“Hey that’s the
life I want!” I am sure my family is tired of this statement but are too polite
to say so! This happens each time I see a caravan on the road.
Well! Most
people would say that my whole life has been a nomadic one, so who am I to
desire something more? Except for two stints in my life, I have never stayed
longer than four years at a place. Even there I have shifted three houses!
So, what’s
this fascination with caravans?
As a child we
moved so frequently that I hardly had time to make friends. Remember there was
no internet, so no WhatsApp, emails, or cell phones- the only way you could
keep in touch was through snail mails. Though I tried my best, the other end
was too lazy to reply regularly, and I lost interest. My best friends were
books. I loved Enid Blyton, and in all her children book series she has
incidents inter spaced within her narratives where the main characters go in a
caravan. You park where you want; cook in the outdoors; sleep with the stars
above and mange the tiny caravan! It was so fascinating that I have read the
famous five series at least thrice and once very recently!
Every time we
moved to a new place, I take it as a “Forever” place; I do it up as well as I
can, get things set up as if I am going to stay there for the rest of my life. As
we travel very frequently for holidays and live in Hotels for a night or two, I
set up the hotel room as if it was my home! (A lasting joke in the family- Aah
mama is setting up home!) I designate space for suitcase and shoes and always
make it a point to set up the toiletries neatly!
Recently the
little Doc of the family left home for her further studies. When we Face time, I
ask her to show me what changes she has made in her room (I had helped set up
her room). One very tiring day (for her) She said she is not too bothered as
this is a temporary accommodation! Then I gave her this tiny lecture about how
every residence is to be treated as forever. Also, it is when I decided to
write this for everyone who are tired of moving from one place to another.
I was brought
up on road trips with a Father who loved to travel, and I have been very
fortunate to have a husband who loves them as well! These trips let me foray
into the dream nomadic life and has kept me satiated until now. As I grow older,
I realize, there will be a time when I may not be able to be as active as I am
now. I wonder how I will be able to stay in one place “forever”? when I see ninety-year-old
tourists happily trekking along with us, it gives me hope; when I see the
differently abled people in their wheelchairs enjoying the lovely sunset on the
cliff, I have hope; when I see the young parents with prams braving the chilly
wind to visit some destination, I wallow in hope!
I have had a
few army friends who moved at least every three years. As I compare the outlook
of these families with normal civilians I realize how rich moving makes us. Not
financially but culturally! They are able to accept change so easily and adapt
so easily to diverse ways of life, it is commendable!
This life,
after all is temporary, but I think that I must live it to the fullest as if
there is no tomorrow! Time and space is so relative that I believe that movement
is the only constant and we will realise our full potential if we appreciate and
develop this non-permanency that stares at us at every turn!
