Comments on: Travel Diaries – India

By: Josie

Josie — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 12:00:42 +0000

In reply to Zeba. Thanks Zeba, that makes a lot of sense! Doesn't necessarily make it easier, but it does make it more understandable :-)

By: Zeba

Zeba — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 05:03:47 +0000

Very interesting account and quite accurate assessment of the locals. India is full of history, art and culture. The food and music are great yet the people of this region are not what you expect in any part of the world! They love foreigners specially Caucasians. Being ruled by the Mughals (they came from Afghanistan and Turkey, captured and ruled Indian sub continent) and then British empire, Indian drivers still feel compulsive to say yes to you for a ride (even though not knowing the directions) and ask for selfies etc as they loved your skin color! This is all in local psych though city dwellers and educated Indians are very intellectual and courteous. I liked your honest blog, just wanted to clarify some of your intrigues. Have safe travel.

By: Josie

Josie — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 08:36:17 +0000

In reply to Pete. Thanks Pete. When we go back I probably won't go on an organised tour but I will plan properly in advance instead of winging it like we did this trip. We were always struggling with how to get to the next place, and we have such a reliance on the internet to do this. It became very stressful at times when we had no or limited wifi. If at least we have a plan, with accomodation and transport booked, dealing with all the day to day frustrations will not be as bad.

By: Josie

Josie — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 08:28:00 +0000

In reply to Veronique. Definitely wait until you get there! Maybe try to get a SIM and see what happens. We didn't try (even though we talked about it a lot) just went on what others said, so would be interesting to see how you go. Looking forward to seeing all your pics :-)

By: Pete

Pete — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 08:24:13 +0000

Everyone who has been there says the same things. Beautiful but frustrating. We went on guided tours, rather than try to get around by ourselves. In Mumbai we saw some the the slums on the way to a forest reserve outside, where we were guided around an ancient cave complex, where Buddhist monks stayed and studied. There was one big cave open to the outside along one side, with rows of benches cut from the rock.

Little did I know that within a few years I too would be sitting with other students, learning Sanskrit sutras, practicing my Devanagari characters, eating vegetarian meals, meditating, doing much the same as those Indians of a thousand years earlier. In the somewhat more comfortable conditions of a mansion in Sydney.

I loved Kochi and the backwaters. I plan to return one day, but I might go a little more upmarket for a houseboat. Many thanks for the review(s) by the way.

By: Veronique

Veronique — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 07:14:40 +0000

Thanks Josie – will be in Kerala in 2 weeks, staying there for 2 months so this is all very useful. Like you I have never been to India and no idea what to expect. The wifi comment is especially useful as I am trying to decide whether I should work remotely whilst I am there or not. So I’ll probably wait until I get there to assess it all, as I wouldn’t want to disappoint any of my clients.