4 friends discover a piece of North India (page 8 of 8)

Sorry if you didn’t catch my—maybe questionable—humor about the term

Hindus

Hindus are the Indians who practice Hinduism. The inhabitants of India are Indians...

Hello, In Isabelle’s defense, the humor wasn’t questionable but just really not obvious to pick up in the message ¾

True, I didn’t get the remark. Actually, I didn’t even realize I’d made a mistake between Hindu and Indian 🤦

You really should take your Nikon to those parts!

Why not? Christelle’s beautiful travel journal and the one she’s working on make me want to go 😊 The upside will be not having to lug 10kg of gear on my back 😅

It was by following Rouquine’s trail—a naive soul who got taken for a canned hunt—that I’m back here. I’d read this travel journal along the Ganges (which, as everyone knows, doesn’t flow through Rajasthan) without chiming in. Richard and you make a winning pair, and we’d love to send you not to some unknown land, but rather to the well-trodden spots for your unique/multiple perspectives.

I’m wrapping up my travel journal on Cambodia before bringing my family to Rajasthan, and then heading back there for new adventures. Every region is beautiful and unique, and the hospitality is exceptional.

If we're going to split hairs... (or "thread the flies in flight" as you say where you're from 😛)

Hindus are Indians who practice Hinduism.

And what about those who practice Hinduism in other countries (including the 500,000 South African citizens who aren’t Indian)?

The inhabitants of India are Indians...

No, it’s the citizens of India who are Indians, not its inhabitants.

Fair enough?

If it's about nitpicking... (or threading flying diptera, as they say where you're from 😛)

Hindus are Indians who practice Hinduism.

And what about those who practice Hinduism in other countries (including the 500,000 South African citizens who aren't Indian)?

The inhabitants of India are Indians...

No, it's the citizens of India who are Indians, not its inhabitants.

Got it now?

Got it—I actually realized I’d used the wrong word after sending my message, but laziness won out... It’s not about nitpicking to distinguish between Hindu and Indian, especially in a time when being Indian is equated with being Hindu, ignoring all the citizens 😉 who aren’t... I think I remember Richard mentioning this very point in this same travel journal. Especially nowadays, with the current situation between Hindus and Muslims, who are increasingly ostracized. Just ask our friend Pagaljavab if it’s nitpicking to distinguish between Hindu and Indian when talking about Indian citizens.

Why not, this beautiful travel journal and Christelle’s current one make me want to go there 😊

Tomorrow I’ll start posting our travel journal about South India. A different take on the country: Tamil Nadu and Kerala are very different from Rajasthan. That way, you’ll have a little idea to help you make your choice ;) A week later, I’m still overwhelmed by everything I experienced...

Tomorrow I’ll start posting our travel journal about South India. A different take on the country: Tamil Nadu and Kerala are so unlike Rajasthan. That way you’ll get a little idea to help you decide 😉

Awesome! Thanks Kate 🙂

A week later and I’m still overwhelmed by everything I experienced...

That’s kinda why India has always stayed in the "someday" pile for me... I’m really nervous about my emotions—I know I’m super sensitive, and I’m not getting any better with age .

Richard and you make a winning pair, and we’d love to send you not to some unknown land, but rather to popular spots for your unique/multiple perspectives.

Thanks Voyou ;) Absolutely, I agree—send us wherever you want! We love prepping, exploring, and sharing the story.

It’s kind of one of the reasons why India has always remained a "project" idea for me... I’m really apprehensive about my emotions—I know I’m very sensitive, and I’m not getting any better with age .

I don’t know if we’re talking about the same emotions. I wasn’t any more shocked by the poverty than the poverty I encounter just steps from my home. The real hardship. Yet, that’s the question everyone asked me when I got back! Dirt, poverty, noise... I met a happy, smiling people, full of energy. Very complex. Endearing. That’s what I take away from it, me, a modest little traveler, light-years from truly knowing a country and its people. My emotions manifested in several ways: a deep sense of well-being, a kind of spirituality, an unprecedented adventure, letting go, delight... disoriented by the differences and contrasts, like a sponge that absorbs too much, then emptied, rinsed.

It’s partly one of the reasons why India has always remained a "project" in my mind... I’m really dreading my emotions—I know I’m very sensitive, and I’m not getting any better with age .

I don’t know if we’re talking about the same emotions. I wasn’t any more shocked by the poverty than the poverty I see just a few steps from my home. The real hardship. Yet, that’s the question everyone asked me when I got back! Dirt, poverty, noise... I encountered a happy, smiling people, full of energy. So complex. Endearing. That’s what I take away from it—me, a modest little traveler, light-years from truly knowing a country and its people. My emotions came out in different ways: a deep sense of well-being, a kind of spirituality, an unprecedented adventure, letting go, delight... thrown off by the differences and contrasts, like a sponge that absorbs too much, then drained, rinsed.

Indeed, those weren’t the kind of emotions I was dreading. Thanks, Kate, for sharing your feelings and emotions. I know full well that when you travel to a country, you can’t truly get to know its people or the place itself—we only skim the surface. But sometimes, we can still feel very strong emotions that might come from just a simple glance, a gesture, or a particular situation.

Thank you so much for this long account—I really enjoyed it, especially since I’m currently in India. My journey is a bit the opposite of yours.

Last year, at 70, I decided to visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu for 4 weeks solo in January 2024. It was my first time in India, a country that slightly intimidated me. Like you, I planned ahead, meticulously preparing my trip, which I did by taxi. I was so fascinated by every aspect of this beautiful country and its incredibly warm, smiling people that I’m back in India this year for three months, still solo, but traveling by train. Speaking of which, I hadn’t quite grasped the key difference in luggage weight between traveling by taxi and by train. I had to leave my heavy suitcase behind, invest in an ultra-light backpack and a fabric suitcase “made in India,” and lighten my load by getting rid of a few clothes and even my iron. So, I started my journey in mid-January in Kochi and will finish it in mid-April in Delhi.

Traveling alone, my experience feels very different. Without a doubt, interactions with locals are easier, more frequent, and sincere, in my opinion. Just yesterday, on the train, a family invited me to share their meal. I received an invitation to a wedding. Today, a Muslim family wanted to invite me to their home. Often, it all starts with a request for a photo with me, which I always gladly accept because it really makes them happy. And I do the same with them, much to their delight.

As for religious divides, I didn’t notice anything like that during my previous trip to Kerala and Tamil Nadu. But it’s definitely present as you move toward the north of the country.

Regarding noise and traffic, my tolerance threshold must have increased with my travels because, thankfully, these inconveniences don’t bother me at all anymore.

A little medical side note about the infamous “traveler’s diarrhea.” To prevent it, just start taking probiotics like “Voyage” the day before your trip and continue throughout your stay. Thanks to this little helper, you can enjoy all the street food and fresh fruit. And it really works—I can vouch for it.

About cleanliness and dirt, just take a few precautions, like washing your hands or carrying a small bottle of antiseptic liquid.

One last thing about safety, especially important when traveling alone. By following a few common-sense rules, I never felt in danger in India. Just avoid walking alone in sketchy areas, especially at night, or don’t hesitate to firmly shut down any suspicious offers. You need to be extra cautious without letting it turn into an obsession so you can still enjoy your trip. The same rules apply everywhere in the world, including Paris.

Thanks again for your beautiful story and amazing photos!

Hi Marie-Christine,

Thanks for your message and the summary of your experience. I’m sure making contacts is easier when you travel solo. I really admire you because I don’t know if I’d have the courage. But I’ve always had good company, so... 😉

Yes, we did cross paths! In January 2024 we were in Rajasthan, and in January 2025 we’ll be in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. We’re currently writing a new travel journal. Here

Wishing you a wonderful trip! !

Thanks so much, Kate! I’ll hurry to read your new travel journal! 😊

Good evening to the 4 adventurers on this trip, and thank you for these photos and beautiful stories about your journey 😊 I’m reliving the very old memories of my own trip from PARIS to NEPAL by hitchhiking for 3 months... a different story and another time... but I feel right at home! That’s why this TRAVEL FORUM and your journey/adventure speak to me and still make me dream! Thank you, thank you, and safe travels for the rest of your trip.

Good evening Bleulargo (nice username ;))

Thanks for this feedback. We also really enjoy writing our travel journals and reading those of other travelers.

Early August 1966, there weren’t many people in front of the Taj Mahal 😎 The visit was easy and intimate...

Oh, thanks for this great photo 😉