Oh India, how I love you...

Let me count the ways:

1. FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
Tell someone you don't believe in God. Go on. You'll find yourself arguing so hard to make your case that you could well be accused of having a severe case of faith in no God! In anything they want to believe, which is why practically every faith known is practiced right here in India.

2. FLEXIBILITY
You may set off in the morning expecting to follow a strict schedule of assignments and appointments, but always be flexible and happy to chuck all plans at a moment's notice. Go with the flow!

3. STORIES
The history goes back 5,000 years and so do their epics that contain every emotion, possibility and philosophy that humans have ever managed to come up with.

4. CHAI
Delicious black tea, blended with an array of spices, served with lots of milk and sugar. Drink at least 3 cups a day!

5. BOLLYWOOD
Hips swirl in one direction while the torso twists in another and the shoulders go somewhere else entirely even as the head moves so violently. Excellent weather vanes, only no one would know where the wind was actually coming from!

6. AUTOS
Germany had its cute little Volkswagen Beetle, India has cute little autos (aka three-wheelers) packed with hi-tech music systems and disco lights that would put nightclubs to shame, which trundle up and down roads as their drivers overcharge everyone in sight.

7. HOSPITALITY
When I step into any one's house I am fed, watered and pampered so much, I'd never believe there was a single nasty person in this country.

8. THE NUMBER OF HOLIDAYS
There's a New Year's Day practically every month, not to mention some festival happening on any given day somewhere in the country. More reasons to party!

9. AMAZING DIVERSITY OF FOOD/TASTES
Words cannot explain the blends of spices, herbs and ingredients that go into making each dish a work of art!

10. INDIAN ENGLISH
They have de-Englished the English language and now only speak Indian, and its grand!

11. YOGA
Forget weights and ab crunches- here they may stand on one hand, with one leg wrapped around their heads, experiencing an inner, spiritual glow, because aha! Yoga isn't just a workout for the body, it's also a workout for the mind and soul.

12. MAHATMA GANDHI
One small, frail, old lawyer took on an entire imperial empire! And he did it in such an inspired manner with non-violence and noncooperation- brilliant! Every town seems to have a main street called MG in honour of him.

13. MANGOES
One a day at least! In mango lassi (yogurt drink) form is best, yummmmmmm

14. INDIAN STRETCHABLE TIME
Indian Stretchable Time is in a zone of its own and no one can understand it but Indians.

15. DOMESTIC HELP
Servants: one to cook the food, one to wash the dishes, one to sweep the floor, one to dust, one to wash the clothes, one to clean the toilet, one to make chapattis, one to watch each baby, one to man the gate and run the errands, one driver per car, one to wash the cars, one to cut vegetables, one to massage the baby, one to water the plants!

16. INDIAN RAILWAYS
All I can say is that you will experience all of India on the train! And you can literally go anywhere by train.

17. SCENERY
Here you will find ice deserts in Ladakh and actual deserts in Rajasthan. The Himalaya mountains tower to the north, the Ghats on either side of the peninsula, islands, stunning beaches, the sea, lakes, jungles, incredible wildlife, rivers, waterfalls... glorious!

18. NOTHING IS BEYOND REPAIR
Nothing is ever so broken that it'll never work again and anyone would love to be paid to fix it!

19. SARIS
What's sexy, modest, graceful, classic, cool, hot, well-ventilated,colorful and gorgeous all at the same time? Incredible!

20. RANDOMNESS
So many random things happen to me daily. There will be a blog follow up to explain one such situation that blew my mind! To be con't....