By News18,Sahas Mahapatra

Copyright news18

Many travel vloggers have shared their impressions of India over the years, but a recent post by a Dutch woman has struck a chord with the internet as she gives viewers a refreshing, real-world glimpse into Indian culture. The content creator is not just travelling India as a tourist but actually living here.
The content creator, named Ivana, shared a detailed post about her life in the country, covering everything she wished she had known before arriving in India, and her insights have struck a chord.
From Indian hospitality and family culture to saree struggles and rickshaw rides, Ivana’s post is a charming and insightful window into life in India.
Ivana’s Viral Post
The content creator starts her post by praising the warmth of Indian hospitality. Referencing cultural saying “Atithi Devo Bhava” (The guest is god), she wrote, “Indians literally have a saying for their unrivalledd hospitality – ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. It means the guest is god. Prepare to be fed to death!”
Ivana then noted how deeply rooted family values are in Indian life, something she said outsiders can only truly understand by spending time with a local family. “It’s difficult to understand how extremely important family is for Indians unless you’ve spent time within an Indian family. So definitely try to befriend local people and see how they live,” she advised.

Taj Mahal and Ganges River in Rishikesh’s Tips
When talking about India’s most iconic landmark, Ivana offered practical advice for travellers. She stressed, “Plan a trip to Agra for 2/3 days to avoid a lousy Taj experience. Be there at 6AM for a foreigner ticket, but keep in mind the Taj is closed on Fridays for prayer.”
Speaking about the Ganga River in Rishikesh, Ivana described it as “a minty green colour, almost surreal.” She also warned visitors to dress modestly and stay cautious about strong currents and icy temperatures.
Ivana’s Saree Experience
The content creator didn’t hold back sharing about her first experience with a saree, admitting it was tricky to put on. “It’s very difficult to put on if you’ve never worn one, but once it’s on, it’s super comfortable. Ask for help from an aunty or at a salon,” she stated.
India Is Not Overcrowded..
Countering a common myth, she noted that India has “plenty of space” and even “slow” times if you know where (and when) to go. “For the tourist places, try to visit way before 10AM (like 8AM! ), or you can go to more rural areas to escape all crowds. Be mindful of which places you visit without a guide, though! Some places are even off limits for Indians,” she explained.

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A post shared by IVANA • Travel • lifestyle • ??• ??• 🧿 (@ivanaperkovicofficial)

India’s Social Etiquette
Ivana gave a light-hearted breakdown of Indian social etiquette, especially when it comes to greetings and personal space. She noted, “Indians are very easy with personal space, but hugs do have a bit of an instruction. With women it’s fine, but with elderly ladies (and men!) you’d usually touch their feet to pay respect and for a blessing. With men, just give a Namaste, OR if it’s a close friend, you hug from the side.”
India’s Diversity, Rickshaws And Daily Adventures
Ending on a joyful note, she called Punjabis the “party animals” of India. She also talked about the unique culture and language of each Indian state and her love for rickshaw rides. “Each Indian state has such a distinct culture, and most have their own language! And riding a rickshaw never gets boring. Even after a million times, it’s as fun and adventurous as the first time,” she penned.
Social media users loved the video, with some expressing that they are moving to India soon and have saved all her helpful tips.