Reminiscing 2019 – The Actual Year-End Post

The Year That Was

Emotions took the better of me when I had started writing my year-end post (read more about that here). Those emotions kept aside, 2019 has been one of the most beautiful years for me and in a very unusual way. The highlight of this year has been people and what better for the people person that I am!

Here are some of the top highlights of 2019 that I remain grateful for:

  1. Who says you don’t find real people in the Internet! I did. Through WordPress, I have met some of the best people and I am never tired of saying that. This year was different as I met so many of them in person. I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to each of you for the warm and heartfelt moments you have added into my life!
    • It started with Todd and Sage, when I met them in Bangalore during their trip to India in the beginning of this year. I even had the good fortune of attending a story-telling session by Sage.
    • Thereafter I met Debdutta, who decided to make me his family and call me his elder sister rather than a friend. Along with him and his friends, I spend a memorable weekend at Kōḻikōḍ.
    • Then I met Arvind – most of you would know him and I’d be surprised if you didn’t. We spent an entire morning sharing travel stories over innumerable cups of filter coffee accompanied by dosas, when he had visited  Bangalore earlier this year.
    • Last but not the least, Dilip and I became such great friends that I hosted him in my house when he stopped by Bangalore on his way back from his Leh cycling trip.
    • Note: I must mention two others though I am yet to meet them in person:
      • Hariom and I nearly planned a trip together but that didn’t happen. In him, I have found an extraordinarily special friend and it feels like I have always known him.
      • Narendra, with whom my connection went beyond WordPress and who has been a constant encouragement in so many ways.
  2. It was through Internet again that I met Ambrose Trueman – the cyclist, poet, writer, and adventurer. We connected through Instagram and met in person in Shillong this year. His gesture of taking all the trouble of getting me the traditional rice cake as I had never tasted it is something I cannot forget.
  3. A set of rather unusual circumstances led to my meeting the ultra marathoners, Banajit Burman and Asif Ahmed. Asif become a rather close friend and it feels like we’ve known each other for a very long time now.
  4. I have been busier than usual this year and all for the good reason of spending time with people. Almost every weekend I’ve had friends visiting me at home, some from other cities – no complaints! Just that it has affected the frequency of my WordPress posts.
  5. I got to spend more than a month in my home, Shillong, where I visited and explored several new places, including Mawlyngbna and Mawphanlur. Most importantly, my nephew, Abheeshek  and I spent some quality time together after a very long time. We even explored David Scott’s Trail together.
  6. During my visit to Sikkim, I made some special connections with people especially at Tingvong village of Dzongu Valley where we had spent 3 days. Living the Lepcha life, was an extraordinary experience almost making me believe I have some karmic connections with the people there.
  7. I had my maiden experience of trekking in Nepal with Annapurna Base Camp.
  8. I had started the year with a visit to Diu and travels have happened throughout the year with Sikkim and Nepal. I am in Varanasi right now and will be ending the year at Shalamun in Himachal Pradesh.
  9. I have discovered the goodness of meditation and have started practicing regularly. An addition to my regular yoga and jogging but it has become an activity that I eagerly look forward to every single day.
  10. I dabbled in poetry and dared to post some of them in my blog.
  11. I have finished off my home loan, a great burden off my shoulder.
  12. I have deliberately and consciously tried to live the life of what I can give rather than what I can get, tried to listen more and talk less, attempted to make people happy or at least not make them unhappy. Not that I have done so with a great deal of success but I know I wholeheartedly tried.

 

Author: neelstoria

Traveling, Gardening, Trekking, Hiking, Storytelling, Writing, Nature, Outdoors, Yoga, DIY

20 thoughts on “Reminiscing 2019 – The Actual Year-End Post”

  2. Glad to know that you got few great friends through word press. It is really a pleasure to read your blog. Keep writing so that we can also travel with you and get to know exotic locations.

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  3. Wonderful to know that you got to meet so many people. Despite some disappointments towards the end, as pointed out in your earlier blog post, it was quite a satisfying year. And no. 11 is important as well. 😊

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  4. Neelanjana, People make all the difference in our life. Getting to meet a person with whom you have been conversing in the virtual world is always special. It never feels like meeting someone new. Happy to know you stumbled across so many interesting people who enriched your life. I’m glad you took time out of your busy schedule. Hope 2020 turns out to be even better for you. 🙂

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    1. You are right, Arvind! It’s the people who actually enrich our lives and make it what it is. Though this is probably true for the the “people-persons”, not sure if everyone thinks this way 😀
      I wish you great joy and happiness in 2020. And, lots and lots of Jaipur for us to see and know. 🙂

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      1. My thoughts resonate with you, Neel. Certainly everyone has their own opinions and ideas. Thanks for the wishes, I’ll try to come up to your expectation, Neel. Wish you a great ahead. 🙂

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  5. Neelanjana, I am touched by your gesture and honoured that you find me worthy so. 🙏🏻 I look forward to meeting up with you at the earliest opportunity and there’s so much to talk! 🙂
    It has been quite a year for you and I wish you many more adventures and treks in the new year. It is the warmth of your heart that keeps you surrounded by friends; may you continue to find like-minded souls and your life be filled with peace and laughter. God bless. Keep that smile. Take care and be seeing you soon!

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    1. Thank you, Narendra for all your kind words and wishes. I do hope we get to meet in 2020. I hope the New Year has started off on a good note for you. Wish you a year of abundant happiness, plenty of new discoveries, heaps of great photos, and scores of good poetry!

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  7. I am feeling so privileged to be a part of one of the most beautiful moments in 2019. Thanks for coming into my life Neel. 2019 was so mixed and a rollercoaster ride for me. To me, meeting you was really one of the high points in 2019. I really mean that. Thanks Again!

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    1. That is such a wonderful thing to say, Asif! I am truly grateful to have people like you in my life 🙂
      I hope 2020 will bring in so much good in your life that the mishaps of 2019 will be wiped out completely…

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