India: Dreams to Memories
Dreamers are meant to be seekers, even when those dreams start in middle school. International residents like myself are blessed to live in Korea, where we have access to so many other Asian countries. This helped me feel at ease while planning a trip to India.
All I really wanted to see was real life in India. Pictures and others’ stories were no longer good enough. And thanks to networking (which Dad and Mom taught me early, so thank you also to you two), reviving contact with a friend I met in Thailand over one dinner secured my first three days in Mumbai, and simply explaining my trip to someone in Gwangju a month before leaving guaranteed the remainder of my week’s stay in New Delhi. It is amazing how simply talking to people provided me with generous offers for a roof, food and travel recommendations, all free of cost!
Before traveling, I spent time researching Mumbai and the sights I wanted to see. Once I arrived, my hosts were extremely hospitable, shuttling me to the places I wanted to see and suggesting a few more that were not on my list, but which actually became my favorite stops. Plans are good, to a certain degree, but sometimes they should be abandoned.
From Mumbai, authentically interacting with people was my favorite lesson. I shared my thoughts on three different occasions – twice translated into Marathi, Mumbai’s local dialect – and spent time with a family committed to Christian ministry. My favorite memory was going to a reservoir with them. Mist saturated the atmosphere, preventing exhaustion from the normal July heat and monsoon rain. During this three-day stay, the rain fell and I enjoyed waking up to its rhythm: a sign of full rest as I began preparing for what the day’s activities would bring.
Consistent rain and abundant sleep did not travel with me to New Delhi, as I knew from my planning in Korea that there were many sites I wanted to see and activities I wanted to do in India’s capital. Whereas I saw more people in Mumbai and conversed at ease with them, I saw more places in New Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, and spoke less. It is interesting how much louder messages project once we take time to listen.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum exhibited a woman’s legacy and encouraged me to see how much of a difference a single person can make in a country. Raj Ghat, the tomb Of Mahatma Gandhi, instilled appreciation in me for the great man’s advocacy for peace, especially when my taxi driver offered his public gratitude. The Red Fort protected humanity and historic landmarks within its walls and displayed how Indian culture can be preserved and function in India’s developing society.
Outside New Delhi I also learned a lot. Traveling to and staying in Jaipur for about 30 minutes taught me contentment, as I marveled at the friendly interactions between cows and vehicles, purchased a number of English books about India and was also amazed by two sudden rain showers before I reached the “Pink City.” And, of course, the Taj Mahal’s magnificence in Agra is one that cannot be understood without a personal visit. The time spent in and around this tomb’s garden grounds was time and energy well spent, as I visualized love that transcends language.
The pictures on these pages share their own stories. May this article inspire you as you create your 2015 summer vacations, no matter when or how long they are. After all, when one dreams at 11-years-old to go somewhere, who is to stop that person from following their dreams?