This trip is such a learning experience. As Americans we are so lucky and fortunate and take alot for granted. You all know that I love to ask questions and culture is so fascinating to me. Well, I'm on complete overload. I'm beginning to notice the difference between Hindus and Muslims in dress and mannerisms. The class system, cast system, arranged marriages, religion, womens role and lack of respect from men. Very, VERY interesting! I am very proud to be a woman, even prouder to have a full time job, keep a good home, raise children, do the cooking and cleaning and whatever else needs to be done. To have a system that expects and still looks upon women as "the bottom of your shoes", would drive me mad. My hot head would get me in trouble in the villages here! Having said all this, the people are so very kind, happy, have large cirlces of friends, have a faith that puts alot in perspective.
We had a fabulous touring day in Goa. Our driver took us to a museum of Portuguese architecture and home decor. Then we went to visit churches. Beautiful!!! The church of St Francis of Assissi where he is still seen mummified in the tomb. Solid gold alters, stories of miracles and we were able to walk right up to artifacts from the 9th century. It's a very powerful place. Then off to the spice plantation. They gave a tour through the plantation and showed us how spices are grown and gave us "recipes" for holistic cures for anything from sore throats to poor mans viagra! This followed by a buffet of Indian food. Back to Panaji and the casino!! Yes, we found casinos. Hahahaha... you take a jetty to a floating boat and then have fun. Randy was in his glory! The blackjack table was his home for hours. It was a blast. Let's put this in perspective.... I was the 2nd woman on the entire boat, all drinks included except I am female. I literally had to get woman staff to get a man to get me a glass of wine. That is, once I explained to the woman what wine was!! When we would win, I would clap, yell and act like I'm in Vegas and, well, that's not exactly kosher, no pun intended.
Yesterday started at 4am because we had an early flight from Goa to Mumbai and on to Delhi. Got to Delhi about noon and finally met Suresh who has been Randy's driver for the past year. Suresh took us by car from Delhi to Agra. I heard it was 2 1/2 hrs by car. Then we had to take another road so it would take 4 hrs. After 5 1/2 hrs we arrived into Agra. Cows, sheep, goats, monkeys, dogs, horses, donkeys oh my! What an adventure. I did get to hold my 1st monkey and he was such a love, just like a little baby. Oh and a cobra doing the dance to music.... yuck!
So this morning I awake in Agra to rain and thunder, thanks to the monsoon season. Today we are going to visit Fort Agra and who knows what else I will learn and experience. I've learned to go with the flow and slow down. Sometimes I think that is my lesson.... slow down, don't hyper organize, open my eyes wider and just take it all in.
We had a fabulous touring day in Goa. Our driver took us to a museum of Portuguese architecture and home decor. Then we went to visit churches. Beautiful!!! The church of St Francis of Assissi where he is still seen mummified in the tomb. Solid gold alters, stories of miracles and we were able to walk right up to artifacts from the 9th century. It's a very powerful place. Then off to the spice plantation. They gave a tour through the plantation and showed us how spices are grown and gave us "recipes" for holistic cures for anything from sore throats to poor mans viagra! This followed by a buffet of Indian food. Back to Panaji and the casino!! Yes, we found casinos. Hahahaha... you take a jetty to a floating boat and then have fun. Randy was in his glory! The blackjack table was his home for hours. It was a blast. Let's put this in perspective.... I was the 2nd woman on the entire boat, all drinks included except I am female. I literally had to get woman staff to get a man to get me a glass of wine. That is, once I explained to the woman what wine was!! When we would win, I would clap, yell and act like I'm in Vegas and, well, that's not exactly kosher, no pun intended.
Yesterday started at 4am because we had an early flight from Goa to Mumbai and on to Delhi. Got to Delhi about noon and finally met Suresh who has been Randy's driver for the past year. Suresh took us by car from Delhi to Agra. I heard it was 2 1/2 hrs by car. Then we had to take another road so it would take 4 hrs. After 5 1/2 hrs we arrived into Agra. Cows, sheep, goats, monkeys, dogs, horses, donkeys oh my! What an adventure. I did get to hold my 1st monkey and he was such a love, just like a little baby. Oh and a cobra doing the dance to music.... yuck!
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