Statistics suggest that the About Me page in any blog is one of the most popular pages. Guess it makes senses, readers would like to know more about who this blogger is. So here, I try and give you a picture of Me. 🙂 Well, in very traditional Indian style,
What’s My “Native” Place?
I was born and brought up in Mumbai, the financial capital of India. In the swanky and posh neighbourhood of South Mumbai. By family history, my “native” is Bharuch in Gujarat – which makes me a Surati Gujarati. And by religion I am Jain – this is relevant even on the travel blog, because I am not just a strict vegetarian, I also avoid onion & garlic after finding out that it is “low pranic” foods in a yoga class.
I also have very strong ties to South India, specifically Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu because that is where the main ashram of my Guru is (Isha Yoga Center of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev)
What do I do when I am not Blogging?
I have a Youtube channel. If you have come so far finding out more about me, do head to my Youtube channel as well (@InSpirituality). Professionally, I am a business growth digital marketeer. Often you will find me volunteering at the aforementioned Isha Yoga Center.
How Did Travelling Start for Me?
My foray into travel started in 2009 when I knew I had to get out, somewhere, on my own!! I went off on a meagerly planned 15 day solo trip, Mumbai – Goa – Bangalore – Mysore – Coimbatore (Isha yoga centre). At this time I didn’t know if solo travel was safe at all. I took overnight volvos and stayed in a hostel. But somehow in my heart I thought this was possible. I had read travelogues of foreign solo women traveling India without knowing our language, so surely this was fine for me. Anyway it all turned out wonderful. Have been solo traveling since then.
Most Frequently Asked Question: Is Solo Travelling Safe for a Woman?
My trips to Europe, Australia and many other international destinations are way more adventurous compared to Indian trips. In India I am constantly testing limits of safety, because I don’t know what is safe, what is not. Comparatively, even solo camping in a random European/Australian town feels safer.
Having said that, I think there is risk in everything we do – a mundane commuting-routine in India has so many risks from traffic accidents and waterlogging to mugging and sexual violence but people live in a false sense of security because it is ‘routine’. People feel safe in what is known and what everyone is doing. But many unfortunate events keep on happening.
So, a lot of things I do, may seem daring but when I analyze the odds of something untoward happening, I have come to the conclusion that I am overall quite safe compared to the daily routine of the common people in India.
And over time, I feel the safest bet in life is to live as awesomely as possible! 🙂
Here’s my longer blog answering people when they ask, “Is it safe?”
