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Hi, I’m Nathan, I’m 18 and from Kent. Having just completed my A-levels, I was desperate to get away, travel and explore a new country.India has always appealed to me; it’s intoxicatingly rich history
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No less than a week until I depart for
India! Now all my inoculations are complete, I can pursue crossing off
the final things on my packing list. I am beginning to feel more
excited, however I am still apprehensive of what to expect!
Constant reminders from the Nurse, friends and family ‘not to
drink the water’ & to ‘k
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So, the big day came and it was time for me to
say my goodbyes and depart. I remember feeling both excited but equally
nervous. After checking my back-pack about ten times I made my way to
the airport for my long journey to India.
Arriving at Heathrow was an experience in
itself. I have never flown a long-haul flight before, so I was just
wondering how I would feel being stuck on a plane for ten hours, waiting
for the unknown.
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Stepping off the plane into my new home, to
a land which had caught my attention for many years, I was finally here
in Incredible India. I think that is the only suitable word to describe
this country.
After making my way through immigration, I
was swamped with many air-port staff offering to carry my luggage. The
airport was basic, just like a hall with a few men in uniform and old
looking computers.
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One month in and I am thoroughly enjoying my time in Bangalore, it feels like home from home! Bangalore
is notorious for its Western-like style; it does indeed have many good
food joints, trendy coffee bars and lush gardens, however the shock that
is India still shines through each and everyday.
Early morning I negotiate obstacles of sleeping
peopl
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On my second weekend in India we took a trip to Mysore, courtesy of
GapGuru. The weekend consisted of both practical training and visiting
various attractions.
We first stopped off in a small rural village. It was nice to get away from the city scene in Bangalore
and to come to a small, quiet peaceful place, whereby the locals were
most pleasant and the children were delighted we came to visit them.
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This week is the start of Diwali. The Hindu festival of lights, as the
bell sounded for the Diwali holiday at school, the children went wild,
with balloons and sweets wishing everyone a ‘Happy Deepawali.’
On the eve of Diwali I went to my first
true Indian party with my home-stay. In my Kurta I felt the part. The
atmosphere of the party was amazing; with so many people to talk to,
music, dance, authentic food and drink, gambling and various pujas, it
gave me a taste of how hospitable and warming people are here and how
they really ‘go to town’ for festivals.
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