one down, 6 more to go.

ONE DOWN! 7 wonders of the world- I can check the Taj Mahal off of that list. 

Okkkkkayyyy. Soooo what a weekend! I'm sorry for anyone who had been reading my blog regularly and I haven't posted anything the past couple days. I am alive! We have been in Delhi the past couple days and we didn't have internet so I couldn't post any blogs. But I did write one each day and saved it on word so I will just post them! 

 Friday July 1st

What a crazy day in India! We left for the airport at 3:00am this morning! So last night I didn’t go to bed at all, drove 2 hours to Chennai, and then got on a 3 hour flight to Delhi. Long day. Then we took Rickshaws on a ride around Old Delhi. This part of the trip, I cant even put into words. It was all you would expect of India, times a million.   This man took us around on this bicycle thing around the town and through the city. We went through the alleyways where there were tons of shops, food, and people. It was absolutely insane. There were more people than I would have ever imagined there could be. We stopped and got off and went to the spices road, where my nostrils took an adventure that they have never experienced before. The smells were indescribable.  We walked down the streets and people stared like we were some kind of aliens. I swear having blonde hair here is like having blue skin in the U.S. We had a man escorting us and taking us around the little town and up to the roof of this building where we could see a 360 view of Delhi. Imagine slumdog millionaire and aladin. And that doesn’t even do it justice. It was so so cool. I was so overwhelmed but loving every second of it. We took the rickshaws back to the bus, and then we went to an Indian restaurant. I had tikka chicken masala and garlic naan. Yuuuum. I wasn’t a huge fan of Indian food before I came here- actually lets be real, it discusted me. But I actually enjoy it now! Some things are still a little sketch to me but I enjoy all the veggies and sauces and rice. Naan is so tasty. After lunch, we took a 6 hour bus ride to Agra. The bus ride was long and rough, but the Indian scene is something that always amazes me. I will never get used to it. Just watching the people on the streets is a surreal feeling. I felt like I was in a movie all day today. So we arrived in Agra, at the Jaypee Palace. WOW. That’s all I have to say. This hotel is unreal. 5 star hotel- should be 6. It is amazing! We walk in and they give us this green juice/tea thing and an Indian flower necklace, kind of like a leigh. We discussed with our travel guy what we will be doing tomorrow and they let us go to our rooms. My friends and I explored this hotel and it is gorgeous. I’m obsessed.

I don’t have too much insight about today besides it being so much fun. The crazy thing about here though, is yesterday I was living in the middle of a mango grove, peeing in a hole and taking a shower out of a bucket. I was helping move bricks to build a bathroom, holding a snake, and playing soccer with little kids. Right now I am sitting on a comfy bed in a 5 star hotel where the people treat us like gold. I feel like in India, you are either living a glamorous rich life, or you are in poverty, living in the slums. I feel a little spoiled now after seeing how these other people live. Being in a Leprosy colony and then the Jaypee Palace is definitely night and day. Don’t get me wrong, I am loving every second of this and soaking up a real shower and toilet, but its just weird how society and money works.

Saturday July 2nd

Holy smokes. Thats all I have to say about today. Holy smokes. If I could plan out my dream day in India- today would be it. It was unreal. Seriously it felt like a dream. Maybe it was a dream. It was unbelievable.

First, we woke up really early for the Taj mahal! We left at 5:30am- supposedly that’s the best time to see it as the sun rises. We drove a few minutes and then had to take an electric bus up to the taj- where I saw the most amazing thing I have ever seen. This thing is breathtaking. It is beyond gorgeous. This huge white palace built with the most beautiful marble in the world. I honestly felt like I was in a movie. It looked fake- like someone photo shopped it right in front f my face. I couldn’t believe that I was actually seeing this. The Taj Mahal people! Can you say... one of the seven wonders of the world? Absolutely unreal. We had a tour guide with us who explained everything as we saw it and the history behind things. The Taj Mahal was built for one woman. The emperors wife, who died. He had multiple wives, but he loved this one the most. She died and he built this as a tomb for her. She is buried right in the very center of this symmetrical building. Him right beside her. He told us how the emperor wanted to build a black Taj across the river but his brother wouldn’t let him, and put him in jail. I just couldn’t believe that this whole thing was for this one woman. What a lucky lady. All I know is I have high expectations of my husband when I die. Itd be cool to enjoy a palace like this during my lifetime, but if I have to wait to see my tomb while I’m in heaven that’s fine too. 

we were sitting on the stairs, waiting to go when this woman came up to me and wanted a picture. Being blonde and white in India you kind of get used to this. But she sat by us and we tried to have a converstaion and unerstand eachother but didnt really work. I told her that she had beautiful bracelts and she all of a sudden starts taking them off. SHe grabs my hand and starts shoving this tiny bangle on. There is absolutely no way this thing will come off. It is beautiful but oh man. There were like 4 people trying to help squeeze my hand together and push thing thing on. I felt so fat. I told her I didnt need it but she insisted, and its rude when you dont accept things form people here. It was so painful. But sometimes beauty hurts right? It was such a cool experience though to be here and to have this random stranger want to give me this gold bracelet. She was so kind and giving. What an amazing woman.  Anyways, after the Taj, we went back to our 5 star hotel, and had a 7 star breakfast. No but for real, this breakfast was amazing. You know the movie the little princess? It was like that- when they had the buffet and all the amazing assortments of Indian food. I felt like a little princess. After breakfast- we went swimming in the pool! I know I know- I’m supposed to just be doing humanitarian work. But you need a little bit of play time right? After our swimming time, we went to the Agra fort. This is where the man who built the Taj Mahal was in prison. It was such a cool building. Super old and historical. The architect here is to die for. It all looks seriously so cool and I am just amazed by all the little details- all hand carved into the marble or stone. I have never seen anything like it. We then went and did a little bit of shopping! They have some pretty cool jelwerys and silks. The outfits these people wear are so beautiful and unique. We went to this marble store, where the people who own it are all family. They don’t share their secrets about how to do the specific work with anyone, not even the girls of the family. Only the boys, because they wont be marrying out of the family name and they will always be successful and running. These pieces were gorgeous though. They hand carve into these marbles and then carve the jewels and stones to put in it. It is such a long process but the end product is exquisite. 

Besides all the amazing things I saw and did today, my next favorite thing happened at the market. Erica and I walked around the shops for a little, but there wasnt a whole lot we liked- and she was hungry so we went to get this chicken role thing on the street. Its a little risky to try street food here, considering our immune systems arent as great as theirs and things that dont even phase them will probably make us sick. But we went over to this happenin food vender who made her this meal. They had American music blasting and as we stood in line I couldnt help but dance a little. My body just loves music. I was dancing and singing and basically gettin my groove on :) The people didn't know how to handle this. Literally, there was a huge crowd gathered around Erica and I. We were singing and dancing and getting some of the boys so dance too. We grabbed one of the little boys hands and were doing a swing dance type of thing and they all were screaming and going nuts. They loved it. I felt like a celebrity. People were taking pictures of us, wanting pictures with us, circled around us. Our driver was with us, and after when we had to leave he was telling us how abnormal that is in India. He said there are dance clubs where people go to, or weddings where they dance at- but you never see people just dancing on the street. He was just laughing at us for starting this party on the street. After dinner a kid in our group wanted to go get a sitar (an indian guitar) so him and his sister, and me and my friend went with them in a separate car from our group. The man who took us is good friends with our tour guide, and has been working with Rising Star for years now. We went to this hole in the wall place- but as we walked in it was so so cool. There were all kinds of things to buy. But we went back where this man gave us our own little  concert of the Indian music on the sitar and the drums. It was so rad. It was just so chill and so Indian. I loved it. Then our driver asked if we wanted to see the Taj Mahal at night- umm duh. Why would we not want to? So we went down to the river- where you have to have this special access to enter. He was legit. The Taj Mahal was beautiful at night. The moonlight shines on it- making it glisten even in the dark. Then we talked to a few people outside of the Hindu temple that was right there. We talked for a little, and then one went and found someone to open this temple. We got a tour of this temple, and they told us all about what they believe and how they worship. It was so interesting to hear about. I think the Hindu religion is a pretty respectful one. They have good concepts and ideas and I appreciate it. It was cool to get that experience in India. Like that doesn’t happen- a personal tour with a local Indian- without our big group. It was so awesome. When we got back to the hotel, we went to the night club at the hotel with a bunch of girls from our program. There was probably only 5 other people in their besides us but it was so much fun! 

Today was so cool. I just cant believe all of that actually happened to me. I got to see all of this, experience all of this, all in just one day. It is just so cool to see the differences between cities. The city Chennai is completely different Agrah. It is so awesome and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to even be doing this.

Sunday July 3rd

Long long day. We woke up, had our amazing breakfast at the Jaypee Palace. Then we left for the airport! We may or may not have stopped on our way to ride elephants! Not a big deal. I mean, its India right? We rode elephants and camels. I love this place. It was sweet. We had to drive 6 hours to the airport then take a 3 hour flight back and then drive 2 more hours to the school. I have traveled so much in the last few days I dont even know what to do with myself. Well I do, sleep maybe. Sorry these are all coming at you at once, I dont blame you if you just looked at the pictures and didn't read- thats probably what I would have done. I just feel so blessed to be here and to be doing the things that I am doing. Its such a wonderful experience. Sometimes its hard for me though because I feel like yes I am helping these people in need, and experiencing this part of India with them- but all I do is hop on a plane and go back to my other lifestyle. It's just a weird concept that I am here doing this one week, and then the next I am living in the U.S. with things that these people could only dream of. I cant help but think of Ruthish, and how he told me all he wants to do is watch an airplane land. And here I am, hoping on an airplane friday and sunday, taking a weekend trip to the Taj Mahal. He asked me if I have to wear a helmet on the plane. This little boy is about the age of my little brother. Mitchell has seen more airplane time in his life than probably all of the people in Chennai, put together. It's just mind boggling to me how we are all equal, and we are all children of God here on earth to find our purpose- yet we are living completely different lives. It makes me wonder why was I born into this lifestyle. Why wasn't I born into one of these huts in a family who has no electricity and only has a few things to their name. Maybe its because I couldn't handle it? Maybe they couldn't handle my lifestyle? All I know is the Lord has a plan. He knows us individually and knows what is best for us. We each have a reason to be here and to be doing what we are doing it. I have learned from these kids to have faith and just be grateful for the things I have.