I lay there making snow angels as the Confetti dropped down on my face from the sky in what seemed like slow motion. The band that had been playing Indian tunes all afternoon went wild once again. One of the happiest members of the band, a skinny guy in a tank top and glasses, now covered head to toe in hot pink, orange, purple and powder of all the colors of the rainbow, played the Tabla to the beat of Phagunwa Mein Rang Ras Ras Barse for what seemed like the third time that day. He told me earlier he was a fan of Zakir Hussain, and this was his chance to show off some skills.
This was life.
I took it all in.
I smiled as the music was drowned out by the sound of my own breath.
This was what I'd been looking for when I left Europe on a short break to the East while I figured out what I wanted to do with my life.
People talk about being a "digital nomad" these days like they really know what that means. Back when I started my journey, that term didn't exist yet. I just wanted to get away from the freezing, rainy, cloudy Amsterdam weather of January. Not to mention the expensive... everything compared to the Southeast Asian countries I've been traveling. Most people envision what they see on Instagram: a High color, POV GoPro shot of someone walking with their laptop to a sunny porch overlooking the turquoise Pacific from Bali, Indonesia. Typing a few minutes on your keyboard only to go back to hang out with your buddies on their hammocks. Everybody's laughing, wearing sun glasses and jumping in the water. Of course, this does happen sometimes, especially when it's your first time in Southeast Asia. You rent out a bungalow somewhere exotic and enjoy island paradise and make sure to FaceTime your friends and family back home who are either indoors or freezing their boogers off on their bicycle ride home from work. But it's not always like that. A lot of the time you're alone in some semi adequate co-working office space with lukewarm, half burnt coffee. You have to make the decision to walk to the convenience store to get something to eat or ride it out till dinner time to have something decent in your belly. You're often questioning whether you're doing the right thing or followed the right life path too. Whether it's coding, design, or something else, working from your computer far away from home isn't always the way folks envision it. And when you're locked in on your computer, you're not exactly hanging out with lots of people either. You're not partying, playing, joking, laughing... You might get outside to enjoy nature from time to time, but you'll miss that too if you're working all night and sleeping all day.
Today was different.
Today, we celebrate life.
This story is an original creation of mine. I came up with it by rubbing some neurons together while listening to Zakir Hussain & Rakesh Chaurasia at Crossroads Festival 2015 as well as some Tommy Guerrero. Share some of your musical discoveries if it makes you zone out or wiggle your bum.
Cover image created using Mid Journey, text added using Canva
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This is actually a highly interesting journey of a story ... music and holidays in the world from the viewpoint of actually meeting them where they are ... good stuff
Thank you! I've never been a digital nomad, but this story is inspired in some of my solo travels around Asia. It's always super interesting to meet people that are also traveling, sometimes solo like me. You get to learn about their motivation to travel that way and almost always learn something new. For a music lover like me, It's ALWAYS new music :)
It is a beautiful story. It's interesting how people get inspired to write. Yours was through music.
Yes! And the visual cue too ;)
That's a great story you 'mixed up' it feels very real.
Hey thanks! I quite enjoyed the process. I started with the prompt, sprinkled some of my own experiences, mixed vigorously and Tadá!
I think I'll participate more often.
Thanks for doing these.
i wouldnt be surprised if that was a real story, could be a situation everyone could be in ...life gives many unpredictable outcomes
Life is amazing that way. I've never considered myself a writer, but I do have to admit that these prompts allow you to get in the zone for a while and build imagery, characters and their situations in your head. If you're able to put those on paper you might end up with an interesting story. :)
The good point is that you are here, and absolutely no pressure, you just sit and it comes what it comes... It's not a job, it's not an assignment, you are free
!PIZZA
Sounds like Holi festival. I actually did that paint powder throwing fest back in 2009.
Fun time for sure.
Your story brought me on my own nostalgic journey 😎🙏✊
I've actually never been, but it's what came to mind with the visual prompt. Hope you're having fun traveling. Maybe I'll see you soon in G City?
I’m back in mid Jan
I love this one
Thank you, it was a nice exercise to sit down and start free writing. I enjoyed looking up music and cities in India and letting my mind come up with a story. I appreciate you stopping by to comment.
Do you play chess?
I have a question kinda related to this post. How can an upcoming artiste penetrate through the music industry and become well known
I know a good music is part but what else?
I believe creating a community of true fans is key. Here's keynote presentation by Patreon's CEO Jack Conte:
Thanks
Cool! 🙌🏻
!LUV
@alex-rourke, @borsengelaber(3/3) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community | HiveWiki | <>< daily
cool beans!
It is not known when life will end, it is important to enjoy every day.
#hive #posh
True
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