Week 10 in the Backwaters of India

Week 10 in the Backwaters of India

1. Humidity; this is good for my skin right?
2. If we play ten fingers when I get home, I will no longer be able to say, "Never have I ever ridden on a motorcycle."
3. Everest Basecamp adventure begins in 2 weeks, yikes!

The view from our houseboat and an
example of what one looks like!

This past weekend we went on our last Indian excursion to Kerala. You could tell we were all worn out from travelling by just observing us on the houseboat Saturday day. We spent most of our time simply lazying around, reading our Kindles, or taking naps. But hey, India has really tired us out!

Kerala was a fantastic way to wind down from our Indian adventure and begin the process of ending our time in India.

Although the humidity of Kerala wrapped around us like a wet towel when we walked out of the plane in Kochi, I have a feeling that all of that humidity and sweating must have been somehow good for our skin, at least that is what I like to believe. The coconuts were aplenty in Alleppey as well as the palm trees they dropped from. A popular honeymoon spot, the backwaters of Kerala were like a mini foray into paradise, albeit a hot and sticky one. 


 


On Sunday we explored parts of Kochi Fort where the Portuguese had colonized Kerala in the 17th century.  There we watched the locals use Chinese fishing nets in the river and visited St. Francis Church, where Vasco de Gama had originally been laid to rest. He now rests peacefully in Portugal. 

It was wonderful to once again to see how many people live in India and steal a quick peek of a cricket game. 








And although my adventure here in Asia is not nearly over, and really is just about to begin, many of my colleagues will be leaving in a week to go home to the States. I think I have passed the point of being homesick and now have just gotten used to being away for so long. While I cannot wait to get back to my family and friends, I am in a rhythm of exploring, conversing in broken Hindi, getting teased about my 'Western-ness,' and eating thali for dinner every night. 

My trek to the Mt. Everest Basecamp is in approximately two weeks and as it draws nearer, I cannot help but feel more and more nervous and more and more excited.  What new people and facets of the world will I discover and more importantly, what will I learn and uncover about myself?  Throughout all of my travels, and believe you me, there have been a lot, (I recently calculated that out of the last 12 months, 6 were spent abroad) I have learned that travelling and exploring is just as much about exploring and discovering the places you are in as it is exploring and discovering yourself.

Because to me, to travel is....

To Explore. To Experience. To Discover. 

Week 8 - It's an Indian Summer Here

Week 8 Thoughts:

1. Californians (or maybe just Americans for that matter) are the best people in the world. (So said our waiter at Mahesh Lunch Home in Pune.)
2. The US has nothing on the traffic in Delhi.
3. I want to have an Indian wedding.
4. I've seen the Taj Mahal?!

View from Charminar, Hyderabad

With one month left in India, things are really starting to speed up.  Last weekend we visited Delhi and Agra and this weekend I am currently at an Indian wedding for my friend Ashish in Pune. First things first though, let's talk about Delhi and Agra.

Delhi is probably my second favorite city in India.  It was sprawling and cosmopolitan and had a wealth of culture and shopping.  The most memorable moments had to be the traffic, which was absolutely horrendous, and the weather which was incredibly hot (think 'crack an egg on the pavement and watch it cook').  In Delhi we visited the Red Fort and Qutub Minar as well as the India Gate, not to be confused with the Gateway of India in Mumbai of course.  One of the definite highlights though would have to be the shopping.  In the government sponsored shopping areas, you could get handicrafts from all over India in one place.  It was very efficient and I do love efficiency! 

We started our day in Delhi with a visit to Qutub Minar which is the tallest minaret in India.  Unfortunately we were not allowed to climb up as it is not allowed anymore, but the view from below Qutub Minar was astounding.  You might have to turn your head sideways to view it here. :)




 





After we stopped for lunch and shopping, as well as visiting the Red Fort, we went to Humayan's Tomb. The Taj Mahal is modeled after its Mughal architectural style. The detail with which the mausoleum was created was stunning. Here are a few photos inside and outside of the tomb.

































The next day we drove to Agra from Delhi and what a ride it was.  It took us about 5 hours and there were at least four overturned trucks along the way.  Seeing the Indian countryside was a treat though. When we got to Agra, we wasted no time in exploring the sites. We first started with Fatehpur Sikri which was a lovely palace with Muslim, Hindu, and Christian influences as the Mughal emperor had three wives, one Muslim, one Christian, and one Hindu. 

One of the many street views in Agra.









After a long day of travelling, we went to the Oberoi for dinner which was a palatial hotel where each room boasts a view of the Taj Mahal, just across the river.  Below is the view of the pool from the reception balcony. 

The next morning we got to the main event; the Taj Mahal! The Taj, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was magnificent. Made entirely out of white marble, the mausoleum sits on the bank of a river and has thousands of precious stones inlaid in the marble.  Shah Jahan erected this mausoleum, which took 22 years to build, in honor of his favorite wife.  On her death bed, she asked him to create a building so beautiful, the world would not forget their love and her request has been fulfilled. We went to view the Taj at six in the morning and it was a smart idea as it was not yet hot and there were few people there. 

I was pretty excited to see the Taj Mahal to see the least!

This weekend I had the honor of attending Ashish's wedding.  We attended what would  have to be similar to a rehearsal dinner last night, complete with dancing and Indian festivities.  I am told that the dancing and other rituals are carried out as a blessing for the couple and to wish them well in their married life.  Everyone was so full of life and it makes me want to have an Indian wedding. 

One of the most memorable moments of the night was when Ashish asked Neha to marry him as their marriage was arranged and technically speaking, Ashish had not asked Neha to marry him yet.  I was so honored to be apart of the moment and it made me even more excited for the ceremony the next day. I do not have photos from the actual ceremony yet, but I will tell you that it was beautiful. The food was plentiful, the people so kind and the dancing very merry.  I am about to head out to the reception so I must leave you to get ready.

I hope you are well and have had some merriment of your own this past week!