My Yatra Diary... Goes Melbourne!

“The chance which seems lost may present itself at the last moment"

– Jules Verne, Around the World in Eighty Days

From where should I start this piece? It’s difficult to catch a reference point for some articles, some days. Hmm... let me try.

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It’s been one whole entire year to get to where I am now. Since winning the coveted all expenses paid vacation trip to Melbourne hosted by IndiBlogger and Tourism Victoria on 18th October last year to actually going there on the 20th October this year, it’s been quite a journey.

Will the trip happen? Should the trip happen? Yes, No, May be?

Results declared: October 18, 2012

The road to ‘My Melbourne Dreams’ so far has been a blur... I have laughed like a little kid and I have cried like one too, I have found my mornings shattered in hopes one day and I have found them shining in the same the next day, I have blamed my misfortunes at one point of time only to count the same as good fortunes later... so many twists and turns, so many hoops and bends and they have all been there and they have all come in “My Packet to Melbourne.”

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And, guess where all this started from?

Long before I actually won the trip, it was your wonderful comments and heartfelt wishes that made sure I already felt like one! What prize can be greater than the feeling of being loved and praised for your humble efforts by everyone? Thanks to all your gracious admiration towards my lame attempts at sketching, you made me humbly believe that I have a talent in sketching and what’s more amusing is that now I keep bragging about it to people. Even though, in reality, all I can only do is scribble and scrawl. Hah!

Humbled by your love: Some feelings are priceless!

But such is the power of love... when showered in abundance, it makes you believe, believe in things that perhaps do not even exist and above all it makes you believe in your own self.

Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for all the blessings that you bestow upon me. This trip is all your’s. Just like Japan. And my only wish and prayer is that I am able to do proper justice to it by bringing back the true beauty of Melbourne, something that we all will cherish and appreciate – together, long after my return.

Thank You, IndiBlogger!

Talking about this journey wouldn’t be complete without thanking IndiBlogger, an Indian blogger family headed by a bunch of cheerful, quick witted and good-hearted folks who have added all sorts of colors in “My Melbourne Memories... in Monochrome” and have made all the difference.

Proud to be an IndiBlogger!

They have been through my thick and thin, my tantrums and wisdom, my sanity and vanity. They have stood up and fought for me when I was all set to quit and say goodbye, they have always been available to answer my calls or go through my lengthy (maybe, even pointless!) e-mails. They are the ones who have taught me lessons, knowingly or unknowingly, and inspired me to be what I am; I owe a lot of myself, as a blogger and also as a person, to them.

I feel very blessed to have them in my life, and whether I say it or not, IndiBlogger – I like you, I love you and I am so proud to exist within you. Thank you.

Today:

I am wobbling in a mixed pool of feelings... that of a childlike delight, a wonder that is laced with an incredible curiosity of a new world, new people, new food, new sights, new sounds – an unknown anxiety, of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, of a dream coming true – all stirring up a whirlwind of emotions... all at once - making ME.

Today: My VISA is approved, ticket issued, a tight budget set, a rough itinerary prepared and bags almost packed.

And, Now: In a couple of hours, with high soaring dreams in its wings and a spring in its steps – My Yatra Diary... is all set to fly off to Melbourne!

Hey. That's ME!

This is only her second international trip after Japan (till a couple of years back, even a first seemed impossible!) and she can’t be more grateful for all her blessings, for all the grace that has been.

Please do wish her luck along with your goodbye, she is incredibly nervous right now, and she really needs them. Tell you something -- Your wishes are magic. She has lived them once already, so she knows.

Any suggestions for Melbourne?

And finally, if you have any suggestions or tips on how to go about sightseeing in Melbourne or what colorful memories you expect me to bring back from Melbourne for all of us to cherish, please do let me know in the comments section.

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Guess, that much for today... will be back very very soon,

Until next time then,

Goodbye and Keep Smiling. :-)