I have now spent two years travelling, writing, taking photographs and following my passion furiously, During these two years, I have learnt that it is beautiful to sometimes take out a day and look back. Today, I am spending a day just to look back and do the whole journey once again through words.

Beginning of 2013 –

I had started a blog with few posts on it. I was rigorously exploring ways to create funds from this work as well as ways to reach out to people. A software engineer was seriously venturing into a completely new arena. Opportunities were always there and one day while surfing twitter, I came across a film making contest – Biggest Baddest Bucket List, which, if I won, I would get a chance to travel this world. I had never made a film in my life. Yet, I used to get up at day break and travel across Delhi to make a perfect film which would have me win this contest. I did not win the contest but, it expanded me as a person tremendously. To make this happen, I was reaching out to people I would have never thought of talking to. I was speaking to people randomly on the roads and in malls, I was connecting to press editors and travel writers.

The day result was announced, I felt a little vacuum in my heart because I did not win. It lasted for a few hours before I was making newer plans.

Journey to Bhutan –

As the days passed, it became increasingly difficult for me to stay at one place.I had a financial crunch, my boss was mad at me for not doing work as it was meant to be done and I had no experience in riding an Enfield. I still decided to go on a bike ride from Bengal to Bhutan. During the train ride from Delhi to Bengal, I met an old man who was travelling without a plan. He said that he had completed all his family responsibilities and now wanted to fulfill his passion to travel. He said “I wish you fulfill your dreams and do not wait as long as I did”. I met someone from Assam who was working as a guard in a factory in Delhi. He wanted to return back to his homeland and do farming. Probably he never returned to Delhi after that.

The 15 days I spent with myself took me through experiences of excitement, happiness, thrill and even loneliness. I was absolutely sure that these travels were not just holidays. They were shaping a new path in my life.

The Folk Tales – A new beginning –

By the time I was back, I knew I wanted to expand. I had limited myself to smaller villages in Bhutan and I liked being close to locals. I stayed away from hotels or big flashy restaurants. I would rather sit in a roadside cafe or have tea with a local family. In Bhutan, I would sit for hours and just watch people go by. It led to the manifestation of The Folk Tales

I set out to travel across India and knew where I was going to go for coming six months. Here is the whole timeline of my journeys. I stayed with local tribes, explored secret waterfalls, discovered ancient rock paintings, got lost on a highway at night, drove my car for twelve hours at a stretch, and hitchhiked with anyone driving across the road. Too bad I couldn’t visit TBEX Ireland because of the rupee crash.

Being an entrepreneur has taught me things which I would have never learnt by reading a book. I connected with strangers, learnt traits of running a business, went extra mile to provide incredible experience to travelers and spent countless sleepless nights.

2014 – A year of new possibilities

In 2014, I wish to explore entire India and contribute back to the local communities via The Folk Tales. It is incredible how new people are now appearing in my life. New associations are getting created. In 2014, I want to set out on a road trip from India to Eastern Europe.

It took me almost three decades to find what I really wanted to do with my life. I still consider myself extremely lucky because there are still many decades to go.

Travel with me on Twitter and Facebook

===

I invite all the readers to question yourself. Question yourself about what you really want to do. Get connected with others. Take steps that appear foolish. Take them if they make you happy !!

===

Related Articles –

Mistakes I have made as a Travel Blogger

How: I fund my travel

Gaurav Bhatnagar Travel Writer, Photographer, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur @ www.thefolktales.com