TRAVEL: WITH MONEY (CVII)

Disclaimer: Read the full article to arrive at any conclusion.

"Do I love my job? 

No.

But does it afford me the ability to go on lavish vacations and buy anything I want?

Also no. "

I pondered a lot thinking about the title of this article and I could not think of any appropriate one. I am a pro traveller and I can't imagine my life without travelling. But recently I came across many articles usually emphasising on travelling by quitting one's job, by stating that you do not need money to travel. I would say, that it is a very optimistic approach to encourage travelling but in my opinion it is quite impractical. Yes! There are people who travel without any money, but what they do in turn is hitch hike, ask locals to give them a place to stay and cook them a food. Humanity exists and that is why they exist. I do not see any problem in that also till the time they get the help and they are happy about it. But what bothers me is when they ask for money with a promise to return it, which they never do and then claim that they travel without any money and their life is totally sorted. I have many traveller friends who have made travelling their jobs and they are quite happy about it. In the end one needs to work to survive- mentally and physically. 

During my solo travels I have come across many travellers and have found many travellers on social media also. It is always good to talk to travellers as they have lot of hidden stories with them. But amongst them few asked money from me stating one or the other very emotional and genuine reason- example: one needed money for his sister who is travelling abroad and his net banking is blocked. To few I had to say no (it was very difficult and uncomfortable for me and that ultimately ruined the friendship) and to others I fell for their "genuine" reasons, owing to my gullible nature at that time. That somehow saved the friendship for that period but ultimately it was ruined as that money was never returned. I felt a sense of being used, I felt foolish. For me money was never the issue, what bothered me was the broken trust. 

As rightly said by Robert Kiyosaki- "Money is not the goal. Money has no value. The value comes from the dreams money helps achieve."

I realised value of money when I was admitted in hospital.

"The importance of money flows from it being a link between the present and the future."

It is true that money is not everything. What is important is to be productive which ultimately leads to making money. And more money is also not a solution as there is no definition of "more". What is important is to have a content life. 

Some pictures from my solo trips:

Narkanda, Himachal - May 2015

Tosh, Himachal - December 2016

Jibhi, Himachal - June 2017

Arambol, Goa - December 2015

Kasol, Himachal- November 2015

FRIENDLY CAFES OF RISHIKESH (CV)

8th June -10th June 2017

"Revolutions have always started in Cafes", said by Martin Firrel.

This was my fourth visit to Rishikesh and I chose Zostel as my home and 'exploring cafes of Rishikesh' as my business. Every cafe here has its own vibes, its own colours and culture. The best part about the cafes here is that they do not bring bills to the table (and that is with every cafe I had visited) and one could sit for hours watching the flowing Ganga and the green mountains with no one to disturb.

Cafe 60's (Cafe Delmar/Beatles Cafe)

1. 60's BEATLES CAFE

With a view of Ganga, peaceful ambience and Beatles music in the background, Cafe 60's is the perfect place for the people who love silence and the food. With delicious food and amazing Masala Chai, Cafe 60's became my favourite cafe. 

View from Cafe 60's

2. ZOSTEL ROOFTOP CAFE

Zostel in itself is a 'must visit' place in Rishikesh. A perfect place to stay for a backpacker, Zostel provides all amenities with chance to interact with different travellers from different countries. My love of graffiti increased after visiting this place. Even if one is not staying in Zostel, one could visit its beautiful rooftop cafe in evening to have its amazing Dal Fry with hot chappatis. 

Graffiti on one of Zostel's walls

Zostel Cafe at dusk

3. CAFE MOKTAN

We went to have early morning breakfast in Cafe Moktan. Well, I would call it a brick cafe. The interiors of cafe was made of appealing raw bricks with one corner of the cafe covered with books. We had delightful cheese omelette and garlic breads with sumptuous fresh fruit juices.  

The Brickhouse

4. CAFE DE-GOA

"All our waiters are married. They know how to take orders." With a view of Laxman Jhula, Cafe De-Goa is a place to sit where one could observe people walking on Laxman Jhula and wishing and hoping to go on the other side of the river. While we were looking for another cafe to munch-on it started raining in Rishikesh and we found shelter in Cafe De-Goa. The green tea and hot ginger lemon tea were enough to satisfy our taste buds.

Graffiti in front of Cafe De Goa

Graffiti near the cafe

View of Laxman Jhula from the Cafe

Cafe De Goa

5. CAFE LITTLE BUDDHA

Cross Laxman Jhula and walk for few minutes towards right and  one would come across a hidden gem- Cafe Little Buddha. I started climbing the dungeon stairs of the cafe and wondered where I was heading to. To my surprise the dungeon stairs opened upto a beautiful cafe full of people of different colours with amazing Ganga view. We named it the Happy Buddha Cafe.

 

6. CAFE CHATSANG

Very near to Little Buddha Cafe on the road side was Cafe Chatsang. The name of the cafe lured me (from Satsang came the Chatsang) and I couldn't control myself entering the cafe. Grabbing just a cup of tea with my book in my hand I spent some silent time here.

"Sore Today, Strong Tomorrow"- Wall of Cafe Chatsang

 7. GANGA VIEW RESTAURANT

We had heard a lot about Cafe Moksha and in efforts of finding it we ended up landing at Ganga View Restaurant. Cafe Moksha, as was told, is the most happening cafe of Rishikesh with live music in evenings. As we had our bus back to Delhi in evening we visited the cafe from outside and decided to spend some more time with view of Ganga at the Ganga View Restaurant.

The Cafe hopping in Rishikesh gave many beautiful moments to me- the rains, the rising moon, the setting sun, the Ganga water with rafts and bloats floating, the bridge with loads of people walking peacefully over it, the cool breeze and yes the amazing sumptuous delicious food.

Exploring galis of Rishikesh

The Rising Full Moon

IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING UNKNOWN - TRIP TO SARAHAN, HIMACHAL (CIII)

10th March- 14th March, 2017

INDIA- a book gifted by a fellow traveller, is an ocean in itself. I opened its chapter on Himachal and the first heading I saw was Sarahan. Secluded Sarahan- erstwhile summer capital of Bhushar rajas is some 170 kms ahead of Shimla. I couldn't resist myself after reading about it and two days later I was on a bus to Sarahan.

HOW TO REACH?

Delhi to Shimla night bus (10-11 hours)

Shimla to Rampur bus (4-5 hours)

Rampur to Sarahan bus (2-3 hours) 

There are direct buses also from Delhi to Rampur which I got to know later on my return journey.

START OF THE SEARCH

I didn't know what I was looking for or what I wanted. I was just taking this journey, probably in search of "Nothing".  

The bus crossed Shimla and my eyes became wide open in amazement. I had never seen Shimla like this before - It was white, pure white. The trees were covered in snow and the sunlight was falling on them, the water dropped from my eyelids like that melting snow falling from the leaves. It was start of a good journey.

The bus had to take another route to reach Rampur as route from Narkanda was closed because of heavy snowfall. Narkanda, every time I hear this name I go back in my memories - my first solo trip was till Narkanda. The trip which has given me strength to fight my fears, the capacity to know me well, the trip which has given me new perception of looking at life. (Story on Narkanda)

It was raining cats and dogs in Rampur. The Hotel Satluj view came as a rescue- cosy room, with all amenities and a beautiful view of Satluj River.  

Rampur is a small town in Himachal with River Satluj flowing through it. The sound of river, the vibration of the bridge, prayer flags emitting good vibes - everything was positive about that town. The rain droplets were kissing all my body and the mountains merged in me making me feel alive. At night looking out of my room window I cried, I cried a lot hugging those mountains, no ifs and buts were asked, no questions were thrown, it just let me cry and the river soaked in all my tears. 

Places to Visit in Rampur

1. Padam Palace

2. Rampur bridge over Satluj River

3. Small beautiful market after crossing the bridge

4. Peaceful mountains and river water

SARAHAN

The journey from Rampur to Sarahan is beautiful. I saw snow covered mountains from Rampur and I wished to reach there and after reaching Sarahan I realised I was on those mountains. 

Sarahan is famous for Bhimkali temple - a temple with beautiful wooden architecture and I was lucky to have its tasty langar food. Snow covered mountains surrounded the temple making it even more pious. 

The road ends at Sarahan and I was glad to touch the last point.  

END OF SEARCH

As I said, I didn't know what I was looking for but I was sure that I was not going empty handed from this place. Leaving this place was not easy for me. I didn't get enough of this place. Any number of days or how much time I spend there were less. I felt as if I was leaving something really important behind. I had no relationship or connection with it but still when I bade goodbye something in me was sad. The conversations I had with nature I could never share those thoughts with anyone else- my fears, my views, my thoughts which are unacceptable to this world. It had lent such a good hear to all my talks. If I had an option I would have chosen this place as my home, but unfortunately I had no choice. All this while I was leaving love stating it to be impractical, but for the first time love was leaving me as the same was not possible.  I wish I get only one reason to hate it so that I never come back here again. However, I took a promise- not to forget me ever and keep me as one good chapter of life.  On the way back to Delhi I said "I will miss you" and the setting sun shone even brighter as if it held my hand in that moment. Only two things could bring tears in my eyes- love and nature and I got both on this trip. 

For pictures on Rampur and Sarahan visit my facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/thedayirealisedthatiamalive/