I feel like the past four days have seemed like a couple of weeks. We have gone to so many places and seen so many things. I am on the roof of the Hotel Ajanta. We just ate dinner over this incredible view and now I am using one of the "complimentary computers" to write this post.
I wish I could blog every 3 hours because after seeing so much, it is hard to decide what to write. Since I have the rest of the night free, I will try to fit in as much as I can remember about Delhi so far.
After arriving in Delhi after a very short flight, it was so strange to not have a work day ahead of me. I have had to tell myself multiple times not to feel guilty for taking this time to see the sights of India when there is so much work that can be done. I feel like I can take this experience and pay the world back within the means that I am capable of. It was such a gift to be able to come to India.
Anyway, day one we got on a plane in Hyderabad at 9am and arrived in Delhi about an hour and a half later. We were picked up by our travel agent and went to Hotel Ajanta. We dropped off our things and then went to a show that night where we saw a live performance of a show that had a similar plot line to that of The Prince of Persia (at least I think so). Our travel agent Steven went with us. All of these buildings at this place were super pretty. In a way it reminded me of a baby Disneyland, except without any rides. We walked into the main building and it was a big indoor courtyard thing. Each little shop or area was themed with different areas of India. There was food specific to location as well as jewelry and clothing. There was a lot of entertainment and the group had a great time looking around at all of the decor and performances.
After about an hour we went to be seated for or show. It was all in Hindi so we had to try and follow along the best we could. It was a bit like Broadway except no live singing. There were however, extremely awesome, massive dance numbers to super fantastic music. There was a lot of energy. We left with huge smiles.
After the show, we saw a little shop that was selling these little wrap things. It is basically some kind of leaf filled with seasonings, dried fruit, and who knows what else. The covered it in silver leaf and stuck it on a toothpick. Steven told me to just stick the whole thing in my mouth and chew it up. So I did. It was an indescribable combination of flavors and I did not like it at first. After chewing for a long time, I missed the whole memo that you are supposed to spit it all out. I swallowed it. I did not get a stomach ache, it just kind of felt like I swallowed a tube of toothpaste.
It was a great first day. We ordered room service that night and we all realized that we love Daal Makhani.
Day two we woke up early and went to Gandhi's house. It was an incredible place. We spent maybe only and hour and a half there though, due to the schedule. We learned about his life and his last hours. We also learned about his ideas about religion and human kind. It was humbling to see the strength one man can have. He possessed so much love for his India. I never knew the story of his assassination. We walked through a part of the house that had a timeline with a detailed description of his last 48 hours. It was heavy to read. I thought about what it must be like to visit Jerusalem. This trip to India has opened my eyes to the vastness of the world and yet, I realize how close we all are as people. How is it that someone has grown up on the other side of the world and whose ancestors are nowhere close to mine can laugh with me and have a connection? There is much more that is connecting us all as humans than I think we are wanting to admit sometimes. This obligation of brotherhood and sisterhood is a difficult concept for me understand, but I think I am a little bit closer.
After Gandhi's house, we took a cab to Agra. I loved the vibe of Agra. I cannot explain why, but it felt so alive. Our first stop was Agra Fort. This place is over 1000 years old. Guess what I learned about India? No matter where you go, concubines are probably part of the history. It was interesting to learn how important having concubines in your palace was. Agra Fort was MASSIVE. Like, huge. There was some crazy technology involved. As a form of air conditioning, there were special room designs and built in streams. Ventilation and water were used in every place we saw. It was exciting to explore and see the progression of style and technology in the newer areas of the fort.
As we were leaving, we saw lots of people wearing orange. This was apparently due to a festival...
Intejection: There are always festivals happening in this country. There is always some group of people doing this or that and when we inquire as to why, the response is always "It's a festival...." I think it is interesting to be in a country that is so passionate that there are so many occasions in which to celebrate.
Ok anyway, after Agra Fort we went to our hotel in Agra which is honestly the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at. We went swimming on the roof and later ate dinner with candle light and two men playing the drums and the sitar. There were lots of couples, so I assume that it is a known hotel for the romantic atmosphere. The bed we slept on was the most comfortable thing I have slept on since my arrival to India. We were spoiled to say the least.
The next day we woke up, ate an awesome breakfast and made our way to the TAJ MAHAL. WOOHOO! This is the highlight of my sightseeing so far. It was more beautiful than I anticipated. There was a peaceful feeling at the Taj that I have not felt elsewhere in India. To many of the people of India, the Taj Mahal is a symbol of love. Many who have the means travel to see the Taj multiple times. We got the chance to talk to some locals who were great.
There was more in this day and the day I experienced today, but I must get off this computer for now. I am the sweatiest person on planet earth right now. Delhi is hot. Realllllyyyyyyy hot.
All of my pictures are on facebook! After I get back to the states I will put descriptions of everything that is in the pictures.
Oh, also, I pet a cobra.
Ok the end.
:)
I wish I could blog every 3 hours because after seeing so much, it is hard to decide what to write. Since I have the rest of the night free, I will try to fit in as much as I can remember about Delhi so far.
After arriving in Delhi after a very short flight, it was so strange to not have a work day ahead of me. I have had to tell myself multiple times not to feel guilty for taking this time to see the sights of India when there is so much work that can be done. I feel like I can take this experience and pay the world back within the means that I am capable of. It was such a gift to be able to come to India.
Anyway, day one we got on a plane in Hyderabad at 9am and arrived in Delhi about an hour and a half later. We were picked up by our travel agent and went to Hotel Ajanta. We dropped off our things and then went to a show that night where we saw a live performance of a show that had a similar plot line to that of The Prince of Persia (at least I think so). Our travel agent Steven went with us. All of these buildings at this place were super pretty. In a way it reminded me of a baby Disneyland, except without any rides. We walked into the main building and it was a big indoor courtyard thing. Each little shop or area was themed with different areas of India. There was food specific to location as well as jewelry and clothing. There was a lot of entertainment and the group had a great time looking around at all of the decor and performances.
After about an hour we went to be seated for or show. It was all in Hindi so we had to try and follow along the best we could. It was a bit like Broadway except no live singing. There were however, extremely awesome, massive dance numbers to super fantastic music. There was a lot of energy. We left with huge smiles.
After the show, we saw a little shop that was selling these little wrap things. It is basically some kind of leaf filled with seasonings, dried fruit, and who knows what else. The covered it in silver leaf and stuck it on a toothpick. Steven told me to just stick the whole thing in my mouth and chew it up. So I did. It was an indescribable combination of flavors and I did not like it at first. After chewing for a long time, I missed the whole memo that you are supposed to spit it all out. I swallowed it. I did not get a stomach ache, it just kind of felt like I swallowed a tube of toothpaste.
It was a great first day. We ordered room service that night and we all realized that we love Daal Makhani.
Day two we woke up early and went to Gandhi's house. It was an incredible place. We spent maybe only and hour and a half there though, due to the schedule. We learned about his life and his last hours. We also learned about his ideas about religion and human kind. It was humbling to see the strength one man can have. He possessed so much love for his India. I never knew the story of his assassination. We walked through a part of the house that had a timeline with a detailed description of his last 48 hours. It was heavy to read. I thought about what it must be like to visit Jerusalem. This trip to India has opened my eyes to the vastness of the world and yet, I realize how close we all are as people. How is it that someone has grown up on the other side of the world and whose ancestors are nowhere close to mine can laugh with me and have a connection? There is much more that is connecting us all as humans than I think we are wanting to admit sometimes. This obligation of brotherhood and sisterhood is a difficult concept for me understand, but I think I am a little bit closer.
After Gandhi's house, we took a cab to Agra. I loved the vibe of Agra. I cannot explain why, but it felt so alive. Our first stop was Agra Fort. This place is over 1000 years old. Guess what I learned about India? No matter where you go, concubines are probably part of the history. It was interesting to learn how important having concubines in your palace was. Agra Fort was MASSIVE. Like, huge. There was some crazy technology involved. As a form of air conditioning, there were special room designs and built in streams. Ventilation and water were used in every place we saw. It was exciting to explore and see the progression of style and technology in the newer areas of the fort.
As we were leaving, we saw lots of people wearing orange. This was apparently due to a festival...
Intejection: There are always festivals happening in this country. There is always some group of people doing this or that and when we inquire as to why, the response is always "It's a festival...." I think it is interesting to be in a country that is so passionate that there are so many occasions in which to celebrate.
Ok anyway, after Agra Fort we went to our hotel in Agra which is honestly the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at. We went swimming on the roof and later ate dinner with candle light and two men playing the drums and the sitar. There were lots of couples, so I assume that it is a known hotel for the romantic atmosphere. The bed we slept on was the most comfortable thing I have slept on since my arrival to India. We were spoiled to say the least.
The next day we woke up, ate an awesome breakfast and made our way to the TAJ MAHAL. WOOHOO! This is the highlight of my sightseeing so far. It was more beautiful than I anticipated. There was a peaceful feeling at the Taj that I have not felt elsewhere in India. To many of the people of India, the Taj Mahal is a symbol of love. Many who have the means travel to see the Taj multiple times. We got the chance to talk to some locals who were great.
There was more in this day and the day I experienced today, but I must get off this computer for now. I am the sweatiest person on planet earth right now. Delhi is hot. Realllllyyyyyyy hot.
All of my pictures are on facebook! After I get back to the states I will put descriptions of everything that is in the pictures.
Oh, also, I pet a cobra.
Ok the end.
:)
No comments:
Post a Comment