It is weird to think that after countless meetings and fundraisers that we are finally leaving for India, December 3rd, 2015. When you think of India you may imagine a bustling labyrinth of littered alleyways and market stalls, or picture the Taj Mahal, an overwhelming marble giant, in a clear blue sky. In my opinion, it is these preconceived ideas that will only enrich our 37 day long trip. Some of these ideas will be broken, some will be reinforced. But I’m sure that there will be pictures in our mind that will remain with us forever. We are a group of 17, four adults, twelve St Thomas’ students, and one lone Bedian Ranger, and we are all ready and set for a once in a lifetime adventure.

Walking through the vibrant Main Bazaar of New Delhi, your senses are left in a daze. Not only can you hear the sounds of eternal tuktuk honking and haggling, but you can also smell public restrooms, incense, and street food, and see an array of shops, pedestrians and animals. The ‘Hotel’ Namaskar, situated right up an alley of humble shops, was a weak excuse for a hotel, but its central location and ghastly quality gave us plenty to think about, a fitting introduction to our five week excursion. Our stay in Del-hee is jam packed with activities, there is always something to do. From India Gate, the New Zealand High Commission (not to be confused with the Australian High Commission), to the many ancient temples, the city is waiting to be explored.

New Zealand is tucked away in the corner of the globe, small, sheltered, and serene. In other words, nothing like India. India is a place of contrasts in itself, with its divisions of wealth and power, varied religions and cultures, and unique cuisines and tourist attractions. To compare it to New Zealand would be like comparing a soup ladle to a little spoon.

Eating Spanish omelettes at Sam’s Rooftop Café was suddenly a thing of the past as our time in Delhi ended as fast as it began. After a travel muddle up, we kicked our trip to Agra off like a dead “man’s” head, but not by train, but instead by taxi. Taxis in India are something special, all of a sudden you could be left confused at a petrol station or left bartering with your driver over prices.

Once we had had our breaths taken away from us after witnessing the Taj Mahal in all its marble glory, symmetrical and breath taking, we ventured to Agra’s Red Fort, were we had a tour guide that may have been 80% tipsy… Overall, your trip to India is incomplete if you have not been to the Taj or Agra, and it was a bucket list opportunity to be there.

Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. We visited the Mother Ganga twice, once in the early morning, where the smoggy sky blended with the river, erasing the horizon, and a second time in the afternoon, where the river became a market metropolis and washhouse. We also met up with Mr Triparti, hotelier extraordinaire, whose knowledge and values cannot be denied. It was captivating to learn of the significance of the Ganges River, Hinduism, cremation, the list goes on. Our stay at the Hotel Surya, a much needed place of relaxation, despite the traditional marathon wedding happening next door, is over as quick as it began however, as we are off to Kolkata today.

Kolkata is the longest stop on the trip, where we stopped being tourists and started being volunteers at various Mother Teresa homes across the city, such as Daya Dan, Prem Dan, Kalighat and more. Our daily routine consists of an early wakeup call of 5am, followed by a 20 minute walk through the Muslim area of Kolkata to reach 6am mass at the Mother House on time. The early alarm not only made for some amazing sights, such as bakers preparing for the day ahead, or butchers managing their unrefrigerated carcasses hung in rows on the roadside, but also made for some awkward instances where you would be left alone having missed the group march. The journey to our respective homes is equally as eye opening, as after a humble breakfast of chai garam chai, bread and bananas, India would come to life. Bustling train stations, a web of underground metro lines, and a realisation that New Zealand has nothing on India when it comes to transport, alongside many other things. (And don’t forget, when it comes to chai, it’s about blowing not sucking.)

Work at the homes was the most moving and inspiring work I’ve ever done, and I’m sure it’s the same for the rest of the group. Even though we were only doing simple often mundane jobs such as washing and drying clothes, feeding the residents of the homes, working in the medical ward, or putting on a nativity show, the rewards were unimaginable. The dying and the destitute, children, the elderly, or those with no name or family, they all have so little, but in us giving our time to them, they gave so much to us.

After countless nativity practices and performances, visits to Park Street and many other markets, cricket at the park three times the size of Hagley, a couple of group birthdays, many reflections on the balcony and early morning masses at the Mother House, a trip to New Zealander owned establishment Freeset, trials and tribulations with Muller, Robert and the rather religious South Africans, Christmas celebrations and a Secret Santa for the history books, our time in Kolkata was over. We are on the train headed to Goa now, and it’s an air conditioned sleeper, unlike the cattle class rides we are used to, festival goers and hagglers in all. Oh, and dolphins, well fed Howrah River dolphins.

We are in Mumbai now, and unfortunately I’ve fallen to Delhi Belly, alike many others. The YWCA is a place we will spend a fair bit of time, as we will return here after our New Years in Goa to catch a flight home. After seeing the Gates of India and experiencing even more markets, that was it for seven of us, while the ten healthy bodies travelled to Gandhi’s house, the Washing Ghats, and a slum where Kings and Holes master Jo Gibbs showed off her pottery skills.

We are now in Goa, beachside, chilling at the Sucorina Shack with Dan the Man, and we will head to the Graciano Cottages where we are staying soon. Goa, a Portuguese influenced state, is renowned for its beaches, Russians, history and culture. Colva Beach provided many amazing Arabian Sea sunsets, and a perfect time for reflection and relaxation after a busy time in Kolkata. After an elephant ride, spice farm tour, fenny funnies, and a night time cruise down the Maldovi River, we travelled to Francis Xavier’s tomb, which also provided some impromptu quizzes aimed at Yohan the Lone Ranger, but also brought us back down to earth after the thought provoking service we did in Kolkata. New Years was absolutely memorable, as many fireworks, most of which are illegal back home, were let off in celebration. All this, plus a dancefloor full of Indian men and mad men running. Overall, the India Immersion Trip has brought some amazing stories, but of course we still have a few more days in Mumbai to go.

It is our last night in Mumbai, as tomorrow we will fly off to Singapore, then to Christchurch. Today we explored the art of Mumbai, portrait sketches providing some great laughs. Also, Yohan connected with his family in Mumbai for the last time, with a buffet so kindly gifted to us yet another amazing cultural experience. After 34 days I’m sure that people are ready to go home, but we have become such a gelled and cohesive group that we are basically extended family.

As I wrote these journal entries on the road, it only reinforced some of the things we were learning about. The importance of relationships, reflection and the critical thinking we have now become masters of doing. It is a funny concept how we volunteer and give to India, only for India to give us as much. The 2015-16 India Immersion trip, led by our wise master Father Marty, was more engaging, rewarding, and colourful than any of us could have ever imagined, and we all returned to New Zealand with a new perspective and lease on life. Travelling to India and being truly immersed in its beauty and culture is a must do, and alongside the rest of the group, I strongly urge you to explore it.

We would like to show our utmost appreciation to those who have put countless hours into making the 2015-16 Immersion Trip a reality. Our tour leaders, Marty Taylor, Bernie Lee, Jo Gibbs and David Ivory, who not only dedicated their time and effort into the trip, but also sacrificed their holidays for us all, must be given a massive thank you. Alongside the many parents and caregivers who always were there at group meetings and always involved in fundraisers, and everyone involved, we are more grateful than can be put into words. It is people like Marty and Bernie who make the world go round, a world with diverse, unique countries like India that are waiting to be explored.

Ben O’Connell