READ THE ROADS (A Travelogue of a 13-year-old to North India)

I never thought that at the age of 13, I’d find myself
on an extended road trip, let alone documenting it in
a travelogue. Little did I know that both the road
journey and writing about it would be full of
exploration and discovery. Life truly has a way of
surprising us!

So, why and how did I write this travelogue? Well! After I returned from
the trip, I spent days reflecting on my 18-day-long unforgettable road trip
to North India. Every time I shared snippets of my road trip with friends
and family, a recurring feeling nagged at me: I wasn’t truly conveying
the essence of it all. The more I talked, the more I felt the weight of all the
important experiences I was omitting – the dramatic shifts in weather, the
breathtaking challenges of high altitudes, the thrill of adventure, the
demanding steep hills and winding roads, the captivating beauty of the
landscapes, the various hotels we stayed in, the majestic rivers and
mountains, the diverse mindsets of the people I encountered, the profound
and heartfelt conversations (and even the challenging confrontations with
my parents that changed my perspective about a lot of things in life), the
real-life learnings that helped me discover myself, and so much more… It
felt like an endless list…
I realised, casual conversations simply can’t capture the true depth of my
experiences. And no description can truly do justice to the breathtaking
natural beauty I saw. Even words in writing might fall short of the bountiful

beauty of the picturesque landscapes. That’s when I decided to write down
my experiences in a travelogue.
My parents’ unwavering motivation was another significant reason behind
my decision to document that unforgettable road journey. Seeing my deep
passion for reading and writing, they consistently encouraged me to find
inspiration in my great-grandparents, Prof. C. V. Raval and Mrudula
Baa. It fills me with pride when my parents and extended family in
Ahmedabad express that they see a reflection of his qualities in me. This
recognition also in stills a deep sense of responsibility to honour and carry
forward the legacy of such a respected figure in our family. This book
marks my first endeavour to follow his footsteps and begin my writing
journey.
After finally deciding to write down the travelogue, I began working on it,
briefly writing about each destination explored with my family. However,
due to the year-long schedule of school activities and exams, it was getting
difficult to bring all my thoughts into proper shape and form. When I
thought of crafting the whole book, it felt challenging and overwhelming,
even though I’ve been exclusively participating and representing my
school in various writing assignments.
And that’s when I met Sakshi Ma’am, a published author and spiritual
teacher, who became my guiding light. Under her mentorship, the journey
of writing this book began. As they say, when you want something with
all your heart and when your intentions are pure, the universe
conspires to help you achieve it. We dedicated ourselves to it, spending

countless hours in discussion and writing. Her insightful brainstorming
sessions were instrumental in helping me articulate my thoughts and
feelings with clarity and depth. Apart from being a great writer herself, she
possesses a remarkable ability to understand my emotions; it often felt like
she could read my mind. I couldn’t have completed this book without her
invaluable guidance.
As I reflected, I realised that writing this book wasn’t just about recounting
my experiences; it was also about sharing a message deeply important to
me. I saw this as an opportunity to connect with readers and leverage this
platform to promote the global importance of ‘Responsible Tourism.’
My debut book, ‘READ THE ROADS’, is more than just a travelogue
detailing my 18-day road journey across North India, including Amritsar,
Srinagar, Kargil, Leh-Ladakh, and Manali. It also delves into the
experiences and valuable lessons I gathered along this enriching journey.
While there are numerous blogs, vlogs, and travel guides available on the
Internet, what makes this book special are the moments of reflection and
learning that I experienced while visiting various places. I am sure that
readers will find the insightful conversations I had with my parents, as
enjoyable and thought-provoking as I did.
I am sure the book will take you not only through picturesque landscapes
that you would want to escape to, but will also provide you an insight into
different ways of living, broadening your understanding of the world as

well as about yourself. So, get ready to journey through the mountainous
North India and embark on a personal discovery alongside me.
Having personally experienced an 18-day road trip through North India, I
can certainly say that road trips are more than just driving or making new
memories; it’s more about learning to see the world through a different
lens and finding the new ‘YOU’.
I’m grateful to God for giving me the chance to go on one of the most
adventurous travel experiences with my family, and I wish for more such
travel experiences in the future!