India and Nepal
Right after graduating from Warren Wilson in 1999 I journeyed to India and Nepal with two lady friends, Becky & Kyyio. I was in need of an adventure and really had no idea what to expect. I was in for the adventure of a lifetime and found that I fit right into the vibrant chaos that is India!
I enjoyed making friends with “the locals” everywhere that we went, often with small children. It was much more exciting to sip tea all day on the roof of a crowded apartment and fly kites with the little boys then to trampse around to all the tourist attractions.
Nepal took my breath away. The panoramic mountain scape is ever present as a backdrop to daily life. I found the people open, friendly and peaceful. I was able to fully relax and eventually after lazing around for a while we were able to orchestrate our trek in the Himalayas. I will always have vivid and wonderful memories of this trip!
Upon return to the United States , my own mother professed interest in returning to that part of the world with me. After a years time off I went again! It definitely was different travelling with my mother, a learning experience for all, and eventually we settled into a rhythm. Since she was much more eager to see the sights than I, we frequently separated while she took side trips and I hunkered down in one place. The most intense part of the trip was a visit to the maha kumba mela festival- the biggest gathering ever on the planet to date!