the Taj Mahal adventure

The week I was to leave India, we decided to visit the Taj Mahal. It was one of the places I wanted to see, so we planned out our trip. Faith and I were to leave Wednesday night on a train. Travel through the night, arrive in Agra in the morning, spend the day at the Taj, then take another 3 hour train ride. We would arrive in Delhi Thursday evening, get a hotel for the night, spend Friday there and I would fly out at midnight. Great plan. Too bad it didn't happen like that.....

We left the house shortly after 9pm Wednesday evening. An hour later, our taxi arrived at the south Train station. It was dark by that time and I knew we were in for an adventure when we walked into the open air station and I saw hundreds of people laying on the ground. Blankets and baggage littered the waiting passengers along with fresh cow droppings. Yes, inside the station. Definitely had to watch your step. Scores of other people were crowding around the ticket windows. Course, still being in India, there was the typical staring also. Ugh.

We headed out of the waiting area towards where the boarding platforms were located. As we were going up the stairs, I tripped. Thought my flip flop had caught the stair when I was stepping up, but actually the strap of my flipflop came off! So, there I was trying to go up the stairs with a flipflop only held on to my foot at the heel. Don't know if you've every tried walking with a broken flipflop, doesn't work very well. :/ I had other shoes, but they were in my bag that someone else had at the top of the stairs. And I was NOT about to walk on those stairs with bare feet. So, if you can imagine... there I was was in the middle of the stairway, lifting my foot 12 inches in the air to clear the step with my dangling flipflop. At the top, I was able to get other shoes out of my bag and we continued on.

Our train was scheduled to leave 6 minutes after 11pm. And we were only an hour early, but couldn't find out what platform our train was leaving from. So, we stood for almost an hour in the main walk way. Course, white people just standing there? I'm sure people wondered what was wrong and we received more stares than usual. About 1050pm, we heard our train was going to be at platform 6, so we headed that direction.

sign at the "clean" station

The train that was on the tracks was not our train though. 11:06pm came and went. The train sitting there did not move and there was no sign of our train coming in. Midnight came and went, still no sign of our train or news of when it was departing. The sign above the platform still said the train was scheduled for 11:06.

It was so dark and foggy at the station. Looking down the tracks, the visibility was only about 50-60 feet.

In the empty tracks, there was water and trash. Very dark and eerie feeling. Especially when I caught glimpses of fat rats scurrying across the platform. Felt like I was in a dark, scary movie or something.

After sitting on cold, hard cement benches for an hour or so, our train finally came... to Platform 4. So we had to walk up the stairs and across to #4. Our train was there, so we found our car and our bunks. There were 4 bunks in one section, so we shared with a couple from Germany. I climbed up on the top bunk and soon was fast asleep. By that time, it was 2am. We left 3 hours late, so figured we'd get in late morning, maybe about noonish. That was wishful thinking.

Our 9 hour trip ended up being more like 19 hours. Took us 11 hours to go from Varanasi to Allahabad, which is 125km. So basically, the first half of our time on train, we just sat on the tracks. Every now and then, we'd inch our way forward. By 1pm, I was very hungry, but there was no food car on our train. We stopped at a station around that time and we headed off for a few minutes to find some food. There was only one food stand on our platform. One stand and 50-60 people all trying to buy some food. After pushing, shoving and elbowing, we managed to get a few bags of chips to curb our appetite.

We got into Agra about 830pm Thursday night. Arrived at our hotel where we were greeted by a tall man with a turban who said he thought of us like family. "Uh, not sure how that works, sir." Ordered some food from the restaurant at the hotel, then soon after went to bed. Amazing how tired you are after traveling, even when you're not doing anything.

the lighting was bad cause of all the pollution

Figured since we were there we would still try to go see the Taj... but alas, Friday is closed for the Muslim's day of prayer. ugh. no tourists allowed. But we did go to the park across the river and we were able to see the back side of the Taj. Though the pollution was so thick that is was very gray and overcast and hard to see the details of the building. And taking pictures was a little tricky, but at least I got to see the Taj Mahal!

After we looked around and took pictures, we headed down the road to New Delhi. Another 3-4 hour drive that lasted 6. Just glad I made it to Delhi in time to catch my flight that night. Well, turns out I had had a little extra cushion time, since my flight was an hour and half delayed. Then there's the fact that I arrived at the Beijing airport with no one there to pick me up.... but it's all good. :p

last day in India

Driving in India

I’ve been trying to think of a good way to describe driving on an Indian road. It is a totally different experience than that of driving in America, or anywhere else for that matter. It’s kinda like riding a Roller Coaster thru 5^th Avenue Macys in NYC. Well, not the speed, but there is so much going on, along the sides of the road, in the roads, everywhere, there is no way to take it all in and absorb it. In town, the fastest we ever goes is 30 kph.

If you have a few minutes, I will attempt to illustrate what you would see on a short drive through Varanasi…..

We hop into our auto (rickshaw). Ok, pause, let me explain what an “auto” is. It is a small 3-wheeled vehicle with a top cover, but the sides are open. They are smaller than an car, so you can maneuver around obstacles better. The driver sits up front and the passengers sit on the small bench behind him. Though if you have more than 4 people, you can sit up next to the driver. I have seen 11-12 people in one small auto before.

So, again, we hope into our auto and pull out down our small dirt alleyway to the main road. First thing you’ll notice is the dirt. Dirt, dirt, dirt, everywhere. The wheels kick up some dust, so you’re breathing it as well as seeing it everywhere. Alongside the road is small, purple shrine with orange flowers hanging on and around it. A strange looking idol sits inside with an incense bowl in front of it. A couple bicycle rickshaws sit next to it, their drivers (or would you say pedalers?) stand there, waiting for customers. Young lady in a bright, hot pink sari walks along. Oh, watch out for that cow patty! The guilty party is there, chewing its cud and meandering along the road. Or into the road… hit the brakes to avoid hitting it. Safely around the cow, now you pass an iron colored wagon, where a man serves chai. Next, a snack shop, a tea shop, another snack shop, cellphone shop, men gathered in front of all of them, talking, laughing, drinking tea, staring.

Around the corner we turn and slow to a stop, water buffalos taking their sweet time have caused a traffic jam. Waiting. Waiting. Ok, we are moving again, weaving around a bicyclist, then a motorcyclist. Dodge the stray, mangy looking dog. Pass a bucket shop that has every color you could want. Plastic cups, plates. Metal utensils. Soda stand. Cell phone shop. Shoes. Dresses. Sari material. Reds. Blues. Pinks. Greens. Oranges. Purples. All the while, weaving around other autos. Want to reach out and touch the guy riding his bike next to us, just cause he’s so close.

There’s three kids chasing each other. A lady washing out her pots. Two men squatting in their doorways, watching the traffic go by. A young boy flying a kite. Ox cart full of vegetables for sale. Young boy with various colorful balloons for sale. A couple muslim women in their black garb. Hindi lady in a florescent orange sari. And don’t forget the trash littering the sides, some in dark water. Some scattered among the dirt. Soldier man with rifle, that looks like it’s from WWI. More men drinking tea.

Amongst all that your eyes are trying to take in, you hear horns honking, beeping, tooting, blasting, blaring, jingling, ringing, all playing into the Indian Traffic Melody. And kids yelling, merchants calling out their wares, people talking, food frying, cows bellowing, dogs barking, whistles blowing.

Besides your eyes and your ears working overtime, then is the stupendous waves of various odors. While smelling sweet incense, fresh cow patties, rotten food, spicy chai, exhaust, urine, curry frying, trash, perfume, etc, you brain registers happiness, disgust, dread, peace, loathing, all for just a few seconds before the next smell and corresponding sentiment hits.

And if you happened to be on the back of a scooter instead of ahem, safely inside an auto, then you not only are trying to absorb all you are seeing, hearing and smelling, but also trying to maintain your balance. Usually one (girls) rides sidesaddle when a passenger on a  motorcycle or scooter, so balance is of utmost importance. And when you are weaving in and around other vehicles, going over dips and speedbumps, accelerating and braking frequently, it can be a challenge.

The other night while on the back of a scooter, we hit a traffic jam. Which means that everyone tries to get through any kind of opening they see, whether it is on their side of the road or the wrong side. We were at a standstill and from my perch, I could have touched four other vehicles around us. A few times I thought my toes would be scraped as a vehicle drove past us.

My description is a far cry from the real thing. But I hope you have gotten a small taste of Indian driving. It is quite stimulating to one’s prayer life. And is a most interesting time. :)

driving on the wrong side of the road

bicycle rickshaw

Life in Varanasi....

Just some random things about life here, so you can get an idea about what its like. :)
Much of this can also apply to other parts of India....

there isn't sidewalks, but instead a public restroom (men only)

pollution? nah, we don't have any.... what? the sky is supposed to be blue? 

men outnumber women, oh maybe 4 to 1

green peppers are called capsicum

your mascara changes from black to gray after a drive around town

the cool pattern on the walls is not what you think -
it's actually dying cow pies

during a 15 minute drive, your nose will be accosted by 100 different smells

staring is the favorite pastime - STOP STARING!!!!!

9 out of 10 people DON'T know how to drive properly

monkeys are NOT cute, they're annoying

if I had 1 dollar for every guy I've seen going to the bathroom on the side of the road, I could pay for my next trip

if you like the game of chicken, you're ready to drive here

you can fit 11 people in an auto (rickshaw)

shrines or temples on every street

eat curry just about every day

nodding your head "yes" is more of a head bobble

50 degrees is considered cold

traffic jams are many times caused by water buffalos

babies wear heavy eye liner

forget what green grass and trees look like and what fresh air smells like

brown dirt, trash, dirty

everyone knows how to fly a kite

holding hands (same gender) is JUST a sign of good friends

the Ganges

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 3:10,11

One day this will be true. Every person that has ever lived, is living now and will be born in the future WILL confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And in doing so will give glory to the only One who deserves glory. But for many, it will be too late. They will bow because they will then know that He is the True King, but they will have realized that after death. Because they did not accept His forgiveness, His payment, His gift in life they will spend an eternity separated from the True, Holy, Amazing, Loving, Merciful, Just Creator of the Universe. 

It doesn't matter if one lives in suburbia America, or in the jungles of the Congo, the mountains of Peru, a village in Mongolia or on the Ganges River, all must accept Christ and what He did for them for their self. But some have never heard! 

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

Romans 10:14

A couple days ago, we went for a little boat ride on the Ganges River. It was a neat experience. I like rivers and enjoy being out on them. The Indians also like the Ganges, but for a very different reason. To them, it is a holy river (though it is extremely filthy river). They believe that by dipping in the Ganges, they can wash away their sins. But they must come back each year to dip again. 

the Ganges River

The river is lined with Ghats. A Ghat is a place where a priest will sit and the people can come there to sacrifice, pray or whatever else they do there. 

ghats line the riverbank

One of the ghats is called the Burning Ghat. This is because they burn the bodies of the dead there.  They believe in reincarnation, so the bodies are burned so they can be released into their next life. Fires are going around the clock and some have said that they have been burning bodies at that particular location for maybe 2,000 years. 

the Burning Ghat

I know this is a much more somber post, but I can't help but think of the millions of souls that live in this city alone. And the many more millions around this densely populated country that are lost, blind, without hope. Who will share with them the Truth of Jesus Christ? 

Who will share with their neighbors in America? 

Who will give the Gospel to their friends in other countries? 

Who?

setting sun

the sun sets on the Ganges

Curly Hair!!

So, I know this has nothing to with traveling... but these made me laugh! If you have curly hair you will totally understand!!! Or if you know someone with crazy, curly hair, they maybe you'll understand a little. Anyways, I got a good laugh from them, so thought I'd share. Don't forget to smile today! 

:D

All in a Day's time...

Last night, we went to a Hindi wedding of a girl that my friends know. It was very different than an American wedding. Actually what we went to was more like the reception - one BIG party. The ceremony I guess took place after most of the guests left and just the closer family members were there. I didn't get a whole lot  of pictures, but here are a few. Though you won't truly know what it was like, cause you can't hear the constant LOUD music that was played the majority of the time. 

These people with the lights are leading the way to the party. 

Since it was a Hindu wedding, there was many rituals the groom had to take part in. The groom is seated across from the priest (in orange). There are also two other priests gathered there with the older men of the bride and groom's families. They do some weird chanting and various rituals before the bride and groom get together at the reception. 

the Bride (in red and gold)

groom and bride

There is a time that any of the guests who want to can have their picture taken with the bride and groom. So, here our group is with them. Only down side - now countless young Indian guys have my picture.... since they all stood there taking pictures as well. 

By the way, that's normal. I've had complete strangers ask me to take a picture with them. Or they don't ask, but they just take one of you anyways. And they think I don't notice? But then again, I take pictures of people all the time. :) 

Today we stopped at McDonald's while out on our day excursion... thought you would enjoy some pictures from there.... notice carefully their menu. 

One of our stops today was the place where they claim Buddha preached his first sermon. Buddhists from all around the world come here to this special spot to pray to him. A 'gold' statue is inside and four monks were chanting while we were there. It's a shame that Buddha's first sermon was one of error and untruths. Now millions follow his teachings and because of that, they are blind and do not know the One True God. 

The "new" Buddha statue. The old completely golden statue was destroyed along with the temple when the Muslims came thru and conquered many hundreds of years ago. They rebuilt this temple in the 30's; the new statue is just painted gold. 

Yesterday afternoon I made myself a cup of this "comfort and joy" tea and enjoyed it with my traveling companion, Bruce the Moose. We sat and thought about our wonderful friends... such as the ones in the picture, the one who shared with me the tea and the other who 'introduced' me to Bruce. ;)

Course we thought of many others as well. That is one thing I'm thankful to have, is friends all around this beautiful, wonderful world! 

And blog readers too!! 

I enjoy telling my adventures, hope you enjoy reading about them.