India, At Very Long Last

/ David Marsden

I’ve never been to India.

I had a plan to go in 1983 with a school friend, Mike – but we went interrailing across Europe instead. And I twice visited Sri Lanka in the late 90s as a taster for a grown up odyssey to her much, much larger neighbour.

Didn’t happen.

A very anxious gardener

But, at 63 and rather gnarley, I figured if I don’t go now then I never bloody will. I have the luxury of nine weeks to explore the north west of the country – the first three weeks alone.

Can you sense my anxiety levels? Can you?

Rudely, I didn’t follow up on my last Anxious Gardener post about wonderful Cambodia. But this time I intend to post regularly and once again, I’m reliably informed, I will be meeting elephants!

Oh, and I haven’t posted from my phone before. So, hey, let’s see what happens.

I land in Mumbai tomorrow. (You might have to hold my hand.)

23 thoughts on “India, At Very Long Last”

    • Hey, thanks. After a sleepless flight last night, I can barely crack my eyes open let alone form memories. I had a very hot, rather confused interaction with Mumbai just now on foot. I remember heat and dust and traffic. I got lost and it was all a little too much to comprehend. Time for a nap and I’ll try again later. D

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    • I’m sure I will love it. Thanks for the encouragement But at the mo, I’ve arrived in Mumbai after a long, sleepless flight from Heathrow and tbh, it’s all a little overwhelming. I need SLEEP! And I need to see elephants at the weekend. I’m volunteering at a rehoming project nr Agra for a week or so. That’ll sort me out. D

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  5. holding your hand in my thoughts. (complicated!) Just as well because my hands right now are sweaty with anxiety: I am about to set off on a six MILE trip to the MALL to get my iphone battery replaced. That fills me with horror: That I will somehow be blamed for my battery failure, that I will be mocked for my old phone, that I will somehow get lost, that my new battery wont work, etc etc. And you are nervous about going to Mumbai. Ha. BTW, my brother and sister-in-law, both in their late 70s have been to India twice in the last couple of years and loved it. Looking forward to all the scoop

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    • To be fair, I was a little sweaty myself reading about your six mile journey with almost certain attendant mockery. Bear up. I was there with you – in spirit and a complicated holding of hands.

      One of the reasons I’m here in Mumbai is the almost fanatical love people I very much respect have for India. They can’t all be wrong. But if they are, I shall soon find out and I’ll let you know. D

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  6. Whenever the snow’s melted, our part of the Baltic Sea’s finally calmed down and we get ready to start gardening again, I think of anxious posts from long ago. And that’s exactly when my inbox rings and there’s a new post of David! It’s been a while. Travel safely and hug every trunk on your way! Lo

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  7. Dave… What an adventure!! Looking forward to hearing your no-doubt elephantine observations of your journey… SO pleased for you to be following up on a long-held goal. Bit jealous too.

    Take very good care. And LOTS of photos : )

    Kind regards, Jo 🐘 💚

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  8. Well now that’s a surprise I must say – India – although I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised – almost like “have elephants, will travel”

    Take care old chap – have fun [which I’m sure you will] and look forward to your follow-up posts.

    Cheers

    Peter

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