5 Reasons Why You Should Go to India
January 17, 2012
Filed under Opinion
When the plane lifted off from JFK International Airport to go to Mumbai, India, I didn’t know what to expect. I had been exposed to the Hindu language and culture from almost 5 years prior but I still had a knot in my stomach – being immersed in a foreign culture would be exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
We hopped off of the plane and jumped into a small Range Rover. As we drove into the city, I knew there was some sort of imperceptible, yet expressive, energy that I would come to adore. In a few ways India was the same as America, but in many other ways it wasn’t. I grew to love the characteristics that made that place indisputably hospitable, despite everything India has been through.
Now that I’m back in the United States, I miss all of it. I’ll never forget the place so far from the United States, but so close in character, and now so close to me. Here are just five of the many things that made me love India.
1. The People
When I was greeted in Maharashtra, the atmosphere was full of smiles. Grandparents – eighty, ninety years old – got up to say “Namaste”, a common greeting of respect. Regardless of my exhaustion from 24 hours on the road and in the air, I was asked so many questions about how I felt, helping me settle in quickly. I was handed Chai Tea as soon as I sat down, another custom in India.
Despite common stereotypes, many Indians speak English, making my stay even more comfortable.
2. The Food
Besides the amazing Chai Tea, I would wake up to a breakfast of toast and butter. The butter was one of the most fattening things ever – we’d slap it on, eat at least four pieces of toast, and then wash it all down with some cookies and Chai Tea. After this, I would go out and play for four hours until lunch. Lunch was usually a rice dish with a flavorful curry or dhal, maybe with some some okra. However, every meal of everyday was different.
More Chai followed lunch two hours later, with more cookies and some biscuits. Two more hours and dinner was prepared. Dinner always consisted of a chicken and rice dish, sometimes paired with nan, but the meal was never prepared the same.
We also went out to many restaurants, all similar to the American way. I realized that Indian cuisine is much more healthy and flavorful and spicy than American cuisine. I ate so much every day, but lost weight because of all the protein I consumed. Deserts were delicious too. Mango lassi and rus malai were my favorites; they were all organic with unpasteurized dairy treats, pure dairy for sure.
3. The Sights
Every step of the way was an incredible journey and the sights-to-see accented the trip in so many different ways. Many of the good sights to see were very far away so I expected a very long car ride. We visited Mahabaleshwar, the second rainiest place on Earth, known for their jams and beautiful jungle. On our four hour climb up the mountain, we saw waterfalls, giant wind turbines, and many monkeys.
I loved the many temples we visited. Visiting Mumbai was also a great experience; there were many places to eat, like a Muslim restaurant where I got to eat goat brain (it tasted fantastic). I drank sugar cane juice from a street vender, another delicacy.
4. The Stores
One of the coolest things about a warm country is that they have open markets. In India, many of the stores are venders, and so any price can be bargained. Clothing and everything made by the locals are cheap. An average shirt will cost you 400 rupees, or 15 dollars!
Venders also sell freshly made food like pani-puri, a soup drink with hollowed out bread cups, and also special round peanuts roasted in an iron cast stove. Seeing an American, they might bump their prices up, so it is important to know how to bargain and know your rupee to dollar conversion, and the Hindi language.
5. The Culture
The grandest piece of India is their culture. The youth respect their elders, they don’t curse, and they listen to the same music as everyone else. Everything is universal there.
We lived across from a holy temple and everybody in all of Maharashtra went to it every day of the week. Food is also the main aspect of the desi culture. It brings everyone together to talk and be one big family.
The culture of India is very different from any other culture I had experienced before I had my visit, but it was the experience of a lifetime, something to remember always. I hope that someday I will be able to visit there again. I will always remember the land and memories.
Next time you decide to travel, keep India on your travel list of fantastic journeys and an intimate culture.
– J. Merkel