Some of the best parts of our time in India was getting to see how ‘real’ people live.  There is something almost magical about visiting places outside of those tourists get to see.  It’s the chance to almost be a ‘fly on a wall’ and see what the real ‘flavor’ of the country consists of.  Our time in the southeast of India, while at Rising Star, gave us a good taste.

Just outside of the campus, lies a small village.  We were able to go on an early-morning walk with the directors to see the villagers go through their morning routines with their outside fires, washing, and preparing for the day.

Village Home

Early Morning Peddler

On the weekends, our volunteer duties were limited so we were able to go on outings to various places within a couple hours from campus.  We were able to take a day trip to Mamallapuram, an old seaport town, which has now been turned into a bit of a sleepy tourist beach town.

Street View of Market

We enjoyed the small market . . . and German Bakery, where we enjoyed an “American Breakfast” of hash browns, eggs, toast, and salami.

Bag Seller

Construction Workers

After our short time in the market area, we drove to “Ideal Beach Resort” where we were able to enjoy a clean version of the shores of the Bay of Bengal.

Mamallapuram Beach

Dipping Hands in Bay of Bengal

The girls were excited to have some downtime for one of the other volunteers to do henna for them.

Pool-side Henna with Monica

Cami & Hannah’s Henna

Fun Beach Day

Sunday was Easter Sunday and we were excited to learn the Swine Flu warning had been lifted for Chennai, which enabled us to take the 2 hour bus ride into the city to attend church.

Church in Chennai

It was a different Easter for us – no Easter baskets or gifts – but, truly being able to follow the Savior’s example and serve as He did.  It was the best lesson we could have had this Easter.  We are His hands . . He continues to live through the good we do.

The Golden Triangle

Before leaving for Rising Star, we had booked our last 3-4 days in India to see the Golden Triangle:  Jaipur, Agra, and Delhi.  Why the term ‘Golden’ Triangle, I’m not sure, as it is strictly a tourist circuit for these three tourist hubs.  We flew up to Delhi, met our guide, and took off for Jaipur.

Jaipur:

One of the first things we discovered on our arrival to Northern India is how little we know about India’s history.  We tried to absorb as much as we could, but there is so much to grasp.  We will definitely need to read up on the history before we go again!

We did learn that Jaipur was founded by Jai Singh II, the raja (king) of Amer.  When the original capital city of Amer was struggling due to an increased population and hurting water supply, Jai Singh II, looked for another area to move his capital city and found Jaipur.  It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Pink City of India’ because at one time the whole city was painted pink to welcome Edward, Prince of Wales.  Today, many buildings remain pink to give it its distinctive look.

Jai Singh II was also known to be a lover of astronomy and constructed Jantar Mantar, meaning “calculation instrument.”  This area consists of nineteen instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses, and other types of astronomy tools.  It also has the world’s largest stone sundial.

Observation Deck of Largest Stone Sundial

We made a quick stop into the City Palace as well.  Part of the Palace has been set aside as a museum, while the majority is still used as a royal residence.

City Palace

View out to Courtyard

Relaxing in Courtyard

Beautiful Architecture

Beautiful Colors & Textures EVERYWHERE

Across from our hotel was, yet another, palace called “Water Palace,” as it seems to be floating on water.  It was built there by the king for his hobby of bird watching.  Then he had a man-made lake built around it so it would be difficult to get to.  Over time, the palace has sustained damages and, from what we were told, no one has been there for a long time, although it is still pretty to look at.

“Water Palace”

The next morning we were up first thing to try to beat the queues at the Amer Palace (or Amer Fort).

Amer Fort

The trail leading up to the fort is a long switch-back so there is a fun option to take an elephant ride up, which we did.

Elephant Driver

Hannah & Caleb Riding Up

Elephants Coming Back Down

The fort is divided into four main sections, each with its own entry gate and courtyard.  We arrived through the main entrance through the Sun Gate.  This opened into a large courtyard where armies would hold victory parades as they returned from battles.  The royal family’s women could only view these parades and celebrations through the latticed windows, built throughout the palace.

Latticed View of Main Courtyard

Looking back over the area we had hiked up with the elephants, there are beautiful gardens, a lake, and distant watch towers.

External View

Inside, there was never an end to the beautiful architecture with amazing attention to detail.

In the first courtyard lies the second gate, or the Ganesh Gate.  It is named after the Hindu God, Ganesh, who removes all obstacles in life.  This is the entry into the private rooms of the Maharajas.

Ganesh Gate

Again, above this gate are more latticed windows for the royal women to look through.

Latticed Windows Everywhere

More Beautiful Colors & Architecture

As we completed our tour and were starting to be harassed by various vendors, we were sped along by our guide.  He ushered us into a jeep and we were speedily on our way down from the fort – away from the persistent merchants.  It’s so nice to be with someone who knows what they are doing!

Cami & Hannah during Jeep Ride

Agra:

Each of the legs of the triangle are hours long so we had a lot of time to observe the goings-on of day to day travel as we passed.

Tricycle Transport

Horizontal Transport

Standard Truck View

Standard People-Carrier (can you see all 5?)

We stopped in a tiny village on the way to Agra where we visited a man who made pottery.  He gave us a bit of a demonstration . . .

Pottery Wheel Demo

. . . and then gave Chris a chance to try his hand.

Good Start

Chris was a good beginner, but every time he’d get to one point, the clay would fall.  The kids were gifted piggy banks made with this same clay, local clay mixed with water and dung.

Women in Village

We then continued on our way to Agra, where we had a good night’s rest and were up early the next morning for a sunrise entrance to the Taj Mahal.

Not only is it an amazing time to see the Taj, but the crowds are supposed to be less.  Well, we were definitely surprised at the ‘less amount’ of people as there were still a lot.

Taj Mahal at Sunrise

The Taj Mahal is beautiful and definitely worth the trip!  Its construction is amazing as it has a teak wood foundation, but everything else is pure marble, linked together – no steel beams or other metal.

Up Close

We had to wear foot covers as we approached the building, as even the floors are pure marble.

Donned with Foot Covers

As we went into the mausoleum, our tour guide unfolded the story of how the Maharaja built the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his third wife (his only ‘love marriage’, as the others were arranged).  He told us that this wife was the only one that gave him children – 14 of them!  Although, only 6 survived – 4 boys and 2 girls.  The 3rd son was power-hungry and killed his older 2 brothers and imprisoned his father.

Even Closer – Inlaid Precious Stones

 The daughters took care of the Maharaja while he was imprisoned and made sure he was put in the mausoleum when he died.

For such a large building, it is just a mausoleum.  However, the Maharaja’s remains as well as his wife’s are actually at garden level so what we saw were the reproductions.

Handstands Around the World: India

Looking back towards the entrance of the Taj Mahal, we were told the British destroyed the orchard that was here in the beginning, as you couldn’t properly photograph the Taj Mahal.

Entrance to Taj Mahal Grounds

Family of Tourists

It truly was a surreal feeling to be at the Taj Mahal and realize we have now seen 3 of the 7 Wonders of the World:  Great Wall of China, Coliseum in Italy, and now the Taj Mahal.  Only Petra, Pisa, Brazil, and Machu Picchu to go!

Reflecting on the Taj

Delhi:

If we thought we had a good feel for India at this point in our trip, we were proved wrong!  Delhi has its own feel and culture.

Being the capital city of India, with a city population of 13 million people, the city becomes a ‘beautiful dance’ of chaos.

We dove right in by loading onto rickshaws and heading to the Old Delhi Spice Market.

Caleb & Emma Lead the Way

This is definitely the way to see the market area, although it got a bit scary as we began to weave in and out of the small market streets.

Tiny Market ‘Streets’

Other rickshaws, motor bikes, and people shared these small pathways.  In any given moment, you could have 2-3 people touching your rickshaw, guiding their way through the street or trying to push you over to make room.

Our rickshaw drivers definitely earned our respect for what they do.  It is not for the faint of heart!

When we arrived in the Spice Market, the streets opened up and we knew we were in Old Delhi.  The look and feel were definitely a large contrast.

Arriving in Old Delhi

We unloaded and had a brief tour of the Spice Market, sampling some cinnamon bark and buying some classic Indian spices.

Spice Market

The kids felt on edge and it was sweet to see them have a moment of solidarity, holding hands or shirts so as not to lose each other.  In the meantime, Chris stood to the side taking pictures and marveling in the ‘beautiful chaos.’

On our way back to meet our tour bus, we took more time to absorb other things going on around us.  It wasn’t all a beautiful scene, but rather sharp contrasts of poverty.

Rickshaw Driver Napping

Lunch Break

Bucket Shower in the Street

Squatters Living Quarters

It was definitely a rickshaw ride we will remember – the good and bad.

Becca & Cami – End of the Road

With our limited time in Delhi, we only made a few additional stops.  One was to Gandhi’s Memorial Park, where his cremated remains are.

Gandhi’s Remains

The other was to a tourist shopping area to get a few things, as our ‘wish list’ had been building since our arrival.  But, with the rush, rush here and there, we hadn’t had much time to get anything.  We were happy to find some anklets for the girls, a couple chudidars, and bed sheets.

India’s Gate

After an early morning to see the Taj Mahal, traveling to Delhi, and packing what we could into one day there, we were exhausted – physically and emotionally.  India is a true treasure . . . and we have only touched the surface.  So, India . . . until next time!