Today’s Culture with Travel post is by Nicole Cowart 

India is a land of thousands of miracles. Indeed, there, you can discover amazing things at every step!

At the same time, it’s a country of contrasts. You’ll see mountain peaks and deserts where the sun burns remorselessly. Noise and chaos from the streets neighbor the silent Hindu temples.

If you have never been to India, I strongly advise you to be prepared for the pros and cons, which are awaiting you in this amazing country.

Weather

June to September is monsoon season in Asia. A huge advantage of visiting during monsoon season is that there are fewer tourists, and the main points of interest are less crowded. The weather can be changeable enough with high temperatures. If you are lucky, heavy rains won’t be too frequent and not too long. And, the rain drops can be quite refreshing and rejuvenating. But, just know that, if it rains, it rains a lot.

People

If you are an introvert, the Indian lifestyle may be a bit overwhelming to you.

India is over-crowded. A huge number of people, eternal crowds, and queues, are everywhere. There is no place to hide. Beggars will not let you pass by without trying to get money. They will beg, or sell their goods/services, until you give up and buy something.

Having noticed a light-skinned tourist, some Indians won’t let you escape without taking a photo. But, don’t be fooled by this act, many Indians are very kind and pleasant.

Сuisine

Indian cuisine is a great adventure and taste challenge because it can get quite spicy. If you have any dietary restrictions, your stomach will need to get ready for hot meals and lots of water.

Consumption of cow meat – as well as any cattle in general – is strictly forbidden by religious laws and ancient customs. In other words, if hamburgers are your passion, this isn’t the place to have them.

At the same time, in the Goa region, people eat a lot of pork with rice during all seasons. Many Indians in the South are strict vegetarians.

The most famous Indian dish is curry, and you’ve probably heard of it or may have tried already.

When it comes to fruit and vegetables, I’d recommend thoroughly washing  them before eating. Additionally, I’d urge you to not drink tap water, and be careful with street food. Restaurants will offer treated water, and having bottled water is advisable.

Cities of Interest

India is a fascinating place. It has beautiful beaches and green highlands. The cities are full of incredible buildings and ancient temples, almost perfectly preserved to the present day. Sacred places attract plenty of tourists each year.

There are a lot of different smells, and most of them are not necessarily pleasant. It’s not unusual to see bodies swimming along the Ganges, and people taking a bath close proximity from the place of burying. If you are not a fan of funeral processions, the huge markets of Bombay are probably also not for you.

Still, thousands of tourists looking for a perfect spot to take a picture of a Lotus temple in New Delhi take an opportunity to find a peaceful landscape in the Himalayas.

Сleanliness

Personally, I would not consider India a clean and neat country. The country has a completely different idea of ​​purity and sanitation. Those who live in the slums don’t care much to keep the environment looking “attractive” for tourists.

The excrement of sacred cows, dead animals, rotting food, and plastic just lie on the streets, can be a rather painful experience. There are more homeless cows than homeless cats and dogs put together. They smell bad and leave unpleasant “things” everywhere they go.

But, everything is not so bad. Most Indians do try to keep their homes clean and tidy. Indian women feel pride when all the dishes in their kitchen are polished.

It’s just when it comes to cleanliness outside the home, you can find leftovers on the street or on the floor of a public institution.

Nicole Cowart is successful writer and blogger. Having explored over 25 countries, she has accumulated many experiences to share. Nicole loves living in different places, adapting to challenging situations and immersing herself in the local culture. She is a very curious person: everything new always encourage her to explore the world and discover magnificent places on our planet.