We’ve been totally lazy in Greece, and it’s been really nice, though we’ve gained a few pounds and need more physical activity. Our laziness is in part a reward for the challenges of the last few months and in part a way for us to plan what’s coming up. But it’s having an unexpected effect; we’re having second thoughts…
In less than three weeks, we’ll have our bicycles boxed up for our flight to India, Mumbai specifically. Yeah… Mumbai, formerly Bombay, the most populated Indian city, home to over 18 million people and one of the world’s largest slums. Poluted air so bad it’s blamed for the deaths of tens of thousands each year, over-population so bad that people get crushed to death when people move too fast in the metro, and traffic so bad you can be trapped for hours, and a city that is just barely recovering from a record monsoon season that killed thousands.
Yes, that city. Granted, it’s also home to Bollywood, arguably some of the best food in the world, a unique culture, friendly people, and has been named the number 1 city in the world.
But still, we are having second thoughts. Reading stories about streets and beaches litered with excrement, hotels filled with mosquitoes and only shared squat toilets, people catching amoebic dysentery, etc., we are understandably concerned about this choice of destination for our trip. But for every one of these stories, we read others of beautiful deserted beaches, stunning mountain scenery, relaxing backwater cruises, intriguing people, and food so good you will never be the same.
And that about defines India and the reason why we are going. It is an experience that will change us forever, and isn’t that the kind of thing we are looking for on this trip? The kind of thing we’ve already had, yes, but on another level in India.
I think Mark Twain said it best: “The land of dreams and romance, of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of splendour and rags, of palaces and hovels, of famine and pestilence, of genii and giants and Aladdin lamps, of tigers and elephants, the cobra and the jungle, the country of hundred nations and a hundred tongues, of a thousand religions and two million gods, cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, grandmother of legend, great-grandmother of traditions, whose yesterday’s bear date with the modering antiquities for the rest of nations-the one sole country under the sun that is endowed with an imperishable interest for alien prince and alien peasant, for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor, bond and free, the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for the shows of all the rest of the world combined.”
So, how can we not go?? We have the opportunity, so we must.
Right?
No really, we need some validation to this decision… Right?
(PS: photos from Greece coming soon!)
It will be life changing because traveling as you are you will see the bad and the good up close and personal.
It’s the right decision. Anne and I found the cycling challenging; but the country fabulous. You will move through every emotion every day. I lived there for six months back in the day and it remains one of my favorite places. You will need endless patience and resilience; but they will be rewarded many times over. Look forward to following this part of your trip.
You’re understandably concerned but I can tel that you’re also excited. A trip like yours by it’s very nature is going to contain highs and lows, excitement and fear, joy and sorrow, bliss and anger. You’re seeing and experiencing THE WORLD and isn’t that what it contains? And isn’t that why you set out in the first place? You’re absolutely correct in asking how can you NOT GO?? (Just see it and get the hell out on to the backroads!) Cheers dears ?
Do it! You can always change your mind once you get there. Squatting on the potty is supposed to be better for you. It’s culturally so different from everything you’ve seen before, you’ll love it. The air is pretty awful though!
If you get there and see that it is a health hazard. Leave asap.