Shocked, Overwhelmed, Amazed, Delighted, and Embraced
As you step off the plane into India, you quickly realize that this will be an adventure like none other. You are about to be swept away by the world’s most populated country, a sub continent that is awash with traditions and cultures like nowhere else. Best to leave your western perceptions of how the world should be in the luggage rack; you are about to witness how the world really is.
India is certainly not for the faint of heart, however it will transform you if you let it.
So far, we have found ourselves; Shocked, Overwhelmed, Amazed, Delighted, and Embraced. And that was just in the shuttle from the airport!
It is not possible to be just a tourist here; participation is mandatory. You will be drawn in by the constant flow, the movement, the noise. And mostly by the people, their unabashed curiosity, their warmth and their abundant smiles.
Shocked:
YouTube videos cannot begin to capture the despair and poverty that floods out from the side streets. It is profound and profane, the conditions are unfathomable and yet somehow life goes on.
It is so far outside our comfort zone, however this is what the world looks like for 1.4 billion people (17.8% of the global population).
It is truly shocking how polluted the air is; for us it is unlivable. Very tragic.
Overwhelmed:
OMG this is one noisy place!! The TRAFFIC is insane. Sometimes I find myself just standing at an intersection hypnotized by the moving chaos. Scooters, cars, cement trucks, goats, cows, bicycles, tuk tuks and pedestrians all within millimeters of each other and all moving in a myriad of directions. How is this even possible? Why do we never see multi vehicle pileups or even a fender bender? Maybe the unending use of the horn IS the solution?
Fasten your seat belt and play video:
(speakers on)
Amazed:
We are amazed at how Indian people are able make this all work. With great ingenuity and determination, they seem to carve out a tiny space and earn a livelihood. There are so many small marvels when you look closely. A man sitting on the sidewalk fixing sandals with a bit of glue and some polish, using his feet as his vise. A two-chair barber shop in a 6 by 10 foot stall. And the tuk tuk drivers that keep it all in motion, six passengers at a time.
Delighted:
This is a place where life is celebrated with a passion. The other night, we watched a very elaborate banquet come to life in our common area. The set up took dozens of workers two days of scurrying around. We were expecting a festival of major significance, dancing, music, etc. A hundred or so people in splendid attire arrived to dine in the finest of style and within just 3 hours it was all over. By 11 PM, things were mostly torn down as if nothing had happened.
And of course the taste and colour of a traditional Indian meal leaves one speechless with delight.
Embraced:
We find the smiles that greet us where ever we go so refreshing and of course they get passed along as we move about. It is also very common for people to come up to us and request a selfie as if we were pops stars or something. Most often the just one selfie evolves into a family portrait with us in the midst of many generations. Always makes us chuckle.
If you have ever contemplated a journey to this magical land, we would encourage you to take the plunge.
the joyful travellers