The last three weeks have been pretty amazing…
Here’s a quick recap:
We arrived in Delhi to 115 degree heat. I like the heat, but this was extreme. The landscape of Delhi was something I had never seen before. The city was draped in a hazy glow- likely a result of all of the cars, burning garbage, heat and dust. I thought L.A. was bad; this was way beyond.
Delhi was a hard example to me of opposites. I saw many luxurious hotels, homes and stores. But these affluent sites left my consciousness quickly. It was the poverty that remained heavy on my heart. I don’t think I could have ever prepared myself for what I saw. I still can’t put it into words; I’ll just say that you won’t ever hear me complain again about money. I’m not trashing Delhi, I just found it difficult to see such wealth amidst such extreme poverty. None of it seemed fair.
On a more positive note, the people in Delhi were amazing and the places we visited were fascinating. On our first few days, we visited some cool sites:
Street in Delhi- Notice the electrical wires in the background... and this was on a street with few wires. Yikes.
My monkey buddy who lived outside the hotel.
Just one of my bug buddies who lived inside the hotel.
Lotus Temple, Delhi
Red Fort, Agra. Much of it built in 1565 CE, but the fort was mentioned in text 500 years earlier (as a less ornate brick fort).
Makin friends at the Red Fort 
Taj Mahal viewed from the Red Fort
Quotes that line the path Gandhi walked before he was killed (outside of his home).
After a few days in Delhi, we headed up to Dharamsala. This is where our studies took place. Here are a few pics:
Great view in Dharamsala
Mural on a TCV building.
I wish I could share more, but, it has been a rough transition home for me. I’m still processing a lot of the trip. I saw a lot of things that are still heavy on my heart. And many of the teachings were complex and are still working around in my head.
I will continue to work through my trip and share some videos and more pictures throughout the next few months.
On a happier note, I’m excited to get back to bloggin’ about everything health. Expect Wellness Gossip to be back in action tomorrow
Hey Aimee,
Thanks for sharing part of your experience. As much as it is hard to process/articulate, I am glad that your trip weighs heavy on you. If it didn’t, you wouldn’t have learned anything. Hardly a vacation I bet! Not having been there, it is hard for me to understand the poverty in which you witnessed but I can think about what it might be like based on people I know and things I’ve learned. I know I’m comparing apples to oranges, but it might be worth it to look into the gap between wealth and poverty in India and then look at the gap in poverty and wealth in the United States. I know poverty looks different here than it does in other industrialized/developed countries but you might be astonished at the distribution of wealth here at home. There is craziness in so many places in this world, it’s hard to focus helpful energy.
You are doing a great job with your blog, you are a good source of information and dialogue for many and especially for people who don’t have the time/don’t take the time to educate themselves.
Thank you!!
Kathy
Thanks for this information. I am visiting delhi and agra in a few months, and will make sure I have some bugsprays in hand