I started counting. How many visits have I made to the U.S. since 2001? Nine visits, exactly. And how many places have I visited in the U.S.? Countless. During our first visit, our sons took us to so many places that we were traveling almost every month. We explored not only nearby places within a few hours' drive but also ventured to the East Coast, West Coast, and even the Midwest. 

One memory that stands out is from our visit to Banff-Jasper National Park. I was sitting by the lake with my wife, gazing at the majestic glacier, while the rest of the family went hiking. A Canadian woman sat next to us, and after a few pleasantries about where we were from, she asked, “Isn’t Canada lovely?” I had to agree—the scenery in front of us was breathtaking. 

After my positive response, she excitedly began listing other places in Canada worth visiting. There was pride in her voice as she described her homeland's beauty. 

This conversation made me reflect—how many places in India have I visited? Could I accurately describe the wonders of my own country the way she spoke of hers? India is blessed with countless beautiful and culturally rich destinations, but how many have I truly experienced and enjoyed? 

It seems that many people from India, myself included, tend to visit nearby places. Living in Chennai, I visited Kerala, the deep south, or perhaps Andhra Pradesh. Rarely did I venture to the east, north, or west of India. Thanks to the leave travel facilities provided by our bank, I took my family to several places in and around Chennai. We visited Delhi a couple of times and once went to Mumbai. One of our most memorable trips was to Chandigarh, Kulu, and Manali, about which I’ve written before. 

But why didn’t we visit more of India’s holy sites or famous tourist spots? Perhaps time constraints due to work. Maybe financial constraints, too. But after retirement, when time was plentiful and funds less of an issue, what was my excuse? 

My wife loved traveling. She enjoyed fresh air, sunshine, and interacting with people, especially at holy places or tourist attractions. In hindsight, I realize how terribly I failed her by not prioritizing her wishes. It’s not that I disliked traveling—rather, it simply never crossed my mind to plan more trips. Our travels were mostly limited to nearby temples in Tamil Nadu, such as Tanjore, Kumbakonam, and the occasional trip to Tirupati. My wife often spoke of friends who went on group trips to far-off places, encouraging me to consider it. But my stubborn mind didn’t budge an inch. 

Now, I feel sad and sorry for the opportunities missed. I could have given her more experiences, more memories. 

Even our short trips to nearby holy places have become less frequent since I was declared legally blind in 2008. By 2011, with the onset of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, my condition worsened, and I was certified as legally blind. According to the government’s Rehabilitation Department, I met the criteria for legal blindness, though I still had a tiny amount of vision in one eye. Unfortunately, even that has been progressively fading. 

But did that mean I stopped traveling altogether? Definitely not. 

Contd. 389. Near Is Far – Part 2