I have to vent on today before I lose it. Left at 7 to the Taj Mahal. Slept in varying degrees of discomfort on the 3 1/2 hour drive (during waking hours we saw a snake charmer -eerie-, camels, and men with monkeys on rope leashes. Everyone wanted a tip. Suprise.) The Taj was beautiful, huge, and smelled like feet. No one’s allowed to wear shoes inside, but it’s kind of fun walking around barefoot on the marble; in a hippie-ish, earthy, I’m-on-a-pilgrimage sort of way. Honestly, it didn’t stir anything big in me, but was very pretty and worth the jacked-up foreigners price. AND they include mineral water and little booties if you’re germaphobic. A steal.
On the way home we got a flat tire (I can’t believe this doesn’t happen to everyone every 5 miles or so), and we pulled into a roadside open-air restaurant where about 20 locals sat and stared at us. Rachel and I ordered tea while our driver trekked off to find a tire. An old man wearing a kurta and a neck brace walked up to our table and deposited two tiny rabbits. They tried to get us to come see the litter, we said no. So we sat for about half an hour drinking chai, ignoring the men, playing with our bunnies. We named them Oreo and Snowball.
Back in New Delhi we ate at Karim’s, a famous Muslim restaurant that’s been written up in National Geographic, and recommended to us by pretty much everyone we’ve met. The menu was so overwhelming that we called Salmon (we’ve dubbed him our gaurdian angel), told him to order for us, and handed the phone to the waiter. Fifteen minutes later we were served chicken biryani, kebabs, mutton, lamb shank in tomato sauce, the fluffiest roti EVER, and I think some other stuff. Seriously, we almost finished it. It was one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever had. It was… I don’t know, it was just so good.
Quote of the night: “I’m never going to see these people again. All I need is your love and support and I’ll be Just Fine.” (Rachel as she devoured what appeared to be an entire chicken. I was too busy eating lamb to respond properly.)
PS we were enlightened to the Three Points of Driving in India today by our driver. They are: Brake, Horn, and Luck.
5 responses so far ↓
Mom // November 1, 2007 at 6:21 pm |
Sara, Your writing makes me laugh out loud. Did you and Rachel realize that yesterday was Halloween? Speaking of strange, pumpkin throwing, rituals… Karly was a “punk ballerina” and Baily was a “gothic princess”. I wonder what you would write about us if you were visiting the U.S. from India?
Bro Brian // November 2, 2007 at 3:16 am |
I love your comment, Joan. So very true. It was all hallows eve last night. Do the Indians celebrate that holiday?
We are counting down the days until we see your sweet face again. I love you, Sara. You are an amazing person for the compassion you have for others. Don’t ever let that light fade…
D'Anne // November 4, 2007 at 5:03 pm |
Thank goodness for people like Salmon that can help you navigate the confusing world of Muslim food menus! Sounds delicious.
How do you feel about coming home soon? Are you ready to set foot back on American soil, or are you sad to leave? Or both?
Peace, blessings, and safety…
D’Anne and gang
D'Anne // November 5, 2007 at 6:53 am |
And hey, did you know that Jenn had a baby rabbit named Oreo when she was little?
Sara // November 5, 2007 at 2:08 pm |
Yes, i do remember Jenn’s rabbit! At your mom’s house in Lafayette. I am most definitely torn between feeling sad to leave a place I’ve come to love, and excited to be home again. Most of all I’m missing you guys, Indians are so family-oriented, I’m looking forward to being with my own.