Inspiration comes in many forms. From overhearing a conversation on the street to meeting someone who impacts you (in ways you may not even fully realise or appreciate at the time) to visiting a destination so special you just know you have to try and put your feelings into words and share this with the world. Destination India, the second novel in the Lonely Hearts Travel Club Series (out in digital and paperback on Thursday 2nd June) was most certainly the latter.
I spent time in this incredible, frustrating, heart-achingly beautiful country, and the rollercoaster of emotions that I felt during my stay was nothing like I’d ever experienced anywhere else. From the constant stares of packs of men in the street, seemingly plonked on corners like Sims characters with nothing else to do with their time than follow you around with their unreadable eyes, to the spicy hot food you weren’t entirely sure was going to be safe to eat, to huge hearted and kind spirited strangers wanting to know about your life as much as you were keen to learn about theirs.
India is not a place I’d suggest going if you want a calm, stress-free holiday. However, it is the place to go if you want to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, see the world through a different perspective and leave with a sense of pride that you’re probably a different (and possibly better) version of yourself. How could you NOT be inspired by this?!
You can’t help but feel something by the sights of beggars crawling around the dusty and dirty Delhi pavements or the vulnerable street children begging at the taxi window. You can’t help but feel wide eyed and overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of monuments like the Taj Mahal, the Indian Gate or the Qutab Minar. For many, myself included, a trip to India makes you re-evaluate your life back home; the things you place importance on suddenly feel completely insignificant when you look around at the people, the living situations and the way of life here.
Once I’d decided to set a novel here I wanted to try my hardest not to paint the country in an unrealistic and overly sympathetic way. I wanted to show that travelling through India as a backpacker isn’t a walk in the park especially when trying to tackle the public transport system, or avoid popular tourist scams over there. But I also wanted to show that it is so utterly rewarding when you do get from A to B and can smile about it!
Every country has flaws, some more than others, but then I guess you could say that countries are kind of like people – you can learn to love them because of their less than perfect areas.
I think everyone should get to experience India with their own eyes. But, before you do I hope that my novel Destination India gives you that small taste of what this incredible country can offer – if you’re willing to get stuck in and feel inspired just as I was!
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