Roaring Through My Twenties

Brief “Author’s Note”

Yes, after several weeks of silence on this blog, I’m back! Though, no fear. My absence is a result of having the most fulfilling couple of months ever.

As the New Year started, I began the most exciting and rigorous phase of my research yet. 

Up until January, much of my work included lots of coordinating, reading academic journals, and refining certain implementation procedures of my study. However, this most recent phase of my project allows me to do what I love most: interacting with people. While this phase is set to continue through the end of April, I’m soaking in every moment of these interactions. 

No, I’m not quite ready yet to share my research project and experiences (I’ll likely share this closer to the end of my grant period, though). This post, like the ones preceding it, is to share some of my most recent travel adventures. 

To say, I’ve never been one to really master the idea of a work-life balance. It’s usually all or nothing for me. So, a whole month of working tirelessly calls for nearly an entire month of exploring…right?

—

Reunited!

When I was awarded my Fulbright grant, I essentially told everyone I knew that they should come visit me in India. Mostly because I knew at some point within the several months of being here that I’d feel a little lonely, but also because I wanted to share India, the place I love so much, with the people that I love too. Only a few people responded to this offer with an enthusiastic, undoubtedly “yes!” – my best friend Hannah being the first.

And so, after weeks of plotting and planning, February soon rolled around. Suddenly, I found myself standing outside the Mangalore airport giving Hannah the biggest hug of a lifetime. Unsurprisingly, every other responsibility (this blog included) went out the window. 

Hannah was a part of the cohort of students who I studied abroad with in Mangalore back in 2020. After so many years, it definitely felt a little weird that both of us were back in the city together. We spent just a few days in Mangalore shopping, meeting old and new friends, and reminiscing on a time when we were just a little bit younger (and a lot less wise, too). 

Only after a couple of days in Mangalore, Hannah and I began our journey to the first destination on our travel itinerary: Goa. And because I love trains in India, it was no question that our preferred travel method would be the Vande Bharat express train. From Mangalore to Goa, it’s only about 4.5 hours!

For those that don’t know, Goa is a very well-known tourist state in India. Mostly for the beautiful beaches, but I’d argue that the cheap alcohol makes it quite appealing to foreigners and native tourists as well. 

Our goal for our trip to Goa was to have a calm beach vacation, so we chose to stay near Palolem Beach in South Goa. A plus to this choice was that Hannah’s cousin was staying in the same area for a yoga retreat, so we were able to meet up with her as well!

(South Goa is also known to be way more calm than North Goa, too. After having a chance to visit North Goa a couple of weeks after this trip to Southern area, I can totally confirm this. While areas like Palolem and Agonda in the South are relatively quiet, North Goa and areas like Vagator and Anjuna are more appealing to those looking for parties and raves. Both are fun but in vastly different ways). 

Soaking in the sun for a couple of days (and getting a little sunburnt), Hannah and I totally daydreamed of never leaving. Though our trip here was relatively short, it reconfirmed my suspicion I’ve had about myself for a while: I am totally a beach girl. I’ve tried to deny it, but I don’t think I can anymore.

Hannah and I in a tuk tuk in Palolem

And on our very last night in Palolem, I was able to (very easily) persuade Hannah into buying matching “I love Goa” t-shirts. Yup, we really did that. 

—

Pink City Girls

As I said before, only a few people responded to my offer to host them in India. Hannah being the first but my sister, Carly, was a close second. 

(Note: Okay, I’m totally exaggerating here for the purpose of storytelling. Carly was actually with me when I got the award letter from Fulbright. I was crying happy tears when she yelled “I’m going to India, too!” So, definitely first…). 

Our return to Mangalore after Goa was brief and chaotic. After about three loads of laundry and a quick unpacking and repacking of bags, we were off to the airport to head to our next destination: Jaipur, Rajasthan to meet Carly. 

And so it began. The pressure was on, too. Not only was this Carly’s first time ever in India, but she was only able to come for one week. One week is not nearly enough time to explore India; I’m learning that nine months isn’t even enough time either! On top of all that, this was my first time in North India, so I was feeling like I was about to be out of my element a little. 

Jaipur is a city in Rajasthan, North India. It’s known also as the “Pink City” because many of the buildings are painted a very beautiful pink color. In 1876, Albert Edward (aka King Edward VII) visited India. Prior to this visit, Maharaja (King) Sawai Ram Singh I decided to paint the city pink because the color represented hospitality. King Edward VII appreciated this gesture and so the nickname “Pink City” and its pink colored buildings stuck around. 

On our first day, we did a “tuk tuk” (auto rickshaw) tour of Jaipur. This was definitely a great decision. There is so much to see in Jaipur, but almost all of it is widespread throughout the city so transportation is required. It’s way easier and even more efficient when you have the same driver throughout the day.

Though, our tuk tuk did actually only last five minutes before the driver had to pull off the road to replace (what we think was) the brake line. After twenty minutes of him saying “just five minutes!” – we finally were off! 

Our tuk tuk being repaired

To stop you, my readers, from having to scroll and scroll and scroll through 20-some pages of blog stories (I’ve already planned this post to be 2 parts), I’ll be brief on my descriptions but heavy on photographs.

On our tuk tuk tour of Jaipur, we saw:

City Palace

The City Palace was once a royal residence and former administrative headquarters of the Jaipur state. It was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The architecture styles were beautiful, combining Mughal and Rajput styles. Presently City Palace is a museum. Our first example of pink painted buildings!

Me inside City Palace

Carly with some cool architecture inside City Palace

Jantar Mantar

This is a collection of 19 astronomical instruments built by the founder of Jaipur city, Sawai Jai Singh. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it hosts the world’s largest sundial. Because of the way the instruments are constructed, you can observe astronomical positions without a telescope!

Me, Carly, and Hannah standing in front of one construction

Another cool building at Jantar Mantar

Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan, Jain Temple, and Jal Mahal

Gaitore Ki Chhatriyan is a royal crematorium site for the Kachwaha, which is a Rajput clan that once ruled the area. From here, we spotted a long trail of steps up a mountain. In the middle of the day (aka peak temperatures) we decided to climb these steps. Though an exhausting side-quest, on the top was a Hindu temple and a beautiful view overlooking Jaipur city. We were even able to spot Jal Mahal – a Palace that sits in the middle of Man Sagar Lake!

Carly and I after climbing a million steps (and yes, I did it in platform sandals!)

Amber Fort

Built sometime around 1592, Amber Fort is one of Jaipur’s most popular attraction. It’s made from sandstone and marble, so it’s beautiful. And it’s huge.

Carly & I and Amber Fort in the background

Architecture at Amber Fort

Hawa Mahal 

Built in 1799, Sawai Pratap Singh (grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh) wanted an extension of the Royal City Palace. Hawa Mahal was constructed as a result. Apparently the lattice design on the building was created to “allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen.” This is probably Jaipur’s most well-known attraction. It’s also in the middle of some street markets. And again, a beautiful pink color!

Hawa Mahal

Me inside Hawa Mahal

We certainly saw a lot and learned a ton. That’s something that I’ll always appreciate about India. Everything is rich in culture and history. And everyone has a different opinion on what mattered and what still matters today. I’ll never get tired of listening!

—

In part 2, I’ll share the rest of our adventures in Jaipur and about finally accomplishing my travel bucket list dream: visiting the Taj Mahal.

Disclaimer: This blog is not an official site of the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.  The views expressed on this site are entirely those of its author and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, or any of its partner organizations.