From my journal

It's really hard for me to blog since I have not the time or access. So I have been keeping a journal on my ipod and emailing them to myself when I have hifi. With that said, a few days ago I deleted the email acct on my ipod bc it wouldn't send out mail however in doing so I deleted my journal which is part of our course work!!!! Internet access and technology is NOT my friend here for sure! I CRIED for at least an hour like a student losing a term paper the night before it's due. I did manage to send 2 entries before the deletion so here they are.

July 28
On the way to Agra now. Delhi was not bad at all. I was expecting millions of people and everyone walking up against me. I actually feel safe here. The streets are busy with people, markets, children (young girls) dancing for money on busy intersections, markets, and dogs. In the busyness and broken side walks along the market place near our Metro Heights hotel it is safe. OH and ps...no one shit on my face when I got off the airplane! It does have its occassional stench but not as bad as everyone warned.

Day 1
We started off the day with mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral and of course I thought what a perfect way to start this spiritual journey I am about to embark on. We were half an hour early so we waited in our tour bus and a bunch of little kids ran up to our window to wave and ask for money. Mass was perfect and in English. The intention of the mass was Lord teach us how to pray and the song was Here I Am Lord. In the homily the priest told us a story about a man wishing to see Jesus and his frustration with not seeing Him after 25 years of prayer. (Geez and I thought 3 weeks would be good enough :/) On the last year he yelled at God for ignoring his meditations. Jesus granted him 3 wishes. The first 2 were pretty useless but the last one he asked the Lord to ask for the grace of what to ask for. The Lord answered "Ask for the grace of contentment". I thought this would be a great intention every morning here in India.

Our next destination was the Imperial Hotel. It was absolutely gorgeous with its obvious British influence. We were met with security, a man in costume, and metal detectors. The second we walked in you would get a whiff of jasmine that covered the hotel and a real Chanel store. Little rooms off the hallway had water fountains that could be seen from your hotel suite window. This is where we had our $60 buffet lunch that would be similar to the Fort Garry brunch. However this brunch had Drew Barrymore in the building!!! Outside was a British veranda and a green lawn where we posed for many pictures...of course! I definitely did not feel like I was in India!
Following this we went to a Hindu temple where we were not allowed to bring in our bags or take pictures. At the entrance of the temple was a huge statue of a goddess with Gold plating all over. You had to be covered and have shoes put away as well. Following this we went to a smaller Hindu temple where we has the opportunity of putting a red dot on our head. Learning about the Hindu religion is so hard even if the whole country is covered by their gods and godesses. In fact there was a HUGE monkey god on one of the busy streets we passed by. It's totally different here!

Day 2
This was a packed day of history and religion. We got dropped off at a busy street and had to walk to a Sikh temple. Wallking through the busy street was kinda scary. I had to hold on to my bag tight and keep an eye to the person in front of me bc we walked in single file like you would through the dance floor at the bar with everyone staring at us all around. Here we had our shoes removed and a head piece put on our head. It felt nice and sacred here. The temple was placed where one of their prophets was beheaded. He sacrificed his life for the Sikh and Hindu people who were being forced to become Muslims. He said he would sacrifice his life it his people were left alone.
Then we took the rickshaw (bicycle ride) down the market in pairs. This was a cool experience and finally started to feel like I was in India with the narrow alleys and markets along the sides. This took us to a mosque where we were covered in a wrap, shoes removed, and cameras put away unless you paid a toll of 200 rupees. It was very different being in mosque. There is a sense of negative stigma being in a place like this due to the racial profiling that exists against Muslims in North America. Here in India, I feel that one must drop all notions and embrace every spiritual opportunity and the religious diversity that exists here. Being a straight up Christian (Catholic) this is very different for me. I am in a place where Christianity is a minority yet religion is everywhere.
Embracing where I was I was able to feel God. At this mosque was a huge tower which was maybe 9 or 10 stories high. There were four at each corner of the mosque like a castle. Well I climbed one through the narrow turning stairs. I reached the top which was maybe 5 meters in diameter. I stood against the chain window and looked down at India and felt it's beauty. Just moments before I was in it's grimy streets and from up here it was beautiful. Thinking...wow this is what God must feel looking down at all this and seeing the beauty that exists here. Immediately I felt the wind blow right through me like rush, I felt it was God. Here at this mosque, in India, I felt God's presence. It was precious, beautiful, perfect, and spiritual. I loved it!

Day 4-5 Agra
Here I visited different forts and mausoleums. I felt like I was walking through a museum here. At the red fort we got a sneak peak of the Taj Mahal. I was very excited. I stood where Shah Jahan (who built Taj Mahal) was imprisoned by his selfish son who didn't want his father to spend any more money on buildings. It was kinda sad to know that from where I stood I could see what Shah Jahan saw in his prison. From this far off distance he saw his great building he made for his wife and could not enjoy it. An hour later I arrived at the Taj and it was breath taking. Not worth describing however bc it would do no justice. It was huge and amazing but one I felt couldn't be fully enjoyed bc I did not have the ones I love by me. The Taj was made out of love and should be enjoyed by those you love. It's kind of a lonely feeling. I miss my family.