Reminiscing is the ticket to inspiration

As the pandemic peaks in my country, it would be quite an understatement to say that we're all craving an escape. Travelling (or even being outdoors) is not the best idea at the moment and fresh creative inspiration is hard to come by.

At times like this, I find solace in stories - of others and of my own past self.

Here's a story for us to begin with today:

The year is 1982. The Starbucks Coffee Company is a simple retailer of whole coffee beans, and Howard Schultz just an employee. But everything is set to change because of his on-going sourcing trip to Milan.

As a traveler in Milan, Howard experiences the concept of a coffee-bar for the very first time and he is in love with the idea of it! As he returns to the United States, he brings back with him a strong desire to recreate the Italian coffee bar ambiance in the US.

When his proposition of Starbucks coffee bars is rejected by his employers, his resounding belief in the idea makes him quit his job and start the first “coffee bar” in the US - named ‘Il Giornale’, as a nod to the Italian origin of the concept. Having started in Seattle, it then grew into a number of outlets across the country, eventually acquiring the Starbucks brand.

The rest is history.

Not just a coffee shop | Photo @mhamz on Unsplash

We are but the sum of our experiences.

And our life's travel experiences must have certainly shaped our lifestyle, don't you think?

In 1982, Il Giornale started the coffee culture in the States and the quintessential Italian coffee-experience found one more home on the globe - as an everyday part of the American lifestyle. And this isn't a one-off example. History is full of such stories where inspiration has transcended borders and found home in the most unexpected destinations.

Trade & migration have also traditionally been common routes for ideas, practices & cultures to travel along with the people undergoing these journeys. Food seems to travel most comfortably of all! As people relocate beyond their comfort zones, food is the first and easiest memory of home that is possible for them to carry with them. Conversely, recipes are also easy for travelers, like me, to bring back home with them. (I just cannot eat garlic-roasted potato without being transported back to the morning of my trek at Taktsang Monastery in Paro.) It’s the same with fashion, with spiritual beliefs, and so much more.

As people move, so do ideas.

Don’t so many of us have some lovely little habit that we picked up on-the-go, or an idea that inspired and stayed with us for the years to come? While you think about yours (I would love to hear more about them), I am sharing 3 of mine:

Soldja, from Ladakh

Soldja means tea in Ladakhi, and for me, it represents the warmth & hospitality of the land which simply doesn't cease to amaze me.

There’s a sudden jump in one's step as they get up to make tea for an unannounced guest. More than enough cups are prepared and served graciously & almost endlessly. The choice of tea goes well beyond the traditional butter-tea and milk tea; a range of herbal Himalayan teas (including rose tea, my favourite!) are also in the running now.

In every such exchange, I feel that it’s not just the tea being served for the purpose of quenching one's thirst. It's being served with the intention of making a visitor feel welcomed into your space and establishing a sense of connection through one of the most homely & accessible gestures.

A cup of butter tea and walnuts, Ladakh 2018 | Photo © author

Hygge, from Copenhagen

The Danes take self-care very seriously and that's something we all could benefit in learning.

When I met up with my friend Carlos in Copenhagen, my first question to him was about this funky word "Hi-gge". He first corrected my pronunciation (it’s “hyoo-gah”) and then laughed gleefully. “I can’t describe it in words," he said, "it’s an experience. You'll see”.

Off we went to spend the day with two more friends - indulging ourselves in lazy walks around the city, taking whimsical routes to reach a food festival, using ferries to cross over some scenic waterways, exploring sprawling museums & tiny art-shops at the corner, and in plenty beer tasting (something that the city is very famous for!) We hopped into sweet little cafes, where you can laugh out so loud that your neighbours on the next seat start finding you funny and join in the laughter.

“This was hygge”.

Learning how to take out time dedicated to doing nothing in particular in a happy environment is probably the most pocket-friendly learning I have gained from any of my travel experiences. :P You too can learn more about Hygge here.

Our last stop on a very Hygge-day: Copenhagen, August 2019 | Photo © Author

Floral prints, from Sweden

With a fleeting summer season, the nature-loving Swedes go all out to celebrate it in the best way possible. From day-time picnics & all-night street life, to printing lovely foliage everywhere!!

I specially love how prints of tropical-looking leaves and flowers take over the textiles, walls of shopping arcades and even coffee cups.In my mind, the prints stand out and serve as a reminder - celebrate what you love, specially if it’s only going to last a short while.

Florals everywhere - from cups & greeting cards to ice-cream stands. Photos - Stockholm 2019 © Nishita

Every time I scroll through old photographs, look at the souvenirs that I've collected over the years and share old travel stories with friends, I am reminded of how many journeys continue to fuel my imagination today, years after they have "ended".

As Pico Iyer says - Travel gives us the raw material. We only begin to process it all once we're back home. So a week-long journey to a new place is really just an appetiser, and the main course takes place when we're back home!

As we travel, we collect sights. As we come home, we turn them into insights.

I wish you, dear reader, the luxury of time to reminisce over your journeys, to continue to stay inspired, and to continue creating.