Pam's Blog

Off the highway about a 20 minute drive is a village with a step well, an old temple and a school.

We stopped at the school which Gate 1 Travel has helped build. Currently there are just over 380 students, 92 of them girls. We were able to hear the preschool kids recite their ABC’s and interact with some of the other kids.

The cement classrooms are completely empty except for a blackboard and a piece of fabric on the floor. Since there is no electricity, several of the classes were outdoors where it was “cooler”, the students sitting in the shade of a tree in rows with backpacks in front of them and books on top of the backpacks as if it was a desk. They are shoulder to shoulder, backpack to the back of the person in front of them.

I crouched down to see a couple of the paperback 8-1/2 x 11 full color (not in very good register) books. They were currently working on math. The backboard easel at the front had Hindi writing and some numbers. One of the boys pulled out an English book, opened the page and started reading. It was the lyrics to “We Shall Overcome”. He read the first stanza and then I sang it. We did the same thing with the second stanza. In addition I saw a couple of pages on the steps for digital pranayama.

They know enough English to ask me “where are you from?” And “what is your name”? I also asked them their names but most of them I could not understand. All these kids want their picture taken, saying “Picture! Picture!” So I took a few photos and then gave the camera to one of them. They all want an opportunity to take photos, grabbing and jostling to get it. They took my photo and then some group photos.

Gate 1 supports the school with the proceeds of their business and has helped create a restaurant in the small village, which is where we had lunch after going to the step well, temple and three home visits in the village.

The nice thing about traveling by bus (besides the fact that it is air conditioned) is we get the opportunity to see the countryside and the people of this land. Mansi, our tour manager, is full of information. She will point things out and slow the bus if there is something to take a photo of.

En route from Agra to Jaipur, we saw many fields and she talked about how this area’s economy is rich in agriculture. Sugar cane, potatoes, peanuts, tomatoes, millet, and maize were just a few she mentioned.

We witnessed a military plane and paratroopers jumping out, descending to the ground. Even Mansi got out her camera for that one. We came upon a herd of camels on the road, including two or three young ones, and their handlers. Once a Jeep passed us with at least a dozen people in it and hanging with three of them standing on the bumper hanging on to hang bars. A couple of times there were vehicles on our side of the divided hiway going against traffic. And, many, many, many people walking along the side of the hiway.

We passed area with tall conical chimneys which were kilns making bricks. The small houses in this area are made of brick and many trucks were on the road with a load of bricks embossed with Hindi.

The closer we got to Jaipur we started seeing pink sandstone, which comes from this part of the country. Jaipur is the Pink City. Mansi, our tour manager also says it will not be unusual to be stopped in the street of Jaipur next to an elephant!

All of our hotels have been very nice with fresh smelling sheets, clean bathrooms, and helpful staff.

In Agra the Jaypee Palace was exceptional. As we walked in the building we were greeted with necklaces of marigolds. The staff is over the top friendly and helpful. The place is a huge complex with five restaurants. Anytime you might be lost or looking for something, there is a staff person at the ready to direct or escort you to your desired destination.

After seeing the Taj Mahal in all it’s great marble glory, the bus took us to a business that makes items out of marble. The current artisans are ninth generation marble decorators and we saw three of them at their work with hand tools, settling on the floor while our host explained the process.

Next we were escorted into the show room, sat on cushy stools, and served beer or soft drinks. Our host showed us the different characteristics and sizes of the pieces, which come with a table base ready for a light to be installed under the table top or with a lazy Susan. I opted for a small table top and the lazy Susan option. Those of us interested had an individual sales person (not at ALL as high pressured as the carpet salesperson in Fez on my Morocco trip!). The best part? The price includes shipping door to door!

We left Khajuraho by bus for a long drive to Agra. We stopped in Orchha, a small village for lunch and wandering. The guidebook says “this historic village on the banks of the Betsy River showcases a display of Mughal architecture.” There are several sites (seven for a combined ticket, according to the guidebook) but we opted to spend an hour in the village, which was so fun.

Walking through town we took photos of the people, some walking, some working, some just sitting. For the most part they welcome having their pictures taken. Some ask for money, some volunteer or even approach us asking for a photograph together. Mansi explains this as the local interest in our white skin, our light colored hair, and our different clothing. The feeling is mutual. We are also interested in their exotic look and characteristics. The women dress so colorfully in saris and scarfs. Some carry their load on their heads.

We came upon a couple of young women doing henna. As a gift they put henna on our hands and in return they requested we look in their “shops”, more like carts with jewelry. I bought an ankle bracelet, which I love, for three dollars. I’m sure it isn’t real silver as promised.

There is a nine day festival going on. Mansi has explained it but I don’t remember the details now. The villages and towns are preparing by decorating and constructing temporary structures. Hearing music we came to a group of kids ranging in age of probably 7-11. They were singing and dancing and thought it was hilarious when I did my best belly dancing move. We took photos of them and with them and it was delightful.

The exquisite tomb of Mizoram Ghiyas Beg is nicknamed Baby Taj. Smaller, more intricate and delicate in its workmanship it was nearly empty when we visited. Although made out of all marble, the inside walls and the ceiling are beautiful in the symmetrical and detailed work. Seven people are buried here, some female (having a notebook or pad of paper sculpted on the tomb) and some male (having a pen case on the tomb).

It was a hot (India HOT) afternoon and this was not our last stop of the day. We carried on to the Red Fort.

We started our day in the blinding sunshine at the Taj Mahal. It is a stunning site, shining in all of its whiteness, symmetrically pleaseing to the eye and larger than life.

Gate 1 Travel hired a professional photographer. To accompany us and take photos of us, including a group photo, a complimentary copy coming to each of us. The individual photos were for sale and I got about five of them.

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who dies giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. Construction began the next year and was completed in 1653. Not long after it was finished he was over thrown my his son and imprisoned in the RedFort, with a view of Taj Mahal from his quarters across the river. He died eight years later.

While on the grounds I did a few yoga poses, including sirsasana!