20 things I learned when traveling trough India
During autumn time I took a decision to travel through India in upcoming summer. However, realizing my dream didn’t come easy. The first time I mentioned to my dad that I want to go to India alone, his reaction was big "No!". Il knew I need to try to convince him again.
After some time, explaining and proofing that I’m an independent and reasonable young person I finally got positive answer from him.
After months of saving I had enough money to book my tickets to India and everything else regarding the stay. As my best friend lives there I went to visit him firstly and after we traveled together trough South-India in 3 weeks.
I got to go to an Indian wedding, stayed with my friends aunts, uncles and grandmothers in their homes. I even went to the beauty salon with the bride before her marriage what turned out to be a day full of waiting and reading beauty magazines, of course she decided to get every procedure the salon offers.
20 things I learned in a month roaming around in India
It’s a spicy tea, served with milk. Delicious! You can buy it from any corner. Only costs 10 rupees and tastes amazing! (70 Indian rupees= 1€.)
2. Eat what makes you comfortable
As spending time in families they where always nice to me, offering all kinds of food in crazy amounts. But it was very difficult for me to eat much in such heat. As it can be considered as rude not to have the food the host offers you, I was struggling with it for a while. But I understood, it’s okay to say no to food, if you don’t feel like eating. Health comes first and they will understand.
3. Indians can be really shy and not so loud as I expected
4. It’s okay not to feel clean all the time
I know, I know… I experienced in India lot of hot humid weather and even after taking a shower I wanted to shower again. The humidity sticks to the skin and makes me feel not clean at all. I understood, there is no point of changing clothes 5 times a day and take a shower every 10 minutes. Just keep a pack of fresh wipes in hand and you will be fine.
5. Don’t analyse too much about what’s inside your food
Like one friend told me there, I can’t try to understand every food combination. If it looks eatable, comes from a clean plate and tastes good, then it’s good. Don’t worry too much. Indians put some crazy ingredients together, but the result is heavenly mind blowing!
6. Wear together as much colors and patterns as you want, and more
I promise, you will still not stand out from the crowd with your clothing, even if you wear together all the colors of a rainbow. India is a country of unexpected patterns and color combinations and trust me — it works! Honestly, it looks gorgeous! Every day can be a festival and there is no such thing as too many colors.
7. Indians are helpful
8. Indian babies love to play with my hair
As the children there are always in the middle of attention (because of their cuteness), then it might happen that you play with somebody's kid. That’s what happened with me in a train, when a beautiful child just couldn’t get enough of my long light-brown hair.
9. Wear some fresh flowers in your hair
You can buy them in any corner and all the locals Indian ladies decorate their hair with nice smelling flowers.
10. Wear leggings, baggy,- or what ever pants under a skirt, dress or kurta
Nothing happens if you don’t, I just feel more comfortable not showing more than most local ladies do.
11. There are lots and lots of temples to see and all of them have their own specialty
12. It’s not allowed to smoke in public
13. Christian church, Islamic mosque and a Hindu temple are peaceful neighbors in India
14. Driving in Indian traffic is a survival every day
Be VERY careful.
15. Sweet and light food is difficult to find for breakfast in local restaurants
Cereal and fruit eater as I am, I faced some difficulties at the breakfast table.
17. There is never enough time to see everything
Trying to see everything at once in a short period of time will make you tired and takes the fun out of it. Better take your time seeing and going around.
18. Paneer butter masala is the best thing I ever ate
19. It’s the most easiest place to be or try to be a vegetarian
You don’t even realize that it’s pure vegetarian food, because you are mind blown with every flavor.
20. Bollywood songs are super catchy
Before you notice, you are dancing along.
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This is my personal view on India and what I learned. By all means I don't claim that this is the universal truth for everybody.
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