Last fall I took
my first steps outside Mama Africa. I was looking for magic and mysticism, so I
decided to explore South Asia and the wonder of India and Nepal.
As my plane
touched October 15, I was so nervous. The city was big and unfamiliar yet
intriguing. I hailed down a taxi just before dawn and came in contact with a
driver who was overly friendly—read: harassing. Not the type of welcome I was
expecting to say the least. Soon after he dropped me off at my hotel, I learned
that my reservation did not exist. So, I reluctantly got back into the taxi
with the “friendly” driver who took me to another spot. As I exited, he asked
for a hug. I brushed off his unwelcome advances and soon came to learn the
first rule of travelling in India if you’re female—sexual harassment is sadly
not uncommon. From the metro, to the streets, to inside taxi cabs and from
people you’ve trusted, it happens. Travel with a friend and keep a discerning
eye.
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| India Gate |
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| With the boys having our own street food tour. |
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| Busy Bazaar in New Delhi. |
New Delhi was an
assault on my senses. People scattering everywhere at different speeds, with
cattle and bikes and cars competing for the road. My ears buzzed from the
bustle and I experienced culture shock. For two days I did a lot of sightseeing
since traffic jams are a way of life. Commuting anywhere is at a snail’s pace. I
used the metro quite a lot.
India’s temples
are breathtaking. I visited some of the famous worship houses like the Juma Masjid, The
Lotus, and The Arkshardam Temple and so on. The architecture is so wonderful and
anciently mysterious. The Taj Mahal was quite a place. I recall a kind guide
who gave me a free tour because my budget was running low after the entrance
fee.
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| Juma Masjid |
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| Juma Masjid, one of the seven wonders of the world. |
I have great
news—It’s possible to explore India on a budget! The food was delicious and
reasonable priced, but watch out where you eat to avoid stomach problems. And of
course Indian food is notoriously fiery, so if you don’t like chili mention it.
Exploring
India’s mountains were so refreshing. I took an evening bus to Rishikesh, the
famous town known for spirituality and yoga. It felt so organic. The mountains
were glorious. The Ganges River looked so
beautiful and the people were very friendly. It’s also a good spot to buy
souvenirs as it’s cheaper than other towns. The atmosphere was humbling because
there’s an air of spirituality. I was able to partake yoga for the first time
and since I got back home, I haven’t stopped. I joined a yoga class and love
it! If you ride motorbikes, it’s possible to rent a bike and ride up the mountains and
around the temples.
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| Ganges river straight from the Himalayas |
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| Scooter adventure in the mountains. |
I didn’t want to
leave but the road beckoned. I had options to go further in the mountains to
Old Manali or Dharamsala but the
distances were too long for me and it was getting colder in high altitudes and
I did not dress warmly. I decided to head to the state of Rajasthan (“Land of
Kingdoms”) and the cities of Jaipur and Pushkar.
Jaipur turned
out to be busier than I expected but I
was glad to be there because the architecture was amazing. Every museum, temple and
palace was beautifully constructed simply because the Kings were very rich and
their palaces reflected that. There was a water palace in Jaipur which had 5
floors underground. So impressive. The Wind Palace (Hawa Mahal) was built
for women royalty who could watch street festivities without being seen,
complete with 953 small windows. The Amber Fort and Palace is absolutely a must
see! Very incredible views and architecture. It took us about 2 hours or so to
finish the tour inside. The city Palace is also not to be missed because there
is a fascinating history museum inside.
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| The Hawa Mahal |
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| The water palace |
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| Amber Fort and Palace |
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Beautiful doors at the City Palace
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Pushkar is a chill town
if you’re looking to avoid the hustle and bustle. There are many temples there
and Pushkar Lake is too
beautiful for words. Shopping here is way cheap as well. I went here with a
friend on his Tuk tuk which was quite
adventurous though a bit tiring.
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| Tuk tuk ride from Jaipur to Pushkar |
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| One of the beautiful temples in Pushkar |
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| Pushkar lake |
I also had a chance
to celebrate Diwali (“Festival of Lights”) while in Punjab. Punjab is home of
the Sikh religion. The people are very warm with strong faith. While there I visited
the Wagarh boarder ceremony,
an event which recognizes the closing and opening of the Indian/Pakistani
boarder. Soldiers on each side display their strength and pride. The crowd was
electric! Music blared and people danced to the rhythm. It was such an
interesting ceremony to see, don't miss it!
My other
highlight was witnessing the
famous Golden Temple. While on tour they welcomed us with tea and treats. They
serve food to thousands of people everyday and also offer free accommodation.
We were able to witness the Diwali fireworks that night and the mood was great
because everyone was in a joyous mood. My sari I had worn that day was hard to
keep up with but I had a good time. My friend and I decided to go enter the
golden temple where they keep the holy books and it took us about an hour to go
in because of the crowd but we were happy we made it. It was spectacular.
My last stop in
India was Varanasi, the oldest inhabited city in the world. The buildings were
weathered and the vibe was very busy. I had a boat ride with my friends at the
Ganges River because we wanted to see the sunrise. There was a ceremony that
day and this was an opportunity to see what goes around the river that millions
of Indians depend on. I witness people dipping themselves in the river to get
blessings, other were having a bath, washing their clothes, and I witnessed for
the first a dead body being burned. I enjoyed having a stroll in the small
streets of Varanassi near the river
while witnessing life. It is from here that headed into Nepal.
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| Festival at the Ganges River |
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| Sunrise over the River Ganges. |
India definitely
had its challenges, but despite the congestion and overly friendly males, it’s
a wonderful country. I met memorable people who were helpful and I’m blessed to
have met them. Going to South Asia was a life changing trip! Book your ticket!
