If there's one thing I really, really love about my job, it's how it gives me the opportunity to see places I've never been to before and experience various cultures. However, never in my wildest imagination did I think I would get to visit India for work. But from February 23 to 28 this year, that's where my job took me. And it is, by far, one of the most enriching cultural experiences I've ever had in my entire life--even if, I have to admit, our stay there was super bitin! I didn't even get to see the Taj Mahal (although we did stay at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi, which is four hours away from one of the wonders of the world).

Cosmo Philippines Chief Zo Aguila and Summit Media Group Advertising Director Florence Bienvenido attended the 2010 Cosmopolitan International Conference (COSMIC) with me in New Delhi. There, we met Cosmopolitan editors and publishers from all over the globe. It was great meeting fellow Cosmo women (and men!) and exchanging stories of how we run our respective magazines and websites--comparing notes, sympathizing with concerns that are not very different from ours, feeling somewhat better that we're not the only ones facing the challenges of running a magazine and a website with very few (albeit really talented) people on the team.

There's so much to say about my India trip, even if it's mostly highlighted by sessions at the hotel function room, discussing anything and everything Cosmo, and having fun with the COSMIC participants in the events at night (one of which was the gala dinner where Cosmo.ph was awarded for having the Best Online Presence!). While we barely had time to go around and see New Delhi, we did get the chance to do a little bit of shopping (I must say, India has got to be paradise for fashionistas with all their lovely accessories and clothes at such cheap, cheap prices!).

Sometimes, it's so much better letting photos tell the story of an amazing trip to a place as entrancing as India. And that's what I shall do this time for my blog post. Click through this photo blog and see all pics!

Before the conference officially began, we had a little bit of time to relax and enjoy the lovely facilities in the Taj Mahal Hotel. Here, I pose by the poolside.

At the welcome cocktails, they set up little booths where we got our first "taste" of Indian culture: we got free bangles, had our fortunes told by palm readers, and got henna tattoos. Here, I'm getting an elaborate henna tattoo on my left hand.

Zo and I show off our henna tattoos with the Cosmo Malaysia team.

On our second night in India, we had our own little private shopping event called the Cosmo Bazaarty, which gave us the chance to buy pasalubong at great prices (since they knew we really didn't have much time to do shopping elsewhere). Here, Zo and I pose with Hearst Magazines President Cathie Black and Cosmopolitan India's Aarti after we've all done our shopping.

On our third night in India, the Gala Dinner was held in one of New Delhi's most sosyal restaurants. It was then that Cosmopolitan Philippines was given the Best Online Presence award. Here, Zo and I proudly show off our trophy as we posed for a photo-op with Summit Media Group Advertising Director Florence Bienvenido and HMI Vice President and Executive Director Kim St. Clair Bodden.

After the awarding ceremonies, we were treated to a performance from Bollywood star Anushka Manchanda, who appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan India in February. She taught us some basic Bollywood dance moves, too!

On our last day in India, we finally got to do a little bit of sight-seeing and shopping! Right after the conference's last session, we went straight to the India Gate, a national monument and one of the largest war memorials in India, built in remembrance of the 90,000 soldiers who died in battle in World War I (their names are engraved on it).

Flo, Zo, and I pose outside the Presidential Palace of India, in New Delhi.

In India, it's pretty to have various colorful threads braided into your hair. While I didn't try it on my rebonded hair when we visited the Dilli-Haat Crafts Bazaar (a shopping haven!), I did ask the ladies who do the braiding if they could pose for a photograph with me.

Shopping in Dilli-Haat is so much fun! The vendors/booths inside the Crafts Bazaar organized by the government changes every 15 days, so shoppers always get a fresh crop of Indian goods to choose from! Here, I pose by some of the booths selling everything from clothes, shawls, shoes, bangles and all sorts of accessories to home decor, fabrics, food, and other Indian wares.

One of the best new friends we've made in the entire COSMIC is Aarti who handles Features for the Cosmopolitan India team. She took us around New Delhi and brought us to all the great shopping places! Here, we pose for a photo before parting ways at Dilli-Haat.

I simply had to have my photo taken with our friendly cab driver who took us around New Delhi. Cab fares there are really so much more reasonable, I have to say! They just leave the metro on, no need for "kontrata" like some Pinoy cab drivers do! You also have the option to NOT turn the air-con on, or pay an additional 25 percent of the metro if you opt to have it on. But with the cool weather in India (where they are still enjoying the last few days of winter), we really didn't need air conditioning.

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