Wednesday, March 11, 2026

What are some things about India that foreigners don't believe until they come to India?

 I met a Turkish woman around 32year old in Delhi metro's woman compartment last year. She was with 2 more women, both elderly.

Now, I don't usually engage in conversation with a foreigner but she was sitting next to me and gave me a paper that had some address written on it and asked me how to get here.

It was the address of Select city walk so I guided her how she should get down at Malviya Nagar and where she'll get a cab and all. Long story short, this started the conversation. (I am sticking to her language. Her English was kinda crumbled but solved its purpose.”

Me: “so, how long have you been in India?’

She:” almost month now.”

Me:” so I see you must have visited a lot of places.”

She:” very. Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Agra-- a lot bug cities”

Girl sitting next to me was also listening and asked:” what did you love the most in India.”

She: “Taj Mahal. Very pretty.”

Me: “Nice!”

I asked her what did her family like? Did they love taj mahal too!

And she said this one thing:

“I thought India is a poor country. Tajmahal is the only beautiful thing here. But I was surprised to see so many beautiful monuments here in India. Cities are beautiful too. India is blessed with good natural scenery and buildings.”

I was sitting there smiling and all I said was “yeah!!”

She told me how she loved Hawa mahal, Amer ka Kila, Elephanta caves-- everything. She didn't even expect all this.

When we were at Green park, I told her station was coming so she thanked me with a genuine smile and said, “Indian people are kind.” Awe! Made my day :)

PS: I seriously miss being able to roam around New Delhi in Metro.

Edit1: So many comments right!

Actually, I am not saying that the Taj Mahal is overrated. A Turkish woman who spent grand money in going around India made that comment. Respect it!

Edit2: this is not a hindu Muslim agenda. Please maintain the brotherhood and respect our secularity. I just CAN'T hate muslims at all. The people who helped me grow were never caste specific. I don't want to be someone caste specific as well. I had no intention to give it a hindu-muslim thingy.