PUSHKAR FAIR IN INDIA

Today I bring you a bit more of Indian Culture but this time thru the eyes of Sashin Kaushik. This amateur photographer from Jaipur (India) quit his engineering course to follow his dream of being a photographer. 

I support arts and talented beings who had the guts to fight against what society wants you to be, to live an happy life being yourself and doing what you really want.   

Sashin is the author of all photography and text that is coming. I was present in Pushkar Fair 2011 and I highly recommend this event! This is also a glimpse into indian lifestyle, rituals and culture. Enjoy :)

NAME 3 IN INDIA... ADVICE FROM LOCALS

Since a bunch of my friends are going to travel to India soon, I thought would be helpful to ask indians about their own country in a easy way: answering all questions with 3 words. Just small tips, an idea of what to do, eat or see... The explore part, the experience and the memories are with you!

Dhanyavaad (thank you in hindi) to all indians who sent me their answers, this information is very useful! Can't wait to go back to India and follow your tips :)

If you enjoyed this "Name 3..." post and you're traveling to any country you'd like to know more local tips, please let me know which country in the comments, maybe I can make another "Name 3 in (insert country) for you and whoever is interested.

INDIA STOLE MY HEART

Invite me to go to India and I will go with you! I could go to India twice a year, no problem :) When I was a kid, me and mom used to spend Saturday noon and evening watching Bollywood movies, sometimes 3 in a raw. Once a lady told me I was indian in another life, I had a suffering and tough life with an arragement wedding. I don't really know from where came this passion for India but it's something surreal, magic and cosmic.

Today I decided to show you five places in India I heart and hopefully will come back soon.

 Goa :: This picture represents pretty well what is Goa: Green everywhere. Also beaches with cows :) Some people don't know but Goa is not a city but a state. And no, you won't listen portuguese in the streets but you'll find churches and coffee shops with portuguese names.

BUNDI FESTIVAL IN INDIA

TEN DAYS IN SILENCE AT TUSHITA RETREAT CENTER

Exactly 2 years ago I went back to India to finish my visa there (Yes, I loved so much this country that after 3 months traveling in Asia and Australia I went back!!)

After one week there I didn't feel right, I was backpacking solo for almost 6 months and I needed a challenge in my life. Once again, I didn't search for anything, I waited until the Universe send me a message. I was having dinner with 2 traveller fellows when one talked about this retreat she was about to join in 2 days! I asked more details and the more she spoke the more I was envolved. The deal was 10 days in silence, in a Meditation Centre with buddhism teachings (called dharma) many hours meditation and no electronics allowed. I start doing some math and actually the money I was spending daily in India was exactly what the meditation centre was asking for :) (food, accomodation and retreat included) When all answers go to the same direction means you gotta give it a try. Let's do this.

This is the Stupa and praying tibetian flags all over the place

FEMALE SOLO IN ASIA

This was a phase in my life I decided to leave my well paid Social Worker job in Portugal to finally meet the incredible India. Of course everyone around me though I was crazy: a good job, a house, a car and I was just quiting. In fact, I was escaping from the old same routine.

Even thought some of you still think I'm crazy to travel by myself in Asia, I think that people who never experienced that before should do it, I had the time of my life!

First of all you are never alone. I guess people are more sensible when see people alone so they come to talk with you often and the same way around. I remember the first time I enter a indian kinda restaurant and sit down in the same table as an indian family. They talked with me very curious about my culture and gave me tons of food to try, all the different curries and how to eat rice with your hands (this was lot of fun, it's not so easy as it seems, you gotta make rice balls otherwise there will be rice all over you!!).

So you meet people in the bus, in the hostel, when you are eating, when you are in a line! Means, YOU ARE NEVER ALONE! All depends on you though, one time I was in North Vietnam and decided to be alone for few days so I was literally running away from people lol If you have a negative attitude toward others you will be alone but if you are smiling and interested believe me, you will make tons of friends :D

Indian Wedding in Jaipur