JOURNAL JOURNAL TRAVEL TRAVEL Anisa Reddy India Hello! I ' m About Me Anisa Reddy I am a journalist. I love pour down my thoughts on so-called unique life journeys here. Being an author sets me free to express myself in the most genuine setup. Now, let's begin to delve in and sink into my world. My Journey TO India India India is vibrant, I could see colours everywhere. Colours in my opinion are describing India as a land of various races, wisdoms, and cultures. I sense the life vigor and I was energized being there. New Delhi per se was a major-adjacent city to India's richness culture and heritage, especially during winter, it's was absolutely pleasant. I feel I'm the most beautiful ever since in New Delhi. I had no trouble being there for 21 days. I love the food as well, like Biryani, Mutton Curry, White Almond, not forget to mention the Chai in the Hyatt Centric Delhi which was uhh no words. In the hustle and bustle of life, sometimes I talked to people there. I met a very very young child who asked money in the street of Delhi. I gave her 100 rupees and I felt deeply heartbroken by the fact that she was very young but she had no choice cause of poverty. She hugged me and said thank you. NEW DELHI Also, when I was at India Gate, I met a young girl, she gave me a card promotes facial and body care. She said I was beautiful in Hindi. Ohh sweet! People there are humble and nice to talk to, more nicer if someone could speak Hindi. On my second day in India, I visited National Memorial and India Gate. Afternoon mood being there, I saw lots of people, even Indians themselves at the India Gate. My picture at India Gate talks more than my words, where sun was at the top of the gate. Ohh blissful memory! "What I love in India is the peaceful atmosphere. Seeing flock of birds flying across the sky was expensive. I could see birds almost everywhere in India. Sometimes they fly close to me. I really love that!" Anisa Reddy OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA Rashtrapati Bhawan (Official Residence of The President of India) was listed in my visits in Delhi too. I explored inside and outside of this big palace. I found many traditional paintings there. Everything there was classical and elegant. Unique designs in every single thing, include the chairs and tables of meeting. I'm some parts, there are wall designs of classical Indian potrait. What I learnt was how to being unique and maintain the tradition. India teaches me to appreciate our culture and tradition and apply then in our practical life. This might be seem little also forgotten, but it is big improvement to create different and unique way of life. I can find beauty everywhere, sometimes in the smallest thing like shoes design. In the street of New Delhi, I found a sweet- loving white dog. I touched its head playfully. I took a beautiful moment which can be found in the photo. This little dog is adorable. Look at its expression! In India, I can see dogs everywhere, whether in the road, in the market, in public places, almost everywhere. What I love is people seem lovable to those dogs. No one in my view, feels irritated with dogs at all. Anisa Reddy Journal DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF AGRA "Agra and its love story are immersed in my mind forever." _________ Taj Mahal, one of seven wonders in the world has always been in my wishlist. Finally that dream came true when I saw the holy white tremendous building in front of my eyes. A giant mausoleum as a symbol of love built by Emperor Shah Jahan. What a wonderful symbol of love and affection from beloved lover. I've never dreamt of seeing Taj Mahal in the newfound perspective before. What I see was popular building that everyone wishes for. No one sees how is the beauty of love emerged from the bottom of the heart and manifested as this giant thing. That's miraculous! Seeing Taj Mahal reminds me of my dream to find a true companionship in life. I wore red salwar kameez as the symbol of romance, completed the beauty of Taj Mahal in my experience. A nyways, what I found there was memorable than I expected to be. I saw purity as the building only has one main color, which is white, my favorite color. Before going to Taj Mahal, first I arrived at a bus station. I explored few shops there, quite pricey. Then I wanted taste an ice cream, I bought a chocolate ice cream for 60 rupees. While enjoying my chocolate ice cream, suddenly a monkey looked into my eyes and grabbed my ice cream quickly. I was shocked and unconsciously gave it to the cute monkey. He then licked my ice cream like nothing was gonna happen. I recorded him in my mobile phone. Everybody was shocked and laughed together. That afternoon turned into somewhat unforgettable experience which will remain stick in my life. After Taj Mahal, I went to Agra Fort, the place where Shah Jahan (the king who built Taj Mahal) was prisoned and died. The story behind this is unbelievable. Shah Jahan kept looking at Taj Mahal to reminisce his wife and their memories. This is too sweet to be true, fortunately it is true. I could see Taj Mahal from this place. But, due to heavy fog in the winter, it was not clear as the other days. How somebody could fall that hard for his lover? In this new sense of era where people could lay things down and move on from one person to the others, this love story would be a single in ten millions. This incredible love story would be an inspiration to youngsters now and in the future. MUMBAI Bombay (old name of Mumbai) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the mega city of India. Huge buildings, luxury mansions, dozens of big malls are there. In Indonesia, Jakarta is the main city and looks like Mumbai, both of them are alpha world cities. While in the street reaching to the hotel, I saw Mukesh Ambani's giant house firmly stood in lines along with many apartments. I saw Amitabh Bachchan house as well because many actors live in this mega city. On the other side, what I saw was people slept in the street, clothes hanged across the road, a 180-degree difference of the luxury side in Mumbai. I may see the beauty of India, but the huge contrast of poor and rich is not pleasing to the eye at all. It is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) formerly named the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India that established a century ago. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is located in the heart of South Mumbai near the Gateway of India. In front of this building, there is a stunning big Buddha's head statue on the ground. The architecture of this building is Indo-Saracenic style, was a revivalist architectural style mostly used by British architects in India. The surroundings look like old British buildings. The collection of the museum is categorised primarily into three sections: art, archaeology and natural history. It is a big museum with huge collection. I spent much time exploring each collection there. That is hurtful while people in the other side are enjoying life to the fullest and these people are suffering to find an adequate living. India is improving drastically, at least should not only focus to the bigger picture, but touches the micro aspect of people's lives. Talk about social life in India, when I took a newspaper in the hotel and I enjoyed reading while in the bus. I found a title, it said "7-month babygirl was raped by unknown man". Wow, it was incredibly insane. I felt broken by reading the story. I was thinking maybe India should do something serious about this particular issue cause I myself felt little scared in India in my first time. Anyways, while I was in Mumbai, I explored some popular spots there. There is a historical museum in Mumbai which documents the history of India and collected thousands of artefacts, paintings, and other historical exhibits. A BHUBANESWAR I took a long rest in the hotel before the other-busy-day visits. In the programme, I visited Kala Bhoomi Odisha Crafts Museum. It is a collection of handicrafts and handlooms of the state of Odisha. The museum shows the artistry of craftsman by putting on display a line of their enchanted masterpieces. I got a lovely souvenir which I hold in the picture, it is a turtle miniature from one kind of metal. Along the way, I enjoyed the view of this city, especially when it comes to big preparation of a festival there. There were lots of flowers across the streets. Soon after Kala Bhoomi, there was a visit to Mukteshwara temple in Bhubaneswar. Mukteshwara temple is a 10th-century ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. As the name, Bhubaneswar means the land of Shiva. There are lots of temples there around 7.000 temples were built centuries ago. Due to certain circumstances only 3.000 temples left by today. However, Mukteshwara temple is one of the oldest ancient Shiva temples in Bhubaneswar. Exploring its different sections and marveling at their architectural beauty is the best thing to do at this holy place. This temple boasts of the Kalinga architectural style. The God-and-Goddess exquisite carvings on the entrance goes along to the courtyard and shrine are unquestionably eye- catching. Mukteshwara temple is a testimony to the adept, intricate artistry of the archaic era. I was mesmerized at the architectural symbols of the temple. In this place, lays sacred atmosphere which makes me want to stay much longer. I haven't explored enough of the side to side of the walls cause I was running out of time. Luckily, I had prayed inside the temple which was dark and calm. It is said that in ancient time, temples were built in this style. People pray in the darkness as the symbol of purity and to embrace the moment of silence. It represents the absence of mind and the limitless cosmic darkness where everything originates and dissolves. Actually I love praying in the dark dim light. The idea said in the temple only strengthen my intuition that what I usually do in everyday life is correct. Believe or not, magically, I sensed different vibes there, as of this place holds something powerful. I'm being serious. I just love the place and the ancient temple. India has enlightened me in such miraculous way, I'm surprised. rriving in Bhubaneswar from Biju Patnaik International Airport, I came across to the well- deserved restaurant there. It is a very good traditional restaurant with great hospitality. They served numerous dishes with banana leave in the bottom of the rice and other dishes, reminded me of Indian traditional way of eating. Travelling Doesn't Fun Without Shopping! Of course I knew that. I went to some local markets in New Delhi, Agra and Mumbai. In New Delhi I went to Sarojini Nagar and Tilak Nagar. Stuff there was very affordable. I bought a dark blue (navy) blouse for 200 rupees only. What a price! I bought some Indian earrings too. I can't speak Hindi (even though I'm learning a bit now) when shopping, so whenever I was attracted to something I just asked "how much?" y . Sometimes there was shop which firmly started "Fixed Price", it means no chance for bargaining. India is known for its exceptional textile. Once I went to Vegis mall in New Delhi, I bought an elegant white salwar kameez for 6.200 rupees. Many said it was too expensive, but I knew the quality was excellent. Not only in the local markets, I shopped in the street market as well. I bought two beautiful Indian bags, one is red the other is black each 100 rupees. I found a beautiful peacock's feather. Actually I didn't want to buy it since the seller insist on me, kept telling and chased me, I finally took it for 100 rupees. Not bad though. While in Agra, I went to a local market but I don't know the name of the market...it's also a good market for tourists like me. I went to a marble shop and I bought a little Ganesha statue for 1.500 rupees as they said it's 100% pure stone. The marble is same like the marble is Taj Mahal. I remember in Mumbai I bought a jasmine perfume and wow it's very economical but has good quality. I bought a plastic luggage for cabin bag only 1.500 rupees. I'm shocked by the prices in India. You could save thousands where it usually your expenses in your home country. I wished to shop lots of stuff, but tight schedule of the programme got me extremely exhausted every single day. Unfortunately I cannot buy many things cause I got 20 kgs of up and down flights even I paid extra charges for exceeding some kilos in my return flight. Anisa Reddy THE JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY In my first solo travel ever, I actualized a vision within myself. I became independent to myself, did everything by my own, and I realized that I am more decisive now because of that. It is not affected me instantly, but day by day after coming back to Indonesia, I could feel it strongly. I also feel like I am very comfortable to be alone. My mind was clear and I can feel sense of duty to detox everything that no longer serves me. I feel much lighter now. Of course, there is hesitation when it comes to do something important, making a big decision in life. But as I had travelled alone and did stuff to myself alone too, I can proudly say I am more responsible towards my life day by day. Adaptability is important. In life, every person will inevitably face various tests over time. By travelling alone it makes me being an adaptable person who thrives amidst curveballs, turning cracks into opportunities for self-growth. It changed me though. Being alone in 21 days (considered as ideal number of change/build a habit) had changed my life completely as well as my view of the world. So, I recognize certain habits in the past had been passed out of my life, include the co-dependency to others. Feeling the sensation of walking by myself, being responsible and mature. By doing so, I feel better and appreciate every single thing in my life. Once I came back, I am absolutely a brand new person. It is a must to do the journey of self- realization and self-discovery. This journey is as unique as I am. I will come back to India, in winter's days to commorate my first solo trip ever