Daily Archives: January 17, 2014
Of all the places I’ve travelled to not one can compare or be as shocking as India. I’ve spent several years living and backpacking SE Asia where you see something unique or unusual on a regular basis. Heck I’d even say most of Asia does things ass backwards where you question why they’re doing things this way. Growing up in North America you’re use to rules and laws that are generally followed to keep things from being chaotic. In Asia for some reason chaos is the norm and somehow it seems to work. Each Asian country has its own unique culture, traditions as well incredible local cuisine. However India is not like any other country in this world.
With more then 1.2 billion people living in a relatively small mass of land compared to countries like Canada, Russia and even the United States. Personal space is something you’ll learn quickly doesn’t exist here.
When someone asks me what India was like I simply tell them that all five of your senses will be awaken and will be on overdrive the entire time you’re there. The moment you step off the plane it hits you….your sense of smell…smack it hits you.
Now don’t get me wrong it’s not that bad and to be honest you do get use to it. Also you get to smell some of the best food in the world bar none! Indian cuisine is absolutely fantastic! Traditional dishes vary regionally across the country with the different growing regions of local spices, vegetables, herbs and fruits. As well the food is heavily influenced by culture and traditions. In the south you’ll see mostly vegetarian dishes. You won’t see any beef on any menu’s throughout the country because the cow is very sacred. In the north most eat with different breads like naan, chapati, roti or papadums as part of the meal and use the bread as a utensil. See no one uses forks, knives or spoons in India. In the south they simply use they’re hands. Now this is a sight in the south and it was funny because I’m also left handed. Eating with your hands is normal when you’re having a slice of pizza or burger but not rice, curries and sauces. So it’s kinda weird the first time you eat with your hands especially when it’s your left hand. So seeing everyone in the restaurant staring at me with complete and utter shock while I ate my meal was…well let’s just say it was interesting and it certainly stirred up lots of chatter and laughing. I won’t elaborate on this too much but all Indians eat with their right hand and for good reason…here’s your hint..there’s no toilet paper. Obviously rice is a staple along with lentils such as dal. Spices such as turmeric, cardamon, cumin, clove, and coriander can be found in most dishes. So if you thought the food smelled good then wait until you taste your first sabji (curry), lassi, or masala tea. Some of the more popular Indian dishes you must try while in India include palaak paneer, rogan josh, biryani, masala dosa, vindaloo and momo’s. The best way to try as many dishes is to order a thali on the menu which gives you a variety of dishes. Indian food has to be one of the best tasting cuisines in the world. The nice thing is it varies from region to region to give you a little variety because it will be difficult to find any North American favourites.
The other sense that awakens immediately stepping out of the airport is your sense of sound. I promise you you’ve never heard so much horn honking in your life. Once you get into your first cab you’ll soon realize why and discover that it’s total chaos! Now you just hope you’ve picked the right driver because you’ve put your life into his hands.
The sights of India are incredible. Nowhere in the world can you see such diverse landscapes, incredible historical sights and such amazing rituals. From the Taj Mahal to the Ganges in Varanasi to the epic tea fields in Darjeeling, the Himalayan Mountains, deserts of Rajasthan, the beaches in Goa and the incredible river systems of the Kerala backwaters. India has it all and it’s truly one of kind. The colours of India are spectacular. From the women wearing beautiful sarees, to the gulaal on the streets, costumes and clothing that people wear for all the remarkable festivals that take place throughout the country.
As mentioned earlier with the amount of people living here and the chaotic traffic it does make it difficult to get around the country. Unless you’re flying everywhere which is impossible for some destinations within the country you’ll have to take a private taxi, bus or train. To me there is nothing more Indian then riding the rails. India has one of the largest railway networks in the world. It has 25 million commuters taking trains each day across the country. With different class levels it allows for an authentic experience while still having a pleasant and exciting time. I’m not sure you can truly say you’ve experienced India until you’ve done at least one 10 hour plus overnighter on a train. To see all of India and to get around you’d need at least 3-6 months depending on how long you stay in each spot. That being said Odyssey Treks has put together an incredible 13 day adventure tour which encompasses the best of India from whitewater rafting in the North in Rishikesh. To a camel safari in the deserts of Rajasthan and all the cultural gems of the Golden Triangle including the Taj Mahal. You’ll relax and be pampered as you float through the canal systems of the Kerala backwaters on a houseboat and even have a few days on the beach. You’ll enjoy a village stay, volunteering with street children and orphans,to learning how to cook Indian dishes, sightseeing all the Unesco World Heritage Sites, exploring the tea fields in Munnar and plenty of adventure activities along the way. www.odysseytreks.com/india
The Indian tourism board has coined the phrase “Incredible India” as their slogan and it truly is. India is simply amazing and it’s truly one of a kind. If you’re looking for an adventure trip then the best place to start is in India. I guarantee you’ll see things you’ve never seen before! From cows crossing eight lane highways to strolling into restaurants while your eating. To seeing shocking rituals and incredible devotion to their religious beliefs as you learn about their many gods. To the sounds of chaos that awaits you on the bustling streets and local markets. Each day is an adventure on its own while traveling by taxi or train or doing just about anything. Some people will leave India hating it but most if you allow it will see the beauty within it. Discover something about themselves or appreciate what they have back home. Learn about a culture and country that is completely different from the rest of the world. No matter what kind of experience you have in India everyone will say they’ve never felt, smelled, heard, tasted, or seen anything like it before! This is the one country that helps you realize you have five senses, enhances them, and allows you to discover why each of them are so important.
