Indian Excursionist: Incredible India

Showing posts with label Incredible India. Show all posts

"We all struggle. Whether it be mental illness, losing a loved one, an obstacle at work or simply a run of bad luck. We've all been there. "

Traveling helps you overcome any disease. Although, it may not completely cure you, it can reduce the pain and inspire you to live in peace. This post is about a traveler from San Clemente, California who was cured of an eating disorder as a result of traveling.

My name is Carly Gascoigne. Originally from San Clemente, California. Traveling saved me from an eating disorder I battled for over four years. It started as a medical issue which slowly progressed into a strained relationship with food. At first I was anorexic, but then turned bulimic where I spent many years binging and purging on any food I could get my hands on. My friends and family had an intervention and I went to a live in rehabilitation center for three months. I thought I was in a better place than the others at the facility and convinced myself and others I was fine, but I was still acting upon my urges.

I have followed the American societal norms my whole life, attending San Diego State University directly after graduating as a Valedictorian of my high school. I was hired as an Inside Sales Consultant in pharmaceutical sales immediately following graduation. I started climbing the corporate ladder, going above and beyond expectations to gain a promotion and once promoted my work became my life.

Girls standing at the entrance of the architectural beautiful design

It wasn’t until March 19, 2015 the proverbial rug was ripped out from under me. Due to an acquisition, I was laid off and my territory had been dissolved. I didn’t know how to react. The life I knew was suddenly disappearing before my eyes. I attended a yoga class and decided to buy a one way ticket to Europe. Originally I was supposed to be gone for a couple months, but it turned into almost three years.

I know you’re probably thinking, "I can’t just pick up and leave like that, she had everything fall into place." Yes, I didn’t have anything specific tying me to California anymore, but I could have easily just slipped into another career, got another apartment and went on with my days in San Jose. That's what was expected of me anyways. It might sound like everything fell into place and it was an easy transition, but to tell you the truth I struggled. I was 24 and lost.

You always hear the cliche sayings, “traveling changed me” and “I am a different person now”, trust me, I thought it was all just talk too. I didn’t know that this trip would have such an incredible impact on my life. It challenged all of my boundaries and forced me to get to know myself. It taught me about different cultures and allowed me to explore beautiful countries all whilst saving my life from an eating disorder. It forced me out of the California bubble and the American mindset and expectations that I had always be constrained to. It taught me to not care if I had makeup on or if I was having a bad hair day.

In the past three years I have traveled to 30 different countries. It hasn’t been all rainbows and butterflies, but it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. Traveling isn’t easy at times… It can be exhausting and heartbreaking, nonetheless humbling and liberating. Falling in love with people and places around the world and then having to leave them behind.

I wouldn’t be who I am today without my traveling experience. Traveling allowed me to fall in love with life again. I fell in love with myself. I fell in love with the world. Learning to communicate with people from all backgrounds is valuable experience that will allow me to be a better person day in and day out.

My site www.gingergypsea.com depicts all of the places I have been lucky enough to visit along with personal stories and uncomfortable topics that no one really talks about. I hope my site encourages people to challenge their comfort zones and travel to places they always dreamed of visiting. I hope it reminds everyone that even in the darkest of times they are never alone. Travel will change you for the better and might even save your life.

Shoutout for this amazing travel blogger who got healed from her eating disorder by traveling. For more such inspiring stories checkout the Travel-Tips section.

Apart from being tagged as “Diamond City”, “Silk City”, “Clean City”, awarded the “Best City”, Surat is also known for its amazing food and the way they enjoy it. There is an old saying that says, “Surat Nu Jaman Ne Kaashi Nu Maran” which means dine in Surat and die in Kaashi for the ultimate experience of the soul. The variety of Street foods in Surat will amaze you.

The yummy Khaman to Khamani, the buttery Paranthas with more than 100 varieties and similar number in varieties of Dhosa to even Dabeli, the array of chats from Delhi and Rajasthan, the variety of Handvos it has all.

But what doubles the joy of savouring food here is a unique culture that exists nowhere but in Surat. There is an area in Piplod where the footpath is lined with several hawkers with their menus just as in Restaurants. They spread Carpet on the footpath where people either order food or bring their own and enjoy it on the roadside amidst the shiny lights of Malls and cars zipping past.

If you are visiting Surat, this is definitely not a miss. From variety in almost all the dishes you will also find some unique platters.

1. Locha

It is a dish that got invented by mistake while making a normal Khaman due to a messed up consistency and hence got this name “Locha”. But it surprisingly tastes so good that it contradicts its own name.


Source : http://ribbonstopastas.com/recipe/locho/

The best part of Surat’s street food is you have variety in every single dish. Like in Locha, you can have Cheese Roll Locha, Schezwan Locha, Italian Locha etc.

Probably all possible Surti-Western combo you can ever imagine!

2. Ponk Vadas

The reason I wait for winters is this. Again a dish that Surat has the monopoly over. This perfectly crisp Jowar grain fritters are just irresistible. Ponk vadas are served with spicy Sev (Vermicelli) and Green Chutney.

Source : http://www.stutisfoodconnect.com/2014/12/24/ponk-vada-tender-jowar-grains-fritters/

3. Ghari

A sweet dish, dipped in Ghee and stuffed with Dry fruits though full of calories, not all can resist. Ghari is made on the special day of Chandi Padwa wherein, Ghari worth of millions is relished by Suratis. Truly deserves to be in Guinness book of world record!

Source : http://suratikhajansweets.com/Sweets.aspx

4. Surti Sev Khamni

“Khamani” the name sounds as a better half of Khaman. Khamni is a dish with Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram) as the key ingredient with a unique combination of Garlic, Ginger, Chillies with Sugar that will definitely tickle your taste buds.

Source : http://www.gujaratirecipes.in/surti-sev-khamani/

5. Collegian

Every college student has it in their snacks list. It is a kind of a chat with Peanuts as main ingredient. And as like any other Surti Dishes it is also garnished with Sev.

6. Sosyo

Did you know this is the first ever Indian soft drink? When Gandhiji called for a ban of imported products under the Swadeshi movement, Mohsin Abdul Rahim Hajoori introduced an Indian variant in 1927. The taste was described as ‘the perfect mix of whiskey, rum and soda’ and was called ‘Whisky No’.


Source : https://redscarabtravelandmedia.wordpress.com/tag/surti-12-handi/

Later the apple and grape cider was named ‘Socio’ which eventually became Sosyo!

Each year, over 50 million bottles are consumed, mainly in Gujarat and Maharashtra and even exported as far as UAE, South Africa, New Zealand, UK and USA.

7. Rassawala Khaman Dhokla

Nothing can replace the satisfaction of devouring this tangy and spicy treat. Again a new version of Khaman.