06/24/14 - 6/28/14: Varansi, Uttar Pradesh, India

It was 2am and people were strewn about the train platform sleeping in various positions. Delays had fouled up everyone’s itinerary and people were catnapping where they could. Our group hunkered down on a platform overpass, some lying against their luggage, others nodding off on one another. Aura paced and waited and made sure strangers left us alone. As usual, even at 2am, a series of Indian men had slowly gathered at the top of the stairs to observe us.

06/22/14 - 6/24/14: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Agra is destination #1 for nearly every tourist in India. Not because the city is impressive or unique (on the contrary, it seemed much like everywhere else we’d visited), but because it is home to one of the most breathtaking structures in the world, the Taj Mahal. We were enthusiastic about finally witnessing this world wonder in person.

06/20/14 - 6/21/14: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan, and when Aura pulled us into the heart of the city we found it flowing with the endless energy of all who inhabit it. We climbed to the top of a Hindu temple and watched the wheel of life whirling below us; a hectic rotary spanning our view hosting cars, buses, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, bicycles, push carts, camels, and the occasional elephant. It was organized chaos. Everything seemed to work in spite of the odds.

06/16/14 - 6/20/14: Udaipur to Pushkar, Rajasthan, India

Udaipur is known as the “City of Lakes” which is why I noticed a touch of dampness to the normally desiccated air when we arrived. The numerous man-made lakes surrounding the city create a more mediterranean feel, which may be why Udaipur is also known as the most romantic city in India. Well, it’s either that or the gorgeous City Palace that graces the city’s skyline. Either way, I was definitely enjoying a new, refreshing feeling as Aura led us toward the palace lights.

06/15/14 - 6/16/14: Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India

Katie and I arrived in the lobby the next morning at 4:47am. The wobbly concept of time I’d witnessed in India meant I didn’t think twice about being two minutes late for our meet-up. Well, I was dead wrong! Aura gave everyone a talking-to about the importance of punctuality later that day and we made sure to be early to everything from that point forward.

06/13/14 - 6/14/14: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

We’d expected hot, dusty, packed and uncomfortable for our train ride to Jaisalmer. It actually turned out to be an unexpectedly pleasant ride. Sure, it wasn't air conditioned, but with every window open we were able to stay decently cool because of the constant air flow. It was also far from packed, allowing us to spread out and move around. The trip went by quickly because we kept ourselves entertained with memory games, card games, and Aura did a few magic tricks for us.

06/11/14 - 6/12/14: Bikaner, Rajasthan, India

The layout of a sleeper train car is very economical. During the day an area for six passengers has two benches facing one another with a padded backrest. Overhead there’s a rack to put your bags on. When night falls the backrest swings up to become a bed and the upper rack, which is also padded, becomes a third bed. And just like that you’ve got six “bunk beds” ready for a good night’s sleep.

06/08/14 - 6/11/14: Delhi, India

Our flight from Hanoi to Delhi was delayed for many hours. I spent that time snacking on free mini samosas and mentally preparing for India. By all accounts, India is a country of extremes. Everything we’d experienced in South East Asia was about to be amped up to 11. The heat. The poverty. The food and water safety. The culture shock. As one acquaintance put it, India will be the hardest trip of your life, and possibly the most rewarding. We were about to find out.