India is mental but, I love it
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Taj Mahal sunrise |
Whenever I talk to people about travel, India often comes up as somewhere I have visited. With that I always get the question “What was it like?”
It’s the one question I really struggle to answer because India is so different to anywhere in the world and that’s why it’s so unique.
My first day in India was off to a rocky start but it grew on me, I learned to like it more and more as each day would bring new and utterly different experiences. So I feel as though I should do a quick recap of some of the lows, highs, funny and interesting times I had.
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Where an elderly women sat each day, Pushkar |
Right from the get go my arrival was far from welcoming as I got ripped off and sent on a wild goose chase just trying to find my first destination. Frustration and disappointment were just a few of the feelings I had to cope with initially.
I can tell you now, I am still relieved that I even made it out of India alive, especially after some of the driving I experienced, Wow! When I took my very first bus ride in the country, never before had I clung to a seat headrest with such terror and fear for my life. The rickety, overcrowded and dusty old (and I mean old!) bus placed images in my head similar to the way they used to transport criminals between jails back in the 70’s, as the window bars clunked and clanged.
Every time I heard the brakes shriek my body became taught, bracing for a deathly
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random scooter in Jaipur |
collision as each passenger was pushed forward in their seats due to the force of the bus eagerly slowing down. In the distance through the dust of the road, headlights became so close only to shave past us. The sense of relief calmed me and sent my blood pressure back to its normal rate. That was until 10 minutes passed when history repeated and it happened again, this was consistent on every bus, all the way through India as I risked my life getting around by their local buses.
You are now probably thinking India is somewhat unappealing and a place you may never wish to visit, especially after reading some of the hick-ups I’ve had. But these experiences helped to add to the fact of why I like the place, that and along with everything else it has to offer.
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Golden Temple Sunset |
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Playing by the slums with these kids in Amritsar |
So from everything that happened throughout my time in India, it has shaped me to love the country for everything it offers.
Have been to India, what did you think of the country? And if not, what’s stopping you?
I was last in India just over 10 years ago, and it was certainly a real eye opener!! There were so many extremes, from the most beautiful scenes and places, to the most disturbing sites. I hope to return in a few years time, and so what has changed !
Sorry for the extremely late reply Dave, but your right. It would be great to head back to India and see how drastic it’s change is. I might have to book that in 10 years from now haha
I’m a student planning on studying abroad next year in Hyderabad, I was wondering if you had any advice as far as backpacking there. I backpacked in Belgium in France but I know India is drastically different. Loved the article, you’ve done so many amazing things!
Hi Mel, I was going to head down further south to Hyderbad however I ran short of time, India really is a massive country! All I know is it does get hot down that way in summer other than that I can guarantee you it will be a culture shock of all kinds, nothing even close to Europe. But what i can say is you will learn a ton and india will really open up your views on the world