India

Population: Approximately 1.3 Billion(2015)
Currency: Indian Rupees(100Bhat = 12Nok = $1.50US = £1.10 (June 2016 rates))
Cities Visited: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Hyderabad.

To describe India with an short Introduction is very difficult but I will try anyway. It is a land where the language & cuisine changes across every state line, the heat is ever lasting, the people forever trapped in their own organized Chaos, animals live as gods, women struggle in a country where gender equality is still an unresolved issue, 21.9% of its 1.3 billion people live below the poverty line and struggle in a country where the wealth gap is tremendous, a transaction always happens with bargaining involved, environment sustainability is mixed with 17% of people not having access to safe drinking water and 60% of households in Rural areas not having access to basic sanitation needs, and the cloud of "Expect the unexpected" consistently affects everyone living or visiting the country. However despite all of the issues, the majority of the people we came across are still able to put up a smile, be welcoming & friendly, and hospitable to guests in their country.

I did not know what to expect for my first trip to India but driving in the golden triangle of the North (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur) was a very overwhelming experience. An insight into the beauty of each State through its landscape, people, cuisine, and cultural performances was very welcoming to learn of ways of each state. Hyderabad was very large and interesting as well. The one thing that we took from this journey was being grateful for what we have and not take it for granted. Access to clean water, basic sanitation, education, employment options, and medical care are some of the items which we are lucky to have but for a large percent of the Indian population this is a real struggle. I look forward to return to India and visit many of the other cities.

Related Post: Preparing for the Indian Journey

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