Hi! I’m the face behind Full Stop India. I started this site in 2008, as a source to help fellow travelers plan their journey around India using my experiences as a guide. And, possibly dispel some myths along the way.
India? Heard of it, but it’s definitely not on my list! That what I said in 2004, when my partner’s mother (who having traveled to India the year prior) asked if I would accompany her on a return trip the following year. And I’m guessing it’s what you’re thinking now which is why you’re here looking for information on your upcoming trip.
I agreed, did some reading, and off we went in the fall of 2005. Somehow before the plane touched down in Delhi, I sensed that the trip would be successful, and that I was supposed to be there at that time. The fragrantly chaotic country instantly connected with me on many levels, leaving me saddened when our three week trip drew to a close. Within a week of returning home I was already planning a return trip for the following year. There was a bigger connection on that trip. I became fast friends with our driver, Rakesh. He and I exchanged numbers and a promise to keep in touch.
One year later, feet back on the ground, I was off and running once again with Rakesh. We had kept in touch through the year, making plans for the trip, sharing details about our lives. Thanks to him, the deeper layers of the country which I was fascinated about were now within reach. Rakesh was patient in answering the endless barrage of questions from me. How does…? But where does? So why do they…? I was growing more comfortable and connected to India by the day. Especially after meeting Rakesh’s parents, wife, and their three kids while staying the night in their village home. Meanwhile back home in the US, my life was unraveling. A relationship of 10 years was somewhat unknowingly crumbling as I was bumping along in the passenger seat of a Toyota Qualis. In the backseat, my partner’s mother.
The relationship indeed ended shortly after returning home. As did any connection with my two-time travel companion. But my connection to Rakesh was unwavering. I pushed ahead with plans to return to India. I knew, no I believed, there was a reason to return. Something was to be found. Something was yet to be learned. So, I changed up how I traveled. I ditched the 5 star hotels for budget hotels, sampled new kinds of Indian food by getting out of the hotel restaurants, walked the local markets and did a lot of listening. All with the help of Rakesh.
In 2007, I experienced Holi for the first time as well as traveling alone for the first time. Another trip came in 2008, along with the inspiration for Full Stop India. I’m not a writer by trade. I spent 20 years in retail, working for others and owning my own successful businesses along the way. I’m an investor, a movie lover, a foodie, a pet lover, and a stickler for attention to details. I love the color blue, hate flying but love airports. I’m not afraid to admit when I’m wrong, although I’m almost always right. I never let a fellow traveler go without probing for their life story, and once we’ve met, I’ll never forget your face.
More adventures were had in 2010, 2011, and 2012. My friendship with Rakesh was as strong as ever. By this time, he and I had cross-crossed Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. I’d met his extended family and friends. Returned to his village home for several stays while also attending neighbor weddings. This site was finding its legs. Then… life changed. I very suddenly walked away from a relationship, changing careers along the way. Within weeks I was again in India. It only seemed fitting. My heart belonged to her. It had for many years now.
In 2013, I started an interior design company specializing in lake homes. The work came fast, as did the time constraints of starting a new relationship. Writing and managing Full Stop India no longer fit into the schedule. But I returned to India, in the fall of 2013, to introduce my new partner to India. If India was that important to me then it needed to be that important to them as well. We had a fantastic journey. Rakesh could not have been happier for me. And I couldn’t be happier for him, seeing the family once more in the village along the route.
That was the last time I saw my best friend Rakesh. He and I had outlasted two relationships, two career changes, and one too many flat tires. Full Stop lingered on for another year with no updates until it finally went dark. Someone purchased the domain, posting articles mostly having nothing to do with India.
A stirring for India began in my gut in the summer of 2023. By Fall of 2023, I began properly learning Hindi with a tutor. By year end 2023, I was making plans to return to India after 12 years, with a reconnection to Rakesh high on the to-do list. It would be a last minute surprise plan. And the first time he and I would communicate in Hindi. I had not shared with him during our Christmas chat that I was studying his language. As the plans were coming together in January 2024, for my March visit, my texts to him went unanswered. There was only one explanation. In April, after my trip was complete, news came from his son that Rakesh had passed in January.
Another journey to India was completed in fall 2024. A vision to bring the site back was percolating as I traversed the country from Delhi to Bombay to Madurai. In December 2024, I was able to buy the site back. Full Stop would most likely not have happened with Rakesh. He taught me the details of India. A fact I reminded myself as the inspiration of the site. Teach the details of India to others. So here we are again. You and me, and a whole lot of catching up to do.
In more than 19 years of traveling to India, I have been sick one too many times, I’ve eaten some of the best food in my life, seen the most breathtaking spots imaginable, been lost, terribly homesick, laughed, cried, made new friends, and met some fearless travelers all while never being robbed.
Full Stop India is my interpretation of India, filled with articles not found anywhere else, all packed with useful information in an easy-to-understand format. You will leave the site with a greater knowledge of India on a variety of topics than before you arrived.
It’s good to be back.