24 Days 5 countries and 13 cities

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page," wrote St. Augustine. Well, this caught on with me and re-affirmed my travel plans. I had been planning a trip to Europe with my friends this year but it kept getting delayed because of different schedules and changes in itenerary. I was all geared up to fly out so finally on September 1st I left for Germany and never imagined the trip to turn out as adventurous as it did...

The twenty four days of constant travel were amazing. I met a lot of new people from all parts of the world who were kind, generous and willing to go out of the way to help. I was touched by their generosity and felt I too needed to be more helpful. This was perhaps my first lesson towards becoming a better human being. There were other lessons as well, such as travelling light because one has to lug stuff around all the time with mulitiple trains to take, buses to catch and boats to get on.

With so many places to visit, we were constantly on the go. One city after another back-to-back got me high on travel. Initially it was very adventurous. We hiked, walked, ran to catch trains, got lost even with a map, sipped wine, ate gelato's, drank latte's, saw the most beautiful landscapes and explored life like never before. I felt great seeing old friends and making new ones.

Every country had something unique to offer and each day had something new to unfold. The castles, the bascilicas, the rivers, the landscapes were all a treat for the eyes. There was so much beauty in some places that the mind couldn't fathom it at first. My favorite was King Ludwigs' Neushwanstein Castle near Munich. The drive up there was breathtakingly beautiful. The Austrian alps looked gorgeous and the river amidst them added to the aura of the castle that is built high up. King Ludwig was declared crazy in Bavaria but I thought otherwise... the man must have been intelligent to have built a fantasy castle that works magic even today. I wouldn't mind living in a castle like that, would you?!!

Not just that, there were many other moments that took my breath away. The collosium and Vatican in Rome were extremely alluring. I didn't feel like leaving and stayed there in admiration for hours. Rome had history written all over it and to my surprise I loved it. The evening I was to leave Rome, I got lost an hour before my train, so I hopped in a cab and asked the driver to hurry else I would miss the train. I hadn't seen the famous Trevi fountain yet, so I asked him if he could take me to the fountain before we went to the train station. This was a close call and despite the traffic and time constraint, the old man got geared up and drove me to the fountain. I was all excited, I rushed out of the cab took some pictures and had him drop me to the train station. Wow, that was fun!! The island of Capri was another delight. Naples was dirty and not a place I would recommend, but Capri compensated for it. I had the best gelato in Capri and the ferry back to Naples at sunset created an unforgettable journey. It was the best thirty euros I spent... infact every time my friends and I saw something cool, we said to ourselves, "this is the best money we have ever spent."

Venice was another crazy place, easy to get lost in. Just thirty minutes away was an island Lido. While coming back from there in the night on the boat, Venice seemed like a dream. The place I was staying at had a generous host who took us out partying that night. Italian food, multi-coloured drinks at the pub, inspiring conversation, and charming Italian guys... hmmm... that was a perfect evening!! Italy had its own charm and felt very different from other European countries. Pisa was a delight to see and so was Michaelangelo in Florence... it surely tickled a funny bone.

Switzerland had its own charm endowed with nature. The alps, the rivers and the green grass.. and some more grass :) It was the most expensive amongst all the places I travelled to. A friend of mine had forewarned me but I got a taste of it once there. The tourist information center in Zurich convinved everyone there to have a Swiss card which let us use all kinds of transportation... the tram, the bus, the train, the boat, the cable car, and so on. I thought I would need all means of transportation to get around Zurich. Oh, was I mistaken?!! I soon realized that everything was within a walking distance and one didn't need anything except for an occassional tram ride. The swiss have it all though... Rich country! Interlaken and Lucerne were pleasant to see for a short while but not to stay for long and Bern was strange... Whew!!

From Switzerland I went on to Paris. Paris was just alright, not so easy to get around. Their metro system was wild and the stations were old... not my thing. Maybe next time I shall explore the South of France. Paris was a big city similar to Bombay, perhaps that's why I didnt find it all that great.

After Paris I needed to go some place calm and boring. It was time to wrap up the trip, so I took the eurorail to Frankfurt. Frankfurt to my surprise turned out super cool. I watched the Opera with my Australian friend. We ate, drank, laughed, drank some more, talked and chilled... it was all I needed after a long trip. After two days of eating, drinking and chilling, I saw my friend who I was supposed to return home with. We shopped a little, had some more wine... and boarded the plane to come back home. In 24 days I felt like I lived a lifetime. Amongst the five countries I visited Austria and Germany remain my favourite.

This was the best thing I have ever done - taken time to travel, explore different horizons and learn so much about myself and the world. Whether it was making noodles at midnight in a kitchen buzzing with energy in Lucerne or watching the Italian Opera (a language I neither speak nor can understand), whether it was having beer in a crowded pub or riding a bike by the calm river in Salzburg, this was indeed the best time I spent.

The entire experience made me feel content and complete. Being comfortable, having some wine, interacting with friends, eating good food, sipping coffee and laughing out loud were more than enough. I surely developed a sense of gratitude for the simple things in life, for all my friends who travelled with me and for the angels I met along the way who made my journey worthwhile.

24 days, 5 countries and 13 cities later I feel high on life and richer in experience. I am glad I did this and I would do it all over again... there are more countries to explore, places to visit and people to meet!

I was inspired reading a qoute of Mark Twian's that says, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So sail away from the safe harbor. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Life in the Big City!

Today I felt truly inspired. I caught up with a friend at a cafe close to home and we ended up chatting for hours. We spoke mostly about work and life in the big city that we live in! My friend being philosophically inclined preached and I intently listened like a lost student seeking answers to life's questions.

My friend came to Mumbai four years back to become an actor and has since then never looked back. Being a young single professional in the city has its own issues. You live by yourself, manage your personal, social and professional aspects single-handedly and most importantly make several decisions every day. It might sound easy but it isn't so all the time. Life in a big city makes one feel dis-oriented at times, especially when things may not be going as planned. This is when one needs the right perspective.

My philosopher friend is indeed a positive soul and has a fighter's spirit which is worth admiring. He kept insisting that its never too late to try new things, to re-create the magic in life and to be successful. Every moment should be enjoyed and cherished, he said with a strong sense of faith in his dreams, despite the setbacks one may encounter along the way.

After our long discussion I went to see another friend who has moved into a new rented apartment. She is a flight attendant and she too lives by herself. She came to Mumbai a few years back leaving behind a simple life in a small town. She was over-joyed to have me over as she often feels homesick here. It was ironic to realize how much people who live alone value human connection and friendship. When you lack something you value it more, I guess. She mostly spoke of missing home-cooked meals... she must have been hungry I thought for an instance, but jokes apart, I felt nice to see how happy she was to have a friend. Today I learned an important lesson... that contrary to popular belief the so-called glamourous jobs do not seem to dilute the effects of this overwhelming city.

We all need periodic checks and inspiration to live enthusiastically. When I see things around me and hear people speak of their lives, I get something very valuable... A perspective!! That is when I begin to admire my life even more.

When seeking for answers they come in all different forms. At times they come through friends, at other times through books or even television. We just need to be open to picking up the clues and recognizing when life provides them. Making the most of our time, being happy in the present, doing good and sustaining a positive attitude is a great way to begin each new day.

My two friends re-affirmed this today in their own unique way and I returned with gratitude, lit some candles, turned on the music and smiled with contentment.

Gratitude

Last year while in Budapest for a TV show, I was invited to church by my friend Iwo, on a bright Sunday morning. As it was late September the leaves had begun turning red to greet the winter. On a quiet Sunday morning, I met Iwo outside the studio where we recorded our tv shows. Joined by another friend Patrick, we walked across the street where the tram tracks were hidden under the crisp leaves. We hopped on the tram that took us to Moscow Square. The square was vibrant with people dressed up going to church. I was eager to explore what the sermon would be like. I did not know what to expect, however when we reached the church, we were greeted by warm handshakes, joyful smiles... and hot coffee that indeed smelled great. On a chilly day, a cup of hot coffee and soulful music, being indoors felt blissful. Through the glass doors I could see the green garden and the valley. I felt great being in that environment. Soon the drums, the guitar and the singing faded and the pastor began the sermon with a story on gratitude.

The story was short yet intense and concluded with two simple words, "thank you." He spoke of how important it is to say, 'thank you' for all the good things we are blessed with. Often times, he said, we tend to become so focused on what we want that we become oblivious to what we have.

Hearing the pastor speak, I remembered this guy whom I had known in college. He lived in Washignton D.C... actually now that i recall correctly, he lived in The Future. He would call me and complain of how he did not have a job, but would forget to mention that he was about to graduate with honors. He often mentioned that he did not have a car, but never acknowledged the nice apartment he lived in. I always heard him aspiring for more and quite never heard him celebrate his achievements. This guy, I thought, could not be content and happy with all the great things that he was blessed with for he always looked at the glass half empty.

At some point or the other we have all known this guy. He visits everyone periodically. He is Mr. Negative (guys don't sweat, there are Ms. Negative's as well). There is a great way of keeping negative at bay... by be-friending the positive. We all have positive aspects in life yet at times we forget to celebrate our achievements. Often times the simple things go unnoticed or are taken for granted. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the education we receive, the fun we have, the support we get from our friends, significant others and the universe are all facets that contribute to our well being. Yet how many times do we thank and bless these things and people? I recently read somewhere that it is great to dream of what could be while being happy with what is.

Take a minute, rewind and think to yourself of what you aspired for five years ago? Did you put enough effort towards acheiving it? Do you have that now - even if its in small measures? If the answer is yes, then your dreams and aspirations are working for you. You just need to show gratitude, celebrate your little victories and wait for the magic to unfold. If nothing else, saying thank you will remind you of all the good things you have and bring you a smile. We could all use a smile. If you can not rejoice in what you have acheived this far, what makes you think that you will be able to do so even after you acquire a fortune?

Next time you tend to think of what you lack... stop and think of all that you have... and don't forget the two simple words, THANK YOU! Thank you for reading...

Simple Pleasures

The guilt of having gooey brownies baked by my lovely friend inspired a walk in the park this morning. At first it was as if I had to be initiated out of the sleep walker's club... but soon enough I started feeling upbeat and realized how lovely it was to connect with nature... the fresh air, the green grass, the chirping birds and music on the Ipod. Indeed... technology helps!

There are several things that appease the soul. Whether its connecting with a friend, laughing whole-heartedly, dancing, watching a great movie, snuggling up to read a book, or going for a drive in the rain. At times the small things in life offer great pleasures.

One of my favourite things is to wake up to the smell of coffee and indulge in hot french toasts dipped in maple syrup, while it rains outside! Its food for the soul. I love pets and find immense joy in playing with them.

To feel good everyday is an amazing way of life. Whether the joy is in playing an instrument, painting a picture, singing, reciting poetry, watering the plants, watching the sunset by the beach, sleeping an extra hour or writing a journal; it's a great getaway from the day to day nuances.

Often times we take things for granted, but the essence of living lies in savouring the good moments and showing gratitude. The simple pleasures are around and if we look for opportunities to enjoy something every day we will soon realize how the small things in life can make a big difference!

Making the Right Decisions!

With numerous options available to us today, making decisions does not come very easily to most. We all aspire to make sound decisions that would enrich our experiences and make our life's journey seem worthwhile.

Whether it is deciding where to study, what to study, where to eat or whom to date, it all boils down to making a choice between several available options. We make choices all the time. Even when we choose not to do anything, it is a choice that we make - of being idle. No decision is also a decision... a decision to stick to what is.

I have understood that decisions are not perfect or imperfect. A lot of life, I guess, is about trial and error. You win some and you lose some. Only if one could peek into the future and know the story ahead of time, decison making would be much easier - Wishful thinking! Life doesn't give away the story, however. We need to live the story and only then does it unfold step by step.

We take a shot at something and at times the choices we make prove to become great opportunities for advancement. While at other times when our chosen paths do not offer much happiness or success we seem to develop a feeling of something gone wrong. So how does one deal with the after-effects of a decision gone wrong?

Well, for starters, there is something called ACCEPTANCE. We have to accept what has alreay been. Once we have accepted that certain things have not gone the way we had planned, it is important to steer clear of negative thoughts such as regret and a sense of failure.

If a certain path has failed to meet our expectation, it doesn't mean that we have failed. So the second step is to not take things too personally. We have to understand that some outcomes are out of our control. What shape our choices will take is decided by the Universe. We can study for the exam but the result is not in our hands. So LETTING GO is a great thing to do. Instead of dwelling on the past and cribbing over spilt milk, it is beneficial to look ahead and create a better experience in the present by making new decisons. One of my favourite qoutes is, "If you want to have differently, you should do differently." Doing things the same way will get you the same result.

Life is not a film that can be edited. Although we can't go back and alter the scenes, we can always create new ones!! Life often gives multiple chances to re-create our dreams.

So if you are reminiscing over the past and feel that certain choices have not worked out, make new choices and begin anew! Life has something in store for everyone. The Universal supply is never short of miracles. You never know when, how and where you will find success. If a goal, a career choice or a love affair doesn't work, don't sweat - try another. Success might be waiting for you around the corner, but you need to be open to change!