Extended family around the world
Writing this at the age of 50, this topic is tried and tested and then shared with you all. I have traveled a bit and though today we are talking about travel friendships, let me tell you all of these travels have made me rich in multiple ways.
You become choosy as you grow and you already have an established set of friends back home. But as I grew on travel and meeting people I have had a life-changing experience, meeting these wonderful people while traveling.
Deposits made over the years..of travel
Making friends while you travel is an integral part of your travel. When out there, you meet people from different walks of life but sharing the same passion i.e travel. I met interesting people which added spice to each trip, as I opened up with the people I met, I had some enlightening discussions on global issues and I wished they continue irrespective of the time barrier. Sharing interesting stories from where each belong and made me aware of what’s happening in their part of the world, it’s has been a social experience making me want to do this more often. These friendships blossom bonding for a lifetime as I write about them.
THE GOD SENT ANGEL
Sunbathing with glares and a hat, on a bright sunny Friday morning I hear the sound “KEM CHO Majja MA” and I turn around. Did I hear that right, in a foreign country when you hear these familiar words it’s like EUREKA? I look at this small petite lady to answer back “Majja Ma”. Among the many Indian languages, she was speaking the one which I understood. You meet people everywhere and each one with a purpose, this thought was sealed the moment met her.
On my trip to Australia, which extended as did the lockdown, I explored the city’s parks and neighborhoods keeping the traveler in me Subdued.
In the sparsely populated country with the virus around, many times I longed for human company, and then meeting the GODSENT ANGEL changed my entire stay. With a bit of a reluctant start, we hit the chord. As my days neared to fly back, we weren’t prepared. A call her god-sent angel cause she made sure I am entertained, fed, and left no stone turned to make it possible to visit these touristy places.
Over (a thin flatbread) in a foreign country and cups of mint tea, we endlessly discussed Australia /New Zealand and India all 3 countries close to our hearts. We spent hours exploring and hanging out, Kalpana and I had a great time. She made sure I fly back home safely. Making sure I was equipped with all that I would need to spend my quarantine time. Today back safe in India we are a phone call away and can talk for hours… She a New Zealander for 28 years our plans, for now, are stalled unless the borders open.
Kalpana in her element—
MY SOLO TRIP
The road winded as we left Chandigarh taking us closer to Shimla. The 20 odd people my co-travelers were being entertained by some children among us, I am traveling solo when I start interacting with my co-travelers Shilpa and Sanjay from Mumbai, they tell me they would be off to Qatar after this vacation. WE became friends within no time.
Throughout the Himachal trip, we enjoyed the vistas, food, and each other’s company. The author in Sanjay amazed me with his storytelling skills and with Shilpa, the photo shoot in Himachali attire was a highlight.
We have been in touch since and love to catch up now and then. We speak rarely but it never feels like ages, it’s just like yesterday and I look forward to traveling with them very soon.
The Manali gang—shilpa in a blue cap
INDO CANADIAN FRIENDSHIP
This Indo-Canadian friendship dates back many years. Standing on the balcony of my rented abode I had traveled from Madhya Pradesh to Nasik saw this tall elegant lady disembark the car my first thought was ohhhhh Mumbaikar. But the first eye contact did it all.
The time spent exploring Nasik was the most glorious and we have been friends forever. We have met many times after that. Today we are in a long-distance relationship but a phone calls away. This friendship has blossomed in a package deal with the spouses and children hitting the chord and we are now an extended family. We have experienced the joys of More the merrier.
Monica in 2019 in India
THE BHUTAN CONNECTION
Deep amidst the mountains in Bhutan, on the riverside beach resort with peach wine bottles unraveled the stories of our life. Time flew by listening to the life tales and laughing at the hits and misses of life, we had instantly connected to this mother-son DUO on our trip to Bhutan.
Travel Friendships
The many facets of our life open up when with friends, these are friends with no expectations and huge benefits. Travelling is a permanent coming and going of friendship. Some friendships are deep and some shallow. Some make a bond and both sides make an effort to continue. Many are forgotten as are made only for the travel duration giving you company.
As you speak to them we become a live photo collage of memories we have made on these vacations and instantly want to go on another.
FIVE Takeaways
- SMILE: it’s free. You are in an unknown place. Smiling at strangers will get you back a smile that might open up Conversations.
- 2. Greet: Greeting in a local Language will make you and people around feel comfortable it’s a great way to start Conversation which may open up quite a few avenues.
- 3. Flexible: It’s OK to undo your itinerary a bit, you never know giving in with the newly made acquaintances may be more fun.
- Share: Be open to sharing meals, coffee, drinks, and stories. You could connect instantly may become travel friends keep this avenue open.
- 5. Time: Do not be judgmental. You are on vacation. Time is the essence.
Stay tuned to Varsha Mahore Blogs. Enriching lives through Travel.
Very nice! Covers a different facet of travel.