A Trip Around the World: The connection between literature, landscapes, and memories.

INDIA – The term “shrinking” has been repeatedly used to describe the world around us as countries are now interconnected with one another. Traveling to a new place, immersing oneself in the country’s culture, or just exploring a new place form experiences which shape a person.

When we read books, we travel to an alternate dimension and we become apart of the story. Those pages unfold a new memory, conflict, or emotion. I have read a lot of books, and each made me feel like I was right there along with the characters, feeling what they were feeling, doing what they were doing, and in the end, it made me yearn for these experiences to be real. An example is the book The Fault in the Stars, and after going on an adventure with Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters in Amsterdam, I truly want to soon visit in the future. It is similar with other pieces of literature and avid readers. Joining the fictitious world and becoming apart of the story can create hopes and dreams for the future, depending on the genre.

With my love of books, movies, etc., I spent time as a child wondering what the world was like, and when I had the chance to explore, I was eager to take the opportunity and fly. The memories with my family spent on the luscious beaches in Hawaii or walking around in Rome, has altered me changed who I am through the pockets of culture around these beautiful areas. I specifically remember stepping off the train in Scotland for the first time, feeling the cold breeze, and taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Exiting the terminal, I was brought to a whole new world as I saw older buildings rich with history. The human landscapes built in the past did not take over the natural ones as when I went on a 10-hour long drive, I saw the beauty of the green landscapes.

Telling you about my trips, describing them is my way of sharing my own experiences and throughout time, we all have interchanged our memories whether spoken or written. We feel connected to the place that is described and imagine ourselves there. Amazingly, we can place ourselves in the same situation with our imaginations. The connection between literature, landscapes, and memories form our own experiences and we can then pass them on.

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Written by Kashish Singh

Reporter for The Literary Club at PSG