COLOR AND DESIGN INSPIRATION FROM INDIA

India is a fascinating country to visit.  From the hustle bustle of overly crowded Delhi to the wide open countryside of Khujaro; or busy Agra, home of the famous Taj Mahal, to the spiritual city of Varanasi and the Ganges River, India is a study in bold colors, exotic smells and tastes, and strong beliefs.

Yes, there is extreme poverty such as I've never seen before.  It is a sad reality that is part of India's landscape.  Learning about their caste system helped to explain their existence a little bit better.  But if you can look beyond the poverty you will be rewarded with the most beautiful colors you've ever seen.  Of all the interesting countries I've traveled to, India is by far the most colorful.  Every sari I saw was a work of art.  And the design work on the numerous Hindu Temples is extraordinary.  Ideas for quilts were everywhere I looked.

The fabrics in India are another bonus.  I bought meters of various hand stamped cotton fabrics, and I wish I had brought back more.  I've made several tops and the fabric is soft and lovely.  The silk fabric in India is also gorgeous!  There was a silk weaving shop next door to the hotel I stayed at in Varanasi.  Inside were enormous looms; including one dating back hundreds of years.  Of course I couldn't resist buying some luscious fabric, as well as a beautiful silk wall hanging.

I'm very glad I finally went to India, otherwise I would have missed experiencing a country like no other.  In fact, I would like to return some day to visit the southern part of the country, and of course buy some more fabric.

BY LAND OR BY SEA PHOTOS & BLOG

CRUISING

OVERSEAS ADVENTURE TRAVEL (OAT) TRIPS

BY LAND OR BY SEA

If you've been reading several of my blog entries you know that I absolutely love seeing the world while traveling with the small group adventure company, Overseas Adventure Travel.  And hands down my favorite countries have been those less-developed, (sometimes referred to as third world) countries.  But I will also say cruising has its merits too, and I enjoy traveling that way as well.

LAND ADVENTURES 

There is a definite thrill about landing in another country, walking through the airport, and seeing the local people waiting for the arrival of relatives and knowing I am on another new adventure.  The less-developed countries present challenges that are so far removed from my normal comfort zone.  But for some strange reason deep inside I really dig the adrenaline rush I feel with each new challenge.  Luckily my husband and I share this same addiction to push ourselves far outside of our comfort zone.

My very first international trip was to Peru, and 14 years later I can still feel the excitement of being in a country so vastly different from what I was familiar with.  The thrill of stepping foot on foreign soil has never left me, no matter which country I happen to be in.

My tolerance/endurance has been tested so many times over the years; yet somehow I continue to crave the out-of-my-comfort zone travels. My first make-it or break-it experience happened on that first trip to Peru after flying over the breathtaking snow-covered Andes mountains from Lima to Cusco.  I was so sick with altitude sickness shortly after we boarded a small bus and began driving on winding roads through the mountains. (The humorous story of this experience will be in another blog entry soon).

I could have told my husband that's it, I will never take another trip like that again.  But that's not what happened.  After the trip was over and we were back in our comfortable life at home I couldn't wait to decide where to travel to next.  Oh yes, I was hooked big time with the travel bug!

SEA ADVENTURES

My first shipboard experience was in 1997 when my husband and I and a group of friends did a cruise around the Hawaiian islands on an old wooden ship called the American Independence.  The passengers numbered about a couple hundred.  We were much younger then and the party atmosphere was just what we wanted.

Our cruise experience has changed a lot since then, but the feeling of being at sea continues to be most pleasurable.  On long sea days I can stay as busy or as lazy as I want.  There's a gym to work out in, lectures to attend, and cooking demonstrations or classes too.  A lounge chair by the pool or on my own veranda may also be my choice.

For the most part the ports I've visited have been interesting to see.  Of course there have been some that don't have much to offer, but luckily they are few and far between.  I know there is no comparison between just visiting a port city in a foreign country for a few hours and actually staying in the country, eating the food, interacting with the people, and being immersed in the culture.

But for myself, some places in the world don't need an in-depth-up-close-and-personal visit.  A few hours is all that is necessary.  And perhaps if I really like it there I may decide to return someday to stay for awhile.

TWO SIDES 

As I've said earlier, my adventure travel is a real adrenaline high for me.  Each day is a new and exciting discovery of people, places, and cultural surprises.  I especially like the casualness of the whole experience.  I can be as no-frills as I want; after all, it is adventure travel.  Hair in a pony tail, sun hat, no makeup, comfortable travel clothes, and off I go.

The opposite end of the spectrum is the cruising life.  Casual, comfortable during the day, especially on sea days.  Shorts, tee shirt, flip flops, ball cap, easy.  But nighttime on board is a special time.  In Southern California where I live the lifestyle in general is quite laid back and casual, with "dressing up" occasions few and far between.  On board the ship at night I get to wear my "dressier" clothes, lovely jewelry, and feel extra special.

Nighttime means fine dining which is always elegant, then attending a performance by a world-class entertainer in the main showroom.  After that I may listen to classical music performed by a string quartet, or tunes played at the piano bar.  Ballroom dancing is a thing of the past.  It has been replaced with rock and roll and blues music at B.B. King Blues Nightclub from Memphis, my favorite place for dancing.

This is what my life aboard a cruise ship is all about.  Quite the opposite of an adventure travel day, though each are enjoyable and special in their own way.

IN CONCLUSION

I've heard people say, "I would NEVER take a cruise, or I would NEVER take a land tour.  Different strokes for different folks.  I happen to thoroughly enjoy both types of travel, and I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I do.

No matter where we go or how we choose to travel there, each trip is a new adventure of one kind or another.  Some are quite difficult and challenging, some are quite comfortable and easy.  I am so glad that my first international experience to Peru didn't frighten me away from continuing to venture into unknown territory time and time again. What's gained from seeing the world we live in is immeasurable in ways too numerous to count.