I’ve been here in India only a week and every single day has been an adventure! I’ve travelled to Jhansi, a city with so much culture and history, to set up my “home base.” This simply means that while I go on travelling in India, I will always return to Jhansi to rest, before travelling again. Settling in has been easier than I expected. With the help of a good friend, I’ve been able to get a good hotel and now I have the opportunity to rent a room on a monthly basis.

I’m completely adjusted to local time, and have had no problems at all with the food—which may be some sort of miracle. I have read that a lot of travellers have stomach problems, as their bodies are adjusting to new food and new bacteria. I guess I got lucky. On that note, the food is absolutely delicious. Hopefully, I can convince someone to teach me a few recipes.

I remember, before I came to India, my family would ask me: Why India? The answer was simple. Why not? The rich culture, the language, the people. . .everything about India has always pulled me in. When I told my Indian friends about coming to India, many asked why Jhansi? While I just had a gut feeling before, I can confirm it now; Jhansi is a place rich with culture and a fascinating history. There is so much more to my new home than meets the eye.

When I go out, I see crowds of people walking the streets and whole families riding motorcycles. Some people are hard at work. Women wear the most beautiful and colorful clothing. On that note, buildings are colorful too. Pink, blue, and orange are a few colors I have seen on buildings, so far. The air smells like incense and there is always a reason for people to celebrate. I have witnessed a bride and groom going to the temple. Many nights I hear laughter and music, echoing the halls of my hotel, as families gather to celebrate two people uniting. There is so much beauty here.

As I begin my second week in India, I remain confident in my path. India is treating me well, Jhansi is wonderful and I am called to do so much more. So my journey will go on. This week I will settle in a room that I rent on a monthly basis, look for local volunteer opportunities and visit as many local temples as I can. There is so much to do around here!