Travelbliss

I’m here. I’ve landed in India and as I type this out it’s nearly 7 am in the city of Delhi. The hustle and bustle of the city has not yet daunted me. I’m walking through all of it as if it’s a dream. At times, I don’t really feel that I’m truly here, my body is walking around and my mind is absorbing the environment around me. Suprisingly, I’ve taken it all in stride: the bartering, the touting, even the intense poverty that encompasses the city.

So far, I’ve been just taking in the sights, smells, sounds, and attitude of the city to become used to the organized chaos that is India. I haven’t yet begun sightseeing because it takes some adjusting to become acquainted with the country…for me anyways.

Simply walking down the street has become an adventure. Jumping over ditches in the road, dodging scooters and rickshaws, delivering a firm ‘no’ to people trying to sell me things, and attempting to not empty my wallet for the poor children on the street has become my daily norm.

It is so amazing what a difference it is here in India from Japan, which was a short time ago a temporary home for me. To attempt to describe it to you is impossible. I’ve sat back and stared at the world around me and tried to find the words for this blog and I couldn’t. To put it simply, it’s the absolute opposite of everything you know at home. In every way.
I’ve only been here a few days, but it seems the majority of the people here live in extreme poverty. Children are covered in dirt that now seems a part of their skin. Their teeth are falling out and most don’t wear shoes. The differences between classes is drastic. While some are begging in the streets, others are living substantially above the means of the masses. In tuk-tuks I ride by some builds that are extraordinarily beautiful behind gates of steel, just outside the gates there are poor people sleeping in the filth of the roadside.

But still I find it all very beautiful. India is like no country I’ve visited before. Although its economy somewhat depends on tourism, the poverty is unmistakeable and impossible to hide. I’m rich by no means in the states, but here, they see me as a millionaire. Although the children of the street are struggling their smiles shine so bright. At certain times of the day free food is delivered to the poor.

I’ve become a roll with the punches kind of girl. Taking whatever life has thrown at me in stride, even here. Without shame I will say I’m proud of myself. I’ve seen a few crumble because of the inability to change and be flexible. It’s hard when you first start travelling. It’s so easy to impose your own personal way of thinking onto a different land, especially when you see how it all seems to be chaos, but..it works for them. Realizing you can’t change their world is the first step to growing while travelling.

Becoming a doctor, seeing the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramids are the only dreams I can truly remember from being a little girl. I never wanted to get married, have kids, or a white picket fence. I was an avid reader as a child. I remember my mother giving me books about ancient indigenous cultures. The few things I remember from the book spoke of the love and beauty that is the Taj Mahal. It described the story behind the Taj Mahal and I always remember thinking “I have to see this monument dedicated to pure love”.

The story also described the intelligence that was behind the creation of the pyramids. I remember feeling so proud, at that time in school ( I was about 8 or 9) we didn’t learn about many positive contributions from the Black/African community outside of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during black history month. My mom was trying to teach me pride for my people in a way the public education system couldn’t. I can’t believe I’ll be seeing both of these wonders of the world on this trip. I’m so grateful that my life has brought these amazing events into my life to make these dreams come true.

Next time I’ll post pictures, but I don’t have anything too substantial yet. I’m headed to the Ghandi Memorial today so I’ll probably post some later this afternoon. Tomorrow…I see the Taj Mahal. A feeling within me is jittery with excitement. I literally cannot wait. It’s a life long dream finally come to fruition. I’m ecstatic.

I’ve been insanely lucky. I’ve met the kindest people around here and have found quite a few people to travel with. The people at the hostels are all so kind and helpful. They’ve done nearly everything for me. So don’t worry, I’m doing well and I’m sure I’ll meet other people who are just as kind. For now, I’m safe, happy, and ready for more.

Namaste
Nichole