To view India as one unchanging, uniform society is to do it a disservice. It perhaps has the strongest claim to be the most culturally diverse country in the world. Only through travelling throughout it does one come to truly appreciate this. I have been fortunate enough to do precisely that over the past few weeks.
A trip to the state of Rajasthan afforded me the opportunity to travel alone for the first time. Having heard of the group’s amazement during their time in this desert state, I had built up something of an expectation. As has become as recurring theme throughout the trip, this was well exceeded. Many a time I simply could not fathom the scenery which was before me.
Awe struck immediately upon my arrival at my accommodation in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The sandstone walls and towering ceilings made the building feel as though it had appeared from biblical times. The interior of my room was similarly grand, with its sculpted designs and marble floors. My time in the city was spent either socialising with the owner of the accommodation (a member of the Jaisalmer royal family) or exploring the breathtaking Jaisalmer Fort. The latter offered unending cobblestone alleyways and breathtaking views of the desert, all contained within its several hundred foot high walls.
My final night in Rajasthan was spent in remote tent-style accommodation in the sand dunes. It was this time which truly made the trip. Upon arrival, I was quickly invited to go camel riding over the dunes which surrounded my accommodation. This was perhaps the most incredible experience I have had so far. The combined picturesque sand formations and crimson red setting sun made for scenery which felt otherworldly. This was unlike anything I had experienced before. Upon arriving at the peak of the dunes, I was greeted with tea and snacks, as well as a musical performance from two young local boys. It was something truly unforgettable – I knew this all too well as I sat watching the sun set over the Pakistani border.
A trip to Delhi the following weekend provided a stark contrast to what I had experienced in the desert. This proved to be a taste of the ‘authentic India’, particularly in comparison to the quality of life we had all enjoyed in Mumbai hitherto. At base, the city took all that made Mumbai different to Auckland, and multiplied it several times of over. The sheer volume of people was unlike anything I had seen before. The level of pollution was proportionately confronting. I simply do not think that one can claim to have experienced the true India until they have visited Delhi.
With a week to go, the demands of work are likely to become increasingly strenuous. My focus now shifts toward completing what has become an ambitious research project. However, I can go about my work content that I have experienced some of the best that India has to offer.