It’s a little over a year since ‘you know what’ started. It brought the world to a standstill and everyone had to stay indoors. Technically, it’s still a ‘have to stay indoors’ because the virus is not eradicated but who is listening, right? If you are anything like me (still skeptical to step out) and the only outdoor visits you’ve had are to a hospital, pharmacy, or a grocery shop, chances are you’ve made a cozy, little, safe bubble at home. You have come to peace with this whole setup for now. Yet, you (the stay at home covid fighters) can’t help but wonder how travel feels like.
Packing your bags and setting off to a place with your friends or family is a tempting thought. The destination doesn’t matter anymore. Anyplace, away from our homes. Could be a nice resort. Unwinding by the pool, sipping on a cool shake before plunging in the blue water ahead of you. You do some underwater breathing, swimming and click a bunch of photos with obnoxious looks. Even better, imagine a beach. Walking by the shore, dipping your feet like anchorage in the wet sand bordering the waves. Waiting for the water to run over your sunken feet and fighting the sensation of being pulled into the sea. Feels surreal!
Isn’t it strange that details of whatever is forbidden seems lucid. ‘What thou shall not have, shall cometh to your mind like a dream of paradise.‘ A profound quote by a profound someone (alright,me). I am able to visualize all the joy and hassles from my last road trip, which now seems ages ago. All the fun and frolic while travelling. The stops for food and my punctual tea breaks. The indecisiveness about a song. The troubles that seemed annoying then, seem like a thrill now, only because that experience is something I am longing for today.
While riding on my imaginary wave, let’s talk about the crux of travel. How can a travel be complete without its star element? Food. Various foods accustomed to each place that would have been tasted and raved about for a very long time. Even if the place of visit is not too far from home, you still end up relishing some form of food with the experience quotient highly elevated. And, of course, the clicks. The drool-worthy pictures that help you revisit them everytime you can’t travel, for example, right now. I can look at them over and over again and reminisce every minute detail of the scene, setting and dialogue that preceded the decision to order that particular food. It’s like my superpower. A heightened sense of food-vision. I also use this superpower to conjure up future images of the lip-smacking delicacies I might have someday. The exact kind of power that I am utilizing at the moment to encase my vision of future travels.
Even a homebody like me, would desire occasional travels to throw me off my comfort zone. Remember the clichêd line, ‘Travel is essential for healthy living.’ The planning, excitement and execution of a travel plan is one big combo of hope, joy with a pinch of stress and a whole lot of fun. Can’t wait to socialize with my loved ones for a new adventure. Our continuous talks and a mind-free relaxation would be an interesting one. I am pretty sure this future one would be savoured the most. For a travel-deprived individual, there is a newer found value for this concept. I can forecast abundant gratitude that will quickly follow. The idea of travelling with friends and family may look like a distant future for now, but hey, no harm in looking forward to it.
