Sunday, October 10, 2010

360 degrees

I am just back from a long road trip and boy, do I miss the good old times. Though I come from a big family, it was just mom, dad, me, mobile and the laptop this time. Well, I can instantly rewind ten years back and almost contrast the road trips from then and now. Well, it wasn’t black and white back then but it sure was different. Mom and Dad were the constant elements, I was a klutzy teenager, the mobile was replaced by siblings; the laptop was compensated for by the good old word game.

Sadly now, the siblings have been scattered across the globe due to the villain called “life”. The mobile is a drug I can’t live without. And the laptop is just a measure to cut down on the boredom and silence which engulfs the monotonous trip.

Earlier it was all about packing the right stuff – hoarding on loads of junk that is, pillows for the comfortable car ride, fighting for the window seat – yes, we did that on the four wheel too, making up quirky words to beat your kin at the word game - I remember using the word kinesthetically, and screaming until your mom shouts crazy from the front seat – threats like “We will drop you off right here, right in the middle of the desert!”

And the best part was getting lost. It leads to an awkward silence, some nagging (I told you we should have taken a left) and a frantic map tracing.

Now, we have a GPS and I have all the back seat space to myself. I am using the mobile to message people about my whereabouts. And oh yes, I bought that mobile because it had a zillion megapixel camera which I can use to click nonsensical road photos – posing next to withered cactus, posing when the sunsets, posing with the scattered clouds high over head, some sand dunes which look picture pretty and many other pictures which I will never recall ten years later.
And the laptop to help me upload those pics instantly so that I feel proud in showing all my 500+ friends what a “wonderful” weekend I have just had!

Ending on a prayer for more road trips…Amen!


33 comments:

Faisal said...

The Road Trip took me back to the days when TV had only one channel, newspapers were black & white, the only glucose biscuit had a 'G', it's always nice to travel back in time at times when you fall short of distances to be travelled forth, it leaves you with a satisfaction within that how good the times were, even if there were no BB's to connect you to the world and no IPODs to make you tap your feet to some unsung symphonies like you used to do with the only songs that overaged radio jockey played. No matter how life is treating us in present, it's a soothing feeling to remind yourself about the times that have passed by you, impressive portrayal of the memories so immortal, life really comes to 360 degrees, thanks for this food for thought !

Hajra said...

ur comments make me glad!!! thanks!!

My Turbulent Thoughts !!! said...

Times have changed and so r the priorities now everything is so easily accessable...life became easy with new gadgets...I'am glad ur enjoying and cherishing and capturing every lil happiness in ur hearts memory as well as updating all ur friends with the fun and reaching them from any part of the world...nice post..loads of duaaz hajra...huggssssssssss.

Ankita Verma said...

Hajra, I've said it before and I'll say it again. You are a great writer! Your take on life is unusual yet everyone can connect on some level with it. Keep writing!

Ankita

Unknown said...

u write fab,the thoughts dat we hv in our mind,u give such a btful form 2 dem thru ur writing....:)

Hajra said...

@ ankita - thank u so much!! i just hope i write well enough!
@ amrita - thanks so much! ur view means a lot!

Unknown said...

its really nice, cntinue ur wrtng.

Hajra said...

thank u so much zohaib..

Heather Fonseca said...

Hi Hajra,

I saw your comment on Linkedin and thought I'd come by and say "hi" and check out your blog. It looks cute, and honestly you have more followers than I do! Keep up the good work and good luck too.

Heather

Rosanne Dingli said...

It's possible, you know, to change or replace all the things you don't like about your life. Start in about an hour.

Hajra said...

It sure is! I was reflecting on the ways things have changed! Thanks for your feedback!

Unknown said...

nice nice....miss those tym realy badly..wasnt it lyk when we wen for around a 1000km trip to saudi..n returned..just crossin the border we all were like...HOME!!!I still remeber dad sayin...its still the same desert...good old tyms

kausar said...

nice very good blog.i just pray hajra tht u get more followers than presently u hav.best of luck

Anonymous said...

Loved the posting. Reminded me of the many trips taken with Mom, Dad and my two Sisters.

Great writing, keep up the excellent work!

Michael

Rahil Ahmed said...

that was an awesome read hajra.. keep giving us more wonderful posts like these.. :)

Hajra said...

Thanks all!

Crystal M. Canole said...

Great post I saw ya on linkedin and I am glad I stopped by. Thanks

Hajra said...

Thanks so much Crystal!
I really appreciate the effort!

Anonymous said...

Hi Hajra,

I saw you on linked in. This is a really good website, it is very welcoming.

I also love your writing style. This post sure reminds me of road trips when I was younge.

Keep writing :-)

Best wishes, Remi
www.adayingodswill.com
http://www.programmesmart.co.uk/news/

Anonymous said...

You just brought back memories for me of road trips with my family - mum, us 3 kids and the dogs. Certainly life has changed now! Funny about the technology thing - I'm so the same. Leave home with camera, iphone (with built in camera), and now I finally have a laptop - I can see myself possibly bringing that on future trips!

Hajra said...

hey Remi,

Thanks a lot for the appreciation. For a beginner like me that really means a lot, do check out my other posts. Hope you like them too.

Thanks

Hey,
Life surely has changed! Thanks a lot for the comments!

lilypond said...

Saw you on linkedin too and had to have a look. Boy did I have a good laugh. Really funny, but take to heart what Rosanne said. (I'm Inka on linkedin)

Hajra said...

Hey,

Thanks a lot... this technology is really a funny funny thing...Thanks a lot for appreciating..do check out my other posts if you wish, would love to know your opinion on them..
Thanks

Amber@Nater Tot said...

Thanks for stopping by :) I'm following you back and look forward to reading more from you!

Hajra said...

Thanks Amber,
Coming a blogger like you, it means a lot!

Do check out my other posts and tell me how you like them..
Keep Blogging!

Rosanne Dingli said...

I think the good old word game has all but become extinct.

Hajra said...

Hey Rosanne

It sure has. No one seems interested anymore!
I find you a very good critic. Would love it if you could find time to see my other posts as well.

Thanks a lot anyways!

icequeen100 said...

Good post Hajra, I really like your writing style. :) Thanks for the comment, I'm trying to always improve and this blog is probably my first foray into "serious" writing for the public (though I do write fanfiction too.)

Hajra said...

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Appreciation always makes me smile :)

Looking forward to reading more of your tea techniques!

Unknown said...

Hi! Your blog was recently tagged during Blog-A-Licious Wednesdays. Keep your great posts coming!
Cheers - Dora
http://peacefrompieces.blogspot.com

Hajra said...

Hi Dora,

I had no idea what Blog A Licious Wednesdays is about :(...
But thanks for the appreciation!!!
Looking forward to checking out your blog!

suboor said...

U r amazing...its all in mind and u r giving wrds to it and thats what a writer do...u r an amazing one...very simple,honest,realistic,relating...grt!

Hajra said...

Thanks a lot Suboor, you have been very kind. I am just trying all I can!