Stretching the comfort zone in India!: Photos 21 to 32

While traveling through India I learnt a lot about myself. It is often stated that travel has this effect but from all of the countries that I have been to, India has been the biggest "test" to put it bluntly. :) I found myself in situations that I had never experienced before, and sometimes discovered that I reacted to these situations in a very different way to what I would have expected. Put simply traveling in India reveals your limits, or perhaps a better explanation is that it stretches you in new ways. How much frustration and physical discomfort are you willing to accept to get to a certain place, how low your standards for a place to sleep can fall, how much shouting and pushing from a group of touts you can take, how long you are able to stand in line with people constantly pushing in in front of you... etc...

Although backpacking in India can be a test of your physial and mental limits the reward is well worth the effort. It is one of the most diverse, chaotic, interesting and exciting places that I have ever been to. At the time some of the experiences are

Full Text Entry: Stretching the comfort zone in India!

Stumbled across your blog. It's a good sum up of your feelings as a backpacker when in India - a mixture of frustration, fascination, and sheer hilarity! I'd also recommend reading "Holy Cow" as it does a good job of describing the transition of feelings towards India as your time there progresses. Funny, too. I head to India for the third time soon, with a mixture of dread and excitement!!!

Joel, you have lifted the bar yet again with this blog! Loved it right through - text and photos are brilliant! Looking forward now to Nepal with mum!

After spending a year travelling around the world, although we did not visit India on this trip, you summed up the travelling experience of India very well. Its the HARDEST place on earth to visit for so many reasons. Not the mention its the dirtiest place on earth, slightly ahead of China. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Im sure you would have kissed that guy anyway.

my whole body cringed when you said you slept on the floor near the toilet on the train. in two words - oh. no. sounds like your survived it, nice work. looking forward to the next blog. jaipur failed to impress?!

simply amazing! i am sure nobody can understand what you are experiencing..but reading your blog it gives at least a little insight..and its breathtaking!

Tour blog made fascinating reading Joel and your photos truly conveyed the magic and mystery of India. I loved reading your reflections and admire your adventurous spirit and your inquiring mind. Reading your blog in Nepal while with you is extra special! Well done once again.

Read subject

Stumbled across your blog. It's a good sum up of your feelings as a backpacker when in India - a mixture of frustration, fascination, and sheer hilarity! I'd also recommend reading "Holy Cow" as it does a good job of describing the transition of feelings towards India as your time there progresses. Funny, too. I head to India for the third time soon, with a mixture of dread and excitement!!!

Joel, you have lifted the bar yet again with this blog! Loved it right through - text and photos are brilliant! Looking forward now to Nepal with mum!

After spending a year travelling around the world, although we did not visit India on this trip, you summed up the travelling experience of India very well. Its the HARDEST place on earth to visit for so many reasons. Not the mention its the dirtiest place on earth, slightly ahead of China. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Im sure you would have kissed that guy anyway.

my whole body cringed when you said you slept on the floor near the toilet on the train. in two words - oh. no. sounds like your survived it, nice work. looking forward to the next blog. jaipur failed to impress?!

simply amazing! i am sure nobody can understand what you are experiencing..but reading your blog it gives at least a little insight..and its breathtaking!

Tour blog made fascinating reading Joel and your photos truly conveyed the magic and mystery of India. I loved reading your reflections and admire your adventurous spirit and your inquiring mind. Reading your blog in Nepal while with you is extra special! Well done once again.

Read subject