theIFrom Kerala in the South to New Delhi in the North. 

I flew from Sri Lanka and arrived in Cochin International Airport ( Kerala region) where is started my 6 week travelling through and around India. (Kerrala, Ernakulam, Mangalore, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Agra, Jodhpur)

Upon arrival I took a Tuk Tuk on a (very uncomfortable and bumpy) 2.5 hour ride through horrendous traffic  but the journey was filled with sites and smells like I’d never experienced before, we passed massive temples, thousands of people scurrying around about their Business and through streets that varied from poverty to even more poverty until I got to the place on the coast called Fort Kochi, this was where my Hostel was, I’d booked in here for 4 nights initially as I was advised by a fellow traveller to stay here first as it would EASE me into my introduction to India and I must say, in hindsight he was correct, however, don’t write India off yet as first impressions are often misleading, although I have to admit after the last 2.5 hours Tuk Tuk ride here I just wanted to have a shower to wash away the fumes, grime and dust and smells, I was hot, sweaty and dirty and a shower I had, it was heaven.

Following the shower, I went walking and exploring the Town itself, Fort Kochi is an old Port town where Foreign traders would do Business with the Indians in trading houses and within hours of buying spices, grain or textiles they were being loaded onto the ships and on the way to foreign lands. Apparently (speaking to old men that worked there) they were more efficient in those days than today.

After a few days I got a 7.5 hour train journey to Mangalore, I booked a Sleeper train as the departure time was 23.45, I went to the kiosk to obtain my pre-booked ticket, only to be told “no sleeper” so I showed my ticket stating sleeper to be told politely that the ticket means nothing as the sleeper carriage had been cancelled…..I then asked for a seat in respect of paying extra but “no seats can be reserved on this train” was the answer, I asked, as the time was only 23.00, what time I should come back to ensure I get a seat? he pointed to a train on the platform with People cramming themselves in doorways of the train and said “This train is your train”, he then spoke to his colleague who grabbed my arm and pulled me and lead me to the train where he then started to rip people out of the way to push me on with my Rucksack and Day bag, I was embarrassed at this but I too needed to get the train so……thank you. As it happens, I stood shoulder to shoulder, shuffling my feet as that was all i had room to do for 6.5 hours before we reached a station where people started to get off!!! I put this down to my inexperience of travelling, that was all i could do. Welcome to India haha.

Within a day or two of being in India and working my way through the Country heading for Agra (Taj Mahal location) I was beginning to see a different side to India, I saw very happy people that wanted to be helpful and courteous to me, I was shown generosity from people who had very little but they wanted to share what they had, I saw humour and a nicer side to India and as I learnt more about their ways and cultures and the more I understood the more comfortable and at ease I felt here. The people themselves are a very proud race, honest and extremely hard working.

India is a beautiful country once you leave the City, just don’t expect there to be the services around you that keep the streets clean and tidy, public toilets, beautiful restaurants, 5 star treatment. This is still very much (in my humble opinion) a third world country and it is exactly that reason I found it exciting, vibrant, cheap, warm and accessible. Lets hope the poverty goes but the magic stays.