KOCHI: One can never imagine Vijayan, the owner of a small wayside tea shop at Kadavanthra here, as a globetrotter. But he is one. “Ever since my childhood, I have dreamt of nothing but visiting unknown lands. This is exactly what I am doing now,” Vijayan says.After touring West Asia, Vijayan and his wife Mohana are all set for a European trip next month which will also extend to Australia.“We will be visiting France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. I was a bit apprehensive in the beginning when the visa procedures got delayed. But now we are all set to go,” says an excited Vijayan. His wanderlust was ignited by the books he read in his early years. “Being a staunch Communist, I hardly ever missed any information about the erstwhile Soviet Union. This opened a new dream world for me about the Baltic, Moscow, St Petersburg, Black Sea and many other places. Besides, my father was also a keen traveller who helped me unleash my dreams,” he says. Vijayan always tours with his wife. “Your dreams are satiated only when you have somebody to share it,” a happy Vijayan says.Of all the countries he has visited so far, he loves Israel the most. “Amidst all the chaos and commotion, a calmness prevails there. The people are so disciplined that I was wonder-struck,” he says.Although he struggles to make both ends meet, his financial insecurities never came in the way of his passion. He borrows money to raise funds for his tours. “It is the only way out. My daughter also helps me. With a small tea shop, how can I make money for the trips otherwise,” he asks.“You may encounter a lot of hurdles on the way, but that is life. It should never deter you from pursuing your passion,” Vijayan says.However, he has not been able to visit his dreamland Russia so far.Even after visiting so many countries, his heart is where the home is.“I just want to travel but have never thought of leaving my place,” Vijayan adds.
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