Sonal Singh On Sonal's Table
Priyanka reached out to me out of the blue on messenger. She’d come across my website, read my personal intro, found it whacky and laughed. Little did I know that her message, her book (that she lovingly signed and couriered) would turn into one of those experiences (and hopefully friendships) that would tickle my fuzzy senses.
Priyanka Gupta’s ‘Journeys beyond and within’ is a compelling travel memoir of a woman who decided to eschew the expected and instead nosedived into the unknown yet exhilarating world of travel. Any traveller worth their mettle will identify with her struggles, her insecurities, her concerns for her safety and the inundating sense of homesickness that one feels (even though we willingly, even excitedly depart from home). As a person who likes travelling off the beaten path, revels in nature and enjoys eating at roadside eateries and food stalls abroad, I could identify with Priyanka’s journey.
Chile – a country I have wanted to travel to forever- for its scenic beauty (and also Peru), its beautiful hospitality and its warmth towards tourists (plus of course, it’s home to my fav poet – Pablo Neruda). Priyanka’s inspiring journey through this beautiful landscape- navigating local language, religious beliefs, food woes, financial budgeting, etc… was a beautifully poignant reminder of all the experiences that only travel can bring.
Her journey through Bali and thick Malaysian jungles was so oddly reminiscent of my travels through Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand (In fact most of South east Asia) – staying at budget Airbnb accommodations, using local modes of travel, eating with the locals, enjoying the hospitality extended by our cab drivers and local shop owners… it’s an endlessly beautiful memory string that resurfaces every once in a while, and brings with it the ache of travel-longing.
Priyanka writes a detailed travelogue punctuated with just enough wit and humour to make it endearing. You want to flip through the pages fast to know what comes next, what new adventure she embarked on. I have laughed, cried and felt the pang of her loneliness as I read her memoir. I have wanted to hug her close, just because there is nothing a hug cannot cure. And, parental drama…lol … yep, felt that too. After all we both are from UP and well, UP marches to its own parental beat. There’s only so much a single woman is allowed.
Priyanka, I congratulate you on this book (even though I am so insanely jealous) and I hope you have experiences beyond your wildest imaginations.
To readers – if you enjoy travel and real-life experiences, pick this book up.
For travellers – You should absolutely pick this book up! If only to relive your experiences.
P.S – check out her blog – https://www.onmycanvas.com/
Amazon purchase link –
What a delightful read about Priyanka’s travel adventures! Her memoir sounds like a treasure trove of experiences that resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever felt the pull of the unknown. I especially loved the mention of Chile and Southeast Asia—those places have such a unique charm, and it’s refreshing to see someone capture their essence so authentically. The part about navigating local languages and food woes hit home; it’s those little struggles that make the journey memorable, don’t you think? I wonder, though, did she ever face a moment where she felt like giving up, and what kept her going? Your connection to her story through your own travels makes me curious—what’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned from your adventures? This memoir seems like a perfect blend of inspiration and reality, and I can’t wait to dive into it myself!
Thank you