Germination?

That school textbook word!? Yes, but this time not for a seed but for an idea, a concept. A way of life? Or just a slice?

I am truly inspired by Into the Wild, On the Road, The Grizzly Man, and other road movies, stories, and novels… Can I be a good Samaritan on the road? A monk on a pilgrimage? A travel writer itching for unspoken and unseen places and stories and people?

Be on the road for a full year?

What would be the conditions? The consequences? The goal(s)?

Few conditions:

I shall carry no ‘emergency’ money throughout the journey.

I shall do odd jobs along the way during the short stays and use that money purely for travel, food, and other necessities.

I shall carry a cell phone only for emergency purposes.

I shall visit and meditate on all the sacred/holy places along the way…

I shall walk and hitchhike most of my journeys or travel in public transport only.

I shall be spontaneous along the way.

I shall be ready for anything, anyplace, and anyone.

Consequences:

I shall be travel-weary, lose lot of weight, and be more insightful.

I shall have stories to tell: real stories. More experiences. More introspection. More perspectives. Better understanding of people and places.

The goal(s):

A work of art? A song and a dance? Unending peace? A piece of prose? A script or more? A slice of life or slices, rather? A memory entirely mine where I am the lead?

Meet God within and without? Learn?

When do I start? From where?

TVMalai is a good place to start from and end too. Maybe, this May? June? Travel south, up north to the west, and keep moving…

What shall I pack other than a toothpaste, toothbrush, towel, soap, and pair of books and a pen?

Few clothes, inner wear  few ID Cards, loaded cellphone with currency to last a year. A camera, perhaps? An umbrella, my sunglasses, few books, a bottle to fill water…