I’m like you and have travelled to many countries but have not worked up the courage to visit India just yet. Have you read “Holy Cow”? It’s a hilarious book that also paints a very vivid picture of the country. I don’t know if that and your article has me more intrigued or more terrified. Lol.
Also, I wrote a very honest account of our time in Egypt and I got ridiculed and criticized for it as well. Nobody understands what it’s like to there unless they have done it themselves. Plus, I made lots of money on that one as well!