On Starting a Journey

I really believe that kind souls attract other kind souls. Upon starting my most recent voyage – a 4 month stay in India – I have found this to be true over and over again even just within the first 48 hours after my departure. While I was chasing the sun across the Pacific Ocean, I felt its warmth physically and metaphorically pervading my journey.

Traveling to Bangalore from San Diego, I got to experience a rare level of raw genuineness. From people helping me at the ticket counter to the TSA agents to fellow journeyers, I felt in many of the people I interacted with this awesome sense of self – and not the “cool” kind of awesome but truly “encompassing awe.” And the way this awesome sense of self shone through most was in the small acts of kindness they showed: a conversation, concern over my travels, excitement for my work, giving advice on where to travel, and helping whenever needed. None of this was out of an obligation or trying to create small talk, but was rather an experience of sharing one’s self with others. The more and more people wanted to let their guard down and share themselves with me, the more I felt called to do the same. What a beautiful way to start a journey, huh!?

Once we landed in India, clearing customs and getting my baggage was very easy, but when I arrived at my accommodations for the evening (at 2AM), no one at the apartment / student hostel had been informed of my eminent arrival. Even though they were slightly confused, some lovely ladies opened their apartment to me. Barkha, a beautiful soul from the North of India near the Himalayas, was so accommodating and found a place for me to sleep (for which I will be eternally thankful). In the morning, the girl I was sharing a room with brought me breakfast and Barkha made me THE MOST DELICIOUS chai. Their hospitality and genuineness made a tough transition so much easier and after more than 24 hours of traveling, I finally got to sleep on a bed.

In the morning, Barkha and I headed to ATREE (the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment) where I’m based for my master’s fieldwork. After a harrowing auto ride (an ‘auto’ is a covered motorbike taxi with two seats behind the driver), we arrived at ATREE and I cannot imagine a more beautiful place to be working. The building is designed for indoor-outdoor transitions and has a rooftop garden terrace AND there’s tea/coffee twice a day which is pretty fantastic. During the morning tea hour, I got to meet lots of new people and be reunited with other people that visited my school in Canada last semester. I feel so thankful to be doing my fieldwork in a place with such wonderful people that are SO passionate about the environment and social justice issues.

All of these experiences I’ve had so far have sparked in me some reminders that I think will be themes throughout my travels:

• Talk to people (they’re pretty amazing!)
• Have a strong sense of wonder
• Put aside fear
• Breathe deeply when you can’t put aside fear
• Listen with an open heart
• Be joyous
• Learn as much as you can
• Have DEEP gratitude

While I’ve only had a small taste of what my experience may be over the next 4 months, I feel optimistic for what’s to come. If the last 48 hours are any indication of what’s in store, I cannot wait to see the ways kindness, joy, wonder, and gratitude will continue to manifest.

Namaste.

– Dani