Community, Cultures & Cuisine: Living with locals
March 1, 2025Developing The Slow Travel Mindset
The pursuit of ‘what’s next’ is a common theme in our lives – it reflects in our work, our relationships and even the way in which we travel. Ironically enough, in this pursuit, we end up missing out on the very thing we set out to seek – meaningful experiences.
While there’s still a fair amount of debate on how the term ‘slow travel’ came into existence in this world, for me, it took birth on this solo journey I took in the Himalayas. The merits of unfollowing the traditional travel script appeared in very many ways. Apart from letting you experience a place in its rawest glory, it also shifts something inside you – a mindset that changes the way you see things in this world.
Thereon, I became an unofficial advocate of slow travel. A couple of years later, my belief was reaffirmed when I visited the village of Varkana – a tiny speck in the mighty desert of Rajasthan, time seemed to have its own rules here. It’s right here, sitting in a verandah which may easily be a century old, I striked out the remaining itinerary I had painstakingly planned.
The invitation to explore this beauty was extended by my colleague & a very dear friend, Yuvraj. Walking around his home, understanding the stories that still lie in its deep green rusted door and savouring a cuisine I wasn’t entirely familiar with took precedence over the excel sheet.
It made me realise that travel, in its purest form, is an opportunity to peel back the layers of a destination and delve deep into its soul. It’s about slowing ourselves down to embrace a new rhythm of life, engaging with locals, and experiencing the customs and traditions that make each place unique.
In the midst of century-old temples and winding alleyways, we find ourselves wowed by the vibrant tapestry of a new culture. We sample homely flavors, listen to unfamiliar stories, and open our hearts to the beauty of human connection; we experience the true nature of immersive travel.
To develop a slow travel mindset in that case needs to begin with a simple thought – time is a gift that’s given to us and we’re constantly observed by the gifter on how well we’re utilizing their gift.
How would you like to spend your time? Fast and hurried or slow and intentional. You choose.
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