The past couple of days have been a whirlwind of activities. Well, mostly packing as I try to squeeze in clothes, souvenirs and what-not into the bag (which is bursting at its seams). Summing away three years of your life in a bag is one of the hardest things to do. Not because you have so many things to pack, but because you have to leave something behind which is equally dear to you.
Long story short, I am returning to India since my work assignment in Belgium has ended. I have been wanting this move for quite some time but the enormity of the decision strikes now, when there are just a few days left.
I am slow packer. The other day, I tried cleaning up the cupboard and out tumbled out some paintings which I had bought in Paris. And so I sat there, gazing fondly at them and going back in time to the spring evening when I walked (!) to the top of the Eiffel tower. Next, I saw an Austria 72 hour tourist travel card and I am reminiscing over the days in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck with my closest pals. There are piles of printouts of maps, tourist information and hotel bookings - it is difficult to throw them away. I count off the countries which I visited - Belgium, France, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, Holland, Switzerland; all of them leaving behind delightful imprints on my mind. Understandably, it took me quite some time to empty that cupboard.
I have spent the better part of today looking into shelves, drawers and cupboards to see if I can squeeze in some last bit of memory into the bag. For when I open it in India, I want the familiar smell to remind me of a time which was filled with laughter, travel, adventures and mostly love.
