Update from Michelle
After going through security at the Taj Mahal we were told we could only bring in cameras and wallets. I brought my camera, wallet and the two Stanleys and was told they were not allowed and had to go to the security room. This is a picture of the "detention" space where they had to stay with no view of the Taj!
Everyone else got to see the gorgeous Taj Mahal
Hello Everyone-
We are now beginning our second week together in India, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect back on our first week together.
Our time in New and Old Delhi was busy but interesting. We visited a couple of marketplaces, Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), the New Delhi Sikh Gurdwara, the Jain temple and bird hospital of Old Delhi, school for Blind Children in Gurgaon (a Delhi suburb), and in small groups a variety of other places as well.
Our last full day in Delhi we broke into three groups with my group going to the National Gallery of Modern (Indian) Art and the India Gate, Scott's group going to the tomb of a famed Sufi saint revered by both Muslims and Hindus (named Nizamuddin), and Erin's group had an exciting experience spending hours trying to get into the airport and retrieve Ashley's backpack, which arrived a couple days after we did. Believe it or not all the groups enjoyed their adventures with even the airport group developing a good understanding of bureaucracy and the patience and determination needed to cut through it here...
Next we set off for a full day in Agra (home of the Taj Mahal) and also to the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. The ancient city was built by King Akbar who is admired for being tolerant of all the major faiths of India and whose palaces reflect architectural styles of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and others. Akbar was not a humble fellow and even built an enormous red stone tower (the size of a lighthouse) to memorialize his favorite elephant who served him for many years by "squashing" those determined to be enemies of the state (which ranged from petty thieves to murderers). Our guide told us there was no need for a jail in FS because the "elephant took care of the problems"....yikes! It was an interesting but very full day which concluded with our boarding a train that took us through the countryside to Varanasi in about 11 hours.... (we arrived only 2 hours later than expected...)
We have now been in Varanasi several days. All have had time to explore the ghats (the steps that lead down to the Ganges, which often have temples adjacent), and to explore the city on foot, and the river by boat. This morning we enjoyed a sunrise ride on the Ganges from Assi Ghat (the first ghat which is near where we are staying)...up to the Main Burning Ghat which Melissa wrote about in her submission yesterday after a walk some of us made there. Last night we all listened to a concert by master tabla player Kailesh-ji and his friend who plays the sitar. Before the evening was though a couple of Kailesh's students played tabla and a digeridoo for us and that was a very relaxing and unique experience as well.
Today the students are off doing individual observational activities in and around the town... tomorrow we begin homestays and the next day Independent Study Projects.... Exciting times!
We have a great group and I am grateful to be a part of it.
Namaste everyone---
Michelle
PS- If you have heard the news of problems in Lucknow, do not worry- that is very far away from where we are. We have been warmly welcomed by all of those we have met here and I expect that will continue.