There is so much to see and do in India. But what comes to mind when you're planning your vacation. For me it is seeing the snake tamers, looking at scorpions on a stick, or seeing some other insect on a stick. I also think of Buddhism and seeing the temples. Every film you see on TV or in the movies seems to have a guy sitting on the ground and playing a flute. The snake slowly starts to come out of the basket. I want to see this when I'm in India. I have to see for myself if this really happens or it is just in the movies. What about you? Have you ever wanted to see this?
What Is The First Thing That Comes To Mind When You Hear India?
- Thread starter Shaka
- Start date
amelia88
Active Member
I would say a few different things come to mind. Good food, bright colors (saris, for instance) and the Taj Mahal. I guess that might be a bit cliché but they are the first things that enter my head when I think India!
I have seen what you refer to about the snake out of the basket - I have no idea if it's true - I always thought it was just a stereotype!
I have seen what you refer to about the snake out of the basket - I have no idea if it's true - I always thought it was just a stereotype!
SolaNova
New Member
I just imagine noise, a lot of noise, people talking among themselves and stall owners are yelling out loud over each other and the traffic trying to get sales. I can also imagine bikes and mopeds carrying more then they really should and young children playing Cricket where ever they can and a plethora of billboard advertising everywhere I go. It might be a stereotypical imagination but thats just what I see.
tabby
Member
I'm afraid my reply to a question on the first thing that comes to mind when I hear of India is a touristy answer: TAJ MAHAL. How can one not think of this? To this date, I can still remember my high school professor telling us the story of how Shah Jahan had this magnificent structure built to house the tomb of his dearly loved wife Mumtaz Mahal. As a teenager then, it had this romantic appeal to me. So yeah, I hope I will have that opportunity to see the Taj myself. Next to that will have to be Mahatma Gandhi. I'd like to see the places he'd been.
amelia88
Active Member
I think that happens to a lot of us - we think of the touristy answer! I think a lot of the time that's pretty natural - when I think of Australia, I think of the Sydney Opera House, when I think of England I think of Big Ben and Stonehenge, when I think of France I think of the Eiffel Tower, when I think of Italy I think of the Leaning Tower of Pisa - so I am sure a lot of us go straight to the Taj Mahal for that very reason when we think of India! It was absolutely one of the first things that I thought of!
tabby
Member
Haha, you're quite right. Although I will make an exception when asked about the U.S. If people would go for New York for the Statue of Liberty or for Central Park, I definitely would have a different answer. Of course, I'd still want to see those places and experience Broadway, but if I'm asked what first things come to mind when I hear the US - it will have to be Springfield, Illinois. I don't know if the Lincolns' family cabin is still there or not, but I definitely would want to see it. I'm from the PH, but I truly like Abraham Lincoln! (Of course, I'd have to see next the Lincoln Memorial).I think that happens to a lot of us - we think of the touristy answer! I think a lot of the time that's pretty natural - when I think of Australia, I think of the Sydney Opera House, when I think of England I think of Big Ben and Stonehenge, when I think of France I think of the Eiffel Tower, when I think of Italy I think of the Leaning Tower of Pisa - so I am sure a lot of us go straight to the Taj Mahal for that very reason when we think of India! It was absolutely one of the first things that I thought of!
I agree, culture and temples intrigues me and would be my first reason for visiting India. I love to see how other cultures live their day to day lives and see how they celebrate special days. Scenery is always a plus when I vacation. There is nothing like seeing a full landscape of untouched beauty when you come from a city full of people and very little in the way of quiet, clean land.
K
Kira
Guest
I think of hot desert, and long white clothing that reflects the heat. I also think of the cold and snowy mountains of Nepal. Such vast climate differences intrigue me. And of course I think of the Taj Mahal. I would love to see this structure in person.
Debapriya Deb
Active Member
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of India is a 5 feet 5 inches stature, wearing the tri-color in his head-gear (and heart), carrying the hopes of a billion on his strong shoulders - that's Sachin Tendulkar for you.
May be my thinking is a bit different because I am a sportsman by heart, but for me it has always been this way. Argentina - Diego Maradona, Switzerland - Roger Federar and Germany - Steffi Graf!
Regards,
Deb
May be my thinking is a bit different because I am a sportsman by heart, but for me it has always been this way. Argentina - Diego Maradona, Switzerland - Roger Federar and Germany - Steffi Graf!
Regards,
Deb
Snakes are just a small part of India. What I think of most is the beautiful culture, people, and places to visit. India is full of history and beautiful temples to visit. I also think of the wonderful smells, noise, and traditional dress people wear. The bright color, smells, and local street markets.
arthnel
Member
First thing thing that comes to my mind is Diwali - The Festival of Lights. It comes to mind mainly because my first travel to India was with an Indian friend of mine living in the US. We had regular visits to Diwali celebrations in the US before he decided it time to take a trip to his homeland. I also love the music, culture and colors so these also readily come to mind when I think of India.
arthnel
Member
While every country has their own culture and colors and smells and noises as laid out by @Sheba, India stands out because they somehow make all these traits seem much more alive than most cultures do. The language itself is so colorful and seems to blend in everything like food, music, dress, temples, landscape and all into that kind of flamboyant, 'musical' way of life.
Rezonate
Member
Of course India is full of culture and full of places to see and do but the very first thing i think of when I hear India is the Taj mahal. Its seen in many movies and very famous i have seen pictures of it from other family members past visits to india and hope to see it in person one day for myself
rz3300
Member
Well I know that I should say culture and history and all of that good stuff, which of course is very important and fascinating to learn about, but when it came to visiting India I could not help but get most excited about the food. I knew going in that it would be a crazy ride full of various spices and different types of meals, and I was certainly impressed with what I saw and what I ate. The sites were good too though.
tri-n-b-helpful
New Member
Strangely enough, the first thing that comes to mind when I think of India is the Cricket! Everyone here is really laid back about the game, but in India it's like a whole other religion! All the people are really passionate about the sport, so I'm thinking to actually go to see a game being played would be quite an experience! I'd like to buy autographed souvenirs when I visit as well - like a bat signed by Mr Tendulkar, for example. I'm also interested to see how they play Backyard Cricket in India and all the different individual funny rules people have developed to suit the terrain and proximity to others, to buildings, etc. Actually, I think I can recall it being referred to as Gully Cricket in India! Some of the rules for this down here may include:
1. One hand, one bounce
2. Six and out (you hit it onto someone else's property; you then need to fetch the ball yourself - but it's a great way to meet the neighbours (unless you break their window or car!).
3. No LBWs
4. Can't get out on the first ball
5. Tippi-Go (you are forced to run if you hit the ball)
6. Magic Wicket Keeper (you can run-out a solo batsman by striking either wicket)
Besides cricket, I think of Bollywood, the Hare Krishna movement, elephants, women in Sari's and a climate that is so hot and humid that it's actually cooler standing outside under a tree than it is inside of a building. And then there is Prime Minister Modi. When he made a short speech in Sydney, thousands from all over the country caught trains, buses and planes just to see him speak! He attracted bigger crowds here than any member of the Royal Family and at a fraction of the price! The man himself isn't as charismatic as President Putin and would not have the financial backing of President Xi Jinping, for example, but what he has done for India on the international stage and how he has stood up to the UN and the West on a number of occasions for the benefit of his people (in fact, all people!) will be fondly remembered for all time.
Finally, I think of the people, their focus on their families, their good, efficient work ethic, their rich culture and lovely accent combined with cute head waggling!
1. One hand, one bounce
2. Six and out (you hit it onto someone else's property; you then need to fetch the ball yourself - but it's a great way to meet the neighbours (unless you break their window or car!).
3. No LBWs
4. Can't get out on the first ball
5. Tippi-Go (you are forced to run if you hit the ball)
6. Magic Wicket Keeper (you can run-out a solo batsman by striking either wicket)
Besides cricket, I think of Bollywood, the Hare Krishna movement, elephants, women in Sari's and a climate that is so hot and humid that it's actually cooler standing outside under a tree than it is inside of a building. And then there is Prime Minister Modi. When he made a short speech in Sydney, thousands from all over the country caught trains, buses and planes just to see him speak! He attracted bigger crowds here than any member of the Royal Family and at a fraction of the price! The man himself isn't as charismatic as President Putin and would not have the financial backing of President Xi Jinping, for example, but what he has done for India on the international stage and how he has stood up to the UN and the West on a number of occasions for the benefit of his people (in fact, all people!) will be fondly remembered for all time.
Finally, I think of the people, their focus on their families, their good, efficient work ethic, their rich culture and lovely accent combined with cute head waggling!
S
swalia
Guest
India has been showed as a country of snake-charmers, superstitions and abject poverty in many Hollywood movies and sadly, even Indian film-makers also portray this side of the country to the West. But India is much beyond that. It is a land of spirituality- of the great mystics and yogis. It is a land of diverse cultures and rich history. It is a land of beautiful temples, exquisite forts and buildings of brilliant architecture. There is definitely much more to see in India than just a snake-charmer!
I think people really watch too much TV. I guess back in the days Hollywood sold a lot of films using snake charmers. It is an interesting hobby but not one I would travel so far to see. If I do run across a few of them while in India, I'm sure I'll stop and watch.