When we asked Raghu Raahi to suggest our readers easy hacks to survive without money while travelling, he was not happy with the idea. "Why do you want me to sell it," he responded. After some thought, he told us not to take travel as another to-do list but instead consider it a catalyst to nurture our being.
Taking time from his 3,500-km-long Narmada Parikrama Yatra, he shared insights on how his travels have shaped him beyond the material charm. As he spoke, his voice began to tremble; clearly, exertion was taking its toll. But he went on to address our questions on travelling optimally and unconventionally.
With spirituality and slow travel dominating Raghu's travel anecdotes, we were not expecting an extensive 10-pointer hack. And he justified our assumption when he said, "Let's not commercialise travel."
For him, travel is a way of being. It is about experiences and the takeaways based on conversations and encounters. It is about learning new skills. So, if you are someone looking for an enlightening perspective on travel, here are some words of wisdom to follow on your next venture:
To travel efficiently, avoiding the constant hassle of money is essential. Instead, Raghu suggests that we must focus on building organic relations. Once we have managed to form a rapport with locals, communication becomes more favourable and helps us to convey our requirements comfortably. This helps us meet our basic needs, such as food and shelter.
A barter deal becomes possible when we experience the local culture and do not directly dive into forced conversations for our benefit. He suggested that one should be open to travelling as a volunteer and not view travelling as a mere checklist.
The art of self-dependency, Raghu says, is an essential takeaway from his local experiences. He learnt to make earthbag domes during his travels. Travelling should not just be about seeing new places but being open to learning new things. One must be willing to see the world from a different lens and learn while touring. These experiences help them grow both materially and spiritually.
As a traveller, one must allow themselves to expand and stay open to new ideas and conversations. One should consider travel as a medium to learn new things and broaden one's horizons. Building human connections should be central to these experiences.
Discover your true motivation for travel. Is it solely for entertainment, or do you seek personal growth and learning? Travel offers opportunities to delve into different aspects of life—understanding yourself, exploring the world and staying informed about global happenings. There are various reasons to travel, each offering enrichment and discovery.
Raghu also explained how one should focus on living in the moment and stop worrying. Travelling lets you live fully in the now. Every moment becomes a unique part of your journey—new flavours, skills and fleeting experiences shape unforgettable memories.
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