Namaste!

It has been a while since I last posted and I have much catching up to do.

Firstly, I would like to dedicate this post to Martin Tucker who passed away quite suddenly this week. I have not been able to write as a result of these feelings of grief and sadness. Again I believe that heaven hath taken a wonderful person too soon. My heart goes out to his family who are in my thoughts.

It is very sad when we have to say goodbye to people in our lives but I do find much consolation in the thought of having known them. It is hard to let go, we want people and places to remain the way they always were, we find security in this. It is hard to accept change as well as make changes. I am certainly guilty of this but one thing that I have learnt on this trip is that we are in control of our lives and not victims of it. Whether you believe in destiny or not I believe that the world about you reflects the world within.

I have spent some time reading extracts from the great Indian epics - the Mahabaratha, the Ramayana, the Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas. These are stories that most Indian people know, whether they can read or write matters not, these epics can be found in fresco's, paintings, graphic novels and children's cartoon strips. They are also recited and performed in villages and they have also become animations and blockbusters. The stories teach morality, courage, responsibility, how one must accept what must be done and how focus and belief can help you achieve many things. Many of these stories are of incredible journeys, entwined with many tales within tales, layer upon layer to create some great classical literature. I have found it refreshing to read tales of Gods and men faced with dilemmas and conflicts resulting in conclusions that may be disastrous or beneficial. Good story telling can give us new perspectives and when combined with travel the effect is accentuated. This is why I travel as well as journey through books - to learn more about the world as well as myself.

I guess that I am writing this because I have needed to justify to myself why I am so far away from my friends and family who remain at the home that I have known for much of my life. When I heard of the sad news this week I found myself questioning what is important in my life. Travel becomes futile when you think about how much people mean to you. If you are reading this, and I know you, then you can be sure that I have missed you at some point over the last three months or so. Memories pop up at the most amazing times, triggered by obvious connections although sometimes they seemed to be plucked at random. Even though I have not been away for very long, the distance that I have travelled multiplies the time spent away. For it is not just the physical mileage that takes me further away it is also the experiences that I have been through which change me and help me grow. It is not an easy decision to tear yourself away from the familiar, where life can be so sweet, we all have to face emotional challenges, the best that we can do is accept them and learn from them.

The trip could end now. There are days when it seems as though I have experienced and absorbed so much that it would be gluttonous to continue. Here in Delhi I could arrange that flight back home quite easily to see everybody again and to be safe in the familiar. Phase One has ended, it could also be the end of the trip but even though the temptation exists there prevails my underlying spirit of adventure. Thus having thought about the reasons why I am here I can safely say that I am now ready to continue on and to prepare for Phase Two. Bring on China!!!!

I am very much looking forward to sharing more stories from Twowheelswhirled with you. Once again, thanks for reading....