Four Weeks into the Big Trip and Feeling ‘At Home'

The Golden Temple, Amritsar, India

Nearing a month into the Big Trip now. We went to see the Fatehpur Sikri yesterday, a one-and-a-half-hour bus ride from Agra.

While in the bus I somehow felt ‘at home’.

Romantic Taj Mahal Working Its Magic

It was around quarter to nine in the morning. The Taj Mahal is packed with tourists. I couldn’t capture its beauty the way I wanted to since it was still foggy, and it looked like it wasn’t going to improve any time soon. I still have more than an hour left before I meet my friend outside the complex. I decided to find a bench where I can sit down and just appreciate its beauty. I always try to sit down in a place, church, temple, or mosque I go into, and not just take photos. I believe that all these grand and sacred structures deserve to be appreciated and respected.

Travel Love (Photo) : Heart Balloons

There’s poverty almost everywhere in India, but there’s also life. You see so many homeless people and street children. But for some weird and unexplainable reason, they seem contented. I initially thought of relating it to their religion or their culture. But I see no point in such, even in pity.

Dharamsala : A Spontaneous Afternoon Up in the Mountains

It was our last day in Dharamsala before heading down to Amritsar for Diwali. I was supposed to go paragliding since it was so cheap at only INR 2500 for 30-45 minutes. However, the cost did not yet include the roundtrip taxi ride which will cost me another INR 1800. Which made the whole activity quite expensive. So I decided to do some easy hiking/trekking. Eventually I was able to convince my friend to join me.

The plan was to see the sacred Dal Lake and the Tibetan Naddi Village. That was the initial plan. But when you do something spontaneous - wonderful and amazing surprises come along your way.

Dharamsala : Humbled by the Tibetans in Exile

I've only been in Dharamsala for less than a day. Given that this was just a spontaneous and accidental trip, I really wasn't that familiar with the place. I had completely forgotten that its population is partially composed of Tibetans in exile, and is the home of the Dalai Lama. And after hearing their story and witnessing their warmth, strength, and peacefulness, it pains me. And I found myself crying. It pains me that they can't live in their own country. A simple no-need-to-elaborate- reason.

Countless smiles and Namastes here in India

Tibetan woman in Dharamsala 

Why is the sun so orange and full during sunset here in India?

Six days in India. Three days in busy and chaotic Delhi. Three days in peaceful and cold Dharamsala.

Driving in India is crazy, even here in Dharamsala. Drivers continuously honk. Public transportation is disorganized. People quote you different prices.

But more than that, people have been really nice to us. They don't really mean any harm. They all are just trying to make a living. And most, if not all, smile at you. Or return your greetings.

Wonderful Kids of Delhi

I stumbled upon this girl playing by the streets of Chandni Chowk

Life in India is incomprehensible for an outsider like me. I will not even try to understand it, or relate it to their history or their religion. All I can do is admire it. There is no point in pity because the people on the streets, I think, have more life and spunk in them than the average people like us. 

Quaint Old Town of Melaka

"I see trees of green, red roses too.

I see them bloom for me and you.

And I think to myself what a wonderful world'

- Amazing musician at St. Paul's Church