FIRST IMPRESSIONS
After sleeping for maybe 5 hours we were all very excited to get out of the hotel (and tired). Little did we know that orientation and other preparations awaited us before we could get out and learn about Gandhi and his life. We weren’t too anxious about getting out as the food in the hotel made up for the wait!
As soon as we stepped out onto the street two things happened: we began sweating and we realized that we were in a totally different world. Walking out of our hotel we were assaulted by the smells, noises, colors, and traffic. Our tour guide explicitly told us not to give to the beggars, which was a difficult experience for all of us.
We drove around New Delhi and immediately noticed the division of the city, which separated the wealthy from the poor. Soon we arrived at the Birla House, the site where Gandhi lived the last 144 days of his life. We recaptured everything that happened by following Gandhi’s footprints as he left his living quarters and walked to where he was assassinated. The Birla House is well preserved and truly beautiful, educating us about Gandhi’s philosophy and the Indian struggle for independence of 1857, also known among British scholars as the Sepoy Mutiny.
Next we went to Rajghat, an exquisite memorial garden celebrating Gandhi and his work for a united India. The green trees and grass depicted the beauty of life. All in all, seeing Gandhi’s memorials allowed us to better understand the passion and reverence with which people regard him.
Next we went sari shopping which we enjoyed greatly. We might have gotten a little too excited and bought a few too many.
By this time we were exhausted and ready to go to sleep. At the same time we were starving so we went to a south indian restaurant.
Now, we are at the hotel and ready to shower and CRASH. Tomorrow is a really busy day and we definatley need our rest.
Love,
Tracey and Ali 
July 9th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
AHHHHH!!! : D
July 9th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
What a joy to hear all went well for the 3rd trip group’s flights & arrival! And, to see the wonderful post by Ali, and… my own daughter Tracey, of whom I am very proud. We just saw Ghandi (the movie) last weekend, so it is fantanstic to hear she actually was in and learned of Ghandi at Burla House, where last lived and was killed. Imagining it, it’s as if I were there with her and the other students. I can also almost see and hear the city–the clear division between the poor and rich areas. Another movie we saw in preparation for the trip was CITY OF JOY, which beautifully depicts life, especially for the very poor. In it, a rikshaw is very important to the livelyhood of poor family man who moved from the country to the city. I recommend it to parents who have not seen it. It will break your heart, but make you glad your child is having a lifetime opportunity to see it all upclose and personal. Hope to see and hear more great things on the group’s activities. Thanks again to SAGE and all the people who have made this possible, through so much work, emails, and also to the trip leaders, in whose care we entrust our children. Love Dad (Tracey’s).
July 10th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Tracey and Ali, what a wonderfully descriptive post.Its great to hear that you are having an incredible experience. Ali, please try and keep a journal so you can recount everything for yourself and for us!!!!
I am going to take Traceys Dads advice and get the movie City OF Joy.Please post about the wedding. I am dying to hear all about it as well as all your other adventures and experiences. Eat some good Indian food for me. Until next time
Namaste
Ali’s Mom