dislike visiting 'touristy' places then you are missing something, IMO!

Travel Talk- Why eat Street Food?

It is a common question to most of us travelers/tourists ... what makes us travel? And one of the most common reasons is to 'experience local culture and cuisine'. But, how many of us really experience the local authentic culture and cuisine? The package tours, expensive hotels and similar usually arrange some events which are 'tailor made' for the tourists, so where is the authenticity? And these are sometimes not affordable to the budget travelers. When you want the real experience go for street food or semi-street food! If you ask me why? here are my reasons ...

Travel Talk- Have you considered Sleeping in Airports?

Me at Charlotte airport waiting for my delayed flight

Recently I came across an interesting website A Guide to Sleeping in Airports which provides information on 'how to' spend nights in airports to save some money when you are traveling on a budget. Sleeping in airports to save money sounds like a cheap idea at first. But, when you think like a backpacker who is on a shoestring budget, or a little better, it makes sense.

Travel Talk- Sometimes I dislike traveling!

Surprised huh? Well, I love traveling more than anything in my life and I cannot imagine my life without traveling. Still, sometimes I dislike traveling when it comes to ...

Travel Talk- Most stupid packing mistakes!

Last weekend I went on a day hike around Bangalore. Bangalore rain was on-and-off all the time. During lunch break we had extra time for fun chat which ended up in pulling each other's leg. This is what happened ... One of the guys was carrying a large daypack which was full. One gracious lady- fellow trekker, asked him what was inside. He first laughed out loudly and then said softly ...

Travel Talk- Saving money for full time travel?

Well, hardest part in full-time travel is to survive without a job. Spending wisely and saving every rupee means a lot. I took a couple of years after I quit my job and started traveling, to realize how saving little by little makes a big difference. I observed my savings were evaporating faster than I thought! There are many articles floating around on internet with general tips. But, saving money is very personal. What works for one may not work for another. Saving can be very effective when there is a strong desire and determination to fund your travel dream. Saving money is not an easy thing. It takes a lot of effort, creativity and sacrificing many of the lifestyle addictions. We may not succeed as we have planned but best thing to do is ... keep trying ... to make our dreams come true! 

Random Thoughts- The passion called Travel!

I happened to have a chat with an acquaintance who lives in the same apartment complex as me. And obviously the conversation turned to travel. During the conversation she kept on repeating one line ... Oh! I have a job, I have a family. If I were 'like you' I would also travel. When saying 'like you' she sounded like she is alleging me of something! By the end of that conversation I was thinking ... Anybody 'who wants to' can travel ... but then, what is it to be 'like you'?

Random Thoughts- Why do people travel?

Why do you travel? is one question everyone around me and everyone I meet ask me. As I have mentioned in my 'About me' page that I have an 'intense internal compulsion' to travel. When I say this some people get suspicious and some think I am crazy. Whatever the case may be I become a mysterious woman ... but then isn't it a valid and interesting question- Why do people travel? And we definitely get different personal opinions on traveling! There might be many posts in many blogs on this. I thought of putting my perspective together on this topic ... 

Random Thoughts- Travel Quotes, My Favorites

Once I had been on a 10mile out-and-back hike to the summit of Mt St Helena (don't get confused with Mt St Helens in Washington). The trail begins at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park in California. Robert Louis Stevenson, the famous author of Treasure Island, spent his Honeymoon here in 1880. The wooden cabin where he stayed at that time is non-existent now, but the spot is identified by a memorial. In the dense dark forest a memorial- a stone sculpture representing a book which talks about Robert Louis Stevenson.

Random Thoughts- Have you tried Couch Surfing?

Couch Surfing is a phrase which is gaining popularity in the community of vagabonds. Adopted by many budget travelers Couch Surfing has attracted my attention! Available Couch Surfing networks allow travelers to connect with people in different cities of different countries. People offer couches or rooms to strangers for free! Well, the point is ... offering a place to stay to a traveler who is a complete stranger and help him/her understand local culture in more friendly way. This also helps the host to know/understand the guest and guest's country and culture etc ... more of a give-and-take kind of arrangement. Stay is free but guest may have to follow some guidelines provided by host. Rest is common sense and courtesy. For this arrangement to work well, guests should be looking for a good friend in a host than a free couch.

Random Thoughts- Traveling full-time on a budget

I have been traveling on and off ... I quit my job beginning of 2011 to spend all my time traveling! Almost two years now and I have traveled some parts of India. As the time passes by, at times I am asked by my Dad ... what next? What are the plans for earning a living? Yeah, valid concerns from worried parents :) 

These thoughts have passed my mind too! I jumped into something that I always wanted- Be a Vagabond. But, then how am I going to maintain myself being a Vagabond? Yeah, when I had a job which paid me a very very handsome amount I went on luxury trips. Now, I have tried moderate budget backpacking trips in India.