I will be perfectly honest. I imagined the Sundarbans to be this massive jungle with swamps filled with crocodiles, snakes and ravenous tigers walking about. I pictured a hybrid between Tarzan, George of the Jungle, and Mighty Joe Young, mind you none of those is set in India. It was a tad bit like The Jungle Book, but I didn’t see a young boy floating down a raft with a giant bear. The Sundarbans, although nothing like I expected, was much needed. We spent the first portion of the day traveling in a bumpy bus; I do apologize because I enjoy alliterations. Then we boarded a boat, much like a yacht but not because we were hard-core trekking through India, and we explored the Sundarbans. It was so breathtaking to be on the boat and to relax while the breeze brushed your face. I’m beginning to sound like Nicholas Sparks, but you get the picture. I forgot how much I loved being on a boat, perhaps because I don’t own a boat and rarely get to fare the sea on one, but still, my heart was so joyful to be on the boat. I feel as though no one in the US knows about the Sundarbans, but you really all should. It almost gets overlooked when seeing all that India has to offer, but there is no place like it. It, for one, is the third largest Mangrove forest in the world, and it holds the Bengal Tigers. No, we didn’t see one because it is quite rare to see a Bengal Tiger, but I know the tiger was there and just didn’t want to make an appearance.
Sundarban actually means “beautiful jungle or beautiful forest”, and that it is. There were vast blankets of green everywhere we looked, and the water was a teal hue. It was such an incredibly peaceful experience, and I certainly felt the need to go on this vacation. We had three tour guides, and they were mostly this hardy group of men that just loved nature, and I found them so wonderful. I can’t imagine going to work and taking people on adventures through the mangroves and crocodiles and such and getting to spend your days in this peaceful and simple oasis. Our hotel was also near a small village, and the people there were so beautiful. We even were able to play cricket with these young boys, and it was an awesome moment. Two worlds so far away and we got to share a game of cricket. I think that’s pretty neat. I also find another calling in India, and I have so many that I may have to narrow down my numerous talents. I can speak to goats. No, really I can. There were these women walking by with all of these goats and this small black goat that the woman was carrying began talking to me. She was making her goat sounds, and I made them back and a beautiful relationship was established. I feel like my goats and my alpacas could get along nicely on my hobby farm.
I just absolutely love that amid the chaos and eccentricity of Kolkata, we were able to take a few days to float down the Sundarbans and admire the beautiful mangroves and various plants that I don’t recall. Something as simple as spending your days on a boat is just lovely. Something about the water requires you to be so present in that moment and it reminded me of why I love India. India calls you to attention in various methods, but through each method you discover something unique about this place. When people think of India they think of yoga, meditation, gurus, elephants, weddings, slums, etc., and I admit that I am guilty of this as well. I only wish that those stereotypes could be shattered, because India is truly so much more. India has figured out something that I don’t think the US has yet. India has figured out how to be present. This is something that I’m still learning, but it is something I know is going to be with me my entire life.
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