Our trip is coming to a close, and I’ve been thinking of an appropriate way to conclude these series of updates. There are many ways to go about this, and I’m not even sure if I can put to words the emotions I’m feeling. Nevertheless, I’ll try and summarize how I feel using a different method. So grab some reading glasses and/ or a chess board; whatever you need to follow along.
Duality is a curious notion; throughout the universe we find opposites. Whether its matter and antimatter, synonyms and antonyms, night and day, it seems that everything has its contrast. Yet the very existence of duality creates a spectrum of infinite possibilities. Something isn’t just looked at as just black or white, but any and all shades of grey in between. I’ll use chess as a loose analogy; it’s not a game if you’re only looking at it from just either the white or black side. Both sides considered, it becomes a work of art, expressive, with countless variations and styles. Only after four moves, there already exist over three hundred billion possible options to consider.
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 Bg7
4. e4 d6
Much like in chess, you can chose to go throughout life looking at the coin from one side; play it safe and live comfortably. Many people do, societal norms and expectations are formed, and that’s just fine. For others, this life is not all Goldilocks and porridge. The road most travelled simply doesn’t work out for everyone, hence the word “most”. I’m not afraid to admit I was one of those people.
5. Nf3 O-O
6. Be2 e5
7. d5 a5
8. Bg5 h6
9. Bh4 Na6
10. O-O Bd7
11. Nd2 Nc5
12. b3 …
Consequently I stumbled across a different path that I had not even considered until recent. Carpe Diem gave me an avenue to do something different, so as long as I was able to give up the comfort of what I knew, time with our friends and family, and many other key aspects of my life. One could say that’s a pretty hefty sacrifice, but the concept sounded, for a lack of a better word, cool. So I went for it.
12 … Nfe4 takes Pawn!!
13. Bd8 takes Queen
Change can be a scary concept. In my case, I was thrust into a completely different world full of people and places I knew nothing of. The culture, societal norms, way of thinking, and even the rules of the road were all very different from what I was used to. Needless to say I was unsettled from the start. Not only that, I was travelling with people that I previously never saw myself relating to. I was not only a fish out of water, but a fish spiraling through outer space, wondering if some black hole or quasar will swallow me whole. Yet, as much as my foundation was uprooted, I saw the opportunity to learn as something greater than the cost of coming here.
13. … Nc3 takes Knight
14. Qe1 Rfd8 takes Bishop
15. Rc1 Na2 takes Pawn
The point was not whether I failed or succeeded, the point is that I’m learning about a whole new realm of life inconspicuous to me otherwise. Although I got frustrated and tired when trying to understand people and concepts along the way, I tried my best to keep an open mind to my surroundings. Slowly but surely, I started becoming more and more accustomed to my new life. That, in turn, expanded my perspective and took me on this wonderful journey I never imagined was possible.
16. Ra1 Nb4
17. Bd1 e4
18. Rb1 Re8
19. Qe3 f5
20. h4 Rf8
21. g3 Rae8
22. Kg2 Nbd3
23. Rg1 f4
24. gf4 Rf4
25. h5 g5
26. Rf1 Rh4
27. Rh1 Rf4
28. Rf1 Ref8
29. f3 Rh4
30. fe4 takes Pawn Nf4 takes Pawn
31. Kg1 Ncd3
32. e5 Ne5 takes Pawn
33. Rc1 Rh3
34. Nf3 g4
35. Ne5 …
I can now say I’ve been to Delhi, Mcleodganj, Dharmsala, Himachal, Amritsar, Agra, Varanasi, Kolkata, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Rishikesh, and other fascinating cities. I’ve volunteered at Kalighat and Guria. I’ve seen the Golden Temple, the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and the spot of Bhudda’s enlightenment. I’ve lived on a farm, in an Ashram, those who don’t even have their health. I’ve haggled who knows how many Rickshaws. I’ve gained a new-found love for tea and Yoga. I’ve met a group of wonderfully unique people and have had the privilege of having all of the above experiences with them. Above all, I’ve gain a new perspective of my values, abilities, and way of thinking. Heck, that’s not even half of what I’ve done, nor does just listing these experiences do them justice. I can use a number of words to describe this adventure and metaphorically put you to sleep with a barrage of details. Instead, I’ll spare you by summarizing it all and saying that, simply, it was worth it.
35. … Re3 takes Queen
36. Nd7 Nh3 Check
37. Kg2 Rf1 takes Rook
38. Kf1 takes Rook g3
39. Kg2 Nf4
India has inspired me in ways that I never even knew possible, and even when I come back home to the United States and return to my normal life, I’m going to continue exploring the spectrum of life. After all, that’s what Carpe Diem, both in the sense of the phrase and the program, stand for. I have many things I’m looking forward to trying when I get back home, between hobbies, music, movies, and, if I’m ever feeling up to it, shows like Gossip Girl and Vampire Diaries.
Thus, in light of my time on the other side of the world, I implore all of you reading this out there to start or continue adventuring into the vast world around you. Challenge yourself physically, mentally, and socially whenever possible. You can even take up chess if you want (I highly recommend it). You can explore as much as you desire and create your own adventure, like the immortal 39 move game between Garry Kasparov and Vladmir Kramnik in Munnich, 1994.
I can go on forever about my experiences in India, adventure, and chess, but all things must come to an end eventually. Before I go, I have just have a few words I would like to say to all of the incredible individuals I’ve met along the way.
Namaste,
Dhanyabad,
and last but not least,
40. Kg1 Re1… Checkmate
It has been a true pleasure playing with you all.
