*The internet is too slow, I cannot load pictures. . but I will post them once I can**
Teksi’s, Trains, and the Taj Mahal
India depicts the World Race that I signed up for. . . This
place is truly a 3rd world country, in every sense of the phrase. .
. It’s like no other place I’ve been before.
Arriving late the evening of the 3rd, we walk
hestitantly down dark allys following our contact to our overnight shelter,
which turned out to be a 2 bedroom flat-Keep in mind, we are in India, not
Austin, TX. . . . We were unable to get train tickets right away so we had a
day to ourselves. . .
The 6 of us, plus our squad leader Courtney, piled into a
TEKSI (which had A/C) at 6 am for a five hour trip to the TAJ MAHAL. . .
It was stunning to say the least and a once in a life time
kind of opportunity.
We loaded back up and the trek home took 6 hours [ Austin
Traffic has nothing on traffic in India]
I am now sitting on a train heading to Bang-alore, India. .
. This is an experience where words will do no justice to what is actually
going on around me.
This three tier sleeper (on both sides) has no door and I am
divided by a chicken cage with a small Indian man sleeping next to me. [I
somehow ended up getting the third tier]. There is no A/C and I will be on this
train for a total of 43 hours. As fate would have it the fan facing me does not
work. India is quiet a warm place, averaging about 35* Celsius
However, I have seen Jesus among the people on this train. .
. A woman last night asked us why were seven American women traveling on the
“locals” or “Low Class” train instead of the nicer one. . . and we told her we
don’t have much money and we are volunteering in her country. She smiled and
walked back to her ‘cart’ aka just stepped a little to the left. . . . about 10
min later she hands us food. Meals-That she had prepared for HER family, she
gave them to us. One was a dirty rice with peanuts and the other container had
a rice porage with a lime/vinegar spice. . . She gave us 4 of these. . .
There is a poverty like I’ve never in my life seen. . . and
the culture is aggressive and loud but the people love and care just like any
other part of the world. I watched this family (not a creepy thing to do when
you’re on a train for 40+ hours) and they just loved their little grandson and
laughed and I can see Jesus in them. . . even if they don’t realize it.
Generosity has been re-defined and God continues to teach me
to just give. Give without boundaries.
