Hanging in the Balance: The Jewel of India

Well ,as promised I am now going to show you the last few days in India.An amazing end to an amazing trip filled with awe,inspiration,self awareness and a new appreciation for a culture that thrives on rituals and traditions,while dealing with poverty, profound class stratification,and chaos. I can only deduce that it is in fact this spirituality that allows the beautiful people of India to find the joy I saw on their faces and in their warm personalities daily.Well, let's take it back to the last night in Varanasi.....we were invited to a private concert of a world renowned musician who played a traditional Indian instrument, the Sitar. It was beautiful as the 3 generations of musicians invited us to their home and played the sounds of traditional India. Their home was in a tucked away neighborhood, where many other musicians live as well. It was quiet, with just a few cows meandering the alleyways of the neighborhood. By India standards it was a large house with 3 stories, but inside as simple as could be. The sink was in the middle of the sitting area, it struck me as odd, but it made it's location very practical to everyone in this family which included all 3 generations we met.
The next day yoga at 7am , as usual, then we made our way to the train station for our second overnight train ride to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal....often referred to as the jewel of India. I slept remarkably well in the train, we arrived around 7am, then checked into our hotel and off to the Taj Mahal. To describe the first glimpse of the Taj Mahal is more of a feeling, than something that can be put into words. I was in awe...it was surreal,magnificent,jaw dropping beautiful...a sight you could only imagine....but I was there looking at this wonder of the world and I actually got choked up. Most of us in the group were speechless and listened as Arvind told us the love story behind the Taj Mahal....how an emperor built this as a burial site for his wife who died in childbirth, taking 22 years and 20,000 workers 24 hours a day.We of course took several hours touring and enjoying the expansive grounds.I marveled at the detailed work that went into the marble work of the building...beautiful colors and designs including a transparent orange colored stone.It was a wonderful ending to a trip of a lifetime . I heard a saying that those who visit India never leave the same, and this I truly believe.
I experiences I will never forget. I will always remember the sights, sounds,smells and images of this unique and astounding country, with it's warm, hospitable and spiritually alive people.I envy their spirituality , their rituals and their family structures.I think the real jewel of India is it's people. I thank my new friends from Seattle and a very special thanks to Arvind, Kelly and Fran, who made this trip what it was.....Fabulous ! I already miss the sense of experiencing a new amazing adventure every day. Would I go back to the poverty stricken ,filthy,polluted country? .......In a heartbeat. Namaste....Karin
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