Nature, anywhere on this planet, is always mesmerising and unites us despite the boundaries of our nations. While humans know how to colonise territories, people, and markets — nature simply surrenders its beauty wholeheartedly, irrespective of the countries, borders, etc. Read the blog below on how nature unites us and creates a sense of connectivity and peace among people across the globe.
Travelling across more than 6500 kilometres, the British came to colonise India with a very strong belief that the sun never sets on the British Empire. In 2018, it was my turn to visit England. I wonder if mountains had legs, would they walk to other lands with the hope and desire to conquer their counterparts? Luckily, nature grows and stays in its own place. The flora of a region serves as an identity of its people and culture.
Through my blog, I want to make people believe that a lot of stories are built behind the daily news headlines of your favourite news channels.
I have been fortunate to have climbed a few mountains in India and very few in England – both experiences have been beautiful and memorable in their own ways. Both countries behold their own unique natural beauty. I have travelled frequently across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in India and these states are called “Devbhoomi”, meaning the land of the Gods. Needless to say, I have met some really amazing people who have crossed my path during my journeys. While in England, the green carpet of grass laid all over the hills never lets its climbers forget the sceneries of beautiful nature. Both experiences are delightful and one must build these experiences with an open mind and heart.
Mentioned below are some reflections from my travelling experiences in the mountains and hills of India and England.
1. Purpose
In India, most people climb the mountains for some religious or spiritual purpose, for recreation, or as tourists. There is however a major shift in people who are now travelling to the mountains for a remote work culture shift that is caused owing to the onset of the coronavirus. In England, people climb mountains mostly for recreational purposes, for long walks, and of course as tourists. In both the experiences (in India and England), I’ve met people who have showered me with their everlasting smiles.
2. Food
In India, one will find countless small stalls and shops that serve Maggi, momos, tea, coffee, paranthas, etc. India’s rich food culture doesn’t leave its people even in the remotest places in the country. In England, I never found any cafe or shop on my way climbing up – one could find cafes either at the starting points at the base or at the peaks. If you get to visit either of the countries, delight yourself with a cup of tea — made of love. Food, as a part of culture, solidly unites us.
3. Cultural Exchange
During my journeys in India, I’ve come across people not only from diverse cultural backgrounds from India but from around the world as well. Similarly, while travelling in the UK, I’ve made friends with people who’ve crossed my path on unknown hikes and walks.
What I’m trying to say is that when we step outside of our homes and travel to different places, we experience a world so different from ours and meet people who may teach us lessons for life. Cultural exchanges and meeting people are crucial to breaking down myths and stereotypes that we may strongly hold about different people, cultures, and ideas.
Nature in both countries is beyond beautiful. I have done some hikes and walks in the homeland of some iconic English poets and authors – the land of Shakespeare, Robert Burns, Oscar Wilde, Emily Bronte, Sylvia Plath, Rudyard Kipling, and many more. The rain, birds, hills, and rivers of both countries are beyond appreciation through words and they make you feel at home. However, I must admit that I am direly in love with the smell of the soil in India, which happily multiplies during rainy days.
Nothing really beats the innumerable memories that we make in our homes – a home not made of walls but of love.
We humans have desires and ambitions to conquer the territories of the world – something that the British and many other countries had done some five hundred years back (some even hold the same desire even today). However, nature never colonises or conquers nations and people, but encapsulates only our hearts.
And as I always say – I’m experiencing my life and building stories to cherish. While I walk towards collecting another story, where are you heading to?
If you liked this blog, you may also enjoy reading Travelling Leads to a Happy Ending of Cultural Biases. Does It?
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