After only a week in India, we were questionning why we came here. It seemed like a smelly, dirty, and beggar infested country. Although the city palaces and grand forts were beatutiful, it seemed that that was all India had to offer. A lack of knowledge became our downfall and resticted us from appreciating India. Without knowing the history of each monument, palace, and fort, we found it hard to appreciate their importance as integral parts of Indian culture, and how they have shaped modern India. We both agree that India, or at least the northern provinces are nowhere near ready for tourists yet. The people of India try to take as much as possible for as little as possible, although this made us extremely angry and sometimes hostile, we also appreciated that they don't understand any other cultures apart from their own, and why should they? Afterall, we were visiting their country. The point were trying to make is that, in comparison to western cultures, we felt that India can be far less welcoming.
With so many negative experiences crammed into our first week, the good times were totally eclipsed by bad times. After waking up every morning with a renewed sense of hope for good times, we began to give up. We learnt that to expect the expected in India is about as likely as finding a meal without chilli. So when we expected the south of India to be the same, India had another surprise. It was as if all the bad things that had happened were to balance out the good times that laid ahead over the next 24 days in the south. From Goa onwards, stunning landscapes, smiling people, and an abundance of wildlife both on land and in the sea turned India from a nightmare into a tropical paradise. We woke up each day smiling and couldn't wait to see what was in store for us. We couldn't believe how we were still in the same country, as the north and south are so significantly different.
As we reflect on India as a whole, and what we would say if we were asked "what is India like?", we'd say its the most beautiful country we have ever been to, and perhaps if Indians were a little more welcoming in some places, India would be be the trip of a lifetime. Would we go back? Definately! After 5 weeks, we started to learn how to communicate effectively with Indians, and both admiring and appreciating the difficulties Indians face in what appears to be a very poorly run country.

Although we thought India was the wrong choice after a week, we don't think we could have picked a better place to start our trip. We've learnt so much and experienced so much in terms of culture, that we've become so wise we have grown white beards and smell like mouldy cheese. The more we think of India the more we miss it, and the culture shock we experienced at first made it very hard for us to open ourselves to India. However being away from it makes things much clearer, and as the song says, ' you don't know what you've got til its gone'!

Bon Voyage India!

written by  Kav & Sara on December 28, 2008 from Bangkok, Thailand
from the travel blog: Round the world trip!!
Send a Compliment

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I don't think you visited Leh and Ladakh,,,, how about the north east ...

Well India is not a country but a continent
I am quite sorry that the first half of the trip did not go as well as planned but then you must understand its hard even for us ,,,,But then like they say

All is well that ends well.

The next time you want to make a trip to India (Seems highly unlikely ) Or some one else wants to make a trip please do include leh and ladakh in your trip

I am quite sure you will want to find me and thank me in person for suggesting you that place

written by  Appalla Tejaswy on January 3, 2009

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Unfortunately we didn't visit the North East. We'd definately return to India, but we'd be tempted to leave out the north and either hit the south or give the Himalayas a go! The Golden triangle is supposed to have some of the best sights in India, but we think India has so much more to offer than its buildings. Thanks for the suggestions! We may give them a go one day!

Kav and Sara

written by  Kav & Sara on January 3, 2009

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