The Time Has Come

After 7 months of travel, the time had finally come for us to go to INDIA. It was one of the few countries that was a must see for both of us and by far the one that held the most allure.  We met countless other travelers who had been and all described it using such vivid adjectives.  In fact, I think we had heard so much about it prior to arrival, that we didn't know what to expect other than to know it would be an experience like no other.

Etihad Airlines

 As we boarded the plane, out of SOUTH AFRICA, we tried purposefully to leave behind all those preconceived ideas, but that was nearly impossible.  We landed in Kochi (Cochin), southern India, and our first experience could have never been anticipated.  As we exited the small, quiet airport terminal in search of the local bus, we asked a few police officers for directions.  They happily walked us to the bus stop and explained that it would be there in 20 min time.  Before we could say thank you, they were offering us tea (more like tea-flavored hot milk) and asking us what country we came from.  (No, there wasn't any motive behind their hospitality.)  They were just genuinely happy to chat and share tea with us.

It was such a nice introduction into INDIA and a reminder that kindness is a universal human quality no matter where you are. We hopped on the air-conditioned bus (also unexpected) into town and those preconceived ideas already began to feel a little more distant.

MORE PICS TO COME