India Day Seven - Vrindavan

Today was probably my best day yet!!! 

I am so warmed with how well taken care of we were here in Vrindavan. They were the best kindest people! So very good to us! 

We started our morning with breakfast where they fed us exactly what we asked for. Most weren’t feeling well the day before so we asked for toast with jam and bananas and they came through, bless them. 

Then we left for the temple where they told us we needed to go change because there will be lots of color ! And they were so right. We went and changed and literally walking down the street people were stopping me and throwing color on us.

Also while walking down the street a boy ran up behind me and scared me with a toy which is apparently also common during the Holi celebration. 

We went to three temples, the first was so packed we had a hard time staying together and it was a bit overwhelming and very colorful. 

The second was colorful but less overwhelming. They were throwing buckets of water full of color! We tried to avoid that experience. 

The third was a nature temple.

The forth was a no color temple putting on a musical about the religion, but we couldn’t understand any of the words so we just watched and guessed the meaning mostly. The Guru then came out to say hi specifically to us and invited us to stay for a meal being served, which we did. 

At one point, as we went from location to location a monkey jumped out of nowhere mad and looking for trouble. It scared me so much I threw out guide in front of me for safe keeping... woops... he was real nice about it though. 

After that we had some down time. Then Bobby came back and took us on a boat ride. 

After our fun ride on the boat we went to the rotary president’s office and chatted for a bit and exchanged gifts. Then they went out of their way to drive us to get Pizza Hut. It was amazing by the way.

I went in one car and it became a joke of a race and we were losing pretty much the whole time up until the end where he scooted ahead and won. It was pretty funny from our cars point of view. 

On the way back they had me ride in the other car because apparently I’m the reason we won? Makes no logical sense at all but they insisted and I got to listen to Indian pop music which was pretty fun! 

When we got back they showered us with even more gifts! So thoughtful. It was really just a great day. 

Day Six - Aligrah to Vrindavan

Today we woke up and went for a walk at the park with our host. He told us he generally goes to the park every morning to have a jog with with his friends. 

After that we drove through a near by university grounds where there was more that’s 30,000 students. It’s just huge! 

After that we made our way back home to have an amazing breakfast and then take photos with our family before we left. They so kindly gifted us with wallets made in India, which was so kind and thoughtful of them! 

Then we were off to see one of their clubs projects. I’m so glad they took the time to show us. They built a school for the locals on a community who otherwise wouldn’t be able to get an education and on top to that they feed and educate the families. The children were so well mannered and adorable. It just was so wonderful to see what they’re doing and the huge impact they are having in so many lives in the community.

After that we were on the road again traveling to Vrindavan. We got here and had some down time which was nice.

We didn’t have lunch so Lorna and I shared a chocolate bar she had in her reserves. We chose the one with almonds for protein...

 Following that we went to the temple Prem Mandir, which was interesting and beautiful. Our tour guide was so kind and loved in Toronto for forty years so he was very excited to give other Canadians a tour.

Then we had another Holi color celebration at the hotel with the rotary club. We listened to the music for hours then it picked up and there was some dancing and flower throwing.

Finally, at 10:30 it was time for dinner. We didn’t eat much because most of the group had sour stomaches and it was bed time not meal time, but the experience was good. 

Day Five - Aligarh

Today we woke up and I was feeling much better thank goodness! The women made us a fabulous breakfast.

After breakfast we walked around the society (aka the block) and walked through various houses. They are just stunning! 

After that we went to a temple and had a tour which explained the Jain Monk lifestyle. 

 We then went to lunch and following lunch we took a tour of a lock factory here in India. It was very interesting and fun to see.

Then we got to spend sometime shopping in the market. It was such a chaotic fun experience!!! 

Then we went to dinner at Casino Royale a very close by restaurant to our host family and then home at eleven or so to finally rest up for another adventure!

It was such a good day! 

Day Four - Agra to Aligarh

Today was our last day with our first host family. The provided us with such a great experience! I am so grateful for them and I hope all the other experiences are just as good.

We woke up this morning got packed up, and had breakfast. My stomach was upset but I got really lucky and there was toast and bananas for breakfast so I had that and a Ginger-ail. 

After breakfast we said our goodbyes and we were off to see the Agra Rotary school. That was so much fun. Right when we pulled up we were welcomed with warm greetings, red dots, and earrings. We then took a short short ride on a bus and saw the progress of the school. They also fed us lunch, which looked wonderful but I only was able to eat a small amount because of my upset stomach. 

After that it was three hours in the car to Aligarh. Boy is traffic crazy here! I made sure to take motion sick medicine before we even left.

After e arrived we were fed once again and then taken to a nearby school for a drama competition where they honored us with orange sashes and a framed banner to take home. 

Then even though we were so tired, they had one more event planned for us. They had a rotary celebration for Holi which is coming up soon. When we got there they greeted us and welcomed us by coloring our faces. We then went on the dance floor and Bollywood danced with the group which was so fun. Then they tried to feed us again! They really love serving food here. We’ve been eating constantly, which is probably why my stomach was so mad. It’s like girl back off the fried Indian food and I’m like, but it’s rude not to eat when people cook for you 😭. 

After we ate we headed to our new host families home. It’s a beautiful home. We were so tired when we got home we went right to sleep! 

India Day Three - Agra

What a fun day today in Agra!

We started the morning with an amazing breakfast! Then we left and met up with our tour guide from the day before and went to the Taj Mahal. 

At the Taj Mahal we took tons of pictures and really enjoyed ourselves! 

After that we went to lunch with a local Rotarian who’s business is in a castle close to the Taj Mahal. They welcomed us with a sign with all our names on it, very kind.

He showed us his rug collection and then he provided us an amazing meal. 

We then came back to the house and had free time. I spent my free time playing with the host families children, Rekieh and Shonvay. We played kitchen, we colored, and we played shoots and ladders where I lost big time.

Then we went to see how the marble art was done. It is such a beautiful art! 

After that we went to dinner with the entire family. It was amazing buffet style at the Trident Resort close by where we saw a somewhat interactive puppet show and I got authentic chai tea for the first time! 

It was truly a fabulous wonderful day!