It's true when they say, time flies. It does. Another year has rolled by. The journey of 2013 has come to an end. A brand new year awaits, packed with promises in hopes, dreams, opportunities, magic and madness. But before we see it checking in, let's pause for a while and step back, reflect, turn some pages and ruffle a few pieces. It's time to sit back, relax and rewind!
Below is a picture-walk through 12 posts from January to December with a link in the title and a little teaser snippet to go along. 'Tis a quick calendar recap, of all that My Yatra Diary... was in 2013! Hope you enjoy it.
JANUARY
A lot of these red stuffed monkeys, known as Migawari Saru or 'substitute monkeys' can be seen hanging at the entrances - of shops, cafes, houses and temples. A symbolic deity of a local temple (the Koshin-do Temple), they are good luck charms believed to ward off evil and bring good fortune.
------ * ------
FEBRUARY
So, here is a sneak peek into my, a veggie's, food travails in Japan – a humble attempt to help all those vegetarian's out there planning a trip to this part of the world.
------ * ------
MARCH
I loved Japan. But did Japan love me too?
------ * ------
APRIL
Remember those times when we enjoyed our holidays with a simple film or non-digital camera and stacked all our memories in neatly covered family albums... Special, aren't they?
------ * ------
MAY
Across the lengths of the sandy silvery beach, silence fills the environs. There is hardly a soul in view. Breaking this calm constantly, are the lashing of the waves and the rustling of the leaves. The music is repetitive yet somber; and it seems to travel through the wilderness of the galaxies above.
------ * ------
JUNE
O Brave Jawan, I salute you!
Your works of bravery kindle my hopes anew.
No fear, no wrath, no terrain seems to be stopping you.
You are rocketing ahead like a bullet clear of all blues.
------ * ------
JULY
But for these sounds, the village is quiet... so quiet that the quiet is almost disquieting especially for an urban dweller like me. And yet, you never feel lonely here.
------ * ------
AUGUST
Dried cow dung (considered a symbol of purity) or geru (red colored powder) are directly spread on the house and haveli walls such that they remain stamped for the rest of the annual year.
------ * ------
Being a Mumbai-ite, I love pandal hopping and more so when WE, you and me, do this together every year! So how about joining hands again this year and hopping over to meet our friend Ganesha in some of the Ganpati Pandals of Mumbai?
------ * ------
OCTOBER
An envelope exists here; and it packs in all. Somehow you know, that now, you are in the wrapping of something mysteriously divine, something that has been defined for centuries... Such that you feel a connect, and you feel happy to be a part of something beautiful.
------ * ------
NOVEMBER
I still remember how excited I was when I had called my dad to read the first article, proofread that is before I published it, with me and my brother standing by his side. And guess what?
------ * ------
DECEMBER
I lend. It's simple. Joyous. And effective.
What are you gifting this Christmas?
------ * ------
No matter which year,
May we all stay blessed,
Believe in the riches of good,
And, the abundant beauty that lay, in gratitude, smiles and cheer!
Happy New Year!
44 Comments
Must read some of the posts.
ReplyDeleteAs for the pictures, I like that sunset at Kannur.
You had quite a year Arti :) such amazing travelogues to reminisce by. hope you have many more travel adventures in 2014!
ReplyDeleteThat was indeed a lovely recap of the year 2013 Arti. Also, you have that thing for the photographs...Wish you a Happy New Year 2014 !
ReplyDeleteArti, Good morning. Wonderful post and waiting for more posts...
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year in Advance, Keep Blogging ~ da
What a wonderful year you've had! Wishing you another fabulous one in 2014.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you too. Have a travel filled 2014!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful way of summarizing the year, that passed too quickly... Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2014. Safe Travels...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful year it's been for you... Wish you many more in the future :)
ReplyDeletehappy new year !!
ReplyDeleteIf your vision is one year, plant wheat.
If your vision is ten years, plant trees.
If your vision is lifetime, plant relationships.
enjoyed your blogs throughout this year and looking forward for the same for 2014 !! happy new year !! once again dear !!
Fabulous recap...each post was really amazing and full of life...Many congratulations for a fabulous 4 years of bloggin journey Aarti...
ReplyDeleteI don't know how it would be possible to wish you a year better than 2013 - but I do hope that 2014 brings you many blessings, Arti.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, Arti! I loved this post, and will snuggle up and read through them all! Love your blog, so looking forward to another great yatradiaryyear2014! Wish you all the best for next year dear Arti! Big hugs:-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing year you have had. You have been blessed. But non would have happened without all your hardwork and writing. You are gifted and must always share. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year filled with more dreams to come true. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThe sunset is so beautiful and you always write from the heart and make us feel blessed! May 2014 be as wonderful for everyone! Thank you for taking me to wonderful places and events virtually :)
ReplyDeleteYears full of miracle you've been through, A new year will bring you something new, make a move, like a butterfly tearing its cocoon ...dear Arti :)
ReplyDeleteWish for blessing year ahead..
A lovely calendar of the bygone year, Arti!
ReplyDeleteWish You A Happy New Year, 2014, Arti.
ReplyDeleteAs I look back at your 2013, April holds a special space for me too!
Apart from that, Kudos to you for your 4th Blog Anniversary too. :)
Wonderful Arti!
ReplyDeleteMay we all be blessed :)
Happy New Year to you & your family :)
wonderful post to read... thought Melbourne would be there at the bottom... As usual, you have covered a lot of places this year too... You also showcased your wonderful drawing skills to the world.
ReplyDeleteWish u a very Happy New Year... Keep exploring the world and let us know your explorations. Have a great year ahead!
That is a wonderful collection!
ReplyDeleteNice recap! Interesting pictures, Arti :) Best wishes for 2014.
ReplyDeleteYour 2013 has been definitely exciting.
ReplyDeleteNice recap of 2013, real roller coaster ride, hope your 2014 turns out to be more adventurous, wishing you and your family a very happy new year
ReplyDeleteFascinating picture post walk Arti. Happy New Year for 2014.
ReplyDeleteWhat an year you had ! You were all over India and Pacific ! Have a bigger 2014 :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful collection..
ReplyDeleteEye catching images...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful recap of a year gone by. Wishing you many more travelogues in the year to come :)
ReplyDeleteHope new year brings more such interesting moments. Happy New Year .
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely recap Arti. Loved it! Even I'll be posting a recap on my blog today... I can't believe one year has passed since i started blogging... yay! :D
ReplyDeleteAnd a very happy new year to you as well, Arti and may you travel to more such interesting places.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a good year! Best wishes to you for a joyful and prosperous 2014!
ReplyDeleteDear Arti
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice recap!
Thanks for your kind and loving words...It means a Lot!
I was in tied up with an exam...got it over 2 days back :)
Wishing you and yours an Awesome 2014 :D
Luv
Deepa
2013 was quite eventful for you, wasn't it? Hope you make many more such amazing memories in 2014. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLovely... you had a great year indeed..
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year..
Lots of great work for the new one... Keep rocking!!
Best of 2013....great..:) Living the moments of 2013 again..:)
ReplyDelete@Arti, Nice to saw new look of your blog, Beautiful.All the best for 2014. ~ da
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful look back. Here's hoping 2014 is such a momentous year that sees yet more dreams come true. A happy new year to you and yours Arti. x
ReplyDeletesuperb recap...hope to see even more yatras in 2014!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Arti! And Thank You for taking me along on your travels. I loved the journey!
ReplyDeleteHi Arti, As I was seeing the year gone by depicted so well through your pictures more than words, I kept adding a line or two mentally on what I am going to comment. Then when i reached the comment box I see 37 comments!! WOW! And I feel would my comment sound repetitive, after all someone else could have echoed my thoughts, on another note a jealousy pang sprang up, 37 comments!! Why can't my posts command that number? Anyway so back to my thoughts.... my favourite was that Kerala village photo which makes me want to believe that there is hope for my country and that there is a safe heaven somewhere amidst the chaos of the cities. It also made me realise how little I have seen of my own country and also how little the government does to boost domestic tourism. I also liked the sunset pic and the magical words attached to it, the lucky charm of Japan and your quest to find vegetarian food there! Wish you luck and lots of creative ideas for 2014.
ReplyDeleteI restricted myself from commenting on this post till I wrote mine. :P
ReplyDeleteI am very lazy & wanted such condition. Now that it’s up I am here. :)
You have a wonderful collection of stories & that poem on Uttarakhand was so touching. I still remember it.
I wish you a very Happy Year, full of Travel.
Lovely.. Happy New Year Aarti..
ReplyDeleteYear 2013 was fabulous for Arti's Diary and the readers! Loved travelling virtually in Japan and Kerala! 2014 promises to explore the continent down under! Am sure will continue to have the same amount of fun and experience.. :)
ReplyDeleteDelighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!
If you have asked a question, please give me at least 2 days to reply back. Thank you :)