Oh India, You So Crazy!

India is the most difficult country I have ever travelled, experienced or survived, consequently it is the most difficult country to blog about. By the end of this blog post you may end up more confused than you are now, especially about whether or not you wanna visit her, but I highly recommend you do.

India is a very unique country. It is like a planet within our world. I have not experienced anything even slightly, remotely, similar to India and don't believe I ever will again. In many ways travelling India is a life changing experience. These reasons why are too difficult to explain as it is something that one must experience first hand to truly understand. 

India is a country full of contrasts. Contrasts that one sees on a daily basis. It is a country that does not hide anything from its tourists; even the ugly parts it displays right out in the open.  India is vast country that has everything from oceans to mountains, ancient ruins to a world wonder, massive slums to gated homes, and deserts to forests. And it is also a massive country; jam packed with people and everything that the media portrays it to be. It is loud, dirty and over crowded but it has this unbelievable beauty about it, if you have the eyes to see it. 

Thankfully I was able to see India's beauty and fell in love with the country almost upon arrival. It was unlike anything I had ever seen or experience and she tested me in ways I could have never imagined.  Although I found a deep love and appreciation for India there was moments when my hatred for her out matched my love. And as I continued to travel within her boarders I found it was possible to shift between this love and hate within the same hour, same moment, same minute, same second. Perhaps this is because India has the ability to test you on every possible level and because of this it is a country that forces you to see what you are made of. 

The reason why the country can be so intimating and overwhelming is because it is always in your face. The second you step out of your hotel room to the second you return the intensity relentless. But India is simply being who she is and we are simply unprepared for her intensity. To survive one must let go of all expectations and succomb to the organized madness, holding on the utter belief that everything will work out okay. 

India gave me some truly unforgettable life experiences and brought into my life some phenomenal life long friends. India taught me patience and destroyed all my expectations or belief in them. India showed me how beautiful and ugly people can be. India taught me how wise of a traveller I have become and made me realize the importance of travel partners. India taught me how to survive in conditions far less than I am use to and to find happiness in things being less than ideal. India brought to light for me how important my family and home town of Winnipeg truly is. Finally, India taught me gratitude on a whole new level. Because of my time in India my life and out look on life has been forever altered. 

I understand that people want to hear my own person stories of how all the above statements came to be but these are experiences to difficult to describe with simple words. I am very thankful for my opportunity to travel India and even more gratitful for all the experiences endured. Below are some pictures of my journey through India... 

In Hampi, India 

Morning Chai

Jessica and I at our guest house in Hampi overlooking the rice fields 

At the top of monkey temple after climbing 601 steps

Monkey Temple Hampi, India 

On the top of the temple overlooking Hampi.
My favourite place in India.

Monkeys are everywhere in India

One of the most famous temples in Hampi 

Hampi, India  

Why not? 

Indian Food. Yum! Yum!

Jessica and I on the beaches in Goa 

Just chilling havin a beer with the cows on the beaches of Goa

Bikram Yoga Pune, India 
I was given the amazing opportunity to teach and take class here :)
Thank you so much BYP!!!!! 

:)  

Bikram Yoga Pune yoga room 

At the Gates of India in Mumbia, India 

Yum Yum! In Mumbia, India $1.00 meals 

At the Golden City. Jaisalmer, India 

New friends and beers.
Jaisalmer, India 

The beginning of our three day camel trek in the desert
Jaisalmer, India 

Beers in the desert with new friends.

Sunsets in the desert 

Trekking on through 

Our insane 18 hour train ride with no a/c
It was a true Indian experience 

The red fort in Delhi, India 

After a two hour search we finally found beers 

Friends in Delhi, India 

At the Taj in Agra, India