–

This past year marked the long awaited  reentry into the world of travel journeys and it was beyond all expectations.  With two glorious  journeys on opposite sides of the earth, I found singular happiness, serenity, awe and most importantly a bliss that I have never experienced before.   The year also brought with it some unwanted reminders that I am but a mere mortal, subject to the caprices of aging.  Let me explain.

In February I exploded out of the gate with an impatiently waited for second journey through India due to the Pandemic which shut the world down.  The first visit, to the      “Golden Circle”  – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, along with Mumbai, Udaipur, Varanasi. Panna and Khujaharo did not start well.  My first impression:

A colorful but overwhelming, clamorous, discordant country. 

CROWDS, HORDES, MULTITUDES, LEGIONS, THRONGS, MASSES, etc etc. –  Yes, these are ubiquitous and there is no avoiding them no matter the hour of the day.  

This emotion quickly changed to one of wonder and amazement, the colors and the sounds and the tumult an intricate choreography .   Add to that a spiritualism that imbued one with a peaceful warmth that touched my soul.  The people were incredibly kind, thoughtful and genuinely happy to help to insure  my contentment.  In addition, while I did not photograph a tiger, there were plenty of other wildlife to fill my fancy.  I was hooked..

My second journey, to the Southern states of Chennai, Madurai, Kerala, and Cochin, bookended with my now beloved Mumbai as well as central Hyderabad, brought new vistas, temples, delicious foods including the world famous Hyderabad biryani, palatial grounds and beyond spectacular accommodations,  Most personally gratifying were opportunities to reach new heights in spiritualism growth, reaching a  sweet bliss.   From being blessed by my personal deity, Ganesha in Meenakshi:

To the paradise of Kumarakom:

I came away from this experience with a happiness and serenity never felt before., My trip to the Canadian Rockies added to this feeling, bringing breathtaking natural beauty in its landscapes of thunderous mountains, pristine but powerful glaciers,  turquoise and emerald hued waters and lots of wildlife living amongst the bounty:

The vexation?  Lest I soar too high, the powers that be chose to humble me with a series of setbacks, involving in no particular order:   muscles, tendons, bones,  nerves and  fas​ci​ae in both legs.  Sometimes the left leg, sometimes the right, sometimes together.  My plan is to keep ahead of these with a mix of physical therapy,  pilates, yoga, heat and ice packs and fingers crossed.

The struggle is real and is a reminder that one must be so grateful, for health and well being – it is a gift and is never guaranteed.  Life is , as a friend cleverly states, full of rocks on our shoulders that we must pulverize .  Our joy is all the greater facing such setbacks head on and with some grumbling I am trying to do so.

I know I am blessed with loving family and friends and have been so fortunate to travel the world and see its wonders,  I have met some amazing people who I can so thankfully call  dear friends.

I will continue to do all that I can to keep myself in working order  – with some modifications when absolutely necessary and I hope to entertain you with more photos and comments about my new planned journeys.  I thank you for your support.

More to come !!!

#