In July, after 3 beautiful months of living in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, we felt like the universe was urging us to head back to Goa. We were getting kicked out of our stunning abode because of unplanned renovation, and there happened to be a clean energy conference in Goa around the same time, that my partner and I both needed to attend (he for work, and me as part of a fellowship I’d been doing). What were the odds?
So we sold the couple of little things we’d bought, gave away our books, and said goodbye to the handful of friends we’d made.
But even as we drove down the hilly terrain in the rain, past lush forests and farms, and encountered the most stunning rainbow on the way, we knew leaving had been a mistake.
We braced the heat in Chandigarh and boarded a packed flight to Goa, but since the time we landed, nothing felt the same.
My head exploded with the traffic and incessant honking, having lived away from direct road access in the mountains. The creative and luxurious home we’d once stayed at in Goa, now felt damp and gloomy with poor upkeep. The rain lashed the rice paddies but never made my heart flutter. I felt like an outsider at the cafes I’d once frequented. Had Goa changed in the 3 months we’d been away, or had I?
Was Porvorim always so built up? I asked my partner. Was Goa monsoon always so humid? He asked back.
As Lana Del Rey sang Summertime Sadness on the car radio, I began to feel a strange melancholy. It felt like it was time to severe my remaining roots with Goa - atleast for the time being.
So we decided to pack up my partner’s car with all the unnecessary belongings we’d gathered during our pandemic life in Goa. As he drove us to South Goa for a travel assignment, I hurriedly posted them on Goa buy & sell groups. When people asked where these could be picked up, we offered points of collection along the drive!
We altered between sadness and laughter on that rain-filled drive. Sadness for falling out of love with Goa, and laughter at our own craziness. At some point, I felt like a prisoner of my own freedom.
It left me with a lingering thought. We often blame places for changing in ways we don’t like, when it’s us who probably change even more.
So to you, my (formerly) beloved Goa, I say: It’s not you, it’s me.
Big news!
Last week, I finally launched my first-ever course - “Get Paid to Travel the World With Purpose.”
I’ve taken everything I’ve learnt in the past 10+ years of travelling the world and telling meaningful stories — and created this in-depth course for travel creators, influencers, bloggers, writers, photographers and travellers on different parts of their journey. The strategies and mindset I share can be applied to various platforms (Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, blogging etc), and will set you up for success, as you chase your dreams of travelling the globe, getting paid for it, and having a positive impact on the world in the process.
As part of the course, you receive access to:
👉🏼 5.5 hours of pre-recorded video lessons
👉🏼 Self-paced resources and assignments to guide your journey
👉🏼 A live session with me every month
👉🏼 Access to a supportive creator community
The course is priced as follows:
🍁 India & the Global South: 149$ / ₹12,000
🍁 Global North: 199$
The first 50 people to sign up receive 33% off (there were still a few spots left at the time of sending this newsletter):
🍁 India & the Global South: 99$ / ₹8000
🍁 Global North: 149$
I’m very excited (and a bit nervous!) to have my first cohort of learners at The Shooting Star Academy, and look forward to seeing some of you in the first live class soon!
August & September Recommendations
Conscious travel recommendations, eco-friendly finds and meaningful opportunities, as well as articles, books and films that’ve inspired me.
Travel:
Community-oriented, eco-conscious experiences to experience the magic of the monsoon in Goa, Kerala and Maharashtra:
Beatroute Explorers: Beyond the beaten path in Goa, go wild swimming in waterfalls, hike through beautiful forests and experience traditional Goan food with rural families.
Grassroutes Journeys: Spend magical nights (responsibly) experiencing fireflies and thousands of stars, with a community tourism initiative that has brought conservation and alternate livelihoods to villages in rural Maharashtra.
Kabani: Experience a different side of Kerala at women-led homestays, farming communities, seasonal waterfalls and through traditional artforms that’ve stood the test of time.
Hideout Farm: Trace one family’s transition from Mumbai life to regenerative farming on the countryside of Maharashtra. Think conversations on mindful living and the most incredible farm-to-table, plant-based food.
Read:
Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World: I was surprised and intrigued to see this book by Aboriginal Australian author Tyson Yunkaporta among course material for a Master’s course I took over the summer - and absolutely loved reading it. It was almost a trippy experience, trying to open my mind to other ways of thinking, measuring time, and viewing life.
The Sense of an Ending: Stumbling upon this novel by English writer Julian Barnes during a recent weekend getaway, I was reminded of the joy of reading well-crafted fiction. This entertaining yet thought-provoking piece of work tracks one man’s life from high school to old age.
Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body’s Most Underrated Organ: This is a book I’d never have attempted to read had a friend not recommended it. German scientist Giulia Enders humorously shares some intriguing insights about our forgotten brain - the gut!
Reinventing Organizations: Another book I didn’t expect to read but did, about self-managing organizations, where employees determine their own job roles - and even their own salaries! If you’re interested in entrepreneurship or work in a leadership position, it features a fascinating set of case studies.
Try:
In my recent zero waste experiments, I fell in love with Bare Necessities’ zero waste dishwash powder to liquid, which comes in a paper bag and can be dissolved in water to make a lathery liquid wash. Pretty cool for travelling. I only wish it was also available for bulk buying!
I’ve long been a fan of Beco toilet paper - made from fast-growing bamboo, but I’m now alternating buys with the Origami Good Karma toilet rolls made from 100% recycled paper.
Check out:
It’s raining travel giveaways until October on my Instagram. In the next few weeks, you can win stays at some of my favorite luxury eco-lodges, family-run homestays, and community tourism initiatives across India!
In the face of increasingly irresponsible and mindless travel, this is my attempt to shine the spotlight on inspiring travel initiatives, that go the extra mile to reduce their environmental footprint, engage in conservation initiatives, ensure that tourism respectfully benefits the local community - and in the process, create unforgettable, transformational experiences for travellers.
Over the next 3 months, you can win a stay for two at:
👉 An eco-conscious homestay by the stunning backwaters of Goa (the giveaway goes live on 31st August)
👉 A luxury eco-lodge in the misty hills of Coorg.
👉 An organic farmstay in the gorgeous Kashmir valley.
👉 A traditional homestay in the sleepy hinterlands of Goa.
👉 A fair trade trek by a cooperative in the Great Himalayan National Park!
My stories elsewhere
Stories I’ve written recently, as well as social media posts I’d love for you to check out.
Freelance:
Blog:
I Measured My Flying Footprint in 2022, and This is What I Learnt
Things to Know Before Travelling to Japan for the First Time
Instagram:
Stay in touch
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