My Unplanned Trip to India

I had planned an ambitious trip to five countries with a coworker I barely knew. We bought a round-the-world ticket to see Japan, Vietnam, Nepal, India, and Thailand. She oversaw our stay in Japan, arranging accommodations with her foster family, and used her previous experiences to plan our time in India.

However, following our time in Japan, it became evident that we were unsuitable travel partners. Despite this, we continued our trip to Vietnam and Nepal. Finally, at the end of our Nepal trek, we parted ways.

This journey did not go as I had planned.

I was alone in Kathmandu for a few more days, struggling to decide what to do next. Traveling alone was not new to me, but India was uncharted territory. I had done little research and was mentally unprepared. Nonetheless, I followed my original plan and continued the trip to India. A quick call to a friend in the United States helped me book a flight to Goa, where I hoped to relax on the beach and plan the rest of my adventure.

Arriving in New Delhi

Two days later, I boarded a plane to New Delhi with no guidebook or maps—only a one-way ticket and an open mind!

In 2025, we now have smartphones, GPS, and social media to navigate the world. Back then, we utilized payphones; there was no internet, Google Maps, or quick connections. Travel, in its simplest form, was an unforgettable and thrilling experience.

When I arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, my first stop was at the gift shop, where I picked up a Lonely Planet guidebook and an India map. Because I traveled light—only a few clothing items, trinkets, and my camera—I breezed through customs and stepped outside into a sea of vivid hues.

The airport’s exit evoked a sensory explosion. Women dressed in beautiful saris, men in gorgeous turbans, and uniformed greeters await their guests. My friend had arranged for a car and driver for me, and I saw him holding a sign bearing my name. His kind smile immediately made me feel at ease. Before I knew it, he was putting my bag in the trunk of a black Hindustan Ambassador. Unfortunately, in my excitement, I forgot to photograph him with the automobile.

The trip from the airport was chaotic yet captivating. The streets were alive with activity, with auto-rickshaws zipping through traffic alongside multicolored taxis and honking cars. Vehicles darted in and out of lanes with no discernible rhythm, and horns blared as continual background music. Buses rushed by while entire families—sometimes five people—sat precariously atop single motorcycles. Then, amidst the current chaos, I noticed elephants and camels gracefully ambling along the highway as if transported from another era.

New Delhi’s airport was even busier in 2025. On our recent trip to India, although we only had to drive three kilometers to leave the airport, a single red light held us up for more than an hour.

During our drive to the travel agency, I realized that the vehicle ride itself had been my first true insight into the spirit of India—vibrant, chaotic, and full of unexpected adventure. And I had only been in India for one hour.

Travel Agency

The driver led me across the busy market streets to a small, cramped office. Inside, an ancient computer and heaps of documents occupied the space. I handed her my passport and explained that I must fly to Goa. The agent frowned.

“I apologize, but we have full flights to Goa for the next two weeks!”

She looked at me momentarily before offering an alternative: “I can arrange your flight to Bangalore. From there, board the bus to Goa. It’s a long journey, but it’s the best option.”

A bus? The thought unsettled me. Traveling by bus in an unfamiliar nation seemed intimidating, but perhaps this was the adventure I had been looking for. “Let’s do it,” I responded, unsure of what was ahead.

After I acquired my ticket, my driver took me for a quick lunch before returning to the airport for my 3 p.m. departure to Bangalore.

And with that, my adventure began! Off to Bengaluru!

Author and photo credit: Cristy