Final thoughts on India:

Laura:

I had some ideas of what India might be like but nothing really prepares you for it. And when people ask about what it is like I instantly think of Delhi and touts and hassle and being treated like a bank, beggars and shop owners and rickshaw drivers, all assuming westerners = wealth. Which, to an extent, is true, relatively speaking.

But there is so much more to India and so much that we haven't mentioned, the things that were everyday occurrences for us in India but are actually amazing and astounding for all sorts of reasons. It is truly a country of contraries. The poor and rich live side by side and the conflicting religions that sit as neighbours. The people are either over friendly and love to talk just for fun, or want your money. We met some amazing people and I will continue to be in awe of the way a lot of them live, and at the end of the day, even being hassled, it's just one man trying to make a living.

I will always remember the mental yoga teacher in Varkala making me do a headstand, and the smile of Mr. Spice Homestay in Kochi. And Mr. Dhoti in Varkala who was endlessly sat in one restaurant with his mates, unconcerned about anything and greeting us every morning with the head wobble. And mental Leelu who taught us to cook and shared the woes of employing young boys who don't turn up to work. Everyone smiles and greets us and not once through all the good times or the bad have they ever been rude or dismissive. Eight weeks is not enough to explore half of what India has to offer. Maybe once I'm over the shock, I'll come back. Goodbye India, see you soon.

Sean:

Summing up India is so hard, not much more can be said than it is an amazing place. It has an effect on you whether you like it or not. The poverty is bad and walking past kids that are so thin makes you feel really s***ty, but you have to. The problems are so large and widespread corruption will never change it. I think that it made me realise how lucky we are really. In Mumbai the inequality is shocking, there was an investment bank across the street from the slum where 65% of the population lived, The people were sometimes annoying with ripping us off and pulling us in their shops, but it is sink or swim out here. I would definitely come back, maybe only to Kerala though.

I would recommend it to anyone. But it is bloody hard work.