This lock is at a large Hindu Temple complex in Delhi. There are statues of most of the major gods and goddesses and places to worship, take puja (an offering sweet) and get a blessing (either a tikka on the forhead or a red string on the wrist). We were able to go here and also to a Sikh temple (like the one in Amritsar- only smaller.
It was very interesting as we were accompanied by CCS gentleman who is Sikh and he was able to explain in great detail about the Sikh religion (it shed some light on things I had seen in Amritsar). I will need to get photos of the staff here also - I know I am bad about people pictures!~
These two are of my placement. I was able to get a shot of Emily playing with the kids in our "yard" through a hole in the brick building. I also took pictures of the kids and a couple of the teachers at their request. The tallest boy is actually a student! The two women next to him are teachers - no names - we just call each other "didi" meaning "older sister". I really have to make myself understood this week, as it is my last, so I can get good photos. I get conflicting ok's on pictures - some while coloring- no during function(which never happened). I know they want the kids to "look good" but I just want their faces and them doing any work or play...
On Saturday morning Caroline and I rose at 2:00 a.m. and started out at 2:30. The drive was easy - we slept most of the way. Our driver stopped at the entrance- in the dark - actually 1km from the ticket office. We arrived there about 5:50 a.m. There is a car-free zone around the Taj for pollution protection. We walked through all the rickshaw ride sellers and arrived at the gate. We bought our ticket (750 Rs for foreigners- about $18). Then we waited in line til about 7:15. We were then thoroughly searched and went in. The Taj is actually a complex of buildings, so you don't "see" it right away. There is a path with buildings and an arch on your right. Through the arch and...
I actually "teared up" a bit. I have read and seen pictures of this place all my life - and now here I was....only disappointment was that they were cleaning the pools, so no water reflection...it was still spectacular. We took photos and stood around waiting for sunrise. The building changed color often... It was quite misty. We then put on our shoe covers and went up onto the actual building and walked around. You can go all the way around the back - there were army and other military guards at the river bank below the Taj....There are also pollution meters - between the low level of the river and the danger of the Taj sinking and pollution - this site is actually quite in danger!
This is from the back of the Taj- it has inscriptions all the way around. We also went inside- it is very dark and there are the tombs there. I "snuck" some pictures but won't web them! Guides with flashlights showed how the detailed mosaics showed their colors. This is also being lost in the cleaning/pollution cycle.
There are huge gardens and lots of birds in the complex. We stayed about an hour and a half- it was getting crowded. We walked out the 1 km with young men selling things in our faces - this is hard sometimes - the deals are great but if you stop for one- you get surrounded by many.
Today, I am taking myself to brunch at the Lodi Garden Restaurant- one rickshaw ride alone is necessary - Everyone else has either gone home or there is a group at the Taj this a.m. There are quite a few westerners, but I will wear Indian, blend in (ha, ha) and have my solo outing...There were no problems at airports yesterday- despite some email warnings....it is just going to be a presence here.
I have five teaching days left. Some vols from Dharamshala come back Thursday and it will be good to see them again! Hope after "feedback" on Friday we can go out and have dinner. Then a plane on Saturday the 13th to Hong Kong and Japan...I have taken my Tokyo book out of "hiding" and will start on that. I have sent two more boxes home with some clothes and "stuff" - so I can travel light the rest of the way.
It is hard to believe 12 weeks are gone. I am ready to move on - the U.S. I am returning to is a very different place. I can't wait to see everyone and show my pictures (help with slide show would be great!)...I have no idea yet what will come of this adventure - I do know I want to continue to work with children who are poor or need tutoring. I will miss my kids the most!
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