My trip to India...

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share a little of my travel experiences with you…

India was amazing! As it was my first time there, I had no idea what to expect. Many people warned me that it might be quite a culture shock and that there was nowhere quite like it. I was so surprised how at home I felt! Even after the long flight and a terrifying four hour road trip (If you have been to India you will know what I'm talking about!), I settled in to the town very easily.

I was staying in a tented room so you could hear the dogs howling and the noises of the night very clearly, but there was something in the feel and energy of the place that was so magical.

Tiruvannamalai is a sacred place in India with one of the most revered Indian temples there. The town is at the foot of an extraordinary mountain called Mount Arana Chula (left). The mountain and the temple were a big part of the magnificence and power of the place.

On the night of the full moon over 500,000 people came to walk around the mountain - such is their appreciation of how linked mankind is to nature. It took around five hours, but passed so quickly with the sights of colourful stalls and temples lit up all the way around the route.

The children there were so full of life and so appreciative at being given simple pencils to draw with as they had so little... I had taken a stash of them out with me as I had been told they might come in handy!

It was an amazing 12 days, and it was interesting to visit a place where the people in the community had such grace and joy in spite of the poverty. I hope to return next year and see how everyone is getting along.

Here are a few more photos from my trip...

         

Have any of you been to India? I'd love to hear stories of your experiences.

Keep an eye out for my next travel blog, where I'll be showing you photos of my Venice trip.

Bye for now,

Sara x

 

Comments

[Margaret]

Hi Sara, your trip looks facinating it must have been a wonderful experience. My Mum always told us to try and travel as much as we could because it stretched the mind and you have wonderful memories when you get old, we dont have Mum anymore but we do try to do what she said. Not been as far as India but we have travelled a lot last year we went to Turkey and visited the ancient sites loved Ephesus . Our daughters visited Venice and they said it was wonderful but so easy to get lost there. Best wishes ,Margaret.

[Sarah Webb]

Hi,Sara
When you said you had been to India,i wondered where you stayed. I LOVE tamil nadu-have been twice and i'm going again in May to a wedding.Just south of where you were is an island called Rameswaram-very poor but magical place. Our village raises money to help them ,and the wedding is there-cant wait!As you say,it is a culture shock and quite humbling to see how little people have to live on. How great would it be to be there today for Holi!
Best wishes,
Sarah

[madj]

Great to see you glowing with excitement from your travels Sara,you look rejuvinated (spelling)I was really excited when you told us where you had been,lucky you.I live through other peoples travels as I cannot travel myself, and I am sure there are lots of veiwers like me,so its marvellous when people like you tell us what it is really like,I loved the bit about the pencils,how lovely that you shared them out to the children.Just think they will remember you for your kindness,wonderful.You looked beautiful in Venice,it must have been quite and experiance,those night time pictures were stunning. You didnt by any chance see the little old lady with the red duffle coat? bet your fed up with that one,sorry,couldnt resist it.Thankyou for sharing Sara,I really enjoyed your adventures. Regards, Madj.

[Francesca]

Hello Sara, Your photos really convey how special the trip was and it's very moving to see the ones with the little children and you hugging an elderly woman. It has always struck me how giving and affectionate people can be who seem to have been given so little in life. It's a real contrast with the rather impersonal way most of us go about our lives in the West. I've never been to India but it is a dream of mine to go, and reading about your trip has given me further impetus! I believe that travel always does good to your soul, but how wonderful to go on a meditation holiday. I must ask though, what's going on with the elephant trunk in that last photo...?! A friendly pat on the head or an impromptu shower....?? Fond wishes, Francesca.

[Paul Davidson]

Sara

I hope you don't mind being asked but were you involved in any part of the forthcoming Doctor Who DVD release of Delta and the Bannermen. Yes I know it's 22 years ago and only sad fans like myself would ask this sort of question but the Doctor Who range is the best out there for special features and "making of" documentaries, especially ones from Sylvester's era. I love your character Ray and Delta was the first of that series that was actually any good.

Won't have long to wait to find out, but I hope you don't mind me asking in advance.

(Couldn't find a way to ask a question in a new section so I hope I'm alright asking a question about this in the bit about your trip to India).

Keep up the good work on QVC, it's always a pleasure to see you.

PAUL
x

[Jeffrey Walker]

Hi sara,
Just had to say that your trip to India and your description of the place, people and all that goes with reminded me of a good friend of mine. He was a wildlife artist (David Green) who loved India, the people especially. What you yourself conveyed about where you visited was how David used to describe it. I am really pleased I read your blog and want to thank you for reminding me so vividly of a beautiful soul no longer with us. Many thanks & safe travels & many of them. Jeff xxx

[Meena Sudhakaran]

Hi Sara
I was intrigued to hear you mention your trip to India. I go to,visit family there every two years. I fly to Chennai in Tamilnadu to spend time with parents and then onto Kerala to visit my husband's family.
Actually on our last visit we went on a tour of the temples of Tamilnadu . We visited various temples celebrating Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.. I just wondered how you found the custom of taking your shoes off before entering the temple?
it was almost like a journey made all the more fun as we hired a van as there were nine family members in the group. We also visited a silk weaving cottage industry. It was fascinating to see all the various processes before the final sari was made.
I am so pleased that you enjoyed the visit. It is always nice to hear positive feedback of one's country of origin.
Keep up the good work. Take care.
Regards
Meena

[Meena Sudhakaran]

I think the last 'photo is an "elephant blessing",Francesca. You place a coin in the trunk and the elephant gives it to the mahout and then gives you a blessing with its trunk. I had about 5 blessings, when we went on our travels. Am I right Sara?
Regards
Meena

[Margy Green]

In 1982 I went to Indian Kashmir, and stayed on a houseboat near Srinigar. It was absolutely beautiful. When we went it wasn't safe to go into the mountains unaccompanied, but nowadays I don't think tourists can even go to Srinigar. I bought Simon Wilson's lotus flower top the other day and it reminded me of Kashmir. The houseboat was beautiful, it was carved, and the curtains and chaircovers had embroidered flowers on them. We could sit on the porch in the evening and look out over the lake covered in waterlilies, towards the hills. A man used to come in a canoe selling flowers, gladioli etc. You could hear him coming because he used to sing.India is fascinating. I bet it has become more modern now since the 80's. I think we can learn a lot about serenity and enjoying beauty from them.