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• Wacky Travel Story: A Lift For Two Ladies

  In Culture / By Chris Chopp / 12 September 2012 / 0 comments

  

  This wacky travel story starts with an open face palm pointed to the ground. Then a gentle waving motion up and down, sometimes with only two fingers extended, other times all fingers extended. From the side of the road comes a simple hand gesture which signals to drivers, “Hey, I need a ride”. Hitchhiking is prevalent across India, especially in rural areas where bus service is sporadic and access to [...]

   

• A National Drink For India

  In Culture, Food / By Chris Chopp / 25 April 2012 / 0 comments

  

  Yet another controversy has erupted in India, and for once it doesn’t involve land disputes or religious conflict. At issue is the boastful statement made by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who during a recent visit to Assam, stated tea would be labeled India’s national drink by April 2013. Assam is well known as the heartland of tea production in Northeast India. This declaration isn’t sitting well with [...]

   

• It’s Pronounced Desi Not Desi

  In Culture / By Chris Chopp / 12 April 2012 / 3 comments

  

  Desi- a word which refers to the people, cultures, and products of the Indian subcontinent. One too many times I have been stopped in mid conversation by Indian friends regarding my terrible use of the word Desi. It’s not that I’m using it disparagingly, or that it’s being used in the wrong context. You see, I’m pronouncing the word incorrectly. Every time. Without fail. “Do you want to watch a [...]

   

• 10 Things Western Societies Can Learn From India

  In Culture, Top 10 / By Chris Chopp / 4 April 2012 / 8 comments

  

  India’s way of life may seem desolate to many on the world stage. From inadequate infrastructure to poor sanitary systems, this vast country rich in history as well as natural resources, is often unfairly categorized as a third world country or an emerging superpower. As one travels around the country, from village to village, city to sprawling city, comparisons to developed countries fall away as inspiration from the systems which [...]

   

• Unmarried at Home, Should A Couple Pose as Married in India?

  In Culture / By Chris Chopp / 21 March 2012 / 6 comments

  

  Couples living out of wedlock have slowly crept above the 50% line in many western countries. This is especially true in the youthful 18-35 age range A.K.A. the target audience of India foreign tourism. So it begs to be asked, should an unmarried traveling couple pose as married in India? Indians are no stranger to western culture. Hollywood films play on TV sets, the latest top 40 songs blare over [...]

   

• I’m In the Import Export Business

  In Culture / By Chris Chopp / 12 March 2012 / 3 comments

  

  Part of being a travel writer is having the ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, under nearly any circumstance. Meeting new people on the road is almost as enjoyable as arriving in a new destination. Hearing other people’s thoughts on a landmark you’ve just visited or lending a helping hand to overwhelmed tourists adds a layer of richness you can’t buy in a shop. But there is [...]