I just came back from my dream trip to India! (No, I’m not gloating. I’m just grateful for being able to say that). Three and a half weeks were spent wandering through central, north eastern and southern India and my GOD, all the reading and interviewing and research in the world couldn’t have prepared me for the raw and unapologetically chaotic world that is India.

People have often asked me why I decided to go to this land of spices, mythology and aggressive development. My answer is simple: I’ve always been drawn to it. Ever since I was about 9, I used to sit in my parents’ living room every Sunday morning and watch Bollywood movies on TV. I usually didn’t understand a word of it, but something about the stories and the way they were presented always drew me in.

As I grew older, more and more things about the culture and society intrigued me: the spirituality; the vibrant clothing and jewelry; the mouth-watering cuisine; the traditional values and how it clashes with the rapid westernization of their youth today; the music and movies; the dichotomy of rich and poor; the sheer factor that once you’re there you can’t believe that all the little pieces that make up that society somehow manage to grate against each other and function. It’s like a beautiful engima.

So you see, I could never avoid going. And thus begins my love affair with India. Because once you’ve had a taste of her, I sense you’ll always be drawn back for more.

Our journey starts in Mumbai…

Anastasia “Nat” Tubanos is a TV/new media producer, host, interviewer and saucy minx and is best known for her shows Your GEEK News, BSGcast, Naked Wine Show and Your Greek News. Based in Toronto, Canada Anastasia is a classically trained pianist, an avid reader of memoirs, a hot yoga addict and loves to travel. Find out more about Anastasia’s hijinks at www.anastasiatubanos.com

Tags: adventure, Anastasia Tubanos, Backpacking, culture, India, jetsetting, Lonely Planet, Matt+Nat, Mumbai, Travel