Last week was the trip of a lifetime to India! It was a work trip for my husband with a bit of time off to do some exploring with me. It took a long time to get there (20 hours with a stop in Dubai) and feels foreign. But we have so much in common with the Indian people. Here are seven things that I experienced in India along with recommendations.
Flowers are for Celebration and Worship
This was in the lobby of the Leela Palace where we stayed in New Delhi. Upon arrival, a garland of freesia was placed around our necks. Throughout our stay in India, especially near temples, all sorts of flowers are sold for worship.
Also, the lotus (a motif seen everywhere–even in my yoga studio in SF) is a symbol of purity since the flower rises above the muck that it’s rooted in.
See the Taj Mahal at Daybreak as the Sun Illuminates the Mausoleum
We spent the night before in Agra so that we could leave for the Taj Mahal before daybreak. This is a spectacular ivory-white marble mausoleum built by the Moslem/Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1632. He built it as a tomb for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to his fourteenth child (can you even imagine?). It’s definitely a site to see!
The Red Fort, Agra is Rich with History
This monument is also in Agra and is basically a walled city made from sandstone. Just look at the carvings! Shah Jahan’s soldier son, Aurangzeb killed his older and younger brothers to become emperor. He put his father under house arrest (in fact, Shah Jahan stayed in the lower left room–with a view of the Taj Mahal–until he died). There are varying accounts of Aurangzeb. In a book I read on the trip, Beneath A Marble Sky (well researched historical fiction), the son was a really horrible person…but some of the Indians I spoke to thought Aurangzeb was a great warrior and was right to keep control of the vast empire. Aurangzeb disdained what he thought was his father’s wasteful spending (like on the Taj Mahal). Family problems :/
Dress Like A Local
Before I left on the trip, some bloggers advised to just bring a couple of outfits from home and then buy things there. So, I did! There are plenty of colorful saris to find (an outfit that consists of five to nine yards wrapped around the waist with one end draped over the shoulder, baring the midriff).
But I felt the tunics (or kurtas as they call them) were less complicated. Basically, the modest, mature female Indians don’t show their shoulders or knees. Since the kurtas have deep slits, you wear leggings or loose pants underneath.
Top left: silk hand-embroidered kurta (that I bought at the hotel–more expensive but it’s beautifully made) with loose linen pants Top right: Light-weight inexpensive cotton kurta from Fab India in New Delhi (nice and cool for this climate). Bottom Left: Beautiful clothes at Good Earth in New Delhi. They have housewares, too. Bottom Right: Another kurta from Fab India. This one costs a little more as it’s embroidered in a style known as chiku. I’m getting good karma here by feeding the sacred cows.
Shop For Textiles
Top left: beautiful silk pillows at the Leela Palace Hotel in New Delhi. Top right: Here I am shopping for fine cashmere pashminas in New Delhi (Kashmir is in northern India) with my interesting guide, Zareen Kahai (she can be reached at [email protected] if you are interested). Bottom Left and Right: Lots of gorgeous fabrics at the huge textile market in Mumbai called Mangaldas Market. My expert guide, Parvine Misstry ([email protected]) took me there among other places.
Enjoy the Food
The food can be spicy and there are lots of vegetarian options. To avoid “Delhi Belly” we were told not to eat dishes that may have been washed in fresh water (like salads).
Top left: this local Chenin Blanc, Sula is dry with a slight pear finish that goes well with spicy food. We had this at Peshawri…a great rustic Indian restaurant in our hotel in Agra. Top right: Howard is enjoying a savory crispy pancake filled with roasted potatoes called a dosa (I started ordering them, too!). Try one. Bottom Left: This is an excellent restaurant in Mumbai called The Table (the owners used to live in San Francisco and have a farm to table amazing menu). I actually did have a salad here. They were voted best restaurant in India. Bottom Right: This was our first meal in India… lunch at the New Delhi Crafts Museum (also a great shop for pashminas) restaurant called Cafe Lota. Get that dish with the fried spinach leaves.
Take in the Exhuberant Colors
I am so glad for cellphone cameras that can help you record the sites around you…like all the saturated colors in Mumbai. What you can’t record are all the amazing scents from the flower stalls, cooking spices and incense burning.
The colors seem to express the friendly/happy nature of the Indian people. There is poverty, of course, but they have a rising middle class. 80% of the population is Hindu and they believe in having good karma to give them a leg up in the next life! Ha! But that vegetable salesman on the bottom right doesn’t look too happy!
It’s been fun reliving last week through this post. If you get the chance to go to India, I hope you will take it.
Namaste (“I bow to the divine in you”).
Mary Ann
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tanuja says
That’s a lovely post! Well-written, heartwarming and so creative.
Thanks for sharing such an informative blog.
sherry Hart says
Looks like a fabulous trip! One day…..
home before dark says
I have loved Indian textiles/clothes since the summer of love and the invasion of the Beatles! What a fabulous trip—the picture of you and Howard at the Taj is so sweet. He looks like he just got the courage to ask out the cutest girl on campus. Just. That. Adorable. By an act of fate/karma, I first read this the day I received my copy of Season in the mail. The man who wrote it, Nik Sharma, writes a column for the SF Chronicle. He is an Indian immigrant/former scientist/lover of food and photography. It’s a beautiful bridge between two cultures…maybe a gift for Howard so he can make you meals of memory!
Cindy says
Love your photos and descriptions! India has been on our list and with the photos from you and my fav Katie Couric these past few weeks I’m more inspired than ever…..
Mary Ann says
Someone else told me Katie Couric was in India too…so I started following her. Now you will have to go !
cindy hattersley says
This trip sounds fantastic. Due to our crazy lunch the other day I have barely heard about your trip. I am so glad you did this post. I am dying to hear more. You look so adorable in your “Indian wares” Thank you so much for the crazy lunch the other day. You are such a great friend to me. I feel so lucky that we met via blogging!
Mary Ann says
You are an awesome friend to me, Cindy!
LA CONTESSA says
LOVE THE KURTAS ON YOU!!!!!!!!
ALL are WONDERFUL!
There is a shop on COLLEGE AVE. In OAKLAND that sells INDIA’s wares…….she goes THREE TIMES A YEAR TO SHOP and CREATE!YOU MAY NEED MORE!!!!!!
THAT TAJ………….what a story!YOUR pictures bring back TONS of MEMORIES for me!!!!
Loved seeing YOU yesterday!
XX
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes…I have seen in or there is another one in Berkeley near the Serena and Lily outlet. I loved seeing in you, Elizabeth!
Elizabeth says
This looks like a wonderful trip! I have never been to India but have it on my list!
Mary Ann says
I’d like to go back and explore more of the north, Elizabeth.
Gail Storti says
Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip, I can only imagine how spectacular is was in person. I love all the bright colors and those tunics you wore looked so pretty and very comfortable. You’re so lucky that Howard get to go to such amazing places for work and take you along, it truly was the trip of a lifetime!
xo Gail
P. S. The pics of you and Howard at Taj Mahal should be in a travel guide book!
Mary Ann says
The Taj Mahal photo is a little corny, Gail…the guide took it–but we had fun!
Linda Stroud says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures, makes me want to hop on an airplane and go to India! Loved the different Indian prints and textiles.
Mary Ann says
Thanks, Linda. Hope to see you soon!
MINDY ROSENBERG says
Thanks for sharing. It does look like the trip of a lifetime!!!
Libby Wilkie says
Meant to add: flying over the snow capped Himalayas in the moonlight was one of the most magical moments ever!
Mary Ann says
So magical, I bet, Libby!
Libby Wilkie says
I travelled ti India many tears ago, for business. Stayed with our textile supplier up in Panipat; he drove us all over! Yes, the trip of a lifetime and I would love to return…
Patricia says
My husband and I traveled to India several years ago. What struck me the most was the warmth and friendliness of the Indian people. We never felt uncomfortable anywhere we went – people were more than willing to point us in the right direction and help us out. A beautiful people and country. Truly the trip of a lifetime !
Mary Ann says
Yes. I felt the same way, Patricia.
Susan says
Beautiful pictures and inspirations. It is amazing how travel really makes you appreciate different cultures.
Mary Ann says
So true, Susan…a bit of effort to get there but worth it!!!
Stacy Koehn says
Thank you for all the great tips for a visit to India – textiles and Kurtas beautiful! Here’s my burning question for you: is there a diet or exercise regime you have been on – you look great!! Happy Holidays!
Mary Ann says
Ha! Loose clothes! I was on Weight Watchers but totally blew it in India…need to get back on it! Thank you.
Zenia says
You have captured the essence of my country beautifully in a few colourful pictures and words. We can’t wait to welcome you back someday!
Mary Ann says
I so loved meeting you!! I hope you will come to San Francisco and I DEFINITELY hope to come back to your amazing country.
Arti Iyer says
Hi Mary Ann:
Not sure if you remember me…you did a long distance room design for me a few years back. Anyway, so glad you got a chance to see the country I was born in. You seem to have just scratched the surface. The vibrant and varied culture, the food and the shopping are what make a trip to India truly unforgettable. Nest time don’t forget to visit the state of Rajasthan in the Northern part of the country. It is a fabulous experience!
Mary Ann says
Yes, of course, I remember you! Such a cold climate for an Indian girl 🙂 You are right…I just scratched the surface in 10 days. I would love to go to Rajastan, Jodpur and Jaipur, etc. You have a great heritage.
Taste of France says
Fantastic photos! I love your kurtas.
I haven’t been to India for many decades, but when I went I indiscriminately ate everything that appealed and never got sick. And when I was in Agra, somehow I was invited to a wedding that was happening near my hotel. It was amazing. It vies with the Taj for vivid memory.
I’d love to go back. I hope you have more photos to share!
Mary Ann says
Lucky you!! Indian weddings are supposed to be wonderful!
Stephanie says
Wow!!! What an unbelievable time! I am starting an India Pinterest board in the hopes that someday we will go.
Thanks.