Its really tough to describe human emotions in writing. I've never written about these chemical reactions of our complex brain (atleast that's how science defines emotions).
Now when I am struggling to find appropriate words, I can't imagine how likes of Paulo Coelho and Eric Segal write their stuff.A few days back I was reading a travel blog and I said to myself that "omg! she is correct with every word".
When we travel or meet a traveler we make instant connections in just a few days which nearly impossible in our daily life. Where we see the same faces while commuting or working but never take efforts to grow this superficial relation into something more than acquaintance. There is something extra-ordinary about human interactions made while travelling.
And when I say travelers, I dont mean tourists. Tourists have their judgements and opinions glued to their eyes and brains. While a traveler creates an opinion after seeing your city through your eyes and listening to your opinions. They don't travel for only sightseeing rather they travel for an experience.
Somewhere around mid of january this year I was bored as hell with my life. The same boring college routine, movie or eating out with friends over weekends. A very monotonous life.
Then I came to know about couchsurfing and I am not exaggerating if I say that it changed my perception of life. (No kidding, it really did)
I had been making a goa plan since January last year, but each of the time one of my friends has been cancelling it out of some reasons. On the night of 20th jan, we were having a party in my apartment. Obviously I was high and then out of nowhere someone said,
"hey! you should go to goa."
- totally, someone else replied.
And I said "yeah, it would be fun if I go alone, without any of my asshole friends (yup, they are). That way I'll meet new people and explore more."
Next thing I know is, I was on internet booking tickets. Around 4AM, when everybody went to sleep I was splashing cold water on my face so that I don't miss my early morning train. In the mean time I sent a couch request to Mr. Harbans Sharna. By that time, little did i know that this experience was going to change me. In and out.
I met some nice people on the train, still remember that Punjabi guy and his thick punjabi-hindi accent. The way he was offering sweets to everyone saying I've got a job in Goa, very innocent chap.
That photography group and the dance we had on the moving train (like a slice out of bollywood movies) over few songs on their loud (too loud, wait a sec it was excessively loud) laptop.
Then waking up to the mountain range of 'western ghats' passing by the window. I thanked heavens for not taking an AC ticket and settling with a sleeper class. Green mountains and rivers with crystal clear water, AHH!! never seen anything like this in north India.
And the crazy long tunnels- amazing.
Walking off the train at Thivim station, I could really feel the warmth and freshness of goan air unlike Delhi. First thing I did was to buy a polybag with "MOKEMBO KHUS HUA" printed on it. (only an Indian can understand its worth). Rented a scooter, switched on gps and i was on my way to Harbans's place. Where I was introduced to Atsu (actually Atitshu Morita) an accounted from Japan, who had a moment of truth, left his job and set off to see the world.
When tsunami hit Japan last year, he was working and felt the quake. When he checked the news, thousands had died in few moments and that made him think about what is he doing- sitting on a desk daily, spending hours of his life and he could die too. Any moment in a similar accident so, he thought he should not wait and just do what pleases him in the moment.
There-only I met Tom & Kit, from England and we had nice bonding. We used to talk politics, economy, history, religion..practically everything for hours. I took my first ever ferry ride with them (yeah 1st ever) when sun was about to touch the water. A very special moment for my life. We went to the bird sanctuary, sat on the rocks in mid of a swamp and saw sunset while we had joints. I will never forget those relaxed and calm moments.
I met Bruno and Yusti and their idea of travel. Whenever I asked what's the plan, the said "plan, is to have no plan. we like Goa so, we are staying here till we like'
I went to Goa for three days and stayed for twelve, only because of those amazing people I met . Not to forget Dan (the drinking and party master), Yammur (very friendly, and beautiful girl from Turkey), Adrian (Irish chili eater), Mischal (slovakian traveler, intellligent guy), Anasta(ukranian photo-film enthusiast). Ah!! and the dog in harbans's society.
And many more people.
Now comes the worst part, saying goodbyes (the emotional part). U already know that they will be with you for only a couple of days, still you cant help feeling like 'keeping them beside you' (selfish and emotions). Saying goodbye to Atsu, Tom and Kit on the same night was really heart rending. In simple words emotionally heavy. We have opened up really well like old friends. It was strange to go back to harbans's place, now I was the only surfer. From six to one. The house felt empty, there was nothing to do. So, I went to the beach, spent two days with Bruno, Yammur and Dan. Finally I said goodbye to them and to Goa.
Journey back was like a high tide in my mind. Emotions. thoughts and future prospective were churning. And when you are alone emotions do amplify. I really thought in deep about my future and I must confess that I have changed a lot, on emotional and personal level, after my Goa trip. And it really shook the base of my future plans. My priorities have shifted, lets hope its for a greater good and god (whom I not so believe in) has a plan for me.
Back in Delhi I hosted quite a few people, enjoyed their company and connected well. I liked the Bulgarian couple Joro&Meli, we talked a lot of greek mythology. I liked the company of Jaimey (Australia) & Philipp (germany), we had the proper Indian lunch and bought each other rounds of sweets and then beer at night. Lovely time. But I never felt emotionally weak or lets say sad, saying goodbye to them. Probably because in these two months I had grown very used to of saying good-bye. So I started believing that it happens only when you meet people while travelling, they become like a part of you travelling family and so you feel so emotionally attached to them.
And then like a tv drama my theory changed again. In walks Olga.
Let me mention first, every traveler friend (yes they are not just travelers, they are friends now) that I met , were all older to me. She is the first one of same as my age. And man! she is like a female carbon copy of myself. Very beautiful and charming girl.
she mailed me while she was in Goa, and we exchanged a few before she came to delhi. It felt like I already knew her, we had some sort of soul connection (don't know its literal meaning but what I meant was a deep connection. Clicked instantly) And I did a few things which I generally don't - like shopping for long hours, getting myself photographed (alone, like a model). We had a lot of fun and then again it was the saying good-bye time.
Honestly I wanted her to stay a little longer and felt a strange a strange emptiness the following day. Maybe because the last two days were full of walking, shopping, photography and a lot of talking. But yeah I missed her and then it was monday, college time. No time to think of emotions.
Coming back to the topic of good-byes and emotions, you know that they are going to leave at some point soon so you generally open up to them. And when two people open up and share, emotions do fly. And then you feel of them as really close friends and understanding toward your feelings and thoughts. So, you don't want them to leave.
For example, I shared a few things to olga about my childhood which only my brother knows and she reciprocated, so I felt really close to her.
But at the end you do have to say good-bye with a heavy heart. I met and bid farewell to many travelers but Olga (and a few others) left a very deep and life time impression upon me.
so I say thanks to all of 'em for everything and changing me.
(ok this is the first time that i've not been completely honest with my blog. and by not being honest i mean, i have left out one paragraph toward the end of article, which i wrote in my draft. actually, it turns out that i am not all comfortable in sharing all of my feelings. Infact I would not have published it too, its just that i wanted to write a little somthing about feelings
kr.)
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