AGS India Immersion Programme 2017/18

William Pretty                We are now over the halfway mark of this trip and I am already beginning to feel nostalgic for what I have seen and experienced. Looking back there are certain things I have come to learn about India and the way it operates, both the good and the bad. India is a country of subtilties, if you pass over them your view of the country will be amiss of its true beauty. The main thing I have come to learn about India, and this is shared throughout all the cities, is to never take something you see at face value; it is a façade. Taking hotel Emirates as an example; it was finished and opened only a few weeks prior to our arrival and everything looked sparkling new. Yet, once you look past the veneer you see that very few of the light switches work, the shower drain is above the lowest point in the bathroom, so I couldn't take a shower unless I wanted my room to become a bath (this one is a sore point for me) and depending on their mood the blinds woul...

George , I suggest you don't visit Brazil. Mum Sent from my iPad

​ We're halfway there. Today marks the halfway point in our experience of India and what better way to celebrate than with a trip to the Taj Mahal. Our journey to Agra resulted in a massive day for the group but a day that will be remembered for a long time to come as we soaked up the mastery of a wonder of the world. Tuesday 19 December​ 6am – Mr Jordan woke everyone up singing "We're going to the Taj, Taj, Taj, how about Raj, Raj, Raj?" Roni Chapman, still half asleep, responded "Who's Raj…?" We're not sure, Roni, but at least it rhymes. 6.30am – We set off for Nizamuddin Railway Station by rickshaw. Strangely clear streets meant we got there lightning quick, some topping 70 kph with that 'crisp' Delhi air flying past. 7.15am – All groups arrived at the station and proceeded through 'security' (another unmanned x-ray machine) and through to our platform to tuck into some railway samosas before our journey – these thi...

Matt Illing  Don't be misled by the title, Mr Tripathi is a truly knowledgeable man with valuable and extensive knowledge of Hinduism and Varanasi but as I sit here in Varanasi train station squatting on a pile of backpacks I find myself pondering the impact his actions have left on me. Ok that's a lie. Mr Tripathi was not even involved in many cases but I like the title so I'll stick with it. My 'stress' has to do with what people are willing to do for money in this country. An example that stands out is the men working in the silk factory (more like silk emporium). After a ten minute demonstration of silk making we were quickly rushed out of the weaving room to a large shop where for close to an hour we were given a sales pitch for every possible silk item in existence from scarves to tapestries to bed throws to ties. I mean I can't judge some of the boys purchases as it's their money not mine but personally I was persuaded ou...

Ollie  Schnauer Varanasi was chill - no two ways about it. After some crazy, interesting cities and locations, Varanasi was a nice place to just relax. Upon arrival we were told to order whatever took our fancy from the hotel's menu for dinner and then go book our massage for the following day (both of which were shouted by staff). Later that night we ordered multiple rounds of desserts partially because the waiter was a good laugh but also top quality desserts are hard to turn down when it's only about 5 dollars in New Zealand. In general it was just good to laugh, play cards, talk with mates and just relax after a week and a half of this full on, but simultaneously, awesome country. Now we are in Delhi. The place we are staying now is completely opposite to Hotel Surya (Varanasi), to say the least. Walking in to my new home for the next few nights I see; a fan hanging out of the ceiling, the top half of a wall covered in mould, ...