Do I read as much as I like? Do I travel as much as I want?
The answer to both these questions is no. You can never read and travel as much as you want. It is impractical. You definitely cannot do both enough. There is always a book that you have always wanted to read and a place you have always wanted to go.
Travelling to me may as well be a substitute to reading. I do not read when I am travelling. Except when I am in flight or train.
I am trying to make it a habit to read something from the place I am travelling to. A work in translation is what I look for but sometimes a work of fiction in English has to suffice. I have a copy of fiction translated from Malayalam which I failed to read before my Kochi trip. My Andamans trip last year was pretty bookless. But I am determined to read a work of fiction or non fiction from the place I am travelling to, from now on.
Reading translations from different countries is another habit I am working on. I figure this is the cheapest way to travel. I have covered countries like Korea, Vietnam and Argentina, all of these have faced war for generations to remember. Apart from these I have read books from Middle East, Saudi in particular. Jean Sasson gives a detailed picture of life in these countries. If there is more to the places then I am yet to read about it. Like I said you cannot read or travel enough. I have read books from Pakistan and Afghanistan too. These countries too have some great work of literature to offer.
In India I have covered Kerela, Delhi, Pondicherry and Karnataka. My lack of reading thrifts here is compensated by the physical travels done in India.
I do intend to read more and travel as much as I can. Right now I am preparing a TBR for the next travel destination. J & K, here I come!