Prior to my trip to India earlier this month, I'd often wondered what was behind India's appeal to travellers particularly the westerners. Other than the Taj Mahal, Mumbai, Mother Teresa, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachan, Aishwarya Rai and the like, let's just say my knowledge of India was slightly limited..and most likely filled with negatory thoughts. Sure, preconceptions about Indians having a certain driving behaviour (which usually transposes over to the countries like here) and peeing at the side of the roads were well-founded..but at the same time, I discovered that the locals have a fondness for socialising, from going on boat rides on the parks to sitting down amongst family/friends/acquaintances on the grass lanes...and never have I seen an array of rich, colourful sarees either walking on the streets with their children to riding on the mini-taxicab/motorcycles.
If like me, shopping is a must-do activity whenever you're travelling, India is no different from the rest of the world. Having read and recommended to check out the markets, a couple of us hit one of the many markets in Delhi, aptly called Babu Market, some 30 minutes drive from our hotel. While most of the stuff sold there ranged from clothes to kitchen utensils to luggages to women's underwear, our mission was to check out the saree shops..and sure enough, Babu Market did not disappoint. Let's just say, had I brought a larger suitcase and more money, I would had swept half of the sarees on display!
Sarees aside, another must-buy in India are the jewellery. Blessed with a rich deposit of various gems from diamonds to precious to semi-previous stones, India is full of gorgeous bling-blings..from costume to the real deal. I was practically in tourmaline heaven *sigh*
The five days spent in India might seem long but there were plenty more yet to do and see including Taj Mahal which requires a good one day to fully appreciate the beauty of it...so India, you have not seen the last of me yet..
If like me, shopping is a must-do activity whenever you're travelling, India is no different from the rest of the world. Having read and recommended to check out the markets, a couple of us hit one of the many markets in Delhi, aptly called Babu Market, some 30 minutes drive from our hotel. While most of the stuff sold there ranged from clothes to kitchen utensils to luggages to women's underwear, our mission was to check out the saree shops..and sure enough, Babu Market did not disappoint. Let's just say, had I brought a larger suitcase and more money, I would had swept half of the sarees on display!
Sarees aside, another must-buy in India are the jewellery. Blessed with a rich deposit of various gems from diamonds to precious to semi-previous stones, India is full of gorgeous bling-blings..from costume to the real deal. I was practically in tourmaline heaven *sigh*
The five days spent in India might seem long but there were plenty more yet to do and see including Taj Mahal which requires a good one day to fully appreciate the beauty of it...so India, you have not seen the last of me yet..
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