I’m Differently Abled and Travelled Solo. What’s Your Excuse?

Picture This: A young boy standing in a crowded place, where he could neither understand the words written around him, nor what people were saying. That was me in Chennai. In India it is said that every 20 kilometers the language changes. The distance between Kashmir and Kanyakumari is 2753 km, so according to a simple mathematical calculation, there are around 136 languages in India. By that logic I’ll need to be acquainted with 136 languages if I am to travel across India. So am I going to travel the country, or publish another Oxford dictionary?

I was called to Chennai to receive my CavinKare Ability Award from music maestro A.R Rahman. It was the first time I travelled solo. My journey began at Delhi airport where people were gawking at me, a sea of confused looks. That’s because I fall into a special category of differently abled people. I landed in Chennai, a completely new place for me. I could see banners all around with letters that resembled jalebis. Everyone around me was talking really fast and I could not understand anything!

This was my first time in Chennai and I was amazed at how different it was to my native place, Delhi. The city sent strong positive vibes and I decided to extend my trip for two days after my event.

So here I was ready to explore Chennai solo, without any help. Many questions ran through my mind: how will I manage everything? Will I make it back safely? Will everyone understand my stammering words? While these questions were buzzing in my head, my heart said “Ho jayega, chal toh sahi”. The driver probably sensed my apprehension and asked if I have anyone travelling along. I just answered, don’t worry, I’ll manage.

My first stop was Mahabalipuram (60 kilometers from Chennai). I asked the guard at the entrance of the temple complex to take the money from my pocket and put the ticket in it. At first, he simply stared as if I has asked him for an inappropriate favour. All this while I wanted to tell him “Bhaiya, zindagi mein kuchh cheezein pehli baar bhi hoti hain”. Just like I was traveling by myself for the first time in my life. I was not clicking group photos, I was not accompanied by anyone, but I was traveling like an observer, a free soul, who had nothing to worry about. I was simply admiring the beauty of the unfinished sculptures and the endless blue sea beyond it.

The next day I visited Marina beach and really enjoyed myself there. The soft, grainy sand with tiny stones felt like a relaxing acupressure treatment. I stood at the edge of the sea and every few seconds the waves would pull away the sand from beneath my feet.

My journey to Chennai ended the next day, but for me it was the beginning of a new journey as an explorer.

“Mera falsafaa kandhe pe mera basta

Chala main jahaan le chala mujhe rasta

Boondon pe nahin

Gehre samandar pe woh oo who”

- Ilahi, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

As a traveler I have learnt many things during my solo trip, like being more responsible, not trusting everyone blindly and checking your bank account balance before starting your trip. But most importantly, the next you travel solo, forget all these rules and travel like a true explorer.

Kyunki dil toh roaming hai, isse boundaries nahi pata.