Black Sheep Travel

19/03/2022

Dear Daisy - it has been one year since we had to say goodbye to you and it is still difficult for me to accept. I think about you constantly and have dreams about you at night. I miss coming home and hearing your feet scurry down the steps to greet me or find you in my bed relaxing. Your presence brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. Thank you for so many wonderful memories and for teaching my family how to love a dog. We miss you very much and will be forever grateful for the imprint you left on our hearts.

18/01/2022

Country #100 unlocked! - Panama

10 years ago, I made a random comment that I wanted to travel to 100 countries, but I started repeating it so often to people that it manifested itself into a goal I actively pursued.

I acknowledge the immense privilege of being born into a family and in a country where someone as ordinary as myself could do something extraordinary and was keenly reminded of this on my first day in Panama when I met a 23 year old local that shared that he has never left his country.

The 9-year old version of myself that used to spend hours at the library researching different countries for fun would be dumbfounded that he would go on to see and explore the very places that he read about.

My travels have definitely evolved from bunk beds at youth hostels and ordering the cheapest item on a restaurant menu to sleeping on high thread count sheets and dining at Michelin star restaurants.

However, the most memorable experiences I have had all include the people that I shared making them with. Sometimes that has been family and friends, other times it has been complete strangers.

Travel has been many things to me as I am sure it has been for many of you. At my worst, travel provided me an escape from reality and personal sorrow. At its best, Travel it allowed me so many moments of joy, beauty and pure happiness. It pushed introspection and reflection that has helped me grow both personally and professionally. More so than anything else, travel has made me become a more sensitive, empathetic and understanding person.

I definitely plan on continuing to travel and hope the same for you!
Happy Traveling!

04/11/2020

Last time I moved from Austin I was extremely emotional and kept thinking about what I was leaving behind, this time I leave with what I am looking forward to and an immense amount of gratitude. Austin’s warmth extends past the weather. The city is so welcoming with its beauty and its people. I am going to miss it so much, but will always hold my love for the city close to my heart. ❤️

28/04/2020

On April 26th, we lost our almost 93 year old grandmother.

I often took for granted how fortunate I was to live in the same city as My grandmother and even live under the same roof as her for so many years. I know I got easily frustrated by not being able to easily communicate with her due to my lack of Gujrati speaking skills. But I was lucky, Ben has been able to visit my different homes and celebrate with me, she was able to come to a dance performance when I was on the RAAS team in college and she got to spend time with my dog- all things that she wasnt able to experience with most of her other grandkids. Like many of you, I will remember and miss her smile the most in her absence. It didnt take much, just listening to her talk for a few minutes made her usually beam. One of my favorite memories was when she saw my ho**ah pipe. Her eyes opened wide when she saw it and she was excited to talk about it. She recommended that I put it on display in the living room and told me that as a little girl, she used to heat up the coals for her dad and brothers when they smoked their ho**ah pipe. I was surprised that she even knew what a ho**ah pipe was, let alone have such a positive memory of one.

As surreal as it is that we wont get to experience that smile again or hear her voice, we should all take solace in the long and blessed life she lived. She is survived by her husband of nearly 75 years along with her 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. May we continue to honor and celebrate her life by remembering to smile a little more and express our gratitude for her role in all of our existences. @ Austin, Texas

10/04/2020

Happy siblings day! Grateful for my siblings always proving a healthy balance of drama and humor to my life.

31/03/2020

A year ago today, Anthony and I decided to go on a blind coffee date after being introduced by an acquaintance of ours. I’m horrible at dating and didn’t pick up on his signals that he liked me until he sent me a text a few minutes after we left each other. A few days later, he met up with me when I was out with friends. I missed some of his signals again, but luckily I recovered and noticed them before it was too late. Now a year later, we are celebrating our first year anniversary. While we aren’t able to celebrate it together due to COVID, we got to celebrate watching a movie virtually together. this last year has been incredible. Your love and support helps me be my best self. From slow-waking mornings together to adventures that took us to Mexico City and Ecuador, you have brought so much happiness and joy to my life. I love you and can’t wait until to celebrate many more years with you!
:
@ Austin, Texas

23/03/2020

Today I failed and it was amazing! Recently, I have done a lot of introspection and recognized how much impact that has had on my life decisions. From simple things like armoring myself by the way I dress, the discomfort I feel from asking my friends for help to possibly traveling as an escape to even not timing some of my runs because I ran too slow, has impeded my growth. So today, I celebrate this failure of clocking in my slowest 3mile run to date. It was ugly, it was painful, but I loved it. Here is to the future where I perceive failure as the first step to success.

04/03/2020

This basically sums up the beauty of this place. So grateful for the opportunity to experience this place and leverage nature as my teacher.

17/02/2020

To completing another work week in India.

25/01/2020

Happy birthday to my first best friend, growing up with you pushed me academically because I was always trying to keep up with you. As an adult, you remind me to have more fun and support me by pushing me to be my best self. This past year was such a blessing because we got to have some new shared experiences together in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Seattle. My birthday wish is to have more amazing adventures with you. Love you!

10/12/2019

09/12/2019

Trying to make the most of this holiday season. Happy holidays to everyone!