The Backpacker

People have asked me questions relating to travel. No, am not an authority on travel, yet I try, in best possible ways, explain why I travel the way I do. 

I travel because I love to. The destination has never mattered. It could be wandering about with 20 km radius of my home, but I must do it at my pace, see things that I see, observe or feel without interference. It is about being with myself. I never travel in groups, and never with groups of people I know. Their reactions are so predictible, their line of thought can be drawn beforehand. There is no surprise element. There is no excitement of meeting strangers, no scope to explore the way you want. My pace would sometimes involve watching a bird nesting on cliff top at the same time overlookng the cemetery listed in the heritage site. For me, travel is not about how many things I see that others have seen before me, but seeing that I am seeing and feeling differently. (As far as taking picutres is concerned, there are plenty of people around who would gladly press the button for you!!) 

I would, if it came to that, travel with people I know little about. There arises no question of gossiping or rushing. Relaxing in the company of strangers is soemthing one has to master. It gives a sense of protection, excitement, newness. Makes you feel that you are in a new place. Eating with strangers, talking to them in signs or laughter, making your arrangements, freedom to go wrong, freedom to do things right...these are important for me.

Yesterday a friend asked me why I had not asked him along to Hatta. I said I did not like friends for the above reasons. His answer: "Maybe we should have been strangers then." 

"Yes, perhaps," I said. He hung up.

Why do not people understand that traveling is about oneself. Each individual has their idiosyncrasies to put up with, why have other's added to yours? I have never had a "lost feeling" moment on any journey, long or short. Of course I have never scaled a noteworthy mountain yet. It is said that mountains can really depress you.

Lets see if I can set a new record.