Traveling has been the most popular and favorite among the people throughout the world over ages. People have always tried to explore the new lands on this earth and have always inspired others to do the same. And we know there were no ultra modern modes of transport, there were no luxurious star hotels, there were no google maps, there were no telephones, mobiles and last but not least there were no travel insurances. It is really hard to imagine for us today how difficult the traveling would have been in the ancient or medieval times.But still people of those ages were always passionate to explore the new lands and describing those experiences.
I have read in history books how the famous Buddhist Chinese monk Yuan Chwang was passionate about visiting India. He wanted to study the Buddhism and after facing numerous difficulties he reached India, traveled across the subcontinent, studied Buddhism, participated in religious debates and much important thing was Yuan Chwang has recorded each everything of his India visit in his autobiography. Because of his work we know India's past in 7th century. Even today, it is difficult to imagine visiting India from China by that route. We are aware of the similar stories of Marco Polo, Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan or Charles Darwin. These people were inspired by something, they desperately wanted to visit their destination and they were ready to do anything for it. In my opinion it is of little importance whether the purpose of their expedition was justified or not, which background they came from or whether they succeeded or failed, the more important is they traveled to the unknown with such enthusiasm without worrying about their fate. Today, what we know about our beautiful earth is just because of these various known-unknown travellers, because of the details they recorded of their thrilling journeys and because of their limitless willpower to wander. Today as we are living in the so called electronic era with everything lying at our feet, we are having our journeys by planning exciting holiday destinations, with attractive packages and five star accommodations, but by doing so we are losing the flavour of the new soil, feel of the new atmosphere and real touch to the people. At least once in a life we should plan an unplanned journey to find the secrets of this beautiful world, to visit those places which are not considered as popular destinations and to sense the aroma of the new places. After all what traveling is to find out the unknown, to touch the unknown and to feel the unknown by your heart.
It was late in the night according to local time when our flight landed on Narita airport. We were standing in the queue for immigration. "We are almost 2 hours late", my friend muttered. I saw in wall clock it was showing 11:30. "Now at least two hours to reach the apartment at Rokugoudote", I said to myself, a distance of approximately 65 kilo-meters. I was worried about the mode of transport, I was totally unaware of the fact that the taxi which was supposed to pick up us from Narita airport was already gone. Immigration officer demanded my passport and invitation letter then he looked at me and called his colleague, discussed something with him. His colleague then asked me whether anybody is accompanying me, after I pointed my finger to my friend both of us were told to wait in some waiting room. He did not ask us any single question or not even explanation for something. We were sitting there for almost half an hour like a statue, I was so tired that I was not...
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ReplyDeleteI am like to travel unplannned ... its so wonderful and a different exp. altogather .. where every thing is in our hands and can do wht ever we want to .. or at that moment we are the "KING of TIME" .... keep it up... good writing..
ReplyDeleteThanks Koustubh!
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