Mahanth S. Joishy is Editor of usindiamonitor

As an analyst of US-India relations, I am always extremely curious to hear what American tourists think of their India experiences. Person to person contacts are after all the leading indicator of the health of any bilateral geopolitical relationship. Those stories that I am most interested in and respect most are from those that truly immerse themselves in the country, its food, its local people, and attempt to speak the local languages. Essentially I seek out those American fellow travelers who possess the same wanderlust that I do in my travels, especially because I’m living vicariously due to not having visited India myself since 2017 despite a deep and undying affection for the land of my ancestors.

Let’s take an example of what I like in life. During my solo travels in New Zealand in 2012, in the midst of a 6-month, 10-country world tour, I remember meeting some very nice folks at a bar in Paihia by asking if I could play pool with them. One thing led to another, and somehow some hours later we ended up at a wonderful Maori household in the deep woods well past midnight, drinking Tui beer, with me cooking spicy Indian food for everyone in their kitchen (to roaring approval) at what had somehow devolved into an all-night party of strangers who had immediately become friends, including a weather-beaten fisherman, a random young white Kiwi couple on their honeymoon, and the only real Maoris I have ever broken bread with.

Unfortunately, most American tourists are the exact opposite of spontaneous or curious. Too many opt for boring and unadventurous travels, seeking out predictable hotel or resort amenities, Western pastimes like zip lining or surfing, and Western style food instead of authentic, unpredictable experiences. Too many aspire to avoid something unfamiliar and different, rather than embracing the novelty and even fear (something Anthony Bourdain was the ultimate King of). So when you come across an American traveler who does it the right way, it’s worth paying attention if he has a YouTube channel. Welcome to the world of Daily Max.

Max is a charmingly humble young buck from Arkansas who grew up on a rural farm, not the most likely of candidates to be a confident world traveler who is willing to explore the unfamiliar nooks and crannies of places like India, where he has been doing deep dives over a number of trips, or his second home of Vietnam. In fact research for my upcoming vacation to Vietnam is the reason I came across Max on YouTube. His command of multiple languages is also impressive and endearing, if not perfect.

Max focuses mostly, although not entirely, on food during his v-logging adventures. Outgoing and social to the max, he often finds out how to get to where he wants to go, or what to munch on, thanks to prolific conversation with totally random strangers, a surprising number of whom recognize him from his YouTube channels. He truly has a sizable fan base among young Indian people, something I in fact envy.

We need more Maxes in this world, and other heirs to Anthony Bourdain like him. Find out for yourself what I mean by visiting his channel, it will be worth your while.