Chai, Chaos, and Budget Wonders
India
(Budget travel, affordable destinations, solo travel tips)
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It started with a whim—and a cheap flight to Delhi. India’s wild energy had been tugging at me, and a round-trip ticket under a smartphone’s cost sealed it. I landed with a backpack, a fuzzy plan, and a wallet to stretch. First stop: a Paharganj guesthouse—10 bucks a night for a fan-cooled room and a front-row seat to the chaos. I roamed bazaars, dodged rickshaws, and sipped chai with cricket-obsessed locals. The score? Butter chicken—creamy, dreamy comfort—for less than a buck. Eating local was my budget’s MVP.
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I craved desert hues, so I grabbed a train to Jodhpur. Solo travel tip: trains are gold. Cheap, and the ride’s a blast. I shared a sleeper with a family who fed me samosas, windows rattling through the night. Jodhpur’s blue streets and Mehrangarh Fort floored me. A 5-buck hostel became home, and I explored the fort, haggled for textiles, and sipped lassi on a rooftop at sunset. One night, I crashed a festival, dancing to drums with strangers who felt like family. Raw, but perfect.
India wasn’t done, though. I rolled the dice on Varanasi via a night train packed with pilgrims and chai wallahs—8 bucks for a guesthouse. I wandered ghats, watched the Ganges flow, and sipped chai with wise sadhus. A dawn boat ride turned the river gold as the city stirred. Those unscripted moments? They’re everything. India proved affordable destinations can overwhelm in the best way. From Delhi’s chaos to Jodhpur’s blues and Varanasi’s soul, I left with chai-stained memories, vivid pics, and cash left. Adventure on a shoestring? India’s your chaos—pack light, ride the rails, and soak it up.
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