Rattenberg And My First Snowman!

  Two absolutely amazing things happened today. First, for the first time ever I saw Europe in all its wintery glory. For the first time ever I had to trudge in freshly fallen virgin snow on my way to any place. Second, I think I saw my first ever snowman right here in the middle of a sidewalk. All the snow around it had been removed. Only the merry little snowman remained. The best part? It was the cutest little thing ever. 

  I also went to Rattenberg, Austria's smallest town, with a population of a 'whopping' four hundred people. It was a colourful little town. The kind which normally sees hoards of honeymooners, sipping on Spritz or coffees, in the summer months. It gave me the impression of an incredibly romantic town. At least that is what I gathered from the under all that snow. This little summer town also has a church, which is well worth a visit. On the way to the church you may notice a lift. Ride it up to the terrace, which offers you a view of the entire city, and which also leads you to the Schlossberg. 

  I do admit that on a day like this, where the snow was falling in abundance, accompanied by wind, the town - although beautiful - did give me the creeps. There was hardly a soul in sight. Yes, the weather was the guilty party. But in all fairness, with a population of four hundred how much busier can it really get?

  Anyway, my last tip for anyone interested to pay this little town a visit is to take a right after Postgasse and walk straight, until you see a few steps, which on climbing lead you to a view of the river and the houses dotting alongside the river. This really does make up for the tedious trundling because of the snow. After what seemed like an eternity to me, I walked back, furious shivering and on the verge of loosing one of my limbs to frostbite, towards the station, bidding Rattenberg adieu.

Is This Enough?

Zurich Airport, Switzerland.

  A new year. A new beginning, and I find myself sitting at yet another airport, drinking coffee and writing. A year ago, it would have been unfathomable for me to even begin to assume all the wonderful ways my life has changed in. Don't get me wrong - there were things I struggled to get through, and not everything went according to plan, but I have long since learned: the good very often outweighs the bad. 
  Anyway, sitting here, at the Zurich Airport, at 7 am with a sore throat I feel content, something I had not felt in India. India is home, where my friends and family, who I grew up with live, always ready to embrace me when things don't go right, but the more time I spend away from them, the more I realise - I was never the kind to stay at home. 
  Even as a child I remember wanting to move out and live on my own, and do my own thing. I remember having this fire in my belly in my early teens - this fire to do something. I didn't know what it was I wanted to do, but I wanted to leave my mark on the world. For a while there I was not sure if I would ever find my way... if I was one of those lucky people to love something that much they would risk everything for their passion.
  I sometimes wonder if I would have ever found the courage to do things on my own terms... if I would have learned these same lessons without living alone... if I would have idled my life away and woken up at 30 to have absolutely no idea as to what it was that I was doing at a job I hate.
Then, a rational voice in my head tells me that I would have found my way, at least eventually.
  I talk to people and most of the times I am think, "What are you doing? Is this enough? Do you sleep at night with a contented smile on your face?" I once read that not everyone needs to have a greater purpose or a burning passion, and I guess, that's fine. But I think that it is our absolute duty to doggedly try and find out. 

A Toast To The New Year.

  

Khajiar, India, 2016.

  2016 has officially come to an end as of day before yesterday, and we are presented with that time of the year, when we often find ourselves reflecting upon the previous year's joys, grievances and hilarious misdemeanours. This past year has, for me, been a beautiful rollercoaster of ups and downs. 
  Alterations have been a big part of this past year, as they rightly should be. There were a few things I had jotted down in my journal in the beginning of 2016, things I had often neglected in 2015. The gist of my list was me trying to be a better person for my loved ones and to undertake more things that I love and make me happy.
  Sounds easy. Right?
  One might be surprised - something as mundane as this should be an innate part of all our routines and lives, we often need a kick in the ass, as a reminder to actively work towards our own happiness. 
2016 often served as a teacher and, sometimes, as a shrink.
  To say I figured out what I wanted this year would be a lie. So, let me put it this way, I finally did something with my passions. I realised they are priorities in my life; they should not come second to anything or anyone.
  What do I want to do in the coming year? I want to continue what I started in 2016; I want a greater chunk of that goodness and passion in my life, surrounded by the warmth of the people I love.