Ten. The Final Chapter ?
Introduction
In April 2024 I returned from a 2-month journey to India. By then I had visited India 9 times and spent over a year in this magnificent country. India, a true cacophony and overload for all senses. For me it still feels like home, although I would not want to live there.
Looking at the map of India, I realized I had seen most of the places I wanted to visit so was there any reason to return?
For a long time, I wasn’t sure but then I realized it didn’t matter where I would go, I just wanted to breath the Indian atmosphere once again and be part of that astonishing cultural tapestry.
First, I opted at a destination I wanted to visit for a long time but with the government restrictions in place a trip to Lakshadweep, an atoll north of the Maldives, was out of bound.
Next my mind swiped to the other side of India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. I had been there before and did not want to repeat myself and explore new territories as well, as a single traveler that turned out to become too expensive.
Fortunately, India is never short of options so I decided to look for things a bit higher up…. Himachal Pradesh and a further exploration of Punjab. That turned out to work well and slowly but surely my next trip started to take shape.
Next would be a stopover in Delhi to visit my friends Neha and Anmol.
It goes without saying I wanted to return to Little Cove Yoga Resort of my friend Pardeshi and visit the new yoga resort from my friend Ravi. Both are in Goa and would be the perfect and traditional ending of my trip.
Still, I felt like I had some unfinished business in Mumbai, a city I once disliked but now deeply admire, if only for some of the best food experiences I have had in India. So, I sneaked in a final stop before returning home…
Although Vladi fully supports my adventures in India and encourages me to go I had learned one thing, a 2-month journey was out of the question. As much as India has to offer it is not enough to stay away from the most important person in my life for 2 full months once again. With this itinerary I managed to create a spectacular trip with in the range of 5 ½ weeks.
All was fine, all was booked until two weeks before my departure war broke out in the Middle East. The US and Israel had attacked Iran. As a counter reaction Iran attacked Israel but also the Gulf states, including the airport of Dubai which then closed for an unforeseen time.
I had booked my flight to India with Emirates with a stopover in Dubai but given the situation there was no way I was taking the risk of boarding that flight (If was even happening). It was way too uncertain and way too dangerous. There was no other option but to cancel my flights.
Fortunately, I found an alternative on the same travel dates without a stopover in Dubai and booked new flights on my scheduled flight dates with Lufthansa. This way I could avoid the airspace closure in the Middle East as for sure Lufthansa and other companies would make a detour around it.
Also, even more important, I knew I would leave Vladi behind with his mind at peace and without him being worried about my safety or that I would get stuck somewhere halfway India and home.
It all sounds very dramatic indeed but this was nothing compared with the problems and danger the people in the Middle East face. I sincerely hope for them the madness stops soon and life can return to normal (if there normal is still possible for them anyway). I kept them in my thoughts whilst I was in my beloved India. They find themselves in the middle of war and others got stuck somewhere in the world, not being able to return home soon…
It’s a strange world and I can only count my blessings. Although I have been extremely worried for a number of days my trip had to be cancelled completely (which would truly have broken my heart) a solution was found, who am I to complain… I was going to India!
“Nothing’s ever simple, that’s for sure
There are grieving mothers on both sides of the wire
And everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright
But any way you look at it, whichever point of view
For us to have to live like this
It just ain’t right
It just ain’t right
It just ain’t right
We all want peace and freedom that’s for sure
But peace won’t come from standing on our necks
Everyone deserves a chance to feel the future just might be bright
But any way you look at this, whichever point of view
For us to have to live like this
It just ain’t right
It just ain’t right
It just ain’t right”