The Eccentric Girl on the Train!

Title: The Girl on the Train

Author: Paula Hawkins

Genre: Thriller/ Crime Fiction

Length: 320 Pages

One sombre afternoon, I was introduced to Rachel by a fellow book-a-holic. At first, I was a little apprehensive to read about ‘a strange girl, who’s just spending time on one specific train aimlessly’.

But, a nonchalant pick, soon became one of my favourites. Why? Well! It has everything, what a good thriller book should have. Mysterious. Full of suspense. Unexpected twists. Shocking end. These are going to be some of my top keywords, to define this wonderful book in a range of expressions.

Girl on the Train is one unsettling thriller which will keep you on the edge, all through. The best take away is that no one to be trusted, including the three female protagonists who share the narrative of this book. I literally, completed this book in 7days. And, that is too quick for a sluggish reader like me.

Between, an outlandish alcoholic, a liar, and a smart cheat, who should you, trust? Rachel. Anna. Megan. These are the three women who hold the centre of this book.

My favourite bit was to imagine myself sitting on a train, glancing at the people around me, out of window, and making up stories about them in my head. Maybe Rachel went too far, in even inventing their names and wondering about their perfect or not-so perfect lives every day.

This book is full of secrets. It is about all the subtleties that exist just inside of what we see on the surface. What really goes on behind the closed doors? How much can you ever, really know a person? What formidable horrors exist in that black spot of your memory?  

In a nutshell, this debut novel by Paula Hawkins was gripping, captivating, funny at certain points and thrilling.

A “must-buy” for you as well, if you also like to read thrillers that edges you out of your comfort zone. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I have no country. My country is the whole world.

Travel Solo

“If we were meant to stay at one place, we would have roots, instead of feet. Keep moving. Keep travelling.” 

But why the world would turn and roll its eyes when it’s someone who’s travelling alone? Or more precisely, when it's a woman who's Traveling Solo.

Is that a taboo?  Ah! I don't think so!

Well, the world is changing and 'so should us'. The world is now accepting more of Solo Travelers and accrediting their remarkable journeys. These days, there are a lot many who are travelling alone or just taking trips with themselves to widen their range of horizon and knowledge. 

But as women, we are always giving ourselves utterly for the wants, desires and exigencies of the people surrounding our lives. Predominantly appraised as epitome of love and sacrifice. Most of the times succumbing to the needs of our parents, friends, partners, or kids. Rarely, getting time for ourselves. A regular woman each day, from start to the end, relentlessly switches roles from a mother, to wife, daughter, friend, sister, confidante, guardian, housewife or even a successful office-goer who is able to manage work as well as personal or family life with similar ease. 

So Travel Solo because the pedigree of all learning, the biggest tutor in our lives are the experiences we live along the way. Unarguably Travelling can grant us more experiences to fill-up the bucket of our share of learning, needed to evolve and transform us in a better person. 

Well! When you travel with someone, you share each discovery, every insight but when you travel alone you grow, you become a better YOU, because you are the leader of your own-self. Resultantly, when you are not dependent on someone else, you reap and exude unparallel confidence to take on the world in your stride every day.    

Then why should you stay behind in exploring the realms of this ever-changing world? Why should your life be only able to derive its meaning, from the people you've lived with or been a part of? It's time, world take notice of individual identities. It's time, you're known for what you are than for your partners, family or friends.

"Embrace the world with all your heart and the change in perception shall follow". 

Already burning out while reading this? :) Take some time out just for yourself. Visit places, explore new cuisines, cultures, meet new people, click pictures, live stories, make more memories and more experiences to live-by. 

Be lost. Discover yourself. Be a solivagant. 💚

An evening on outside stairs

Life is strange, when we are strange to it. But I've been funny. I've acted strange when it has been nice with me and have gone hysterical when it has been strange with me.

I've a feeling that I'll be accepted for who I am, as and when my time comes. Surely, I maybe strange, weird, random, peculiar, funny (at least some think so), a reticent recluse who unexpectedly fumbles and much more. But as long as I am 'ME', I know these traits will not leave. I can pull them on for life, if anyone indicates their affirmation towards them.

Though, I'm improving. I take time to decide on things now. The list of best-friends has grown shorter. I trust myself more. I give second chance to someone who deserves. I'm growing up. Becoming stronger. Learning every day and un learning each morning. That under-lining smell of 'me' in myself hasn't gone. It peculiarly, moves inside-me and within-me. It's growing unabashedly and unfazed In ME. But, It's that one thing which separates 'me' from others.

It's that one thing in YOU which distinctly differentiates you from others.

We should never let that go. In fact, even our hardest of try can't make us part with our inner silver-lining. It will shine in the darkest hour even when suppressed. Our purpose should be to find it and then hone it for life so that it talks to us, conveys to us what it really 'wants'. Because, this inner soul only keeps us alive. 'HE' has put one life in all of us, but unique inner-soul in each one of us.

"Keep that burning. Keep that alive."

Jodhpur - The Magical Blue City!

Sun. Heritage. Sand

Rajasthan is a true state beautiful contrasts. My trip to the Blue city Jodhpur was adorned with innumerable sights of traditional architecture, desert, colourfully dressed locals and camels. Jodhpur is one of the biggest cities of Rajasthan, which is an Indian state. It is also known as the ‘Sun-city’ because it has the perfect, pleasant weather all year round or the ‘Blue-city’ because most of the houses are painted in the colour blue which looks incredible with the dusty desert-town backdrop.

If you are also intrigued by the royal maharaja times, then this could be a perfect city for you to explore. The city still holds its solid roots to the charismatic past, treating its tourists with enigmatic grandeur with various forts, palaces, gardens, lakes, shrines and museums.   

We visited many beautiful places in Jodhpur. So, let me give you a sneak peek of travel trails when I stepped into the bygone era of magnificent and majestic Mughal times.  

Mehrangarh Fort

Well, Mehrangarh Fort is counted amongst the most visited forts in Rajasthan. Depicting the deep blue skyline of the city, the fort was built around 1460 A.D. by Rao Jodha. The awe-inspiring architecture is made of red sandstone with gigantically thick walls and on the inside it is ornamented with intricate carvings.

The colossal fort also has a museum which sells souvenirs and other Rajasthani artefacts. Also look for Phool Mahal, Ranisar Lake, Sheesh Mahal inside the fort.

Jaswant Thada

The visit to the Mehrangarh Fort is incomplete without a trip to the Jaswant Thada. Both the monuments are situated quite nearby to each other. A cenotaph made with white marble and hints of sandstone which glows like a gold on a bright sunny day. It has a splendid garden with gazebos and a pond adding to its charismatic charm.

Umaid Bhavan Palace

Step into the elaborated splendour of Umaid Bhavan Palace. It is still home to the ancestral maharaja family of Gaj Singh. The palace has 347 rooms and a part of it is operated by the renowned Taj Group of Hotels. A museum is also part of this palace with galleries showcasing a host of vintage cars and royal clocks with spectacular murals on the walls. 

All in all, Jodhpur will leave you enthralled with its captivating old city charm, archaic architecture, warm-hearted people and scrumptious food. So, wait no more! And pack your bags to explore and unravel the majestic beauty of Jodhpur! Because, mine was truly enriching in every way. . :)