This text first appeared on The Journal and has been republished with permission.
‘Welcome to India,’ the signal mentioned, stopping me in my tracks in the course of the Delhi airport.
Simply off the aircraft, I used to be drained and a little bit not sure of myself amongst the warmth and the folks, some 11,000 kilometers from house and alone. Chilly and snowy Gatineau, Quebec – the place my youngsters had been nonetheless tucked securely of their beds, sleeping peacefully – felt worlds away.
‘Was I certain this was a good suggestion?’ my family and friends had requested earlier than I left, with a touch of their very own reservations revealing themselves, however largely talking with my finest pursuits in thoughts.  Admittedly, there had been a couple of moments within the previous days after I had requested myself if I used to be certainly loopy, if my unorthodox option to journey solo to India was fairly unwise. In any case, as a busy skilled and a mom of two, this sort of factor is just not one thing I might usually do at this stage in my life.
However in that cut up second, seeing these phrases – ‘Welcome to India’ – and feeling my ft firmly on overseas floor, I remembered my resolve and a tidal wave of aid and pleasure and pleasure washed over me: I’m right here. I made it. I did it!
Welcome to India. Photograph by Lani Innes.
That was February 13, 2018; a fantastic day, and one which I’ll always remember. But additionally considered one of a number of unforgettable days that had punctuated my life over the previous few months. Actually, that day was:
105 days after collapsing at house and being rushed to the hospital, the place I might quickly be taught that I had a tumor the scale of a grapefruit in my abdomen that was inflicting vital inside bleeding.
94 days after being launched from the hospital, now a most cancers affected person.
57 days after having my tumor resected, that’s, surgically eliminated together with a portion of my abdomen.
29 days after discovering out that I used to be extremely fortunate: the surgical procedure was profitable and I used to be cancer-free.
After which I made top-of-the-line selections of my life. I booked my journey to India.
I’ve at all times liked the concept of journey, and to see India – this unique land of childhood tales, the world’s most populous democracy, wealthy in historical past and tradition and spirituality – had lengthy been my dream. The enduring monuments! The hustle of the cities! The fantastic seashores! The saris, the sacred cows, the spice markets…!  India captivated me.
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Our superb group. Photograph by Lani Innes.
However time has a humorous manner of passing shortly; years got here and went and by no means was it the ‘proper time’ to go. Work was busy, life was busy, I used to be busy. There have been at all times different priorities and there would at all times be ‘one other time.’ It was really easy to get caught up in that narrative, particularly as a mother; taking time for ourselves doesn’t at all times come naturally. After which that terrible day again within the fall, time nearly ran out. As I used to be being wheeled out of my home on the stretcher, I actually thought that I used to be carried out, that I used to be dying.
However I didn’t die. And that immediately modified how I noticed my life. As a result of the reality is, the current – this second – is the one time we ever actually have. Immediately issues turned very clear: I might spend my treasured time otherwise to any extent further. Beginning instantly. ‘I’m going to India,’ I informed myself. ‘I’m not ready any longer to make this dream come true.’
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So there I used to be, stomach stitched up and passport in hand, scanning the gang within the airport for the gentleman who was going to take me to the lodge to fulfill my would-be companions. Later, upon assembly these 13 adventurous of us and our distinctive information Priyanka, I used to be fortunate sufficient to discover India, celebrating a contemporary begin on life and taking advantage of my time on this planet.
And what a wonderful time it was. India pulled out all of the stops.
In a single day on the practice. Photograph by Lani Innes.
In Delhi, the colors of the vegetable stalls exploded in opposition to the washed-out buildings like fireworks, as we toasted to our first day of journey with a cup of steaming chai from a street-side vendor. Amid the slim and winding streets of town, Priyanka knew simply the place to take us to style this quintessential brew.
In Agra, the anticipation constructed as we glimpsed the Taj Mahal from afar, and after we arrived at its gates, its majesty left us speechless.
In Jaipur, from the vantage of a sizzling air balloon, the countryside glowed within the early morning mild, the stillness of the sky damaged solely by the voices of college youngsters calling out ‘howdy’ as we handed low over their villages. Airborne, how shortly the busyness of India receded, a silent reminder to me and my morning companion, Rebecca, that actuality is all a matter of perspective.
And later, all of us let free a little bit, feeling the freedom of cheering alongside – out loud! – with the native crowd for Pad Man on the Raj Mandir Cinema. Our western conference for silence on the movie show is overrated, I now assume. Dwell within the second, if even simply when watching a movie.
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In Pushkar, the langur monkeys rewarded these of us out for an early morning hike to the Savitri temple with their power and antics as we watched the solar rise above the Aravalli hills. And reverse those self same hills, on the sting of the desert, me and my fellow adventurer, Allison, later caught the solar set from the again of a camel.
After which there was the marriage, a spectacular occasion, extra vibrant and vibrant than one might think about. Being on the proper place on the proper time, we had been welcomed as friends to witness the nuptials of a younger couple. Though all of us pitched in for a small reward for the bride and groom, we had been those who felt actually lucky. How lucky we had been that these folks would share this most particular time with us.
Subsequent in Udaipur, the lodge rooftop terrace gave us gorgeous views of this pretty metropolis of lakes, daylight glowing on the water like a thousand tiny candles.
Exploring Udaipur. Photograph by Alexandra Lande/Shutterstock.
Then in Mumbai, a couple of of us escaped town’s commotion, the deafening din of honking horns and the thick humidity, and seemingly travelled again in time for prime tea on the Taj Resort, residing a little bit of this metropolis’s colonial previous…and a little bit little bit of luxurious too.
READ: WHY THE BEST TRAVELS OF MY LIFE STARTED AFTER 50
And eventually, Goa. Lovely Goa, with its clear skies, golden seashores and heat water, inviting us to easily relax. The new solar feeling so good on my physique as I sat on the sand, listening to the waves crash, taking all of it in, taking advantage of each final second.
And alongside each step of the best way, at each location, each landmark, each little journey, a sense of gratitude grew: the occasions of my life – as terrible as they’d been over the previous months – had inadvertently introduced me to this time and place, and with these folks, these travellers – at first strangers, then shortly pals, every providing me a little bit of inspiration by the use of their very own need to see the world.
I couldn’t assist however assume how extremely glad I used to be to be right here, embracing this journey. And I knew in my coronary heart that this was only the start. India affirmed my new outlook on life.
‘You might be completely glowing!’ my family and friends famous, after I arrived again house. ‘How was it?’ they requested.
The reply was straightforward: I couldn’t have requested for a greater expertise. I had the time of my life.
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Function picture by Wan Fahmy Redzuan/Shutterstock.Â