Photos @ Shutterfly
Check out Ms. Hutcheson's India photos.
Check out Ms. Hutcheson's India photos.
After an early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, followed by an excursion to the ancient city of Fatepur Sikri, the group flew up to Delhi and said their farewells to India.
We wish them all a safe journey back to the USA and look forward to hearing their impressions of India.
The group decided to visit the Red Fort in Agra today and save the Taj Mahal for tomorrow. They also managed to get in a visit to a marble carving studio and a bit of shopping before the Henna artists arrived at the hotel. Pictures to come, as soon as Internet speed/access permits. Weather has been cooler than anticipated, which all are appreciating, given how hot it can get this time of year.
Tracy sent word to us in NYC that the group's return flight has touched down in Delhi and they are en route to the hotel.
The group will be posting some additional blog entries about their time in Dharamsala--they tried to do so from there, but the combination of a non-stop itinerary and very slow Internet connections made it a challenge.
Next up: the Taj Mahal on the Vernal Equinox...
I (Ms. Kasevich) am awed by the way Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam collide in a harmonious way. The mountains inspire humans in the quest for liberation and enlightenment. The girls have been so engaged, asking thoughtful questions to Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist scholars who we have had the privilege to meet. “Patience and flexibility” is our mantra!
(Ms. Hutcheson) Being here and visiting a mosque and Hindu temples has brought out the collective experience of Muslim worship and the individual practice of Hinduism. It was clarified for me! What a privilege to explore faith and practice with these marvelous young women. I can’t wait to see how they will share their experience with the Nightingale community. Ms. Kasevich reflects that this is experiential learning at its best!
The young women have been impressive in dealing with surprises and the inevitable ups and downs of travel in India. What a joy to watch these confident young women leave the hotel with their Tibetan mothers (ama-la) this evening, ready to start their first night of homestays well-versed in Tibetan language and culture. We look forward to their stories of their first night over porridge and curd in the morning!
Ms. H & Ms. K
March 16, 2009
It’s our fourth day in India, yet we are only just beginning to get used to the way of life here. Our schedule has taught us that time is overrated; minutes left to wait for cars and people turn into hours and still, we don’t seem to miss a beat. This “elastic time” has fortunately given us the opportunity to grow closer together as a group. After a relaxing, yet sleepless, night in Delhi at the World Buddhist Center, we visited Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India where we gracefully rejected buying the cobra toys and whips being sold at the gates. Soon after we headed to the airport only to find out that our flight to Dharmasala was cancelled. We then made the decision to embark on what will most likely be the longest car ride any of us will ever take; so long in fact that the cars became our own little families during the 12 hours spent together, telling stories, sharing snacks, debating, and begging, pleading with the driver to please, if possible, refrain from speaking on the cell phone while switching gears and changing lines at 90 kph – all this while avoiding cows, pedestrians, carts hitched to oxen, cyclists, bread – eating monkeys, and even a wedding ceremony! (Yehe India hai! Tr. This is India!)
After an early start that followed a much needed night of sleep on the road, we finally arrived in Dharamsala, home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and an estimated 5,000 other Tibetan refugees. Our experience so far in McLeod Ganj has been filled with excitement and learning. The vibrant colors and unique culture of this city have awakened our minds to the beauty of a place that seems worlds away from the life we are used to.
Blog by Ana Iglesias ‘09
After a trip to Old Delhi to explore the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, the group headed directly to the domestic airport only to be informed that their scheduled flight from Delhi to Dharamsala was canceled due to inclement weather. Rather than stay another night in Delhi and risk losing out on some of the planned itinerary, the group decided to make an overland journey northward. Global LAB enlisted a convoy of private cars/drivers to take the group up to Chandighar, where they spent the night, before continuing on in the morning to arrive in Dharamsala. After settling into their hotel, they explored of bit of the town, had a talk with scholars from Dharamsala College regarding Hinduism, art, and poetry, and visited local Hindu temples.
Tomorrow morning they will start with a walk to the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration complex and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Geshe Lhakdor La, Director of the Library and translator for the Dalai Lama, will give the group a talk on Buddhism.
Tracy reports that the weather is nice and crisp in Dharamsala and that the girls have been marveling at the spectacular views of the Himalayan valley below from the hotel.
Hi Everyone,
The group has arrived in Delhi and has settled into their hotel to get some rest before tomorrow's exploration of the city and then a late morning flight up to Dharamsala, located in the foothills of the Himalaya.
John
After nearly two years in the planning, the day of departure has finally arrived, and what a gorgeous day it is to fly to India, with barely a cloud in the sky here in New York City. Air India has confirmed that this afternoon's scheduled flight out of Terminal 4 at JFK remains on time for a 5pm departure.
Meanwhile, half way around the world in Delhi, Tracy and Peter are eagerly awaiting the group's arrival and the start of an exceptionally rich itinerary, including visits to key historical and religious sites in Delhi, Dharamsala, and Agra; learning directly from Indian and Tibetan scholars and religious leaders; and truly experiencing the extraordinary tapestry of India's vibrant culture, not as typical tourists, but as hands-on, experiential learners and responsible travelers.
All of us at Global LAB are delighted to be a part of Nightingale's adventure in India and we are confident the days ahead will lead to the richest possible kind of intercultural learning experience and no small amount of self-discovery.
We will do our best to post regular updates here on the group's program blog as we receive reports from Peter and Tracy over the course of the journey, so be sure to check back often.
John Eastman
Executive Director
Global LAB
800.984.4522