Memories from the summers gone by Ajita Agarwala

As I happened to declutter my home and organise my clothes, I stumbled upon some clothes I wore during my 2 month long stay in Udaipur, India in the Summer of 2016. The town, surrounded by the Aravalis, ensconces amongst them, many lakes. I spent my evenings by these lakes. Join me as I recollect this memory from my past, one where I and my friends dressed up in Rajwada Rajasthani style and painted the town red.

This memory is from my most favourite weekend getaway right before the pandemic curse came upon our travels. I had gone to the former French colony of India, Puducherry. I went to Auroville, the spiritual town where I attended a chakra balancing session which has now become a weekly ritual in my life. It had that great an impact on me. Listen to me as I recollect this memory of mine.

I miss meeting kindred spirits on travels to far off places in this lockdown. In fact, I met my Soul Sister on my first solo trek to Rajmachi, a valley in the Maharashtrian Sahyadris which is famous for fireflies. Listen to me as I recollect this memory of mine.

Summer of 2017 brought with it a realisation that Goa was even better in the monsoon. Having gone to Goa on a whim, I was pleasantly surprised to have an experience which would rainwash the splendour of Goa in my mind forever. It is a memory that brings me joy and comfort in the lockdown where I know I have to stay home. Here’s hoping, you’ll travel in your mind too, listening to this memory of mine.

In this multiverse, I’m still sipping the apricot juice in the verandah of Nimmu House in Ladakh. It is surrounded by the Ladakh range and one can see the Karakorams at a far distance. The poplar trees dance and so do the walnut trees. It is a memory that brings me joy and comfort in the lockdown where I know I have to stay home. Here’s hoping, you’ll travel in your mind too, listening to this memory of mine.