Delhi

Where It All Began

Okay, folks. I can’t believe it, but I’m officially starting a blog. And while I’d love to say this has been a long time coming, the truth is, I wasn’t sure where to begin. I’ve got ideas for days, I live for storytelling, and I’m never one to turn down a rambling voice note (if you know, you know). But when it comes time to put pen to paper, the eloquence doesn’t always flow. So I sat on it…and I decided to start where this all began: India.

India wasn’t just another trip. It was the spark that lit the fire behind The Adventurous Women’s Club. When I traveled there for the first time, something clicked. I was completely spellbound, by the color, the energy, the contrasts, the craftsmanship, and I knew I wanted other women to experience this feeling. That initial trip planted the seed for TAWC, and when I eventually brought our first official group back to India, it all came full circle. We traveled with a powerhouse crew of women, and seeing it come to life, that energy, that connection, confirmed that this was the beginning of something much bigger.

I tried writing a blog post about the entire trip. Spoiler: it was way too long. So I’m breaking it down city by city, blending destination notes with funny moments, behind-the-scenes chaos, and a few cast-of-character introductions. Less guidebook, more diary. For curated tips, shopping recs, and exact details, you’ll find those in the Collected & Curated section. But here? This is where the stories live.

We started in Delhi where I arrived a day early to meet with my local co-host Reshma, prep for the group, and (let’s be honest) squeeze in a bit of shopping. I had a feeling this crew would be just as obsessed with India’s vibrant fashion and artistry as I was. Reshma and I scouted the perfect saree shops, racing through Delhi until 10 p.m. before the group’s late-night arrival. We made it back just in time to lay out their welcome bags and pretend we were calm, cool, and collected. We were. Mostly.

The next morning, energy levels were all over the place. Some bright-eyed, others dragging, but I was ready. We dove headfirst into Old Delhi with a rickshaw ride through the chaos: tiny alleyways packed with spice stalls, sequined sarees, wedding bangles, and the overwhelming hum of life in motion. We stumbled upon a temple mid-song and, without missing a beat, everyone kicked off their shoes and covered their heads to step inside. (Not without one skeptical glance at the shared headscarves. Valid.)

That was the magic of this group. Some veered toward street tours with the Salaam Baalak Trust, others opted for vino and vintage treasures. No pressure, no rules, just flow. That’s the beauty of The Adventurous Women’s Club: there’s no “right” way to do this.

We visited Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar the next day, but it was 105 degrees, so we pivoted. We honored the architecture, took a few photos, and then made a beeline for what we do best: eat and shop (on this trip).

This was when the group personalities really started to shine. One woman had packed what can only be described as an entire emergency room in her suitcase. 100 instant ice packs, 100 fever strips, cooling patches, and more “keep cool” essentials than we ever thought we’d need. (Spoiler: we used them.) Someone else came armed with enough medicine to safeguard the whole crew from Delhi Belly. Another had a stash of sequin bindis to keep us styled for every stop (surprise, surprise, that one was me). I’d packed many of these things myself, but having them in surplus quickly became a running joke. We were already figuring out who our go-to gals were for what. That’s the real TAWC community.

In Hauz Khas Village, we fell in love with one-of-a-kind pieces, shipping crates were filled (some of which may still be in my garage), and yes, I bought a tiger-striped chair I can’t wait to style. I’m thinking about throwing an orange sheepskin on it inspired by my trip to Brazil (IYKYK).

We stayed at The Lodhi, over-the-top fabulous, with private plunge pools that saved us from the Delhi heat. Our grand finale was dinner at The Spice Route inside the iconic Imperial Hotel. It was there, just a few nights in, that we had our first teary, heartfelt dinner. Not from sadness, but from connection. That kind of openness, that kind of sisterhood, doesn’t always happen. But it did here. And it was just the beginning.

We ended the night with cocktails at the Lodhi’s Safari Lounge, which, unsurprisingly, is drenched in leopard print and adorned with epic wildlife photography. Can’t keep me away. A perfect final toast before we headed to Agra.

To be continued…