A person once asked me, your interests are so contrasting- reading books and travelling. I wonder, how many people would agree with him? I don’t, for one. They are both the same thing to me. Actually, let me be more lucid about it. As far as I believe, there are two types of travelling…travelling in space and traveling in time. When you travel by land, sea or water, you travel in space. But when you hold a book before you, you are travelling in time. Ok, so now you’re thinking that I’ve been reading too many science fiction novels. I do agree that I’m a big fan of H.G. Wells and I loved reading ‘The time machine.’ But this is not about that kind of time travel. At least, not technically.
Let me explain. When I’m reading a book, I can be where I want to be, when I want to be without moving an inch. It might be a village in the heart of India, like in R. K Narayan’s works; it might be old British society as in a Dickens or Austen novel. So when I’m travelling to a faraway land in a distant century, I do think you’ll agree that it qualifies as time travel. That’s why I would say that my interests are actually completely in sync with each other and with my personality (someone once defined my personality as “freedom and change” – and that’s precisely what travelling gives you, be it in space or time.)
So as I was saying, I love to travel. I’ve been to Egypt, to Arabia, to Dubai, to Afghanistan, to London, to Vatican City, to Paris, to Kerala………. All through books. I’ve met people whose joys and sorrows I’ve lived as my own. I’ve seen the pyramids, travelled through the desert and lived in an oasis with Santiago in The Alchemist , and I’ve sat musing by a river in Kerala with Ammu in The God of Small things. It’s not as if I haven’t travelled in real life – but I know it’ll never be enough for me. My greatest dream is to be able to go on a world tour…..and not just in time!!
But till then,
Planes and ships won’t carry me around,
But words will lift me off the ground.....
Let me explain. When I’m reading a book, I can be where I want to be, when I want to be without moving an inch. It might be a village in the heart of India, like in R. K Narayan’s works; it might be old British society as in a Dickens or Austen novel. So when I’m travelling to a faraway land in a distant century, I do think you’ll agree that it qualifies as time travel. That’s why I would say that my interests are actually completely in sync with each other and with my personality (someone once defined my personality as “freedom and change” – and that’s precisely what travelling gives you, be it in space or time.)
So as I was saying, I love to travel. I’ve been to Egypt, to Arabia, to Dubai, to Afghanistan, to London, to Vatican City, to Paris, to Kerala………. All through books. I’ve met people whose joys and sorrows I’ve lived as my own. I’ve seen the pyramids, travelled through the desert and lived in an oasis with Santiago in The Alchemist , and I’ve sat musing by a river in Kerala with Ammu in The God of Small things. It’s not as if I haven’t travelled in real life – but I know it’ll never be enough for me. My greatest dream is to be able to go on a world tour…..and not just in time!!
But till then,
Planes and ships won’t carry me around,
But words will lift me off the ground.....
2 comments:
I have always loved the writing of this Author Called ''ZEHRA'' simply charm personified,Those who have known you well would confess that you do travel in time,space,DREAMZ N THOUGHTS too, This is where you actually get your FREEDOM and CHANGE.......
It indeed a delight reading you my dear, keep posting what you dream n think, keep posting what you love n hate n keep us update alwyz..
Best of luck
I loved this one more than the previous one. It shows more of an intellectual or scientific zehra than the previous one which showed the natural one. I will not say that you have improved as a writer bcoz you alwyz write xcellent stuff but can definetly say that the articles in your blog are improving day by day as u want to make it more interesting day by day. Waiting for more articles from u sweetu.
Best of luck & keep on writing excellent stuff as always or (As Usual).
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