"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." - Nelson Mandela
Every woman I know, let me rephrase that, every person I know dreams of taking off on a round-the-world journey to “find themselves.”
When we are unhappy or struggling
in our lives we tend to reach out to the universe in hopes that she will light
the way. It’s that innate desire in all of us to soul search, to experience
something so profound that it will bring about the kind of self-awareness that changes
us forever.
The truth is that the answers
already reside in our heart. It’s that inner voice calling you towards your
destiny, trying to veer you onto the path of true happiness, but it is only
through action and unwavering courage to face our truth that we will unearth
the wealth of knowledge that lies within us.
What if you had the courage to
pursue your dreams and follow your heart? Would you discover that those that
matter don’t care and those who care don’t matter? What if you finally stopped
living someone else’s life and started living the life YOU want? Imagine being
liberated from all the fears that have held you back. Envision the life you
could have, the love you could experience. It’s there, waiting for you to let
go of your fears and embrace it.
That is what happened to one
courageous woman on her journey of self-discovery. Author Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006
memoir - Eat Pray Love - echoed such a truth in others that millions of people
from around the world ran out to buy her memoir and booked trips to Italy, India and Bali in hopes that they too could
indulge, meditate, and find happiness. That they too would be privy to the
divine secrets of the universe to find the courage to escape the ties that bind
them to a life and love they no longer want, to free themselves and explore the
endless possibilities called life.
I was so captivated by her
story that I read her book 3 times, wondering if I too would ever have such a
profound experience. I’ve often thought, “Where
would I go to soul search? And would happen to our world if every being opened
up their heart, soul and mind to the possibility of change?” I imagine that
we would live in a constant state of love and light, but until then, let us
experience some of the wonders Elizabeth Gilbert experienced on her quest to
finding her true destiny.
EAT – ITALY
As everyone knows, you could eat your way through Italy
and enjoy every single moment of it. Lord knows I have! But since Gilbert spent
most of her time in Rome, I’ll share some of my favorite places to eat in Rome.
No visit to Rome is complete for me without dinner at Clemente alla Maddalena located
in ‘Piazza della Maddalena,’ a few steps from the Pantheon. The food is always
prepared using quality ingredients and the atmosphere enchanting.
If
you’re in Italy to eat your way to heavenly bliss then you have to eat at the
city's only three-Michelin-starred restaurant - La Pergola – with breathtaking views
of the Vatican. On summer evenings, out on the candlelit terrace, the city
shimmers like stars fallen to earth and the Dome of St. Peter's seems close
enough to touch.
You
can’t be in Italy and not eat gelato! Il Gelato di San Crispino has some the
best ice cream in all of Italy, so eat to your heart’s content.
No
Italian epicurean adventure would be complete without pizza, so like Elizabeth,
hop on a train to Naples and visit the legendary L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele that
many have described as the “Scared Temple of Pizza.”
PRAY – INDIA
If the ashrams of India seem
too hardcore for you, as they would be for me, try a more luxurious approach at
destination wellness by staying at one of the many 'ashram-meets-boutique-hotel'
where you can take yoga classes and meditation to re-connect with your inner
core.
One of my dreams is to visit the Taj Mahal, India's most iconic and romantic sight. Built by the heartbroken Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife who died during childbirth, it took 22 years of meticulous work by 20,000 workers to complete this monument to love. For a hopeless romantic like me, this is the love story to end all love stories.
Udaipur in Rajasthan is unarguably India's most romantic city. Known as the City of Lakes, its bodies of water provide a picturesque backdrop to the city's palaces. Stay at the magical Oberoi Udaivilas, which sits in regal style on the banks of Lake Pichola.
LOVE – BALI
Like Gilbert, set up base in Ubud in the centre of the
island and experience peace and tranquility.
Spirituality and religion is the life-blood of Bali. One of the oldest temple complexes in Bali and just north of Ubud, Gunung Kawi will take your breath away. Its 10 rock cut shrines each stand eight meters tall in sheltered coves, with an 11th further down the valley, and all date back to the 11th century.
If
you don’t find the love of your life in the shape of an attractive Brazilian
expat like Gilbert did, Bali still has plenty of scope for romance. Besides,
the most important love of all is the love you have for yourself!
