August
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Busy Streets and Spicier Treats: Every Day Life in India
Let's start with this. I was once that guy marinating in the normality of Western Life. I used to get stuck in traffic for what seemed like eternities, I’d chug my takeaway coffee at Starbucks, and I’d lazily switch from one streaming service to another, just trying to find something bearable to watch. Then life took one of those dramatic turns, a veritable backflip, you could say. I found myself living, breathing, and blogging in India. A whole new existence wrapped up in a world of vibrant colours, a palate of exotic food, and a multilingual, multireligious society.
Taste the Culinary Diversity: Indian Food vs Western Delicacies
Here's a little secret guys, Malati, my better half, has a knack for cooking something sensational out of absolutely nothing. Bruised tomatoes, and solitary eggs have turned into the tastiest masala omelette you can imagine. Unlike the burgers and pastas I was used to wolfing down, the diversity of Indian cuisine hits you like a tonne of spicy bricks. Imagine the spiciest thing you've ever eaten and then realise that's probably just a mid-week curry for the family. Making food is never just about eating in India, it's more of an art form and the plate is the canvas. The sheer variety is astounding and the Indian palate’s tolerance for spice is legendary. Believe me, nothing gets you more prepared to tackle whatever lies ahead than a hearty Indian breakfast.
Pack your Umbrella: Indian Monsoons vs Western Summers
Mother Nature, that wonderful, unpredictable maiden! Weather wise, India might just be her moodiest child. If you thought blistering summers were bad, wait till you experience monsoon here! It’s like the earth opens up and the skies pour down all their wealth. Water everywhere, umbrellas turning inside out, and then the respite, and everything turns lush and green. In the west, you pretty much switch between a summer dress and a winter coat. Here in India, you exchange those for a raincoat and sturdy sandals. Monsoons are no joking matter here. But I must admit, after an initial surprise, I started to enjoy the chaos – splashing in waterlogged streets, the rich smell of damp earth, everyone scurrying about. Romantic, right?
The Cosmopolitan Melting Pot: Indian Cities
Have you ever stepped into a city and felt like it’s alive, pulsating to its own rhythm? That’s Mumbai for you. Teeming with life at all hours of the day, this city beats to its own drum. From towering skyscrapers to sprawling slums, from glitzy Bollywood stars to spirited street kids, Mumbai can be tumultuous and overwhelming yet incredibly appealing. Now think about the beautiful chaos of Mumbai and multiply it across numerous cities, each with its own distinct heartbeat, that's India. In stark contrast, most developed western cities often seem too tame, where everyone marches to the same beat.
Mowgli's Tales: Domesticated Animals in India
Mowgli, our little Siamese wonder, has become quite the local celebrity here. Everywhere he goes, he draws coos and sighs. Mind you, pets are loved in the west too. But it feels different here in India. Maybe it's because of the wider spectrum of domestic animals one encounters - cows on the street, monkeys jumping across rooftops, elephants in temples or even a peacock flaring its feathers in a park. I did a double-take the first time I saw cows walking confidently on the street. Maybe it helps that most Indians consider animals sacred and treat them with respect. It almost feels like a harmonious menagerie here in the urban heartland.
There you have it, a crash course in navigating life in India as compared to structured developed countries. At the end of the day, living here, it’s almost like you can feel the pulse of life in its rawest form. So if you ever fancy stepping out of your comfort zones, trading your lattes for masala chai, or your Netflix for a Bollywood dance sequence, or even trading your sneakers for sandals, then life in India may be just the place for you.
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