After exchanging goodbyes and some more pleasantries, I got off a conversation from a former colleague who is now based in India through chat on facebook. 'Saw her pictures and India, as she describes it, is indeed an exotic country, with fascinating culture and lots of jewelry! yeah! I've also heard that they got the finest woven tapestry with bold designs and colors. She's been in India for 3 mos. now and already made some friends. One of them has invited her to lunch in their home for an authentic-home cooked Indian meal where she also got a red bindi on her forehead after the mother of the household has said a Hindu prayer for her as a blessing.
While to her, India is a land of wonder and mystique, some would find India's culture and ways a bit overwhelming. As far as 3 of my other colleagues find it. That the smell of the streets and food are too strong for their nostrils, and that their worship of animals particularly of cows has definitely killed their appetite for anything beef.
Well, that's traveling. You'll never know a place enough unless you pack your bags and experience it first hand while having room for the unexpected. Unless you travel with a 5-Star package with less immersion to the "realities" of a place, then you should EXPECT that your travel will be easy and convenient and as wonderfully precise as possible being showcased only the best of what the country has to offer. (Spas included!) BUT if you're more of a "foot" traveler and likes to experience the world as it is, people as they are and food as it's locally served. Then you should keep your expectations real.
Culture and People are unique to their country, as much as your experience is unique to the places you've been. Like I have been to Europe once, Italy to be exact and at first I was in awe of the mountains, the rivers, the castles and the weather that has worked with great conivance with these sceneries that made my Italian "postcard" a reality but then, as I reached my 3rd month of stay, I was READY to go home ... so eager to go home! Imagine? that's Italy I'm talking about, not some town with just a tall haystack to boast! That's Italy. I'm supposed to love it!!! Well, I loved it ... but it's just a huge infatuation it's nothing like being at home....(aaawww)
The point is... we all have preferences, we could be in one place but have different perceptions. It's always different for someone, that's why "bend as the wind blows" as much as possible as they say, or you'll never get to have fun!
While to her, India is a land of wonder and mystique, some would find India's culture and ways a bit overwhelming. As far as 3 of my other colleagues find it. That the smell of the streets and food are too strong for their nostrils, and that their worship of animals particularly of cows has definitely killed their appetite for anything beef.
Well, that's traveling. You'll never know a place enough unless you pack your bags and experience it first hand while having room for the unexpected. Unless you travel with a 5-Star package with less immersion to the "realities" of a place, then you should EXPECT that your travel will be easy and convenient and as wonderfully precise as possible being showcased only the best of what the country has to offer. (Spas included!) BUT if you're more of a "foot" traveler and likes to experience the world as it is, people as they are and food as it's locally served. Then you should keep your expectations real.
Culture and People are unique to their country, as much as your experience is unique to the places you've been. Like I have been to Europe once, Italy to be exact and at first I was in awe of the mountains, the rivers, the castles and the weather that has worked with great conivance with these sceneries that made my Italian "postcard" a reality but then, as I reached my 3rd month of stay, I was READY to go home ... so eager to go home! Imagine? that's Italy I'm talking about, not some town with just a tall haystack to boast! That's Italy. I'm supposed to love it!!! Well, I loved it ... but it's just a huge infatuation it's nothing like being at home....(aaawww)
The point is... we all have preferences, we could be in one place but have different perceptions. It's always different for someone, that's why "bend as the wind blows" as much as possible as they say, or you'll never get to have fun!
2 comments:
I love this post! Your views on traveling are like mine. There is a slim chance I could be going to India later this year. Got to get me some of that jewelry!!!
Its beautiful the way you have described your experience.....Robin says she would like to buy the jewelery,,n i see she is coming to India..I recently came down from Germany booked my hotels through Venue Mirror, seems to be giving great deals on Bookings. Diana Travel baby
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