One month of India!

Well, yesterday, Nov 12th, was my anniversary of one month of India! Couldn’t be better, it’s Diwali time!!!

After visiting many different places of this little “world” known as INDIA I feel more confident to talk about this explosive mix of colors, tastes, cultures. Nevertheless, all I know about these places is nothing when I talk to local people and hear what they have to tell me.

From Delhi went to the mountains and tried a bit of the cold and fresh air; then through Rajasthan I’ve tasted the amazing food they prepare and got attacked by a gang of monkeys; at the moment, in Mumbai, got to know a bit of the financial capital of this huge country.

Mumbai was a very intense experience. Very cosmopolitan and crowded city, where the contrasts are more visible and where one notice how powerful this giant can be. At first I felt like taking the next train and going away from here straight after arriving. Seriously, for few times I asked myself what a hell I was doing here! This lasted till my second day in the city, when I finally moved to my first couchsurfing’s place and met the first local. After this, things just went better and better; I joined a CouchSurfing meeting in town and met an amazing group of people. It was crazy; so many doors suddenly opened to me, people taking care of my situation in town, offering their places for me to stay, to take some other couchsurfer and me around to show the city… Long story short, during the same night we had drinks in different places and finished the night at around 3am having some awesome street food with the Mumbai CS group.

Finally could surf two different couches and stayed 5 nights in the city which I thought I would hate. Nothing like relaxing and giving time to time!

Now it’s time to pack again and keep heading south. Tomorrow morning at 7am have train booked to the ex Portuguese colony, Goa. It’s time to try the Indian beaches and taste the seafood and coconut I miss so much!

Here I want to leave my special THANK to the Mumbai CouchSurfing group, there are amazing!

I love India!

Some shots taken during the CS meeting:

SAB KUCH MILEGA

SAB KUCH MILEGA

Today it’s been precisely 22 days I’m tasting, smelling, enjoying India! So far everything’s been  perfect and place after place surprise me more in different aspects; faces change from one area to another, the color of the eyes, color of skin, the food, everything so special and original that makes it really hard to choose what’s best.

Big cities are chaotic and might stress one very quickly, although it’s there where you can feel the power of the real India. It’s where everything happens and at first it’s hard to understand how this whole “mess” doesn't collapse. After observing it for a while though you notice that there’s a organization behind it all, it’s the Indian way! Each of them has a duty and there’s a strong connection keeping all together.

When it comes down to religion and spirituality, it’s amazing to see how strong their principles and values are and how so many different religions and beliefs can share the same space on such a peaceful way. Respect is the secret!

Currently I’m Pushkar and this is the fourth and last night here. The town is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage site) for devout Hindus; is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage site) for devout Hindus. Pushkar is one of the oldest existing cities of India. The date of its actual origin is not known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation. The Pushkar Lake has 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters.

SAB KUCH MILEGA? In India it’s not easy to hear “no, it’s not possible!”. Every business is business and their speech is very sharp!  Sab kuch milega = everything is possible, and it’s useful here!

Thanks India!!!

Ravi (from Lake View guest house) and I

Ashu and I - visit to Aloo Baba

If anyone needs a place to stay in Pushkar, go to LAKE VIEW guest house. Good place for fair prices! It's located on the main street, just ask anyone on the streets. And whatever you need in town, just ask Ravi, he knows everything!

Namaste!