India is infamous. At the mention of its name everyone undoubtedly has some images and ideas that come to mind. It is one of the great ancient civilizations and is an epicenter of religion, culture, trade and has been for centuries. It’s is sometimes even referred to as a separate continent!

As I prepared to embark on my trip to India I was met with varying opinions and pieces of advice. They ranged from warnings about the crowds and filth, concern for safety, and affirmations that my life would be forever changed. The most common words of wisdom I received and the ones I have found to be the most helpful and true were, ‘keep an open mind and expect the unexpected.’

I left for India with some expectations and preconceived notions in my head, as they are impossible to escape entirely. However, I was also prepared to let go of everything I thought I knew and let the real experience prove me wrong. That happened almost immediately.

I flew into Kochi in the southernmost state of Kerala. I stayed in Fort Kochi, which is the small historic district of the city, and the rest of Kochi is quite large and modern. I went exploring that first day and was surprised to see so many churches around. I knew that this part of the country had been influenced by the Portuguese occupation but I hadn’t realized the religious impact. I always associate India with Hinduism and Islam, but there is also a large Christian population as well. It was only a few days before Easter so their devotion to Christianity was apparent. There was also a part of town called ‘Jew Town’ and a synagogue to visit. I made a point to visit this spot, coming from Jewish heritage myself and because it was the day before the start of Passover. I learned that there was an ancient Jewish community here and was at one time famous for the land of the Jewish Kings. In my first two days I had to face the reality that I had only a slight concept of how diverse India’s people and history really are.

I left the coast and headed to the hill station(a town in the mountains) of Munnar. It is known for the steep hills and valleys covered in tiered rows of tea fields. Riding the bus up into the mountains, watching the jungle turn into these mountain faces that from afar look like they are covered in rows of moss; I realized I didn’t have a clue as to the variety of India’s vast landscapes. The tea bushes(actually trees) are trimmed constantly as the leaves are harvested so they have a uniform height, making the mountainside look so smooth and one of the most vibrant greens I’ve ever seen. If I had seen a picture of this place I would never have guessed it was India. I stayed in the mountains for a couple days, learning a bit about tea as well as Ayurvedic medicine, which is the ancient, natural medicinal techniques used in India, and then I endured a very bumpy bus ride down to the coastal city of Alleppey.

I stayed in Alleppey for a bit longer and did a lot there. The first day I went on a kayak tour of the backwaters, an intricate series of canals running deep into the delta that have been used for transportation and sustenance in this region. As we paddled through some of the smaller villages and narrower canals we got a peek into the everyday lives of the people living on the water, brushing their teeth, bathing, washing clothes, going about their morning routine. The day I went kayaking was also the day of a countrywide strike in India where workers were protesting for better wages and rights. With most places closed we spent the afternoon at the beach and later some Indian friends were able to go pick up some food for us and met us back at the hostel. Among the many friends I made at the hostel one guy was from Delhi and we discussed the state of the world, politics, traveling, love, and life. I taught him to body surf, he helped me learn the names of the Indian foods I like, instructed me on the right way to eat with my hands, and we both got a young boy to teach us some of the language of Kerala while sightseeing at a lighthouse. My time in Alleppey opened my eyes to an India that is an intricate blend of old and new. So much of the Indian way of life is just as it was long ago but India is also a modern country and striving towards progress. You might not think those concepts can exist harmoniously, and sometimes they do contradict one another but there is also beauty in preserving the traditional while adapting to the modern world. I found some of that beauty in Alleppey and it changed my perspective moving forward on my travels in India.

I had a wonderful first week in India. It met some of my expectations, exceeded others and knocked me off my feet. It’s important to think about your own expectations when experiencing something new and also to pay attention to the parts that you never expected. I have tried to be mindful and observant while in India, not holding too tight to what I imagined before the experience. India has continued to surprise and impress me and I have made sure to keep an open mind.