India

Feb. 3, 2010
Train around 6:30am. Train was supposed to be at 6am but didn’t arrive on time. So around 5am everyone had to meet to head out in groups. At like 4:45am Me and the people sharing the room with me got up realizing we had slept through the alarm clocks. We were out and ready to go by 5 at least. Then the group that I was in headed out first to the train station. It was weird having people watch me as I was trying to get my bag through the streets to the train station. We were in chair cars. On the train I got tea and breakfast along the way.
At around 9ish I arrived with the group in Agra. A person had a sign for Hiram College and had auto rickshaws to take us to the Hotel Kamal. It was hard trying to get to the rickshaws because people are trying to pull you here and there. On top of it kids come rushing to you begging for food, money and water. I had a water bottle on my backpack and the kept touching it and asking for it. When I decided to give it to them since I had another one inside my bag, they practically grabbed it out of my hands before I could decided which one to give it to. Its hard when people beg because you see them rush to you because you are white. Its hard to know who to trust because some people do just want to practice their English and talk but other people are just trying to rip you off of your money. Here its hard for them to understand that we are students and don’t have lots of money to spare, because in their minds we are Americans so we have more money then them.
Along the way on the train I noticed that next to the tracks was mounds of trash and people just letting go were ever near the mounds. It is hard to deal with when you see it first. Its sad because there is no way for them do get ride of the trash like we do in America.
Around 10am we arrived at the Hotel Kamal. We got our rooms. I shared with Brenna and Liz. Lunch wasn’t till 11:30am so I took a nap after looking around the place. From the rooftop restaurant is a clear view of the Taj Mahal. We decided to do a morning, sunrise, tour of the Taj Mahal. Its hard to believe that I am really here and get to see the Taj Mahal, which I have only dreamed of seeing.
Another thing is monkeys are everywhere. They are on the rooftops and trees all about the city. Its kinda cool.
After lunch the group headed out to see different sites of Agra. The first was the Agra Fort. There are a lot of palaces inside, I cant remember how many David said. It was beautiful in its read color and the walls were amazing in size. I could close my eyes and kinda see what it was like when the fort was built and used. Inside on one of the walls was a good view of the Taj Mahal and the river as well as the hustle and bustle of the city. It was cool to be in a place that was made for smaller people. The archways in some areas were small and doors were only a little bit taller then me. It was then time to head back and a lot of places in the fort are off limits due to work on the site and some of the military still stay in the barrack area. I met up with the rest of the group and we headed out to get a group photo. There was a monkey really close that let us come up to it and take a picture. After that we headed back to the rickshaws.
They dropped us off at a shop. I was weary about going in but I was able to get a pajari/Indian outfit for about 40 US dollars. I got them to put the sleeves on them. It is white with salmon embroidery along with salmon colored pants. The scarf is pink and white. I plan to wear it because its comfy. If I had more money I might have bought a blue one but it was more expensive then the one I got and plainer. Finally everyone finished shopping and we headed to the next sight to see.
We went through the crowded streets and this bridge that was super small and could see underneath it due to the wear and tear of the bridge. We stopped at the Mini Taj Mahal. It is were Mahal was kept until the Taj Mahal was finished. I didn’t go in because we don’t have enough money to see it and we were going to the Taj Mahal tomorrow. When you get out of the rickshaws at a monument people crowd you trying to get you to buy what they are selling like postcards, information and little trinkets. I just had to learn to ignore it, because they will try to put something in your hand and wont let you give it back until you buy it. It happened to Nate but finally the guy took it back when the rickshaw driver started going.
We were then taken to the back of the Taj Mahal to watch the sunset on the Taj Mahal. Kids asking for chocolate so we gave candy. They threw the wrappers on the ground and Nicky and Kanako told them to pick it up when the boy shrugged his shoulders that it didn’t matter. He did eventually pick it up and put it in his pocket after Nicky and Kanako kept telling him to. Then they wanted money after we took their picture and kept asking for more candy. By the end I was tired and hungry. Going through the streets is hard because there is lots of fumes, honking and noises of vehicals along with when you get out people are trying to beg for money or get you to buy something. Its different then Bangkok, where they try to get you to buy something but they are not in your face about it and bargain a lot easier. Here I havent been able to find just a grocery store or drug store like in Thailand. Its very different. I like it but its different and hard to adjust to.
Finally got back to the hotel and went across the street to get food. It took forever but it was good. It was curry chicken, rice and parantha. The way they do curry chicken is different. They put the legs and thighs whole in so you have to try to get around the bone. I think I will just fine as a vegetarian here in India because the vegetarian food is really good.
After eating I showed off my dress to people and then headed to bed.

Feb. 4, 2010
Up around 6ish to see Taj Mahal. Me and the girls got up a little late so people came to get us. It really didn’t matter because when we got there it wasn’t even open yet. It was weird because they separated the men and the women to go through security. We had to walk though a metal detector and then were patted down along with our bags searched. No kind of electronics is allowed inside the area.
The Taj Mahal was just wonderful to see. The way the sun hit the white stone made it have a yellow/pink tint to it. I got lots pictures of the outside. Inside no pictures were allowed. Mahals coffin is neatly set in the center and had what would have been a lantern, now with electric light over it. Shoved to the side his her husbands, which is larger and looks the same but it is out of place. He should have had his own but his son just shoved it in. It lays over some the floor designs surrounding Mahals coffin and looks like it had to be lifted on one side so it would lay strait. It was beautiful but sad that it didn’t go with the structure of the place. Afterwards I walked around the outside of the tomb until I got out of the main area to the outside air. The sun had mostly come up and the one side was yellow and gold as the sun hit it. The designs carved into the stone or layed into the stones had such craftsmanship, it was beautiful.
After seeing the Taj Mahal I headed back to the hotel to have breakfast and to check out. It was chilly earlier so it was nice to sit in the sun and get a view of the Taj Mahal again. As we checked out they put us into SUV’s to take us to the next place, which was a 2 hour drive or more. Right as we were about to leave Denny showed up. So now we all were together and heading out.
The drive was crazy getting through the streets. At certain areas kids banged on the windows begging for food and money. Its kinda like a discrimination being white because people come and give you this mindset that you are white so you have money to give. In some areas I noticed that people was race and run across streets to try to beg from us. Then if you of the guys gave them something they tried to get more.
After almost getting lost we arrived at the hotel Falcon. We had lunch before heading out to the bird sanctuary. At the bird sanctuary we got bikes and biked to see the different birds and animals. We had a Indian guide with us on the bikes to show us a lot of things. They knew a lot about the animals and birds here. We saw different birds like kites, owls, eagles, rollers, woodpeckers and more. Also I saw a golden jackal, cows, white spotted deer, antelope and monkeys(rhesus micacks).
It was all fun until I got a flat tire and the road was bumpy and narrow. I was getting frustrated and then my big toe hit a rock while I was peddling. It hurt and I had broken the nail more and some of the blood pooling had come out. It felt as if I had broken it and I was in so much pain that the tears came. I tried not to cry but it hurt so bad, I was tired and upset that I hurt it and was afraid it was broken. Finally Anh and Caitlin got me calmed down and Tim got the guide to come back. I rode on the back of his bike and got up with the group. They helped me bandage it up and get my sock back on. I rode behind on the bike until I felt better and started riding my own bike again. The rest of the ride was fun and there was a lot to see. We headed back and I enjoyed riding really fast to the end. After that I walked back to the hotel.
We had dinner at the hotel and relaxed before heading to bed. I also bandaged up my toe a lot better.

Feb. 6, 2010
Happy Birthday to me!
Yesterday was long but fun but tiring at the same time as always. We got on the train and headed to Jaipur. We arrived around lunch time and went to the Hotel Pearl Palace. it’s a nice place and on the roof was a restaurant that was very good.
After eating us students headed out to go to the theater to see a Bollywood film. We got lost at first but we made it and saw the movie the 3 idiots. It was good but I wish I could understand it more due to no subtitles. At a theater here its one movie and that’s all that is shown. Even if it is a short movie it has an intermission. It was a fun experience. I wore my outfit and the lady at the door gave me the thumbs up and the guy told me she said I looked good and very Indian.
After the movie we headed back to meet up with everyone to head to dinner. That was an adventure in itself. We were running late so we headed out to get taxis. We finally got a bus to take us. It was a bus ride that got us lost even more and took over an hour to the place to eat. Our reservation was at 7:30, we would have only been a half hour late but ended up getting there at 9pm. It was scary not knowing were I was but it worked out in the end. When we got to the place they let us eat and boy let me tell you, food, beer and tea has never been so good in my life. By time we finished it was almost 11pm.
The hotel where we ate got auto rickshaws to take us back. I was able to shower and go to bed.
Today
Big yummy breakfast of omelets, toast and tea for my birthday. It was nice having a big breakfast. When people came up they wished me happy birthday. Not at all how I imagined my 21st birthday but it was still good.
I then packed up. Found out I left my jacket at the other hotel, I also cant find my stash of Kleenex. After getting all my stuff together I paid for an hour of internet and was able to do an blog update and get some stuff done.
We then took the auto rickshaws to the Palace of the wind. It was a palace made so that women of the palace could come somewhere and see the outside. It was nice to see but sadly people write their names on the wall so it looks very run down and graffiti everywhere. Just for Paula I did the wall tango Prince of Persia style.
After that we walked to the city palace. Some of the royal family still live there. It was amazing to see. It reminded me of the palace in the live action Jungle Book. A few museums were open and one was the public meeting room with carpets and paintings everywhere. Time was short so we had to go to the observatory. On the way there Denny got us all ice cream, which tasted so good!
We then went to the observatory. It was awesome to see all those instruments used to measuring the sun and consolations. We had a guide telling us about all the instruments. He was telling us about which zodiac was if you were born that day and I was laughing in the inside because it was my birthday and he didn’t know.
We then headed back to the hotel to get ready to head. We had to walk a long way to go. We got back and got into taxis and rickshaws to get to the train station. We got on and arrived in Alwar. A group of us had to wait for Denny to get a bus or taxi for us.
While we were waiting a crowd formed talking to Nate and some of the other guys. It was scary at first having this crowd around. I calmed down a little when I realized we were most likely the largest crowd of white people that had come there so they were curious. Most of the people just wanted to practice their English.
The bus came and we headed to Sariska Tiger Reservation to the Hotel Tiger Den. While on the way there we went past a wedding procession. It was lots of light and people. They invited us to come join the celebration but we needed to get to the hotel. It would be fun to go to a Indian wedding. It looked like a lot of fun.
We finally arrived at the hotel and were able eat dinner. I then worked on postcards and then went to bed.

Feb. 7, 2010
Woke up and had breakfast. After breakfast I did some laundry since we have all day and most of tomorrow here.
At 10am we all met for class. I guess the owner of the hotel heard about the issue with the drivers yesterday and has been very helpful. He gave us the conference room to use for classes and meetings. Also he set up the safari for tomorrow as well the buses back to the train station. After that he arranged for the taxis between train stations as well. Its nice to know that someone cares about us and wants good reviews, I would defiantly recommend this place. Denny gave us most of the day free to relax and catch up on journals and other writing needed. I was able to get laundry done, some observations, and my part of the blog done. We were then let go to do whatever we wanted until lunch.
There is a swing set, slide and teater totters outside the room. So I joined Brenna, Nicky, Nate and Jake on the swings. It was fun to be free and have time to play. After that I came inside and washed my jeans which are almost dry. The climate is warm and dry. It was getting really hot so things in the sun dried fast.
At lunch Denny told us that we were going to go on a walk, it was optional but everyone still came on it. We had to have a guide due to there being 3 tigers in the reserves. They were introduced from the other reserve and 2 more come in a few more months. So after lunch I sunned a little and wrote postcards before getting ready to go on the walk. It is really hot, like shorts and tank top weather, that is why I sunned a little.
The walk kinda sucked because we were on the main road most of the time. The guide wanted us to keep taking photos and kept interrupting when Denny was trying to tell us about something. On the good side saw lots of monkeys, black faced with long tails monkeys, birds, and antelope. We headed back because it was getting late and we needed to have class.
Dinner was good and after that there was a bonfire outside, made by the hotel. It was really nice to be outside with a bonfire, almost like home. It is weird coming from the cities to this area, which is calm and quite. I almost don’t want to go back to the cities. The fire was getting low so a lot of people left. Ok well its off to bed I think.

Feb. 8,2010
I slept very well last night. I was able to wake up around 6:30am and breathe though my nose. I think these allergies will be over soon.
At 7 headed to breakfast. Well there wasn’t breakfast but tea for me and the group before we headed out to the safari. Unfortunately the same incompetent guide from yesterday had got himself to come so we had to deal with him.
The safari was lots of fun. I saw white spotted deer, Antelope, wild boar, jackal, birds, peacocks and 2 jungle cats. It was cool seeing the second jungle cat because a peacock was giving a warning call and then all of a sudden I saw the jungle cat pouncing around in the tall grass.
Around 10am we got back to the hotel and had breakfast. I took a shower and then finished some work and packed up to head out. We had lunch and then some class and the arraignments for the day. At 4pm a bus came and we had a 1 hour drive to the train station.
When we got to the train station we had to stand for 2 hours before the train came. While waiting Becky and I braided each others hair. A crowd formed around some of the group so that the station master opened the VIP room and gently told us to go in. It was more like we had to go in because they didn’t want us to have a crowd. It is weird having people stare at you but I’m getting used to it.
Finally the train arrived and I wasn’t feeling well due to my allergies. It was 3 hours on the train and we were fed. I was very happy when they brought us ice cream! After that ride we got off in New Delhi in the pouring rain. Yes in the dry season it is just thunder and lighting with a downpour of rain.
From New Delhi we had to caught a cab to the other station. We made it in time for the sleeper train. It was a 6 hour train ride.
I fell asleep almost right away but kept waking up thinking I had to get off or everyone got off and left me. Also the people across from me snored very very loud.

Feb. 9, 2010
Just arrived at the Woodstock school up in the mountains. Its cold and wet with some snow on the ground. Today was mostly just getting caught up on things the requiered internet, suhc as this blog. School work was done as well. We were supposed to go on a 6 hour hike but the fog mixed with rain and snow along with thunder and lightning just werent good. So I got alot done but that was mostly it that happened today.

Feb. 10, 2010
i realized I put Jan. on some date in the last update I think. anyways if I mess up on the month sorry it hard to keep track.
Today the group went to the school and met with some of the biology classes of high school age. we had discussions with them about climate change and most of the time it turned into us answering questions about the trip or were we were from. We met with two 11th grade classes and then one AP 12th grade class.
We gave presentations to the 5th grade class about biomes. My group gave information about the coral reefs. Those kids seemed to have a lot more questions and more willing to aks them. It was fun teaching them. I wish we had more time to talk with the younger kids.
Before we had tea we were showed around the new gym they have. A 7th grade class was jump ropping. They invited some of our group to try it. After that we had tea and I was able to send some postcards and then now back using the internet.
I miss everyone at home but I am having a good time. sorry that the last few post have been so late.