Indian Excursionist

"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.

An old man singing Rajasthani Folk Songs

Rajasthan is a treat for the senses, an alluring kaleidoscope of rich culture, history and colorful people. With its beautiful artisans and their works, Rajasthan is also an amazing destination for the one who loves handicrafts. From the traditional Bandhani to the age-old mind-boggling stone carvings of the Jain temples. Since time immemorial, reams have been written about the desert land, its flamboyant royalty and mighty wars – but it is not until you actually experience Rajasthan for yourself that you understand it all. So we decided to utilize our precious weekend and travel and there we were in the Golden City of India, Jaisalmer.

View of the city from a window at the Fort of Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. With its vast desert and age-old history, it mesmerizes every traveler. A city in between the ocean of the desert has a picturesque view.

A city with lots of architecture which will take you to the 16th century. A sane mind of the 21st century would go insane after experiencing such rich artwork in buildings of ancient Jain temples, grand forts, and houses. If you are visiting Jaisalmer, my personal advice would be to visit every temple in the city and Patwa Haveli to have a feel of the intelligent yet artistic architecture of Jaisalmer or Rajasthan for that matter.

Artistic architecture at the Jain Temple inside the Jaisalmer Fort

After visiting these architectural epics, we now headed to the most visited spot in Jaisalmer, Sam Sand dunes. Sunsets and sunrises are like ATM to the photographers and travelers. It is said that if you want to experience the true nature of a destination, you have to encounter the sunset and sunrise of that place. You will lose track of time when you will encounter the surrealistic colors and transition of the colors during sunset.

Sam Sand dunes

A camel driver at the Sam Sand dunes, Jaisalmer

#IncredibleIndia

Next day we visited the Gadisar Lake. The Gadisar Lake in the city of Jaisalmer is one of the prime tourist attractions. Originally conceived as a water conservation tank to fulfill the water requirements of this arid city, by the then Maharaja of Jaisalmer, Maharwal Gadsi Singh, around the year 1400 AD. Being of such paramount importance, it is perhaps natural to find many shrines and temples dotting the precincts of the lake that has with time become spots of pilgrimage.

Shrines at the Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer

Finally we visited the fort and the museum. Although if you are fond of old artifacts like guns, shields, arrows, the royal bed where the Maharaja used to sleep etc. then you should visit the museum, else you could just enjoy the local ambiance of the fort, with age old houses and talking to the local masses. As we already have seen a lot of museums in the past we were not eager to spend our valuable time there, instead, we explored the city on foot and found some of the best spots to spend some quality time and find peace after a long day.

A view from a window at the Grand Fort of Jaisalmer

#IncredibleIndia

We ended our journey by visiting the windmills as I never saw a windmill in my entire life for real and as there were hundreds of them in Jaisalmar I couldn't resist myself. And I must say that it was a right decision to see those grand modern machines which are beautiful and useful at the same time.

Jaisalmer may be the quintessential desert town, but it there’s more to it than just that. Resplendent with lakes, some perennial, others sporadic, Jaisalmer has its share of parks, museums, shops,eateries and places catering to different interests.

Buddha Statue at city center, Colombo, Sri Lanka

It has become a tradition in India, newly wedded couples are bound to discuss their honeymoon plans with everyone. Discarding the suggestions of others of going to Bali, Maldives, Kerala, Paris, Thailand, etc. I chose to visit the less explored country, Sri Lanka. Everyone said, "Why Sri Lanka?". This post is meant to be an answer to everyone who were surprised.

P.S. Never decide your travel destinations, or any important decisions of life, solely on the suggestions of others. I would rather suggest Listen, Think and then Decide.

So, I chose Sri Lanka for multiple reasons. Firstly, it was not going to be crowded as other destinations, because 'as per tradition' everyone were going to the places mentioned above.Secondly, it is a pocket-friendly country with countless beautiful places. Thirdly, we were able to cover almost every terrain, from beaches to mountain and from a heritage city to a completely modern city Colombo also the capital.

This is what our itinerary looked like :

Day 1 : Kandy

Day 2 & 3 : Nuwara Eliya

Day 4 & 5 : Bentota

Day 6 & 7 : Colombo

Kandy:

Kandy is declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.Although, I did not find anything worth in the city as a whole. If you are going for a peaceful holiday then you could spend one day here. There is not much to see here, except for Temple of Scared tooth relic (which we skipped on purpose), Kandy Lake, Upper Lake drive and on the way from Colombo you should visit Pinnawala Elephant orphanage. It felt like a normal city, I don't know why it has been declared world heritage site.Still, we managed to spend our day here resting at the river facing hotel.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Sri Lanka


View from Ganga Addara Hotel, Sri Lanka

Kandy Lake as seen from the Upper Lake Drive, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Kandy Upper Lake Drive, Sri Lanka

Nuwara Eliya:

Nuwara Eliya is also called 'Little England' of Sri Lanka. The name suits perfectly. This town has the charms, with cottages and houses that were designed for the British for their Holidays. The houses and the view gives you a glimpse of English towns.The climate here is completely different from most other parts of Sri Lanka. A day or two is enough for this cute little hill town. A visit to Ramboda falls is must if you are here.You should travel to Nuwara Eliya by train as it offers a scenic view as recommended by most of the travelers. But we already had a van booked, so we drove from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.If you follow the greatest indian epic 'Ramayana', you are at the right place. The famous Ashok Vatika, where Sita, wife of Lord Rama was captured by the evil Ravana, is in Nuwara. This place is now a temple called Seetha Amman Temple.

Ramboda Falls is 109 m high and is one of the highest water fall in #srilanka. It ranks 729, in worlds highest water falls. Ramboda comes on the way to Nuwara Eliya from Kandy. The sight is really soothing from a distant view. But as we move closer to the falls, it becomes fierce and deadly.A must visit place when you are in #Lanka. #waterfall #indianexcursionist #wanderlust #travel #bloggerslife #travelblog #srilankatourism #srilankanairlines #rambodafalls #nuwaraeliya #littleengland #kandy #wanderer #excursion #photography #travelphotography #exploresrilanka #shotononeplus #globetrotter #follow #followforfollow @cntraveler @malindoair @natgeotravel @srilankanairlinesofficial @indiantravelers @srilankantourism @ig_srilanka @cntravelerspain

A post shared by Nitin Bothra (@indian.excursionist) on Dec 19, 2017 at 6:45pm PST

Foggy view from Villa de Roshe in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

View from Villa de Roshe Hotel in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Bentota:

We left at midnight for Bentota in our cab, as there was nothing left to see in Nuwara Eliya, due to rains.We already had booked a beach side resort Earl's Reef Beruwala. And we still can't stop praising ourselves for booking it. During our visit to Sri Lanka, the country got hit by cyclone Okhi which ruined most of our city tour. Although, we were blessed by the Sun at Bentota. And this was the best place in the whole of our trip. Good food, beautiful beaches, and most of all an amazing weather. A river safari in the river Madu should not be missed if you are here.

Earl's Reef Beruwala, Bentota, Sri Lanka

Sea view and a provate beach at Earl's Reef Beruwala

Bentota Beach, Sri Lanka

Madu River Safari, Bentota, Sri Lanka

Colombo:

We then reached the captial city of Sri Lanka, Colombo.Due to heavy rains and the cyclone we were able to visit Colombo only one day. In which we covered a few city sites and did some shopping at a nearby mall Liberty Plaza. But, the hotel location provided us with the scenic view of Colombo. Unfortunately, we couldn't go to any casino or bar due to rains.Colombo seemed a bit dull during the night compared to other capitals of the world, this surprised me. Either I chose the wrong curb of the city or the city had no nightlife on roads.

Independence Square, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Galle Face Green, Colombo, Sri Lanka

St. Lucia's cathedrial is a peaceful place.

St. Lucia's Cathedral, Colombo, Sri Lanka

In my trip I experience the tranquility and the scenic beauty of nature. The mountains, the beaches and the beautiful towns around rejuvenated me. So, if you are planning for a holiday which is more of relaxing type than Sri Lanka is a place to be.

For more interesting travel tips and information about new destinations , you can follow Indian Excursionist.

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Every traveler, be it a backpacker, a shoestring traveler, a tourist, or a rich traveler, research about the money they are going to spend during their journey. The other thing that comes to mind is, how the hard currency is to be kept safely. Wallet is an essential part of our day to day lives and so it is equally important while traveling. Keeping a bulky, fat wallet will always be risky and will surely allure the pickpockets. So, when I was planning for Sri Lanka, I researched about a slim wallet and purchased one from Urby.

Anything I spend money on, I definitely ensure the quality of the product is good enough and its something that suits my personal style.And slim wallet from URBY fulfills my requirements.

Urby is a direct-to-consumer, lifestyle and travel accessories brand. They design and manufacture essentials for an urban lifestyle using the most premium materials and finest craftsmanship. You can also check their wide range of men's wallet, women wallets, card cases.......and many more.

A wallet is undeniably a thing without which you can't step out (other than your cell phone).So, it must be one of a kind and URBY designs each wallet keeping their customers in mind.I explored the range of leather wallets on their online website and really liked the quality and design of the wallet that I ordered.

I have been using it for a month now. I like the smooth feel of the genuine leather. Also, they add the personal touch with your name imprinted on it. Moreover, all the luxe essential lifestyle products from the brand come in revolutionary prices. So, you need not have to check your pocket twice before ordering the product.Plus, they claim to offer a collection of the finest quality of handcrafted wallets with the best leather possible which comes in both, full grain and smooth finishes.Also, I liked the idea of gifting the customized wallet. Isn't it cool?

Explore the range of their wallets and find the most perfect for you.

Let me know in the comment section below how did you liked it.

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.

Source : http://aapplemint.com/2011/06/01/from-the-streets-of-surat-rassawalla-khaman-dhokla/

So if you are are a foodie and ever plan to visit Surat then don’t forget to taste the Street foods in Surat.

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