It's been amazing to follow the group's journey and see many of the same emotions and reactions, thoughts and reflections that we experienced on our trip in 2011. Though we met different people, had different encounters on the streets and each had our own perspective, hearing about India through your eyes has definitely made me relive my time there. It's a strange paradox of human experience, I guess.
But truly, it sounds like you guys are taking everything in making the most of it, and having a great time!
I remember that as we came into Mumbai on Christmas morning, despite having contact from family through the letter and the phone call, it was the time at which I felt the most far away from home. Speaking in hindsight, I can only say that feelings of homsickness or exhaustion, or simply beginning to feel worn down by everything, are only natural for a trip of this nature, and most of you will go through them to some extent at different points. For me, this was Christmas time. Sit with those emotions, recognise them, talk to others in the group about them, and realise that what you are feeling is being felt by others in the group, or have been, or will be. And know that you will come out the other side at some point and be back to immersing yourself fully into everything again!
So there's my two cents.
Make the most of Mumbai, it's a crazy city where the contrast in India is most apparent! Go explore, put youself out of your comfort zone. Tom Rapson and I stumbled across a slum one day where we played cricket for a couple of hours and got to know the kids, and it was somehow right across the road from luxury apartments.
Look forward to hearing all about your explorations on the blog and when you get home.
Safe travels,
Alex Johnston.
But truly, it sounds like you guys are taking everything in making the most of it, and having a great time!
I remember that as we came into Mumbai on Christmas morning, despite having contact from family through the letter and the phone call, it was the time at which I felt the most far away from home. Speaking in hindsight, I can only say that feelings of homsickness or exhaustion, or simply beginning to feel worn down by everything, are only natural for a trip of this nature, and most of you will go through them to some extent at different points. For me, this was Christmas time. Sit with those emotions, recognise them, talk to others in the group about them, and realise that what you are feeling is being felt by others in the group, or have been, or will be. And know that you will come out the other side at some point and be back to immersing yourself fully into everything again!
So there's my two cents.
Make the most of Mumbai, it's a crazy city where the contrast in India is most apparent! Go explore, put youself out of your comfort zone. Tom Rapson and I stumbled across a slum one day where we played cricket for a couple of hours and got to know the kids, and it was somehow right across the road from luxury apartments.
Look forward to hearing all about your explorations on the blog and when you get home.
Safe travels,
Alex Johnston.
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