Volunteering in the Himalayas: How India will change your life

Introduction

The land of spice, spiritual monasteries, astounding man-made wonders, unsurpassable cuisine and a mesmerizing chaos that will stay with you forever. India is undoubtedly a country you need to put on your travel bucket list.

Overflowing with deserts, vast jungles,  bewitching cities, pristine beaches and magnificent mountains, this diverse mystical land is full of cultural wonders that will leave you yearning for more.

Why go?

Sip chai masala in the busy streets of Delhi, ride a camel through colorful Rajasthan, marvel at one of the most iconic buildings in the world in Agra,  roam through exotic markets in Goa or venture through the dense jungles of Kerala; this is a country that seamlessly combines adventure, luxury, culture and extraordinary cuisine, effortlessly.

There is one thing I find travel guides leave out in their optimistic, glowing reviews of India, and it's the one thing that truly makes it exceptional. The effect it has on you. Its mysterious way of luring you in, stirring your soul and leaving you spellbound.  

I was 20 years old when I stuffed the contents of my wardrobe into an already overflowing backpack and flew to Delhi on my own. I was pre-warned about this thing called 'culture shock' but as I sat and watched 'Slumdog Millionaire' and tucked into my chipati and dhal on the plane,  I dismissed the idea completely.

A few hours later I was in the middle of one of the busiest and most poverty-stricken cities in the world and it dawned on me that 'culture shock' was no joke.

Seeing one-legged beggars lining the chaotic streets of Delhi was just the beginning of the hardship and struggle this country exposes you to.

Once the initial shock is over, you begin to realise that coming to India will be an experience that will linger with you for a long time, possibly a lifetime.

Barely out of my teens, India made me grow up fast. I had to spend a month of my life in this country that at first glance was so foreign and terrifying to my young and inexperienced self.  

I had to turn into a responsible and less - naive version of myself to survive what India threw at me. Such as, the nine-hour overnight trains where nobody spoke English, the unfamiliar impoverished streets, and missing the home comforts I so willingly left behind. 

It made it easier knowing that I wasn't in the country to simply indulge in all its offerings, but to pass on some of my education to those less fortunate.

Himachal Pradesh, meaning snow-cladded region was where I taught English and Maths in the primary schools and orphanages in the village. On the Tibetan border, this state is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and it lived up to its name.

The children at the school were so playful- it was infectious. They were grateful for the knowledge the other English teachers and I could offer them. 

After school, you'd see some of them playing in the fields and the rivers. They had nothing, but they were always laughing. 

It gives you a sinking feeling in your stomach to think about your worries and teenage dramas back home. They all seemed so meaningless in India. 

It wasn't just the children who were care-free and happy, it was everyone. Sure there is poverty, but there's also a way of life and mindset so unique and spiritual it's hard to escape from it and it's an intimate privilege to observe it.

I could ramble on for days about all the incredible adventures India took me on. From the adorable school children, the welcoming villagers, majestic mountains, fascinating traditions and beliefs to the flavorful food. 

After 5 weeks in India,  I was no longer in shock from their culture, I was in awe of it.