India

Yes, I finally saw the Taj Mahal. But India is about more than seeing. It is about experiencing.

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Delhi: rickshaw driver. The rickshaw is a popular mode of transportation, particularly in crowded cities with narrow streets.
Udaipur: the fruit and vegetable market
Varanasi: a spiritual Hindu leader. Varanasi is the most sacred place in the world for Hindus.
Jaipur: India is famous for its textiles.
Mumbai: according to our guide this woman is wearing a very traditional sari, rarely seen today.
Jaipur: spur of the moment dancing by visitors within the City Palace of the Maharaja.
Agra: I welcomed the sunrise together with hundreds of my closest friends.
Delhi: it seems that everything is available to purchase on the streets, even bedding.
Delhi: the neighborhood barber. I even saw a dentist on the street in one city.
Varanasi: One of the two major crematorium ghats the city is known for, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cremation with ashes released to the Ganges is pivotal to reaching Nirvana, for Hindus.
Delhi-many live on the street.
Varanasi: the dichotomy of India. The gentleman appears to be on a spiritual journey, but I think he is looking at his cell phone.
Rajasthan countryside: cows are sacred to the Hindus because they produce milk to feed the children.
Varanasi: wrapped so tight, maybe he just took a dip in the Ganges.
Varanasi: a sunrise class on a ghat. The children start young to develop their practice.
Delhi: Tomb of Humayun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is said to be the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. A Mughal mausoleum dating to the 16th century, it was commissioned by an empress in memory of her husband.
Varanasi: Hindus believe that bathing in the Ganges purifies both body and mind.
Udaipur: the spice market.
Varanasi: orange symbolizes the inner flame, burning impurities within.
Jaipur: Rajasthan is well-known for hand-stamped cotton fabrics
Udaipur: sunset on Lake Pichola, with the City Palace in the background.
On the road to Jaipur. I love the contrast between the sign and the people.
Varanasi: sunrise on the Ganges River, the sacred river of the Hindus.
Delhi: one of millions walking the streets of Delhi. He seemed to blend so well with the wall in the background. Similar color palettes with a weathered exterior.
New Delhi
Varanasi: a meditative moment among the rickshaws and tuk tuks.
Udaipur: a fruit vendor positioned in front of an interesting building typical of the local architecture.
Varanasi Bathers
Jaipur
Agra: a picture perfect masterpiece.
Old Delhi: great wiring
Varanasi: it is a hard life for so many.
Varanasi: at night
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Rajasthan countryside: on the road to Udaipur.
Rajasthan countryside- a woman carries what appear to be milk cans.
Jaipur: Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the late 18th century, and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jaipur: The greeters at the Rambagh Palace, former royal hunting lodge.
Town on the road to Agra, rather typical for rural north India.
Udaipur: outdoor food market. It was as if the noodles were an art form.
Varanasi: we saw marigolds everywhere in India. They are the color of the sun, and represent brightness and positive energy, joy and prosperity.
Mumbai: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the 19th Century. This is a VERY busy train station.
Sahasra Baku: Hindu temples dedicated to the god Vishnu date to the early 10th century.
On the road to Udaipur
Mumbai sweatshop
Mumbai: street food kiosk. Mumbai is said to be a city of "foodies."
Varanasi, man sitting at the Ganges wearing an orange scarf, which color represents fire and purity.
Varanasi: view from the river
Udaipur: If it doesn't fit in your bag, wear it on your head. I was impressed as to how her outfit matched the storefront.
Sarnath: Buddhist pilgrims from Vietnam visit one of Buddhism's most sacred places.
Mumbai: the Taj Palace Hotel, constructed in 1903.
Mumbai slums-one of the nicer streets
Varanasi: Tuk tuks (auto-rickshaws) seem to overflow with passengers.
Udaipur marketplace
Ancient Delhi: In the Qutab Minar complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 12th century.
Jaipur transportation
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Agra: visitors at the Taj Mahal
Mumbai: A dabbawala-a person who delivers hot lunches from homes and restaurants to people at work.
Udaipur: street vendor-loved the shoe off
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