How can such a filthy place purge the filth from within oneself?
This question was posed by one of our fellow volunteers this evening as we all discussed what we have learned from India. This is a very daunting task to combine all of the lessons I have learned into one post. I hope I can do justice to the things I’ve learned and experienced. There have been so many amazing moments from something as simple as a smile, a touch, eye contact and body language say everything words can’t.
India has taught me the importance of giving of yourself entirely, knowing full well that as a result you may be hurt in the end. The children and RSO staff welcomed us with open arms from day one of our session. They knew full well we would only be here for 3 weeks but they gave all of themselves regardless. Tonight as we said our goodbyes three of my favorite little girls were crying. I love them so much! Sagayamary, Subasri, and Abisha are the three younger girls that we have sung to on numerous nights and become very close to. I’m even thinking of sponsoring Subasri because she needs one more. (Each child needs 4 sponsors and it is only $30/mo – contact me if you are willing to support a child!)
Another thing I have learned from India is a sense of community and at the same time simplicity. Here people work to live, they do not live to work. When their needs are met and they have some to spare they share with those who need it. Literally if they have eaten one spoonful of rice and you are at their door hungry, they will give the next spoonful without hesitation. I feel like too often in America and other developed nations, we compete with each other more than help each other. Having said that, when we first arrived and didn’t have our luggage we had many strangers at the time but are now friends, offer to help us with anything we might be missing until our bags came. Each time someone would run out of water during construction, or not have enough food there was always at least one person willing to share what little they had. I loved this lesson of giving, but my favorite was tonight as I said bye to Basha. After it was clear to him I was leaving tomorrow he got into his backpack (his only possession) and retrieved two golden rings. He gave me both! It was so cute and he gave me a kiss on the cheek- melted my heart. (I think literally) He is such a sweet boy! The rings are pretty big so I had the idea to put them on a shoelace and make it into a necklace. I plan to give one back to Basha early tomorrow before I leave, along with a picture I colored for him.
The third main thing India has taught me is the value of knowledge and relationships. I believe these are two of the few things we can take with us after this life. I have found that a person is a person and throughout this experience I have grown to love a vast variety of God’s children. I have established great relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and the life to follow. I believe in the sanctity of one soul. I have come to realize that if my prideful self can have so much love , our Father in Heaven must be overflowing continuously with love. I’m very grateful for that knowledge. In the words of Maya Angelou via Oprah Winfrey, “When you know better, you do better.” I am a very visual learner, and though I’ve been told of conditions around the world they did not sink in until I could see with my own eyes the poverty that afflicts so many. Now that I know-I must do.
___
This morning as Venilla Mary was doing the henna on my hand and arm many of the boys came through the room. I eventually had the idea to draw I love India on my arm with a heart as well. Though Venilla speaks great English and Tamil she is unable to read or write. (However she is learning!) Nagaraj told her the letters to write. It was an indescribable peaceful, tender moment for me to watch this 9 year old boy spell the words I love India as his house mother artfully drew them on my arm. Venilla Mary outlined the heart with dots, and I asked if it’d be okay if each boy came and put his own dot on my heart. The boys were very excited because it is usually a girl thing to do henna so they were happy to be involved. It was a special symbolic image to me.
I gave Basha our friendship necklaces and some of the other boys drew me pictures. As I said goodbye and was leaving the hostel I heard, “auntie auntie” I looked up to see my boy Basha waving through his hostel window. What a great image to leave with.
I do not feel like this is the end, nor do I feel like this is the beginning. The souls that have united on this journey have known each other before, and I look forward to the day they meet again.
My theme throughout this experience is that one person can change the world. Becky Douglas was on person and she has helped change the futures of hundreds of children and families afflicted with leprosy. The following link will take you to my favorite song called "Change" by Carrie Underwood. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69s8DN3v6fA
*www.risingstaroutreach.org
Like rising star outreach on facebook*
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Traveling Home
Today we left the RSO campus at 8:12 and headed towards Chennai. We arrived relatively quickly and made it in time for the wonderful breakfast buffet! After gorging ourselves a group of us headed into the city to do some last minute shopping. Amanda and Alexander had previously arranged a member of the branch to take us around the city. He only had room for 4 in his car so the rest of us rode in “took tooks” or “motos”. We went to a nice mall first and was very large and westernized. After that we went to the famous Spencer’s plaza. It’s amazing that in the distance of 1 KM the quality dropped enormously. I was still able to find some things I wanted though and we called it a day. By this time Brittany, Jessica and I were on our own so we bartered with a moto driver to take us back to the hotel.
What a ride! Baba was our driver and he was Bytium! (crazy) He kept talking in a super high pitched voice and moving swiveling the steering wheel. He mentioned he was drunk and that freaked us out even more! He was taking us through all kinds of crazy streets and we didn’t know where we were heading. He tried explaining another plaza to go visit that was on the way but we kept saying we were done shopping. Finally he got serious and said, “you don’t understand this man gives me commission on shirts” haha so we agreed to stop. I think we spent all but 2 minutes in this upscale store that sold scarves for 1800 rupees. ($45) Finally we made it back to the hotel, but not before Baba could drop this line, “I give you my number and when you come back I drive you one by one- one by one okayS?” No thanks Baba.
Steve and Jess were nice enough to let us crash in their hotel room with them throughout the day and into the night. We watched TV got somewhat decent internet access and chilled for most of the day. We ordered Pizza Hut once again and it really hit the spot. (I usually don’t like Pizza Hut in America but here anything remotely American is divine.)
Britt and I didn’t feel comfortable completely taking over their room so we showered and de-liced in the health club. It was nice there was two of everything so it was perfect (showers, toilets, sinks, changing rooms etc. ) The process took much longer than we thought but we felt we were very thorough and don’t have any bugs! We were advised to do this process one more time a week from now—looking forward to it :D
I fell asleep in their room on the couch while Britt skyped Stan in the lobby. When she came back up I woke up and we decided we better leave so Jess and Steve could sleep. We are now in the lobby awaiting or Taxi to the airport. It is 1:17 AM and our Taxi comes at 2:30 yipee it’s going to be a long 30 hours home!
Three days ago I was dying to get home. Today I’m going over plans to how I can get back here as soon as possible.
What a ride! Baba was our driver and he was Bytium! (crazy) He kept talking in a super high pitched voice and moving swiveling the steering wheel. He mentioned he was drunk and that freaked us out even more! He was taking us through all kinds of crazy streets and we didn’t know where we were heading. He tried explaining another plaza to go visit that was on the way but we kept saying we were done shopping. Finally he got serious and said, “you don’t understand this man gives me commission on shirts” haha so we agreed to stop. I think we spent all but 2 minutes in this upscale store that sold scarves for 1800 rupees. ($45) Finally we made it back to the hotel, but not before Baba could drop this line, “I give you my number and when you come back I drive you one by one- one by one okayS?” No thanks Baba.
Steve and Jess were nice enough to let us crash in their hotel room with them throughout the day and into the night. We watched TV got somewhat decent internet access and chilled for most of the day. We ordered Pizza Hut once again and it really hit the spot. (I usually don’t like Pizza Hut in America but here anything remotely American is divine.)
Britt and I didn’t feel comfortable completely taking over their room so we showered and de-liced in the health club. It was nice there was two of everything so it was perfect (showers, toilets, sinks, changing rooms etc. ) The process took much longer than we thought but we felt we were very thorough and don’t have any bugs! We were advised to do this process one more time a week from now—looking forward to it :D
I fell asleep in their room on the couch while Britt skyped Stan in the lobby. When she came back up I woke up and we decided we better leave so Jess and Steve could sleep. We are now in the lobby awaiting or Taxi to the airport. It is 1:17 AM and our Taxi comes at 2:30 yipee it’s going to be a long 30 hours home!
Three days ago I was dying to get home. Today I’m going over plans to how I can get back here as soon as possible.
“We are not human DOings we are human BEings.”
- Brett Feldman
“Your journey has molded you for the greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be . Don’t think that you’ve lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now, and now is right on time.”
- Anonymous via Meredith Feldman
Oh the Places You’ll Go
You have brains in your head
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose
You’re on your own
And you know what you know
And you are the guy who’ll
Decided where to go
- Dr. Seuss
“How can such a filthy place purge the filth from within?”
-Ember Hobi
10 ways you know you’re in INDIA:
10) You and ten other people ran the sugar house 5k
9) You understand words like chudidar, standard, vanakam, bytium, ungaperryenna,Aca,unae na nasiquiagrain etc.
8) After filling your water bottle you put it outside to cool off
7) The thought of wearing jeans is very foreign
6) You no longer hear any honking on the street
5) You have to put deodorant on to go to bed
4) When you see 30 people in a vehicle and it’s not a bus
3) You can dry your wet clothes inside
2) You speak in broken English to other Americans
1) When SUPER covers just about anything
- Brett Feldman
“Your journey has molded you for the greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be . Don’t think that you’ve lost time. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now, and now is right on time.”
- Anonymous via Meredith Feldman
Oh the Places You’ll Go
You have brains in your head
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose
You’re on your own
And you know what you know
And you are the guy who’ll
Decided where to go
- Dr. Seuss
“How can such a filthy place purge the filth from within?”
-Ember Hobi
10 ways you know you’re in INDIA:
10) You and ten other people ran the sugar house 5k
9) You understand words like chudidar, standard, vanakam, bytium, ungaperryenna,Aca,unae na nasiquiagrain etc.
8) After filling your water bottle you put it outside to cool off
7) The thought of wearing jeans is very foreign
6) You no longer hear any honking on the street
5) You have to put deodorant on to go to bed
4) When you see 30 people in a vehicle and it’s not a bus
3) You can dry your wet clothes inside
2) You speak in broken English to other Americans
1) When SUPER covers just about anything
Thursday, July 7, 2011
22 and still clueless
It's my birthday today, shout hooray! I wasn't super stoked on celebrating my birthday in India, but as I thought about it I wouldn't be too awesome at home either. The parentals would be at work and the siblings aren't at home. So India it is :)
I woke up a little bit earlier than usual to skype with Heidi, Luke, and Taft. It was fun the connection was pretty good and Taft actually talked to me! He said a number of things including, "thanks is silly" "I love you" "happy birthday" and "big hug, big kiss- (as he blew me a kiss)" it was a super fun talk.
My mom called 3 times during my skype sesh with Heidi so I called her back and got to talk to my dad too! It was a lot of fun and they told me I get to go shopping at the Nordstrom sale when I get back woot woot! They bought me a camera to bring to India for my birthday so knowing that I get to do more makes me extra excited. (My camera stopped working today, I've only had it 2 weeks) They better replace or refund!
After skype I walked back to my room and saw that my window and door had been decorated by Kim J and Kim L. So cute! I would post a picture but the whole camera issue. At morning conclave everyone sang me happy birthday, and then I was on construction group for the day. When we got to the colony Victor, the colony leader, didn't show up for 30 minutes. When he finally showed up he said the stuff for us to do wouldn't be there for another 30 minutes. We took a vote and decided to leave. No construction today!
Instead we toured the old folks home in the colony, went to the junction for people to buy things, then came back to the hostel. We are having a water balloon fight this afternoon so we filled up 500 balloons! We broke probably at least 50 in the process but we filled up 8 buckets so that's good enough. By the end I looked like I had gone swimming but it was fun and I'm excited to play with the kids tonight!
Overall it's been a great birthday and I'm grateful to be celebrating in India!
p.s. On our way back to RSO we stopped at More store (a grocery store) and I stayed in the van but Britt came back with almonds and gum for my birthday! Two of the things that were stolen out of my bag from dumb TSA! I was super happy, and Kim L bought me 2 things of top ramen... holla back!
I woke up a little bit earlier than usual to skype with Heidi, Luke, and Taft. It was fun the connection was pretty good and Taft actually talked to me! He said a number of things including, "thanks is silly" "I love you" "happy birthday" and "big hug, big kiss- (as he blew me a kiss)" it was a super fun talk.
My mom called 3 times during my skype sesh with Heidi so I called her back and got to talk to my dad too! It was a lot of fun and they told me I get to go shopping at the Nordstrom sale when I get back woot woot! They bought me a camera to bring to India for my birthday so knowing that I get to do more makes me extra excited. (My camera stopped working today, I've only had it 2 weeks) They better replace or refund!
After skype I walked back to my room and saw that my window and door had been decorated by Kim J and Kim L. So cute! I would post a picture but the whole camera issue. At morning conclave everyone sang me happy birthday, and then I was on construction group for the day. When we got to the colony Victor, the colony leader, didn't show up for 30 minutes. When he finally showed up he said the stuff for us to do wouldn't be there for another 30 minutes. We took a vote and decided to leave. No construction today!
Instead we toured the old folks home in the colony, went to the junction for people to buy things, then came back to the hostel. We are having a water balloon fight this afternoon so we filled up 500 balloons! We broke probably at least 50 in the process but we filled up 8 buckets so that's good enough. By the end I looked like I had gone swimming but it was fun and I'm excited to play with the kids tonight!
Overall it's been a great birthday and I'm grateful to be celebrating in India!
p.s. On our way back to RSO we stopped at More store (a grocery store) and I stayed in the van but Britt came back with almonds and gum for my birthday! Two of the things that were stolen out of my bag from dumb TSA! I was super happy, and Kim L bought me 2 things of top ramen... holla back!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Independence Day
Happy 4h of July to everybody! We are all very sad not to be in America on this fun, family oriented holiday, but we did have a nice surprise as we drove home from Chennai last night. At exactly midnight we were driving through the village closest to campus and we saw fireworks going off. (The big professional kind) As we drove through the village there were lights, a concert, and fireworks! We felt like it was a welcome home party/ 4th of July celebration for us. We found out they were celebrating one of the Hindu temples, but we imagined it was for use anyway :D
Being in a 3rd world country on a holiday like this makes me even more grateful for the blessed nation I live in. Despite the many degrading attitudes towards America, I believe it is the greatest nation on earth and a beacon to the world. I know we have many problems but I am grateful for the founding fathers and all of the continuous sacrifices made daily to keep our nation safe and beautiful.
After posting today I am planning on checking CNN because I feel very out of it regarding national or world news, especially the presidential race as new candidates are announcing.
Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the beautiful and blessed country we all love!
add on: tonight at dinner Pam (longterm couple volunteer) made brownies for everyone ( I didn't have any) for the 4th of July celebration, and we all sang America the Beautiful as well as the Star Spangled Banner. It was my high for the day :) When we got in our rooms tonight we played some patriotic tunes including Whitney Houston's Star Spangled Banner and Ray Charles America the Beautiful. I love America!!
Being in a 3rd world country on a holiday like this makes me even more grateful for the blessed nation I live in. Despite the many degrading attitudes towards America, I believe it is the greatest nation on earth and a beacon to the world. I know we have many problems but I am grateful for the founding fathers and all of the continuous sacrifices made daily to keep our nation safe and beautiful.
After posting today I am planning on checking CNN because I feel very out of it regarding national or world news, especially the presidential race as new candidates are announcing.
Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the beautiful and blessed country we all love!
add on: tonight at dinner Pam (longterm couple volunteer) made brownies for everyone ( I didn't have any) for the 4th of July celebration, and we all sang America the Beautiful as well as the Star Spangled Banner. It was my high for the day :) When we got in our rooms tonight we played some patriotic tunes including Whitney Houston's Star Spangled Banner and Ray Charles America the Beautiful. I love America!!
Delhi Trip
Okay so this weekend has been a whirlwind of events. Wednesday our A/C went out in the Elephant house and it was miserable. We didn't get very good sleep that night and were very tired Thursday. It still wasn't working by Thursday night, but we had to leave at 2:45 am (Friday morning) for the Chennai airport so we all just hung out in the courtyard; ironically it was cooler outside than in.
We played games like signs and stuff, juggled a volleyball, made French toast (heaven sent) and just chilled until we left for Chennai. I did fall asleep from 2:00-2:30 and then I slept the whole 2.5 hours from RSO campus to Chennai. Once we were all checked in we had an hour before take off so I slept on and off for that hour. I slept the whole flight to Delhi so by the time we landed I had accumulated about 5 hours of sleep.
I tried to use the ATM and it wouldn't let me. I realized I didn't have a pin for my credit card and didn't bring my debit card-yikes! I didn't need it that day so I just decided to wait until I had Internet to call my mom and work something out.
We were met by our tour guides Praveen and Rajesh right as we stepped out of the airport. From there we boarded a charter bus that we'd use for the rest of the weekend.
Our first day in Delhi I was surprised at the difference between northern and southern India. Not only are the dress,food, and culture different but the landscape and architecture as well. We drove down embassy road (all the embassies are on one road) and we circled the Capitol buildings. I was so blown away at the cleanliness and landscaping of this area, but it didn't last long when the next place we went was Old Delhi.
We took rickshaws through the most narrow city streets I've ever seen. It was like being on the bus in Harry potter where you magically fit through places and people. The electrical wiring was crazy and all over the place. I took a lot of pictures but pictures don't do it justice.
India traffic is so busy and bizarre from buses to camels to cows to men pulling handcarts to whole families packing on a motorcycle and pedestrians crossing at any place or time it makes for chaos. During our rickshaw ride one of the drivers cut off a man pulling a handcart full of heavy bags and a fight broke out! All of our drivers (14) parked each bike and left us as they went to aid their fellow driver. It was a scary and potentially dangerous situation but somehow it was resolved and we got out of there. The girls whose driver initiated the fight got it on film!
During our tour of old Delhi we walked through the spice market and the smells were so strong it made me sick. We had a cool opportunity to go on the roof of one of the buildings and I took some cool pictures. After this we got back on the bus for a 7 hour drive to Agra.
We stopped halfway for bathroom and snacks. They had gum! ( I was so excited because the TSA lameos stole all 10 packs of mine!l) well I was so stoked I didn't realize how much I was paying--I paid $10 for 2 packs-- another dumb purchase which brings my total to 3 dumb buys. No big.
We finally reached our 5 star Jaypee Palace Hotel Friday night around 10:00 pm (after being up since Thursday morning at 7:00) We were exhausted, check in went smoothly until we realized one of our group members didn't have her passport!
That is one of the worst things that could happen and come to find out she hadn't made copies at all! I felt awful for her and Kim was sick ( she has lupus and she's the only coordinator that came) so the stress was not good. Most people went to their rooms but our tour guides and a few of us stayed to try and help this girl. We called so many different numbers and places but I believe the thing that helped us most was prayer. It is a true miracle that the Chennai airport found her passport there and was able to fax a copy to the hotel. (otherwise she couldn't have stayed there at all!) The whole ordeal lasted about an hour or so.
We finally got ready for bed around midnight and were up at 4;45am to get ready for the one and only TAJ MAHAL! Our tour guides have toured so many famous people including Gordon B Hinckley, Elder Holland, Elder Oaks, Julia Roberts and Will Smith. We had the best of the best.
Side note Praveen is a member of the church and he served his mission in Chennai and taught most of the members that make up that branch. Awesome. Also Rajesh is 28 and he's paid $10,000 for each of his sisters weddings because his parents can't afford it. He fell in love with a Spaniard from one of his tours and hopes to marry her. He said in India there are 90% arranged marriages and 10% love marriages. So his situation is very unique (although they aren't married yet)
At the Taj we took a lot of pictures and learned a lot about it. It's amazing that in comparative dollars it cost $22 billion and took 22 years to build! It's amazing! Also he had 2 other wives but he loved this one the most so he built this for her and the Mini Taj for the other 2. He wanted to build a black Taj for himself and actually started it but his youngest son went wacko, killed his older 3 brothers and put his father ( the emperor) in prison in the Agra fort.
After the Taj we went back to the hotel for breakfast. I ate sooo much! It was great to have a good variety of American and Indian options. We had a few hours to chill so we got internet to Skype my mom about my credit card situation. I felt bad because I called her at 12:30 am Utah time but she answered and said she'd look into it in the morning. After that call Britt and I met some of the others at the pool. We didn't stay long but it was very refreshing. We went exploring of the hotel and then at 2 left for the Red Fort (Agra fort) which was the emperors residence and is now occupied by the Indian army. It was very neat and cool to take pictures. It is across the river from the Taj. When the one emperor was imprisoned he could gaze across the river at his creation of the Taj Mahal ( Mahal means palace). While we were at the red fort I collided with Britt and I dropped my camera! When I picked it up i had lost all of my pictures! I kinda was freaking out inside and Britt said to take out the memory card and put it back in. I was thinking, "that won't do anything" but I opened it anyway and my memory card had been dislodged! When I pushed it back in all my pictures were there! HUGE sigh of relief!
All day Asians and Indians would just come up to us and take pictures with us like we were movie stars. It was nuts men and women were constantly thronging us that Ramesh had to pull us away. Weird.
We went shopping later and didn't have much luck. I'm having a super hard time finding gifts for the boys in my family and am also going over my budget but there is so much I want! Anyway we didn't eat lunch so by the time we stopped for dinner at 7:30 I ate a whole personal pizza at pizza hut. Yum!
Our hotel had a club and we were there for disco night. Pretty much everyone went but that's not my scene and I was worn out. Britt, Kim, and I went to our room and got to bed at a decent hour.
We woke up today (Sunday) at about 7:30 took my 4th real shower for the weekend and enjoyed our last meal of awesome food. We boarded our bus and headed back to Delhi. (kind of sad because this weekend actually felt like a vacation) At about the halfway point we stopped to ride elephants, camels and some people held monkeys. The rides were super short but it was fun to take pictures on the animals and pet them. We got to Delhi an hour before scheduled so we stopped at yet another market but I only got a fanta.
At the airport I was able to check my email but was disappointed to find out my mom won't be able to work out my card. Kim said I could borrow from her then just give her mom money to put in her account. That will be pretty great.
That brings me to current where I have spent the last hour typing this post on my iPhone notepad so I can email it to my laptop later. We should get in at midnight tonight and start a construction day tomorrow morning.
It's crazy this is already our last week here. Although it has gone fast I am ready to come home and face the reality of figuring out my future and what direction I want to go. Sometimes I think an arranged marriage would be awesome - sometimes not. Who knows but some things I'm looking forward to are seeing my family, my new dog :), eating good food, working out and laying out. Not looking forward to finding a job and growing up.
The end. Pictures to come.
We played games like signs and stuff, juggled a volleyball, made French toast (heaven sent) and just chilled until we left for Chennai. I did fall asleep from 2:00-2:30 and then I slept the whole 2.5 hours from RSO campus to Chennai. Once we were all checked in we had an hour before take off so I slept on and off for that hour. I slept the whole flight to Delhi so by the time we landed I had accumulated about 5 hours of sleep.
I tried to use the ATM and it wouldn't let me. I realized I didn't have a pin for my credit card and didn't bring my debit card-yikes! I didn't need it that day so I just decided to wait until I had Internet to call my mom and work something out.
We were met by our tour guides Praveen and Rajesh right as we stepped out of the airport. From there we boarded a charter bus that we'd use for the rest of the weekend.
Our first day in Delhi I was surprised at the difference between northern and southern India. Not only are the dress,food, and culture different but the landscape and architecture as well. We drove down embassy road (all the embassies are on one road) and we circled the Capitol buildings. I was so blown away at the cleanliness and landscaping of this area, but it didn't last long when the next place we went was Old Delhi.
We took rickshaws through the most narrow city streets I've ever seen. It was like being on the bus in Harry potter where you magically fit through places and people. The electrical wiring was crazy and all over the place. I took a lot of pictures but pictures don't do it justice.
India traffic is so busy and bizarre from buses to camels to cows to men pulling handcarts to whole families packing on a motorcycle and pedestrians crossing at any place or time it makes for chaos. During our rickshaw ride one of the drivers cut off a man pulling a handcart full of heavy bags and a fight broke out! All of our drivers (14) parked each bike and left us as they went to aid their fellow driver. It was a scary and potentially dangerous situation but somehow it was resolved and we got out of there. The girls whose driver initiated the fight got it on film!
During our tour of old Delhi we walked through the spice market and the smells were so strong it made me sick. We had a cool opportunity to go on the roof of one of the buildings and I took some cool pictures. After this we got back on the bus for a 7 hour drive to Agra.
We stopped halfway for bathroom and snacks. They had gum! ( I was so excited because the TSA lameos stole all 10 packs of mine!l) well I was so stoked I didn't realize how much I was paying--I paid $10 for 2 packs-- another dumb purchase which brings my total to 3 dumb buys. No big.
We finally reached our 5 star Jaypee Palace Hotel Friday night around 10:00 pm (after being up since Thursday morning at 7:00) We were exhausted, check in went smoothly until we realized one of our group members didn't have her passport!
That is one of the worst things that could happen and come to find out she hadn't made copies at all! I felt awful for her and Kim was sick ( she has lupus and she's the only coordinator that came) so the stress was not good. Most people went to their rooms but our tour guides and a few of us stayed to try and help this girl. We called so many different numbers and places but I believe the thing that helped us most was prayer. It is a true miracle that the Chennai airport found her passport there and was able to fax a copy to the hotel. (otherwise she couldn't have stayed there at all!) The whole ordeal lasted about an hour or so.
We finally got ready for bed around midnight and were up at 4;45am to get ready for the one and only TAJ MAHAL! Our tour guides have toured so many famous people including Gordon B Hinckley, Elder Holland, Elder Oaks, Julia Roberts and Will Smith. We had the best of the best.
Side note Praveen is a member of the church and he served his mission in Chennai and taught most of the members that make up that branch. Awesome. Also Rajesh is 28 and he's paid $10,000 for each of his sisters weddings because his parents can't afford it. He fell in love with a Spaniard from one of his tours and hopes to marry her. He said in India there are 90% arranged marriages and 10% love marriages. So his situation is very unique (although they aren't married yet)
At the Taj we took a lot of pictures and learned a lot about it. It's amazing that in comparative dollars it cost $22 billion and took 22 years to build! It's amazing! Also he had 2 other wives but he loved this one the most so he built this for her and the Mini Taj for the other 2. He wanted to build a black Taj for himself and actually started it but his youngest son went wacko, killed his older 3 brothers and put his father ( the emperor) in prison in the Agra fort.
After the Taj we went back to the hotel for breakfast. I ate sooo much! It was great to have a good variety of American and Indian options. We had a few hours to chill so we got internet to Skype my mom about my credit card situation. I felt bad because I called her at 12:30 am Utah time but she answered and said she'd look into it in the morning. After that call Britt and I met some of the others at the pool. We didn't stay long but it was very refreshing. We went exploring of the hotel and then at 2 left for the Red Fort (Agra fort) which was the emperors residence and is now occupied by the Indian army. It was very neat and cool to take pictures. It is across the river from the Taj. When the one emperor was imprisoned he could gaze across the river at his creation of the Taj Mahal ( Mahal means palace). While we were at the red fort I collided with Britt and I dropped my camera! When I picked it up i had lost all of my pictures! I kinda was freaking out inside and Britt said to take out the memory card and put it back in. I was thinking, "that won't do anything" but I opened it anyway and my memory card had been dislodged! When I pushed it back in all my pictures were there! HUGE sigh of relief!
All day Asians and Indians would just come up to us and take pictures with us like we were movie stars. It was nuts men and women were constantly thronging us that Ramesh had to pull us away. Weird.
We went shopping later and didn't have much luck. I'm having a super hard time finding gifts for the boys in my family and am also going over my budget but there is so much I want! Anyway we didn't eat lunch so by the time we stopped for dinner at 7:30 I ate a whole personal pizza at pizza hut. Yum!
Our hotel had a club and we were there for disco night. Pretty much everyone went but that's not my scene and I was worn out. Britt, Kim, and I went to our room and got to bed at a decent hour.
We woke up today (Sunday) at about 7:30 took my 4th real shower for the weekend and enjoyed our last meal of awesome food. We boarded our bus and headed back to Delhi. (kind of sad because this weekend actually felt like a vacation) At about the halfway point we stopped to ride elephants, camels and some people held monkeys. The rides were super short but it was fun to take pictures on the animals and pet them. We got to Delhi an hour before scheduled so we stopped at yet another market but I only got a fanta.
At the airport I was able to check my email but was disappointed to find out my mom won't be able to work out my card. Kim said I could borrow from her then just give her mom money to put in her account. That will be pretty great.
That brings me to current where I have spent the last hour typing this post on my iPhone notepad so I can email it to my laptop later. We should get in at midnight tonight and start a construction day tomorrow morning.
It's crazy this is already our last week here. Although it has gone fast I am ready to come home and face the reality of figuring out my future and what direction I want to go. Sometimes I think an arranged marriage would be awesome - sometimes not. Who knows but some things I'm looking forward to are seeing my family, my new dog :), eating good food, working out and laying out. Not looking forward to finding a job and growing up.
The end. Pictures to come.
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