India Part Two - I'm on a Boat.

I've got to admit, looking back on photos and notes from my India trip is making writing my dissertation a lot more depressing.

The day I wore this outfit was my first full day in India. Still completely jetlagged and out of sorts, I managed to function somewhat like a human being and went on a house boat ride down the local waters. The houseboat however wasn't one with a motor or engine - it had to pushed along by the owner of the house boat with a huge oar. The owner greeted us onto his houseboat with a lovely smile and we soon after left the dock and ventured down the waters. It was probably the most serene thing I had ever experienced. The water was so still, the horizon was stunning. I actually got the opportunity to try and push the boat along - the owner made it look so easy, plus he was half my size, so I thought 'hey, why the hulk not'. I managed to get the swing of it, however after 15 minutes or so my arms gave in. I soon realised that he made it look so easy because he was pretty much all muscle, which I am not!

Whenever I was asked in meditation sessions before I went to India to think of a calm place, I usually made one up - it was usually one based on a stereotypical travel brochure with the standard 'sandy beach' picture on the front. If I'm ever asked again, I now know what the perfect location for it. Considering my impending doom dissertation deadline is looming, I should really start meditating more and get myself back to that place, at least mentally. I definitely want to go back soon.

Until next time, y'all.

xo

What I'm Wearing:
Bikini Top - Ann Summers (as an honourable member of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee, Ann Summers is my go to place for swimwear. 10/10 would recommend)
Dress - Asos
Sandals - Havaianas

(and here's the lovely aforementioned Houseboater! I wish you could see his face better in this photo, damn snazzy cameras and their lame manual light settings)

India, Part One (for want of a more exciting title).

I had been looking forward to this trip for so long; it now feels so weird that I'm talking about it in the past tense. But two weeks ago, I came back from the trip of my life: India. This entire experience was completely new to me - having only been to western countries in the past, I found India to be a beautiful culture shock.

I had always been interested in and admired the Indian culture as I have roots in India. My Grandmother is Anglo-Indian, this meaning that whilst she was born and raised in India, she was brought up Roman Catholic as opposed to Hindu or Muslim. Even though her upbringing wasn't traditionally Indian, I felt little influences of Indian culture as I was growing up - for example, when I started eating solid food as a young'un, my mum would give me curried rice. To this day, it's probably one of my favourite foods. Still can't make it like my mumma can, though.

I don't think I'll ever be able to describe how it felt being there. I was practicing yoga and meditation daily, exploring when I could. I even managed to go to a Temple Festival and an elephant casually just walked across my path. It sounds so cliche, but I found myself at total peace, at one with myself. My stresses all seemed to be put into perspective; I've come to realise that things will, as much as I stress about them, be okay. If I work towards something, I can achieve it. But for right now, it's okay to not be completely secure and have a lot of questions in your life. It's okay to not have all your shit together in your early twenties.

I won't bore you all with what happened on the day I wore this outfit, as all I did was travel for 10 hours. But I will say that I am so miffed that my waistband was slightly wonky in these photos! I absolutely love these trackies, I never want to travel in anything else.

Next week will be part two of my India series, stay tuned!

xo

What I'm Wearing:
Vest Top - New Look
Kimono - Topshop
Trakkies - Abandon Ship Apparel
Shoes - Nike
Sunglasses - Next (would you believe it!)

(I was given the lei upon my arrival at the hotel, and they blessed us upon arrival too. How amazing is that?)

Oh, and here's a picture of said elephant who walked right past me: