Travel & Ravel Stories
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Why We Romanticize The Places We Never Lived In?
There are places we come across while leafing through book pages, it’s just a picture, right? But you already find yourself, your eyes searchingly admiring it thoroughly, your mind already time traveling, making you feel how the time there would actually pass, you’ve already lived it in mind, you feets are eager to rush over there, your eyes forcing a vision of that place exactly in front of you. Ever happened? For me it’s too common, but whenever I look at pictures of Edinburgh, my eyes widen and I’m already in time when I’ll wander their in old streets, and autumn weather, the beautiful and surreal moment is recreated in my head.
I’m incomplete until I’m here… Let’s close the distance of miles in minutes… For people it may be any ordinary city in their list in United Kingdom, but I place it as first land after India where my feets are eager to leave their trace in every corner of street that seem empty, filled with immense silence, yet the weather and cold air mist pouring, it’s not in visiting and clicking pictures in any city, traveling is all about exploring, searching, treasuring memories of places and living the moment while recreating, connecting with yourself while disconnecting from the world, escaping time, traveling to somewhere that will actually empty your heart…
I’m really not sure what Edinburgh and time and life has in hold for me, but if I step in here, I’ll surely share with you all readers. I’m waiting still for that day, and I’ll get back to you all, till then admiring it from a distance… Romanticizing it. Romance is good unless you don’t have to drag in people, and you are completely idolized by beauty of Earth and nature and inspire to discover the unseen, like Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, they all set out on their own, following the direction of wind, and they really discovered gems.
We Romanticize those places because we are so influenced by them, lost in beauty that we want to see it through our naked eyes, ever romanticized any unknown or random place? Do share, try naming a place after your thoughts, that will be maybe called so in near future, just set on trips carefree unbothered by what’s happening in the world, not distracted by anything. You, that picture and your will to move is enough so you finally land there.
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From My Hills To Jaipur’s Pink Walls, This Way…
Hawa Mahal I barely remember how I ended up in this Royal City wandering their as a girl who might have accidentally lost way from hills to enter this grand city followed by majestic and noble infrastructure.
I still remember the most homelike safe environment I received by staying in Jag Niwas Palace a heritage home stay that was affordable as well as fulfilling, located in proximity to bus stand Sindhi Camp, my only recommendation to trouists and travelers.
Home Stay! 
After reaching here, journey felt easy and soothing, and in no time I almost covered 5 main tourist spots in Jaipur in 2 days.
We begin by exploring local markets, followed by Hawa Mahal which was located just in centre surrounded by the JDA market shops. The market was well defined with all kinds of footwear, clothing, accessories, dry and raw spices shops, the infrastructure development giving you an authentic feel of being present in Rajasthan.
Make this your next destination! The Amer fort and Jaigad fort are must. They are huge and so alive even today the strong built fortress stand tall and almost interconnected. Jaigad fort is amidst lush greeneries. The winds at those high altitude is mesmerizing and inviting. You can stand and admire the beauty of Jaipur city from where people and buildings seem nothing but so tiny and the world so clearer. Amer fort lake facing view, The Maota lake located in front is calm while the fort, reflection of hills in water adds a unique identity to this fort.
Jal Mahal Night view Heading back from the fort we could view Jal Mahal, although Jal mahal is located in main area but is visible most of the time when you pass streets of Jaipur especially from a height. The entry is now banned, still you can admire the timeless beauty and lake view standing by the railing and enjoying local street food.
Seesh Mahal Nahargarh fort Seesh Mahal is unique and traditionally designed which showcases the Rajasthani culture, tradition and folk. The stones and the mirror work inside the calm palace should be experienced once in your Jaipur tour. The fees charged per person is in thousands for entry, and experience is worth it.
Nahargarh fort with its sunset point, we missed this, but you can plan the trip according to time to enjoy the evening sunset view. Inside palace which was grand with terrace, and rooms of queen and king were designed using ancient techniques for spending summer and winter in same palace.
Local Markets At end of 2nd day we spent most of the time exploring local markets. Nearby the hotel as we took evening walk relaxing; I was determined to buy Rajasthani footwear, and Kurtis. We could easily avail it at local price. But we couldn’t manage to visit Johri Bazar as we were short of time, but simply said good bye to this short lived memorable experience in Jaipur. And the next time I want to recreate In Rajasthan My steps will be eager to trace the roads of Udaipur. Till then these memories leave and live with me in my hills, as we headed back to Uttarakhand.
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“The Taj Mahal- A reflection of your own beauty “
I visited India’s wonder monument the Taj Mahal the previous month, and if in one line I have to give you an imagery ,description or idea of what it is on earth, then it feels so magnificent that it cannot be fully contained by one’s gaze. It is unique because built of the white marble and that till date is unstained, pure just like serene love of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan that fill the pages of history, unfolds time which is still reflected as we enter the mausoleum.
Afterall heaven is here on earth! The void in ambience is filled by air which is very present, fragrant yet unknown. Every wall inside the mausoleum is evident of the loyalty, the unconditional love that was carried by Shah Jahan to his grave. And the unfulfilled, longings and desires of Mumtaz which still lives in the surroundings, which is for which The Taj Mahal stands today so unaffected by time.
Visiting this place for me was not just to view the infrastructure, but to wander in that lonely errection which is so detached from the surroundings, it is disconnected, it feels from an age which has gone decades before and therefore seem so unreal, while it still lives amidst the artificial settings of fountain and the tress and garden, but still it has its own beauty that does not mix with underlying things, they are just in background.
The Jasmine palace inside Agra fort is a must visiting place, from where we address the standalone, tall shining Taj Mahal and Yamuna lake that seems distant but not out of reach, the view from the window places it in centre stealing all your attention and grabbing complete focus.
The arched balconies and the windy air at those altitudes asks you to stay a little longer, and you never want to get down. It’s one of the main tourist attraction and a resting place which is why the top view, the inside , or the outside nature everything is just so inviting and you must visit this monument in India atleast twice in your whole lifetime. Once when you wish to find peace and relax as a tourist, the other time when the anklets’ music calls you for seeking and drowning in love and realising the deep emotions of love that is still sacred, hidden, existing inside The Taj Mahal in name of The lovers Shah Jahan and Mumtaz which will be recalled in future everytime and the Taj Mahal will be remembered.
It begins the most, when it has finally ended. Generations will come and go but the impression it leaves is the same…. Go ahead to feel the vibes.
