Kerala nurse-cum-globetrotter's journey to becoming a confident solo traveller

Even a consummate juggler would pale before some women who juggle with their passion and profession with great finesse and dexterity. Kerala nurse Amritha Rose is one such woman who gives adequate space to her zeal and career, leading to happiness and a more profound sense of purpose. 

Amritha, who works in Ireland, is a master at balancing her love for travelling and her dedication to her profession as a nurse. While treading the unbeaten path, she had been realising her dreams, from scaling Everest's base camp to penning a book. In a freewheeling chat with us, Amritha provides a few insights into her love for travelling and fighting against all odds. 

Profession and travel 
The job of a nurse is highly demanding as nurses have to face the rigours of people’s emotions. No one is as happy as a sand boy when admitted to a hospital following an ailment. Some people would be angry, others depressed and melancholic. Many patients may also lose hope. Essentially, the nurses are surrounded by people with a wide range of emotions. If the team you are working with is not up to the mark or the workplace is repressive, these factors can adversely affect us. 

As I am from a middle-class family and can’t shy away from my responsibilities, it was vital for me to be financially independent. I can’t even think of stepping down from my hospital duties and chasing the dream to travel across the globe. I also can’t be at work all the time and keep my travel plans on the back burner. And that’s when the balancing act comes into play. The off days and holidays are managed in a way that allows me to hit the road on those days. I derive great happiness and satisfaction when I effectively balance my passion with my profession. 

Coming out of shell 
My father’s ancestral house is in Kannur, and my mother’s in Thrissur. During my childhood, I always cherished the journey to my mother’s ancestral house in Thrissur. My father’s relatives stayed in high-altitude places that were above sea level. The travel escapades to their places were my source of happiness in my childhood. And when some of my friends, who were boys, unleashed their excitement and mystery about their tours to fascinating destinations, I was nothing but a picture of gloom. I thought that I was not able to travel like boys only because I was a girl. 

After watching the popular TV programme ‘Sancharam,' I used to declare emphatically that I would travel extensively, but nothing materialised. After landing a job, I decided to hit the road whenever possible. I also love to delve into the world of adventure. Doing something adventurous that my friends desisted due to morbid fear gives me tonnes of confidence. Each journey or expedition is a motivation in itself, and that confidence is carried over to the next trip. My actions are a strong rebuttal to those who had written me off because I was incapable of doing such things. Moreover, I was discovering myself through the odysseys.  

Great lessons and solo travel  
Travel is akin to reading textbooks, and we learn a great deal while embarking on a journey. There are many circumstances in which we have a deeper understanding of ourselves. Sometimes we are shaped into better individuals or learn to become better human beings who can mend their ways. While visiting new places you would invariably meet new people and strike a conversation with them. Some people will unfold their entire life in one go. Life is simple. We complicate things by overthinking life. 

I am into solo travel, as you don’t have to wait for anyone. You have complete freedom. You can walk, talk and have food whenever you want without any restriction. Moreover, I get an inside view of how I manage myself during solo trips. Once you fall for a solo trip, it becomes an addiction. Earlier, parents used to tell their daughters that they could travel extensively after marriage. I don’t know what prompted that statement. I wonder whether that statement was made out of security concerns or because they had a notion that girls can’t travel alone. It’s high time to usher in a change in that mindset. 

India's attitude towards solo women travellers
I safely travelled across Europe, though initially, there was a fear in my mind. While in Europe, you have to be on guard against robbers. As we grew up with the constant advice not to talk to strangers and not to board strangers’ vehicles, we view every person with a certain degree of doubt. We even cast a shadow of doubt on genuine individuals. This misunderstanding slowly ebbed away through frequent travel. Travelling is the right path to know more about people. 

I had a bitter experience while travelling through certain states in India. While we are in an unfamiliar place, we can only move around by relying on public transport or taking the hitchhiking mode. Sometimes, people’s attitudes towards women travelling can be discouraging. At times, I was greeted with a stream of expletives. We cannot brood over such things, as our time in this world is limited. Within that time limit, we have to travel to as many destinations as possible. 

Breaking the stereotypes
Even now, some people think that women should not go on such solo trips. Initially, my family members were strongly opposed to my travel plans. They couldn’t digest the fact that I was travelling with strangers and spending money to visit places. Their credo – girls should stay indoors. Some people said that I shouldn’t ruin my reputation, as I had to be married off. Though these had hurt me mentally, my priority was my expeditions and happiness. Ultimately, I should have a feeling that I also lived for myself for a while. 

Yet to visit many places in India 
I have visited 10 countries, but India tops the list as the best destination in the world, as it’s dotted with many hidden gems. There is no other place in the world that can boast of so many cultures. You can see snow-capped mountains while visiting the Himalayas, deserts in Rajasthan, and paddy fields and rivers in Kerala. And if you go to the North-east, Cherrapunji is waiting for you. The country is very diverse, with its Mumbai city, Delhi's mosques, Rishikesh's Ganga aarti, synagogues, various languages, cuisines, and dialects. I have yet to set foot in many places in India, and I love to cover the length and breadth of the country. 

The other country that I love the most after India is Montenegro. The small nation is tucked away in the middle of lofty mountains. The Edinburgh Street of Scotland also bowled me over. I want to explore the Alps mountain ranges of Europe more. I have a great desire to travel in my own camper van. 

The negative experiences
I had bad experiences with different places and people. I went for a waterhole hike in Maharashtra four years ago. It was raining heavily, and I had a bad fall while coming down. My head banged a rock and for a second I thought I was dead. I was bleeding profusely, but fortunately, that bleeding was triggered by a small cut on my head. 

An autorikshaw driver tried to misbehave with me while I was in Rishikesh. I had a feeling that the driver was taking the wrong route, and I shouted at the top of my lungs, using my limited knowledge of the local language. And I escaped unhurt. We can wriggle out of a tight situation if we react strongly. 

A dream moment 
It was my long-cherished dream to write a book. I realised pretty late that people with a wealth of experience can pen a book. My first book hit the stores when I was 25 years old. I wondered whether it was right to publish a book at that young age. My writing style is straightforward – I write in the same way I speak. My friends were all ears as I explained my experience at Vellagavi, and they suggested I write a book. The stories that I posted on social media and wrote in my travel diary metamorphosed into a book. Though many pulled my leg for writing such a small book titled ‘Vellagvaiyude Ormakkal’, it doesn't bother me. 

Dream journey 
Scaling Everest Base Camp was my treasured dream. The expedition took place in April, and I began training for the arduous trek six months before the journey. The expedition is the best gift I have given to myself this year. That was indeed a milestone. It’s not a cakewalk when it comes to altitude climbing, as even death can knock on your door. There was great difficulty in breathing, and I experienced general weakness. But the strong will to realise a long-cherished dream pushed me forward. I badly wanted to reach the top and see Mount Everest. We don’t have thousands or two thousand years to live. Live the life you want, and travel to your heart's content.