After forty four days, I arrived home. Home is wherever mother lives.

When I was leaving, the only thing i desired on the 43rd day, was to buy good walking shoes. I had even spent a good second half of that evening trying to find anything likeable.

The ones i was wearing now, a pair of black trekking shoes; i had bought them four months ago in early August. Even though there is nothing as such like over-walking in the mountains, but by the time I finished my journey in the Himalayas, they seemed done. Any ways I could not find new shoes and at last left India with the same black ones.

I traveled around Thailand and more so for a month long work-fellowship in Cambodia. From there I flew back to Kolkata and while spending my ninth evening in Kashi on Assi Ghat I met an old man whom I felt kept looking at my black shoes. As I followed his gaze and later his worn out feet. I walked up to him and said, winters are here and so is Kumbh. He smiled.

These forty days were exhausting and exhilarating. Travelling and experiencing newer yet similar culture countries, to be working amongst thirty different nationalities in Siem Reap and getting blessed to work on the legendary Sin Sisamuth. To be able to see Cambodia’s country side and cycling along finding sisamuth’s songs filled in my heart and ears.

To be traveling back from countries where I couldn’t eat much, to Varanasi was like blessing from Annapurna, and today mother. Feeling her breath, her warmth, her smile and her Chai.

Happy new Year to you all. May you receive care and color in your life.

There is only so much to do, to look forward to, to love and to write every single day of my life here.

Let’s get on the boat.

🙂