The first two days...

Namaste!

In the short 2 days that we have been here in India, we have already seen so much!
Before we began our drive to Agra from New Delhi, we met up with 2 families that had just picked up their children from the ISRC orphanage in Kolkata. It was great to meet them and their adorable children! Then they were off to deal with Visa complications. I'm glad to hear they were able to finalize the visas and make their flights home!

We then left for Agra and were introduced to the art of driving and the music of the horns - weaving around and between cars, motorcycles, bikes, camel drawn carts, pedestrians and cows, all while steadily using the horn to announce one's approach. The whole 4 hour drive from Delhi to Agra was a constant weaving dance. Once in Agra we first visited the Agra Fort. While there we were asked by some Indians if they could take our picture. I guess we are a curious sight. There are many stares. Even the monkeys weren't quite sure what to think of us. As Jason was taking a picture of a baby monkey, Mama monkey became offended that he did not first ask for permission, and started to charge Jason. People shooed Mama away in time, only to discover that the monkey had bitten someone else just seconds later as her baby ran through a crowd. There are many peddlers trying to push their wares at the different tourist areas. Our driver tells us to ignore them, but it is so hard to ignore the children peddlers who's eyes are so intense and pleading, and many of whom may be homeless. It was quite a first day that left us feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I think I was expecting that I would adjust right away since I had lived in Honduras for 6 months - a place where I adjusted quickly to all the stares and chaotic driving. I even drove a car while there. But I think a big part has to do with the jet lag, and not having too much experience with the Indian culture and language.

Today has already been a different story. We connected with our driver and guide- learning abut their childhood, their marriages, children, work, joys and sadness.  Our guide was so excited about the birth of his 1st child 4 days ago. He is studying to be a teacher of Indian history. Our driver was telling us how he is in the process of seeking the right husband for his 17 year old daughter, and how all the digging and researching of different families has become more difficult than it used to be. Driving along the road from Agra to Jaipur we also learned more about the livelihood in this part of rural Rajastan. It is wheat harvesting time. Looking out you see splotches of bright colors in the wheat fields - the beautiful colored saris worn by the women who are cutting and bundling the wheat. This wheat is used to feed the livestock. In other areas within the wheat fields, we saw many brick-making kiln towers and children playing cricket. By the way, did you know that India just won the world cup in cricket? The driving is still chaotic, and as our driver says..."no brake, only go," but I think I'm starting to get used to it.

The Taj Mahal is remarkable. The detailed marble carvings, the cut inlay of precious gems, the way the gems sparkle when hit just right by the sun, and all of the symmetry. All of this done by Shah Jahan as a tribute of his love for his wife Mumtaz.

We are now in Jaipur and look forward to a full day of sightseeing tomorrow - even going on an elephant ride up to a palace.