Meet the Nomads: Lakshmi Sharath

Lakshmi is the first Asian (aside from my fellow Filipinos) that I featured in this segment. Her blog usually talks about travels in her home country which is also one of my favorite destinations, India.

One should never miss out India in their itineraries because this country is the most culturally alive country that I've ever seen (so far). And Lakshmi's perspective about travelling in India would give you an insider's feel on what to expect.

Get to know Lakshmi and get to know India through her eyes... visit http://backpakker.blogspot.com/.

Here's flip's short interview with Lakshmi.

How did you discover your passion for travelling?

"Passion for travelling - It was probably my mother who noticed my restlessness when I was a kid-she said I always had wheels under my feet and was constantly running around. I dont know when I actually discovered my passion.I used to write a bit and my interest in travel writing preceded my zest for travelling. It was the monotony of the media job that finally got to me - I took a sabbatical three years ago, almost ending a 12 year old tryst with corporate life to travel and I havent looked back."

What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?

"Tough to think of a horrible experience as such- I was once attacked by an elephant in a forest in South India - you could call that a scary incident . Another experience was being stuck for hours at 17,000 feet in a snow storm in Ladakh in the middle of nowhere...that was a bit unnerving."

What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?

"All my experiences have been wonderful . Destinations like Ladakh, Tawang, Sikkim in India stay in my mind. My favourite trip was a visit to more than 20 villages in interior karnataka in south india - none of these villages are foiund in any map.

I was on a tryst to find hidden temples which are about 1000 years old , built by kings of the Hoysala dynasty . Most of these temples were in ruins and we found the earliest among them inside a coffee estate among the hills."

What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?

"The first realization is that there is a massive world out there and its a misnomer to call it a small world. Travelling has also made me realize that I can push myself and overcome fears."

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

"Meeting people, understanding cultures and discovering something new everytime - this is what keeps me going."

This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?

"I dont like celebrities too much- I prefer going out with simple, ordinary folks who have extraordinary stories to share."

Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?

"I've hardly seen many places, but I would prefer Ladakh. Its not a destination - its an experience."

Best advice for new travellers?

"We all need to be responsible travelers and help support sustainable tourism. I would tell them not to come armed with a must see list - just make the most of any trip-there can be many surprises at every turn of the road."

What do you think about yourself?

"I am a vagabond and probably an escapist at heart. I am also a bundle of contradictions. Im forever restless and craving for new experiences. I am also a media professional besides being a travel blogger ,writer and guide."

"I started my blog on a whim .But in the last 5 years, it has become a constant companion and a collage of my travelogues . There are memories, observations, published articles, stories of people and places and several photo features published on my blog. While the focus has largely been on India, there are posts on several international destinations as well." - Lakshmi