BreatheDreamGo.com has always been about transformative travel. But now I am making that underlying value statement explicit with the launch of the Travel That Changes You e-newsletter. I will be featuring inspiring stories of real change by real travelers – and transformative travel tips by pros like Evelyn “Journeywoman” Hannon. Please sign up – the sign up box is in the right menu bar. I want this new initiative to be an inspiration for people who want want change in their lives, but don’t know where to start. By sharing stories, we can inspire each other – and also prepare each other for the ups and downs of change, travel … and life in general. So if you have a story of change or a travel experience that changed you please contact me to submit it and you could be highlighted in Travel That Changes You (with a link to your blog or website). The guidelines are below.
snake charmers in Jaipur, India
Myth #1: Traveling in India is dangerous
Before I went to India for the first time, I was warned to my teeth about how dirty and dangerous India is, especially by the doctor at the travel medical clinic. She really tried to put the fear of disease into me, and I went to India the first time loaded with precautionary supplies, pills and additional health insurance. Then I landed in Delhi at the very civilized home of my friend Ajay, who lives with his family in the Delhi equivalent of Forest Hill (one of the most upscale neighbourhoods in Toronto), and they laughed at all my stuff. When I did get sick I went to the local Max Medical Centre and after waiting about 10 or 15 minutes I got to see the British-trained head of internal medicine. The medical centre was spotlessly clean, modern and efficient, better than almost anything I’ve seen in Canada, and the visit cost 500 rupees or about $10.
At this point in my journey, about 10 days in, something began to dawn on me. I realized that many people in Canada, including me, were of the idea that India is a barbaric place. In fact, I found it to be very civilized. I no longer carry all those supplies and pills, I no longer buy extra health insurance. I practice caution, but I don’t assume the worst, I assume the best. And guess what? (more…)
Sita Sings the Blues
If you are planning to visit India, I have lots of resources right here on Breathedreamgo. Start by reading the following blogs: Advice for first time travelers, Top 5 Myths about India, Avoiding bed bugs, bacteria and bad guys, Top 5 things I’ve learned after a year of travel in India , Top 10 tips for women traveling in India and my Packing list for India. And don’t miss watching How to use an Indian toilet – it’s a funny and informative video by the great Wilbur Sargunaraj that will teach you a very important, essential skill.
I would also recommend reading about India. I have included a list of 10 books about India that I love, and 10 more books, and a list of spiritual books that I love, some of which are pertinent. Of course, there are loads more I haven’t read or even heard of — so let me know if you come across something good. (more…)
I love taking the train in India. It’s a great way to see the country, meet people and generally slow down your trip. Indian Railways is the world’s largest employer and the train system is massive and complex. You can book online on the IRTCT site and find great tips on Figuring out India Rail Travel on the wonderful The Planet D site.
I have many memories of watching India’s sun-baked landscape slide by, but here are two of my favourite train ride stories. (more…)
My Incredible India experience began with the incredible people at India Tourism. The helpful people at the India Tourism office in Toronto not only supplied me with contacts and all kinds of brochures and information, they are also sponsoring my upcoming trip. These people really do know India. If you don’t have an office near you, they have a very informative website, and offices throughout India. It’s unfortunate that there are many shady travel and tourism operators in India. But if you go through India Tourism, you can be sure of dealing with reputable people and organizations. Below is a list of Do’s and Don’ts India Tourism supplies to all visitors.
[NOTE: This was originally published on Transitions Abroad.]
Lodhi Garden, Delhi
I miss the smell of Delhi. I lived there for a total of six months over the course of the past three years, and now I am back in Toronto. Toronto is a big modern city and it essentially smells like a parking garage; Delhi is a megalopolis with an ancient history and smells like cooking fires, tropical flowers, pollution, animals, sewage, incense, and who knows what else. Delhi does not always smell good, but it always smells like something!
I love Delhi for its smells and for the following reasons: it is diverse, colourful, enigmatic, and bursting with life. But these are also among the reasons that many tourists—who are often new to India, having just touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport—find it so overwhelming.
But I was no doubt lucky. I was spared the usual Delhi arrival dramas that so many tourists sordidly recount, as they detail every shock and trauma. The aggressive taxi drivers. The windowless room in a Pahar Ganj hotel. The child beggars in Connaught Place.
Mariellen at Taj Mahal, India
I often get emails from women traveling to India for the first time, and they are justifiably nervous about landing by themselves in Delhi at midnight. So, this post is for you. It is a collection of my best tips and advice. You should also check out 10 Tips for Women Traveling India , my post Planning to go to India? and Top 5 Myths about India.
Be cautious, but don’t be nervous. Be open, but don’t be naive. Yes, India is overwhelming to the first-time visitor and most people experience culture shock (you can spot first-timers by the deer-in-the-headlights look they have on their faces.) I have said in other posts on this blog (Traveling solo in India) that India is like the cave Yoda sends Luke into: you will only find what you bring with you. So, don’t bring fear. Most Indians are the nicest, friendliest and most helpful people you will ever meet. Even when they are trying to part you from your rupees, they are mostly very nice about it. (Always remember that there are many very poor people in India who have not had the advantages, nor the opportunities, that we in the west have.) (more…)
[Note: Originally published as Recommended: Travel solo in India by Solotravelerblog.)
When I was 45 years old, I put everything I owned in storage, gave up my apartment and went to India for six months. It was the first time in my life that I had done anything like this. But it was time. I had always wanted to go to India and, after losing both of my parents, I knew it was now or never to go after my dreams.
Was I scared? You bet. But it was the “healthy” kind of scared – the kind that rises up from within and first whispers, then roars: if you overcome this, you will be forever changed. So I went. I jumped off the proverbial cliff to see how the universe would respond.
The largest gathering of humanity on earthMillions of people gather each year in North India to take a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Ganges, Yamuna and /or the mythological Saraswati rivers. Hindu devotees, pilgrims, saints and sadhus from all over India and the world turn up in huge numbers each winter. They believe that a holy dip in the sacred rivers during the Kumbh Mela washes away sins and can help them break the cycle of life and death and attain Moksha. (more…)
My India list: top places, events and festivals I want to seeI believe in magic. How else can you explain that the more I travel in India, the longer the list of places I want to go gets?! I was inspired to write this list by Mighty Girl’s Mighty Life List, so here goes. Here’s my list at the time of this writing (and I am sure I am missing several things …):
Breathedreamgo Consulting offers writing, blogging and social media strategy; plus India travel planning and business services. I can help you stand out online; or provide the highest quality writing; or help you travel to India or do business in India. Please contact me to learn more at mariellen @ breathedreamgo .com
The Windamere, Ganges View, Casa Cottage, Jas Vilas and Inn Seventh Heaven: My top 5 favourite hotels in India. They each combine personality, charm, comfort and integrity — and they’re clean and friendly.
~If you are planning to go to India, read this first. I have pulled together a packing list and a lot of travel tips, recommended books and do’s and don’ts that will really help make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
