Mar 31
I’m not much of a “returner” when it comes to travel, but I felt a strange sense of unfinished business with India. I missed the chaos, the chai, the challenge – and I knew what I had to do. I had to go back.
As far as I have found, a love for India isn’t wrapped up in any one city or any one experience. Instead, it’s a thousand little things that have slowly folded into each other, into one overwhelming love for this fascinating country.
If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time longer than a single post, you will have no doubt noticed I’m slightly obsessed with quotes. Travel quotes, life quotes, anything I can tuck away for inspiration on a rainy day – I’m not picky.
Now I can say there was that time in Dharamsala, when a people cut off from their country and their families marched for two hours in protest, demanding action, dreaming of home.
It was to this view I returned on Sunday afternoon. With the Tibetans’ chants still ringing in my ears (What we want? We want freedom!), I sat down on the ledge, opened up my sketchbook, and turned to the valley below me for inspiration.
One month ago, I was overwhelmed with everything I didn’t have in place with my book; now, I am leaving Goa not just with a completed book proposal, but also with a clear sense of direction.
Last week I realized what exactly these last four weeks have been for me – a kind of do-it-yourself writing retreat. I didn’t need to wait for an official fellowship; all it took was me carving out the time to come to Goa and get to work.
What if – there were those two words again, the harbingers of regret. Because as much as I love my home here in Goa, I also knew that three months from now, I didn’t want to be asking myself – what if I’d gone with them to Dharamsala?
And usually it’s right then – as my face is turned to the sun and my arms and legs are moving in great big circles through the Arabian Sea – that it hits me, every day: This is my life.
One of my favorite restaurants here in Goa is called Magic View, and no matter if you’re sat in the front section looking towards Patnem Beach or at a few tables out back overlooking Colomb Bay, the view is indeed, well, magic.
Hello! My name is Candace and I'm a traveling writer, photographer, and sketch artist. Four years ago, I fell in love...but with the world, not "the one." This journey has taken me from a pearl farm in the South Pacific to a rickshaw run across India. The Great Affair is all about seeking inspiration, opening yourself up to the world, and falling in love with the adventure it offers. I'm glad you're here!
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