The Simple Joys of India

Simple might not be what comes to mind when thinking about India. As the second-largest country in the world, it is home to more than 1.3 billion people. Yet amidst the bustling cities, noisy streets, and crowded markets, simplicity and joy abound.

India was not on my bucket list. I even thought that Asia might be the last continent I would visit. But when the opportunity arose to travel to India with a small group of women as part of a Purposeful Nomad and Wanderful trip,  I was in! With just 8 weeks to educate myself on all things India, I read and researched as much as I could. 

I love to travel and this would be my biggest trip to date. I was mostly excited, but also a bit anxious. When I read the list of recommended vaccines (and corresponding potential illnesses) fear reared its ugly head and I considered backing out. But instead, I talked to friends who had traveled there and I found comfort knowing that I would be with a trusted group of local guides who knew the area well and who had previously led this trip. 

I set off with an open mind, a carry-on filled enough granola bars to cover every meal (if needed), and a medicine cabinet’s worth of items to handle nearly any medical emergency. :-)

I was ready to step outside of my comfort zone and explore. To let go of family and work responsibilities. To see the sites, experience the culture, and meet the people of India. And I was eager to seek out simple joys along the way.

Here are some of the simple joys I experienced in India:

Hospitality & Generosity - From the moment I arrived in New Delhi, to the final hugs goodbye 10 days later, I experienced warm hospitality. The locals in the village who opened their homes and hearts to serve our us meals and entertain us with song and dance. Our guides, driver, and assistant who navigated narrow streets and made sure we were always comfortable and safe. The talented, kind women and children we spent time with at Sambhali Trust. These are just some of the individuals who so graciously welcomed our group to India. These generous souls, and the memories created with them, will always hold a special place in my heart.

Culture - The peacock is the national bird of India, a fact I did not know before my trip. They were everywhere... and they weren’t quiet! Have you heard peacocks talk to each other? (It's a cross between a cat meowing and a baby crying.) I learned that peacocks symbolize grace, beauty, and integrity and they represent joy and wisdom. Fitting, as I witnessed all of this from the people of India during my stay.

I was fortunate to be in India during Holi-the ancient Hindu festival that signals the arrival of spring. It is celebrated as a day of spreading happiness, love, and gratitude for a good harvest. Although large public gatherings were banned due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were able to celebrate the day with a small group at our hotel. We threw colors, danced, and enjoyed snacks while sharing in the celebration.

Color - One of the few things I knew about India before my trip was that it is filled with color. Color brings me so much joy and I was excited to experience the colors of India firsthand. India lived up to this expectation in big ways. From the distinctly colored cities (Jaisalmer the Golden City, Jodhpur the Blue City and Jaipur the Pink City), to the bright saris and bracelets worn by the women, to the vibrant art crowding storefronts, to the fragrant flowers blooming on the grounds of every hotel, the joy of color was everywhere! Undoubtedly, this is the most colorful place I have ever visited.

Food – I planned to try some of the food, but I was afraid of getting Delhi Belly and of eating things that were too spicy (hence, the carry-on full of granola bars). Prior to this trip, I had only eaten Indian food a handful of times, most of which was at a coworker’s traditional Indian wedding 20 years prior.

Throughout our trip, we enjoyed large breakfast buffets at the hotels, simple, yet delicious meals prepared by local families in the villages, and fine dining at restaurants in the bigger cities. My favorite meal was the one we helped prepare with the women of the Sambhali Trust. They taught us about spices and showed us how to make several traditional Indian dishes.

Our guides, Govind & Virendra, did a fabulous job of explaining what we were eating and of helping us find items on the menu that matched our tastes. They explained that making food spicier and sweeter is a sign of hospitality. Indians want to grace their guests with the best! While there seemed to always be an option to get something “American” like French fries, pizza, or scrambled eggs and pancakes, I ended up eating many Indian meals. I stuck with vegetarian items, ate lots of garlic naan and pakoras, and had chai every opportunity I could. 

I was afraid of getting Delhi Belly, so I did all I could to avoid it. I followed the tips I had heard beforehand, including washing my hands a lot, using hand sanitizer, keeping my nails cut short, and avoiding the water, fresh-cut fruit, and ice. I only felt a little off one day of the trip. And I ended up giving away most of my granola bars at the end of the trip-much to my surprise!

Art - We met many talented artisans during our trip. We saw how rugs are weaved and how fabric is printed. We walked through roadside markets lined with handmade baskets and passed storefronts filled with brightly painted pottery. We even spent time with the women of the Sambhali Trust, learning how they hand sew ornaments, totes, and clothing.

Architecture – Rajasthan’s cities were filled with color, texture, and history. We heard stories from guides who were experts in each city we visited. We toured forts and temples, rode rickshaws and camels, walked streets and markets, and dined on rooftop decks. Each experience provided a different glimpse into the architecture that has evolved over hundreds of years.

Nature – I spent time in large cities and in a small village in the Thar desert. Between these sites, there were rugged desert views, pockets of green vegetable fields, and vibrant blooming flowers. While much of Rajasthan is desert, I spent time near two lakes-the first at Bal Samand Lake Palace and the second at sacred Pushkar Lake. I make it a point to slow down and enjoy nature during my travels, whether I’m in a big city or a remote national park. India provided more opportunities to enjoy nature than I had envisioned.

Watching the sun set high atop the Thar desert while sipping on chai cooked over an open fire, then watching the sun rise the next morning atop our stone yurts in the village took my breath away and filled my soul. As I took in the simplicity of these moments, I felt like I was at the top of the world, in the simplest place I’d ever been, with some of the most generous people I’d ever met...more than 7300 miles from home. It was PURE JOY...

These simple joys of India made for an exciting, memorable visit. My trip was filled with the perfect blend of sightseeing, opportunities to connect with locals, and time to reflect and take it all in.

I left India with a deep appreciation for its beautiful, hardworking people. And while I learned so much, I left with more questions than answers.  I returned home with a fresh perspective and a determination to see even more of this breathtaking world.

Travel opens your heart and your mind.  It shows you how big the world is and how small it is. It provides a glimpse into the ways we do life different-speaking, working, living-yet it connects us.

Travel is energizing and thought-provoking. It’s humbling and inspiring. It’s educational and life-changing.

It reminds you to be grateful and to be generous.

There are simple joys everywhere in the world. We just need to slow down long enough to notice them. 

Thank you, India, for welcoming me with your grace, your beauty, and your generous, kind-hearted people. 

Thank you for your simple joys.

...

Want to take this trip? Visit Purposeful Nomad for upcoming trip dates.

Want more details about where I stayed, ate, and visited? This map highlights my adventures through Rajasthan, India (via WandaMaps).

Note that this post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small percentage from your purchase at no additional cost to you. See full disclosure here.