If there is any place to overload and overwhelm the senses, it is India. I am no expert, though my husband is, but India awakens every molecule in the body and has it on high alert. People, smells, colors, animals, culture, wonder, it's all there. In full force. With no escape.
This was no backpacking-through-India-kind-of-trip: there were nine of us. Nine! One of whom was a very moody two-year-old, who was either perfectly happy or screaming hopelessly. One was a good friend who was extremely helpful and great to have along. Two were my aunt and uncle who put all other senior citizens to shame with their zest and energy. One was my amazing husband who got us everywhere and was the ultimate tour guide. It was no easy trip but I'm so glad we did it.
Here are a few collections of photos, just because it's impossible not to take photos in India. The coolest part was we gave a camera to our 9-year-old and he kept himself busy taking some of the best photos of the trip.
First, the animals. So many animals, of all shapes and varieties. I was prepared for cows and monkeys, but I don't know why there are so many pigs. Even at the farm I've never been so up close and personal with so many pigs. Too many.
These are two parades we stumbled on. Serious sensory overload.
The markets, endless markets, full of the most wonderful and oddly unusual things. And bargaining. Can you spy the Eifel Tower?
The kids were such troopers. It was really, really hot and sunny. Water and food were constant issues. We did a lot of walking. There was a lot of unknown. The kids saw some amazing and often very difficult and uncomfortable things. They have seen poverty so close it hurts. It will take us all some time to make sense of all that we experienced. What an enriching experience, though. They all grew up this past week, for sure.
The buildings, endlessly cool buildings. Patterns, colors, stones, gems, architecture. Unbelieveable.
We were treated like celebrities everywhere we went, literally mobbed by people. If we stopped long enough to take a drink of water, handle a meltdown, get something out of a bag, or take a photo, we were surrounded. There are plenty of tourists that come through, but not so many with four young children. Addie was the most popular, with Yared a close second. Ravi was called Harry Potter numerous times, which made him burst with pride. Most people meant no harm, but at times it was simply maddening, like when Addie was throwing a fit and we had huge crowds of onlookers who insisted on pinching her cheeks or trying to take her out of my arms for a photo. If I ever run into Tom Cruise or Oprah, I don't know if I'll have the heart to ask for a photo. I know how it feels...
No comments:
Post a Comment