India...DAYS 1 & 2

Aaron and I met at the airport on the 13th. To say I was feeling a bit "apprehensive" is an understatement. After clearing security and having my bag searched, at which time I proceeded to show the security gaurd pictures of my children (we both ended up in tears), we headed to boarding. Here I am attempting to think good thoughts...Boarding the plane...Despite a LONG flight (5 hours to NJ, 14+ to Delhi), I felt totally energized when we got to the airport in Delhi. It was so surreal. I wouldn't have been surprised to wake up from a crazy dream. Ben had warned us not to let ANYONE touch our bags. We met our driver and headed to the car, at which time a large group of Indian men came and took our bags (mistake #1). They loaded them in the back of the car and then demanded $10. Aaron says, "I only have $100". (Mistake #2) Robert gives them $20 (Mistake #3). We're off to a great start! We get on the freeway and shortly after our driver pulls over and we have a flat tire. He heads off down the freeway and I'm thinking "What in the Sam Hill is going on here?" He comes back carrying a brick. Apparently he couldn't get the jack under the car, so he drives it over the brick to make the clearance higher. The brick crumbles. He takes off again, this time coming back with a large rock. In the meantime, we are laughing our guts out and having the time of our lives watching the traffic. We saw large families on scooters, people on BIKES, and yes, a man on a HORSE on the freeway. It was hillarious.
We finally arrived at our hotel, "The Park". It was very comfortable, with an Austin Powers flair to it. Here are Robert and Aaron in the lobby.

The next morning we met for breakfast at "The Mist". LtoR: Robert, John (coach), Aaron, Me, Johnny K. (coach) and Ginny.

After breakfast we had our first meeting and reviewed the itinerary for our journey.

After our meeting we took tuk-tuk's (a 3 wheeled open-air taxi) to do some sightseeing. Delhi traffic is quite an experience in itself...

John & John's tuk-tuk broke down after going through a large puddle (more like a small pond...haha), so our driver gave him a push into town...Welcome to India!This is the Lotus Temple (Bahá’í faith).

The temple has 9 sides, and 9 pools surrounding it. 9 is a significant number to the the Bahá’í faith, althought I don't remember why!?

Here are some of their basic beliefs:

• abandonment of all forms of prejudice
• assurance to women of full equality of opportunity with men
• recognition of the unity and relativity of religious truth
• the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth
• the realization of universal education
• the responsibility of each person to independently search for truth
• the establishment of a global commonwealth of nations
• recognition that true religion is in harmony with reason and the pursuit of scientific knowledge

The children and women wear such beautiful, brightly colored clothes.

This little girl was the sweetest thing! She was so eloquent and came right up and introduced herself to me. After we took this picture, we were solicited by a bunch of other kids "One photo please! One photo please!" They loved having their pictures taken and seeing them on the preview screen.At one point a little girl asked me for "chewing gum". I took my pack out and it was gone in a matter of about 15 seconds. Johnny K. took his pack out and they went through it just as fast! As we left the temple grounds, a small parade of children followed us out, 3 boys asking over and over for "one more photo", and a group of girls bringing me flowers twice. I felt so special!

We headed to "Fab India" next to do some shopping. I wished I had had more time. The deals were amazing!

It was a fun day. Here is a small snippet from my journal: "The poverty here is unfathomable-people doing road construction in flip-flops and shorts, men taking a leak in plain site, women balancing baskets on their heads, tons of people sleeping in the median, dirt and garbage and debris everywhere-and yet the people seem content and peacful. They appear very clean and wear beautiful clothing. They are absolutely gorgeous people. The temple was very busy-we had to remove our shoes before entering and they requested that everyone maintain sience upon entry. It was a reverent and spiritual experience. I prayed and felt close to Heavenly Father. I always knew He loved ALL of His children, but I could really FEEL it. I had a deep desire to explore the world and see all of His beautiful creations-places AND people."