Kamal Ghorui
Travelling is always fun, but can be stressful too at times, especially when you are travelling abroad. While some countries ease you in gently, many add to the shock value too. Just like India that can both overwhelm, scare, and surprise foreign visitors.A foreign traveler was recently on a 15-day journey through Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur, who shared his experience on Reddit said it was less of a holiday and more of an emotional endurance test, which oscillated between exhaustion and exhilaration. “Intense. Equal parts love and hate,” he wrote. “But absolutely worth it if you’re prepared.”
The trip began with a wedding in rural India. Since he was attending a wedding, he was accompanied with friends too who were already flying across continents. His friends, three women and two men, all in their early 30s, extended their stay by 12 days to explore more of North India. What followed was a crash course in sensory overload, Mughal grandeur, Rajasthani romance, pollution, beauty, frustration and awe.They were careful to add a disclaimer: 15 days in New Delhi and two cities in Rajasthan barely scratch the surface of a country as vast and layered as India. But the impressions were strong enough to leave a mark.Read more: Snakes swimming in the flooded streets of Bali? Scary vidoes shock travellers
Delhi: “Nothing can prepare you”
“Nothing can prepare you for Delhi,” the Redditor wrote. They visited icons like Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb, both architectural heavyweights. But it was Chandni Chowk that defined the capital for them. “Chandni Chowk felt like an endless river of humanity,” he said. “It felt like I lived 30 different lives in a single day.” The streets were overwhelming, a swirl of honking rickshaws, spice-laden air, crumbling facades and electric wires overhead. “Like a weird TikTok feed come to life,” they added, describing a city where “everything really happens everywhere all at once.”By night, they were drained. “I just collapsed in my bed, feeling like an overstimulated child.” A quick detour to Taj Mahal was, unsurprisingly, touristy. “It’s a must,” he admitted, though the experience felt “okay-ish.” The monument itself, however, was “undeniably beautiful.”Winter offered comfortable temperatures, especially compared to India’s brutal summers, but Delhi’s air pollution shocked them. “It smells like something is burning all the time,” they wrote. Read more: Bengaluru gets cherry blossom vibes as Pink Poui blooms across the city; best places to visit
Jaipur: Expectations vs reality
Jaipur came next, and with it, mixed feelings. “I had high expectations… but it was more like a 6/10 experience.”
Amber Fort impressed them deeply, “arguably more impressive than any site in Delhi.” They chose to walk up rather than ride elephants, calling the rides overpriced and disheartening. “The elephants seemed almost mechanical.”The city itself felt like “a smaller, less charming version of Delhi.” Yet one cultural detour stood out: watching a Bollywood film at Raj Mandir Cinema. “We don’t speak Hindi, but it was very fun. I think it’s a must.”
Udaipur: “I can’t overstate how much I loved it”
If Delhi was overwhelmed and Jaipur disappointed, Udaipur restored balance. “The highlight of the trip,” they wrote. “I can’t overstate how much I loved it.” Sunsets over Lake Pichola were “breathtaking.” The area around City Palace offered walkable lanes, rooftop views and a calmer rhythm. “It felt like a mix of Greece and southern Italy — but with an Indian twist.”Unlike Delhi and Jaipur, Udaipur felt relaxed. Vendors weren’t pushy. The city was touristy but not overwhelming. “It was like a peaceful paradise after the craziness of the first days.”
The challenges
The challenges were real. English wasn’t as universally accessible as they had expected. Hygiene shocked them, “huge mountains of garbage next to a modern mall.” The overwhelming presence of men in public spaces stood out, though the women in the group said they did not feel unsafe.Food and water precautions became routine: bottled water for brushing teeth, avoiding ice, skipping most street food. “Tiresome but effective.”And yet, despite the culture shock and contradictions, their conclusion was surprisingly firm.“We definitely encountered the issues often mentioned online,” they wrote. “But we also experienced a ton of incredible things that made it all worth it, rich history, cultural diversity that’s hard to beat, stunning monuments, and warmth in people.”India, they concluded, may not be easy. But for experienced travellers seeking something unpredictable and unforgettable?“I don’t think there’s anywhere else quite like it.”Disclaimer: The above article is based on a Reddit post and Times of India has not verified the veracity of the claim
