How do I give justice to this experience? Incredible India, as it's referred to, is indeed just that. So here is my attempt...

Incredible India
A place of polluted skies against blood orange sunsets
Where dark brown skin meets ruby red saris.

A place of white-toothed smiles against hungry mouths
Where rats crawl out of toilets and the red clay earth meets the soft blue sea.

A place of golden temples, of ancient temples, and orange-draped sadus who watch with soulful eyes
Where the deafening horns of buses meet the sweet stillness of meditative caves.

Where smells of urine and trash collide against jasmine-flowered hair
And spices hit the tongue and tantalize the belly, and warm chai sweetens the taste buds.

A place where coconut chutney slips through your fingers, and papaya juice drips down your chin
And school-bus yellow tuk-tuk's meet lime green rice patties across the countryside.

Where privilege coats your skin and guilt fills your pores, as poverty pulls you by the hand
And hospitality rolls out the yoga mat, to a wedding where beautiful children dance with the melodic drums.

Where cows meet monkeys and elephants bonk you on the head
And gurus walk the ashrams, and mothers give hugs.

A place where three determined women take a bus to Goddess knows where
And eventually find their way to surrender, holding one another's presence, in frustration, laughter, discomfort, and awe.

Incredible India, beautiful India
A land of contrast
A land of juxtaposition
A land of layer, after layer, after layer
Whispering it's secrets
Flooding my senses
And once again, beckoning me back for more.