Seen from the sky

Every time I embark on a long-distance journey, I stir with excitement for something that is not related to the destination: to stare for hours from the airplane windows into the world below. Seen from the sky, all we know has a different texture. And I do not only mean the advantageous viewpoint where we can contemplate cities, mountains, rivers, deserts, oceans... but human life itself.

Ultimately heading to India, the first flight destination was Doha, Qatar (a rather long 8-hour pause which turned out very fruitful - more in the About section). I was lucky to have been given the window seat, so, as a mesmerized child, I could not take my eyes off the heart-opening view.

Beyond the everlasting beauty in different shapes and colours, and with the help of a live map of our location on the screen on the back of the front seat, the first identifiable place we passed by was none other than Madrid. High above, the capital of Spain was no larger than a fingernail (I did try to fit it). Millions of people, all with their lives, routines, families, dreams... All inside a fingernail. It is hard to put into words, but something inside shifts, and I am sure many of you have had that experience.

The world from above has a different texture

This so called overview effect (or a deemed version of it at least) encapsulated my first impulse to write. I had to capture it somehow. This travel log is a result of those moments, where all human experiences fit on a fingernail (or two).

A few hours later, approximately 11800m below, at Qatar airport, I started to cook this journey in a writing form. As a good masala chai, all the ingredients were gathered, crushed, mixed, boiled, and simmered.

May you enjoy this very personal beverage.

Welcome, friend, to the skyborn chronicles. First stop: mother India.