If I could plan a travel itinerary!

Travelling is more than just another time-off from routine. Indeed, travel could be a great medium to learn/teach some of the most complex lessons of life.

Someday in life, I wish to plan a travel itinerary for my kids that could acquaint them with such complex but beautiful lessons of life - The power of oneness, gratefulness, sacrifice, nation's pride, community, hope and diversity. But, c'mon we are talking about kids. Bitter medicines are given to them with chocolates! So, would add some fun & entertainment as well to this life trip too. After all, glossy packaging works well all the time. My trip, that spans across 2 countries (trying to leverage the best of both the worlds!), is planned in such a manner that, my kids learn a different lesson with every passing destination.

So here goes the planned trip for life:

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Take a local taxi to India Gate for the late evening (because that's precisely when India Gate looks like a stunning bride).

1. Sweet Home - India Gate, New Delhi - Tighten your seatbelts to get a concentrated shot of 'Patriotism'!

No. of days: 0.5

Each time I take a walk towards India Gate, my heart is filled with all the possible shades of National pride and I'm left remembering the sacrifices of the brave Indian soldiers. Even today, I do try to read the names of the soldiers inscribed on the tall structure. No better feeling than raising one's head to reach out to Amar Jawan Jyoti (the flame of the immortal soldier). Hopefully, my kids too experience a similar pride for their nation as me. Add some colorful chuski (ice candies) to this destination to give it a perfect finish!

Lesson learnt: Experience patriotic love and remember the sacrifice of those soldiers who laid their lives for 'our' good.

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Take an overnight bus from Delhi to Agra!

2. Taj Mahal, Agra - Welcome aboard to be left awe-struck by the marvel of Human creation! Welcome to the land of love!

No. of days: 1

15,000 visitors everyday!!! This can't be missed for sure. Appreciation is good! And this is where my kids will be compelled to appreciate the finest work of its time that stands tall as a beautiful symbol of passionate love. I'm awe-struck just by the thought, imagine about the actual experience. The famous Agra 'petha' (a translucent soft candy) will be our all-time dessert over the remaining trip. Couldn't get any better!

Lesson learnt: Learn the art of appreciation and remember that there are no boundaries for the creative mind!

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Take a cab from Agra to Vrindavan!

3. Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh - Gear up to experience the 'Power of faith'! Welcome to the land of Lord Krishna!

No. of days: 1

With hundreds of temples in this tiny land and temples dated back to even 1542, this place is a tall example of the 'Power of faith' which can be seen all around - through every devotees' eyes that are filled with the love for their lord, through every devotees' lips that chant 'Radhey Radhey', through every devotees' busy fingers with Japa mala. (Is a set of 108 wooden beads used for keeping count while reciting, chanting or mentally repeating a mantra).

However, let's not forget that indeed, Vrindavan is home to thousands of widows too that live on arms which usually go as low as Rs. 10 a day. Their life is a living hell with no one to rely on, except their own fragile old bodies. Seeing these widows, one is compelled to be grateful in life, to say 'thank you for everything', at least once in a blue moon.

Lessons learnt: Faith (not necessarily in god, but faith in anything) is very powerful and can be channelized in the right direction. Also, being grateful for everything makes one more content in life.

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Take a train from UP to Chennai and from there, take a cab to Pondicherry.

4. Auroville, Pondicherry - A universal city in the making

No. of days: 2

A living example of the idea of a community comprising of people from 45 nations, from all age groups, belonging to all social classes, coming from different backgrounds & cultures that together represent humanity as a whole. This is the place where the idea of service and humanity takes precedence over everything else. A beautiful yet tall example of 'unity in diversity'. It's not a bad idea to try one's hand at veganism here too!

Lessons learnt: Nothing beats the idea of Community love and service!

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Take a cab back to Chennai, from there fly to San Francisco.

5. San Francisco, USA - The Hill City of the US

No. of days: 3

Time to appreciate the delicate inter-play between man and nature! The cable car (the only moving National Historic Monument in the world) drive over the crookedest streets in the world , Lombard Street, and cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge surely will be an enthralling experience. Pack this up with architectural marvels of this earthquake city - Transamerica Pyramid, 555 California Street, Russ Building, Shell Building, Fairmont Hotel Tower, San Francisco City Hall, Ferry Building and the list goes on. Being in SFO, one gets a feeling as if the entire city is out for a run, like literally! Add summer fogs to the package to make it complete!

Lessons learnt: A building has integrity just like a man. And just as seldom. - Ayn Ryand

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Take a bus from SFO to LA.

6. Los Angeles, USA - World's entertainment center

No. of days: 3

Well, I have another name for it too, the City where a lot of magic lies! Why magic? What else will you call a city with Disneyland, Hollywood, Madame Tussauds, Griffith Observatory, Dolby Theatre and I can go on adding! The churros are your pals throughout, especially when lazing around some of the most beautiful beaches like Santa Monika! Walking past the Rodeo Drive, I envision my kids tasting 'luxury' in its totality, thereby inspiring them to work harder in life to get the best from the world. Of course, we'll have the Shirley Temple here too.

Lessons learnt: Fun is important too!        - Anonymous

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Take a bus from LA to San Diego.

7. San Diego, USA - The 'original' Sea World land!!!

No. of days: 2

Here comes the cherry on the top! San Diego's Sea World. The trip could not have ended at anything better! Can't ask for more than a warm greeting by Shamu, trained sea lions & dolphins. To mention the least, the huge aquariums and sea shows are simply stunning! My kids are sure to be lured by this one! Pack this all with an interesting opportunity to pet these beautiful creatures.

Lessons learnt: Fun should never stop!        - Anonymous

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Take a flight back home from San Diego.

Return back to sweet home!

No. of days: The counting continues until the next life's trip...

Lessons learnt: Don't forget the above learnt lessons...

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This itinerary required a lot of planning both within and outside the country. I have to credit http://www.yatra.com for making my task so much easier by helping me book my flights, hotels, bus, etc.