This Couple Sell Tea To Travel The World

This Couple Sell Tea To Travel The World

"If you really wish to chase your dreams, nothing can stop you from it," a line like this may sound something that you hear as your Monday motivation, but when Vijayan, a guy in his 70s, wayside tea-seller owning a tiny tea shop in Kochi says it, a decade's worth of stories echoing hard work, sweat, and conquered dreams spills out with the hot tea with it. 

This amazing couple lives in Kochi, also known as " The Queen Of Arabian Sea ", and owns a small tea shop named which is there only source of income. 

Vijayan and his wife Mohana's story truly inspired me. Coming from a poor family iIndiaia they had to face hardship and are still fighting with all odds to fulfill there dream of seeing the world. 

When asked in an intervew what there motivation was or whats draws them to travel Vijayan told " I got the obsession in traveling from my dad; he took me to different places since I was 6 year old. We went to Madurai, Palani and many other places. Those travel memories with my dad helped me unleash my dreams".

But What is the point of fulfilling your dreams if you have nobody to share it with, says Vijayan as he refers to his wife Mohana, who joined him forty years ago. 

Back then her life revolved around Kochi, but post marriage, the couple has explored cities, all on their own and the happiness that I saw on their faces was something I can never forget. 

It hasn't been easy for the couple to sustain such a lifestyle. With their sole source of income coming from their tea-shop, the only way out for them to pursue their love for traveling was via help through bank loans.

Despite all financial insecurities, the couple would take a loan, travel to a foreign destination, come back and spend the next three years repaying the debt they owed, and the cycle would go on.

They don't exactly spend their vacation in the most exotic way. Given their financial situation, they travel like true nomads. 

When asked what they usually do before traveling Vijayan answered "I save rupees 300 a day for our tickets and spend just 10 dollars or less on picking up some tiny souvenirs from the places of visit. We don't spend anything more."

There is no question of spending lavishly for this couple.

Despite the financial burden the couple will have to sustain, Vijayan is steadfastly stubborn about one thing, about not leaving his wife behind. "I can't travel without her, I will happy only when she is around", says Vijayan smiling.

This is not just a story of fulfilling one's dreams but rather fighting with all odds and if you want to help this couple on their journey there is only one way to do so and that is by buying tea from there shop. 

Some dreams are worth going all out for, and Mohana and Vijayan's story sounds like one of those few.

Map link of the shop: Shree Balaji coffee house

--------------

Thank you for reading. Leave a comment to share your beautiful thoughts, your stories and constructive feedback. If you have enjoyed this article then connect with Google+, Twitter, Facebook or subscribe through email for more exciting updates!