Departure. Reflections on India

Even on the night of departure, India had one last surprise in store.

The only three-wheeled auto-rickshaw I manage to flag down on the main road is already loaded with a towering stack of newspaper bundles. Still, they squeeze me in beside the pile. Curious, I wait to see where the newspapers are headed.

We soon stop at a large gate guarded by security staff, who inspect both the delivery and — somewhat amused — me. The gate opens, and the newspapers are unloaded at a luxury hotel. Fresh headlines delivered before dawn. India in a nutshell: improvised, crowded, efficient in its own way.

After that, the rickshaw takes me smoothly to the international terminal of the airport — which, I should add, is one of the most beautiful airports I have ever seen. A layover in Istanbul, and before long I’m back in Tallinn.

So what can I say about India, now — three months later?

India was exactly what I expected. Extremely crowded. Extremely chaotic. Often very dirty. Streets filled with people — some working, some resting, some simply surviving. Poverty is visible everywhere, sometimes overwhelming.

And yet, it is also a place where people believe in something greater. Where faith, in many forms, shapes everyday life. Where countless individuals are striving for a better tomorrow. It is a country that still has the potential to go very far.

Anjuna Beach, in the end, grew on me. It was hard to leave. For anyone seeking a beach holiday in a non-commercial, affordable setting — with a touch of youthful nightlife — Anjuna is undoubtedly a strong choice.

But I know I only scratched the surface of India. There is far more to explore — culturally, geographically, spiritually.

For now, though, another country is already waiting.