Express Philosophy

  Travel has changed its character over the last century from being a life-saving improvement to more of a leisure activity, status symbol, or simply a mode of escapism. It amused me to read in an article by a seasoned travel writer, that rich individuals were paying big sum of money to be hoisted atop Mount Everest by the aid of trained Nepali Sherpas. I also heard that super billionaires are paying their way to space, and a list of such tourists is almost ready. People are now ready to spend money to be in some place, for a one-of- a-kind experience. But what if your work takes you places? This book is all about that – my impromptu visits to places around the world. I was not expecting any of them to happen but when they did, I expected nothing but good business, a change of air, and possibly a new connection. Yet, each trip became memorable and remains so to this day for various reasons – some for the tranquility and others for their historicity, adventure, food, people; or, sim

I n Dec of 2019 I clearly remember to be busy charting my plan for the year to come. I was on a vacation in India and emails crisscrossed between me and my business contacts, affiliated organizations, work partners and friends. In fact, I had a more than a full year on hand, with trips and travels spread across the whole year. Little did I know then that the year will turn out to be just the opposite. Passing through Singapore In mid-January I left India and passed Singapore on my way to Philippines in the midst of a report of a SARS-CoV type outbreak in Wuhan China in some media. It was not yet a headline news as the information coming out was sketchy. In Singapore nothing looked out of place, as people crisscrossed with carefree exuberance. Frolicking backpackers mixed with intense looking businessmen mixed from all corners of the globe, as had happened always in this country. This was also the time for heightened tourism as holidays were being used to travel as much as possible.

While a body cherishes its state, its gender can be a trap. I am born a man in both body and mind. God is a man, too, and on my side in this venture. Growing up, I separated my toys, chose different games, sat in a separate section in class, and learnt to differentiate commodities associated with the two sexes. I chose boys’ things all the time and later, men’s. Many years later, I decided to buy my first car with an automatic transmission. Cars run on a complicated gear system, which I disliked. For my choice, I was made to wait longer than the rest for my car. The showroom did not have one and had to retrofit my special request elsewhere. When my friends heard about my choice, they asked why I chose a women’s car. My decision was natural. I was looking for driving comfort over other features. Today, nearly everyone drives this version of a car. Perceptions of gender related differences are woven deep into our culture and accepted as a way of life. In the end, women st