I’ve been thinking a lot about my trip to India. I leave on November 7th and so I’m busy writing lists, making sure I know what I’m taking and that I have everything I need.
We (that’s me and my life time friend Marney) plan to travel light even though we don’t anticipate lugging our bags far, as for the most part we will have a driver – what luxury! We will be taking two train journeys though, because it seemed to us we just couldn’t go to India without catching a train.
Perhaps most important of all on my list – is notebook. I have yet to buy the notebook I’ll take with me but I’m thinking it just might have to be a moleskin – beloved of travellers and ‘fashioned after Bruce Chatwin’s descriptions of the notebooks he used in his travels. The name itself, “Moleskine”, is a nickname that Chatwin uses in one of his most celebrated writings, The Songlines (1986).’ Wikki
We were hoping to go to Rohetgarh, the very spot in Rajasthan where Chatwin wrote, we are both fans, but it wasn’t possible. We won’t be far away though.
Back to the notebook – I’m thinking maybe two – One larger for longer pieces, one small and easy to carry, for lists, impressions and maybe some Renga. More of Renga next time…OR How about your very own customised moleskine? I think I might just customise my own.
I hope you have found (or made :-) beautiful notebooks Avril. What treasures you will be storing inside. Have a wonderful trip. Kelly x
Thanks Kelly – I have one now, an old unused notebook that I customised with some handmade paper of my daughter’s. Maybe buy another. Trying not to get too excited. But like you I’m a hopeful traveller. Really enjoyed your compassion post this week A x