The sun will rise again.
To a new beginning, a fresh start.

While in the midst of darkness,
and in these times of despair,
first look after yourselves
and then look out for one another.

It’ll be tough.
It’ll be agonising.
It’ll perhaps be something you thought you’d never live to see.
But remember we’re in this together.
And together we’ll see through.

The sun will rise again.
To a new beginning, a fresh start.

The challenge is never to be accepted by others. The challenge always is to be yourself.

Never let your unconscious, conditioned beliefs lead to thoughts that get the better of you.

You simply cannot be someone else. You are you.

Live life on your own terms, not someone else’s.

Follow your intuition.

Sometimes the only way to move forward
Is to revisit the things in your past
That were holding you back

You have to deal with them head on
No matter how scary they may be

Because once you do, you’ll see
That you can go further
Further than you ever imagined

…

inspired by The Flash

2016 was fantastic.

Firstly, 2015 ended on a good note – first international trip ever, got to travel on the Airbus A380-800, rode to Goa via the coast and a couple of bucket list ticks. That kind of set the tempo for 2016.

The best decision I made in 2016 was to attend the World Youth Day 2016 held in Poland. I don’t think there’ll ever be a better travel story I could write about than Poland. Best experience ever as a traveler. World Youth Day 2016 taught me so much. It was far better than what I had expected of it. To be part of three million youth attending this week long programme was something very unusual.

One of the many reasons 2016 will always be special is Pope Francis. Got to see a glimpse of the Pontiff from 10 feet away. I was completely star struck! Hearing Sunday mass with the Pope was a fitting way to end World Youth Day 2016.

P.s. Hear Mass with the Pope – Bucket List Tick

The days in the Sosnowiec Diocese of Poland (part of World Youth Day) also helped me establish a really beautiful relationship with a family I spent six days with. I never knew them, they didn’t know me. We met for the first time in a parking lot and they took me to their home without any hesitation or doubt. They made me feel like family. Who writes these scripts ?? It was hard saying goodbye when it was time to leave, something that I’ve never really felt before. But we still keep in touch at least once a week. I’m going back to Poland for a visit someday, that’s for sure.

My travels have been good this year. Far more than expected. I toured Europe after the World Youth Day in the first week of August. Loved Austria and her architecture, a photographer’s paradise. Had one day stops in the Czech Republic and Padua (Italy). Venice in my opinion is highly over rated and very unlike what they show in the movies. I wasn’t impressed one bit with Venice. Rome was beautiful but barely had a day there. Although, I ticked another item on my bucket list: visit the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Square.

Continuing with travel, my trip to Bhutan in November came out of no where. I wasn’t sure of making the trip until the last moment but extremely glad that I did. Bhutan is an amazingly beautiful country. Spent nine days touring and trekking around the country which loves to host people from India. Hiked up to the Taktsang Monestary in Paro, one of the steep and tough hikes in the country. Bhutan is fairly reasonable to visit and I highly recommend a trip there.

P.s. Trek in a different country – Bucket List Tick

2016 was the year where I was at the peak of my un-fitness! So I took up running. Always wanted to run a half marathon which I eventually did in June. Since then I’ve really taken a liking for running. Simple runs in the evening after work which keeps me fit. Managed to shed some kilos as a by product of running about ten kilometres thrice a week. Feeling physically fit is quite a good feeling. Looking forward to doing at least three half marathons this year.

P.s. Run a half marathon – Bucket List Tick

Skipped the Coldplay gig in Mumbai and I have no regrets about it. I’m sure I’ll make it for a proper Coldplay concert someday.

P.s. If you’re a Coldplay fan and reading this, you’ve got to check out their gig on Spotify London. Same old tracks but some really new compositions! Their music just never gets old.

Battling my fear of heights I sat on a giant wheel ride for the first time in my life. Not a big fan of them amusement park rides but somehow put on a brave face and sat in that tiny little giant wheel seat. I still cannot figure how I managed to sit through the whole ride. Fun experience though, enjoyed it. But no, thanks! One ride was enough.

I think I’ve got better with my photography. Got a few really good shots this year. Had done a shoot with the Kathkari tribe in Alibaug which was toughest I’ve ever done. Shooting in the rains with an umbrella on your shoulder and camera in your hands while you’re in knee deep water is quite a task. But nailed it! And its really nice when people appreciate your work and regard you as a professional. Although I still prefer to call myself an amateur photographer.

2016 was by far the best year I’ve had. A big thank you to all those who’ve been a part of it – you know who you are! Stay blessed!

Thank you 2016! You have been awesome!

Here is to an awesome 2017 ahead!