Most people are full of stereotypes and misconceptions about India.
We often talk about the beauty of the Taj Mahal, the chaos in the streets, the poverty and the spices. But this is only a tiny part of this beautiful country.
So I wanted to present India to you from a different angle, which is why I thought about this interview. I asked my friend Louise who visit India a few years ago now. Discover her emotions, her adventures and her struggles.
With who did you go ? Why did you choose to travel to India?
I left with a friend in early 2018. I had booked tickets 1 year in advance to participate in the Holi Festival, the festival of colours, which is the rite of spring.
I had already wandered around Europe a lot and I wanted to take a truly exotic trip and discover a culture that I did not know. I wanted a trip different from the others, which shakes me up, transports me and changes me. And that's definitely what I got.
Did you have any apprehensions about your trip to India?
Personally when I booked the plane tickets and during the year I knew I was leaving, I had no apprehension. It was only shortly before the trip that I started to get a little afraid thinking about comments from my relatives who told me to be careful and that it was dangerous especially being 2 girls.
What is your best memory?
There have been a lot to be honest, it would be hard to give just one.
My best memory will be the train ride we made between Jodhpur and Jaipur. Taking the train in India is an experience in itself: you struggle to know which train to take, you are not sure you are in the right one before arriving at your destination but little import, the landscapes are worth it.
The train goes slower than in Europe and on the way you have time to observe bribes of life from the people of the villages located on the road. You see children playing with each other and chasing the train, adults waving to you. I find that it is in these moments that you can observe the true authenticity of the country.
Inside the train, everyone is huddled together and it's also a great time to chat with locals through gestures, looks and smiles. A simple moment full of emotion.
My most vivid memory will be when I arrived in New Delhi. We arrived at the airport and took the modern metro directly to our hostel. So we hadn't had a glimpse of the country yet.
We arrived by the metro escalator, the landscape gradually took shape. The contrast was breathtaking. Cows, monkeys, elephants, tuk tuk, horns, electric wires everywhere. No tar, no street names, everything is different from France. You expect that when you leave, but you don't understand until you see it with your own eyes. It was then that I knew I would never forget this trip.
But there are so many times that I loved. I loved sharing a moment with an Indian girl who helped me choose and put on a sari, I loved having my chips stolen and then my chewing gum by the monkeys, walking around the Taj Mahal, discovering the palace of Jaipur, the blue houses of Jodhpur, observe the elephants along the roads or even get gently pushed by a cow.
What place or experience would you 100% recommend?
Of course, I have to point out the Taj Mahal, which is a real wonder and a must see when visiting Rajasthan. It is a place where one could stay for hours.
I also particularly loved the Holi Festival. We were in a small town, Vrindavan, and the town got filled with people and colours. As Europeans, we were the first targets of the coloured jets which was funny (be careful though because some take the opportunity to fiddle with). We've end up yellow, red, pink, blue, green from head to toe. Women and men kindly reach out to us with their bags of colours to make marks on our faces and wish us a Happy Holi. Although we did not understand each other, the gestures spoke for themselves and it was each time very moving to communicate through the gaze and the gestures.
The morning of the Holi Festival is mainly devoted to the colours fight before the Indians return to adorn their best clothes for the religious ceremonies of the afternoon. We were able to see some and it was also very moving. A day we will never forget!
Did you feel safe? Did you feel like some people took advantage of you?
I felt safe. There are times when I got scared but not because the situation wanted it but rather echoing the comments and warnings that my relatives had been able to give me before leaving.
Of course, we did not venture into small alleys at night on our own and took precautions that would be taken in other countries as well. This is common sense.
Did you have any particular problems? Or on the contrary of the people who reached out to you?
We didnât have big problems more like logistical problems.
We had to take a train to Agra after the Holi festival, but the train was canceled. So we ended up with our backpacks at the train station at 6am, not knowing how to reach our destination. But again, we were able to count on the kindness of Indians to guide us and help us find a taxi that would take us to our destination.
Of course, you have to be careful throughout your trip regarding the prices because when you are European, they often inflate them so be careful not to be fooled and to negotiate with them.
Give me 3 words that describe India to you?
Exotic
Living
Moving
I hope you liked it, and maybe it makes you feel like going to India !
Stay tuned, more interviews are coming!
