India is a place of contradictions, a land of haves and have-nots. There is so much disparity and so many extremes. From people sleeping in $500 per night hotel rooms to people who won’t make that in a year. As we discussed this with our guide, he pointed out many memorable examples:
- Indian people revere the Ganges River and consider it holy, but they pollute her to the hilt with their garbage and even dead bodies
- Cows are considered holy animals and roam the streets freely eating garbage. Yet many cows die from eating razor blades which are still freely thrown into the trash
- Indians teach their children that it’s dangerous to talk to strangers but then tell them it’s ok to marry one
- There are huge mansions with lots of land for 2% of the population while just outside the gates people are sleeping in garbage next to fancy cars parked on the streets
- Motorized vehicles share the road with cows, rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, horse-drawn carriages, and barefoot pedestrians
- You can find food stands next to piles of garbage
- Women dressed in colorful saris carried like cattle in the back of trailers
- A priest riding a motorcycle
Throughout our trip we visited many interesting places but of course the pinnacle of our trip was without a doubt seeing the Taj Mahal. This monument is exquisite with beautiful marble carvings and intricate semi-precious stone inlays. It’s a work of art created in the name of love by the emperor, Shaw Jahan, for his favorite wife, Mumtaz, who died during childbirth after giving him 14 children.
The tomb is a perfect square-topped with an onion dome of equal height surrounded by four identical minarets for a perfectly balanced look. It’s not surprising that it made the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World! Being there was an incredible experience as no pictures really give it justice.
For more on our Indian adventure please have a look at our page on India
India is a place that appeals to all the senses and this is evident in the cuisine: Spices, colors and textures all contribute to creating a wide variety of local delicacies awaiting to be discovered.
See our post: Local Delicacies to Eat in India