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| Trio at the Taj Mahal |
India. What can be said about India after only sampling it for 3 weeks? Like the Indian parable of the blind men and the elephant, I feel like I've spent 3 weeks feeling only the legs of this thing and am about to write something that sounds like "what we're dealing with here is a tree trunk".
It's so incomprehensibly vast, both in depth and breadth, people and culture, sights and sounds and tastes and beliefs, that the primary thing I've learned is that there is so much left to learn.
So for the sake of humility and brevity (and to break a long dry spell of blog updates), we present India through our eyes and the things we did. So many things were amazing, in a literal sense of amazement, that I'm already eager to explore more one day.
We got to spend 3 weeks in India with my mom, Nani, and family visits in Delhi and Bangalore. India was part one of our "Motherlands with the Mothers" goal this year (we went to Scotland in April with Alix's side). A rewarding and fulfilling journey, long time in the making. It had marked 45 years since my mom's last visit, and the first visit for Alix and me. We are so happy we got to be here together during a special moment in time!
Our itinerary included:
- Delhi with family
- Agra and the Taj Mahal
- Jaipur to wrap up the "golden triangle route" across Rajasthan
- Udaipur by the lake
- Down south for Goa beaches
- Bangalore with family
To our family in India: those that are a world away, yet met us with open arms. You showed us your kindness and hospitality. You welcomed us into your homes and lives. You made us laugh and play and eat and think. Thank you for welcoming us and sharing your love.
Our hearts are full from our visit together, and with you now, during good times and bad. Thankful we cherish the moments together while we still have them.
Lots of love,
Reese and Alix
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| We have arrived! |
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| Welcome lunch from our gracious hosts (with Reese sporting new kurta pajamas) |
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| Family time in Delhi |
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| Qutb Minar |
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| Sunset sightseeing |
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| Day of shopping, sightseeing, and speaking Hindi with an American accent |
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| Lunch with a view of the Taj Mahal in Agra |
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| There she is! |
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| Taking in the beauty at sunrise |
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| Two generations of Indians together! |
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| Picturesque girls and backdrops |
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| Taj at sunrise |
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| Reese drives a Tuk Tuk |
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| One of the famous doors at the Palace |
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| Inside the Jaipur Palace |
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| Thali time |
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| Elephants have right of way |
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| Admiring the architecture of yet another palace |
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| India's famous stepwells |
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| Water palace in Jaipur |
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| Pictured: (right) a mother who insisted February is the only suitable time to visit India; (left) her son that made her go in March |
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| The three travelers |
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| Larger than life sundial in Jaipur |
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Udaipur lake views
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| Cows also have the right of way |
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| Monkeys too! |
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| Rock music at a Rooftop Bar in Udaipur |
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| Waiting for our sunset cruise in Udaipur |
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| Goa beach sunset |
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The path to the beach from the resort
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| Fireworks from the beach bar |
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| Hello from Bangalore! |
