Samstag, 2. April 2011

16. India

India is different - it is a different continent, maybe even a different world. Coming from a very (or even too?) organized country, I asked myself many times how this chaos can possibly work. Well, I did not find an answer yet, but it somehow does.

We stayed with our friends Peter and Frederike (thank you so much!) in Delhi and made some trips in the region. This way, we got some nice snapshots on Indian culture. In Delhi we saw the new and old town and attended a typical Indian wedding reception (oh yes, there was some crazy Indian dancing going on!).

Then there was the world famous Taj Mahal in Agra, which was a stop on our 3-day-Golden-Triangle-trip (New Delhi - Agra - Jaipur), and it really is as beautiful as everyone says!

Amritsar in the North-East was our next destination. It is home to the most important Sikh temple. The Sikh (aka the typical turban-wearing New Yorker taxi driver) had split from the Hindu as they did not agree with the cast system. Their religion is based on the principle of everyone being equal, and this liberal attitude can also be felt visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Amritsar also has to offer another very unique spectacle - the border to beloved Pakistan is closed every afternoon performing a ceremony during which the spectators on both sides (they even built stands for the people!) are cheering for their respective soldiers and countries. The border soldiers walk up and down as if they applied for the ministry of silly walks and finally close the gate - just hilarious!

Last but not least I have to admit that I was once again surprised with the delicious Indian food. Vegetarian or not, it is all so good!

Pictures will follow as soon as Franziska has uploaded them - check out her Picasa Web Album.

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