India was a whim. It was an unplanned adventure that turned into one of the greatest. An experience captured perfectly by the words of Tom Blanchford.
'We anticipated babbling crowds, consuming smells of spice and sewer, and a humbling insight into brutal poverty. It overloaded our senses even more than we could imagine. We saw a country that lives and breathes. It seems to oscillate between running perfectly in unison and completely imploding under the stress of its people.
The concept of an eyesore is not understood in India. Mansions sat next to fields of rubbish. Buildings and faces were painted in brash colours. Smells would swing wildly between festering sugar cane and open sewers, and markets of frangipani, jasmine and fragrant spices. The sound of car and motorbike horns soon assimilated to what we once considered silence. Chutneys and pickles could in one teaspoon seem to contain all of the sourness spice and heat of the land.'
- Tom Blanchford, Paper Sea Volume 2
Previous stigmas were cut through and faith in the culture was developed with an understanding. A country that my mind retained apprehension towards became one that i truly believed in; one that i would revisit again in a heartbeat.
The last sunset in Delhi we sat and sipped our masala tea despite the summer heat. Looking over the streets that somehow captured our spirit it was crazy to think that the chaos of the streets below had become almost calming. As the sun dipped below the horizon the children that were a few hours ago on the streets emerged on various roof tops. They began flying kites appearing as small black dots that a disposable camera could only capture in such away. Though to the human eye they were also no more than tiny speckles in the sky. It was only when two boys came up on the rooftop next to us did we realise that the kites that were being flown so high were made out rubbish materials from the streets. It is a moment I will never forget and one where feelings ran far to deep for words for words to describe. At least for now. The only thing I can say is that India so graciously gave me the greatest sense of gratitude.