Delhi 1.0 Day 4

I’m sad to report that my Delhi Belly came back full force today. Luckily, I had pretty good access to bathrooms today, but it defiantly wasn’t fun. Not fun at all.

On to happier things though-remember that comment I made about being disappointed when we didn’t get to spend some more time with the elephants at Amber Fort? Well, Benson heard that comment, and reached into his bag of tricks and had a little surprise for us this morning. He wouldn’t say why we needed to leave a littler earlier—which I kind of messed up, no-which my Delhi Belly messed up—but that we would be happy that we did. We drove to the outskirts of town, and made a turn onto a little side of the road and then passed a sign with an arrow that said elephant village. I wanted it to be a living elephant village, but was trying to think about all the different things it could be, such as a village with a shrine to Ganesh (the god that has an elephant head), or some elephant themed gift shop, etc. but luckily for me, my first thought was correct! In America we have parking garages for cars, buses, etc. In India they have parking villages for elephants. Most of them were gone working for the day, but there was one, which is all we needed. I guess the family’s who own the elephants live in the elephant village as well-so we were met not only by the elephant but the children as well. It was cool to just chill with her—especially since there were only four of us. It was amazing how close we got. In fact the elephant's owner kept telling us to go closer. When it was my turn the elephant grabbed my hand with its trunk, and brought it up to her mouth where she sucked on my hand for a bit. I’m pretty sure she was expecting food, which I sure didn’t have, but she didn’t seem to mind. I probably got my hand “kissed” because I was sporting my elephant Aladdin pants-so she knew I was a fan. The elephant sucking on my hand made me think of when the baby calves suck on my hands at Grandma’s house. It was seriously the most awesome surprise ever! What a way to start a day!

Watching him climb up on the elephant was so amazing! She just lowers her head and helps lift him up with her trunk and before you know it he is perched on top. I really wanted to try it but they wouldn't let me---go figure. :)

How would it be to grow up in an elephant village?

 After the elephant village we started our drive back to Delhi. Our driver needed to stop for his tea so we had a little snack stop. It was this cute little coffee shop, and sadly they ran out of chocolate brownies before I could buy one but it was okay because I ended up getting the best Oreo milkshake I’ve ever had in my life. It was seriously so good. We watched Indian television while we stuffed our stomachs. The little bit of Indian television we saw was seriously scandalous. There was this horrible cologne commercial for a cologne called Cobra. It involved a lot of hand stroking with the cologne finally squirting at the end—nice huh. Apparently, the old name of my oreo milkshake was “The Big O.” Again---there is so many sexually themed everything in this society even though they don’t promote boys and girls mingling until their parents marry them to one another. I don’t think I will ever understand it.

When we reach Delhi, we stopped at a market place that had American groceries. It even had-----wait for it-----DR. PEPPER! The rumors were true! You know I bought a few cans to take back to southern India with me. I also splurged on other American things such as refried beans, chicken broth etc. But I had to forgo somethings like ranch dressing and mac and cheese which were simply way to expensive--like $10 USD apiece! If Benson would have been able to get a hold of his friend I would have brought back frozen bacon with me too. Sadly that was a no go. Afterword’s, we experienced the Delhi Metro system which we road into Old Delhi. The metro system is owned by a Japanese company, but it must be the same company that did the London underground because the signage and PA announcements were exactly the same-complete with the "Please mind the Gap" lady. The only difference I saw is that they had certain cars designated for women only-which obviously we rode in.

Old Delhi was exactly how I pictured it to be-totally congested, have peddle rickshaws, shops everywhere, etc. There were also some wandering hands too, which I also expected but I was lucky enough to not personally experience that. Unfortunely, some of the other girls weren’t so lucky. After taking peddling rickshaw rides into the center of Old Delhi, Benson led us on another little adventure through the crowds of merchants, through some grain shops and up a zillion stairs, past a homeless man in the corner, and over a big dead rat and finally out onto a rooftop that overlooked all of Old Delhi. It was simply breathtaking. It was one of those times I just stopped, try to take it all in, pinched myself and thought “I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be living in India and experiencing the things I am.”  And then right after that (I know this sounds so stupid) I thought of the Aladdin game my siblings and I would play on the Sega when we were little-specifically the rooftop level.

You can see the Gate of Delhi in the skyline...it is the red stoned structure

Rose petals drying on someones roof

 Some views down into an alley and a mosque

After the rooftop, we visited an authentic Indian spice market. I got some good cooking spices. I am excited to put them to good use. All I want to do is cook now. I hear campus has WIFI back, so it looks like I'll be looking up more then a few recipes that call for my new spices. 

We took a bicycle rickshaw back to the metro, hopped in the car that was waiting for us once we got off, and literally ran to the next place-offically I don’t remember what it was called, but unofficially it was Benson’s special spot. We took off our shoes off and walked up a wide curved stoned path to this sight:

It is a temple that Benson would come to when he was little, and where he takes his children now. When Benson was investigating the church, he came here to think and received his confirmation that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints was true. I may have written the wrong, but even if I did, it was a very pretty and peaceful place.

The crematorium that is located behind the temple

Our final stop in Delhi was to a wholesale souvenir and carpet shop. I got a good deal on coasters that look very similar to the ones I wanted at the shop in Agra, but for way cheaper. And the carpets were incredible. They were hand weaved, very ornate, and exactly what you would think of when you think of Northern India/Middle East styled carpets. Think Arabian prayer rugs. So amazing! They even change colors in certain lights. But coolly, not all psychedelic like the horse that changes color in the Wizard of Oz.

The flight home was good-I was so exhausted that I slept for most of it. Delhi was incredible, but I have to be honest, I missed the kids more then I expected. I would see kids on the street in Delhi that would remind me of “my kids” back on campus and my heart would ache a little. Needless to say, I was excited to come home. Rajenjdran was there to pick up Rachel and I. We call him the Indian Santa Clause because he has a round face, kind sparkly eyes and a very warm smile. We got in late at night so we were beyond exhausted and it was so comforting to be greeted by him. He was so considerate on the drive home too. I was in and out of sleeping, but I was awake enough at certain times to realize that he was being so careful and mindful of speed bumps, potholes and the necessary stops just making sure he didn’t wake us up. It melted my heart some. The rest of my heart melted when I went to my room and was greeted by this:

 How sweet is that? I loved it! It is nice to be home.

P.S. The pink streamers are actually pink toilet paper. When we get free rolls in the wholesale packets of TP they are always pink. It's a nice touch. Hahaha.