Category: Follow The Heart Not The Herd

What would like to tell us about yourself?

“All journeys find their ultimate manifestation in the destination. But very few betray this obvious path to find fulfillment in peregrination!”.
I believe these words hold a profound meaning in my life. While many would have found complete fulfillment in an MBA degree, my quest for excellence drove me to grounds, far and high. Yes, I’m an MBA graduate in Marketing and Finance from Jaipur. The two years of my life which helped me understand what drives this world and how. Prior to that, my desire to study in the one of India’s most sought after graduation universities came to pass when I enrolled myself in Delhi University for a humble B.Com (Hons.). It was indeed one of the most beautiful paths I had ever tread - a kind of a mini-dream-come-true for a small town girl who had just completed her Matric from Kota, Rajasthan. And so, as not-so-much-fate-as-my-perseverance would have it, social media happened. As a traveler, I always knew that it’s often those priceless-key moments that stand out in life from the complete stretch of 24 hours. Thus, I ventured into a whole new dynamic, volatile and in-the-moment world of social media as its executive. 

As happens with most Millenials, the apple fell far from the tree.  My father is a dedicated banker in our hometown, while my mother chose to lead the life of a humble yet prominent though often overlooked homemaker. My brother is an inspiration to me for taking a path quite different from all of us. He’s an extremely talented fusion of a musician and chef! Now, coming back to me again.

When did you start traveling?

 As I start to drift into distant memories, my mind is filled not with dates, but rather with pulchritudinous vistas. How I tried to hoard them all in one glance! I guess that’s the reason why my specs has such a high number! This makes me wonder, is that the reason why I’m called a nerd? Well, I’m fastidious as I’m reckless. But yet, somehow the name stuck. I just added more meaning to it by suffixing it with, “with atlas in her hands”, ‘cause that’s what I always wanted to do - SEE THE WORLD MY WAY THROUGH MY LENS! This reminds me, my fascination with life’s journey took a more aperturish route when a DSLR landed on my lap. No words can express the joy I felt when I clicked my first photo. Can’t say it was perfect, and yet it cleared my vision ten folds! Since that day, I have never stopped traveling or clicking or collecting precious moments. 

Your BIO reads- "A nerd with atlas in her hands". Would you like to give us an insight into it?

\nWell, before I started hoarding moments in one glance, I used to amass knowledge from books - sometimes just a day prior to the exam! As books paved the way to more books, the dormant nerd in me became more and more prominent until one day, I just couldn’t recognize myself. From a happy-go-lucky girl, I had transformed myself into a full-blown nerd. While many would have simply disowned themselves, I choose to embrace this new identity of mine. Although, to be honest, it did require a lot of grit, patience and loving. But society has its own set of unsaid norms that one has to live by, whether they like it or not. And so, I decided to distance myself, every now and then, from people just so I could be with myself more. And so, traveling happened. Soon, the books shrunk into a map with clues to my happiness. This is how “A Nerd With Atlas In Her Hands” came into being.  

Have you been on any solo trip? If yes, how were your experience and the biggest challenge you faced? 

Solo trips are my favs! They help me to be more audible, honest and open to myself than I guess I would ever be in the cacophony of urban cobwebs. It’s only on the solo trips that I fall asleep to the sound of my heartbeat. Sometimes, these heartbeats find a new rhythm when a new experience presents itself.

So in the year In 2012, I decided to backpack to the then Pondicherry! I want to say the biggest challenge I faced was the part when I had to convince myself. I was a nerd, but never a risk taker. It was something entirely new. I guess this is the reason why it fascinated me the most. Nevertheless, I took the road less traveled by and landed in Pondicherry. But the biggest challenge was still far away.  The stay, I must say, was quite friendly, as I was invited over by a friend to lodge at her university. The experience was overwhelming. Prior to this, I had only heard of the names of countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Now, I was actually archiving everything prominent about their cultures, surprisingly with the speed of light.  During day time, they attended classes to learn inside the four walls, while I roamed the beaches, streets, and landmarks to absorb the local life and collect mind post stamps! No degree could encompass the amount of knowledge I gained in those happy-wandering-moments of mine.

Now the biggest challenge. 

While returning, I was unable to reserve a seat in the train berth. It was around that time, the whole nation was burning with rage as the very fabric of our country was shaken to its core because of the heinous Damini case in the national capital. The incessant calls I received from my frantic parents during my 3-day journey to Kota was something I will never forget in this lifetime. The only talk on the lips of people traveling in that train was about the heinous act. “It’s her fault.” “She shouldn’t have gone out at night.” “What was she wearing?” The cacophony of mindless talk followed me here too. 

It was a time when #MeToo movement had not yet seen the light of day. Hence, it was quite convenient for everyone to believe that a girl traveling by herself equaled trouble. The disgust towards the act was mutual, but the sequence which led to that incident were divided. 

After a sleepless 48 hours of journey, I was greeted at the station by a familiar smiling face - My Dad. We hugged for close to 5 minutes and in that moment of silence, a lot was said and heard. And thus, my first solo trip came to an end.

How do you manage your time and finances for travel? 

People say, those who are passionate enough, always find a way out to live up to it. Hence just when the travel bug bit me hard, I started looking out for ways to fill my pocket! So during my college time, I opted to go for small projects where I worked with Self Help groups, worked with the Government of Rajasthan as an intern, took photography projects, Worked as Marketing Co-ordinator at various events, took field research projects that helped me make a decent amount to finance my travels. 

Now coming to managing time, while studying, time wasn’t much of a constraint so I traveled as and when I wanted.  Now that I have started working, I manage my travels on the weekends, long weekends and save my holidays to take long trips.

Your best experience that you would like to share with other travelers? 

Every single experience has been the best. 
All of my encounters have helped me enlarge my point of view on life. I was in Waichin valley for my birthday trip, the place where the economy is extremely little. Individuals don't have TV, power is accessible for a couple of hours, individuals manage it by bringing petroleum from close-by territories and fill generators to utilize the power for essential needs. It was so great to see that their life is not quite the same as what we generally live in urban areas. 

But to pick out one, it would be my first trek to Tungnath-World's Highest Shiva Temple. My spirit felt being converged with that of the almighty and right then and there, I felt strong, 
I am applying that positivity to my work and carrying greater energy to my life, That solitary thing gave me the solidarity to have confidence in me that I am sufficient for myself and can accomplish whatever I need.

What all things do you like to research a place before visiting it? 

Trust me, I am the kind of person who plans everything at the end minute, I pack my bags an hour before I have to leave for a place. So I, for the most part, google about the spot when I am on the bus, book my stay on the same day usually and I abandon any desire or having any primary thoughts in my mind about that place. I try to go blank minded so that I can see it through my eyes and not after reading the blog or much videos. Likewise, Also, I try to avoid to places during peak/hyped season when there is too much rush. I believe if you have to truly know a place, visit when there is less crowd so you can feel the quintessence of that specific spot.

How do you see this industry changing in the next few years? 

People are voyaging so much nowadays and it is so amazing to see this. Additionally, I am getting inspired by the fearless ladies who are traveling all across the globe and breaking the stereotypes. The industry is unquestionably accepting another turn as there are more individuals who are imparting their experiences and adventure to everybody, thanks to Social Media and Instagram. I myself wish to go on the roads often, this is not even 0.1% of what I have in my list but I am taking baby steps and slowly ticking off the spots from my bucket list. \n\nAs the industry is booming, I would like to make a request to all the people out there is to be as responsible in order to maintain the beauty of nature.

The last question, What is going to be your next travel destination?

I mentioned it earlier as well, I plan my travel at the very last moment. I do have a lot of places in my mind. As the right time comes, I shall fly to my next destination. Stay tuned to The Nerdy Nomad till then 😉