January 14, 2015

I’m A Quirky Traveller, And You?

I am quite a quirky traveller. I have my share of eccentricities that amuse a lot of people! Even on a personal level, I am not too conventional. I follow my heart on most occasions. So, when it comes to being on the road, I do the same.

There are certain travel rituals that I follow, which may not sound too sensible. I still do them because that’s what makes me happy. As long as I don’t harm anybody else, I can do what I like, right?

Here’s unveiling the ‘quirks’ of Voyager For Life –

I like to over-pack!

This should come as a ~~surprise~~ shock to any true-blue traveller, who believes in travelling light. It’s not that I end up over-packing, but I really ‘like’ to over-pack. Yes, I like to keep any and everything that I might possibly need during my trip. It could be something as little as a bottle of nail paint or something as bulky as a tripod.

I like to carry a big suitcase everywhere along with my laptop bag and camera bag.

I keep snapping photos while I should take some time to relax and enjoy.

Someone very beautifully put his thought on not taking too many photos and simply enjoying the scenery – “Sunsets are meant to be enjoyed and not recorded minute by minute.” I think it’s been said for someone like me, who just can’t sit still. Well, photography is my top motive behind visiting any place, but I need to realize that relaxing and soaking in the beauty without taking photos also has its charm.

I’m never one of those people who sit quietly and watch the sun set.

I like to get tanned.

2014 was a ‘get tanned’ year for me. Although I always carry sunscreen, I don’t use it out of laziness. I had got badly tanned in Sikkim, and then it got even worse in Hampi. Now my feet look almost burnt!

Getting more tanned in Hampi.

I make a big deal about hygiene.

Yes, I am a highly hygiene-conscious person. I like everything to be clean – bed linen, bathroom, towel, and everything that I am supposed to use. Although it’s NOT really quirky to be hygienic, I end up drawing a lot of attention for my hygiene habits. I make people around me conscious, too. Even my hosts at various home stays made sure that I was happy with the hygiene maintained.

Everything neat and tidy for me please!

I can turn ‘anyone’ into a photographer.

I can do anything for a photograph! I mean I can even teach a stranger the art of photography. I give people directions on how to frame, how to hold the camera and how to get the angle right. I don’t mind posing in front of a stranger. Most people don’t bother much when it comes to asking a stranger to click their photo. But I make sure that my photo is clicked properly – exactly the way I want it.

This photo was taken by my guide and chauffeur in Dandeli.

I rarely make it on time for my trains.

I have missed a couple of trains in my life and caught many just at the eleventh hour. I still shudder at the thought of catching a train! It’s so horrifying when your train is all set to depart from the station in a few minutes and you have to literally run to hop on it.

Also read – The Funny Indian Train Journeys

Catching a train is always scary!

I still have a window seat fixation.

Yes, even after so many plane journeys, I still chirp for a window seat on a plane. I love looking down while taking off and landing. I guess that’s the only fun part about travelling by a plane. But I am not the only one who is crazy about window seats, there are many like me – there was this old man who refused to give me his window seat and told me sternly that if I wanted a window seat I should have reached the airport early just like him. Well, he was right!

From the plane – Watching the sun rise.

I teach people the art of making perfect tea.

I find something or the other wrong with the way people prepare tea. I have taught many people on my travels the art of making the perfect zaikedaar (delicious) tea. Also, I have made my own tea in a home stay in Darjeeling when I was not happy with the tea that I was served in the morning. Even my hosts enjoyed the tea made by me!

Yes, she’s trained on how to make good tea.

I travel solo even when I am a bundle of nerves.

A solo female traveller is usually perceived as someone who is fearless and too brave. Well, I am brave and confident. But let me admit, I am not fearless. I do get scared and nervous at times. But I don’t let my fear come in the way of my love for travel. I still do what I need to do with wisdom and caution.