POCATELLO - Undeterred by last year's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, Pocatello native Trinelle McKinley spent 22 days last month in the world's second most populous country.

McKinley, an Idaho State University senior, was part of a cheering and dancing team that was invited to perform during the International Cricket Championships that were held in several cities in India, where the sport is huge.

The trip was initially planned for last year, but it was postponed and rescheduled for this year after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India's largest city. Ten terrorists struck multiple sites between Nov. 26-29, killing 180 people, including 22 foreigners, and wounding more than 300.

The event was rescheduled and the 30-member cheering squad went to India Oct. 3-25 to cheer during the cricket matches, which were held in large stadiums.

McKinley, 22, was born and raised in Pocatello, graduated from Highland High School, and is studying health education at ISU, where she is a sprinter on the university's track team. She is a former Pocatello Junior Miss as well as a former Miss Pocatello.

Q: After what happened in Mumbai last year, were you afraid of making the trip?

McKinley: I was actually still considering going last year before it got postponed and rescheduled. Nobody can ever guarantee your safety. I was more excited than nervous to go this year. There were definitely people on both sides, telling me to go, telling me to stay.

Q: What was the atmosphere like at the cricket matches?

McKinley: The stadiums were huge. I've never seen crowds like I saw in India. Probably 95 percent of them were men; you rarely see women at the games. India has never seen cheerleaders before, so they would just go crazy for us. We kind of felt like we were the stars of the game. It was a very, very cool experience.

Q: Were you treated like celebrities?

McKinley: We were invited to a lot of parties, both before the games and to big championship parties after the game was over. I have never experienced anything like it before. (Upon arriving for the opening ceremonies), when we stepped off the bus, a million cameras were going off and a red carpet was in front of us. I have never felt so much like a celebrity before.

Q: I heard you had a very frightening experience. How scared were you?

McKinley: It was the most dangerous situation I've ever been in. A group of eight of us were leaving a market and we loaded into three different rickshaws. We told the drivers to stick together and take us to the Hard Rock Cafe. We were just enjoying the experience, but noticed the drivers pulled over a couple different times. When they pulled over a third time, we realized we were on a pitch-black street ... in a (very bad) area. We realized we were in some big trouble. We noticed a hotel up ahead and told the drivers to take us there, but they would not. We all jumped out, fell onto the street and sprinted to the hotel. It was pretty terrifying. We had a little group hug in the hotel and most of us were crying. We told our sponsor of the experience and he said, "That's one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in India. I don't want to even think about what could have happened to you." We were very lucky.

Q: What did you think of the Taj Mahal (one of the seven wonders of the world)?

McKinley: It was jaw-dropping. It was the greatest thing I've ever seen in real life. It's really unexplainable. Everything about it is so perfect. I feel lucky I got to see one of the seven wonders of the world. Now I want to see the other six.

Q: Tell us about your visit to an Indian orphanage?

McKinley: Me and my roommate decided to spend our last day there at an orphanage. It was the only orphanage in the entire country that was certified ... up to government standards. It made me sick to think that there are a couple million orphans in India and only 30 are living in a facility that is up to government standards. It was just heartbreaking. It really has changed my view on things. The average person here lives 10 times more extravagantly than they do there. I'm now trying to create a charity for orphans in India.

Q: How was the driving in India?

McKinley: I had a few panic attacks. They squeeze at least eight to 10 cars on what should be a two-lane street. It was just crazy. If there was two inches of space, a motorcycle's going through it. I got in three wrecks. It was normal to see four or five family members on one motorcycle. It was shocking. There were really no walkways. Pedestrians would just walk in-between cars because there was always so much traffic. It was definitely a cultural shock that I was not ready for.

Q: How did the trip affect you?

McKinley: I realized how much we take for granted here. I also learned to barter. I've never been an aggressive or confrontational person, but that was fun to barter with the market people. It was a lot to take in. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I'm so glad I went after it.