Monthly Archives: April 2013

One day while traveling on a train, a white woman complained that Gandhi should not be allowed in first class because he was not European (he obviously had dark skin.) He was traveling with a first class ticket and refused to go to third class. Others complained and he was thrown off. This event, among others, inspired him to create change.

It was an amazing day! We were able to visit Gandhi Smriti. This is the place where he was shot to death on January 30, 1948. Concrete footprints represent his final steps all the way along a path to the exact spot where he was killed (which is called Martyr’s Column.)
The kids and I walked his steps about half way down the path until a guard came out yelling at us that it was sacred. I totally thought it was an interactive exhibit. Whoopsie.
The kids got nervous and jumped off- I walked away but said that I was sure Gandhi wouldn’t at all mind people enjoying the path like we did. Maddux agreed and said, “He was probably walking right beside you, mom.”

There are so many different birds here- some we’ve never seen before and some make the most beautiful sounds. As much as we’re seeing of all the different cities- we’re also seeing so many different creatures, too! It’s exciting, especially for the kids.

These pictures were taken on a Sunday in Delhi- everyone said it was a “quiet” day. What?! There were people everywhere! You couldn’t turn around without someone being right in your face half the time. In line, people flatten their body against you. I don’t think this is meant to be rude, they are just so accustomed to the overpopulation and overcrowding. It’s pretty trippy, but it’s fun to have the experience of being in the mix if only for a short time.

Many of the children (girls and boys) wear eyeliner around their eyes. Applying kajal (kohl made from combining the soot from oil lamps with castor oil) supposedly wards off the evil eye. I don’t know if that is why people do it now, but it is very striking.