Madhurima is a Kolkata girl and aspiring world citizen. She authors Orange wayfarer and writes about sustainable cultural travels. She aspires to visit Antarctica one day. For our interview series, Madhurima is going to share her travel stories and motivation with us all.
Orange Wayfarer, a sustainable cultural travel blog
1. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Reader, Introvert, Lover.
2. What made you fall in love with travelling?
Food. I was traveling in Bangkok when I started to cherish travels the way I do now. Every new bite or sip on the boat noodle soup explored in my mouth and ushered in the sense, “This is a new land!”, I loved capturing each moment. I enjoyed creating memories through photographs too even when I had a humble Lenovo K series phone in the initial days. Multiple stories unfold around us on a daily basis. I wanted to click all of them. Lest I am unable to travel someday (which exactly is the case now) I would savour these memories from my Hard Disk, I thought to myself.
Related: 10 Recipes I Picked Up While Travelling in India
3. Which is your favourite destination in India and why?
This is the toughest question. I am tempted to say Himalayas or the tea gardens of Ladakh or the Taj Mahal during golden hour. I would say right now I want to explore more of rural Bengal. That said, travel helps me evolve on a daily basis. The way I travel today, I did not do the same even two years back. I am sure I am going to imbibe a new style of travel 2 years down the line. And that definitely impacts my choice of destination. However, over the years, I have found myself to be more inclined to explore true off the beaten route and more of rural Indian villages. The spirit of this country is steeped deep there.
4. What’s the longest single journey you’ve taken so far?
I traveled in Africa for about a month in 2018. That is the most significant amount of time I traveled non stop without associating with any travel board.
5. According to you, do you think one has to be rich to travel the world?
It is not money but time and health that are your most important resource to travel. That said, I believe travel as an experience is more affordable to the privileged section of Indian society.
6. Given a choice, would you leave your job for travel?
For you, a thousand times over.” If I am to borrow words from Khaled Hosseini. I did quit my job to travel and no regrets there. That said, I ensured I have a stream of income that would help me sustain the travel (mis)adventures.
7. Did travelling make you a better person?
Traveling has made me a more curious and more adjusting person. One day, I enjoy the verdant valley of the Western Ghats from the comfortable bed of the Taj Madikeri. the next week, I sit by Ashwem beach and see Cyclone Kyarr destroy the Goan coast with all its might! I am still absorbing and adapting to ways of dealing with such vast range of experiences. Traveling in India has helped me master the art of spotting bigotry on face. I am a lot more confidant and content person now. A happy woman is a better woman, I think!
8. What are the 5 essentials that you always carry on your travels?
- Camera
- Charger
- A saree
- A scarf
- Red lipstick (because red lips can win the world).
9. How do you travel sustainably?
Minimize using plastic and alternate routes to air travels.
Related: 8 Extremely Easy Steps to Travel Responsibly
10. Are you a planned or impromptu traveller?
More of a planned traveler. But I walk for miles when I am in a city and that led me to encounter a number of serendipitous explorations.
11. One quote that expresses your wanderlust?
বহু দিন ধ’রে বহু ক্রোশ দূরে বহু ব্যয় করি বহু দেশ ঘুরে দেখিতে গিয়েছি পর্বতমালা, দেখিতে গিয়েছি সিন্ধু। দেখা হয় নাই চক্ষু মেলিয়া ঘর হতে শুধু দুই পা ফেলিয়া একটি ধানের শিষের উপরে একটি শিশিরবিন্দু। – রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর.
Meaning, I have traveled far and wide and seen beautiful vistas. However, I have missed spotting the dew drop on a paddy plant at my backyard. By Rabindranath Thakur. Can there be a more subtle hint at travel locally?
12. Name a person who inspired you to travel.
Rabindranath Thakur and his notes on rural Bengal as he experienced from his Bajra, an old school boat that sailed on the rivers and canals of undivided Bengal.
13. What is the one thing that scares you while travelling?
Here is what I wanted to write: I am scared of a mob of men. Anywhere and everywhere in the world. I usually avoid lone lanes after dark lest I encounter any sort of attention uncalled for. I am also scared of falling sick while traveling. I usually try to eat freshly cooked food from a place frequented by locals.
Related: Yes! India is Safe for Women Travellers
14. Your advise to people who wants to start travelling.
Start small. Go with an open mind. For a woman traveling in India, start your day early and sleep early.
Related: 5 Terrific Reasons Why You Should Travel
15. Who are your two most favourite travel bloggers/writers?
Alex from Lost with Purpose. Love this fearless woman. There are so many more, from India and abroad.
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