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Published: August 13th 2007
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Taj Mahal
Chris and Jenn at the Taj. Hello from India,
Dan and Jenn look great and they don't seem too worse for the wear.
They are leading a charmed life at the beautiful Oberoi, and everyone on
staff seems to know them. The accommodations here are lovely and the
food is excellent. Jenn and I spent a day at the spa the day after I
arrived, and I thought I was in heaven. Dan and Jenn are taking good
care of me, and anyone who is considering the trip might want to go
through with it...that is if you are up for a huge culture change.
This is a place of anachronisms and juxtapositions. There is the lovely
and new, and the ancient and shocking. Yes, there are really cows in
the street, (and boars and goats and chickens...I have not yet seen an
elephant) and yes, the begging and the dirt are larger than life. From
my reading, it does seem that the contrasts between wealth and poverty
are accepted and part of karma, but I can see how that whole system does
not process for Westerners. You can call me for details on this one.
Those of you who think that you have a picture of this place from
visiting Mexico or Jamaica, do not. Take the noise and calamity of
traffic in New York, or a rotary in Boston, and magnify it by 100. Take
the honking of horns from an intense action film, and then put on your
headset to muffle the din. Combine cars, busses, motorcycles, bicycles,
pedestrians tuk tuks (rickshaws of sorts), and animals, put them 10
abreast in two lanes, and then add in beggars at your car window, and
you come a little closer. And yet, whisper, and you will be closer to
the interpersonal communication of respect.
We have been busy unpacking the apartment. The ocean cargo finally
arrived yesterday, and the draperies arrive today. Now, see, there is a
crazy thing. Jenn picked fabric and placed the order for shades and
drapes on Wednesday, and they are ready, and will be installed today,
Sunday. (Now ladies, how many weeks did the last thing you custom
ordered for your house take? I think that 4-8 weeks is much more like
it.) The apartment is truly lovely. It is spacious, and marble, and
totally cool...both air conditioning wise and style wise. Dan and Jenn
are already putting their touches on it. Their do dads are displayed,
and the books are on the shelves. The knitting is out and the music is
playing. A table has yet to be purchased for the scotch bar. The
apartment will be a lovely blend of the St. Louis place and this India
place. Know that there are little reminders everywhere from and of, all
of us, and that the place feels like home.
Geeta , the housekeeper and Bhupender, the driver are very nice and
they are taking good care of Dan and Jenn. Geeta prepared a wonderful,
although spicy for me, meal of chicken curry, vegetables, and salad for
us yesterday. The roti, homemade bread, was awesome. Geeta also
bought flowers, and took great pride in arranging them for the first
meal in the house. Geeta seems to love "elders." Good God; I am an
elder. Bhupender seems most honored to be driving us around, and he is
so respectful of Mr. Dan Gillian. During move in day, Bhupender was excellent with the list
of all of the things on thetruck. He checked each one in, and
thoroughly inspected each delivered item for damage. Both Gheeta and
Bhupender speak good English, and they are invaluable in translating
everything into Hindi when necessary. When promised deliveries run very
late, Geeta and Bhupender get on it for Dan and Jenn. (A funny thing
happened when the curtain tailor did not arrive. Jenn told Geeta to let the
store know that , "I am pissed." Geeta laughed, and no translation was
needed.) That whole time thing is a totally different issue. Nothing
arrives when promised, so maybe it is premature to expect drapes today.
We'll see.
Jenn and I will do a little sightseeing and exploring this week. Our
focus to this point has been on getting things for the apartment. The
markets are quite interesting. We are on the hunt for a marble foyer
table top and beautiful carpets. We will venture throughout Delhi, and
go to Jaipur and Agra, where we will see the Taj Mahal. I anticipate
the Taj being the St. Louis Arch for Dan and Jenn. Everyone will want
to go.
Well, I have much more to tell, but I will stop here. If you plan to
visit, I have hints on wardrobe for the traveler. I am giving Dan and
Jenn hugs from all of you who asked. This has been fun! Happy Sunday
here, Saturday there.
Namaste
Chris, aka, Mom
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Maggie
non-member comment
wow
This is a brilliant entry! I really feel like I got a picture of what's going on there. Thanks for this!