Last Thoughts on India

We have been home for a few weeks now and busy with everyday life.  I promised myself I would make one last entry to our India Trip blog to cover the trip home and any remaining thoughts we had.

We arrived home safe and sound after about 20 hours of actual air travel including legs from: i) Bangalore to Bangkok, ii) Bangkok to Taipei, iii) Taipei to Seoul, and iv) Seoul to Vancouver.  As mentioned in our first post, this trip was Business Class via our Visa Card points.  After we made our original plans, we had to make a change and as a result, the last ten-hour leg from Seoul to Vancouver was in Economy, with a chance for an upgrade at the gate.  When we got to the gate in Seoul there was only one seat left in Business.  Deborah rode the last ten hours in a pod and I was in Economy.  I was just far enough back to see her but too low a class to walk up and visit her.  Due to her kind heart she made one visit to steerage over the ten hours to let me know she was doing fine without me.

I Got To Ride Upfront Half the Trip

I Couldn't Quite Touch the Seat in Front of Me

Hot Towels and Champagne at the Beginning of Each Leg

Deborah's Pod

The long ride home gave us time to reflect on our trip and crystallize some thoughts about the experience.  India is a great place to visit.  Having been once we would like to return and see new places (probably along the east coast) and revisit some others.  While having Jinder and Kal as our guides made the trip as great as it was, folks could enjoy an India experience without a Punjabi or Hindi speaker along.  English seems to be the second “official” language and most people we met had a working level of English.

As for our impressions of India we must be “through the front door” and say one cannot ignore the poverty, air pollution, garbage, dirt, dust and cattle.  There is no denying that India has many problems.  There are far too many people living with very little.  Air pollution, garbage and road systems are huge challenges for the country.  The country's hard infrastructure has not kept up to the population growth but new construction appears to be ongoing.  Travel can be challenging but easily done if one is prepared to be patient and flexible.

Having stated the challenges, if that is all a visitor focuses on, they will miss seeing all the things that make India a great place. 

India is rich in history.  It was at the historical crossroads of the East and the West.  Various empires seized the lands, took the resources, and left their marks in architecture, art, religion and languages dating back to the Mongolian empire and before.  The French, Dutch, Portuguese, and Brits have all been a part of India’s modern history.

The variety and quality of the food we experienced was a definite highlight.  Most meals were authentic Indian.  Our experiences ranged from a homemade farm meal in Punjab, to highway cafes, to the historic Leopold in Mumbai, to modern fusions of Indian & western tastes.  The vegetables are as tasty as they are vibrant in colour.  The mystery food never failed to provide a unique and enjoyable taste.  The spice level was usually “medium” and there was plenty of naan and yogurt to cool the palette when the spices were strong.  Going without beef for a month was easy when provided with so many alternatives.  I think it would be easy to be a vegetarian in India.  It was most interesting to walk into a McDonalds where the only burgers were chicken or fish.

Certainly for us the highlight of the trip were the people themselves.  Even those with next to nothing appeared to be enjoying their lives as best they could.  Folks everywhere could not be more friendly and willing to help a traveler.  Jinder’s relatives and friends in Punjab dropped what they were doing just to ensure the visitors from Canada were treated well. 

Yes… vendors try to get as much as they can from tourists but they are simply making a living and doing the best they can for their families.  At the end of most hard bartering session there were usually smiles all around. 

India has the “service industry” down pat.  Again, folks cannot do enough for you and if there was one person assigned to do a task at home, there were two waiting to help in India.  While servers were certainly appreciative of a “tip” that is not why they worked so hard.  Servers genuinely want to meet your needs and I suspect were more than appreciative to simply have a job.  

Speaking of “people” we would be remiss if we did not comment on one of the most significant “highlights” of the trip.  Travelling with Jinder, Kal, Stan and Doreen was a highlight in itself.  You could not find four easier going, positive, willing, and kind travel companions.  The folks you travel with make or break an experience and ours was in everyway a success.

Until next time… what is that Linda … The Italian cycling group is planning a six-day cycling trek through the old Kettle Valley rail trails in August?  Count us in.