Travelers

I had seen many travelers in my earlier trips – official or personal; and, most of them are pilgrim travelers and few adventure travelers. But, all were in a group.

During the NE visit, I met two solo travelers. The first one – female –  approximately 15 years younger to me and other – male – approximately 15 years elder to me.

The first person is Nancy Nayak, a Post-Graduate from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, who joined with me for the first 2 days of my visit to Manipur. Then, she was on her own travel. The other person is Vidhyasagar, an ex-business man from Hosur. We met him in a tea-shop in the Noney village, Manipur.

First time, when I heard solo traveler, questions came to my mind are – How about safety and How do they deal with boredom.

On a deeper look, safety can be an issue even when we are in group. Just by staying in an expensive hotel, we cant be assured that we are safe. When a trouble strikes in a group, along with us many will be facing problem. So, at least someone will help us. This group mentality makes us believe that we are safe. Similarly, in a group, every time we don’t get a chance to do what we like. For example, even if you don’t like posing for group selfies or photographs, you do it. Compromising for the loved ones makes you happy and you feel you are not bored.

On the other side, as a solo traveler, the potential for self-growth is enormous. We limit our comfort zone, face the situation with our ability and strength, make new friends, live the moment, and more importantly –won’t be forced to participate in anything that doesn’t interest us.

A new solo traveler will miss family and friends for sure. But, if the time can be used for self-reflection and for an opportunity to reflect on their good points, post travel, I believe relationship will get stronger.

One common thing I noticed with them is small baggage. As they keep travelling, huge baggage is a problem to carry and safeguard. Just have what is necessary for that day/trip.

When we equate a travel to the journey of life, we can understand what all our spiritual teachers say.

• We come to this earth as a solo traveler and as we accumulate items/baggage like beliefs, feelings, skills, money, anger, sad, pride, and so on, it becomes difficult to carry and we are stuck in one place and the journey becomes boring and tough.
• In any trip, vehicle is just a medium. We are bothered more about the destination and not the medium. In the journey of life also, there are many mediums, such as career, religion, relations, and so on. If we know the destination, we will not attach ourselves in these mediums.
• A memorable travel not happens by visiting exotic places or outside our country. We can make a trip memorable by living the moment. Same is the case with journey of life, we can make it memorable by living the moment.