Old eyes, new eyes, here and now

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” — Marcel Proust

Somewhere along the way, I found myself needing those ‘new eyes’.

Once I got onto the Instagram wagon, travel also became about clicking pictures and putting up my ‘story’. I grew my own tiny band of followers — all young nieces and nephews, Ashwin’s friends, children of my friends, and a few brave cousins who, like me, were testing Insta.

I was charmed by it — the idea of ‘photo stories’ over words appealed to me. It challenged me to find photos that were different, quirky, charming, and story-worthy. I loved that it gave me a way to connect with youngsters. They connect with me and my travel stories — suggesting restaurants to visit, places to go. My chatbox would ring with:

“Aunty, don’t miss the ice cream here!”

“Aunty, go for that show there!”

Some even researched on my behalf!

The rush of posting became an addiction. I started hunting for picture-worthy moments when I travelled — and got to where many travellers are today: losing the joy of just experiencing the sights and sounds, of immersing myself in the moment… and instead, chasing the next great post. Find the nearest hotspot and post!

But it came home like a slap to the face when I went to one of the most scenic places on earth, and saw people queuing up to click multiple pictures of themselves and the ‘scenery’. They came, they clicked, they left. They did not linger to soak in the moment, they did not let their eyes wander from wonder to wonder. They were BLIND!

Was I becoming Blind? Rangaraj happily agreed!

That’s when I decided to try it differently.

A week in Goa — monsoons, my favourite time there; a walking tour (something I’d never considered in Goa); hidden restaurants and pristine beaches.

Just two pictures of the beach and sky made it to Instagram.

During the walking tour, I firmly kept my phone in my bag and refused the offers from our young guides to click pictures. When they showed me ‘Instagrammable’ spots, I just admired them — and asked to be taken deeper into the hidden nooks. I focused on the charming streets and homes, the history, the atmosphere of the place.

Boy, did I enjoy it or what!

It was one of the best tours I’ve ever had — not just for the joy of discovering a Goa I had never bothered to see in decades of visiting, but for the richness of an experience heightened by ditching the camera and being in the moment.

Did I miss the ‘instastory’? Frankly, yes.

But I’m going to continue like this for a while — fewer pics, more presence.

Savour the now.

Tell the story after the holiday is over.

So here I am, learning to travel with new eyes — ones that linger a little longer on the moment, and a little less on the screen.

(And yes, I realise I am sounding like a full-blown mindfulness guru — just ask Rangaraj, who’s patiently travelled with me through both my 'click-everything' phase and now my preachy 'be-in-the-moment' one.)

#SavourTheNow #TravelWithPresence #MindfulMoments #PresenceOverPosts #JoyOfMissingOut #EveryMomentMatters