We all talk about how travel makes you fall in love with the different parts of the world and yes, that is one of the most beautiful segments of travel. But in my case, while I was falling in love with the different cultures around the world, I was also falling in love with mine. Be it over the love of spicy food with the foreigners or the colorful clothing our women adorn. There is a magic to all of it.
No Music Festival Will Ever Compete With the Crazy Festivals and Traditions Across India
Festivals in India have a completely different meaning to that in Europe. I grew up playing Holi with my friends in the most ragged clothes and biggest smiles. As an adult, I stopped participating but by then it was what the “cool kids” did in the West.
Traditions that seemed boring and dull initially, were full of joy now. The more I Explained Diwali to my fellow travellers, the more I understood my own culture. The story of Ram and Sita won my heart once again and the "Vanvaas" had a new meaning to it.
The Colourful Dresses Are Always Around the Corner to Fill Your Day With Joy
I know while you travel a saree isn’t the best that goes with your backpack but, in my travels, I realised how much I missed those colourful traditional clothes. Black, Blue, Brown, and white are the only colours that one can find in Europe and I have never missed our colourful scarves more.
I missed those prayer flags in the mountains and I missed the absurdly decorated trucks. Our country is filled with shades that one can’t even fathom.
After Eating Abroad for Years, I Realised Nothing Is More Wholesome Than Indian Food
The first time I watched “Eat, Pray, Love” all I wanted to do was gorge myself on the amazing cuisine of Italy and so I did. From pizzas to different kinds of pastas, I ate my heart out. I soon realised that no matter how good it was, my soul food was always going to be “dal khichdi”.
I love traveling to new places and trying everything. From the escargots (snails) in France to reindeer in Norway, I’ve tried it all and loved it, but alas, nothing beats butter chicken and tandoori rotis, and no amount of French wine can beat mango lassi.
Over the years, my backpack started having a small section dedicated to spices and more and more backpackers wanted to “taste” the Indian food. On a hiking trip, I carried the Sunfeast pasta and the Italians loved this new twist to their food. My culture has resulted in me being the center of the groups, answering their questions, and making more people aware that there is more to India than just “pray”.
After Travelling Alone, I Realised How Important Family Is
No matter where my backpack and I go, 30 minutes in the evenings are reserved for my family. This seemed like a nuisance initially, I am a big girl after all. But, when lost in the Icelandic highlands, I knew if I didn’t make that call for a couple of days, help would arrive. Travel made me realise the importance of family. One of the most important virtues of being an Indian and not everyone is as lucky as us. No matter where you go, there is love to be found back at home. The strong pull that brings me back.
The Sound That Once Gave Me a Headache Is Now Music That I Miss
Growing up even in the suburbs of Mumbai, there was a constant commotion around me. Be it the neighborhood aunty yelling at her kids, the kabaddi wala selling something, the current popular songs blasting on full volume, or just the good old traffic. The vibrant, loud, and sometimes obnoxious sounds of India are missed as I walk in the European streets that shut down after 7 p.m. These sounds made the world around us lively and gave it that extra Indian charm.
The Chaos of Street Life on 'Mall Roads' Is Under-rated
Be it food, shopping or just hanging out. I miss the days of standing by the road and stuffing my face with hot, steamy momos and no amount of baguette or churros will ever amount to it. I hassling with the vendors for the copy of the jacket that Kareena Kapoor wore, or getting the best ray bans for 200 INR. Zara and H&M across entire Europe cannot beat this. The street vendors at every nook and corner of mall road, calling out my name are gravely missed.
When Travelling Solo in India, Making Friends Was Never a Problem
In India, ice breakers are easy and fun. Offering your home-cooked tiffin to the random stranger next to you is normal. The person sitting next to you on the bus ride or the family that you meet on the long-distance train rides, all of them become a huge part of your journey without any efforts from your side. Soon enough, there is food being passed, you’re being invited for the distant cousin's wedding and the grandma has already set you up with her grand-son. In Europe, experiencing the local culture can be difficult as people find it hard to be friends with strangers.
A Special Shout Out to the Hot Bun Maska and Chai in the Mountains
The Himalayas are the crown jewel of India and there is nothing really that compares to it. In the high altitudes of the mountains, in the crisp air and freezing temperatures, the locals have mustered up the best solution. Chai and Bun Maska or Chai and Maggi. I will travel the world and come back only to experience this. Coffee just doesn’t do the trick.
Nothing Compares To The Multilingual and Multicultural Country of India
India has 22 official languages and more than 1000 dialects spread across the 29 states. I always compare the entire of Europe to my vast country. As you change the state, you change the food, the culture, and the language. Indians just have to travel beyond a state border to walk into a new world. Where other than India can you experience this?
No Matter Where I Go, Incredible India Resides in My Soul
India as a country has its own set of problems, problems that I doubt would be never solved but, there are a million more things that make my country majestic. From the beauty of the Himalayas to the temples of Mahabalipuram, India oozes with heritage and I needed a step back to fall in love with the big picture.
The more I spoke about the vivid traditions of India, the more they won my heart. Every European place I visited reminded me of which Bollywood song was shot there and I opened my eyes to the fact that you can take the Indian out of India but not India out of the Indian.
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