My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.
Yes, it's celebration time for me, and for more reasons than one!
- First, last week, I received the first payment for an article I had written! Check out my article, The Fort of Kumbhalgarh, published on W.Ruth Kozak's travel E-Zine, Travel Thru History.
- Next, my dream of seeing my name in print came true when my article on Omkareshwar was published in the Sunday Herald! I am yet to receive my copy of the newspaper, so meanwhile you can check out the article on their site here.
- Last, but not the least, I just received a mail informing me that my blog had been nominated for the Best Travel Indiblog of the Year, 2008. Yes, it is a bit late for the year, but as they say, better late than never! As soon as the voting starts, I shall put up more details, so meanwhile, get ready to vote for me!!!!!
Congrats ! That's a great achievement. So may good news, all together.
ReplyDeleteAre you a born writer?
congrats
ReplyDeletegreat news
I envy the traveling you do, but share your joy in the awards, as you well deserve it...
I feel your pictures speak volumes by itself, and yr thoughts are so very organised
good job
Anu- Im mighty impressed.. way to go and well deserved.. congrats.. just let us know when voting starts.. we will all do our bit.. once again congrats and very well done..(ajcl)
ReplyDeleteYayyy... Way to go Anu... !!:)
ReplyDeleteYou deserve it all! Everytime I read your travel stories I wonder how well its writtern and wishes there would be more readership! Great!! Congradulations!!! :)
ReplyDeleteConnnnnnnnngratulations Anu! You indeed deserve even more than these :)
ReplyDeleteGarden Lizard
Congrats Anu.
ReplyDeleteSo happy about all the good news.Ok tell me when the voting starts. Mine is for you.
Congratulations. There is nothing more exciting than to see your name in print. I hope you keep seeing yours frequently. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much to every single one of you! It is your comments and appreciation that makes me want to write more and more and improve my way of writing too.... and your inputs have been more useful than I can ever describe.... which makes me even more eager to share all my happiness with all of you!! Thanks so much again!!
ReplyDeletecongrats anu
ReplyDeleteSeveral reasons Anu to celebrate..will look up yr article
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. Just went through both the stories.
ReplyDelete@ Lakshmi and Arun : thanks a lot... reading your blogs and articles have been a major inspiration.....
ReplyDeletevery impressive "The Fort of Kumbhalgarh"
ReplyDelete