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.
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I Got To Ride Upfront Half the Trip |
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I Couldn't Quite Touch the Seat in Front of Me |
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Hot Towels and Champagne at the Beginning of Each Leg |
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Deborah's Pod |
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.
