Funny how Erik mentioned India in his post about poverty tourism and I’ve stumbled on this piece from CNN about rural tourism in India. The connection being a better way to give your vacation dollars to poor, less affluent areas in the country and to also live like the Indians do during your stay. I’m not necessarily talking about dirt poor areas, but probably something a little less comfortable than your well air-conditioned hotel room. Experience the heat and dust from the villages while learning some local art, churning butter, or getting your drinking water from a well. Rural tourism is by no means a stranger to the country, yet the tourism department has selected some 50 plus villages to participate under the new plan. Travelers ready for the greater India can decide on villages stays anywhere from Goa to Rajasthan.