The Lighthouse overlooking the Welsh countryside #2

After spending the past few days in a jungle, meeting with people who have really lived and experienced the true essence of living alongside nature, I have come back to my village and back to civilisation. It was a pleasure to hang out with some incredible people (which I will definitely talk about in the coming weeks). I also realised that I was really pushing myself to write because you were paying me and that made me look at weekly writing as an obligation. Thanks for bringing this up in the last post. I think its better to write when its coming from my heart and not because I am getting paid for it.

I have continued from the previous section which you can read over here..

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“PORTISHEAD” a sign read.

A bus rushed towards the signal. Oh what luck! It didn’t stop at this station. I ran towards the bus and knocked on the door. It was misfortunate on my part that I didn’t ask anyone about the bus, but it was shocking for the bus driver. A young dude was casually knocking on the door, mid-street, I might add! People in England are extremely obedient and I am defiant to my core. Most I would get for this crime was a small talk where someone would go, ‘Mate! You are not allowed to do that.’ to which I had my answer ready, a dull face and a soft spoken but extremely Indian ‘sorry’ as if I just landed out of Delhi. The driver took me in. Luckily he wasn’t angry at me. He didn’t bother to check my student card. I was on my way to Portishead Lighthouse! 

Sometimes incidents happen randomly with a slight instinctual awareness, we know that this is leading somewhere, to some point in the future where something incredible is about to happen. A certain momentary clarity that will keep this body and mind afloat in this sea of chaos for a few more months, atleast. It’s a mechanism ingrained in ourselves that goes deeper than any conditioning, brainwashing or manipulations. At that moment, we are perfect. Happy with existence. Smiling at every past mistake and witnessing the stupidity of clenching onto experiences. Past disappears, tomorrow hasn’t yet dawned and the present plays its theatrical in all its grandeur. There’s no need for substances even. Your mind is the substance, and you become the alchemist. 

As the bus carried me towards Portishead Lighthouse, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this journey was more than just a physical one. With each passing mile, the landscape outside the window transformed from the orderly streets of Cheltenham to the vibrant defiance of Bristol, and now to the open expanse that led to my destination. I was sitting in a bus filled with masked students. Each one of them had their face clasped onto their smart phone. I looked away, the sun hung in the sky like a promise, and my thoughts danced between the pages of Sartre's existential ponderings and the world that lay beyond the glass. 

In this moment, I was more than a traveler; I was an explorer of my own consciousness. As the bus engine hummed, I pondered upon the nature of freedom—how it wasn't just about breaking the rules, but about embracing the inherent chaos of life and finding my place within it. The echoes of my footsteps on the Millennium Bridge and the distant memory of shared laughter swirled together, reminding me of the simple joy that could be found in defiance, in living life on my terms.

Portishead Lighthouse stood ahead, a beacon of both literal and metaphorical light. It symbolized a journey into the unknown, a path illuminated by curiosity and a thirst for experiences beyond the ordinary. The lighthouse wasn't just a structure; it was a reminder that within the vastness of existence, I could carve my own path, navigate my own way through the uncertainties. The wind whispered secrets of untamed lands, of rivers and trees that knew no boundaries. With every step I took towards my destination, I felt the weight of societal expectations and personal doubts lift, replaced by the invigorating sense of being truly alive. The journey had brought me here, to this moment, where I could stand at the crossroads of thoughts and reality. The quote that had sparked this adventure played in my mind like a mantra, guiding me forward:

"I fly over the world without attaching myself to it; I place myself in an attitude of absolute objectivity."

With a newfound clarity, I walked towards the lighthouse, ready to embrace the day, the world, and the endless possibilities they held.

Stepping off the bus at Portishead, I felt the excitement of exploration bubbling within me. The town had a unique charm, a blend of coastal serenity and historical resonance. The air carried a salty tang, and a gentle breeze tousled my hair as I embarked on my journey.

Leaving the bus station, I followed the flow of pedestrians towards High Street. The quaint shops and once bustling cafes would have created an inviting atmosphere, offering glimpses of local life. It was all closed, as I walked. With each step, I sensed a connection to the town's past, a subtle interplay between its maritime history and contemporary vibrancy.

The sounds of seagulls added to the coastal ambiance, their cries echoing against the backdrop of the serene Severn Estuary. The water sparkled under the sunlight, its expanse stretching out as far as the eye could see. 

The route to the lighthouse unfolded with each stride, guided by instinct and a growing sense of anticipation. As I neared the shoreline, the crashing waves became more audible, their rhythmic cadence a natural symphony that harmonized with the surroundings. The scent of saltwater and the tang of the sea breeze mingled in the air, creating an immersive sensory experience.

With each step, the lighthouse loomed larger on the horizon, its white exterior standing out against the sky. The structure held an air of historical significance, a sentinel that had witnessed the passing of time and guided mariners to safety.

I found myself drawn to a spot to sit near the lighthouse, as if instinctually guided to the right place. As I settled in, the view before me was breathtaking. The sea stretched out before my eyes, meeting the distant horizon in a seamless embrace. The juxtaposition of the unending sea against the steadfast lighthouse was a powerful visual representation of the interplay between constancy and change.

As I gazed out at the sea, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. As I turned my gaze towards the sea, the view was dominated by an expanse of muddy water that seemed to stretch endlessly. Yet, even here, the signs of human intervention were evident. Boats dotted the water, a testament to human exploration and commerce. The skyline was punctuated by structures that seemed to emerge from the landscape with deliberate purpose—a mix of factory buildings, commercial spaces, and leisure facilities.

Trees and shrubs were strategically placed to create a visual harmony, and the pathways that wound through the scenery were meticulously designed to guide visitors through the curated landscape. It was nature, but nature that had been refined, moulded, and enhanced to align with human preferences.

The difference between the natural and the man-made was stark. The sea's vastness, once an untamed realm of mystery, now seemed contained within the boundaries of human influence. The interplay of light and shadow, which once danced freely across untouched terrain, now played upon surfaces shaped by human hands. While the scene was undeniably captivating, I couldn't help but reflect on the irony of it all. The beauty I beheld was a sign of human ingenuity, a manifestation of our desire to control and shape our surroundings. And yet, there was a part of me that yearned for the untouched, the wild, the unrefined—the kind of nature that defied our attempts to mould it.

As I sat by the lighthouse, observing this carefully curated landscape, I couldn't escape the irony of a world where even nature had been "developed." The view was undoubtedly picturesque, but it also left me pondering the delicate balance between our aspirations for beauty and the authenticity of the natural world.

Every person around me stood masked in the open expanse where the earth, sky and sea met. The echoes of fear were not limited to the realm of the mind; they resonated deeply within the collective consciousness as well. The world had witnessed the rise of an unprecedented phenomenon – the COVID-19 pandemic. The very air seemed to carry an invisible shroud of uncertainty.

As the pandemic swept through nations, fear became an omnipresent force, shaping the way people interacted with one another and their surroundings. The media, though essential in informing the public, sometimes exacerbated this fear, magnifying the worst-case scenarios and casting a shadow of apprehension over the future. Lockdowns and restrictions further heightened the collective anxiety. Streets once bustling with life now stood eerily deserted, mirroring the emptiness that had crept into the hearts of individuals. Human connection, once taken for granted, had become a potential source of danger. Social distancing, face masks, and hand sanitizers had become daily rituals, reminders of the invisible threat that lurked around every corner. Humans were ordered to separate themselves from other humans. The fear of the unknown, fueled by a lack of understanding about the virus and its long-term impacts, gave rise to a sense of helplessness. The very air people breathed had become a potential conduit for danger, and a simple cough was now met with wary glances. The pandemic had managed to blur the boundaries between truth and misinformation, fostering a sense of paranoia that added layers to the existing fear.

And yet, in the midst of this sea of fear, individuals and communities found ways to cope, to adapt, and to find strength within themselves. Acts of kindness and compassion emerged as beacons of hope, reminding us that even in the face of fear, the human spirit could shine through. People found solace in virtual connections, using technology to bridge the physical gap that fear had created.

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Have a wonderful week ahead.

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You can buy my book which is a memoir about my 1800 km walk through India through my website and donate for my upcoming walk through paypal or western union.