There I was, an American born Indian boy, from the Texan suburbs, in the middle of rural India. I lay in a cot outside in the humid muggy air staring up at a dark star strewn sky, feeling strange, out of place, but at the same time feeling as though this was my home. I was used to air conditioned houses, luxury cars, and American food. So the concrete house void of even plumbing, the Jeep with a leaky radiator, and food so spicy that you drank more water than ate food; all of which I was now getting accustomed to, were enormous changes for me. So you might be wondering, “What are you doing here?” While this was my family’s idea of an amazing vacation, I can’t disagree because that was exactly what it turned out to be.
I was in Rajasthan, probably the only place in India which looks similar to what Disney’s Aladdin portrayed it as. It was hot, the A.C. in the car was not working and I was starting to think that this vacation was failing to be exciting. So we stopped at this area on our road trip through India and looked around through the sights, which I’m sad to say were non-existent. However, Rajasthan had some things for sure which were culture and tradition. I saw this clearly for the first time as I went to a dabba (food shack) to eat lunch on that blistering day.
I saw these people dressed in traditional clothing and chatting with each other as though they had grown up from birth together. They shared a bond and viewed each other as family rather than just strangers. Coming from America, I assumed they were all related which I quickly found was impossible as they left one by one leaving each other behind. Their clothing was traditional and they seemed to have age-old formalities foreign to me. They talked, laughed, ate, and drank as one. I was an intruder, a stranger to their customs and routines. So I sat with my parents at a far corner and watched. Our food was brought to us and with it came people. We were hesitant at first to talk possibly fearing they were hostile, but the residents, always curious, hospitable, and friendly, as we found out, dragged us into conversation and we too were soon laughing with the rest and felt as though we were one of them.
I soon learned that these men and women lived in nothing more than small concrete houses with no amenities and did back breaking work to survive. They seemed full of life however and happier than most in America, who had 10 times more than they. These people glowed with enthusiasm at the mere aspect of being alive. They were a hardy people resilient and joyous till the end. Though they were poor in terms of possessions, they were rich in culture and tradition. It was like they had an entirely different perspective of life than I, and it was infectious. I soon found myself thinking of how good I had it and how worse off I could be, just as those sitting around me thought. Though these people’s bodies were exhausted from work and surviving in these harsh conditions, their souls were full of energy.
So to explain how I came to be in that cot staring up at the stars in Rajasthan, all I can say is that it was through the hospitality of those generous people who took us to a hotel for the night as our car was going through repairs, after showing us a good time, that is. I felt as though I attained some culture and tradition from these people that day and learned to appreciate my good fortune more than ever before.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “A Trip to the Land of My Ancestors”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Take care!
Thanks for finally talking about >Family Travel Insurance <Loved it!
Family volunteering opportunities are a great way to give back with your teenager at your side.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover someone that actually knows what they’re discussing over the internet.
Wow, this list is amazing! I’ve always wanted to experience Mardi Gras beyond New Orleans. Thanks for sharing these incredible locations. Can’t wait to start planning my next adventure!
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content for yourself?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write regarding here. Again, awesome weblog!
excellent post, very informative. I’m wondering wwhy the other experts oof this secto do not notice this. You should proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers’ baee already!
Hello.This post was extremely remarkable, especially because I was browsing for thoughts on this issue last couple of days.
You completed several good points there. I did a search on the matter and found mainly folks will agree with your blog.
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for
T Thomas Group offers bespoke travel planning.Luxury Travel Specialist that specializes in customized itineraries, luxury cruises, small group tours, solo travel and all aspects of LGBTQ+ travel. We ensure a seamless and luxurious travel experience, designed exclusively for you.
Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far. However, what concerning the bottom line?
Are you certain in regards to the supply?
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting. blog
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
Great post and straight to the point.
Interesting post. I’m glad I came across this page. I’m going to bookmark it so I can read any future posts.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me lunch because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.
Hi! Im originally from Cambiaso and
I do mission trips to the village every year. I have read your article and I am so grateful for what you have done with my people. I would love to connect with you.
Wow, this article really resonated with me! Traveling in Europe with family can be such an incredible adventure, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges. From navigating unfamiliar streets to finding activities that everyone enjoys, it’s a whirlwind of excitement and sometimes chaos. But hey, isn’t that what makes the best memories? Thanks for sharing your experiences and tips, they’re super helpful for planning our own European family escapade! ???
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people in this
particular topic, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Greetings! I’ve been following your website for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give
you a shout out from Atascocita Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Your writing has a way of making even the mundane sound interesting. Kudos!
They are very very similar to the key facet all of us keep hidden from the world, the part of us that dares to dream impossible issues, where all our hopes and fantasies are born.
This article is impressive for me as mine east coast of usa
Howdy! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this
article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching
about this. I will send this article to him.
Fairly certain he’ll have a very good read. Many thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love this list of Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans! Each destination seems to offer its own unique blend of culture, music, and vibrant festivities. While I’m tempted to explore them all, I can’t help but dream of experiencing the colorful chaos of Mardi Gras in Goa, India. Exploring India’s rich cultural tapestry during this festive season would undoubtedly be an unforgettable adventure. Thanks for inspiring wanderlust with these fantastic recommendations!
Thanks verfy interesting blog!
I was able to find good info from your blog posts.
“MyFamilyTravels provides a wonderful platform for families to share their travel experiences and glean inspiration for their own adventures. The diverse array of destinations and insightful tips make it a valuable resource for planning memorable trips. Kudos to the team for fostering a community that celebrates the joys of family travel!”
Your site is great and I plan on exploring it even more in the future. It is well written, comprehensive in it’s suggestions, It was a great article, thanks for sharing!
nice
There is certainly a lot to learn about this subject.
I really like all the points you made.
Nice Blog, Thanks for sharing this informative blog. We provide a Nepal Tour Package from Musafircab.
Yes. This is exactly what you should know to have a comfortable and cost-effective trip.
bookmarked!!, I love your site!