Tamar, 26, Mcleod Ganj
Tamar is originally from Israel but left the country at the age of 5 when her family moved to Canada. She’s been traveling and living in India for 2 years.
Travelettes: Tell us about your India trip so far.
Tamar: I came here 2 years ago and at first I just traveled around to all sorts of places all over the country. Somewhere along the way an astrologist told me that my life would change in dharamsala and indeed, when I went there I saw a Butoh dance performance and was so captivated by it that I decided to sign up for the 9-month course teaching butoh. There are 8 students in my school coming from all different countries.
Travelettes: When did you start traveling and what does traveling mean to you?
Tamar: I started backpacking at 17. I’ve been to most of south east asia, Spain, France, Ecuador, Mexico, Belize, Guatamala and the US among others. It kind of feels like I’m always traveling. Even when I’m home I’m just sort of passing through. It’s like I have gypsy in my blood. I just need to keep moving.
Travelettes: What did you expect coming to India in particular?
Tamar: I tried not to have any expectations because when you do you often become disappointed. I wasn’t planning on being enlightened or anything, I was just totally open and in a way, because I wasn’t searching for it, I found it in many ways.
Travelettes: What have you learned?
Tamar: I learned what is patience and what it means to be one with everything. I learned what it means to not be attached, to accept and let go, what is the self and what isn’t. It’s hard to put it to words properly. I don’t belong to any group or religion which is good because I can take everything in and be non-judgmental of myself and others.
Travelettes: Describe your life back home and how does it compare to who you are in India?
Tamar: My life back home is one of consumerism, fear of time passing and boundaries. I do love things like sipping martinis in swanky hotel bars, sex and the city and fashion but I don’t want to be part of that 9-5 world so many people live in. There’s a sense of fear there, a pressure about the past and the future where everything is about “what will make me happy” and people are scared to lose time. In India it’s all about the present and I like that.
Travelettes: Where do you see yourself in the future?
Tamar: I really want children although I don’t see myself having a house and bills to pay. I just might have a family and still travel around. For the more immediate future, when my course finishes in december I’m thinking to go stay on the andaman islands for a while and visit the many tribes living there.
Travelettes: How do you feel about traveling and what advice would you give other girls on the subject?
Tamar: I’ve always traveled alone but most of my girlfriends from home are scared of it. People have those preconceived notions of of traveling alone but you have to give yourself a chance. There is so much to learn. It forces you to look at and be with yourself. However, often it’s actually quite difficult to find alone time. When you’re alone it attracts people, they come to you.
It’s a matter of finding that middle ground of being open and trusting people and not making premature judgments yet being smart and not naive. Be willing to be surprised as things cannot be the way they are back home. Do not be afraid of your potential because you can do it. If we’re afraid that is what we attract. The way we perceive the world around us all lies in our minds and through the mind we can control everything. You can look at the day and think it’s foggy and dark or you can think of it as misty and fascinating. Just accept how things are and you can change them by accepting them.
If you have any questions for Tamar or would like to contact her send an email to feedback@travelettes.net with “Tamar” in the subject line and we will forward her your messages.
5 Comments