The End

Well, I'm back in Canada, safe and sound.  And with that my adventures in India come to a close - for now.

I really enjoyed posting to this blog. It helped me stay connected to home, and helped me remember monsoon of experiences I ha.  I'd like the thank everyone who took the time to come hear and read my rambles. The stat-counter says I received 1200 page views, which blows my mind. You guys rock! (I'd like to know who the 6 views from Russia was, though!)

So it's time to bring this journal to a end. See you all next time I get flung to some other corner of the world!

Dear India,

For the past seventeen days, I've made you my home. You have been nothing but hospitable. Never once did I feel unwelcome. You've opened me up to numerous new experiences, and shown me some of the most breathtaking sights of my life. A piece of you will always live in my heart.

India, you are now so much more than an area on the map and stories on the news. I see now an ancient country, that is paradoxally very young and growing. Like an uncut gem, you are rough around the edges. You are still a developing country, and are all that goes with that term. But the key word is developing. I see changes happening before my very eyes. I see infrastructure being put in place where there were none the week before. Questions about women's rights and euthanasia are littering the newspapers. Wages in manufacturing, IT, and everything in between are flying through the roof. Yes, you are quickly being polished into a glowing jewel. To be precise, 1.2 billion jewels. A force to be reckoned with.  The tools are all there - democracy, inter-cultural tolerance, spreading education. It's just a matter of time.

I now have the gnawing hunger to learn all there is to learn about you, India.  Perhaps this is a quixotic task for a landmass and culture that is more akin to Europe than a single country - and one that is constantly changing. But, to borrow a phrase, I'll give it my level best!

India, today we part ways. Even though I haven't quite left, I already miss you. I leave you in the care of the many friends made here.  I eagerly await the day I get a chance to return and explore the many, many treasures I've yet unearthed. I'm a different person than the one that left the airport in Ottawa what seems like eons ago. A better person, for sure.

Thank you.

Representin'

I was challenged to badminton today. Some of you may not be aware, but India is quite accomplished in the sport, having won the championship more than once, amongst other achievements.

So I felt the need to answer the bell and show what Canadians can do. I scraped my vague memories of high-school, which was the last time I had played, for any techniques I could muster.  It looked grim. It was grimmer still as got down 4, 5, 6 points in the race for 15. But something gelled and I stopped wiffing wildly at the birdie and started smashing them back with a gusto. It wasn't long before we were tied and soon I was walking off the court the winner!

But wait! There was another employee challenging my shuttlecock-authority. So I agree to take him on, this time with the sun in my eyes. Clearly I'm affected as I'm down 4-0 early. But again I battle back to take a narrow 15-13 win! CAN-A-DA! CAN-A-DA!


You are all welcome. :)

Wrong Again, India

These guys really don't get sports, do they? Us Canadians know THE Cup is the Cup that counts. To prove the superiority of hockey, I'll will point out that there is a cricket game on right now. And while the action was still under way, they panned to a bird that was on the field and discussed it for an inordinately long amount of time. This rather ordinary bird was more thrilling than the actual game. Case closed.

Disclaimer: I do quite enjoy watching cricket, particularly in a country that loves it. But it ain't no NHL>

The Elephant Show

So my travels finally landed me in Jaipur, where I was promised something I've been craving since I learned I'd be going to India - a ride on an elephant. Specifically, at Amber Fort where aneElephant would carry you up the steep hill to the courtyard

What I was not promised is the line-up! It stretched forever. My guide is subtly trying to talk me out of it. "Are you sure you want to wait? The line is over an hour long...and they only let the elephants go up and down so many times before closing the attraction down" Which, incidently, is a good rule to not overload the beasts with which I agree, but...WHERE'S MY ELEPHANT?

So I waited nervously for, what turned out to indeed be an hour. But before I knew it, I was being helped on to a caparisoned elephant. So cool!

Here my driver's review: Slow, noticeable swaying back-and-forth - be sure to stay balanced. Smelly. Seat belts not included on the standard model - use 'holding on for dear life' instead. AC included via sucking up water through the trunk (nose appendage, not storage compartment) and spraying it everywhere like rain. Excellent durability, expect your model to last over 50 years.

As for the ride, it lasted about 5 or 10 minutes, including an pachyderm traffic-jam at a participially narrow part. Enterprising cameramen lie in wait along the route to snap your photo while simultaneously negotiating rates for them with you. "Ali Baba! Ali Baba!", they'd call to me, using my standard nickname when people want to charm me into giving them money, '"500 rupees!" Which is a ridiculous price - over 20 bucks - I later got two pics for the real going rater of 50 rupees a piece.

I'd love to share the photos with you, but first need to locate a scanner. Until then, if you've ever wondered what it's like to pass a camel at 120kph, here you go. (We were going 120, not the camel...)

UPDATE: Elllllllephant!

I'm Lovin' It!

For all of you wondering what good old McDonald's is like in a country that almost entirely shuns eating beef, I did some hands on investigation this evening.

I present to you the Chicken Maharaja Mac. Two grilled chicken patties, curry-flavoured sauce, lettuce, onions, tomato all on the classic double bun. No pickles. Of course, the word pickle means something totally different in this country anyway! Regardless, it was delicious, in the McD's kind of way.

The fries were exactly the same :)

The Taj

This is a gem, people. You may have seen photos of the Taj Mahal, or seen it in Slumdog Millionaire. Doesn't compare. Especially at sunrise (or at a full moon, I imagine!) If you get any chance to see it, do so. And if you don't get a chance, make a chance.

Why do I like it? Well, for starters its a zillion tons of pure white marble. That is going to shimmer like nobody's business, regardless. But then it is so finely crafted, from the huge curves of the dome, to little fine flower carvings on the walls. And it's not just marble. You think the marble chunks are held together with black mortar. But then you get close and realize it's perfectly carved onyx. Everywhere. And then there are the semi-precious stone inlays. They look like they are painted on, but no, they are pain-stakingly arranged stones. Lapis luzali, mother of pearl, and even  stones that glow like fire under light. Fantastic. The reflecting pool is perfect too. It doubles the tajy goodness in a very serene way.

But there is also the love story behind its creation. It is your typical love-at-first sight  deal. She bore him fourteen kids, but alas giving birth to the last one cost her her life.  er dying wish was for him to take care of their children and to build a monument where she was buried. Well, he sure took that to heart. He bankrupted himself building what be the greatest monument to love ever. It reverberates. You can't help but think of the one you love while there. It is a happy place.

Now, how did he do on the other half of his wife's wish? Well...only fours sons and two daughters survived to adulthood. And one of those sons killed the other three and imprisoned Dad in the Agra Fort (I visited there too, not a bad place to be trapped.) He lived out his last eight years under house arrest while his son took power. Oops.

Still, Taj Mahal, he got that right. Go see it.