Dolce Far Niente - Word of the Day. 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.
Hello and Welcome to the 29th issue of Journeys and Jottings, which is dedicated to doing nothing. Here is a reel that I created on Instagram that you might like. We are also discussing an Italian cultural tradition while I take you to a beautiful seaside town, Nessebar in Bulgaria, a UNESCO Heritage Site. The fascinating Old Town is virtually an outdoor museum that depicts three millennia of history across six different cultures.
And in People Make Places, we are going to chat with Hemant Soreng and Rajesh Nair, who manage Rustik Travel about their six-month-long All India Road Trip.
Making free time a priority
My To-Do Lists used to run into pages. And I am not just referring to work. It would be related to errands, or hobbies and passions. Cleaning the fridge, dusting the bookshelf, making breakfast, why even a simple skin regime would be part of the to-do list. Sometimes I would just be overwhelmed seeing the list. And then I realized that I need to create free time every day. Just time to do nothing. I was free to do anything I want at that time but I told myself that I would rather do nothing. No reading or cleaning the desk or watering the plants. Perhaps just close my eyes and take a quiet breath. And that helped me to rejuvenate.
We have been constantly bombarded with messages on productivity. “ Don’t waste your time.” If we are not working, we have to be doing something else worthwhile - perhaps reading, expanding our knowledge or learning something new. Whenever we get some free time, we immediately want to pack it with so many activities like cooking or listening to a podcast. And eventually, even they turn out to be obligations that we are trying to fill our free time with.
We have lost the art of sitting still. We are just running from one task to another, like a robot. Our minds are conditioned to be busy, or else we start feeling guilty. Even heading out with friends for coffee or going out on a date had to be scheduled. While I am a huge fan of routines and rituals, I have realized that our lives are not an itinerary. And every time table should have a break, a free time to do nothing.
So make free time a priority in your day. Stay still and do nothing. And if you still have to do something, then ensure that it is not pencilled in your to do list and it is something spontaneous .
A wonderful article on Forbes tells you a little more about time management and how making free time is actually linked to happiness. Do read it, but not necessarily during your free time :)
The Italian Passegiatta
I was in Trieste in Italy when I heard the word, “ passegiatta,” It was a reference to an evening walk or a stroll, especially in any of the “piazzas” or the main town squares or the Centro Storico, the historic city center, or along the “lungomare” or the waterfront or promenade along the sea. It is more than just a walk - it’s a tradition as Italians dress up and go for their evening jaunt, to socialise and meet friends. They slowly stroll down the cobbled streets in all their finery, catch up with friends, exchange gossip, and even flaunt new relationships or find new romantic interests. It is believed that this cultural tradition started primarily as a ritual for families to showcase the charms of their beautiful daughters and attract suitable partners. Flirting and being coquettish were apparently encouraged. The tradition would extend into the night as you can find the lovely Italians ambling along, adding more beauty to the already beautiful landscape, Next time you visit Italy, try and be a part of the community tradition as well.
Blogging Diaries - Nessebar Old Town, Bulgaria
I fell in love with Nessebar Old Town the moment I set my eyes on it. It has everything that I love in a destination – an overgrown sleepy village with a dreamy seaside where yachts gently float in the waters and a quaint windmill beckoning you as the very symbol of the town. A Bulgaria itinerary is not complete without a trip to Nessebar, Bulgaria, which is referred to as the Pearl of the Black Sea and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ruins greet you at the very entrance of the Old Town, which is laced with cobblestones and filled with charming old houses, some of them housing museums, craft markets and souvenir stores, little cafes, and restaurants. You encounter history in little lanes as relics of old monuments, especially churches which tell a story.
There are over 15 churches and each one is a relic of the bygone past. Nessebar Bulgaria is believed to be one of the oldest Christian metropolises in Europe. But what makes it even more fascinating is that the Old Town is virtually an outdoor museum that depicts three millennia of history across six different cultures.
The ever-changing history reflects in the Old Town which showcases a mosaic of different civilizations and cultures who have lived here. Underwater archaeological excavations have unearthed the different chronological periods from the Thracians to the Greeks, Romans to Byzantine, and the Bulgarians to the Turks. The chronicles have been divided largely into the ancient and medieval times, where most of the historical influences were felt.
People Make Places
Exactly a year ago, I had featured travellers and entrepreneurs Hemant Soreng and Rajesh Nair who manage Rustik Travels in the sixth issue of Journeys and Jottings. Rustik Travel is a sustainable experiential travel company that takes you on fascinating tours around the world. They have also created documentaries and they host Rustik Travel Podcast, featuring passionate travellers.
When the pandemic paralysed the travel industry, Hemant and Rajesh did not sit idle. After the second wave last year, they decided that they needed to travel and meet people who have been impacted the most by the pandemic and share their stories. That was the genesis of their All India Road Trip. A six-month-long road trip that started on October 2 last year. They were on the road for 163 days, covering 28 states and union territories and meeting people, and listening to and sharing stories.
“ We could have done an All India trip in 45 days but our goal was not to touch every state and just put a tick against every destination. The idea was to meet people - guides, artisans, chai walas, fishermen, auto drivers - the locals who were affected the most because of the pandemic and yet they kept their head high and stayed resilient, “ said Hemant. Rajesh added, “ We wanted to tell the people that India is now open and we can all travel and help these locals who have been impacted the most as they struggled to meet both ends.”
They tell you stories of guides in Hyderabad and Konark, craftsmen and women in Chattisgarh and Bhuj and each tale is a story of fortitude and courage despite the uncertainty and misery. “ An auto driver in Rameshwaram told us that he knows only two things - to drive an auto and to fish and in the last two years, he could do neither, and yet, he was there, resilient, “ said Rajesh.
I did an Insta Live session with them and we had a great chat despite bad connectivity from my end. And you can watch it here. As Rajesh summed up, “ For us, it was the kindness that overwhelmed us. There were always people ready to help us, host us, buy us a meal or just chat with us.” And Hemant added, “ Don’t wait and overthink. If there is a trip that is on your mind today, just go.” And on that note, we end this newsletter.
Feedback
I do hope that you enjoyed reading this issue. Looking forward to your feedback as always. We are going to keep the flow of conversations going and I would really appreciate it if you will share my newsletter with your friends and family.
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