When you think of India, what comes to mind? Is it the Taj Mahal? Or busy crowded streets? Or beautiful girls with copper skin and colorful clothes? I bet it's not dirty feet.

My trip to India this year was the first trip I took in which I was a mature young adult who could make the majority of her decisions for herself (I still had to listen to mama sometimes). My mom trusted me to make it through the hustle and bustle of busy Mumbai without her or my aunts coming with me.

I had the ultimate freedom.

I walked around the bazaars with my cousin. wearing disloyal flip-flops that always let the dirt from the streets into them. No matter how many times I washed them, whenever I looked at the soles of my feet, they were covered with a layer of dirt. And after I few days I didn't care. It was as if I freed myself from the responsibility of always being presentably clean.

This freedom was what made this trip 10x more fun. I went wherever I wanted with my family and friends. I didn't hold in any negativity as I laughed and played at the beach or visited a whole new side of my family in Hyderabad. Having met my aunts and uncles and cousins after three years, I was so glad for the freedom to enjoy myself 100%.

Worrying about little things like dirty feet or unfamiliarity of your current environment keeps you from seeing the beauty of where you are. You need to live in the moment.

I was able to watch my loved ones laugh openly and hug my little cousins tightly - the best feeling is when their tiny arms wrap around you and they snuggle into your neck. I watched my grandma spend hours making special desserts. This is my home, this is where my loved ones are. I would hear my friends complain about their annoying aunts and cousins at their weekly or monthly family dinners but I always wished I could have them, too. All I get is a few days with them every few years if I'm lucky.

So yes, India left me with amazing memories and dirty feet — both of which I will cherish forever.