In the year 2014, I took a decision to take a year off.
The reasons were many but at the forefront was the need to feel absolute control of my life and the paths I took.
And so at around 7pm during a balmy June evening in the summer of 2014, I found myself at the security check counter of Rajiv Gandhi International airport, Hyderabad, India.
Back then, female solo travelers were still rare and the officer at the counter had his suspicions on my reasons for travel.
Even though there were no legal grounds to stop my journey, I felt a little apprehension on the possibility of undue delays. After muling over my travel forms and scrutinising my passport for about 1 minute, he mumbled something to the effect of “wonder where they get such ideas”, stamped my passport and waved in the next person in queue.
My passport was stamped for departure, now there was no turning back.
There was time to kill, 2 hours till boarding would begin. I wasn’t a frequent flyer and back then I did not know of privilege lounge access or comforts of waiting while at the airport. And so in the crowded seating area near the boarding gates, I sat and absorbed the beginnings of my decision.
This travel was no longer one of my fantasies.
I was here at the airport, a yellow backpack in tow. My resignation was accepted and actioned a week back. I had funds to last me a month and research + optimism that odd jobs would tide over my expenses for the rest of my travels.
My solo backpacking trip had commenced. I wasn’t the first to do this and by no means will I be the last.
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Read the full gap year travel series here.