Introduction to India

Incredible India

Although I have not yet blogged about Thailand my introduction to India will have to cut the line.

The culture shock of India is completely indescribable. One cannot describe in words what India is like. It is another planet within the world. 

Upon leaving my hotel in Koh Phangan I was thinking to myself that I needed to attract into my life someone travel India with. Jessica, a new friend from my travels in Indonesia, will be connecting with me for one week in India prior to flying home to America. Then I was potentially facing India alone for another 4.5 weeks, so as I sat on the back of my scooter heading to the ferry in Koh Phangan I kept thinking to myself "someone will come into my life to travel India with, it will happen". As I arrived at the ferry terminal and was waiting in line for my ticket a guy behind me said "Hey! You're from Canada, eh? I lived there!". After a short introduction and the standard questions asked, we realized both of us were headed to India within a few weeks of each other. My inner consciousness literally jumped for joy and I gave the Universe a high five......... but it gets even better!

After getting off the ferry on main land Thailand James and I met an American girl (Kate) who was headed to Bangkok on the same bus. Kate and I instantly clicked and spent almost the entire bus ride sharing outrageous travel stories with James, as well as, those ease dropping fellow passengers ;) Kate is such a rocking girl that I said to her on many occasions how I wished we would have had the opportunity to travel together. My father always said "be careful what you wish for" which provided to be completely true in this situation. After the delightful 12 hour bus ride we arrived in Bangkok and found a room to crash in for a few hours. Kate's plan was to spend a few days in Bangkok and then make her way back to America, however after a few hours together she decided to come to India!!!!!! So instead of spending our day going to see the new Batman movie we looked into getting her an Indian visa, extending her Thai visa and working out the details of changing travel routes. I left Kate in Bangkok, as I had to catch my flight to India, but I have complete faith that everything is going to work out and soon we will connect in Mumbai or Goa.

As my plane took off for Chennai I was once again blessed to have met a fellow traveller who is a seasoned vet of India. He has been travelling and living in India for years but randomly came to Chennai (for the first time) due to a late flight booking. He spent the plane ride explaining to me the interesting, confusing and incredible country of India, as well as, the ins and outs of how things work. After landing we grabbed our bags and met the only other white person upon our plane. The three of us then ventured into the city and found a train into Chennai. The train was the dirtiest, oldest, most disturbing train, I have ever seen. It looked like a meat cart that they would butcher cattle on but that was our way into town. We were so absorbed in the sights and sounds of India that we almost missed our stop. At the last second we realized we were in the heart of Chennai and grabbed our bags to jump off. Unfortunately right when our European lady friend was about to jump the train really picked up speed and she ended up face down in the cement. The situation ended up as positively as it could, with no broken bones and no missing teeth however, it was an  interesting introduction to India. 

Even though we had our train mishap I am so utterly grateful to have these two by my side to help ease my way into India. Both of them have been to India before so the culture shock is a little less numbing to them. My seasoned vet introduced me to Indian food today and helped me find the train station, to book a ticket, to get to Jessica in Bangalore. I know I could have done it alone but it would have been way more intense and perhaps too overwhelming. Maybe in a week or two, once I get my bearings, I'll be able to face India alone but until then I will thank my blessings for this trio. From my scooter ride to the ferry in Koh Phangan, to arriving in Chennai, the Universe, or God, or whatever you wanna call it, is definitely taking good care of me. If all these phenomenal people can come into my life within 24 hours of each other I have complete faith that India will be incredible!

Singles or Doubles

When deciding to go on an around the world trip one must decide if they will do it alone or with a partner in crime. Travelling alone and travelling with a group, even as small as two, changes the ball game completely. During my travels I have been blessed with a little bit of both worlds and there is definitely pluses and minuses to both. When travelling in a group, of two or three or more, one has the comfort of having constant companions, people to look after them, those to share memories with and ones to help with the travel decisions. On the flip side your stuck with these people for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the good times and the bad. Which of course teaches us about ourselves, how we work with people, what we like, what we don't and how much we can take (on every level). The people we travel certain countries with make the experiences grand or not. Whenever someone tells me they hated a country, or its not worth going to, my first question always is, "Who did you go there with?". Usually the answer gives you some immediate insight on how there experience was shaped by those who they shared shoes with (or beds for that matter). People always make or break our experiences in life especially if one lets them steal their peace. The travel groups I have had, I have loved. Team party floor, my American girls, the Austrian and Doro, and my dear friend Jaimee. All of em have been amazing travel partners and I loved every moment with them. But....here's the kicker.....I also absolutely love travelling alone, sometimes even more so than in a group. When you travel alone you meet so many more people its outrageous. Because a travel team has the comfort of those around them, they reach out less often and put themselves out there less. While travelling alone one must solely depend on themselves and create their own happiness, therefore I find myself talking to everyone, making conversation with everyone, and finding a friend in everyone. I have met people who made travel plans with good friends and it turned out to be a complete disaster. I have met couples who argued all the time and others who radiated love for each other. Some people start their trips and realize they cant do it alone and out of fear change their plans and latch on to someone going a similar direction but if that's what you need to make it through there is no judgement here. All I can say is that I have never spent one day alone while travelling. I have found friends on planes, trains and automobiles. There is friends everywhere if you want to find them....one of the best ways to judge a persons character is by how many different types of people they can get along with. I believe that friends, just like music, all types, all variations, all forms, have something to offer if you have the ear to listen. In the end, if you are making travel plans and deciding on whether to do it alone or with a group the decision boils down to you and the type of person you truly are at your core. How brave are you? How outgoing are you? How resourceful are you? How easily do you make friends? Are you willing to put yourself out there? Do you have common sense? Are you easy going? And do you have room in your heart to let people in? It takes courage to let people in and it takes courage to be honest with you who are.  Nevertheless, making the decision to travel is the most difficult decision, after that everything else simply falls into place. So, if you are meant to travel alone it will happen or if you are meant to travel in a group they will find you.