A VERY SPECIAL SATURDAY

The beginning points

We are originally from the Sindh and I was born in Pakistan. But I can never go back there – She stated with mild moistness in the corner of her two eyes.

For the last four generations we have been living in this city. I think the real journey, is the journey within. I want to go back to my home town Kutch. I want to discover the barren land, the rugged landscape, the rustic ambience. I think, I am in pursuit of me – Every expression of hers was noteworthy. She could make all of us feel that our roots matter to us.

Navy has given me my better days – He said with immense pleasure in his voice. He is a doctor by profession but has served in the Indian Navy or perhaps still associated. I am not quite sure.

I have written a lot and my writings have got published. But I regret to mention out here that none of my travel articles have got published – He is all of sixty but with a childlike enthusiasm in him. He holds no qualms of sitting along with other participants who are younger than him.

I am a closet writer – I remember her name clearly. She is Deepa. I confided into her that she is the third Deepa, I have come across in my life. She smiled.

I find a lot of mystery in there – He said with an innocent smile. He is an architect by profession. Travels extensively and had lots to share.

Manali is very much like a high school romance – Staring across every participant, she made it sure she made herself heard.

I am not interested in the tombstones, I am interested more in the casinos and massage parlors in Macau – He was blunt in his demeanor and views.

Hi – She was the first to interact with me. The colorful necklace of beads around her neck made her look even more gracious. She was born in America and now lives in Bandra.

I am a freelance writer – She introduced herself calmly after traveling all the way down from Breach Candy. We shared our common views over how freelancing is like treading on uncertain premises.

And this is how she died… concluded the guide – The red color that she was dressed in made her stand out on a dull and cloudy day. She was talking of an expedition to the hill station of Matheran.

I don’t want to be a professional writer. But I want to do travel writing for my kids, who will enjoy reading what I have written for them – She shared wonderful things while we were having coffee. She was very much interested to know what blogging is all about.

Yes we are neighbors – Answered the green eyed girl.

Everything I have reproduced above is strictly no fiction stuff but real people and what they shared at the Travel Writing Workshop held at Studio X Mumbai, Kitab Mahal.

I had the privilege of being a part of it. I was a part of the group which had milestones shining in their eyes. All of them spoke with lot of conviction. Extremely passionate about traveling and well read, they were here to learn the nuances of Travel Writing from none other than Dilip D’Souza.

Sparking the conversation

Selected and awarded the best author and writer by The Daily Beast award in New York on June 20, 2012; Dilip D’Souza has been writing amazingly for the last many years. He writes a column on mathematics in the mint edition of HT Lounge. He has three books to his credit. I am dying to own a copy of ‘Roadrunner’. He wore a dark blue cotton shirt with white leaves on it, tucked neatly in his denim jeans. Being an established writer himself, Dilip knows how to hold the interest of his audience. After he walked into the hall where a group of 20 odd people were seated, he requested us to surrender our mobiles in the two bowls he circulated all over. Secondly he warned us all that if possibly any of the mobile phones were not put on silent mode and it rung in the midst of a lecture, he would answer that call. And he will inform the caller that the owner of that mobile phone has been admitted to the hospital. He had us in splits. He lived up to his promise by actually answering a call and speaking aloud – OH YES! HE IS IN THE HOSPITAL.

Dilip D’Souza then pulled out a harmonica from his pouch and played the lovely song –

Aye Dil Hai Mushkeel Jeena Yahan,

Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan…

And thus began a workshop that will spill over to the Sunday. He asked us to introduce ourselves. Post the introductory round, he asked us to write in just five lines about our experience of a place we had recently and loved the most.

No one shied away. Everyone wrote. Some stories were amazing. Some had the potential to transform into amazing writers. Dilip made every writer read out his experience, which was followed up by one-to-one interactions. Dilip asked everybody to be as communicative as possible. Before breaking out for lunch, he drew a rough sketch of a place he wanted us to visit and discover a wonder.

We ventured out in heavy rains, not worrying about getting wet. Following the route that Dilip had explained, we reached the point of discovery. We came back with amazing memories of what we saw inside a shed made of banned asbestos sheets. On our return, we were again asked to write about. Everyone was allowed to share his or her opinion over it. Sheer marvels emerged out of the written pieces.

Playing the song… Again!

I lent my voice to croon – Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara..Na Jaane Kispe Aayega. Dilip played his harmonica with much more enthusiasm. We were done with lunch. But not for once did we feel the pangs of drowsiness. Dilip kept us excited. This time the session got more interesting. Opinions were vivid. No one was disgruntled if criticism came tumbling down on the stuff written and presented.

Takeaways

After a long time, I truly enjoyed the workshop. Maybe after almost four years, I enrolled for a workshop. Enjoyed every bit of it. Brought home along with me, a copy of Timeout Explorer. Anyone of us, who is chosen to be good in the lot will get an opportunity to write for the Timeout Explorer.

Personally I had not wanted the session to come to an abrupt end. The gentleman sitting beside me seemed to be in a hurry. Dilip’s facial expressions, rightly displayed his disappointment over the attendees leaving in a tizzy.

On any other day, I would have championed the cause of staying back home on a Saturday. But I made an exception. I went ahead to attend the workshop and traveled back with an eagerness to write, rewrite, read and reread to create good stuff.

I just can’t wait for the Sunday to arrive. The second session is out there calling me. Thumbs up to Dilip D’souza for making the workshop extremely special.

I wish in the near future, AVID LEARNING continues to keep us updated over the many other programs.  The first session is over and the second one is beginning in another 9 hours from now. 

This session was held at:

Studio X Mumbai. KitabMahal, 4^th Floor, 192 D. N. Road, Fort, Mumbai-400 001

The above is an account of the first day: July 7, 2012

Time: (Sunny) 10 a.m. to (Cloudy) 5.30 p.m.

Did I mention about the food? 1) Breakfast of Cheese and Veg Sandwiches accompanied by tea/coffee and of course deliciously baked biscuits...

The Lunch: It couldn't have got yummier than this - Pav Bhaaji and the addictive sweet things that followed.

Evening snacks: Tea/Coffee along with some more delicious somethings.

A huge hug to the organizers at the event venue, who kept the continuous supply of coffee, tea and mineral water running... They are not the unsung heroes. But the real heroes behind the scene to keep the show running to a packed house (literally).

The sound system: It was soft. Traveled through the ears... straight into our hearts. And the memories are still alive in the form of voice notes in the mind's core.

 -vociferous