If you’re heading out on a long trip and wondering what actually earns its place in your pack, here’s what worked for me—and what I’d bring if I had to start from scratch.
Friend: 3 monthes!!!!! 3 Countries! Are you bringing the whole closet? When I packed for 75 days in Southeast Asia—with plans for an Indian and Thai summer plus trekking in Nepal—my goal was to bring a solid foundation of quality items I could build on with local purchases. The idea was to stay adaptable across …
Before heading to India, I struggled to find clear, reliable numbers on daily travel costs—so I’m sharing my full expense breakdown to help you plan with confidence. I spent 28 days exploring India with a planned budget of $2,250 and ended up spending just $1,452, including accommodation, food, transportation, activities, visa, and insurance. Daily basics …
Read more “One Month in India: How Much will Basic Needs Cost you?”
“In the West, we build apps to avoid discomfort. In India, they build temples to bear it beautifully.” -N.E.U.H India Trip Report India is in the rearview mirror.  As that frenetic chapter of this Noble Expedition to Understand Humanity (and eat more than one kind of curry) closes, I’m struck by the brilliance of a society …
Read more “India: It’s Not Relief from Suffering, Just Better Reasons for It.”
My Internal Critic:  Yea, this article is Sh*t. Yes. Welcome to Notes from the Road: India Unfiltered. My goal in this series is to not try so hard. Expect more stream of conscious blogging, and less editing. I may lose you and I will cringe before hitting Publish, but writing helps me clarify the experiences. …
Read more “Crossroads in Agra: Heat, Horizons, and the Art of Choosing”
My Inner Critic: “Yeah… this article is shit.” Welcome to Notes from the Road—a travel series where I try not to try so hard. This will be more stream-of-consciousness than crafted narrative. Less editing, more honesty. I’ll definitely lose most of you, and I’ll probably cringe before hitting publish, but I’m hoping it helps me …
My Inner Critic: “Yeah… this article is shit.” Welcome to Notes from the Road—a travel series where I try not to try so hard. This will be more stream-of-consciousness than crafted narrative. Less editing, more honesty. I’ll definitely lose most of you, and I’ll probably cringe before hitting publish, but I’m hoping it helps me …
Read more “Night Train to Rajasthan: Dramamine, Stepwells, and Desert Survival”
My Internal Critic: Yeah… this article is sh*t.” Yea. Okay. That’s Fair. Welcome to Notes from the Road—a travel series where I try not to try so hard. This will be more stream-of-consciousness than crafted narrative. Less editing, more honesty. I’ll definitely lose most of you, and I’ll probably cringe before hitting publish, but I’m …
A first-timer’s guide to navigating one of Old Delhi’s most overwhelming neighborhoods—with humor, honesty, and a few bruises. Pahar Ganj Pahar Ganj is a bustling, chaotic neighborhood located just west of New Delhi Railway Station. Known for its budget hotels, backpacker hostels, street food, and markets, it’s often the first stop for travelers arriving in …
Read more “How to Walk Through Pahar Ganj Without Losing Your Mind”
There’s no easing into Delhi.You leave the airport, and the city grabs you by the collar, yells something in Hindi, and throws you into traffic. After a 12-hour flight from New York City, I landed at 11 a.m., buzzing with adrenaline. The thrill of arriving in a new country gave me just enough energy to …
Read more “First Time in India? Here’s What Delhi Teaches You Immediately”
The gap is tight. Too tight. I’d never go for it. He won’t.—Oh $^@#! He will.   I’m clenching the rear of the motorcycle with white knuckles as the poor thing labors to carry us along the shoulder and the rough edge of the road fights to push the bike off the road. The driver keeps …
The Indian food tour began somewhere above Greenland at 37,000 feet.My tray table became the first stage of a culinary adventure—one that began not in Delhi’s crowded markets, but in a metal tube hurtling across the Atlantic. With three meals spaced over the flight, each one brought its own take on India’s regional flavors, and …
Read more “India Food Journal: Paneer at 37,000 Feet and Other Choices I Regret”
On Friday, I flew to LAX Airport in California, where, after scraping a morsel of sleep off the Airport floor, I could not board my flight to Hong Kong due to an incomplete Visa for India. OUCH. Rather than remaining a vagrant of LAX Airport, I caught a bus south to San Diego to stay …