2024: A year in travel
Growing up in a middle income household, I always associated travel with luxury. It was aspirational for me. The idea of having enough time and resources at hand to travel the world was the ultimate goal. As I got opportunities to travel far and wide, I realized that travel is not a luxury. It is a necessity. At least, for me. It is a core part of my life now.
Travelling to a new place is transformative. It engages all senses, all at once. It expands the thought. It generates new ideas. It offers a pause, a time to reflect, to introspect.
This year has been a special one. I got a chance to travel across 5 countries in 4 continents. The best way for me to preserve these memories is through my writings. It also gives me an opportunity to look back and cherish what I gained through my travels.
So, here it goes:
- Island Hopping in Greece: Whenever I thought of Greece, I pictured pristine beaches and turquoise waters under a bright sun. My trip to Greece did not disappoint. However, what struck me more than the natural beauty was its rich history. I reflected on how this was the birthplace of so many of the concepts that beholden the modern world. Democracy, western philosophy, theatre, history, geometry and medicine; all owe their origins to this place.
I saw the lake of Marathon and learnt about the origin of the marathon races. Of course, the Olympic Games started here. Names from Greek mythology dominate so many of our institutions even today. The ruins of Athens and the stories of Delphi made me wonder about the ever transient nature of our world. The changes that took years feel like an instant ago. I reflect on this even more so that I work in the technology space, where disruptive changes are the norm. Greece stands out as a testimony to the evolving human capabilities. The prison of Socrates reminded me of the indomitable human spirit. More than anything, our spirit to stand the test of time.
In Greece, I found hope.
2. Heididorf in Switzerland: I was introduced to the world of Heidi and her life in the Swiss Alps when I was 8 years old. I was obsessed with that anime series on Cartoon Network in India. To my surprise, I found the book at my school’s library. Heidi by Johanna Spyri has been a favorite children’s book for a long time. Of course, I did not know that back then. This was the pre-internet era for me while I was growing up in a small town in India. The story was just captivating. I wanted to see the Swiss Alps. In fact, I told my family I wanted to go live there. Years passed and I forgot all about it. Then, during the Covid lockdowns, I discovered the cartoon series once again. This time, armed with the power of the internet, I also discovered that Heidi was a real girl whose story was written by Johanna in 1880!! I found tons of videos online of the original Heidi’s village that has been preserved in Switzerland. It has now become a famous spot for tourists from all over the world.
So, yes, I had to go. And, I did.
Heididorf, nestled in the Swiss Alps, was every bit as magical as I remembered. Just being there, churned so many emotions out of me. A yearning for the times long gone, a pride for having made it there, a cry for the people I lost on the way and a faith in the power of nature to heal everything. That, precisely, was the theme of the story of Heidi. A connection to nature is the core of our beings. Maintaining that connection is crucial. This place helped me push pause and reflect.
Switzerland gave me serenity.
3. Silicon Valley Tour: I work in tech because the field of science and engineering has fascinated me since I was a kid. Silicon Valley was definitely a bucket list item for me. Even before I moved to the USA, I had been longing to see the famous historical garages that changed the world. This trip was my attempt at reconnecting with my dreams.
The halls of Stanford tell the tales of innovation. The HP garage (now officially a historical site) stands in testimony to the resilience of entrepreneurs. The Computer History Museum made me marvel at human ingenuity.
This day tour to the heart of the tech world, made me ponder over the ideas of privilege and ambition. On one hand, I wondered how my career trajectory would have been different if I had grown up in a tech hub. On the other hand, would I have even valued this privilege if it hadn’t been so far from reach? A million different things shape our paths. It is hard to decide in retrospect where one different turn might have landed us. Silicon Valley definitely made me rethink my why’s, where’s and how’s of life.
Surprisingly, it was Silicon Valley and not Athens, that made me feel existential.
4. Driving around New Zealand: What better way to end the year than in the scenic setup of New Zealand!! I have a running joke that I want to retire in New Zealand some day. Okay, not entirely a joke. I really do dream of retiring in this country. That dream was fortified when I visited it for the first time with my best friend. I only recently learnt to drive. Inspired by my friend’s encouragement and New Zealand’s welcoming terrain, I drove us around the country for ten days. It was exhilarating.
From mountains to beaches, limestone caves to hot springs, sky tower in Auckland to gondolas in Queenstown; New Zealand has a lot to offer. Spring in New Zealand was a welcome change from the dark, grey winters of Seattle for me. It was also the first long trip I could take with my friend since Covid. Every day of this trip was a new quest. From being chased by a herd of cows (yes, it did happen) to driving a luge down a mountain; I loved every second of the time I got to spend with my friend.
Both, I and my friend went through a business school curriculum that has taught us the importance of economic growth. We found ourselves questioning that belief in the grasslands of New Zealand.
I grew up in a world that measures progress in GDP. I still live in one. Life in New Zealand offered a different perspective. Growth is important. But, maintaining what we already have, is equally important. New Zealand has been able to preserve a lot of its natural bounty without losing out on any of the advantages that the modern inventions have made available. Serenity and adventure co-exist, for anyone and everyone to experience. It stands out as a shining example of mindful progress, for the rest of the world.
New Zealand brought me balance.
It has been a transformative year for me. As I reflect on my travels around the world, I am grateful for the incredible experiences and memories that I have collected. From exploring ancient ruins to meeting new people, every adventure has expanded my understanding of the beauty and diversity of our planet. Through these journeys, I have also learned that despite our differences, we are all connected by our shared humanity and the desire to create a better world. Those desires are being molded into reality everywhere- from the garages of silicon valley to the snow cabins of Swiss Alps.
As we head into 2025, I hope for all hopes to stay alive. I dream of all dreams becoming reality. I wish for all wishes to come true.
