Epic Journeys

There are some moments in time that we want to freeze for future comfort, and some journeys that forever change the way we view the world around us

- Shoba Narayan

As we travel, we unravel and give ourselves time to rethink who are we are and who we want to become. Unlike travel, journeys are often more contemplative and focus on a process rather than a clinical getting from one place to another. In this issue, a range of eminent writers, a photographer and an adventure traveller share their most epic journeys. Some like writer Ashwin Sanghi who have been to Kashmir countless times found an old tomb there that inspired his first book, The Rozabal Line. Others like Sarvat Hasin, born in Karachi but educated in London found her identity was shaped by both cities. Author Shoba Narayan’s maiden visit to Iceland became a lesson in surviving Artic temperatures and adventure enthusiast Himraj Soin recounts the wonder of Antartica.

A Trip To Iceland To See The Northern Lights Becomes An Exercise In Surviving Frigid Winters

Imagine my plight. I grew up in Chennai and suddenly my daughter tells me that she wants to go to Iceland. Now those of you sitting in Delhi and beyond might think that this is no big deal. What’s a bit of snow, ice and freezing temperatures, you might say. Well, for this Chennai girl, going to Iceland is like going to Mars. And now that I have gone to Iceland, I can tell you that it was a journey like none other.

There is a difference between travel and journey. The former alludes to a checklist of places that you visit and tick off. It refers to sights and sounds; all exterior journeys are inward. It is an alchemy of place and person all of which catalyse change. Iceland did that for me. Whenever something Herculean comes up, I think, “Heck, I went to Iceland, I can conquer this.” It has become my metaphorical Everest.