Why India???

Shiver me Timbers · Apr 25th, 2006, 20:16

Now while travelling India every so often I came across a certain breed of traveller, the traveller who returns to India again and again and again, with little or no interest in seeing the rest of the world - an Italian couple on their 11th trip, an Irishman on his 10th, and a famous Scotsman on his 14th (or was it 15th?) visit.

I've racked my brains, and asked loads of veteran travellers, and I haven't come across another country that draws the travellers back year after year.

And now, as I'm thinking about my next getaway, and wondering if India is going to be a part of it, I'd like to hear what brings you back time and again, and do you have an interest in seeing what the rest of the world has to offer???

JMurray · Apr 25th, 2006, 20:49

I wonder the same thing. I've only been to India once and there are a lot of other countries I really want to see, but when I think about where I might go for my next vacation I already feel drawn toward India again.

I have been looking at travel forums of other countries, and none of them seem to share the same passion or enthusiasm for those countries as the members here at IM have for India.

What IS it about that place?

New-South-Welshman · Apr 25th, 2006, 20:49

Because it's a unique part of the world. I think the traffic sums it all up. Serenity in chaos. All these major religions living side by side, every state you go in they basically speak a different language. It has the best and the worst of the world, just in smaller area. I guess to some India is like beer. At first you hate the taste, but you try it again, and just get used to it, and just end up loving. That's all I got.

Sama · Apr 25th, 2006, 20:54

read my signature

mmike56 · Apr 25th, 2006, 21:02

My 4th visit recently back to India, i can't really explain it either - it does have that raw beauty.

My mission is to go back next year (2007) but to a different area, perhaps Bangladesh this time?? - heck i don't care, i just need to go back again.

Peace
mmike56

iwanttogoback · Apr 25th, 2006, 21:08

it gets into your blood and under your skin.
i've only been once but perhaps you may have guessed that iwanttogoback

there's little hope of travelling for a while, but whenever i think about 'going abroad' i think of india.

the sheer random craziness and unexpectedness of it all i think.
was it beach who called it a giant laboratory for craziness?

cyberhippie · Apr 25th, 2006, 21:43

I kinda follow bijapuiri's line on this because India makes me feel special!!

I would like to see other parts of the world and was thinking about Marroco so I might be giving you a call Conor!!

Nick-H · Apr 25th, 2006, 22:02

My old sig...

I'm not a traveller. Just I've found a new home 5000 miles away from the old one.

Merchant · Apr 25th, 2006, 22:15

Soft landing--everything appears to be difficult and challenging (heat, sanitation, food, trains, etc.), so you get a real sense of personal accomplishment by traveling, and yet you hardly realize how soft the landing is. People are generous and hospitable. Octavio Paz, Nobel laureate and Mexico's former ambassador to India, wrote that "Indians practice the ancient religion of friendship."

First encounter with developing world--India is often the first or only so-called Third World country that people visit, so they have little experience with the enormous challenges of the developing world: overpopulation, massive urban centers, environmental degradation. Traveling in India gives the visitor a one-on-one encounter with some of the world's poorest people, and for some strange, perhaps mystical, reason, these people will invite you in for tea.

India culture is unironic--we in the jaded West have an instinctual refusal to be embarrassed, showy, or to extend ourselves too much. But India riotously and joyously thumps along to a Bollywood soundtrack, featuring a cameo of a Michael Jackson lookalike from his "Thriller" days. This, for some reason, is refreshing.

It's cheap--the dollar has held steady against the rupee, despite the dollar's fall against other world currencies.

Serena · Apr 25th, 2006, 22:19

Conor, I asked myself the same question from about 15 years.... and I cant't give you an answer! I don't know why!! Probably it's a sum of things that all put together originate this addiction.
And finally, when it's time to decide your holiday (once a year if you are lucky twice - 2 or 3 weeks) well, I take my decision thinking: "Probably this will be the last possibility you have to visit India..." :-D

Shiver me Timbers · Apr 25th, 2006, 22:27

But what about other countries???Surely you're missing out on something by devoting yourself to one place?

PeakXV · Apr 25th, 2006, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conor M

But what about other countries???Surely you're missing out on something by devoting yourself to one place?

Anywhere you can get good value for your hard earned dollar, relax yet recharge your batteries, make some new friends, and learn a little about yourself ... sounds like India to me!

Mexico a close second -> good training for a South American excursion!

seventies'hippy · Apr 25th, 2006, 23:09

I go other places too, the complete opposite really as my wifes side of the family live in the US, so every 18 months or so we're California dreaming, we also take short vacations in-between.
But India always draws me back, I guess you never forget your first love,
To sum up the reason,,,,,,,, Escapism, completely different to anything we have in the west.
These days though it's just 3-4week trips for us,,,,,,,,,,

Merchant · Apr 25th, 2006, 23:11

Also, forgot to add: they speak English.

aadil · Apr 25th, 2006, 23:16

Hey, I do the same thing with London almost every year and still do not get bored of going there (actually I use it as a base for my travels around the country as well as to other places in Europe too). But I do love to go to London as a place to visit every year and still find so many places I have yet to visit there as well as nearby. So I guess it is the same or similar thing for the foreigners visiting India too. I do understand a lot of people do come only to Goa and go back to their countries without seeing any other place in India but then I cannot really understand their logic behind doing that every year. Might as well go to Spain or somewhere else for the sunny beaches in so many other places around the world (though going to beaches is not my cup of tea; I went to Goa last year, but did not visit any of the beaches there!!!).

Cheers,
Aadil.

Apr 25th, 2006, 20:16	#1
Shiver me Timbers Dreaming of Palm Trees Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,503	Why India??? Now while travelling India every so often I came across a certain breed of traveller, the traveller who returns to India again and again and again, with little or no interest in seeing the rest of the world - an Italian couple on their 11th trip, an Irishman on his 10th, and a famous Scotsman on his 14th (or was it 15th?) visit. I've racked my brains, and asked loads of veteran travellers, and I haven't come across another country that draws the travellers back year after year. And now, as I'm thinking about my next getaway, and wondering if India is going to be a part of it, I'd like to hear what brings you back time and again, and do you have an interest in seeing what the rest of the world has to offer??? __________________ Europe to India Overland Andaman's Tips Pakistan Tips Flickr Photos

Apr 25th, 2006, 20:49	#3
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,376	Because it's a unique part of the world. I think the traffic sums it all up. Serenity in chaos. All these major religions living side by side, every state you go in they basically speak a different language. It has the best and the worst of the world, just in smaller area. I guess to some India is like beer. At first you hate the taste, but you try it again, and just get used to it, and just end up loving. That's all I got. __________________ Mr. Burns "Non-violence never solved anything!"

Apr 25th, 2006, 20:54	#4
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 5,354	read my signature __________________ *My India, 2005-2008* BE THE REVOLUTION

Apr 25th, 2006, 21:02	#5
mmike56 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Reading, Berkshire - UK Posts: 200	I want to go back .....now!! My 4th visit recently back to India, i can't really explain it either - it does have that raw beauty. My mission is to go back next year (2007) but to a different area, perhaps Bangladesh this time?? - heck i don't care, i just need to go back again. Peace mmike56

Apr 25th, 2006, 22:02	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,829	My old sig... I'm not a traveller. Just I've found a new home 5000 miles away from the old one. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Apr 25th, 2006, 20:49	#2
JMurray Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 55	I wonder the same thing. I've only been to India once and there are a lot of other countries I really want to see, but when I think about where I might go for my next vacation I already feel drawn toward India again. I have been looking at travel forums of other countries, and none of them seem to share the same passion or enthusiasm for those countries as the members here at IM have for India. What IS it about that place?

Apr 25th, 2006, 21:08	#6
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,570	it gets into your blood and under your skin. i've only been once but perhaps you may have guessed that iwanttogoback there's little hope of travelling for a while, but whenever i think about 'going abroad' i think of india. the sheer random craziness and unexpectedness of it all i think. was it beach who called it a giant laboratory for craziness?

Apr 25th, 2006, 21:43	#7
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	I kinda follow bijapuiri's line on this because India makes me feel special!! I would like to see other parts of the world and was thinking about Marroco so I might be giving you a call Conor!!

Apr 25th, 2006, 22:15	#9
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Soft landing--everything appears to be difficult and challenging (heat, sanitation, food, trains, etc.), so you get a real sense of personal accomplishment by traveling, and yet you hardly realize how soft the landing is. People are generous and hospitable. Octavio Paz, Nobel laureate and Mexico's former ambassador to India, wrote that "Indians practice the ancient religion of friendship." First encounter with developing world--India is often the first or only so-called Third World country that people visit, so they have little experience with the enormous challenges of the developing world: overpopulation, massive urban centers, environmental degradation. Traveling in India gives the visitor a one-on-one encounter with some of the world's poorest people, and for some strange, perhaps mystical, reason, these people will invite you in for tea. India culture is unironic--we in the jaded West have an instinctual refusal to be embarrassed, showy, or to extend ourselves too much. But India riotously and joyously thumps along to a Bollywood soundtrack, featuring a cameo of a Michael Jackson lookalike from his "Thriller" days. This, for some reason, is refreshing. It's cheap--the dollar has held steady against the rupee, despite the dollar's fall against other world currencies.

Apr 25th, 2006, 22:19	#10
Serena Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bologna, Italy Posts: 282	Conor, I asked myself the same question from about 15 years.... and I cant't give you an answer! I don't know why!! Probably it's a sum of things that all put together originate this addiction. And finally, when it's time to decide your holiday (once a year if you are lucky twice - 2 or 3 weeks) well, I take my decision thinking: "Probably this will be the last possibility you have to visit India..." :-D __________________ http://namasteindia.blogspot.com/

Apr 25th, 2006, 22:27	#11
Shiver me Timbers Dreaming of Palm Trees Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 1,503	But what about other countries???Surely you're missing out on something by devoting yourself to one place?

Apr 25th, 2006, 23:09	#13
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,127	I go other places too, the complete opposite really as my wifes side of the family live in the US, so every 18 months or so we're California dreaming, we also take short vacations in-between. But India always draws me back, I guess you never forget your first love, To sum up the reason,,,,,,,, Escapism, completely different to anything we have in the west. These days though it's just 3-4week trips for us,,,,,,,,,, __________________ . . . My Photo Gallery

Apr 25th, 2006, 23:11	#14
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	Also, forgot to add: they speak English.

Apr 25th, 2006, 23:16	#15
aadil Aircraft Service Engineer, Astronomer & Traveller Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mumbai, India. (Lat 18.967 N, Long 72.833 E, Alt 11 m) Posts: 1,830	Hey, I do the same thing with London almost every year and still do not get bored of going there (actually I use it as a base for my travels around the country as well as to other places in Europe too). But I do love to go to London as a place to visit every year and still find so many places I have yet to visit there as well as nearby. So I guess it is the same or similar thing for the foreigners visiting India too. I do understand a lot of people do come only to Goa and go back to their countries without seeing any other place in India but then I cannot really understand their logic behind doing that every year. Might as well go to Spain or somewhere else for the sunny beaches in so many other places around the world (though going to beaches is not my cup of tea; I went to Goa last year, but did not visit any of the beaches there!!!). Cheers, Aadil. __________________ Climb high; climb far; Your goal, the sky, Your aim, the stars!!!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

User Name		Remember Me?
Password