india

We saw women lined up along the road collecting cow manure. With their bare hands working elbow deep they would mix the manure with some mud and straw to create a log or a patty to be used to make a fire. The people say they do not stink when burning. (?)
They also use manure to make small homes.

On this train we had to be on high alert. These spots were the only ones they had left, so we took them. We locked our stuff together and put our feet on them. Jesse and I took turns staying awake. I was so high on adrenaline, I couldn’t sleep anyways. Every time I looked up- some guy was making eye contact with me (and not in a good way either.) I read somewhere if you smile back, they might think you are flirting, but of you are rude- they will be offended and angry. So I tried to make a face that was in between ‘Please go to sleep and have nice dreams, sir, and do not mess with my family.’ At one point, some guys got on the train saying that we were in their seats. Maddux was half laying on me so it was hard to sit up. A guy was trying to sit on my head. Jesse said, “what’s going on?” Then he helped them figure out they were in the wrong compartment. To go the the bathroom, you walked over bodies sleeping anywhere they could find a spot. I got back to my seat and someone was sitting there. I was like “come on!!!” Some parts of India (not all) are so densely populated that the people are fighting to just ‘be’ every minute of the day.
I have to add this was not Julia Roberts’ India from “Eat, Pray, Love” – the India we chose to see was gritty, raw, beautiful, confusing and spiritual.

He is truly a good person who took care of us and the kids. He even gave Emerson little gifts from his wife and bought the kids treats- he also invited us to his home for tea but we had to go to the train station. I don’t have his information now, but I will post as soon as I find it. He always wears head to toe white, except on Saturday when he wears all black and people tell him he resembles Super Mario!
Thank you, Vicky! Drive safe!

The gate is located in Fatehpur Sikri. I am not sure if it is the oldest, but is one of the biggest we have ever seen. When we walked down, people glommed onto us and wouldn’t leave us alone trying to sell us all sorts of stuff. They all have the same story- they say they made it themselves, it is their family business, someone in their family is sick or dying….. A woman I met at a temple said sometimes you just want to stay in your hotel room all day because you haven’t got anymore fight left in you to say, “No, thanks.” “No!” “Please leave my family alone.” “Go away!” But we persevered and fought through each day and saw so much in India.

HEAVY, my friends! I will post more soon. In Katmandu right now. Wifi will be hard to access for a bit. Will get caught up soon when we leave third world living conditions!

They give you a little plastic hat to wear as you walk around the holy man. People are coming in and touching their babies heads to the tomb. Others leave flowers and money.