Allan and I had such a wonderful time with my mom. It was so fun to share with her where we have been living for the past six months.
We met my mom in New Delhi. We were waiting anxiously for her at the airport. It was so nice to see her when she got off the plane. It did not look like she had been flying for 15hours. We spent two nights in New Delhi. We stayed at the Intercontinental Park Royal which was super nice.
There were so many things to do in New Delhi and we managed to pack everything in. We saw La Qila/Redfort, Humayun's Tomb, Indian Gate, Aksherdam Temple (highly recommended-this temple it was so beautiful). we went to Connaught Place which is the heart of New Delhi. Around Connaught Place there are many restaurants, shops and SUBWAY!!! Right across the street there is a really pretty park that was recently built so we spent time time walking through the park.
Walking distince from Connaught Place were two bazaars (we went to both). One of the bazaars is called Palika bazaar which was not nice. It was an underground market and the shopping was nothing special. After that bazaar we went to another one down the street which was nice. It is called Janpath bazaar. Here you can find just about anything; clothes, bangels, tibetin jewelry etc...
In Delhi we went to dinner at a restaurantcalled Masala Art. This restaurant was pretty good. It was located in the Taj Palace Hotel.
Delhi is such a different place from anywhere I have been. I think the poverty in Delhi was shocking to all of us. It is nothing like Goa. The slum children I work with in Goa seem better off than the children in Delhi.
In Delhi you see children walking in the streets begging for money at all hours of the night. During the day while we were in the car, at a stop light, we would suddenly see these little fingers crawling up our window. You can't see their faces only their little fingers tapping on the window hoping to get some money or food. On the sidewalks you see children doing cartwheels and flip flops hoping that you will watch and give them money for their performance. It's heart breaking to see a 2 or 3 year old tap you on your leg begging for money. We saw families with children and babies sleeping on the sidewalks. In the mornings while driving through the city we saw families taking there showers and using the bathroom on the side of the road. Its really so terrible.
After our trip to Delhi we hired a driver to take us to Agra. Although there is nothing special about Agra it was well worth the four hour journey to see the Taj. We stayed at a really nice hotel called the Taj View. I was glad we found this hotel because there are not many nice hotels in Agra.
The Taj was..................... amazing!!!!! I think you will be able to tell from the pictures. I am looking forward to going back in March when Dana comes to visit me.
Then, the experience really came!!!!! Traveling on the train in India!!!!!! This is an experience i don't think my mom will ever forget.
When we got on the train we realized that the ticket agent gave us the wrong seats. There are three classes on the train. We were suppose to get the sleeper class which is nicer than the rest because you get more space then the other classes and the windows open so you can see the view outside the train. It was not a shock that our tickets were messed up but, it was still a little annoying considering the three of us had to share a tiny tiny seat for almost five hours.
Usually it works out when you book your train you end up sitting with all the tourists. Since they gave us the wrong seats we sat with the locals (no tourist insight) it was very interesting. The whole time we had people staring and laughing at us. It was really funny. I think my mom got more of an experience then i was expecting.
Five long hours later we arrived in Jaipur. Jaipur is a city in the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is north of Goa. Jaipur is know as the Pink City. They painted the city pink because it was their way of welocoming the Prince of Wales in 1876. (just a little history for you!!)
Also in Jaipur, we packed in a lot of different things into just a couple of days. I think when you are traveling in India and want to see everything in a short period of time you have no option but to be rushing around from place to place. Usually people need another vacation after they come to India!!!!
We walked around the old city (Pink City) where all the bazaars and main attractions are located. We went to the City Palace (nothing special at all). We then spent a couple hours at the Andamer Fort and Palace (super nice). We passed by the Jal Mahal and took some pictures. You are not allowed to go inside. It was built for royal duck shooting parties. Then we went to Hawa Mahal http://www.jaipurhub.com/tourist_attractions/hawa_mahal.html.
Of course we could not leave Jaipur without going to the bazaars. there are three bazaars (that i know of) in Jaipur. Nebru, Bapu and Juhari. We went to the Nebru bazaar which i think is the better of the three.
In Jaipur we stayed at the Rajputana Palace Sheraton and we ate dinner at the Marble Arch which is located a the Jai Mahal Palace.
And then... we left for Goa ( the main reason my mom came to India!!!) Allan and I were glad to arrive in Goa so we could show my mom everything we have been experiencing.
As soon as we arrived in Goa my mom only had a couple hours to get herself ready so we could head off to the Saturday night maket in Apura (allan and i go to every weekend). I think my mom liked the market. Of course there is good shopping but the people watching is what makes the night market so exciting. (if you want to know what it is like you will have to visit me!!!) It was nice because my mom was able to meet some of our friends that we have met while living here.
Sunday we let my mom sleep in a little bit (even though we had lots on the itinery). We woke up and my mom experienced her first breakfast at the Marriott. (breakfast was the only time i ever saw her eat). At breakfast my mom was able to meet all the staff. Everyone was very welcoming to her. (since my mom has left all the staff are always asking how she is doing).
We had to eat a quick breakfast because we were being picked up by Angelo (our driver friend). Angelo was taking us to Valpoi (1 hour and 30mins away) so we could go visit my friend Ali and his family ( I work with ali at the charity and his daughters name is Cinderella) before we went to see Ali, Angelo surprised us with a visit to his house. Little did we know that Angelo's wife made us a dinner that could feed about 15 people. My mom was a little frightened (so was i) by this because the last thing we wanted to be eating was goen sausage. So, when we sat down to eat we told Angelo and his wife that my mom and i had really bad stomachs from last nights dinner and unfortunetly we were not going to be able to eat.
In India if a family makes you dinner it is really rude to pass it up. This is my one exception to be really rude. You will see in one of the picutres that Allan was more then happy to eat the wonderful dinner that Angelo's wife prepared!!!
Eventually we made it to Valpoi. My mom got to meet Cinderella (one of the most beautiful little girls). Ali's wife and mom had juice and cookies waiting for us (such a relief). We spent time talking with Ali and his wife and playing with Cinderella and then we headed over to Ali's new house that he is building. He is very proud of his house. He calls it Cinderella's castle. Right now Ali and his wife and baby are living in a house with about ten people. A three bedroom house that is. Ithink ali was determined to have something of his own.
Monday i took my mom to Mapusa Market. this is the market that most locals go to for the fruits, veggies and other items. It is quite interesting to walk around and watch people. After the Mapusa Market we headed over to Children Walking Tall where we spent the rest of the afternoon.
It was really neat to be able to show my mom where i am working everyday. The children were so friendly to my mom. They were all rushing up to say hi and introduce themselves. My mom was able to see what a typical day at the charity was like. I think she really enjoyed meeting the kids who i am constantly talking about.
After Children Walking Tall we when to Calangute Beach to shop around. I showed my mom where all the good shops where with the good jewelry. After we shopped around for a while Allan met us for dinner at a restuarant called Britto's. Actually this was our second anniversary. Jan 21st. It was fun to be able to celebrate with my mom.
On Tues we relaxed. We walked around downtown Panaji. I showed my mom the fruit and veggie market that Allan and I shop at and then we headed to Snips where i get my manicure and pedicures. For dinner we met all the people i work at a restaurant called Satyaheera . Some of the other volunteers parents were also in town.
Wednesday I took my mom to the Anjuna flea market. This market is every Wednesday. It is really fun to walk around and watch all the people and see what people are selling. Some of the shops are really good. Lots of people from Europe and Israel come to Goa during the high season and set up booths to sell clothes and jewelry. After we left the market we went back to the hotel and laid by the pool. Later on Allan came home and we went for dinner at the Marriotts sea food restaurant.
On Thursday We took it easy. We laid at the pool all day and relaxed. For dinner Allan, my mom and I met my friend Suzanne and her parents (who were also in town). we went to one of our favorite restaurants called Sublime.
My moms last day in Goa was Friday. We went to the Park Hyatt and laid out at the pool. Allan's work is right around the corner so he met us for lunch. It was a really nice way to spend our last day together in Goa.
For dinner we took my mom to another one of our favorite restaurants, called le restaurant.
So that is a day to day description of my moms experience in India.
Allan made my mom a slide show, with music and all our pictures while she was here. If you are interested in seeing it, email my mom or me and she will send you a copy!!!! Have fun looking at all our pictures.
Love Abby and Allan
