i have quite literally been counting down to today for months, and i am so excited that it’s finally here. today, after 7.5 years, i am heading back to india for a visit!

in all my life this is the longest i’ve gone without setting foot on the subcontinent. at first it was a combination of not enough money and not enough continuous time off. then, just when my father and i were talking about a trip, there was a global pandemic. then there was a move, a job search, another move, etc etc and it kept getting put off.

and then, in january of last year, my parents went for a few weeks and after they got back were immediately talking about a return visit. i put on my most charming voice and said “oh, that’s interesting, i have also been thinking about an india trip” and my sweet father said “well you can come with us”. yes i believe i will, and thanks so much for the offer.

as i sat down to think about how i wanted to spend nearly 3 weeks in india and all the things i wanted to do, i knew i wanted company. enter sarah, my mini-me who is always game for an adventure. i told her my dates and my rough plans, she bought a ticket, and next week she will join me to traipse around india together.

i’ll be spending some time with my father’s side of the family in coimbatore before heading to bombay to meet sarah and continue our journey. over the course of two weeks we’ll be in bombay, goa, hampi, and bangalore. there will be trains and sleeper buses and lots of delicious food and the beach and a vat of old monk and a touch of history and so many incredible experiences that my mind can’t even fathom. i am so excited to return to so many of my favorite places and to share it with someone who i know is going to soak it up and be a great travel partner.

apart from the mode of travel and the accommodation and a food tour in bombay [created by my friend steph!] we don’t have much else planned. we know where we’ll be, but otherwise we are playing it by ear and seeing what happens. yes i have a 4-page google doc with important information and my favorite suggestions [obviously a toto’s return is in my future, who do you think i am], but also a lot has changed in 7.5 years and i want to see where my friends hang out in 2024 and what new things have popped up since i was last in these places. and of course i will pay homage to guzzlers, rip.

so here we go! i’ll have recaps and lots of photos to share once we’re back, but in the meantime feel free to follow my instagram for what i’m sure will be some very chaotic updates.

xx