One of my blogger friends, suggested that once a week, I reblog some of my earlier posts about India. I think I will because I had few readers then and I believe some of you will enjoy reliving my journey from the beginning! Ahmedabad was our home base and where it all began!
Ahmedabad is not a tourist destination. It is a working class city which used to be called the Manchester (UK) of India due to the many fabric mills. It could also be dubbed the Boston of India because of the 42 institutions of higher learning in or around Ahmedabad. None of my India American friends had been to Ahmedabad. Ironically, it was voted the most livable city in India for the year 2012. Mr. Modi, who is the minister for Gujarat, is being courted to run for Prime Minister in 2014 because of his success here.
None of us were prepared for the reception we received when we arrived. Everywhere we walked, people smiled, said hello, and asked to have a picture taken with some or all of us. This wasn’t just the “twenty-somethings”, but David and me as well. They would motion for us to remove our sunglasses to check our eye color. If it was blue, we were rewarded with a huge smile. Two students were particularly popular for pictures. Tyler, a redhead with blue eyes, a towering 6’ frame, and a gregarious personality, makes friends everywhere he goes. Erin has golden curls and deep blue eyes. She has had repeated proposals of marriage, to which she sweetly smiles and acknowledges with a polite “No, thank you.”
From these experiences as well as watching Bollywood videos and commercials on TV for skin lightening products, it is evident that light skin is considered desirable. There are people of all ages with a certain shade of orange hair which I image is a result of trying to lighten their hair. ( Now I know it is henna. See Henna Hands!) I guess it is the human condition that makes people long for something different; such as Westerners working hard to darken their skin even at the risk of endangering their health in tanning beds.
The pictures: 9th graders and me at the Modhera Sun Temple
Step Well (Adalaj Ni Vav) near Ahmedabad , David and me on the steps. Pictures by Shane.
My favorite picture is of the mother who had handed me her baby son so un-expectantly. I know now, that she wanted me to touch the top of his head in a blessing. Mothers’ love is universal! (Thanks, Connie D.)
Many thanks to the gentle, friendly, welcoming Indians of Almedabad!
Student blogs by Andrew and my tech girl, Erin: (Thanks for your patient tech help, Erin!)
http://andrewvanmeerbeke.wordpress.com
http://travelpod.com/members/erinbutler
Enjoy! Nameste. . . . T I I 
TalesAlongTheWay 
Thank you for sharing. i am in awe of such ancient cultures that have survived the tests and wars of time.
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I have been blessed to travel to lots of places and live in Italy like we did in India. But I just adore the Indians and their warmth and friendliness. I know they are no all that way as I saw on the TV and in the news, but the ones we came into contact were amazing. We are hoping to go again for 4 months starting January 2015! Funny thing is that my husband and I are very different and usually don’t agree on much , but we both loved India! There seem to be two opinions…either you adore India or can’t stand the thought of going ! We had two trips , one of 2 weeks to the north and then 10 days to the south…so we saw lots !
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My husband says it is a filthy country, but I disagree. I am sure that with its population problems there are issues in the slums, but that is a small part of India and not necessarily what I most want to see.
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Well, compared to the states, it is filthy, but remember there there are 1.2 Billion people. Garbage trucks are now appearing though the trash pickers of the lowest caste are still there. Sweeping is done and trash burned at night which provides warmth for the poor. 53 cities with 1 million or more souls! Your husband probably wouldn’t want to go! And if you get to go, I hope it will be for more than just a few days.
We went to Egypt in the 80s and I cried most of the time as it was my first developing country. I was prepared for India. The people are so gentle and kind, and welcoming in the midst of all their trials. Really touches you heart as you realize how much we have to be thankful for!
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Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
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Many thanks for reblogging my reblog! 😎
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You are right, travelling to areas that are void of the necessities we take for granted always puts front and center how much there is to be thankful for living in the USA. The challenge is to put that aside so you as a visitor can enjoy the culture for what it is, though uniquely different from yours. Then it becomes a people to people thing, and there is no better way. Great adventure you are having there. I am jealous!
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Fairness of disclosure….we were in incredible India from Jan until May of 2013 and are back in Upstate New York now! We carried toilet paper, hand sanitizer, stayed in
* * * hotels and hostels. ( the last group stayed in * * and there were rats in the rooms….no way!!) We never used local water even for tooth brushing…or at least me, and we didn’t eat food on the street. We got shots and also took anti-malaria meds and put on deet daily. Just common sense for a very different place. Then we loved it all…rickshaw rides, food…and the wonderful people and the sites!
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Great that you’re doing India again! I only discovered your website recently and so had missed the earlier posts. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
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I am so glad you are enjoying the posts.
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Went through your blog and really liked your posts on India. Thank you for reading my blog as well!
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Oh that makes me happy! Visit again and let’s stay in touch! Namaste. . . . .
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Sure!
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