Incredible India (by Joe)
As anyone who has been reading the blog can tell, we've had a fantastic time in India, finding it stimulating, challenging and endlessly fascinating.
Above all, we have found the people consistently mild-mannered, polite, hospitable, charming and genuinely interested in visitors. There remains a great 'connection' between Indians and the British. Far from being bitter towards us as former exploiters of their country, Indians across the country appear to retain a broadly positive view of Britain, the Raj and what it gave India. We also naturally share many similarities in culture as a result of British colonialisation (such as law, education, values, humour, and social 'charms' and 'graces' - there is also, of course, cricket).
India is fascinating visually, with bright colour everywhenre you look in sarees, in fruit stalls, spice markets and bazaars. To European eyes it is also full of weird and wonderful sights such as the people, hectic transport, animals in the streets and camels and carts. It is a photographer's dream (see blog below for ten of our favourite photos).
India is hugely diverse. From the Himalayan foothills, through the Rajasthani desert to the Goan beaches, we have seen massive variation in culture, people, climate and landscape. Contrasting Delhi and Mumbai, we have also seen how the cities vary in character. We have only seen a few of India's many regions, yet recognise that politically, socially, linguistically and religiously (as well as geographically) it is more of a 'United States of India' than a single nation.
We have loved the food, which is also diverse. It is rich, sophisticated and colourful. We have both eaten vegetarian throughout the trip yet still had terrific variety. We suspect we will be eating and appreciating Indian food far more when we return to the UK.
India has masses of history. The ancient history of forts, palaces and temples are in every region. Yet, for us, the recent history of the Raj and colonialisation has been one of the most interesting recurring themes.
Yet India is changing rapidy, so for us it has been as much about the fascinating current and the future than the history: rapid economic growth, social evolution, urbanisation, widespread use of technology, increased social mobility, the rise of mass media, marketing and advertising practices, a booming consumer culture, increased investment from multinationals, and rapid growth in tourism. These seem to us some of the key factors currently shaping the country.
Despite the growth, India remains incredibly cheap for western travellers.
But there is a darker side to India, and features which could prove too great a challenge for some visitors:The wealth divide is enormous; there remains terrible poverty across the country and begging is widespread (with tales of children being systematically maimed by gang masters to increase their begging potential). Cities are also heavily polluted; there is much visible litter; the sewage infrastucture appears non-existant in certain places; animals roam the streets; malaria remains widespread and there is much illness and physical deformity.
Good, bad and ugly, we have found it all fascinating.
The Indian tourist board's strapline is 'Incredible India'. It is spot on.
Joe
Above all, we have found the people consistently mild-mannered, polite, hospitable, charming and genuinely interested in visitors. There remains a great 'connection' between Indians and the British. Far from being bitter towards us as former exploiters of their country, Indians across the country appear to retain a broadly positive view of Britain, the Raj and what it gave India. We also naturally share many similarities in culture as a result of British colonialisation (such as law, education, values, humour, and social 'charms' and 'graces' - there is also, of course, cricket).
India is fascinating visually, with bright colour everywhenre you look in sarees, in fruit stalls, spice markets and bazaars. To European eyes it is also full of weird and wonderful sights such as the people, hectic transport, animals in the streets and camels and carts. It is a photographer's dream (see blog below for ten of our favourite photos).
India is hugely diverse. From the Himalayan foothills, through the Rajasthani desert to the Goan beaches, we have seen massive variation in culture, people, climate and landscape. Contrasting Delhi and Mumbai, we have also seen how the cities vary in character. We have only seen a few of India's many regions, yet recognise that politically, socially, linguistically and religiously (as well as geographically) it is more of a 'United States of India' than a single nation.
We have loved the food, which is also diverse. It is rich, sophisticated and colourful. We have both eaten vegetarian throughout the trip yet still had terrific variety. We suspect we will be eating and appreciating Indian food far more when we return to the UK.
India has masses of history. The ancient history of forts, palaces and temples are in every region. Yet, for us, the recent history of the Raj and colonialisation has been one of the most interesting recurring themes.
Yet India is changing rapidy, so for us it has been as much about the fascinating current and the future than the history: rapid economic growth, social evolution, urbanisation, widespread use of technology, increased social mobility, the rise of mass media, marketing and advertising practices, a booming consumer culture, increased investment from multinationals, and rapid growth in tourism. These seem to us some of the key factors currently shaping the country.
Despite the growth, India remains incredibly cheap for western travellers.
But there is a darker side to India, and features which could prove too great a challenge for some visitors:The wealth divide is enormous; there remains terrible poverty across the country and begging is widespread (with tales of children being systematically maimed by gang masters to increase their begging potential). Cities are also heavily polluted; there is much visible litter; the sewage infrastucture appears non-existant in certain places; animals roam the streets; malaria remains widespread and there is much illness and physical deformity.
Good, bad and ugly, we have found it all fascinating.
The Indian tourist board's strapline is 'Incredible India'. It is spot on.
Joe
posted by Joe and Laura at 5:14 am
1 Comments:
About time your efforts drew more than "you blog good", I think.
It's been wonderful to follow you through India. Evocative descriptions and stunning photos make me feel as if I'm having a surrogate holiday.
I look forward to the rest.
Of course Thailand won't be as big on cricket, but you can't have everything!
PS. Your house is still standing.
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