India

Among all the seven wonders of the world, I believe I have seen the Taj Mahal more often than the Colosseum. In fact, I've been to Agra – near New Delhi – three times, and when you're there… how can you not make a quick visit to this marvel?

The Indian university

I got to know this country because at university I chose an exchange program and in 2015 I spent a semester at the Indian Institute of Management in Kolkata. A real college, with dormitories, canteens, libraries, classrooms, houses for professors, an infirmary and even a small lake inhabited by a huge gecko that frightened everyone who passed over the bridge to go to class.

India was the first Asian country where I lived for a long time. Here I saw with my own eyes that happiness does not depend on what you own, but on how you decide to live it.

Unforgettable trips and experiences

During that period, I met many people and experienced a thousand adventures, not only in Kolkata but all around India.
I drank tea directly on the Darjeeling plantations, did yoga at dawn on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi, spent magical nights in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, and watched the spectacular Kathakali in Kerala, a traditional dance that heavily relies on the expressiveness of the artists' faces.

To get from one city to another, I discovered that local trains are the most comfortable and economical way to travel. A piece of advice though: it's better to buy first-class tickets, to avoid surprises and overly crowded trips (you might even find yourself sitting next to a chicken 🐔). On night trains, there are even real bunks, with clean sheets and blankets ready for each passenger. And there's always someone passing through with food and drinks, making even the longest journeys much more pleasant.

Within the cities, however, the most typical means of transport is the tuk-tuk, a kind of doorless motorized rickshaw, often decorated by the owners with images of gods or small amulets. Fast, affordable, and very colorful: a travel experience to avoid city traffic and get your adrenaline pumping, as the drivers know how to slip into the most unimaginable corners!

If you decide to visit this country, be prepared: you'll be treated like a VIP. It's not uncommon for people to ask for photos or selfies just because you have lighter skin and hair. Once, even, a family asked me to hold their newborn for a family photo!

Indian wedding

I returned to India a few years after my university experience to attend the wedding of a dear friend I met on campus. Indian weddings last several days and each ceremony has its own rituals, colors, and meanings, and some of them are separate for the bride and groom and their families.

💚 Mehndi
It is the ceremony where one prepares with henna decorations. The bride and groom, especially the bride, have elaborate designs covering hands, arms, and feet, often with initials or symbols that refer to each other. Guests can also get decorated, thanks to the artists provided by the family. The dominant color is green, like the henna itself.

💛 Haldi

The following day, the bride and groom meet and are smeared with turmeric paste by the guests as a wish for prosperity and good fortune. Here, the main color is yellow, like the turmeric that dyes everything festively.

🎶 Sangeet

One of the most lively ceremonies: friends and relatives perform songs, dances, or skits dedicated to the bride and groom. I myself participated with a dance along with the groom's cousins! The groom's mother had hired a choreographer, so we took the opportunity to learn a quite simple yet impactful dance.

💍 The Wedding
The pinnacle of the celebrations, a lavish event that truly seemed like a scene from Bollywood, curated in every detail: colorful outfits, dances, religious rituals, and an endless banquet. Here, the clothes reflect the closeness to the couple: more elaborate for the immediate family.

An incredible experience that made me delve even deeper into Indian culture and its ability to turn every celebration into an explosion of life, colors, and emotions.

The return to India in 2023

I returned to India for a third time in 2023 to meet my acquired niece, the daughter of my friend. I found a country that had changed a lot: fewer beggars, more cleanliness, and a tourism industry that is rapidly growing. Sure, you will still see cows blocking traffic in the middle of the road... but it's part of the culture and the Indian experience!

👉 Do you also want to learn about Indian traditions and customs? Would you like to try yoga in its country of origin and visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World? Contact me and we will build the perfect itinerary for you together.

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