Driving through the hills of Himachal, our car was stopped dead in its tracks by this herd of goats and sheep.

Of of the goats thought I’d stolen her kid, so she chased me into the car. That was kind of embarrassing.

The unfettered positivity expressed by these wise and charming women inspired me to reevaluate my definition of wisdom. I went to India with the belief that wisdom was centered around information. I returned from India confident that wisdom is actually rooted in experience and reflection.

Diwali in India is unlike any holiday or celebration in the western world. An entire country’s population (Unlike Christmas in the States, everyone participates in Diwali.) lights up their houses inside and outside; some use little candles to create bright outlines around their homes. Everyone gives each other gifts; new clothes are worn; fantastic dinners are eaten.
And fireworks. Oh, the fireworks. They go all day – and all night. Don’t even try sleeping. Just join your family on the rooftop and enjoy the show.

As much as I enjoyed the company of Swati, Soni, and Sumeet, I would be remiss if I didn’t dedicate an entire entry to this captivating boy of unlimited energy, wisdom, and mischief.

I met a lot of my extended family in India – some for the first time. One person who I had met before and was looking forward to seeing again was Swati – my interesting, wise, and charming cousin.

Watching my cousins just be was one of my favorite activities. It became a challenge to answer them when they would ask what I wanted to do; their day-to-day activities were a source of such fascination.

Any Delhi experience is incomplete without a ride on their crowded, dangerous, and fear-mongering buses.

Matt Harding traveled around the world and did a little jig everywhere he went.

It’s like a plate full of positivity.