Jun 8, 2012 by Sacred Earth Journeys Share: [socialring]

 

Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh

As an avid world traveller that has visited over 40 countries (some of them multiple times), I often get asked what my favourite country is.

Without any thought I automatically answer ‘India’. In the beginning of my travels this answer constantly changed, it started as Egypt then was Thailand for many years. But since 2008 when I first visited India it has remained as India and I can’t imagine that changing.

The next question I get asked is ‘Why is India my favourite country out of 40?’ My simple answer is India has depth

• Local people – are so honest, pure and accepting.
• Local cuisine – tantalizes my vegetarian tastebuds like no other food does.
• Fellow travellers – most are on a spiritual journey, which results in deeper conversations and connections.
• Natural landscape – the beauty is phenomenal and ranges from deserts, to the highest mountains in the world, surf beaches, diving spots and lush forests with waterfalls.
• Culture – is bustling with amazing festivals, Bollywood, India weddings, interesting slang and a ton of regional languages.
• Religion – from Buddhism, Sikhism to Yoga and Ayurveda this culture has amazing ancient teachings mostly supported by an ancient library preserved in the pure language of Sanskrit.
• Sacred sites – there are hundreds of ancient Hindu & Buddhist temples and holy cities such as Varanassi, Rishikesh and Pushkar, many which are sites for pilgrims.

Local girls in Leh, Ladakh

 

The two experiences I had in India over an eight-month period were transformational experiences that have changed my life for the better. My first four-month journey was full of synchronicities leading me in the right direction, forming of deep friendships, healing my chronic health condition through Ayurveda, the study of Tibetan Buddhism, transcending fears, extreme adventures such as high altitude trekking and white water rafting and discovering more of who I am and why we are here.

Tess (on the right) and I, eating massive dosa’s in Jaipur, Rajastan

My second four-month experience was mostly spent at a yoga ashram in Goa and gave me a strong foundation for vedic teachings, a deeper knowledge of yoga asanas, deep friendships and connections, insight to the life of locals, greater knowledge of the culture and tools to face and overcome fears.

Jolie (on bottom) and I doing some acroyoga on a South Goa beach