We’ve been in India for 5 days now- minus one day spent on a coach and one night on a sleeper train. India is quite like how I expected, just, more extreme. Its busy, extremely hot, the poverty is in your face, and a lot of people try to rip you off. On the other hand I’ve had some of the best food I’ve ever eaten, provided by IDEX and our host family. The time we spent at our host family was fantastic, they were hospitable, friendly, amazing cooks and it was good to learn about Indian family life.
 
I stayed with three other girls with a 75 year old granddad whose son, daughter-in-law and grandson also lived in the house. We stayed above the house with our own balcony, which was great to sit out at night. We had a few presentations during the day on Indian culture, development, our placement and the treatment of women. During our free time we got to explore Jaipur, which has some beautiful features. We saw the Amber Fort, which was quite stunning- and we went on an elephant ride! We went to lots of temples, including one made out of marble, which was amazing, and a gorgeous intricate pink honeycombed temple. We also went up a 140m temple which had great views of Jaipur- which looks like a cramped, colorful Lego brick city! We also visited a five star hotel, where the first wife of the king lives. This really showed the massive gap between the rich and poor. The Ramgagh Palace was so well kept and pretty, then when we got rickshaw home, kids come to the side and beg for money. We experienced luxury and the shock of poverty within a few minute, and meters.
 
It was sad to be leaving Jaipur, as there’s so much to see and do, and I really enjoyed staying at the host family. Out train was about an hour late- on time in India- and took about 13 hours. If Jaipur was hot, I don’t know how to describe Jaisalmer! Our camp is pretty cool, lots of huts and buildings. I’m sharing with seven other girls. The desert is pretty desolate, but the nights sky is great. We’re all getting settled in and getting ready to do some hard work.
 
First impressions of India are that I already want to come back, and I haven’t even left yet! I’m with some brilliant volunteers, and everyone has been so friendly to us. Looking forward to exploring more, and working in the local community!