A Traveler's Raw Account: 15 Days of Love and Hate in India's Golden Triangle
Traveling to a foreign country often brings a mix of excitement and anxiety, with unfamiliar customs, languages, and foods creating a whirlwind of experiences. Some destinations, however, amplify these feelings not through hostility but through an intensity that few places can match. India frequently appears in travel narratives as either a romanticized spiritual haven or a horror story of culture shock, but a recent Reddit post captures a more nuanced reality, blending confusion, exhaustion, admiration, and appreciation into one compelling story.
An Overwhelming Introduction to Delhi
This traveler spent 15 days in India, visiting New Delhi, Jaipur, and Udaipur, and described the experience as "equal parts love and hate." He emphasized that his impressions were limited to a small slice of the country but asserted it is absolutely worth it for those prepared. The journey began with attending a wedding in a rural area, followed by city-hopping with five friends in their early 30s. "I don't believe I even scratched the surface of the reality of India in all its complexity," he admitted, yet his account paints a portrait recognizable to many first-time visitors: overwhelming, intense, and unforgettable.
"Nothing can prepare you for Delhi," the traveler wrote. "You can read all the Reddit posts and watch every YouTube video, but you have to experience it firsthand." The group explored historic sites like Jama Masjid and Humayun's Tomb, which they found incredible, but the streets of Old Delhi became a highlight. Chandni Chowk felt like an endless river of humanity, where "I lived 30 different lives in a single day." He described it as a chaotic, almost hallucinogenic experience, with sights, sounds, and smells blending in a whirlwind that made the rest of the world seem dull by comparison. By day's end, he was drained, collapsing in bed like an overstimulated child needing sleep to process everything.
Mixed Experiences in Jaipur and Udaipur
The obligatory one-day trip to the Taj Mahal was as expected—touristy and undeniably beautiful, but the experience rated as okay-ish. Expectations were high for Jaipur, but the traveler found it underwhelming, rating it a 6/10 due to crowds and chaos, though noting it was smaller than Delhi. An exception was Amber Fort, which they found stunning and "arguably more impressive than any site in Delhi." However, seeing elephants and dromedaries in the streets was bittersweet, as they appeared drugged. The group chose to walk up to the fort instead of paying for elephant rides, observing that the rides seemed short, expensive, and uncomfortable for the animals. They spent an evening at Raj Mandir Cinema watching a Bollywood film without understanding Hindi, which they loved.
After days of intensity, Udaipur felt like a relief. "Watching the sunset over Lake Pichola was breathtaking," the traveler noted. Unlike Delhi and Jaipur, Udaipur offered calmness, with less pushy vendors, cleaner tourist areas, and a slower pace. "It was like a peaceful paradise after the craziness of the first days," he said, even suggesting it as a potential base for digital nomads seeking quieter alternatives to Southeast Asia's hotspots.
Challenges and Reflections
Language proved more challenging than expected; although English is widely spoken in India, communication in service settings became tiring over time. Hygiene and visible inequality stood out, with huge mountains of garbage juxtaposed against upper-class modern malls. The overwhelming presence of men in public spaces was noticeable, and while the women in the group did not feel unsafe, the imbalance felt occasionally uncomfortable. The group took strict food and water precautions, using bottled water even for brushing teeth and avoiding street food and ice, successfully avoiding illness.
Despite exhaustion and contradictions, the traveler concluded the journey was worth it. "India may not be for inexperienced travelers, but for those open to intensity and cultural shock, it offers something unmatched," he stated. "Honestly, I don't think there's anywhere else quite like it." This raw account underscores India's ability to challenge and inspire, leaving visitors with memories that are as complex as the country itself.
