When I was a child, my one and only obsession was to be a pilot. I don't remember why, but I'm sure it must have had something to do with planes. I had a similar obsession with trains (though I never wanted to be a motorman. Screw dignity of labor and all that). To my young mind, they were the magic carpets which could take me to wondrous places, places beyond my dreams.
At that time, the most wonderful place I knew was my native place, God's Own Country, Kerala. Every summer, my family would go there. Those seven days would be the most fun-filled days of my life. To tell you the truth, the best part of my vacation was always the train journey. Not only was it a novel experience, the fact that I would be having loads of fun for the next few days was a thing to celebrate in itself.
This is the reason I don't believe in enjoying rewards without efforts. The efforts make the reward sweeter. The journey makes the destination meaningful. My friends often ask me, why bother with treks, hikes and the like when fun can be had without sweating it out. Even nature trips are possible without wearing out your bones. Why cram yourself in crowded buses or trains and trudge along wild, lonely and dangerous ways?
The joy of going off the beaten path can be experienced only by one bitten by Wanderlust.
My deepest desire is to be a Journeyman, a Wanderer with no aim except to roam this wondrous world and no worries except finding food, water and shelter for today and a new adventure for tomorrow.
If there is a God, may he grant this wish of mine ...
