Some highlights of my experiences during two weeks in India, traveling to Delhi, Bangalore, Madurai, Cochin, Munnar and Kumily.
The Good
Costs: Places just do not get cheaper than India, eating out rarely costs more than £2-3 and you can easily eat breakfast for 50p, I regularly had tea for 5Rs (8p) and sweets for 10Rs (15p). I travelled more than 600km and 12h on train for less than £2, that’s a single trip on London Underground. A budget room for a night would cost you around £5-7, in the bigger cities they would be grim, but in smaller towns for this money you get a relatively good comfort level.
Diversity: India is huge, not exactly the size of Europe, but close, with all climates and natural diversity in between. I only got a glimpse what’s on offer, but each place is just so different, from urban ghettos, to tropical rain forests to mountains and desserts. E.g. I visited Periyar national park that has 6 different vegetative zones in one small park, that’s amazing. But the same goes for people, food, customs, language etc.
The Bad
Overwhelming public masculinity: there is overcrowding pretty much everywhere in India, but for me harder to adjust to was the fact that in public 90% are men. It becomes very tiring after a while seeing guys openly peeing on the side of the streets, rubbing their genitals, scratching their mustache or doing any of the other normal guy things you do. I’m relieved to be living in Europe where gender presence in public places is more balanced.
The Ugly
Transport: it’s just nightmare, traveling during Christmas holidays did not help, but overall the distances, congestion and the quality of vehicles both intercity and urban are well past use by date. There are some great exceptions such as Delhi Metro that is under construction, but overall travel in India can test you, unless you only travel by plane or private car. E.g. 120 km bus ride in hilly Kerala region took me more than 5 hours in the bus with no doors nor windows, just rails.
Pollution: rubbish is everywhere, on the streets, in the rivers, by railway trucks, in the jungle. There is no collection in most places, sometimes it just gets burned. The other source of pollution is from transport and lack of green zones in the cities. The air quality in most big cities is really bad, walking around for a few hours you’ll be covered with layer of dust.
India has some great things to offer, spiritual journeys, nature and ancient culture, but it is not really for me. I have a friend who fell in love with the place, and has been there 3 times in last 2 years, but unfortunately not me.
p.s. this week my laptop finally died so India photo uploads will come a bit later
