I'd like to order one Taj Mahal please...

Since I am clearly writing this a bit after my travels through India, I figured I'd do this blog post a bit differently than my previous posts. I'd like to start off with a story, then give you a quick overview of my 5 days, and maybe end with a reflection of sorts.

First moments off the ship in Cochin, India!

It was early in the morning, we had just docks and been allowed off the ship. As usual, we were one of the first ones off - Myla, Kelly, Valeria, Deanna, and myself. The air was hot and humid yet along the water a slight breeze could be felt if you stood still enough. We made our way to the middle of the pier as I was itching to get into India officially. Just before we entered the port building we were greeted by men running a money exchange tent. I tried relentlessly to exchange the Burmese money I still had left over in my wallet with no luck, so I left and walked with my friends into the building. With beige, bare walls the building had little distinguishing features and, thus, was simply a building which could have been placed anywhere. As I entered, I handed my forms to a man in military uniform. I walked through the center to a man at a computer dressed in slacks and a button up, handing him the same papers as well as my passport. Before walking to the next exit and handing yet another man in a military uniform my paper once again. With a new rush of energy, I led my friends out the building, excited to see all India had to offer.

I should have paused to take a breath for I had no idea the chaos which would shake me to my core as soon as I "officially" stepped into India. It seemed as if 100 of them ram at me. In reality, it was probably about 15, but I had been to Viet Nam and Myanmar, this should be nothing. I put my head up, shook my head no as I made eye contact with the male tuktuk drivers and taxi owners. They followed us anyway. It was a 5-minute walk to the closest ATM - "we can walk that" someone said. I agreed.

We made it to the sidewalk and started walking, less than 2 minutes later tuktuk drivers were circling the streets beside us asking if we wanted rides, we told the men no. Another 3 minutes and we arrived at the ATM, where naturally we were greeted by other SASers, and yet again, told the men following us we did not need a ride. Instead, we needed to figure out where we wanted to go.

Despite this, my time in India was unique and educational. The experience was a good kind of overwhelming in which I learned more about myself than I thought possible. On day 1 I spent the day in Jew Town in Cochin where I wandered the streets and saw the old synagogue - not to mention I hit some great little shops!

Day 2 - I took a quick flight to Delhi where I spent the morning and part of the afternoon with students at the local school in Bandhwari and learned about the NGO Inspiration India. After, we made our way to the tallest minaret where our guide Ganesh gave us a tour of the grounds.

The third day our group returned to the school where we experienced the routine of the students when they first arrived. They sang the Indian national anthem, then listened politely as we sang ours. Just before we left the village, one of the local mothers gave me a henna on my hand. After, we toured the Jama Masjid where we were given cloak like dresses to wear through the mosque. Our evening was filled with a tuktuk ride through the streets of Old Delhi, a walk through the largest spice market in the world, and a brief period of time where our tuktuk driver got out of the vehicle to take a walk and smoke along the crowded streets in unmoving traffic.

On day 4 I took a four and a half hour drive to the city of Agra. Once in Agra, the first stop was the grand red Agra Fort with a view of the Taj Mahal in the distance. Next, we stopped for lunch at a local Indian place before heading to the picturesque, mystical, white building representing both love and death - the Taj Mahal. As I took millions of pictures and tried to ignore the men taking pictures and selfies with me and Myla, I stared in awe at the setting sun on the premise of the Taj before retreating to our hotel for a night of food and dancing with about 1000 SASers.

THE Taj Mahal

The next day, day 5, we drove back to Delhi and hopped on the plane to our port city in Kerala - Cochin. By the time we made it to the ship, it was dinner time. Eating hastily, Myla, Jackie, and I then packed an overnight bag and made our way back into India to take a tuktuk to our hostel. Little did I know I had a bad case of food poisoning bubbling within me. On our way to the hostel, we passed a local festival, for which our tuktuk driver insisted we get out and explore. It was so worth it because I finally saw elephants in real life!! We stayed at Hostel Santa Maria. It was simple and perfect, a block from the water and next to a restaurant. Although there was no air conditioning and I lived for the feel of the singular fan in the room to blow air, hitting my face. Our plans for the next day were spoiled when I woke up at 0200 with food poisoning - oops! Thus, day 6 was spent catching a tuktuk to the ship and laying in bed with Brooklyn 99 and a can of Ginger Ale.

Either way, India was a roller coaster in the best way possible. And hey, I did not get sick at the Taj or on a bus or even a plane this time!! That counts for something right? Nonetheless, I was excited for the long sail to Mauritius to relax with the bland foods in Lido and Berlin (our ship restaurants).