If ‘travel’ ever applied for a job, its key responsibilities would look like: 

Build meaningful experiences that make for great stories.

Encourage exploration and experimentation with food & different cuisines for the traveler.

Help with fostering a connection with the local communities. 

The question you need to ask yourself is – “Does my current style of travel fulfill these responsibilities diligently? At the same time, ask yourself the question, “Am I curious and open enough to let these experiences enter my life?”, “Will I be able to spare the time it needs to build these connections?”, “Can I be a slow traveller?”

Slow travel for me is like a companion that enriches your life, adding experiences that nourish your soul and warms your heart. One such tale is of a small village in Jibhi on one certain morning. 

I woke up to the sound of pahadi drums and ‘Thonkru’ – a traditional Himachali trumpet.

Intrigued by the sounds, I followed them to discover a gathering of excited villagers nearby. Amidst the crowd, a couple in their 60s stood adorned with garlands, smiling as they posed for photographs with their fellow villagers.

Like any curious traveler, I immersed myself in the crowd to figure out the details.

Soon, I learned that the elderly gentleman had retired from his job as an employee of the forest department and the whole village had gathered to celebrate his achievement. Plans were underway for a grand procession through the village, followed by a communal mutton feast in his honor – a true blue retirement party! A party I would anyday pick over an evening of loud music and drinks.