Thursday, January 20, 2011

Looking back


I've been back in the States for just over a week now. India seems like a dream that I wouldn't wake up from. The clash of cultures, status and styles seared into my brain, impacting my life forever. I find America boring, or at least my part of it... Life is mundane now. We're content to take the easy path. I miss the bumpy roads. That's been we saw the real India not warped by Western expectations yet. The struggle the want the strive to better themselves is missing here. I'm not happy just skating through life. I want a challenge. The road have be bumpy and sometimes I'll wonder ow I'll be able to make that turn but in the end it will be worth it. It always is.

Daniel

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Indian Adventure

A typical scene of rural India.


Going to India was definitely the most amazing experience of my life. Of course being able to see the monuments and architecture that we had studied all semester was fascinating. But more so, being able to see local Indians and how they live was enriching. We had so many anecdotal moments, most of which had to do not with architecture, but in interacting with local Indians. It was great fun when we stopped in a small village for a while and got to experience how life there is. We had, let's just say, an eventful bus ride that took a little longer than expected, but it took us through rural India. On the face of it, it was a horribly long arduous journey, but we got to see real India. Most of India still lives in villages and we wouldn't have been able to see that without this detour. I feel like I got more out of that bus ride than maybe at any point of this trip. It gave us great insight into a whole different culture.



Like many others, the lack of computer and shady internet connections didn't allow me to post regular updates. But now that I'm back in the States, I have a few minutes to share some thoughts on India.
The trip we took was truely an eye-opening experience. It was amazing to be in a culture so unlike your own. It really helped put very simple things into perspective. After going on this trip, you truely put every day resources like warm, running shower water and hot air heaters for granted! One of my favorite parts was interacting with the locals. They were all very friendly and enjoyed talking with the tourists. It was really fascinating to be riding around the dirty streets of Delhi one minute, then to be at a beautiful temple the next!










India!

Unfortunately I wasn't really able to blog as much as I wanted while in India because either the internet was slow or I didn't have access to a computer. I actually ended up typing my blog on Brandon's computer but never posting it.

This trip to India was definitely an interesting experience we got so see so many different people, religions, and cultures in just one country.

Our first day in India we were able to meet Vinay Rai who helps fund several trips and schools in India and is funding part of our stay and food. We also say many tombs, including Humayun's Tomb. We also went to see the Lotus temple, Delhi Observatory, and the Akshardham temple. The Akshardham temple was so beautiful and so much amazing craftmanship could be seen throughout the temple, unfortunately we were not able to take our cameras into the temple and there was alot of security we had to go through in order to even get into the temple.

We were also able to ride both auto and bike rickshaws while in India. Several of us also rode elephants up the Amber Fort.

The Taj Mahal was amazing and I really enjoyed visiting the Taj, especially since I had done my class project on the form and meaning of the Taj Mahal.

I'm glad I was able to go and experince India, its culture, monuments, and food.

Trip to India Summary

Traveling to India is the most educational and life-changing venture I have ever experienced. India is a country full of diversity and contrast. During our trip, we were able to dine with billionaire businessman and philanthropist Vinay Rai. Later that same day, as we trudged through the streets of Delhi, we witnessed poverty and living conditions that make the poorest Americans look wealthy. Like the weather in Lubbock, life in India is predictably unpredictable. It's a fascinating place full of architectural marvels and chaotic highways. If any students wish to embark on a true adventure and unique educational opportunity, I encourage them to sign up next year to learn what India and being an American are all about.

Back From India

Hello everyone,
As you all have read, we are back in the states. I had a wonderful time seeing all the architecture and tourist sites. It was lots of fun seeing the diverse structures and how a beautiful building can be next to a run down one. I was also amazed to see all the dogs, cows, and monkeys in the street. Overall, the trip has opened my eyes to new experiences. I actually became very fond of the children and found it very interesting how they all try to sell you things to make a living and help out their families. Soon I hope to visit another diverse place such as India and experience what the rest of the world has to offer.

Mayra