Foreign Traveler's 15-Day India Journey: An Emotional Rollercoaster of Love and Hate
Travelling abroad can be both exhilarating and stressful, with some countries easing visitors in gently while others, like India, deliver a powerful shock value that overwhelms, scares, and surprises foreign guests. A recent foreign traveler embarked on a 15-day adventure through Delhi, Jaipur, and Udaipur, sharing his experience on Reddit, describing it as less of a holiday and more of an emotional endurance test that oscillated between exhaustion and exhilaration. "Intense. Equal parts love and hate," he wrote. "But absolutely worth it if you’re prepared."
The Journey Begins: A Wedding and Extended Exploration
The trip commenced with a wedding in rural India, where the traveler was accompanied by friends who had flown across continents. His group, consisting of three women and two men all in their early 30s, extended their stay by 12 days to delve deeper into North India. What followed was a crash course in sensory overload, Mughal grandeur, Rajasthani romance, pollution, beauty, frustration, and awe. They were careful to note that 15 days in New Delhi and two Rajasthan cities barely scratch the surface of a vast and layered country like India, but the impressions were strong enough to leave a lasting mark.
Delhi: An Overwhelming Introduction
"Nothing can prepare you for Delhi," the Redditor emphasized. The group visited iconic sites such as Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb, both architectural heavyweights, but it was Chandni Chowk that defined the capital for them. "Chandni Chowk felt like an endless river of humanity," he said. "It felt like I lived 30 different lives in a single day." The streets were a swirl of honking rickshaws, spice-laden air, crumbling facades, and electric wires overhead, described as "like a weird TikTok feed come to life," where "everything really happens everywhere all at once." By night, they were drained, collapsing in bed feeling like overstimulated children. A quick detour to the Taj Mahal was touristy but undeniably beautiful, though the experience felt "okay-ish." Winter offered comfortable temperatures, but Delhi’s air pollution shocked them, with a constant smell of burning.
Jaipur: Expectations Versus Reality
Jaipur brought mixed feelings, with the traveler rating it a "6/10 experience" despite high expectations. Amber Fort impressed deeply, deemed "arguably more impressive than any site in Delhi." They chose to walk up rather than ride elephants, calling the rides overpriced and disheartening, noting the elephants seemed almost mechanical. The city itself felt like a smaller, less charming version of Delhi. However, a cultural detour to watch a Bollywood film at Raj Mandir Cinema stood out as a must-do, even without understanding Hindi.
Udaipur: A Restorative Paradise
If Delhi overwhelmed and Jaipur disappointed, Udaipur restored balance, hailed as "the highlight of the trip." "I can’t overstate how much I loved it," they wrote. Sunsets over Lake Pichola were breathtaking, and the area around City Palace offered walkable lanes, rooftop views, and a calmer rhythm, feeling like a mix of Greece and southern Italy with an Indian twist. Unlike Delhi and Jaipur, Udaipur felt relaxed, with non-pushy vendors and a touristy yet not overwhelming atmosphere, described as a peaceful paradise after the initial craziness.
Challenges and Contradictions
The journey presented real challenges. English wasn’t as universally accessible as expected, hygiene issues shocked with huge mountains of garbage next to modern malls, and the overwhelming presence of men in public spaces stood out, though the women in the group reported not feeling unsafe. Food and water precautions became routine, including using bottled water for brushing teeth, avoiding ice, and skipping most street food, described as tiresome but effective.
Conclusion: An Unforgettable Experience
Despite the culture shock and contradictions, the traveler’s conclusion was firm. "We definitely encountered the issues often mentioned online," they wrote. "But we also experienced a ton of incredible things that made it all worth it, rich history, cultural diversity that’s hard to beat, stunning monuments, and warmth in people." India may not be easy, but for experienced travelers seeking something unpredictable and unforgettable, "I don’t think there’s anywhere else quite like it."
