On April 19, 2023, I landed in Cochin, South India, late at night. It was my first time abroad and in India, at 27. As I wandered the streets, I saw complex food names, piles of trash, and beef legs hanging outside butcher shops taller than me. There were cows, goats, cats, and dogs, and right next to my homestay was a ruin. These unfamiliar sights pulled me out of my comfort zone into a raw, unpolished land. Warning: My voice ended up a bit hoarse, and the horn sounds were loud—consider it the true Indian vibe! -- Hosting provided by SoundOn