John with his wife at Arches NP in Utah
Travel Blogger John Luth is our featured interview from “Post Your URL Day”.
Every second week we give travel blogger’s the opportunity to share their own travel blog’s URL on our Facebook Fan Page , and from the blogs submitted we randomly draw one to be featured.
If you haven’t met John yet, read on and learn about his travels and life in India…
So, who is John Luth?
I grew up on the Mississippi River in Moline, IL, which is probably best known as the home of John Deere.
I attended college at Miami University (OH) and moved to Chicago after graduation, initially living near the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.
Thirteen years later, my American home is still the fictional greater Chicagoland area (in other words, I live in the suburbs while still claiming Chicago when traveling) where I own a house with my wife of nearly eight years.
Where are you currently and what are you doing?
Since January 2010 I’ve been living the expat life in Gurgaon, India (a suburb of Delhi) and will be here through the end of the year.
Both my wife and I are on assignment (a rarity here) with the same company. The opportunity for travel was one of the primary reasons we wanted to move to India, and we think we’ve taken advantage.
In addition to a lot of “small” travel in India, last year included a trek to Annapurna Base Camp and longer trips exploring Turkey and Bali.
Specifically, tonight I’m packing for a short weekend adventure with the hopes of spotting a tiger at Ranthambhore National Park.
Udaipur
What is your travel history?
Growing up I was fortunate enough to take 2-3 week family car trips and saw a great deal of the United States which remain some of my most memorable
travel experiences.
Even now, I find myself going back to some of those same places, which typically includes a national park.
My first international experience was a month in Germany during high school. In college, I studied abroad one summer in London and Moscow which provided
ample opportunity to travel Europe and visit establishments American students abroad aren’t otherwise able to legally visit.
In 2004, my wife and I first came to India on six month assignments (we had some idea what we were getting ourselves into and were thrilled at the ability to come back) and had the opportunity to see much of northern India, visit Kerala for the first time, and closed that experience with a trip to Thailand and Angkor Wat, still one of my favorite places.
Any travel plans for 2011?
Compared to last year, 2011 is “slow” but still includes a trek in the Ripchar Valley of Ladakh and planned trips to the UAE and a few days in the Maldives as a “reward” for completing two years.
More than anything, 2011 is the “year of the visitor.” We’re welcoming at least six groups of family or friends that want to take advantage of free lodging and witness our ridiculous life.
With these visitors we’ve planned (or completed) short trips within India, including Neemrana (a hidden gem close to Delhi), the major cities of Rajasthan, a tiger safari, Amritsar, and Kerala.
What is the best thing about living in India?
Outside the opportunities for travel that wouldn’t be nearly as easy or affordable from the U.S., the best part of living here, and this might sound bad, is that manual labor has become a thing of the past. (And yes, it will be a rude awakening when I move back home!)
You have no idea how much time you spend on a daily basis cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, and running random errands until you live in a place where you don’t do any of those things.
What are the challenges of living in India?
Outside the domestic help, not much else is easy in India. The infrastructure is poor (but improving), the climate in Delhi is brutal, the bureaucracy and corruption can be overwhelming, and the contrast between rich and poor is startling.
Each of these challenges make every day an adventure. I wouldn’t change it.
What are your favorite websites/resources for finding travel deals?
When traveling in India, I always start with Make My Trip . I call it the “Indian Orbitz” and have consistently found the best prices, especially on flights.
What are you MOST proud about your home country?
I’m most proud of Americans’ ability to adapt, innovate, and reinvent in this constantly changing world.
Favorite Indian food dish?
Hands down, murgh makhani (butter chicken). If we’re in the office ordering food, my colleagues know it’s a given that I need (yes, need) butter chicken.
In the past when I’ve been sick, people have openly insinuated to one another that it might have something to do with a little too much butter chicken (if you’re not familiar, it’s not exactly a light dish).
Who is your favorite sports team?
I grew up attending Iowa Hawkeye college football games, still bleed black and gold, and those rare losses on Saturdays pretty much kill an otherwise beautiful fall day.
Read any good books lately?
“Escape from the Land of Snows” by Stephan Talty; an account of the Dalai Lama’s escape to India that reads as part history and part adventure, really a fascinating journey with some great background on Tibetan culture and customs.
I’ve found that if “Outside” magazine reviews it, I tend to enjoy it.
Who is your favorite US President of all time?
Until high school I was a big fan of Thomas Jefferson; unfortunately, I’ve held an illogical grudge against him since I received that rejection letter from the University of Virginia.
As a person that loves the outdoors and especially loves the National Parks, I’d have to go with Theodore Roosevelt.
Nepal
Movie that inspires you to travel?
I’m a huge fan of Wes Anderson’s “The Darjeeling Limited.” (Cliche? Absolutely, deal with it.) It came out between my two assignments in India, helped ignite my desire to return, and attempts to address everything I think travel should be about.
Travel is about….
….whatever you want it to be, whether it be challenging yourself, experiencing new things, experiencing old things, learning about yourself, relaxing, or finding what recharges and invigorates you.
The people in the USA are….
….not nearly as obnoxious as many non-Americans think.
Beer and wings…OR…Coffee and cake?
India Pale Ale and spicy wings, please. My affinity for IPA has nothing to do with my current geographic situation. I’ve seen it on a menu only once and have yet to find it in stock, but the search continues; it’s one of those little challenges of living here.
What posters were on your wall as a kid growing up?
The three I remember most are a life-size poster of Larry Bird (the one with the ruler next to it so you could track your height against his), a huge nautical chart of the Outer Banks (I’ve always been a bit of a map lover), and a cartoon-ish depiction of Iowa’s 1985 Rose Bowl season.
I’m still laughing about….
….buying a Diet Coke at the office today and receiving 5 rupees change. Why am I laughing? Because the vendor found the change in the refrigerator.
Favorite tech gadget you take traveling with you?
While home in mid-May I bought an iPad 2 and am looking forward to testing it out over the coming months; initial results indicate it’s a fun little toy but might end up more often in the hands of my wife; I seem to be happier sticking to something with a regular keyboard.
Tell us about your travel blog and it’s purpose?
My blog, “ Mr. (and Mrs.) Luth Go to India ,” is my best attempt to document the adventures, travels, observations, perceptions, and misconceptions of a married couple living India.
Ultimately, the blog will be my most prized possession from this little adventure, though I hope I can give others interested in living in India or just plain interested in India some honest insight into the good, the bad, and the curious of this fine county.
Finally, how do we find out more about John?
You can find out more about me on my about page . I can also be found on Twitter .
