India In Motion

Grab a cup of your favorite tea,

some nibbles of your favorite chocolate...

and spend three minutes jumping in our Indian adventure.

Sure, we might have taken this trip in the summer,

but is there a more appropriate time to debut the video than mid-November?

(Don't answer that.)

And just a heads up...

there may or may not be a shower scene
that gives this video a PG-13 rating. 


Viewer discretion advised. :)

Our trip really was unforgettable.


Especially our day at the Taj Mahal.


.... amazing ...

If you are considering traveling to India...

I would recommend staying in the incredible villa in Goa, Noi Varo.

The ratess are absurdly affordable, the house staff is amazing, 
the amenities are dreamy (you saw that shower in the video!)...

and it really was the MOST relaxing week of our life.

We also really enjoyed our hotel in New Delhi, Le Meridien...
though, to be honest, the contrast of it's opulence & the surrounding poverty
was a little difficult for us to stomach. 

For more information on our trip to India, click here.

India: Shopping in Delhi

Before my trip to India becomes a blur,

I wanted to share a few things with you 

that made my trip easier, better, more enjoyable.

So I'm going to jot down my thoughts for you.

Maybe you aren't going to India today.

Or this year.

Or anytime soon.

But the internet is great for archiving...

so someday, when you do make plans to head east,

all these thoughts will still be here.

Everyone that had been to India

 raved about the shopping,

so I knew this was something I would have to accomplish.

I was looking for gold

when we hit Delhi,

but just didn't know where to start.

I used a guide book's advice to take me to Chondnri Chowk,

Delhi's old shopping district.

Here the textiles markets, jewelry markets, and spice markets 

are hidden the winding maze of narrow streets.

To be honest:

this was really overwhelming for me

to take on without outside help,

and I'm a pretty seasoned traveler. 

You are surrounded by beggars

and feel like a complete jerk repeatedly telling them "no"

as you try to navigate through the unmarked chaos.

Plus, I wasn't lucky in finding much that suited my fancy.

To be honest- I didn't see anything I really wanted.

So, I took the advice of my blogger friend, Kay,

who lives and works in Delhi

and headed to Dilli Haat.

We asked our driver

(that drove us all day for about $7)

to take us to this market,

and he was really glad we were headed there.

Our trusty driver & his awesome car.

He thought it would be much more suitable for what we were looking to find.

He was right.

It costs about 20 INR to get into Dilli Haat

(which is about $0.50)

and once you are in-

it's serene bliss.

Note: There are two Dilli Haats: "Old" & "New."

You'll want to go to the "Old," by the INA Station.

The market offers a concentrated selection of all the things 

you thought you would find when going to India:

sandals, bronze figurines, bangles, pashmina scarves, hand-painted art.

While you might be skeptical about bargaining-

don't be fooled.

You definitely can!

They even have a huge "food court" to grab some lunch.

And if you are feeling really local,

you can opt for some henna.

{Mine was 150 INR.}

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

India: Kappa Prep

As I return to England today

after a whirlwind time here in India

I'm finishing off the guest series with Hopsy from KappaPrep.

She's just so flippin cute, isn't she?

When I asked her the big question:

What is the biggest surprise waiting for me in India?

These are a few of the great things that she had to say...

and her pictures- so lovely!

Even though I have traveled to third world countries before,

 India was certainly an eye opening experience. 

The mass poverty right next to the sheer wealth is really something else.

 {The Oberoi in Delhi is a prime example as is the Taj.}

 It really is a beautiful country filled with delightful people, 

 so much color,

and the best textiles in the world!

 India is full of color,

 mass chaos found in the stores,

my favorite Indian staple, the elephant,

and you have to LOVE the pharmacies...

 since you do not need a prescription for ANYTHING! :)

***

Dang it! Didn't hit up the pharmacies in time...

though maybe I should.

My tummy feels like it may start giving way to all this spice!

Thanks for the lovely insight into India...

I wish my pictures were as cute as yours.

You are a much more fashionable traveler than I have been.

Such a lady! :)

Bucket List #16: Visit Taj Mahal

The Aspiring Kennedy's Bucket List....

....

#16. Visit Taj Mahal.

....

Check!

We went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal yesterday. 

It was glorious,

majestic,

and surreal.

And I totally felt like Princess Diana.

For some reason, 

seeing the Taj Mahal always seemed like a place

that was too far,

too expensive,

too difficult,

too exclusive, 

or maybe just too incomprehensible 

to actually visit.

But even though it took a five-hour ride to get there this morning...

and both camera's stopped working as we walked in the entrance

and only Tyler's cell phone to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment...

it somehow still all turned out beautifully.

Even though all our pictures may print out totally pixelated and janky. 

Oh well. 

Can't have it all. 

I'll take the cell phone pics.

***

ASPIRING KENNEDY TRAVEL TIP: 

If you are staying in Delhi and wanting to day trip to Agra, book with a taxi driver. 

Our hotel wanted 15000 INR for a private car with no tour. 

We booked through a cab driver and had a private car for the entire day 

& a local tour guide for only 5000 INR.

It saved us over $200! That's a lot of money...

but it's even more in India.

*If you're going relatively soon, email me and I can give you the contact no. for our driver*

India: From India, With Love

I've had several emails that have suggested Kay's blog to me

as a resource for our trip to India.

{You guys are so nice! Thanks!}

Kay moved to Delhi earlier this year

and has a great blog,

From India, With Love

 that has been a great resource for me.

And I'm skimming a bit of her goodness

and bringing it to Aspiring Kennedy this morning.

After all, it's always good to get advice from a local...

but after living abroad, I've learned,

it's even better to get advice from a local ex-pat.

They have a great way of seeing things the way you would.

helping you identify any logistical areas you might not have thought through,

and picking out flavors that your palette will especially enjoy.

That's why having Kay answer my question:

What's the biggest surprise waiting for me in India?

is a such a treat!

***

Thanks so much for inviting me to contribute to your guest series!

I’m from Toronto but have been living in Delhi for 4 months now working as a paid volunteer  

- and while I still have 8 months to go and much more to explore and discover about this country, 

I’d say.....

The biggest surprise waiting for you in India is...

the extreme contrasts you’ll encounter. 

Jacquelyn of Lark + Linen already  said the same thing but I think it warrants repeating. 

India seems to be a land of extreme contrasts -

 in very close proximity of each other. 

You’ll see the most beautiful architecture hundreds of years old 

and a few hundred feet away people are living under tarps. 

You’ll eat the most delicious food and just steps away from the door people will have no food....

The WHO (World Health Organization) building - backs onto/overlooks a large slum. Seriously. 

It surprised me 4 months ago and continues to surprise me today.

Your brother mentioned that India is "an assault on your sense."

This is so true.

Your senses will constantly be stimulated...

You will be surprised by the sensory overload you experience.

You will be surprised by the fact that most everything seems to happen for no rhyme or reason. 

You will be confused and try to figure things out.

(for the most part) 

Don’t try to figure it out.

Just go with the flow.

And to finish up... 

You’ll be surprised at what beautiful saris, scarves, embroidery, and jewelry, $20 (Rs.1000) can get you. 

Insane.

I hope you enjoy India.

***

We are packing up and headed out the door now

to make our own journey to Delhi.

I can't wait to get exposed to the "real part of India"

{as touristy Goa is apparently "India for Beginners"}...

Kay, you are the best. Thanks for sharing!

Monday Moods: I feel... green

I'm green!

Not green with envy...

Or "green" because I love to recycle...

(though I do love to recycle!)

And I don't feel green

 because I'm car sick from all these windy Indian roads...

And I'm definitely not feeling green

 because of a sudden influx of the big bucks.

Just plain green.

It's hard not to feel green in India during the monsoon,

everything is so lush and lively.

I think you'd like it here!

how now brown  cow? 

even ants love chocolate! cocoa plants on a spice farm.

no make up. no touching up the arm chub. no judging. :)

i keep looking for the swiss family robinson. no luck yet. will keep you posted.

definitely tastes better out of a bottle.

women sell these flowers along the road to wrap in their hair as shampoo is expensive in rural areas.
they smell like lilies.. and cost around $0.80!

still no sign of swiss family robinson. the search continues.

as goa was settled by portuguese, it's architecture & religion is heavily influenced in this way.
this is us exploring a famous cathedral (?!) in goa named st. francis xavier.

*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

Plat Du Jour: Goan Lunch

I am having a love affair with Indian food.

Our amazing chef here at Noi Varo

(the best villa in Goa!)

cooked us up an amazing traditional Goan lunch.

For two people,

it was a feast.

In fact, 

this entire set up keeps finding

Tyler & I both saying

how very Roman we feel.

It's just the two of us

and four full time staff here.

(What world is this?)

I know that seems like it must 

 cost a fortune to stay here,

but it really doesn't!

{And since I'm actually really cheap,

so you can trust me when I say that!}

So, if you ever want to live like Caesar or Octavia-

Noi Varo is your place.

On to more important things:

the lunch line up.

As Goa stretches along the Indian coast,

seafood is king.

FISH CURRY

is available on any menu here in Goa,
so it's only fitting it to be included.

In fact, fish is such a staple of the diets here in Goa,

a common greeting is: 

"What fish have you eaten today?"

{Talk about cutting to the chase.}

Next up,

LOCAL GOAN CATCH OF THE DAY

I'm not sure what kind of fish this was,

but I can say it was a fresh white fresh

that was lightly breaded and really tasty.

OKRA

I haven't had okra since leaving the states.

While it wasn't fried or from Bubba's,

this light side was perfect.

 ALOO GOBI

This is my staple order when we do Indian.

A vegetarian curry of potatoes & cauliflower.

Don't be scared. Just try it.

CLAMS RAVA FRIED

These cost about $0.50 per bowl 

and are how the locals keep their bellies full & happy.

(I'm not a huge shell fish fan, but Tyler really likes these.)

Anyone else think of "Drop Dead Gorgeous" when discussing not eating shellfish?

KOKUM

This Indian drink is an digestive aid...

and after a mammouth meal like this,

you're going to need all the help you can get.

It's definitely not sweet...

it tastes strongly of garlic,

but it's interesting and worth trying.

After all....

when in Rome.

What's the craziest-but-most-delicious thing you've eaten while traveling?

Plat Du Jour: Indian Breakfast

The consistent thing I heard over & over

before coming to India 

was always the same:

"Be careful what you eat."

The food off the streets just isn't safe,

and somehow it gives most tourist a bit of..

well, you can guess.

But somehow, we've lucked out to staying in house

with amazingly western standards of food prep,

and with taste that is unworldly.

Now I need to watch what I eat,

but not out of fear for giardea or illness...

but because I could get seriously fat 

over the next two weeks.

The house we are staying at for the week,

 Noi Varo, 

is fantastic.

2 thumbs up. 5 stars. 3 cheers. 1 in a million.

Whatever you want to say.

I'll just say this:

If you are planning to visit India,

and need a rental in Goa,

you have to come here.

It's gorgeous and I can't wait to show you the interiors 

& introduce you to the fabulous staff.

For now, 

I just want to show off the food.

{I'm horribly predictable, aren't I?}

Let's start with breakfast,

since it is the most important meal of the day.

Here is how we kick off the day 

(after waking up around 10:30 am)

here in Goa at Noi Varo.

COFFEE

{universally delicious wherever you day may begin}

YOGHURT BAR

{i think of this as a couture breakfast, cause it feels more posh}

FRESHLY SQUEEZED PINEAPPLE JUICE

{frothy, fresh, and fantastic.}

Best served in open air 

with a good view of the cool sandstone pool

and your husband...

who you had missed terribly over the past three weeks.

*all images are original to Aspiring Kennedy