"What is life if full of time we have no time to stand and stare", said some famous human-being but for me, these words come from my friend Mihir. He wrote these in a letter before I left for London along with a list of ten places I should visit while I am here.
Mihir and I often write letters to each other; that unsurmountable bond of friendship and care - pouring out our hearts about things we would not want anyone else to know or to simply wish a Happy Valentine's Day or being the most honest critique to each other.
Both of us are entangled in our lives but we do find time to poke each other, every now and then. For me, it keeps me sane and grounded. In retrospect, I realise a very essential aspect about any relationship - there is nothing like being busy or not finding time; if you really care for someone, you will not have to 'find time'. They exist with you in your life. I guess this is why I adore couples, the old ones, young at heart. They live this aspect truly. I wonder why we take so much time to realise that in the end, nothing will matter but the moments we lived, with the people who truly love and care for us.
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| Essentials for every journey! |
Too many philosophical thoughts! As I look at all the relationships I have been blessed to have with so many beautiful people, I write this post to share a very special one that I recently made.
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| The mesmerising roads of Bibury! |
With my fantasy to experience what solo traveling is, I embarked on a journey to one of the most beautiful villages in the UK, Bibury. To get to Bibury, you need to take a bus to Cirencester from London and from there another bus to this heavenly village.
What happened during the trip besides the fact that I almost found it hard to believe if I was in this world, I am here to share the new relationships that I made.
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| The Catherine Wheel Pub |
The first one was a at a pub with Luke, who served me food with all the warmth and care. I was wondering as to how someone can be so kind and warm to a stranger. He ensured that I liked what I ordered. Besides, the lovely music made this a perfect setting. Gradually, people started coming in and I realised how well people knew each other - asking about the dog or family.
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| The Food and Tea! |
Then as I set out with a promise to share my Blog with Luke (I hope you like it Luke!), I walked down the road to catch the bus to Cirencester. As I was clicking pictures (just to capture the last bits in my heart), a very kind man named Gerry came and asked if I would like him to click a picture of me. I agreed (I had been wondering in this entire trip as to how can I get at least one picture clicked and the shy me hesitated from asking anyone). So Gerry clicked a very pretty picture (in which I am smiling awkwardly and therefore I cannot share it here :D) and we started talking. He told me that he and his wife, Joy, were also driving back to Cirencester and if I wanted, I could take a ride with them. I agreed. As we started the journey back to Cirencester, I learnt a lot about Joy and Gerry - besides the kindness and warmth that they vibrate, it is their humbleness and love for their children and their grand children, which makes them who they are. On the way, we talked about India and they wondered that I had come all the way to this village alone.
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| Home :-) |
On the way, they asked me if I would like to come to their house for tea as there was still more than an hour left for my bus back to London. I agreed happily (inside, I was jumping with happiness :D). As I entered the house, Gerry welcomed me with the most welcoming smile and gesture. Joy offered to take my coat. Then we talked in the kitchen while Gerry prepared tea and Joy obliged me with her delicious home made cake. We moved to the living room then.
They showed me pictures of their family and told me about the places they have been to. They have been living in Cirencester for the past thirty years. It was a perfect delight to see them together with the light banter that atleast to me meant a lot of love that they shared. Joy sarcastically wonders if there is still any love left after all these years! :D
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| Joy and Gerry's Home :-) |
After some time, as they dropped me back to the bus station with a warm and lovely hug (and also chocolates), so many thoughts rushed in my mind. I had just met the most amazing people. I had just found one more home in this big Universe. They offered me to stay at their place whenever I wanted to. And above all, they treated me, a stranger, like their own child. Faith in humanity touching the sky!
Yeah so coming back to my thoughts. I was thinking how much it takes to be together, to love, to care and above all, respect. What matters more in life - people or work or life itself? Can everything not go in together perfectly? Seeing both of them, I can bet it takes effort, honesty and true love to nurture a relationship. But in the end, what matters is these well nurtured relationships! Why do we take so much time to realise the worth of people around us - our friends, our family, our childen, our parents. I wonder.
I don't know actually. I am a 24 year old trying to make sense of a lot of things. But people like Luke, Joy and Gerry give me hope - hope that everything is fine as long as we let ourselves be and as along as we are ready to share warmth and love with people around us. What else are we here for?
So travel, read, write, do whatever you love to but most importantly, treasure relationships, for everything in life is hollow without them.
Every day can be a Valentine Day indeed! :-)
Until next time,
Love and Live :-)
P.S. I received a lovely email as I returned back to London from Joy and Gerry that made me smile and gave me faith in what 'relationships' actually mean.
P.P.S. Waiting for my Valentine :D
P.P.P.S. Do Travel Solo!
P.P.P.P.S. Not sure if this how postscripts are written :p
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The Bench will always be empty. The question is - do you wish
to have memories on a bench or a trash bin! |
#travel #musings #love #life #friends #family #solotravel #pictures #read #kindness #humanity
