Mercedes: 15 months ago, I began plans for a trip that would take me across two continents to a land that was beyond my wildest dreams - India.

I began my research on the net and came across an interesting site; BootsnAll.com. I was intrigued by the idea of having travel correspondents around the globe and decided to become a correspondent for my current home in Washington DC.

Getting in touch with someone who lived in India seemed like a great idea, so I used the Insiders page and emailed three of them. One had moved away, one I never head from and the third, a guy named Ravin, soon became my link to India.

Never in a million years did I think that I would meet, much less travel with, a total stranger but for three months Ravin and I exchanged emails, writing about our cultures, personalities in addition to the usual travel questions. Soon our friendship blossomed and we tentatively made plans to travel for 10 days in Southern India.

I was still a little hesitant but Ravin's immeasurable support made it easy to trust his intentions...I couldn't wait to begin our journey.

Ravin: As a Insider I am used to getting regular travel queries regularly on India. When Mercedes first wrote to me I answered, providing the usual travel information regarding hotel prices, train tickets and availability.

However it was a very pleasant surprise when our emails became more regular and grew from only travel information to exchanging our ideas, cultures and personalities. Our friendship on the net grew further when we began having instant conversations via Yahoo messenger. I actually started looking forward to our net talk and ended my evenings for three months chatting with an American girl on a mission.

I suggested that we travel together for 10 days, fully prepared for a big fat "no"...I didn't think Mercedes would accept, considering she was a single woman travelling alone.

However, Mercedes tentatively accepted my suggestion that we travel together, dependant upon how we got on in person upon her arrival.

Mercedes: As the days grew near to meeting the only person I would know in India, I was both nervous and excited. As promised, Ravin met me at Chennai International airport with a huge smile and garland of jasmine – a welcome sight after 20+ hours on a plane.

I was so overwhelmed with the sights and sounds that I would have probably hopped on the next plane home - but Ravin took charge by installing me in a A/C hotel and left me alone for a few hours for a much needed nap and shower. When he picked me up for lunch, I felt like we were old friends. It was then I decided that to travel with Ravin would be a great adventure and honor.

We have been travelling for the last 11 days and Ravin has shown me the India that I have come to admire and respect. We have traversed the vast and varied terrain of Southern India by motorbike, bus, train, and rickshaw and I am forever in his debt for his hospitality and friendship. Tomorrow our time will end, and I cannot imagine not sharing my thoughts without my newfound special friend....Ravin. Thanks for the memories and know that as I continue my journey through your wonderful country, you will be with me in my heart.

Ravin: I went to the airport, expecting an American lady overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of my country, and I was right. I saw that she needed some time to adjust to her new surroundings, so I dropped her at the hotel and told her I would be back in three hours for lunch.

I was still a little wary that we would not get along and the whole thing would fall apart, however when I saw Mercedes biting into the delicious tandoori chicken I knew we would get along fine.

Our chatting on the net had made us instantly comfortable with each other, and I began to look forward to our travels. It suddenly hit me that I had a dual role; not only was I a travel companion but also an ambassador to my country.

And now that we are at the fag end of our trip I have so many fond memories that will be with me throughout life. Criss-crossing over South India in trains and buses has been fantastic and in my experience made Mercedes also used to the sights and sounds of India.

I know I have found a friend for life and wish her the best of luck in her travels.

Questions?
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