Sharell grew up in a small country town in Australia, but has been traveling and exploring different cultures since her early 20's. Her love for India started in 2000 when she visited there for the first time. She found it to be a complete assault on her senses, confronting but strangely uplifting and exhilarating. This hasn't changed, only now Sharell lives in cosmopolitan Mumbai and is trying (and sometimes succeeding!) to speak Hindi.
Sharell arrived in Calcutta, not knowing anyone, in late 2005 to do five weeks of community work. One thing led to another and despite returning to Australia a few of times, she never ended up staying there for very long. She's finally accepted India as her home for now, and so far has managed to survive numerous encounters with the infamous Indian bureaucracy and retain most of her sanity. She's also had some interesting experiences running a guesthouse in a beach town in Kerala, and working on the set of a Bollywood movie near Manali.
Ever since she learned how to write, Sharell has always enjoyed it. She honed her skills in business writing, then branched out into writing about India travel for various websites. She found an appreciative audience for her work, and her writing has continued on from there.
Sharell holds a Bachelor of Business from Monash University in Australia.
After I left university, I found myself working for the government in Melbourne. It wasn't inspiring, but it was comfortable and funded my travels. I never dreamed I would end up living in India. However, it's interesting how life turns out. My life in no way resembles what it used to, but I have more fulfillment and purpose than ever before.
India can be an overwhelming and challenging country to visit. It's a country that will break your heart and test your sanity if you let it, but its also a country where you can discover a deeper appreciation of life and a new way of thinking. India's resilience and determination will inspire you, and its history and traditions will fascinate you. One thing is certain, India will leave a firm imprint in your heart and mind. It's an incredible country where you can expect the unexpected. I look forward to helping you get the most from your time in India!