my experience
India is one of the most fascinating and alive places to go in the world. Its streets are always bursting with activity, both with chaotic traffic and with the humanity along the sides. However, it’s not for the faint-hearted. If you stay in nice hotels and avoid the city centers, you can probably have a tourist experience. Otherwise, be prepared for sweltering heat, pollution, and a lot of congestion.
I spent 5 days in Northern India with my Dad, brother and sister, crossing over from the Nepalese border. We were traveling to find merchandise for our family store, A World Apart, and spent a good deal of time in small handicraft shops and markets, haggling with sometimes very aggresive salesmen. We made a few friends along the way -- like a tuk-tuk driver named Monu Sahani. Monu took us all over Agra, including through the city temples, where devout Hindus offered sacrifices to their gods. Traveling cheap and avoiding tourist restaurants gave us a good taste of the authentic Indian culture. But of course, we didn't leave the country without seeing some of the most important sights: The magnificent Taj Mahal, and the river Gange. Basic facts and backgroundsLanguage: Hindi
Famous foods: Curry, rice, flat bread (my favorite type of bread was Naan) Currency: Indian Rupee Capital: New Delhi |
must-go places
- Taj Mahal and the Red Palace - beautiful palace complex in Agra, in Northern India, built in the Main tourist destination in India
- River Gange - Rich with historical and religious significance. We took a boat down the river and got to witness from afar an elaborate Hindu cremation ceremony which took place on its banks.