Exactly ten years ago, in 2002, I had the incredible opportunity to experience India for over 5 weeks. I traveled by land westward from Calcutta across the northern part of the country. I made it all the way to the Pakistani border town of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, up to the northern town of Dharamsala where the Dalai Lama now lives, and visited Varanasi, Delhi, Agra, New Delhi, Jaipur, and the remote countryside on the way. I call it “experiential education” rather than tourism. I stayed with families, did lots of volunteer work, and ate my weight in Thali, lassi’s, and dates. That trip has forever changed the way I see the world, myself, and life.
Unfortunately my 4 &1/2 month trip through South East Asia was before Facebook, blogging, digital cameras (for me anyway), and iPhones. I kept a daily private journal, an emotion driven art book, and took over 40 rolls of film, but have yet to organize or share any of it.
For years I wanted Nick to experience India as well, and we finally had a trip planned for last December. Of course it never happened because he got hurt, and now I question whether he will ever be able to safely and comfortably travel in such intense conditions. This recurring thought has brought me great sadness over the last year, but deep down I know he will be capable of anything he puts his mind to. We might just have to modify it a little, that’s all.
I share all this, because today I found this killer blog post from a complete stranger who just spent a month in India. This persons words perfectly paint the picture of India and how it bombards your five senses. The descriptions are spot on and I felt like I was there again in the magical land of chaos and beauty.
Please enjoy! I know I did.
Nick Fener 