How I Protect My Camera while Traveling

Whenever I think of traveling, I think of photos and then Instagram and then hashtags. I have clicked at least 5K to 6K finished photos until now, forget the raw ones, I cannot even count them. There was a time when I used to click photos using my smartphone for my blog. However, they were never too good to be uploaded on my website. Still, I had to be content with it because I could not afford a DSLR until college. And when I bought my favorite Nikon camera, I never knew that I would love it like my baby.

Now whenever I go out for a photoshoot, I have to take care of it all the time, but I don’t mind it at all. The first thing that I realized after buying it was that I have to have a good quality padded camera bag. My friend, Rohan, had lost his camera to a thief because his camera bag was too flashy I guess. He became an easy target for the thief and he swore that he would never buy such a bag again. And from that incident, I also learnt that I must buy a bag that doesn’t look like a typical camera bag. I have a sling bag that appears to be carrying books in it, and the look on the acquaintance’s faces is worth seeing when I take out a camera out of it.

The next thing that I do is to keep my camera with me all the time. When I fly, I never send the camera in the checked-in luggage. I don’t trust the airlines guys to handle my fragile things safely. I have seen them throwing even the bags with fragile notice without care. That is why; I keep my camera with me in my hand luggage.

Secondly, if I am driving my Car Rentals in Mumbai, which I often do for my professional photo shoots, I never keep the camera or the lenses inside the car. Yes, I can use the boot space to keep my valuables, but India is not a country to be trusted for the expensive stuff. The thieves here are the most clever breed of humans, and they are too smart to outsmart us. It is only in the emergency circumstances that I keep something valuable in the boot.

I used to love showing off the Nikon logo whenever I went for a shoot. The aspiring photographers especially love to notice their dream equipment with someone. I understand this feeling because I have also felt this for a long time. However, there were instances when the crooks also noticed the camera too.

Thankfully, I have never been robbed, but a few instances like this changed my perspective and I have started hiding the branding on my camera. Every Nikon logo on the camera or the equipment is now hidden under the black duct tape.

I know I might be overprotective for my camera, but I have been able to afford it after a long time of saving money during college. I don’t want to lose it too soon because I have seen veteran photographers taking care of their gear like I do.

Why Driving in India is a Challenge I Like to Take

A few things about India are so delightful that they keep pulling me back. Even though I am an Indian, I feel like a foreigner whenever I travel to some other corner of the country. That is why; every day of the vacation becomes an adventurous one, no matter where I am. However, driving on the Indian roads is something that keeps me on my toes every moment. I cannot afford to blink my eyes even for a second because of the challenges looming forever on the roads. As they say, you must not use a mobile phone while driving as it can be dangerous; it can be fatal in India. If you are not vigilant enough, it will take just a second to lose your life. Thankfully, I have never been involved in any serious injury, but a few minor accidents have taught me the value of keeping a watchful eye each second on the road.

The users of the road

I had always heard that the roads in Singapore speak volumes about cleanliness, and it is true. I have been to Singapore and they have impeccably clean roads. You may invite a huge fine if you break the traffic rules. On the other hand, we have barely any traffic rules; we don’t follow them even if we have. The roads in India are meant for everyone without any specific lanes for heavy and light vehicles.

It is a common sight to find cars, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, manual rickshaws, buses in all sizes, and trucks on just one road. No one is bothered to follow the lanes and hence, we have the great Indian traffic jam. To worsen the situation, we have cattle on the road along with dogs, cats, elephants, and horses. Yes, the generous Indian public never minds the animals on the roads. In fact, we try to save the animals whenever they cross the road even if it means losing a human life. This is not something to be proud of, yet, I cannot help it but manage with the situation.

Driving sense

It is again a sorry fact to admit but Indians have poor traffic sense. It is fun for them to jump the traffic lights, cross the road with oncoming vehicles, cause obstructions by changing lanes without notice, and abuse others if they overtake. In a country where everything can be done with bribe, most people get their licenses made without even giving a driving test. They learn driving just when they come on the road with their car or bike and a family member or a friend to teach them. It implies that people do not prefer to learn from the driving instructors, but from already underqualified drivers. Hence, the outcome is unqualified drivers who would do anything to get their way on the road.

It is a serious task to reach your destination safely, but by the virtue of being an Indian, I have got used to driving in India. In fact, I love the challenge. I like to book Self Driven Car in Mumbai and drive when the roads are relatively empty at night; it is the best time of the day.

How I Decide the Time of My Vacations

I have made a commitment to myself that I need to travel at least thrice a year, or maybe four times if I can manage. However, there have been times when I cannot decide the exact time of the year when I need to go on a vacation. Financial and social commitments subside my travel plans, and I have no choice but to cancel or postpone my plans. Even if I go to a nearest city for a weekend getaway, or just sit at the edge of a hilltop fort, I love the quiet time I spend with myself. However, whenever I start feeling the signs of mental burnout, I realize that it is high time that I should pack my bags to leave for a far-off destination.

The negativity creeps in

Whenever everything starts giving a negative impression, or the world starts feeling ugly, I know that I need to take a break. There have been times in office when the job that I love starts feeling boring, the friends that I have fun feel too poky, and the clothes that I wear don’t suit me anymore. I know at that time that the problem is with me, not the world.

The physical symptoms

The best part about being human is that I can think; I can analyze things, even though I may overdo it sometimes. My body does not make sense to me whenever the mental discomfort reaches the head, eyes, or legs. I realize that the body has started getting the signals from the mind that I should relax. I might sleep for the entire weekend without eating much, but the mind will still be occupied by the household chores.

The struggle to sleep is real

I have a serious problem of sleeplessness whenever I am struggling with an issue. I have spent many restless days and sleepless nights just because I could not stop thinking about the office politics, the unfulfilled ambitions, and even the grocery that I have to buy from the store. I know that I am being too foolish to behave like this, but just a weekend getaway can solve this problem. I like to sit on the edge of a fort and just be quiet for a while; it may not solve my problems, yet it gives my mind the much-needed relaxation.

Decision making is hampered 

It is not that I always make mistakes at taking decisions, but I do err a lot when I am restless in my mind. Simple things seem complicated to me. For instance, I forget how much sugar I had put in the pan while making tea, the number of pages I had counted while making files, the left turn I had to take while driving. I would brainlessly think about various things that do or do not matter. When my mind starts wandering, I know that I need to wander too. It is healthy to be on your own during the vacations and travel without an itinerary.

I have not been going to the gym lately, and I do not work out at home either. A simple walk to the grocery store seems difficult because my body feels heavy along with the mind. There have been multiple phases like this in my life of three decades, and I know that they are normal. I just need to book tickets to a new city or village, and free myself for a few days. I am no saint, but I love the solitary feeling for a few days. It is time to look for Self-Drive Cars in Mumbai and leave for the hills. Yes, I will be going soon!

How a Trip to Mumbai Turned Hilarious

Absentmindedness is a sin, they say, but it turns out funny for me every time. I am fond of traveling and I can hit the road at any given chance. My office wanted me to be there in Mumbai for a month so that I can give presentations to our clients on various projects. I obviously did not have a problem with it, but I made a mistake. I chose to live with my friend rather than staying at a hotel, which meant I had to spend at least one additional hour on the messy roads of Mumbai. Anyway, I was prepared for it because I did not want to get bored every night in the city for one complete month.

I took the flight and reached my friend’s place in Andheri. I had taken a week’s leave so that I could prepare well for my presentations, but I would sneak out time to visit places in Mumbai. Every day, I woke up early in the morning, and worked for a few hours on my laptop. Once the peak rush hours were over, I would leave to roam around the streets of Mumbai. I did not want to miss this opportunity to explore a new metropolitan. Although I don’t like urban travel, I don’t mind wandering around new cities free of cost. I came back home in the evening so that I could spend some more time for work. Thankfully, I did not have to depend on the crowded local trains and I could take Self-Drive Car on rent Mumbai for my travel needs.

Anyway, coming back to the blunder that I did, I had to join office on the coming Monday and I was getting ready for work. I was late, by three minutes or more. It was important to reach office on time because I was supposed to give a lot of Powerpoint presentations. I raced down to the parking area and entered my car. However, I felt that the pockets of my pants were lighter than normal that day, and it dawned upon me that I had forgotten my phone in the room.

I did not have time to search it in the room, so I called my friend to look for it. His phone rang and he answered it. I told him that I had left my mobile in the flat, and he should look for it. He was surprised at what I said, but I interrupted him and said I was coming to pick the phone up.

He: Stop it Rohan, wait and listen to me. You are talking to me on your mobile phone!

I was flabbergasted!

Obviously that was the most stupid thing of my life. I started the car and rushed to office, though we shared tremendous laughter over my foolishness that night. Thank God, I had not asked him for my car keys after entering the car! He might have banned me from coming over his place again!

What Motivates Me to Travel Every Month

For me, travel does not necessarily mean that I should go out of the city every time. I live in Mumbai and I love to explore every corner of it, which might take a year or more. Even then, I feel I would not be able to grasp everything in the city owing to the versatility of the city. Nevertheless, I want to share how I find the motivation to leave the house every weekend and explore a new place or even a new café.

Tiredness from work

Exhaustion from the routine of weekdays is the first thing that bores many people. Still, they keep slugging for weeks and months to go for just one vacation. However, I don’t like to sit at home on Saturdays and Sundays. I make sure that I have my plans ready before Friday strikes so that I do not feel too confused to decide upon the destination. I plan my weekend for a new meet-up, visit to a historical monument, or eating at a new place. If I cannot find anything, I make sure that I meet someone from office, college, or school. I just cannot spend time sleeping at home throughout the weekend.

Curiosity to explore

This reason may or may not work for others, but it does wonderfully work for me. I love to learn about new places, especially the historical monuments. I have deep interest in history and politics, so I love to explore more and more places as soon as I can. I have been to several museums and monuments to learn about the culture and history of India. 

Meeting people

When I know that I have to meet an interesting person, my heart comes abound with joy. Talking to a new person gives me a reason to get dressed and find topics to talk to him or her. This trait of being so communicative came in me from my husband. I used to be a little reserved whenever I would meet someone. However, as soon as I observed him after marriage, I noticed him talking to everyone he met. He is not an MBA graduate or a marketing executive who knows how to strike a conversation with people. Still, he is a pro at making people comfortable with him and he can extract a lot of positive information out of anyone.

I and my husband often take Car rental Mumbai to go to places that we can visit together, based on our personal interests. Nevertheless, it is completely my choice to be out of the house every weekend while he prefers to relax on both days. During my journey of so many weekends in and around Mumbai, I can proudly say that I love the way I live. Life would not have been better than it is today. Although I have seen people talking about travel a lot, but when it comes to actually doing it, they have broader plans than they can accomplish. Nevertheless, I would keep doing what I am pursuing at present.