European Chic goes to .... Madhya Pradesh, India

If I wasn't living in Paris I would want to live in India. The country is so heartbreakingly beautiful and diverse (and full of challenges, I know).

Some time ago my dear friends Asha D'Souza and Louk Vreeswijk, a Swiss/Indian/Dutch couple, invited me to come and stay in the Friends of Orchha' Bed&Breakfast in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh `near' New Dehli. I let my friends describe in their own words what 'Friends of Orchha' which they set up together with locals is about :

"Friends of Orchha is a non-profit organisation working in Madhya Pradesh, India on creating livelihoods linked to tourism, preserving the environment of heritage sites like Orchha and promoting cultural exchange between visitors and locals. Interaction with a group of women from a poor neighbourhood of Orchha was the spark that led to the creation of Orchha Home-stay, a social enterprise that creates incomes and assets for families below poverty line while providing a rich cultural experience for both visitors and hosts.

Orchha is one of the few places in India that combines natural beauty, the aesthetic legacy of history and a certain authenticity. Orchha is in transition from village to town and many of its smaller temples throne over well-tended fields. It's a paradise for bird watchers with a wide variety of colourful birds often making an appearance. Life in Orchha revolves around the Ram temple where one can see how vibrant Hinduism remains today."

There are so many photos I like to share with you. If you want to see even more photos I encourage you to go to their site.

All photos: Friends of Orchha

Below are the contact details if you want to go and experience living with a family in Orchha for yourself. Moreover, if you are interested in learning more about Indian culture Louk Vreeswijk is an accomplished independent documentary film maker so check out his films or contact him (louk.vreeswijk (at) gmail.com) for more info.  

Friends of Orchha India
Asha D'Souza, Louk Vreeswijk,
Lakshmi Mandir Marg,
Behind Power House,
ORCHHA 472 246
Madhya Pradesh
India
e-mail: friendsoforchha (at) gmail.com
Tel: Asha: +91-9993385405 or Dheeraj: +91-9098353799