India is a country of stark contrasts. This is a country of magnificent beauty, ancient temples, towering mountains, steamy jungles, and hot, dry deserts. It’s also a country that is overpopulated and in some areas impoverished. Travel to India and you will love it and hate it, rejoice in its beauty and become disheartened with its squalor, fall in love with the people but get exasperated when they just won’t leave you alone.
It is no secret that we were not big fans of India during our five week visit here. In fact, we considered skipping the last several weeks, shortening our itinerary and traveling to Myanmar or Thailand early. But our time in India changed us in so many ways…how we travel, who we are as a family, and how we think about our place in the world.
It’s funny how time can change your perspective. Now, I look back on India with fondness. Even though not everything we experienced was pleasant, we did make some unforgettable memories. Sometimes, the things that challenge you the most leave the deepest mark on your soul.
Now, several years later, as I pour through our photos, I am feeling nostalgic for India. Journey through India in photos and just maybe get inspired to visit this land of stark contrasts.
India in Photos
Sunrise on the Ganges River in Varanasi
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai
Kara’s view from our hotel in Jaisalmer
Oh, the food!
India street art in Udaipur
Here’s a little more
One of our best memories…on the Ganges River
Yes, elephants really do walk down the city streets in India
So do cows
Here are more cows
Cows are found everywhere. This is the city center of Jaisalmer.
Monkeys also roam wild…with the perfect sunset in the background
Coolest memory for our family in India…an overnight camel safari in the Thar Desert
Ghats on the Ganges River in Varanasi
Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai
Kara getting a henna tattoo in Udaipur
Here she is a few days later…
People loved taking our photo
It was almost impossible to escape the attention
Sometimes we would attract a huge crowd of people, with photo sessions lasting over 15 minutes. At first, we thought this was fun, but as time went on, this was something that became aggravating.
But we loved the people. And we took photos of them as well.
A guard in Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Of course, there is the Taj Mahal
And beautiful Ranakpur Temple
And sexy Khajuraho
The blue city of Jodhpur
A city street in black and white
Boats in Varanasi
A crowded street in Delhi
Taj Mahal seen from the Red Fort in Agra
Kara with a snake charmer in Jaipur
Laundry day in Varanasi
Walking the streets of Jodhpur
Walking the streets of Jaisalmer
One last view of the Ganges River in Varanasi
And finally, Tyler with a sadhu
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