Word of the Day - Apricity, the warmth of the winter sun. And I think that it has such a magical ring to it. The word has a Latin connection which refers to basking in the warmth of the winter sun. I know everyone enjoys the mist and snow in winter but I am a sunshine person and for me, the winter sun brings me unlimited hope. And I am extremely grateful to the rays of the sun stroking me now as I write this newsletter to you.
Hello and welcome to this year’s last issue of Journeys and Jottings from 2023. I am grateful to all the subscribers, especially a special heartfelt thanks to the few who have been kind enough to support my work and have generously become paid subscribers. It means a lot and has motivated me to keep the flow of conversations going.
A short backstory, a little BTS ( Behind the scenes) on how Journeys and Jottings started. During the pandemic, I went through a bit of a personal crisis and I lost my mojo and, most importantly my ability to even write a couple of sentences. And Journeys and Jottings was born in that dark moment, and it became both a raft and an anchor to help me cope with the stormy tides.
I am a travel writer and a blogger and have been blogging since 2005 on lakshmisharath.com. When I went into this functional freeze mode or whatever they call it, I just stopped writing. Words failed me and I used to stare at a blank screen for hours. I was forever mired in brain fog. I was neither blogging nor writing stories for publications. And I needed to find a way to motivate myself.
I used to write a personal column called Journeys and Jottings on the blog, which stood out from the travel stories and even that fell silent. And when I decided to goad myself by starting a newsletter, I gave it the same title to help me find my voice.
Journeys and Jottings began as a potpourri of many topics that inspired and fascinated me. Culture, history, travel, traditions, mythology, literature, arts - it seemed like I was foraging through the world to find my mojo again. Words, phrases, and quotes filled my appetite again. Inspiring people and their stories quenched my thirst for knowledge. Conversations turned into stories. Experiences became expressions. There were tips, recommendations, fun facts, trivia, and a mishmash of content. Somewhere I found my inspiration to write again. People Make Places. And I started writing about them. And I found words fascinating again. Words that reflected a culture, had a story behind them and spoke to me. And that’s how I started curating “Word of the Day. “
In this issue, I just want to share some of my favourite “words”. They have a vibe, an emotion. And they tell you more stories of a land and its culture and traditions. Some of you have probably read them in my earlier issues but here is a list that resonates with me.
Word of the Day - Dolce Far Niente - As they say in the movie, “Eat, Pray, Love”, it means the “sweetness of doing nothing. “ The Italian version of me-time or “carefree idleness, “ where you do nothing and enjoy and appreciate the experience.
Word of the Day - Saudade, A word borrowed from Brazilian cultures, actually Portuguese to express a sense of longing, nostalgia, and probably even melancholy that comes from a feeling of missing something or someone.
Word of the Day - Vive la vida al máximo . In Spanish, it means living life to the fullest, and Salud to that attitude in life.
Word of the Day - Trouvaille (French) means discovering a valuable or a lucky find, a windfall, “a chance encounter with something wonderful.”
Word of the Day- Hongi. A traditional Maori greeting in New Zealand, where two people press their noses and forehead together. This is more than just a greeting - it’s about sharing “ the breath of life. “ According to one of the stories I read, God created the first woman called Hineahuone, who was shaped out of the earth. She was embraced by the Gods who then breathed life into her nostrils.
However, Kia Ora is the informal greeting by the Maori, which is similar to hello or good day or even cheers. It is now a part of the English vocabulary in New Zealand. It loosely translates to being healthy and refers to the essence of life.
Word of the Day - Gezelligheid (Dutch) Pronounced as Heh-Sell-ick.
Gezellig though used in English cannot be translated.
The Dutch way of life - a philosophy that ensures that there is an element of coziness and comfort especially when friends get together or when there is a social gathering. It refers to the warm vibe, the sense of belonging, and the connection with the people and the place. The Dutch even identify some places like the “Brown Cafes” of Amsterdam as “gezellig.” Even the city embodies the essence of “gezellig.”
It is very similar to the Danish concept of hygge, except that this philosophy refers to the flow and spirit of bonhomie in the entire atmosphere, especially during get-togethers, and ensures that no one feels out of sorts.
Word of the Day - Fika.
In Swedish culture, it is often associated with a coffee break. But it is more than just coffee and cake. In Sweden, it’s almost a phenomenon, a concept, and the Swedes make time for Fika intentionally every day in their lives - be it to meet old friends, make new friends, while on a date, network at business, or just indulge in some me-time. Fika is never rushed, it’s a part of the slow life, a pause amid a busy day connecting with yourself and the people around you and just recharging your soul. There is no limit to the number of times you can have a Fika in a day. And interestingly, it’s encouraged by most companies take a Fika a couple of times or more in a day, when colleagues get together in a room just to socialize or take a break from work. It is a ritual in this Scandinavian country that banned coffee, not once but five times a few hundred years ago.
Word of the Day - Ichi go Ichi ae.
My personal favourite. A few years ago, I was in Kyoto, Japan, and my guide, Toshiaki Ohbayashi, taught me a new word. No, it’s not Ikigai which was already popular. It’s Ichi go Ichi ae. He said that it meant “ this time only “ or possibly “once in a lifetime” or “never a chance again”.
It’s more than just a word or phrase - almost a way of life. For want of a better
”word,” is similar to a concept that the Japanese believe in - treasuring moments and meetings with people .“It is probably the last time that I will be seeing you, and hence would like to treasure it in a way that one does not forget,” he said. I learnt that the Japanese believe that every meeting could be the first ( or the last) one and hence they treasure it and make it special. “ It is not just meeting strangers, it could be meeting a friend, a neighbour, a colleague, and even your own family. Treasure these moments, “ he said with a bow and a smile as he took leave of us near the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto.
And my dear readers, we may meet virtually but I treasure every moment you are here, open your inbox and take time to read, comment, and share your thoughts. I do hope that these words are beyond just another addition to your vocabulary, but we carry their very essence into 2024.
And on that note, so grateful to every one of you here. Thank you so much. Have a wonderful holiday season - Merry Christmas. And see you in the New Year.
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Love the notion of Ichi go ichi ae!
Happy holidays, Lakshmi from us both
Your exploration of "Apricity" and its association with the warmth of the winter sun is enchanting. The way you convey your personal connection to the winter sun, describing it as a source of unlimited hope, adds a beautiful touch to the narrative. It's heartwarming to sense your gratitude for the sun's rays as you compose your newsletter.