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Published: December 20th 2006
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Sunset - Somewhere Between Singapore and India
Capturing this sunset just does not give it justice. It was truly amazing. Wow what an overwhelming, emotional and depressive two days I have had. It will take sometime for me to sift through all the emotions and start writing logically I think. My first taste of difference was witnessing how the landscapes of Australia are so different when observed from the air. And the amount of green and water layed down in the landscapes of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. As I flew into India, over Delhi, a great expanse of lights and above it all this thick layer of smog. I have not breathed properly since. Driving on the roads here are an organized chaos that only the indigenous and locals know. The rules are that there are no rules, as it seems. Horns blowing continuously, lights dipping at each other, driving within skin distance, overtaking any side at all, and even other vehicles driving in the opposite direction. Where the hell am I? I was so overwhelmed, that the lovely people at Wongdhen house organized a driver for me. Who would have ever thought this person would save me from the deepest darkest depression one could have ever experienced in a strange country. Gajendra is my guardian angel that was meant
to come to me. He speaks very little English and so we tend to have a lot of quiet time together. My literal first experiences of Delhi life have been with him. He hasn’t left my side. Like a dad really. Beggers, touts, taxi and autorickshaw drivers in your face constantly. Vendors yelling at you to look at their merchandise. It scared and scares the hell out of me. It was decided that Gajendra would pick me up early the next day and drive me to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal. No amount of money could compare to the day we experienced together. It was agreed to pay Gajendra 3000Rs, about $90Aus. He paid all the tolls and taxes. We had to stop at the border gate and pay the state taxes for the day. He got out and the moment he left they pounced on me. I was helpless in the car with men with monkeys on bludy leads doing so called tricks and jumping on the car and slamming into the window. On the other side were men trying to sell other things. I was totally surrounded, and so bludy scared. My saving grace was that the
Views From Wongdhen House
Views of the Yumana River behind Wongdhen House in the New Tibetan Colony at Majnu-ka-tilla - Delhi. Agriculture primitive style lines the plains of the poisoned river. doors were locked. All I could do was hide my face filled with tears mind you behind my sarong that shrouded me, and not look at them, then they and their animals went away from me. I was ok till then, but after that I just lost the plot, and remained fragile within myself thereafter. At Agra, at the entrance to the Taj, was a similar experience with touts bombarding before we had even turned the car motor off. People offering to rickshaw us up to the entrance, which was about another 800m away. Again I just needed Gajendra to look after this, as I could barely talk, I was a blubbering mess holding tightly to Gajendra. Once inside an amount of peace was restored.
Close up the Taj just can’t be appreciated without the sky, gardens and water around it. So as you walk in through the arch and see the Taj as center to everything else around it gives it more dimension and perspective to its majesty than being right up close and inside for that matter. I really enjoyed the experience of the Taj and its majesty with Gajendra. We strolled round the monument and took
Hemeyans Tomb
Identical structure to the Taj Mahal. Delhi - beautiful colour. lots of pictures, even saw a famous Hindi Actress - Ju’ Wa Chowli (I don’t know if spelling is correct). But the most amazing time was sitting beyond the Taj overlooking the Yamuna River. Very quiet around the back, overlooking the river plains, and the people that live and work around it. Gajendra and I didn’t speak much, but it was a peaceful magical time to sit with him.
The road trip back to Delhi was quite different with so much more traffic constantly on this national highway. It is definitely better to travel early early morning. When do these people sleep? I feel like the journey there and back was more insightful than witnessing the wonder of the world, the Taj. Driving in both directions I witnessed so many people. I am overwhelmed at the work, and life of these people. I can’t get over how people just pis, shit and spit where they stand. Children play and defecate along the road, while chaotic trucks, camels, cars etc pass by. Houses ranged from a blanket, to a plastic sheet, grass thatched huts to palace type homes and really ugly compound concrete block type homes/cities. And a couple of
Lotus Temple - Delhi
India's answer to Sydney Opera House. But just so peaceful and quiet inside. The coolness and feeling of all your worries have disappeared as you enter this beautiful peaceful place. multiplex shopping malls jutting out of now where!! But the biggest contrast for me was the children. Amongst the dirtiness and poverty and absolute busyness were groups of girls and groups of boys clean, hair shiny and brushed in pristine clean sari uniforms for the girls, and slacks and ties for the boys, and little red preppy jumpers for the little ones, all with their clip boards making their way to buses in the morning. All the way I noticed this. Where did they come from? Walking along these busy roads amongst all the sparce landscape and roadside life. My road trip with Gajendra was timeless and forever memorable, and I hope that I can incorporate him in my travels further. With very little dialogue I did learn so much about him, his family and his funny little ways and small vices. I will write all these special things in my personal journal, and not bore you here. And spending so long in his Ambassodor a fifty plus year old car that ran like a dream and was immaculately clean, you can’t help but feel akin to it all, hence this journal entry has been dedicated to his car which
Agra Chaos
The Road leading to the Taj Mahal. Within the safety of the Ambassador - a 50 year+ old car that has heaps of history in India. on the front windscreen a decal said - O time To Love and below it Vicky. Not too sure about its’ meaning, but did meet his boss last night and the company is called Vicky Tours - so definitely look them up.
Love and blessings, Tess
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