Nameste, India

Namaste, friends! We are in India!

Brian had his 4th (out of 6 total) global EMBA session in Bangalore and New Delhi. While Brian and his classmates knocked out global strategy case studies (and partied hardy at night,)

Brian's UCLA - NUS Executive MBA class of 2016 in Bangalore and New Delhi (knocking out strategy case studies & company visits by day)

Brian's classmates in New Delhi (showing off their Pitt Bull dance moves by night)

I had the opportunity to tour Northern India with an organized tour group and guiltlessly ate my way through the mean streets of the Golden Triangle (New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra) with my new Intrepid Tour friends.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Truth be told, when I first found out that I was traveling to New Delhi sans husband, serious fear and anxiety took over.

All you ever hear about New Delhi in the news is the violent assaults against women and foreigners. It's one of the most polluted cities in the world that makes Beijing feel like the Swiss Alps. I've also been told (by a number of Indian friends in the US!) that the lack of sanitation in Delhi curates the city brown via "Delhi Belly," aka traveler's diarrhea.

What I learned while traveling throughout Northern India was that you should never have preconceived notions about a place until you've physically been there to experience it.

Karauli, Rajasthan

Village walk through Karauli, Rajasthan

I found that India not only was a beautiful country filled with rich culture, centuries of history, advancement, and delicious food. Most of the locals I met were extremely warm, welcoming, and friendly.

Other than a few aggressive street vendors and erratic tuk tuk drivers, I seldom felt unsafe because I traveled with an organized tour group and was always fully aware of my surroundings.

Old Delhi Baazars

India is a country of contrasts both inspiring and heartbreaking. On one hand you see optimistic signs of progress and modernization, and feel hopeful. On the other hand, there are still many signs of poverty, slums, and "untouchables." I'll never forget when I saw shoeless street children begging tourists to buy their merchandise, or young girls rummaging through trash bins for food.

Traveling to developing countries like India is truly eye opening and humbling. It makes you appreciate what you have and where you were born.

Agra Fort

Namaste, Northern India for your warmth, hospitality, and delicious food!

We hope to be back again someday to visit Meena in East India, one of the little ones we sponsor via Compassion International.

When in India, watch a Bollywood film and musical! Singing and dancing along is a must.

Some of our India highlights:

-Brian's 4th out of 6 global EMBA session in Bangalore and New Delhi. He knocked out global strategy sessions and case studies, got to tour the Infosys and Coca Cola India campuses, and partied hardy with his classmates.

-Christie's Intreprid Tours Golden Triangle Tour (New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra) with her new Aussie, British, Canadian, and French friends.

-Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

-Beautiful Jaipur, aka the "Pink City."

-Visited a remote village Karauli, interacted with the friendly and curious locals.

-Learned about India's diversity of religions and visited mosques, Hindu temples, and Sikh temples.

-Stayed in New Delhi's Gurgaon District, the hub of tech companies, high rises, expats, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.

-When in India, watch a Bollywood film and musical! Singing and dancing along is a must. Watched a Bollywood movie (Neerja, about the Pan Am Flight 73 hero Neerja Bhanot) and Bollywood musical (Zangoora) at the Gurgaon Kingdom of Dreams.

-Christie ate her way through the mean streets of Delhi on her street food tour. Had some of the best Punjabi dishes and Masala chai she's ever had.