Year Marches On…

I’ve been going on about not visiting a new city on my wedding anniversary since 2023. So the obvious question that arises is what all cities did we visit before then. And the obvious answer is this post. Let’s start!

2013: Goa – It was what is generally called the “Honeymoon” trip. It was described here.

2014: Shri Dungargarh – It was what is generally called the “Paper” Anniversary and we spent it in my hometown. One of Her friends who couldn’t make it to Our wedding, made it to this celebration.

2015: Taipei – It was what is called tired of anniversaries in two years. She came to Taipei from Guangzhou during this time and we spent time exploring the city of Taipei.

2016: Siem Reap – It was the first “international” trip on our anniversary. We enjoyed it a lot as discussed here.

2017: Hualien & Tamsui – It was the time when my postdoc was ending at NTU so we didn’t venture too far from Taipei. The first trip is showcased here and a snippet from the second:

2018: Kolkata – It was the time when we were expecting Sakura so we just stayed put where we were.

2019: Darjeeling – It was the first trip with Sakura on our anniversary and she definitely enjoyed it with us as seen here.

2020: Bangkok & Krabi – It was the first (and most probably last) international trip with Sakura on our anniversary (just before Covid-19 and associated travel restrictions hit!) and she was joyful on this trip as well.

2021: Kalimpong – It was the one of very few possibilities and we were glad that we took this trip.

2022: Jaipur – It was our first trip as a family in Rajasthan and we covered a lot as discussed here.

2023: Udaipur – It was our second trip as a family in Rajasthan and we covered a lot as discussed here.

So that is all the decade worth of travelling collated in a single blog post. It is also worth re-iterating that just because we stopped travelling at the end of January doesn’t mean we stopped travelling altogether! To make up for that deficit, we have been travelling a month earlier (near the end of December), so for the last two years, I could as well make these entries:

20243: Chennai & Mahabalipuram – It was our first trip as a family in Tamil Nadu and is showcased here.

20254: Madurai & Rameswaram – It was our second trip as a family in Tamil Nadu and She hasn’t made an album for it so nothing to showcase here. It was a nice trip overall, though certain elements could have been avoided in hindsight.

Anyway, I won’t bore you with nothing in particular anymore and leave you with two shers of Dr. Nawaz Deobandi.

दुश्मन हमारी हार पे खुश थे बहुत मियां
लेकिन हमारे दोस्त भी कम खुश नहीं रहे

Dushman hamaari haar pe khush the bahut miyaan
Lekin hamaare dost bhi kam khush nahin rahe

Enemies were overjoyed with my defeat
But my friends' joy was no less sweet!

वो हमेशा यही कहता था की तुम बेहतर हो
मैं समझता हूँ की वो शख्श बहुत बेहतर था

Wo hamesha yahi kahata tha ki tum behtar ho
Main samajhta hun ki wo shakhsh bahut behtar tha

That one always did insist that you are better
I realized that that person was much better!

–नवाज़ देवबन्दी (Nawaaz Deobandi)

Where will you travel this year?

Early Learnings

January in 2025 hasn’t felt like January’s of other years. For once, a month has felt like a year. So, on the 1st of February, I would like to share with you all the lessons I have learnt in the last 31 days.

First lesson:

That gifting books you haven't read yourself can be a risky endeavor. During Christmas last year, I gifted a set of award-winning books to someone. These books were actually on my own wishlist, and I hadn't had the chance to read them before gifting. When the new year began, I finally read them myself and realized that they probably weren't the best fit for the recipient after all. They likely didn't enjoy them as much as I had hoped. This experience taught me a valuable lesson: it's important to only preach what you practice. Sharing personal recommendations or gifts should come from a place of genuine experience and understanding. This way, you can ensure that the recipient will appreciate and enjoy the gift as much as you intended.

Takeaway:

Always make sure you are familiar with the contents of the books you give, so you can genuinely recommend them to others.

Second Lesson:

Not directly urging people to take actions, except in situations involving my children or within my reporting line at work. This lesson hit home when I decided to meet a friend visiting from another city. My enthusiasm inadvertently prompted other friends to travel long distances, all while navigating Bengaluru's famously hectic traffic. It made me aware of how our well-intended actions can create situations where others feel compelled to follow, despite the inconveniences.

Takeaway:

Always be mindful of how your actions and decisions might unintentionally influence others. Reflect on whether you are subtly pressuring people into actions they wouldn't normally take if it weren't for your involvement. By thinking aloud and considering the broader impact, you can foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable making choices without undue pressure.

Third Lesson:

Not to label one person's choices as better or worse than another's. As people grow older, their priorities and preferences naturally evolve. Some may seek out comfort and stability, finding solace in a routine that brings them peace. Others might feel the need to take a break and step back from the pressures of life to rejuvenate and reflect. Meanwhile, there are those who remain driven, motivated to push themselves harder in pursuit of their goals and ambitions. It's crucial to recognize that none of these paths are inherently right or wrong. They are simply the diverse choices people make as they navigate through different stages of their lives. These decisions are influenced by various factors such as personal experiences, aspirations, and changing circumstances.

Takeaway:

The most important takeaway from this realization is that as long as the choices people make bring them happiness and fulfillment, and they don’t cause harm to others, those choices are perfectly valid and acceptable. This understanding fosters a sense of empathy and respect for the individuality of each person's journey. It encourages us to support one another, regardless of the different paths we may choose to follow, and to appreciate the uniqueness of our diverse experiences.

Fourth Lesson:

Humans, in their essence, are inherently flawed, and perfection is an unattainable goal for anyone. While nobody is perfect, there are some people whose beliefs, values, and outlook on life align more closely with our own. These connections resonate deeply with us and foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding. It's perfectly acceptable, and often necessary, to gravitate towards those individuals whose values and beliefs mirror our own. Surrounding ourselves with people who share our core principles can provide a supportive and enriching environment, allowing us to thrive. Conversely, it’s also okay to distance ourselves from those whose values significantly diverge from ours. This isn’t a judgment of their character, but rather an acknowledgment of the importance of aligning ourselves with people who positively contribute to our well-being and personal growth.

Takeaway:

The most significant takeaway from this realization is that our time on this planet is finite and precious. We must choose our companions wisely, investing our limited time and energy in relationships that bring us joy, support, and fulfillment. By selectively nurturing these meaningful connections, we can cultivate a more harmonious and satisfying life, enriching our personal journey and the lives of those around us.

The picture below has nothing to do with the post but reminds me that Sakura-chan has recently made some cacti for me using Lego.