Discover the Allure of India: A Travel Enthusiast's Perspective
India's allure is impossible to resist. No other destination is as vibrant, intricate, and captivating.
Even with the occasional food mishap and my foot's close encounter with a sewer drain, I find myself returning. (I spent five summers there, teaching photography to high school students.) Each moment, even a simple stroll, turned into an adventure.
Though I've only scratched the surface of this immense country, I've encountered countless surreal experiences – capturing the Dalai Lama's teachings in McLeod Ganj, skipping stones at Tso Moriri Lake near the Tibetan border, and living on a houseboat in Kerala's serene backwaters.
Photograph of the Taj Mahal framed by the entrance, taken on 120 mm Ilford XP2 film with a Holga.
India has been my greatest educator. The warmth and humility of its people touched my heart. I stayed at a Himalayan guesthouse run by an elderly man and his daughter, a nun. They spoke no English, yet their kindness spoke volumes. The 80-year-old father spent evenings by the wood stove, reading his Buddhist mantras and spinning his prayer wheel. With no running water and electricity only a few hours each night, their life was simple. Yet, they radiated happiness. I often ponder who truly lives better—me or them? Their hardships are physical, while the challenges of Western life feel more mental.
India shattered my preconceptions and broadened my perspective. It taught me to appreciate the little things I often overlooked, such as running water and constant electricity, which are luxuries rather than given. My time in India has deepened my gratitude for the comforts of life back home.
India also brings a sense of humor. Where else can you witness a herd of camels causing a traffic jam? Newspaper serves as an acceptable food storage option. I'm always amazed by how locals can nap anywhere—on cars, in doorways, or on grassy patches in bustling highways, even in sweltering heat. In the U.S., you'd need a liability waiver just to walk outside the Delhi airport.
For more insights on India, don't miss my upcoming post: 12 Must-See Places in India!