Archive for the ‘India’ Category
A homestay (or home stay) can be an enriching alternative to traditional accommodations. The idea is to offer a clean and affordable place for foreigners to stay, usually with the intention of learning more about the community, culture, and traditions. If you are interested in learning more about a home stay in India, please read my recent article on Travelhoppers, titled Homestays in India.
One of our Sodha Travelers, Nanci Jackson, recently returned from Kerala. Her favorite accommodation during the trip was a home stay in Cochin, and here she shares a few enchanting memories:
It almost felt other-worldly to stay for three nights at the home of a local family in Kerala. The owners were truly gracious and accommodating and invited me to participate in their daily tasks. One morning, after a delicious breakfast that included a dosa, fresh fruit, coconut and local coffee, I went to the local market with the homeowner, Mrs. R. We shopped together for groceries and other items. In the evening, I helped her (or more realistically, watched her) prepare some traditional Keralan dishes. Watching her cook was like observing an artist create a masterpiece. There was such love in the preparation. Then, during dinner, we had a delightful conversation about India’s culture, the people, and the way modernity is weaving a thread in the country’s traditions. It was such a gift for me to have this encounter and stay with a local family. I highly recommend it for any of your travelers!
Thank you for sharing, Nanci. For more information on home stays in India, including the different categories and amenities, please contact our team!
Last post, I was excited to announce our newest women-only tour: Colors of India. Just a few days ago, we also added a new Featured Tour: Legacy of Leh/Ladakh. Ladakh is a remote region in Northern India, located between the Himalayan and Kunlin mountain ranges. Historically a Buddhist kingdom, Ladakh was strategically placed at the crossroads of major trading routes. The region is commonly called “Little Tibet” and many travelers have discovered this destination as an alternative to visiting the disputed territory of Tibet.
Lamayuru Monastery
Start your 8-day journey in Delhi, visiting the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, and Humayun’s Tomb . Then, fly to Leh and experience one of the few remaining abodes of Buddhism in South Asia. Here are just a few highlights:
- Hemis, the largest monastery in Ladakh
- Leh Palace, modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa
- Thiksey, an 800 year old gompa with panoramic views of the Indus Valley
- Lamayuru Monastery, currently housing 150 resident monks
To spotlight this spectacular region, reserve Legacy of Leh/Ladakh during the month of February and receive $50 off registration. For more information on Leh, check out our February edition of The Sodha Traveler.
Tibetan Prayer Flags in Leh
Our Colors of India tour is now open! Join us on a women-only, 10 day/9 night itinerary in Northern India: Delhi, India’s capital; Agra, home of the majestic Taj Mahal; Jaipur, the Pink City of Rajasthan; Rajsamand, a Mewar town; and Udaipur, the City of Lakes. Travel with a group of women who share in the excitement of India, and make new friends in a supportive, safe, and enriching environment!
This package includes 5* accommodations with daily breakfast, economy airfare from Udaipur – Delhi, comprehensive touring with an English speaking guide, entrance fees to the monuments, airport transfers, fuel surcharges, and many special experiences, including:
A tender moment
- Sunset visit to the majestic Taj Mahal
- Overnight stay in a historic Mewar Palace
- Lunch at the home of a local family
- Elephant ride to Amber Fort
- Private mehndi (henna) session and Rajasthani cooking class
- Evening boat ride on Lake Pichola
- Rural ramble and dinner at Deogarh Mahal
Deogarh Mahal
To maintain an intimate cultural experience, this tour is limited to 18 guests. Also, if you are a solo traveler but wish to share a room, Sodha Travel will pair you with a roommate (based on availability.) Please visit our Colors of India page or contact us for more information.
Travel with a group of women who share in the excitement of India and make new friends in a supportive, safe, and enriching environment!
Group Mehndi
Coming soon, Sodha Travel will debut Colors of India, a 10-day tour for women only that includes Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Rajsamand, and Udaipur. In addition to superior hotel accommodations, comprehensive touring, entrance fees, and airport transfers, this tour will include many special and authentic experiences, including a private mehndi (henna) session, a Rajasthani cooking class, yoga sessions, and lunch at the home of a local family. Travelers will also have the opportunity to ride an elephant, stay overnight in a historic palace, and experience a traditional folk dance!
To maintain an intimate cultural experience, tour participation is limited to 16 guests. The proposed tour dates are October 8-17, 2012. Check back soon for a complete itinerary and pricing!
One of our Sodha Travelers, Erica, recently sent an interesting article from the site LearnVest. The post, The Best Time Investments You Can Make, mentioned Indians as having the ability to enjoy life’s everyday joys:
I love the concept of “La Dolce Far Niente” or “the sweetness of doing nothing,” something the Italians and many other cultures have mastered. Not Americans, though. In America, we don’t feel our time is well spent unless we’re either producing or consuming, says social psychologist Robert V. Levine, author of “A Geography of Time: On Tempo, Culture, and the Pace of Life,” which is a limited (and frankly, stressful) perspective. In other parts of the world, such as India, it’s normal for people to enjoy each others’ company without activity or even conversation. Investing in do-nothing time will help us slow down and experience a different pace of life, in which time’s value is not measured by its productivity.
After reading the article, I sat and thought about this idea of India’s culture. At first glance, India can be a scene of chaos: Millions of people, cars, rickshaws, motorcycles, and cows sharing one sacred land; Technology and infrastructure both booming and yet not able to expeditiously meet the needs of the people; Bribery and corruption permeating the society. However, when you look deeper there is an ideology of – dare I say? – contentment. It is also interesting to explore, as India is presently one of the most productive countries in the world. According to the above, do-nothing time is not measured by productivity, but the Indian people have accomplished both.
Tell me, do you believe Indians have mastered the sweetness of doing nothing? What other cultures parallel this philosophy?