INDIA
“They say that India is one of the hardest countries to travel to in the world, and every trip you’ve ever gone on will help lead you to experience THIS.”
RISHIKESH
A little background about me, I’ve been practicing yoga since 2010. I saw an Instagram ad around summer of 2023 about a placed called House of Om, and immediately I was called to do my teacher training there. I was really going to send it all the way to India to immerse myself entirely in the culture, language, and practice. June 2024 I spent 22 days in Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of the World. I was locked in every day, waking up at 530am for the most beautiful sunrise I’ve ever witnessed, overlooking the Himalayan Mountains, while staying at a sacred ashram, getting ready to do morning mantras and pranayamas with people from all over the world. It was a beautiful experience that I will always cherish.
What It looks like to live in an ashram for 21 days
The Beatles Ashram
During my time at House of Om, we were given two days off during our 21 days there. On one of those days, I decided to head into town, spend the day shopping and eating food from outside. The second day I had off, I rafted the Ganga River and then ended the day at the Beatles Ashram exploring the domes on the property.
200 Hrs, Completed.
After living in an Ashram, I dove straight back into a major city vibe with Jaipur and collaborated with two stunning hotels in the famous “Pink City,”— Samode Haveli and Villa Palladio. The difference between these two parts of India was the prime example of alchemy.
First up, Samode Haveli
Let’s dive in a little further from the hotel scene & get a feel of what Jaipur is really like.
6am we were out the door on a walking tour with Samode Haveli to go to the vegetable + flower market where all the locals go to collect all their best products. After the market, we gathered at the Krishna Temple just in time for morning prayers. I will tell you this, I have never witnessed people so passionate about prayer like India.
To compliment that, we ended our tour with delicious chai and warm samosas.
The photos captured are all from our morning walking tour, which I HIGHLY recommend doing if you have a chance to stay at this hotel.
NEXT UP:
Villa palladio
After Samode Hotel, we traveled outside of the city and into the countryside about 20 minutes away from the pink city. We stayed two days at the villa capturing content of the property and it was straight out of a magazine. The interior design for Villa Palladio Jaipur was crafted by the renowned Italian designer Francesca Dalla Benetta. She is known for her unique blend of contemporary design with traditional craftsmanship, and she brought a sophisticated, eclectic style to Villa Palladio. The villa is a fusion of traditional Rajasthani architecture with modern elements, featuring rich colors, luxurious textiles, and intricate details that reflect both Indian and European aesthetics.
TAP INTO THE VISUALS.
FINAL SEGMENT OF THE TRIP:
AGRA CITY.
We woke up at 2am from Jaipur + took a taxi from our trusted friend all the way to Agra to make it to the Taj Mahal for sunrise. All evening, it rained and upon our arrival, we were surprised with — more rain.. + clouds.
That’s the hilarious thing about travel, you just have to laugh about it and move forward.
We met with a local guide suggested by another traveling friend named Yunus and he toured with us throughout the whole afternoon taking us to all the best spots for photos all while sharing some history about his culture and city.
We sat for breakfast after exploring the Taj Mahal + endured a 3hr train adventure back to Delhi.
after a month long of adventures throughout india, my 30 day visa was coming to an end, But before that happened, I had to endure a 3 hour train ride from agra back to delhi — india style.
This experience is not for the weak. As always, you should be extra careful at keeping an eye on your personal belongings here. It was VERY busy and there were people begging everywhere. In India, it’s normal for us Americans to want to help, and when it’s one or two in the private - no problem, but HERE when there is many looking for their opportunity, I would keep the lowest profile ever. Don’t bring any unwanted attention to yourself when using the train, especially if you already stick out. We took a second class train. It had a full lay down bunk bed situation for my friend and I, so we were comfortable. There is food and chai being sold on the train, but I’d suggest skipping it to avoid a possible stomach issue before your flight in Delhi. We snacked on chips during the 3 hours. I also used this opportunity to look out the window and see the rural parts on India that are not local at all. It’s humbling for sure to see how people are living on that side of the world. Gave me an extra dose of appreciation for my situation back home in California.