Well that has how it has been so far. ASIA -> AUSTRALASIA -> EUROPE -> NORTH AMERICA are all the continents I managed to cover in this year. Fine, it hasn’t been like covering the length and breadth of it, but then I did touch all of them in the same way Phileas Fogg went Around the world in 80 days.

Having stayed in India (Asia) all my life, I suddenly got the opportunity to go to Perth (Australia). I always wanted to go to Oz land so the offer was tempting. The time of travel was something that put me in a fix that I never quite expected. Two weeks of staying away from all did depress me but then now when I look back I liked what happened (past always is 20-20 perfect!). Then, I got married and we were off to Switzerland and Greece. All my life I had a set fascination for Greece. Just don’t ask why, but I just wanted to go there, someday. Switzerland was an added bonus. Must say, Europe is picture perfect!

Now, in the United States and I suddenly realized that the fourth continent beckons me. After having seen all these places before coming to US, I didn’t find it all too overwhelming. Back home there is this strong Gult feeling about how every other person should be either in Software or be a medico and eventually all of them end up in the United States of Ameerica! Exasperating is the single word that I can think of this. But then it has its little positives too, even my maid and dhobi wali knows that I was going to Ameerica. Well the last three times I went out of India it was always America for them. One thing that stood out about this place is that everything in this country is BIG and Size does matter here.

There were some things that I noticed in stark contrast to home. People here seem to follow the weather report quite religiously and it somehow comes true for better part. Somehow, I don’t remember ever checking out the weather with such zealous fervour ever when I was home. Could it be because of the sheer fact that the comfort of home didn’t really bother how the weather would be? Rain or shine we still go about the way we want to, or may be weather conditions or rather the cold is way too harsh to handle without prior preparations. I guess that would be a more pragmatic approach.

Whether it is a small place with hardly any history or history that dates back to before Christ era and now in practical ruins the countries I visited pride in what they have. They preserve it and showcase it so much and blow every little thing out of proportions that in one way it vexes you and on the other you come to appreciate their patriotism. It seriously makes me ponder that what I can do to make a country with 5000 year old history to take pride in itself and preserve its culture. I hope to do it in every little way I can and will continue to. It would be nice if many of our people learn to appreciate their own country and be proud of it. It is a pity that whenever I meet many of those people who live far away from India support their decision with saying that they cannot stay in a country of their birth and better part of their formative years because it has now become so over crowded and dirty and that things are difficult to be done here and just simply impossible living there with all the dust. Positives and negatives make the balance and if I as a responsible citizen do not have the courage to face it and put in my bit to improve and preserve it, then the dream to see India as a super power at sometime would simply remain a dream.

Am glad I was able to see so many places, thanks to a job that originated in my land. Hope to be back home soon.