The joys of driving

One of the most therapeutic things I have discovered for myself is driving. And I learnt how to drive last December. I got my licence here in Boston, we bought an old Honda Accord and off we were, on our way. The moment I sat behind the wheel and hit the highways, I realized what I was really missing out on and what I'd suddenly discovered- I really love to drive.

And I drive without a reason, just into nowhere. I love the roads, the scenery, the setting and it is also time when I am able to think about myself- what I am doing and what I need to be doing as I go ahead. And sometimes, I don't really choose a destination. I hit the road and then decide what I need to do- I drive on the highway, whenever I do get tired, I get off the highway, have a diet coke and some fries and am back again.

Sometimes, I do land up in wonderful places. Like yesterday.

I got onto I-95 and instead of travelling south which I do a lot, I decided to go north. And I kept going as the weather was wonderful and the road not very busy. I got past Massachusets and entered new Hampshire and the scenery got even better and then, as I kept going, I realized I was getting past Portsmouth and entering Maine. I took the first exit and came back to Portsmouth as it just seemed so incredibly pretty. The city has an awesome location- it sits near the mouth of the Piscataqua River, a short, wide river that divides New Hampshire and Maine. The city also is at the hub of a metropolitan region that includes several small cities and many towns. The population is about 25,000 odd people and it is just one of the finest quaint towns I have come across on the East Coast. I sat on a restaurant on Bow Street overlooking the bridge that connects NH with Maine, had a margarita, a ceaser salad and realxed seeing the sun set on an incredible day. I did not take the I 95 South right away as I wanted to see a bit more of the coastline and I took some of the smaller roads I made my way back. It was just a most wonderful and relaxing drive.

I realize that these trips to nowhere can be very refreshing. You do end up in good places and since you have no expectations, there is always a surprise. Its a good way to be. And thank God I learnt how to drive. Things are just so much better. And I have begun to appreciate Pirsig's comment even more- "Sometimes, its better to travel than to arrive."