Dreams. Manifestations. Reality. And everything in between!
The Monthly Muse: October felt like a love letter. I unfolded it gently, lingering on every line, reading each word twice. And I tried to hold onto it a little longer.
"Every good thing in this world starts with a dream. So hold on to yours."
On my flight back from Seoul to New Delhi, I was watching Wonka, and this line struck a chord. It resonated deeply — something I’ve always believed in, something that shows the true power of manifestation.
Deep down, I know each one of us carries dreams like Willy's, and as he found his way to build his chocolate factory, we too have the potential to bring our dreams to life.
The only question is: how deeply do we believe in our dreams?
Well, October was all about reconnecting with old friends and making new ones, savoring good food and walking endless miles, sharing heart-to-heart conversations, and celebrating life in every way possible.
The festive season took me back to Kolkata — the city with which I share a complicated love-hate relationship! Honestly, nothing specific comes to mind if I sit and think of what I love about Kolkata. Yet, it’s the people I love, those who make the city feel like home, who offer the warmest hugs — and despite my thousand grievances with the city, these people always pull me back.
The last time I was in Kolkata for Durga Pujo was in 2019, and life has changed countless times over these five years. But somehow, these few days in my good old city felt incredibly familiar, extremely warm, as if time hadn’t moved at all.
Five days of Pujo passed by the wink of an eye! From pandal-hopping and feasting on Arsalan biryani to sipping on fancy cocktails and spontaneous night outs, this Pujo was a whirlwind of memories.
Back in Gurgaon, I had one day to soak up some family time before leaving for my South Korea trip, and it was just as fun-filled. My little munchkins (my nephews) never fail to sprinkle happiness into every occasion, and this time was no different!
I also got to reconnect with a friend after a year and a half, and it felt as if our conversations picked up right where we had left off. As we shared how life had unfolded for each one of us, I realized that sometimes letting go isn’t as simple as we imagine it to be.
And this was just one part of October…
…until I boarded my flight for Seoul to co-host the much-awaited group trip across South Korea!
Back in June, when Khyati asked if I’d like to co-host a trip with her, I had no idea what I was signing up for! All I knew was that I’d have a sassy partner to work with, a new country to explore, and a group of fun-loving people who would be ready to join us on this journey.
Fast forward to October, and there we were — living our dream, making sure everything went smoothly, leaving no stone unturned! Ten amazing women from all across India put their trust in us, traveling to Seoul to see the country through our eyes (and I truly hope we did it justice!).
We had travelers of all ages, and the way everyone made friends out of strangers nearly melted my heart.
No, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, and not everything went according to plan! The Weather Gods had their own agenda on some days, forcing last-minute changes, and there were a few unexpected hiccups — but these were just small pieces of the bigger adventure.
Truth be told, we had a blast, from exploring the postcard-perfect streets of Ikseon-dong and indulging in Korean treats at Myeongdong to watching street performances in Hongdae and soaking up the autumn vibes in Seoul Forest. We took our time at museums, shopped till we dropped, chased sunsets in Jeju, enjoyed endless cups of coffee, and even experienced a Korean spa day in Busan!
On the last day, as we gathered in the hotel lobby for the final goodbyes, I felt a wave of emotion. It took a moment to sink in that we actually pulled it off — and we did it pretty well, too. And in that moment, I realized I had, in some way, also manifested my travel dreams into reality.
I know many people reading this might think Khyati and I have landed the most glamorous job in the world, but trust me, we had our share of challenges. There were mornings when we’d quietly slip out for a coffee, just to reboot ourselves for the day ahead. Evenings often found us exhausted but still sitting down to plan the next day. We’d cut back on our own experiences to make sure others had more room to explore.
But, as they say, all’s well that ends well :) And here, I’d like to believe that this is just the beginning.
Like Willy Wonka said, "Every good thing in this world starts with a dream. So hold on to yours."
If you haven’t watched Wonka yet, I’d definitely recommend it—you never know, a bit of magic might find its way to you too!
I’ve just started Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop and am about a quarter through. The Korean hangover has me completely hooked!
As I get ready to head out for a Diwali party, I wish you all a life filled with love, light, and laughter. Hold tight to your dreams, trust in the power of manifestation, and embrace the reality — this is your best life, and it’s yours to live to the fullest.
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