I don't like the sound of it personally..
I know it is culturally pretty rich, but is it not just smelly and hot in most places? Or is that just what I\'ve heard? Just really don\'t like the sound of it!?
Reply to this Hello Danielle 😊
I have so far visited over 40 countries. I would consider India to be the ultimate travel experience. It is mind altering, which probably sounds a bit dramatic, but the first trip to India did change the way I feel and think forever.
Yes, it is smelly and hot, but I dont care about that. There are lots of other negatives about it too, but what it feels like to be there makes up for them. Everything that is good and bad about travelling is good and bad to the extremes in India. But travelling there is addictive. Try it at least once.
Mel
Reply to this One day i want to visit India , but unfortunatelly i dont have money !
Reply to this Hey Mell, I'm not bothered about smell etc as I loved Malaysia and soaked up all the smells and sounds with pleasure, I guess I just haven't researched India at all and have only heard the bad stuff! Your post as made me think about looking into it though 😊
Reply to this I went to India twice this year. There are 2 blogs on my profile page to look at if you want. The first time I was in India was 12 years ago. I had been dying to go back for 12 years, but only got around to it this year. So many other countries to visit. As well as that I didnt want to become such and India addict that I ignored the rest of the world. That is what some people do after visiting India. They just keep going back there again and again and dont go any place else.
Reply to this "I would consider India to be the ultimate travel experience. It is mind altering, which probably sounds a bit dramatic, but the first trip to India did change the way I feel and think forever".
Mell,
I was so comforted to read the above. I'm embarking on my first trip to India in three weeks time and as the date approaches, I have to say that I am getting quite nervous. I think it's a good nervous though. Maybe you felt that yourself, the first time you went? It's good to hear some of the positives because I think the media and many people focus to much on the negatives.
Reply to this Hello Tara 😊
It is sensible to be nervous about going to India for the first time. Travelling there is overwhelming, and being nervous might encourage you to gather all the information you can before you go, and to be careful while you are there.
I was terrified as the plane approached India the first time I was going there. But I got there. Was astonished, confused, overwhelmed, very nervous.... Then these feelings went away after a couple of days and I got confident and fascinated by what India had to offer.
I havent read anything in the media that I would say is likely a lie about India, but the good news is that most of the bad in the media will go unnoticed by you while you are in India, so certainly dont let border conflicts with Pakistan, terorists...... put you off. You likely wont come in contact with these things. If you want to worry about something make it your health and scams. A lot of foreigners get sick in India and scams are very common.
I recommend the Lonely Planet guide for India, in case anybody is asking. 😉 It gives all kinds of practical advice for the independent travellers.
Mel
Reply to this Thanks very much Mel! Yup, I've got the lonely planet guide. I'm very slowly making my way through it. It's huge! 😊
If nothing else, I'm certain it's going to be an eye opening experience. Finger's crossed!
Tara
Reply to this Total shock. Too much people, too much traffic, too much noise and smell.
At the very beginning we try to walk, but it was impossible.
So we hide in Red Fort.
Welcome to India
This quote pretty much describes the overwhelmed feeling of arriving in India for the first time. I also wanted to hide in some haven, where Indian life cant enter. The assault on all my senses was almost unbearable. :D
Just remember to stay calm and realise you will get used to it, and even may get to love the bedlam that first confuses and scares the hell out of you. :D
Reply to this Hi Tara,
Nice to see you here. In-fact I must admit that our meeting in Kolkata during your trip is what inspired me or I must say revoked my interest in travelling. I still remember how confidently you went across this country, all alone and gathered some nice experiences.
While, of-course, we are anyway still talking and sharing our experiences, I just wanted to pass on this message to everybody that This is Tara Mooney...a brave girl who travelled to India, trained to be a yoga teacher and is back to her country feeling nice and fresh. So, please come and visit and country, there is nothing to fear, just a little caution and you can feel a different world.
Tara, you still missed, Shillong, Sikkim, Chirapunji, Bhutan and Goa etc. may be next time
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