Four Cities in FGour Days - India Part 2

March 9^th

5:00 AM

Our group met in the lobby to set off on our train ride to Agra. We stepped outside into the chilly morning air and made our way to our taxi. On the way to the airport we stopped by a store to pick up our box breakfasts. We then walked from the store to the train station.  It was crazy to see so many people up and traveling so early in the morning….welcome to the real world! There were many people sleeping all over the train station wrapped up in blankets. I’m not sure if they were waiting for a train or were just homeless and using it as a warm place to sleep.  There was no security at the train station so we just printed out our tickets at one of the kiosks and waited for the train to arrive. It was kind of annoying and scary because me and two other girls were in a different car from the rest of the group. We found what we thought was the correct car and sat down. After us this large group of young school kids came onboard and we were told we were in the wrong seats. So we asked where we were supposed to sit and they directed us to one car further.  This car must have been the next class up because it was very spacious and the people traveling in the car looked more upscale. There was a family in front of us that had the cutest kids ever. They would stand on the seats and smile and giggle at us throughout the entire ride. We were also served breakfast by the train stewards, and given a free bottle of water too! I just ate the sweet cookie that they gave us.  The train ride was about two hours. We watched the sun rise over the horizon as we made our way towards Agra.

When we got there I could tell it was going to be a lot different from all the cities that we had been too. After walking out of the train station we were immediately swarmed by beggars. They would hold onto our clothes, poking us and trying to get us to give them our water bottles. I would have except it was the only water I had for the day and just really wasn’t comfortable with the situation. There were also many beggars who had deformities and some of the SAS kids would just take pictures of them and run away which was really sad and childish to see.  We got into our vans and were greeted by our guide, Sunny. He gave us a background on the Taj Mahal. I could tell that this was going to be a very touristy kind of day.

We arrived at the building where we had to buy our tickets for the Taj. 750 rupees a piece got us a ticket, shoe booties, and complimentary water bottle. We had to take a limo golf cart to the actual entrance of the entrance. There are three entrances to the Taj; East, West and South. There is more at the Taj than just the Taj itself. There are other buildings on the complex that are a part of the temple as well. It was all very meticulously manicured and the grass looked like a golf course. It was really neat to set eyes on the Taj Mahal for the first time. I couldn’t believe I was actually there. The Taj Mahal is symmetrical. The only thing not symmetrical about it is the grave for his last wife who the Taj Mahal was built for. Her grave sits next to her husband’s whose of course, is right in the middle of the Taj. IT was a breathtaking sight but also full of lots of tourists. It’s incredibly hard to get your picture taken in front of because so many people want the same shot. Sunny showed us some great spots to take pictures….he was also taking pictures of us and acting as our own personal photographer. We were given shoe booties that we had to put on to walk inside the Taj and see the tombs. We weren’t allowed to take pictures inside either. It smelled like dirty, sweaty feet in there especially because many of the locals just walk around barefoot and there are thousands of people going in the Taj every day. The Taj is made out of marble and has many inlayed semi-precious stones on the inside that are in a floral pattern. Its incredible work and very intricate. I can’t imagine building the Taj. It is such an incredible building. As we made our way through the other rooms of the Taj we learned a little more history. We ended up on the other side which looks out on to the Ganges River. I never realized the Taj was riverfront property! Apparently some guy wanted to build the exact same Taj Mahal but make it out of sandstone. It would have been called the Black Taj and been directly across the river from the Taj Mahal. We saw where it would have been built. After walking back through the Taj complex we were taken to lunch which was okay. It was kind of a dirty restaurant though.

 After that we were taken to the Mini Taj. This temple was built just a few years before the Taj Mahal. The architecture from the Taj is inspired by this monument and looks quite similar. It was an interesting building to go through. By this point I am very used to leaving my shoes in order to go into the temples. I always wonder if my shoes will be there when I get back though! This monument was also on the Ganges River. After this stop we were taken to a marble store where they showed us the artisans making marble and inlaying semi precious stones just like the workers did when building the Taj. It was very interesting to see! We were also taken to a carpet store. All these stores are interesting because they are just like a home show. They sit you down, offer you soda and tea and make you watch them show you all of their goods. At the carpet place we also saw a man making an oriental rug. The shopkeeper explained how it worked. And then the next part was the best. He says that they like the small kids because they have good eyes and nimble fingers. Cory asked him…”Uhh so, how old are these kids then?” Of course the shopkeeper tried to cover his butt and said ohhh 20 to 30 years old. Yeah RIGHT! None of us bought anything from the store after we realized they employ child laborers! It’s sad to see how many people are turning their backs on this issue. I am currently working on a project for my global studies class on child labor in agriculture in India.

Our last monument stop was a fort at sunset. From the fort we could see the sunset and the Taj Mahal. During sunset the marble of the Taj turns a reddish color which is beautiful! The fort also had wild monkeys all over the place which was kind of crazy. And then these Indian guys followed our group all over the fort taking pictures of us. It was like having paparazzi and REALLY annoying and sketchy.

By this time it was getting late and our last stop was at a music store where some of our group tried out traditional Indian instruments like the Sitar which looks like a funky guitar. And then we sang “Jai Ho,” a song from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. Some Celine Dion was also thrown in there for fun. The Indian guys that were playing instruments knew SO many songs!

We made our way back to the Agra train station….again swarmed by begging children. We got our tickets and found our platform. Our train was late by 40 minutes or so. As we were standing on the platform, there were all these kids coming up to us begging for money. It was really sad. There was a child with a cleft palette that reminded me of those ads you see on TV or in the newspaper. It made me think that maybe this kid wouldn’t be begging on the streets if he had gotten help or money through one of those programs. After a long wait at the station, our train finally pulled in. We quickly hopped on and found our seats. We were given dinner on the train. It was really delicious! And also ice cream! A two hour train ride back to Delhi FLEW by. We got into the vans and took them back to Rockwell Plaza. Before I went to bed, there were three girls in the lobby all trying to connect to wifi. Every time all three were on they blew the power out for the entire block! It was kind of hilarious but I’m sure really annoying for the locals! I had an awesome sleep that night.

March 10^th

7AM

It was nice to have a little more time to sleep in. We had a delicious breakfast but it made me a little queasy afterwards. I don’t know what I would do without Pepto Bismol! We got to have a little more freedom that morning and walked around Delhi thinking that stores were be open. We realized that nothing was open and found out they wouldn’t open until 11:30 AM. So we found some rickshaw drivers who took us to yet another store with more textiles and goods. I am so tired of shopping!!! We went to the airport at 10:30 to catch our 12:45 flight. But it was delayed an hour and a half so that was kind of annoying waiting around the airport. I really just wanted to sleep. This flight was the only time I had a window seat which was really nice for resting my head but really cramped! All the other flights I had aisle seats. We got to Chennai around 5:30 and found a taxi. It was right at rush hour and so hot and cramped in the taxi that I couldn’t even breathe. Plus the pollution makes me think at least 5 years has been shaved off my life after being here. So after a loooong ride to the port we made it through security, bag search, and into dinner by 7:20, just ten minutes before it shut down. Thank God! I was exhausted.

March 11^th

8:30 AM

I am awakened to the sound of our room phone ringing. It was Brittany telling me they were going shopping today. Oh gosh. I decided to go with them since I hadn’t seen much of Chennai. We ended up going to Spencer’s Plaza which is basically a shopping mall. Comparing shopping habits to that of Indians is interesting. They have people outside the doors trying to lure you in but really they’re just annoying and you end up blowing them off. And then when you enter the store they walk around and follow you everywhere trying to make you buy stuff. They don’t understand the meaning of browsing. You’re able to barter in malls! After shopping we met up with Steph’s Indian friend Adeit (sp?). They had been traveling with him all week on their tour. It was fun to meet him.  This is where we learned about the Tsunami and earthquake in Japan. We hope it will not impact our trip. We then went to the post office and bought stamps and then got back to the ship. It’s always so nice to be back! Dinner was bland as always especially compared to the Indian food we were eating all week. They broadcast a news station in the Union so we could be updated on the tsunami as well. And then we watched as we pulled out of port.

 

Things I’m Thankful For

 

Indoor plumbing

Driving laws

Public education

Toilet paper

Western style toilets

Sanitation laws

Garbage men

The right to wear whatever clothes we want

Hot water

Electricity

Building codes

Zoning laws

….and a LOT more!

 

I really wonder how people live in this country. I am absolutely exhausted. I guess if you grow up in India, you are used to it. I’m not sure if I’ll be back to India, at least for personal travel anyways! It has been a great experience but I am very ready to be on my way. So long India! Hello SINGAPORE!

If anyone has any recommendations for Singapore that would be awesome! Just comment below!
Thanks again to all my readers and positive comments! They keep me going and make my day!