4 Lessons I Learned in India

I just got back from exploring Delhi, Coimbatore, Agra, and Jaipur with friends and family! It was an amazing trip filled with lots of running around in order to see each place, but I still found a good amount of time to journal and reflect. Although I can’t speak for all of India (there’s 29 states!), I am very excited to tell you a little bit about what I learned in these 4 cities.

1. Family is everything

The family always eats together at a set meal time. With my family in Coimbatore, we ate meals around a round table where everyone could see each other and be fully involved in conversation. It was so refreshing from a typical meal at home because everyone was entirely present and not distracted by phones, smart watches, etc. Over the course of our trip, I appreciated meal times as an opportunity to truly bring everyone together.

2. We take so much for granted

We are extremely fortunate and don’t even think about things like toilet paper, running water, the amount of work it takes to manufacture clothes, etc. As our trip continued, my best friend Sharon and I joked that experiencing bathrooms and showers in India brought our friendship to a whole other level. These simple experiences equally enhanced our gratitude for the materials that we do have at home. In Jaipur, I donated a pair of shoes to a woman who was begging on the streets. As she put them on, I realized that she had been walking barefoot among rocks, litter, and unpaved roads alongside her young daughter. In the U.S., we own tons of shoes and care about color, size, style, etc., but when I gave her the shoes, she didn't ask any questions, but rather beamed and expressed gratitude for just having a pair of shoes to walk in. 

3. No kale, no problem

Honestly, one of my biggest concerns about going to India was that I wouldn’t be able to eat raw fruits and veggies. I love kale and it's a staple in my diet, so what would I do without it?! I tried not to worry and instead kept an open mind, and focused on enjoying each moment. Going into the trip, I was most excited to head to Coimbatore and have authentic South Indian food. And let me tell you, it exceeded my expectations. A typical meal in the South includes coffee or masala chai with dosa, idli, and a rice dish. Both dosa and idli are made from rice and lentils, so everything was very light, nourishing, and delicious!

4. Disconnect to reconnect 

I loved not being on my phone much throughout the trip. We were so busy traveling that I just didn't care to frequently check social media or e-mails. I put the rest of the world on hold as I fully immersed myself in the present. I also loved that there was a lack of Wifi in many place because being hyperconnected to anything beyond my surroundings was not even an option. There is so much beauty in disconnecting—you develop stronger social bonds, amplify your creativity, and feel intense gratitude for your surroundings.

These quotes are various interpretations of “namaste” :)

These are the cities I’ve explored so far in India, so let me know in the comments below if there’s anywhere else you would recommend going to. Happy adventuring!