2015- Year in Review
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by Year in review-2015
7 Countries, 48,000 Kms Travelled, 23 Flights, 8 Trains, 3 Half Marathons, 7-10kms Run and 6300 USD spent
Finally yet another awesome year has come to an end. It was a really amazing year for me. In 2014, I had travelled a lot and so everybody was assuming that gradually I will slow down. But instead of slowing down I was flying this year. Yes! I did whatever I wanted to yet again. I ticked off few thing from my bucket list. I quit my job just to fulfil my dream- Euro Trip for 45 days. And now there is no more going back and working in a cubicle. But flying was not the only thing that I did. I ran many Marathons this year. Starting from Mumbai to Bangalore to Vizag and many short runs in between.
This is how I spent the year:
Jan’15
To begin with, like the last few New Year’s Eve, I started this year too with traveling on 31st night. I ran Mumbai Marathon and clocked my best time in half marathon. It was really an amazing feeling of achievement. I had also started to plan for Euro trip in the coming months but my leaves weren’t getting approved. And due to this it was getting difficult to get the Schengen Visa which had started to make me worried. I was trying to find a way out. But finally in Jan end one of my friend came to Bangalore and it was fun.
Feb’15
The month had unsurprising turn of events for me in store. Since I wasn’t getting the leaves I eventually ended up quitting my job. Everything has a price and this was mine. I got the Schengen Visa. These two events gave me enough reason to be happy. But the best part is I have my birthday in this month which just gave me more reasons to celebrate. I wasn’t able to travel though because I was serving notice period in my company. For the first time I went to Aero Show and witnessed different varieties of aircraft.
Mar’15
March was another not at all happening yet crucial month for me. I got occupied with preparing for my Euro Trip. Planning the itinerary, booking the accommodations and flights on your own for the euro trip was quite a tasking yet exciting job. I also ran a 10km race on Women’s day and recorded my best 10km time so far. Also it was festive season. First time in Bangalore celebrated Holi with my friends.
April’15
April was the month I was waiting for to begin. I was departing for my Dream trip. Yes, Euro trip on 8th April, on my dream airlines- Air France. Butterfly in the stomach and goose bumps as the plane raced the tarmac to take off – you know the excitement when you are really getting something you have longed for. It was the first time I was going away for so far for so long and the uncertainties made me a little worried. It does sound weird but I did not know whether I will be back or not and so I paid a visit to my parents before leaving.
I went to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Istanbul. Different cuisines, varied culture, amazing people and ever changing weather. I was having the best time of my life.
May’15
I was traveling through Turkey. There I saw many unusual things like White Mountains, natural hot water springs, amazing waterfalls and ate some delicious food. Then I landed in Germany. I saw Koln, Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg. I fell in love with Berlin and decided to come again. How can I forgot- I missed the International flight from Istanbul to Berlin, got drunk in Koln, travelled without ticket on a train with my awesome friend in Manheim, roamed alone on the streets of Dusseldorf and spent the last night at Frankfurt airport.
I was back to India on 21st May. I was feeling sad on my way back but I had to come. After landing in Bangalore though, I was really happy and started crying because it was unbelievable. I wanted to shout that finally I have lived my dream. The feeling was so amazing that I am falling short of words to express it.
Next morning I flew to Mumbai. I was hating it and getting irritated. The reason was food, weather, and people. Obviously I was not able to digest the fact that I had come back. I stated hating my life. No work and loneliness was getting on to me. I literally cried every night and cursed myself that why I did I go to Europe. My whole Mumbai trip got wasted due to this.
June’15
I flew to Bangalore and finally from Bangalore to Vizag to Kolkata. I went to Kolkata for meditation. I was in Kolkata for 15 days. And I enjoyed a lot. Why?? Because of my best friend. She was always there with me. I started loving Kolkata because of her. I literally forgot everything whatever I was thinking in Mumbai- about work, about life. I was literally enjoyed the days I spent in Kolkata.
July’15 to Sept’15
Finally I was back to the place where I started my Journey – Bangalore once again. I was very sad because I was not able to travel. Nobody was able to understand what was happening to me. The bug was killing me from inside. I was running after my life. I was giving interviews like anything, was badly in need of a job but was not getting any. I was cursing the God that why is he doing this with me? In order to release my frustration I started running more than before. In these three months I ran three 10k – one is Puma Urban Stampede, one on Independence Day and one on World Peace day. Also, I did land up with a job only to resign on the very day I joined. Probably, God had other plans for me which I wasn’t able to comprehend yet. Again, one of my friend from New York came to see me. And at the end I flew to Kolkata to celebrate Raksha bandhan with my sisters. I was about to run a half marathon in Hyderabad but I took a flight to Kolkata. I cried a lot but my best friend was there to console me. And once again I become so happy.
Oct’15
Finally in Oct I understood the so called purpose of my life or so to speak, the reason why I was not getting any job. I decoded what God wanted me to do. My friend and I decided to start a travel company. I was loving this idea. It was my dream to ease the definition of traveling and that is what I will be doing. Also, in the mean time I registered for Bangalore Marathon once again. I was also excited because a friend of mine was in Bangalore just to see me cross the finish line, but she could not make it to the stadium. I finished 20 mins before what I took last year and I gave my medal to her just as a mark of my presence in her life. I enjoyed a lot in Bangalore this time. Also, I got an invitation to attend the biggest blogging event of the world “BNLF” in Mumbai.
I flew to Delhi from Bengaluru. It was time well spent in Delhi. From Delhi I flew to Mumbai to attend the event. This month really kept me on my toes.
Nov’15
November was full of traveling. I flew to Vizag from Bangalore to celebrate Diwali. But that was not the only reason. It was 2nd Vizag Navy Half marathon and I just cannot miss it. I was excited to run in the city of destiny. I finished in 2hrs 28 mins. It was a great feeling as my parents witnessed my run for the first time. I was so happy. On the business part we started making good contacts and getting clients. I also applied for US visa and went to Kolkata for the interview and eventually got qualified for it. I never miss a run that comes in my way. This time it was Airtel 10k- Run for free education. Though I finished in time, it was really hard to run as I was out of practise.
Dec’15
I always like Decembers because this month makes me happy. On 2nd Dec, I got US Visa. It was a great moment because I got it in one shot. I was still in Kolkata. Then I ran “The first edition of Puma Urban Stampede” in Kolkata. With its conclusion one more medal and experience got added in my list of achievements. Then I came back to Vizag. Here I was concentrating only on my business. I got many new clients and the business did start to improve. It was really getting boring in Vizag so I decided to spend New Year with my friends, so again I came to Kolkata on 30th Dec. I am here in Kolkata till 6th Jan’16.
To conclude, I can only say that the year was full of events that changed my outlook towards life and work in ways more than one. I travelled to far away countries, ended up quitting a well set job to do a travel start-up, running more than ever to stay calm and value relations in ways unexplained. I had a choice between a life that is good and life that is interesting. I chose interesting and the year took me through the peaks and troughs of it. I have come out happier and stronger, ready to accept more such challenges and embrace their outcomes in the years to come.
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