"India? That's advanced backpacking!"
Today, I heard the above statement from a German backpacker I met, who had quit her job as a nurse and set off for a one- to two-year journey in Southeast Asia. When she asked me about my experience in India, I replied that India had exceeded my expectations. To be honest, my initial expectations of India were quite bleak. I anticipated frustration, communication difficulties, and constant overcharging. In fact, I had never really intended to visit India in the first place. I even boldly stated that I would never consider travelling solo in India, as if it were an immutable fact.
Then someone recommended an ashram in South India to me. Oh boy, my initial reaction was, "Am I really going to do this?" I thought that spending a month at an ashram might help me ease into Indian culture. To some extent, it did. I was fortunate to be surrounded by the caring staff of the ashram, who not only took care of me but also taught me some basic Malayalam words like 'ant,' 'elephant,' and 'cat.' Though these words didn't come in handy often, they did bring smiles to the locals I met along the way when I recited my limited zoological knowledge.
During my time in India, I encountered people who offered me rides, invited me to join their trips, and extended their help to a foreigner. Wherever I went, the locals were naturally curious and friendly. I also made an Indian friend named Shruthi, and we ended up travelling together. Thanks to her, I gained insights into the Indian reality of someone who, like me, didn't quite fit the conventional mould. Shruthi was around the same age as me, unmarried, childless, and not planning to conform to traditional Indian norms. Despite the pressures from family and peers, she chose to prioritise her freedom and travel. It turned out we were both different and relatable in many ways.
While in India, I started to notice my own Eurocentric biases, especially when I experienced discomfort, like on crowded buses. I would catch myself thinking, "Why is everyone's luggage falling on me, and why do I keep getting elbowed?" Then, I would realise that a stranger lady was kindly trying to help with my backpack, and some of the rows of seats were so tightly packed by locals, that they resembled a human tin of sardines. These observations reminded me to appreciate the little things we often take for granted, such as comfort and Western expectations.
It felt as though we embark on journeys to Southeast Asia, South America, or Africa to challenge ourselves and step out of our comfort zones, to 'rock the boat' so to speak. And, surprisingly, we adapt, learn, and thrive.
This journey, unlike any other, taught me to accept whatever the day brings and go with the flow, even when things don't go as planned. For example, two weeks ago, I arrived at a fully booked hotel during an Indian bank holiday. The 'pre-ashram me' (this is my favourite saying these days!) would have been furious, but the new me ('the post-ashram me') quickly found an alternative hotel and appreciated the unexpected charm of a remote and secluded place where I woke up to the sounds of birds and crickets outside my balcony.
Every day, I learnt that flexibility is key. When things don't go as expected, embrace the new possibilities and adventures that arise from unexpected situations.
In total, I spent nearly two months in India. My stay at the ashram was more mentally enriching than physically transformative, though the full benefits are yet to be determined. The locals won me over with their friendliness, and the food was simply amazing. I would recommend India to anyone, even someone as hesitant as I was to visit.
I'm sharing a few photos below, and I have plenty more content to share from my travels in India, so stay tuned for more updates. My first post from Vietnam is coming soon, so keep an eye on this space!
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