When Mridula first invited me to write an essay for BlogBharti’s Spotlight series, I readily agreed. She asked that it be travel related. I nodded.
But when I sat down to actually write it I had no clue where to begin. A travelogue has a definite starting point, and events on the journey string it along, but an essay? It was then that I actually begun to reflect on what I already knew albeit subconsciously, that I travel as much for the mystery of the open road as for the joy of exploring the documented.
In my essay Beyond The Open Road, Wandering and Wondering I write of how ‘the mystery of the unknown excites imagination for, it is in the gaps in knowledge and understanding that our imagination can play out, and when the possibilities are many, and the traveler can choose his pick, the journey acquires the personality of the traveler.’
Mridula nudged me along, politely reminding me of my promise to submit the essay to BlogBharti's Spotlight Series, and in writing it I came to realise with some clarity that I wander so that I may wonder.
16 comments:
Yes, I read that article. :-)
Anil - Thanks so much for doing this for us. It was a wonderful essay!
Cuckoo: Thank you :)
Bombay Addict: Thanks for the opportunity, it's been a pleasure, and am glad to know you liked it :) Thank you.
Anil, I read it too and loved it. the best part of travel, of wandering, of being out on the road is the sudden unexpected discoveries - things I didn't seek or plan - serendipity? is that something each traveler goes through?
I had written something long ago on being on the road... read it when you find time...
Anil, thank you so much, as BA said for doing it for us. I loved it.
Anil, it is an exccellent post, and I agree with Charu about unexpected discoveries.
I read your article and recognized a fellow wonderer at the mysteries of the past...but you express them so much better than I. I love what you imagined and the questions you asked. I have done the same on occasion...thank you for expressing your thoughts so delightfully.
Charu: Thank you. It's nice as well as interesting to know that you share my views on the joys of the open road. I checked your post, and the roads in the pictures invite travel.
Remember John Denver's classic? :)
Mridula: Thanks. It's been a pleasure writing the essay for BlogBharti. At times it needs a nudge and a push to let the subconcious spill onto the page :)
Kenju: Thank you. It's a pleasure to know you enjoyed reading it.
Sara: Thank you for reading the essay. Knowing that you share my love of the road for the mysteries it holds makes the essay a satisfying effort.
At times, in asking questions on the road, we in effect articulate our 'wondering'.
It's indeed wonderful knowing you delighted in the essay. Thank you.
one of the best essays Ive read..very thought provoking, goes beyond the blue skies ...
One of the things we discovered when we were in an extended travel period was we were able to just be in the moment. Time, for once, seemed to slow down and our recall of our days was amazing to say the least. A far different experience when we are just living in a repetitive scene.
A very evocative essay indeed! Very well written as always!
Backpakker: Thank you :)
Seamus: I agree. When one is not driven by a travel itinerary from hour to hour, with no train or a bus or an airplane to catch, the pace stills time, freeing the mind to reflect and introspect.
I don't believe that in order to make sense of travel all one needs to do is tick off places seen for the sake of it, for, I doubt if there are locations which have nothing more to them than the 'tourist attraction'; there's bound to be something more more often than not.
Rajan: Thank you for taking time out to read it.
Your essay is simply exemplary.
Your writing style is evocatory, expressive, indicative, intriguing and ideal.
Thanks a lot for sharing the essay with your readers.
Anan: Thank you. It's a pleasure.
wonderful, anil.... you capture the magic of travel so well. and the essay exudes your childlike wander and curiosity.... something many of us lose in our grown-up worlds. a beautifully written essay.
Bluemountainmama: Thank you. It's a pleasure to know you enjoyed reading it.
Oh yes, I'm always thrilled to be traveling, more so if I can explore the place at my pace.
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