India

I’m not sure where to even begin talking about India. It was an awesome experience. In the 5 days I spent here, I saw so much.

When we arrived on Sunday we all had to meet face to face with immigration officers who came onto the ship. While this whole process was going on, I went to a yoga demonstration that was happening in the union. I couldn’t believe how flexible these people were. I now believe it’s possible to bend in any way you can imagine. Following that, a few of us headed out to do a bit of shopping for Indian clothing in Chennai. We took a motor rickshaw, which was an experience and a half. A motor rickshaw is a motorized vehicle that has 3 wheels and no doors. The traffic here makes anything you would possibly see in the states seem calm. There were rickshaws all over the place, mopeds filling the street, a handful of cars and buses, and everyone’s horns were beeping all the time. There are lanes, but no one stays in them. People are just all over. And no one stops for you. If you’re trying to cross the street, you had better be watching out, because you will be hit. Later that night we went to a welcome reception with some local college students. Just about everyone I spoke with was going to school to become an engineer. So it was almost like being back in Troy. Almost.

The next morning I was up early, bag packed, and on my way. We flew to Varanasi for the first part of our trip. Airport security was much less of a hassle that at home. It was interesting though, when we got there and put our bags on the conveyor belt to be scanned, the men went through the metal detectors that were out in the open, and the women had to go through the ones behind the curtain.

Upon arriving in Varanasi, we went to Sarnath which is where Buddha preached his first sermon. There were monks praying and it was quite peaceful. Except for the hawkers who were constantly trying to sell you things. Everywhere we went there were people shoving things in your face trying to sell you something. It was overwhelming at times.

The next morning we got up and went on the Ganges River at sunrise. We saw people coming down to bath in the river. It was crazy to watch because the water seems so dirty, and yet this is where some people take their daily bath to feel clean. We also saw cremation happening up the river a little ways. In the Hindu religion the Ganges River is holy. Dying in Varanasi and being cremated at the river is a way to break free of the cycle of rebirth on this earth. Looking at the shore from the boat, it was truly beautiful. There was so much going on and people all over. Despite the poverty, the colors were so vibrant. You could just see life happening up on the shore.

From Varanasi we flew to Delhi and took a train to Agra. While in Agra we first visited the fort where the man who built the Taj Mahal was imprisoned by his son. He had built the Taj for one of his wives, but in doing so he left his family and country with no money. One of his sons from a different wife gained control and imprisoned him. From the fort you had a great view of the Taj Mahal. It was almost like a tease. He could see the Taj from a distance, but couldn’t be there. After visiting the fort, we made our way to the Taj itself. It was absolutely incredible. I can’t get over how big it is. We had a few hours there so were able to just sit back and relax and take it all in. The intricacies of the stonework are amazing. There are all kinds of colored stones inlaid in the marble. I don’t know what else I can say about it.

As a whole, it’s difficult to digest India. I saw the Taj Mahal and all its beauty, such a huge expensive building. But then right outside the gate there is so much hardship. I saw more physical disfiguration than I think I ever have as a result of malnutrition. I saw a man in the train station with elephantitus in his feet. His feet looked like giant blow up toys, they were jut huge. Yet, here he was, this crazy problem, homeless, and when asked if his condition made thing more difficult, he simply said it was a gift from God. His attitude on life was incredible. Just about everywhere you went there were people begging. The most difficult was when you had kids coming up to you. And it wasn’t only kids, but kids carrying babies. It was heartbreaking. India was dirty. But it was so full of life. I don’t think India ever sleeps. Even when we were out at 4 in the morning to catch a train the streets were alive. You saw some people in tattered clothes and other in beautiful bright colored sarees. Overall, India was just an incredible experience. There is so much more I could say about my time in India, but I will leave it at that for now.