Perks on Earth

I truly cannot pinpoint where to begin. If you know me, you know India has been at the top of my travel bucket list since 2016, when I first set foot in this incredible country. Since my short visit to Kolkata in 2016, I have been addicted to the color, culture, chaos and calmness of a place so endlessly different and diverse from my home in Ireland. I have been fascinated by the stories of those who have been lucky enough to travel here, and six months ago I saw a window, booked a ticket, and my turn to visit came. Shorter than expected, but these past two weeks have given me a taste of this incredible country, and so much more than I could have ever asked for.

I have been welcomed with open arms to a truly magnificent wedding in Agra, witnessed one of the world’s wonders, wandered through the pink streets of Jaipur, been on the most incredible of temple runs, sat by the Ganges and walked through a Himalayan sunrise. In two short weeks, I have fallen in love with India. I simply cannot wait to come back.

A wedding’s welcome to India

After I booked my one way VietJet flight to Delhi, my wonderful older sister was invited to the wedding of a close friend in Agra. The times checked out, and we decided to meet post wedding to explore some of Rajasthan together. A few months ago, Clara rang me and extended the most perfect example of Indian hospitality, an invite to the wedding. I had no idea what to expect, but I am still so incredibly touched to have been included in the couple’s happiest of celebrations. And oh my, what a celebration it was! 

Over three days, we partook in the Sangeet, Mehindi, Cocktail party, and the wonderful wedding. I have heard stories of how incredible Indian weddings are, and after having attended the festivities in Agra, I can safely say no wedding will ever live up to it!! From the moment we arrived we were wrapped up in such kindness, generosity, and warmth. I am at a loss for words in describing such a wonderful celebration, but to those who welcomed us, thank you thank you thank you! I will long be reminiscing on the colors, sounds, music, dancing, and energy which engulfed me during the wedding.

The Taj Mahal- a world wonder for a reason

At 6am after a wedding party which went on till 4am, a group of us boarded a bus and set off to see one of the Worlds 7 wonders. I have heard so much about the Taj Mahal, both its story and its beauty. Nothing could have prepared me for the ambiance or serenity of this incredible place. The absolute immaculate perfection of the architecture, the impeccable marble and intricate gemstones which create the most dazzling imagery on the walls of the monument. Even in our sleepless delirium, the Taj Mahal left us all speechless.

Though many story lines overlap as they often do when time warps truth, the story of the Taj Mahal’s conception was translated to me as such: the Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan at his wife’s dying wish at the birth of their 14th child. Built as a symbol of his eternal love for her, the Taj Mahal truly embodies an ethereal energy, a level of perfection which I felt neared the unearthly.

All I can really say is, photos simply do not do it justice. Book a flight to Agra, and sit in the sheer wonder of the Taj Mahal, it’s worth it. 

Jaipur, the pink city and temple running

After the celebrations of the wedding, and witnessing the sheer beauty of the Taj Mahal, Clara and I, along with the wonderful Efiama and Nick loaded into a car for a very bumpy ride to Jaipur. I have been looking forward to visiting Jaipur for quite some time, to witness the Pink Cities’ bustling streets, chaotic bazaars, and intricate forts and temples. After only two days there, I can safely say I was not disappointed. 

On our first day Clara and I set off in a Tuk Tuk and explored the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and the Hawal Maha. Wandering around with Clara, bent over in stitches half the time at our unpreparedness, we were engulfed by the city’s chaos and color. Every corner has a new smell, sound, a new experience. It reminded me of the India I had been dreaming of. As the sun began to sink, we decided to make a run for the Nahargarh Fort overlooking the vast spread of Jaipur city. Short of breath and chasing the sunset, we made it up the winding pathways, and were rewarded with some truly epic views of the city below. Again, photos cannot do it justice, but I have tried my best.

The following day we joined Nick and Efiama on their temple running quest. Guided by the wonderful Rafiq, we visited all of the ‘must see’ gems of Jaipur, and took a few less known routes on the way. From the Ganesh Temple, Ganta Ji (Monkey Temple), Floating Palace, Amber Fort, and Step well, to some of the best food I have ever tasted (Malai Kofta is now my all time favorite dish I will be dreaming of for a long time), to a fabric printing factory, gemstone jewelry, and spice and bangle shop, the day was truly jam packed. Rafiq is one of the kindest men I have ever met, so if anyone finds themselves at a loss in Jaipur, please let me know and I can guarantee you will be so incredibly well looked after!

Jaipur has been an absolute travel highlight for me these past two years. A city with such vibrance, life, and color. Yet a place where a step through the gateway to a temple trades chaos for calmness, and serenity is found.

Rishikesh, the Ganges, and my first steps in the wondrous Himalayas

When I have been dreaming of India, I have dreamt of the Ganges. Having heard stories of these holiest of waters, I have felt a pull to experience the pristine river for myself. And after a 14 hour, not-so-straightforward journey from Jaipur, it is safe to say the Ganges is an absolute joy. We stayed in Laxman Jhula, upstream from the busier Rishikesh and nestled into the foothills of the Hilalayas. Over four days, we simply were. Wandering the river banks, exploring streets and temples, attending the daily Aarti, the Ganges themselves took us in and eased all worries.

One morning, we woke at 3am and headed for the Kunjapuri temple to watch the sunrise before hiking back down to the foothills. Arriving in the dark, sleepless and slightly disoriented, (and very cold!), witnessing the sun creep above the Himalayan peaks was an experience I will never forget. As darkness traded itself in for a watercolor palette of reds, oranges, and deep pinks, the sun found its way through the mist and painted before us the most incredible scene. We all soon forgot the early rise and the sharp cold as the sunrise engulfed us in the Himalayan beauty. And surprise surprise, I again fell in love. 

After realising we could not in fact find our own way down the mountains, we were able to join the wonderful Bhandari on his way down to the Neer waterfalls. As the sun crept up, we began our descent through the Himalayas. I kept finding myself lost in thought, caught at the beauty of the serene scene. The Himalayas seemed to embody something more than mountains. The Ganges stretching below symbolising the peace and tranquility of the place. So much more than water and soil. Realising that I was lucky enough to walk in a truly sacred place. Once more, photos do not do it justice, and I know I am already dreaming of my return.

Until next time

I come from a small town, where I know nearly each and every neighbor. I know of their passions, dreams, pasts, and presents. Yet here I’ve been, in a country where there are over 1.5 billion people. Everywhere one looks, people fill your vision. I find it hard to comprehend just the scale of this country, each person I have seen or heard these past weeks. Each of them with their own story, their own past and path. And that is the true wonder of India. Its people. It’s diversity. Its color. It’s mystery and it’s kindness. India is seemingly endless to me, and these two weeks have given me a taste of that. And surprise surprise, I cannot wait to be back to explore her further.