Traveling to India has been an adventure all on its own. It started at the LAX airport when I made a new friend from Turkey who discussed cultural differences with me until it was time to board my flight. From LA I traveled to Dubai on Emirates airline which was a nice experience of luxury. I made friends on the plane too and got the blessing of an Iranian family I sat next to during the flight to be safe in India.
Once I landed in Dubai it was time to switch planes and go through security once again. When in line, the call for prayer started on the speakers. It was then I realized how far I was from home and the familiar.
While waiting for my connecting flight, I found an Indian woman sitting alone so I decided to make her acquaintance. Her name was Sarah and she gave me a lot of advice on traveling in India alone. She was nice enough to even give me her phone number in case I ran into trouble and needed help. As I boarded the plane to India, I was excited and optimistic because of all the positive energy so far on my journey.
Sitting near me on the flight was a man who had way too much to drink. He stared at me for most of the flight and tried to talk to me but I politely avoided eye contact as well as conversation. Once it was time to get off the plane, he got a little more confident and trapped me between himself and an airplane seat. Once I broke free and pushed though the crowds to get out, I felt overwhelmed about grabbing a taxi at 4am all alone; but then I heard an elderly couple speaking English so I asked if I could stay near them. Through customs and baggage claim, they helped me ward off unwanted attention. Stepping out of the airport was a shock as well when a beggar attempted to grab my bags. The couple was so kind they even had their son who picked them up give me a ride to the hotel. I learned that they were Christians who came to teach English at a private Christian school in Delhi. If it had not been for that couple God lead me to, I'm not sure how the night would have turned out or how I would feel emotionally today.
On the way to the hotel, I saw an environment different from anything I have ever known. So many people and animals walking in the night waiting for daylight to break so the work day can begin. People sitting in the center dividers, animals on the highway, small communities formed on the sidewalks, etc. It was so much to take in but I am grateful to have not been alone for that first interaction with India.
The next part of the journey is Varanasi which one woman at the airport described as "the most intense place she has ever been because it feels like another world that has also gone back in time"
Until next time, positive vibes and love to you all.
Once I landed in Dubai it was time to switch planes and go through security once again. When in line, the call for prayer started on the speakers. It was then I realized how far I was from home and the familiar.
While waiting for my connecting flight, I found an Indian woman sitting alone so I decided to make her acquaintance. Her name was Sarah and she gave me a lot of advice on traveling in India alone. She was nice enough to even give me her phone number in case I ran into trouble and needed help. As I boarded the plane to India, I was excited and optimistic because of all the positive energy so far on my journey.
Sitting near me on the flight was a man who had way too much to drink. He stared at me for most of the flight and tried to talk to me but I politely avoided eye contact as well as conversation. Once it was time to get off the plane, he got a little more confident and trapped me between himself and an airplane seat. Once I broke free and pushed though the crowds to get out, I felt overwhelmed about grabbing a taxi at 4am all alone; but then I heard an elderly couple speaking English so I asked if I could stay near them. Through customs and baggage claim, they helped me ward off unwanted attention. Stepping out of the airport was a shock as well when a beggar attempted to grab my bags. The couple was so kind they even had their son who picked them up give me a ride to the hotel. I learned that they were Christians who came to teach English at a private Christian school in Delhi. If it had not been for that couple God lead me to, I'm not sure how the night would have turned out or how I would feel emotionally today.
On the way to the hotel, I saw an environment different from anything I have ever known. So many people and animals walking in the night waiting for daylight to break so the work day can begin. People sitting in the center dividers, animals on the highway, small communities formed on the sidewalks, etc. It was so much to take in but I am grateful to have not been alone for that first interaction with India.
The next part of the journey is Varanasi which one woman at the airport described as "the most intense place she has ever been because it feels like another world that has also gone back in time"
Until next time, positive vibes and love to you all.
