Victory!

Traveling is great, but coming home is always a pleasure. In the 5 weeks I have spent in crazy India, my patience has been tested thoroughly. I have waited. Waited at airports, in queues for all sorts of tickets, for people to show up, for meals to be served, for change to be returned, for riksjaw drivers to be done chatting to their collegues and for crossing the street without getting killed. It's a good thing I had some time to spend.

It has taken me a little time to surrender to India. But when I did and stopped comparing, it was pretty amazing. As I expected I have been shocked by poverty and slums, I have been delighted by foods and smiles, I have been amazed by Indian kindness, their cutting-in-line-techniques and by how unorganized things seem and yet it works somehow. I have been annoyed by stares and the endless bargaining. I have been inspired by overwhelming nature and incredible architecture. 

I have met a wonderful variety of people, from a French widow to a concerned Indian mother and from hilarious Austrian guys to an all American entrepreneur. I came to India with 10 kilo in my backpack. And then the airport scale was telling me that I have bought at least 5 kilos worth of souvenirs. But the experience I have brought home weighs much more than that. 

I have traveled India solo and I did so without the expected Delhi Belly, I say victory!

And of course, Stoffer + Blik is up and running again! It's good to be back.