Memories of India

Yesterday, a wave of nostalgia hit me after Nic sent me an email, with 'Rock the Party' by Bombay Rockers, and pics of when we were in Delhi. Definitely unforgettable times and experiences. :) I think India has a way of doing that to people - leaving an imprint on them forever. I thought that being of Sri Lankan origin, India would not be a culture shock... but it certainly was, but in a awesome way!

Ok, please humour me with putting up with my random memories:

- travelling 107 hours in total on Indian trains - 2nd class, non-ac please! - to: Siliguri, Kolkata, Bangalore, Bombay, Baroda, Delhi, Agra. gotta love Indian trains ! and then we have bus rides indian style to kalimpong, mysore :)

- the vibrancy of the color, sounds, smells... coming from Canada, with all its organization and order, and color combos of: white, black, blue, grey or something like that, it was a change, but also liberating...

- the view of the mountains hidden in the misty fog, and the smell of pure fresh air, from our guesthouse in Kalimpong

- getting lost in Kolkata with nic on our second day and not knowing bengali, and having to use frantic hand signals and lots of asking people in broken hindi phrases, written on a sheet of paper

- AIESEC spirit! AIESEC people! AIESEC ! :)

- seeing absolute richness to abject poverty on a 10 minute walk in any Indian city... unnerving, humbling, thought-provoking

- great Indian cooking by all the nice aunties that I stayed with :)

I could go on, but, instead of reading about it, I suggest you go to India if you get a chance. Only then will you really understand the feeling and you'll know exactly what I mean :)