10 Reasons Why I LOVE India!

Arvind Singh is coming to Seattle tomorrow!  He will be staying with Kelley McHenry for two weeks.  Arvind is our guide extraordinaire from Varanasi for the India trips Kelley and I lead.  This is Arvind’s first visit to the states.  I am happy to say that he will be visiting Rick and me at Ocean Shores next weekend.  On Tuesday, June 5, , Arvind, Kelley and I will be giving a presentation at EW Bookshop in Seattle from 7-8:30 pm.  It is a free event and we anticipate a full house!  If you are reading this and live in the Seattle area, please come and meet Arvind.  Seating begins at 6:30 pm. Arvind will talk about India and Indian culture and we will promote our next trip to India which is February 2-18, 2013.

So I was inspired to write this particular blog!  10 Reasons Why I Love India!

• I love the great diversity of the people of India-ethnic, cultural, linguistic, historical, and religious diversity.  People in India are very curious and friendly.  The language that unifies all of India is English, making it a bit easier to navigate your way through India and connect with various people you meet along the way.

• Because it’s so deep and so rich, you can’t get to the bottom of India.   You can see customs, rituals, and artifacts over 5000 years old.  India is mother to yoga, which is also over 5000 years old.  When I practice yoga in India, I feel like I am merging with an ancient force that I do not yet fully comprehend.   Yoga has always been a powerful practice for me and that experience seems to be intensified 10 fold in India!  If you love yoga, you must experience yoga in India!

• India pulses, surges, vibrates, and makes you feel alive.  Arriving in India, more than any other country, you feel you’ve entered a strange and wonderful world.  Your senses are overloaded with colors, shapes, sights, sounds, smells, tastes!

• The richest and the poorest live side by side.  Our minds, which are normally orderly, are trying to classify, try to make sense of it all.  In the process, suddenly you can’t help but let go.  In India, we abandon ourselves to a pure non-analytical experience.  You end up opening yourself up to something entirely different. India breaks you out of any need to cling to order and predictability.

• India is a photographer’s paradise.  I saw so many beautiful faces, smiles, fabrics, colorful clothing, textiles, patterns, ancient and intriguing temples, and temple art.

• Shopping in India is fun.  You can bargain for the right price and everyone comes out happy.  The range of items that can be bought from carvings, textiles, fabrics, jewelry, to clothing items is mind boggling.

• India is changing faster than any other country in the world!  Internet, high tech companies springing up everywhere. India boasts one of the largest movie industries in the world.  People are excited about these changes and hopeful for a  more thriving economy.

• People live and breathe their spirituality.  The idea of the divine exists everywhere in their lives and permeates every moment of the day.  Ritual marks most every aspect of their lives and it is fascinating to watch.

• The concept of “Family” is ever so strong in India.  Families are loving and warm.  Children are respectful of their elders. The family unit is strong.  Children are ADORABLE!

• I can’t believe I am saving food for last!  Indian food rocks!  It is so tasty and a total feast for your taste buds.  As long as you drink filtered bottled water  (that means brushing your teeth and rinsing using bottled water and not letting the shower water get in your mouth!!!) and eat at restaurants where your food is carefully prepared (as we do on all of our the tours), your tummy will be happy and your taste buds will celebrate the foods of India!