Daisy, Delhi and the Taj Mahal

Well, Daisy D has arrived (hooray!) and we have been chillin in Delhi for the last two weeks. I have been hard at work on the project and Daisy has been touring the city until I finish at the office. It was awesome to see a good ole famliar face and catch up with each other on the other side of the world (once again).

Today was actually my last day at ACCESS. Yesterday I gave a presentation on my research and findings and recieved a lot of praise and acclaim. ACCESS wants to publish the report I write to distribute to partners and the microfinance community in India....I'm really stoked about that and feel great that I am actually contributing something tangible that will help develop sustainable programs for the poor. I know now that this is EXACTLY what I want to do with my life. They have also offered me a post next summer if I am interested...and this time it would be fully paid (thank God).

....So now I am in full tourist mode. I have about 2 weeks left and plan to pack as much as I can into that time. Last weekend Daisy and I went to Agra and saw the Taj Mahal....I did not expect to be that impressed and thought it couldn't live up to it's hype. I was wrong. It's brilliant and captivating and worth every moment. We went close to dusk and it was hazey....a cloud of dew rose up from the river behind the Taj and made everything look a bit surreal. We stayed until dark and as the light faded away, the white marble Taj seemed to fade into the light blue haze behind it. Amazing.

Tomorrow Daisy and I leave for the mountains north of Dehi. We will first travel to a small town in the Himalayas close to the border of Nepal. Form there we are going to book a guide and go on a 3-day trekk along a 3,500 meter mountain pass, camping and all. After that we will shift to a town called Rishikesh, known as the yoga capital of the world. It supposedly is a very spritual place, nestled in green valley surrounded by snow-capped mountians. Also, the Ganges River, the most holy river in India, originates nearby from the glaciers. At the point of the river by Rishikesh you can go white-water rafting!...and the rapids are Class 2-4. So OF COURSE we have to raft the Ganges! Also, several of the good friends I have made in Delhi are planning to be in Rishikesh at the same time so it should turn out to be an amazing trip. I CAN"T WAIT!

After the mountains we high-tail it back to Delhi so Daisy can catch her flight back to down unda and I will prepare to return the ATL (dirty souf). I will arrive back in the states on Aug 19th early in the morning. To be honest, I don't want to leave....I mean, I miss my friends and family and my dog, but I really like it here. India has a way of getting in your blood. Even though you might be frustrated and things are much more challenging here (everything rather), there is something so unique about this country that really draws me. I have just gotten good at living in India and now I am leaving. THAT being said....I will really enjoy coming home.....it's just mixed feelings I guess.

I hope all is well on the home front. See everyone soon!!

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