Now that life has come to a standstill and is
restricted only to home due to Covid-19 lockdown, our view of the outside world
has also become confined, except for the news reporting about how various
countries are tackling the ongoing pandemic. The fact that some countries are
slowly regaining normalcy is finally like a hope of finding light at the end of
the dark tunnel. Some countries are yet to find that light which I am sure will
happen soon. Till then, the world is a closed as well as enclosed space.
A few days back I was thinking about some of my
favourite German words. I could come up with a unique one like ‘fernweh’,
a longing to visit and explore different countries. That’s when I realized how
much I am missing Wanderlust this year. Travel diaries on social media too are
now replaced by ‘throwback’ or ‘take me back’ memories, making us nostalgic thinking
about the happier times. These days I find myself browsing through the pictures
of my previous trips or reading my travelogues to relive the memories and newness of the destinations which I had experienced.
The beaches, mountains, monuments look empty
with no one to adore them. I imagine that they must be missing being part of
countless selfies too. With tourism industry coming to a standstill, several
restaurants and resorts lie empty. I read in one of the articles that some East
European countries whose almost 25% of GDP comes from tourism have been
affected greatly. Airports which were bustling with people look deserted. The
suitcases, sunglasses, travel outfits and shoes at home lie unused probably
waiting to go on an adventure once again.
Traveling has always inculcated a sense of
rejuvenation in me. The excitement to plan a trip, book flights, make a list of
places I want to visit till actually visiting that destination is one memorable
process. I always make it a point to plan my next trip after one is over, so
that the flame of seeing new places always remains kindled. In this way, I love
to have something to always look forward to. The joy of going on that most
awaited leave is beyond any measure. The world has so much to offer and travel
is like a window which gives us these marvelous views. The world has more than
the eyes can see, the brain can process and is more than a lifetime. Similar to
a painting without its set of connoisseurs is simply a piece of art, even the
world would be a mere creation of wonders without anyone to wonder about them. Travel
and tourism thus encourage and entice people all over the world to come and
admire the world in its varied forms. The business and economy angles surely
wouldn’t work if it weren’t for people who had passion for traveling. When we say that the economy is not doing
well in the ongoing crisis, I wonder how many sectors tourism itself influences
and money is circulated among so many channels, making it a multifaceted industry. With the world coming closer, curiosity to discover something new, affordable travel options
and easier ways available to book a tour to a destination you always have
dreamed of going to, surely vacations are not only restricted to your native
place like earlier times.
When I think of how traveling must have
originated, I am reminded of names like Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama,
Bartholomew Diaz, Ferdinand Magellan and Amerigo Vespucci who were first
globetrotters of the world. They set out on their voyages with compasses to
explore the world. Today you have the world map to put your finger on and
choose where you want to go. Imagine the passion in those times to discover an unknown
side of the world without a map or having to go through the formalities of
issuing a passport or a visa. They were like birds who could travel to many
places with wings of curiosity and thirst to get to know the world. Probably
without these passionate explorers we would not have a world map with
geographical boundaries to look at. Today we are simply rediscovering what has
already been discovered and looking at the world differently from what it was
in their eyes.
I boast of having traveled to many places
through the books that I read. I create a certain image, a painting of that
country in my mind based on the story. But what does the real picture of that
country look like? Does it match with the picture that I have painted in my
mind? These questions can only be answered by traveling to those countries. When
I read Cecelia Ahern’s books with stories set in Ireland, I imagine the lush
greenery and serenity of that country. The characters in the books tell me
about the nature of people living in those countries, who are strangers yet
seem familiar in some way. Human tendencies and emotions are so similar over
the world after all! What pulls us towards a particular city or a country is
its natural beauty, culture, language, people and also food. Travel gives a
sense of authenticity. Though today the entire world is literally on your
plate, that experience of tasting waffles or French fries in Belgium, pizza and pasta in Italy, croissants
or wine in France, beer in Germany’s Oktoberfest, shawarma in the Middle East,
or Chole Bhature in Punjab is unique and remains memorable. Capturing green
mountains or vast sea, a freely walking tiger in Tadoba or a pride of lions in
Gir or Masai Mara in Kenya on your camera gives you a feeling of being close to
the nature. The architectural wonders of the world teach how humans have been
different, intelligent and creative and have left a mark of their values and
culture in the pages of history.
This year you might not create travel memories.
It wouldn’t be fun anyway to enjoy with masks on, for you won’t breathe in the
aura and energy of that city or country. In order to not feel disappointed I think
of it this way: maybe even the natural and man-made wonders are enjoying this
serenity which they have got after many years. Maybe they too are experiencing
the older times when they weren’t reverberating so much with humans. Today the
world seems like an uncanny space to venture into. The world isn’t ready yet to
welcome its admirers. But I am sure that the present clouds of despair would
soon make way to a bright and sunny tomorrow. The airports will get busy,
travel destinations and the people in the travel and tourism chain will be back
on their feet to fulfil travel dreams of people. We as travelers also would
have the responsibility to preserve, maintain and respect the heritage and
sanctity of a city or a country through our mindful actions. In this way, the
world once again, like Christ the Redeemer will welcome humankind all over the world
with open arms.
