In March, our family got a HUGE treat. We've had the opportunity to see family since moving to India, but for the first time, we saw friends- people that make us laugh, people who we've shared life with, people that God placed in our lives many years ago and knew someday they'd trek halfway around the world to visit us in India. And it was such a time of refreshment for us.
I'm not usually one to cry, but I admit I got a little emotional when I saw them walk through those doors. They came as part of a vision trip. Troy, Jason's best friend, is serving as one of the pastors at Northstar Church in Saltillo, MS. And Amy is a long-time friend and is married into one of my favorite families, the Brownlees. Her family attends East Heights Baptist Church in Tupelo, MS (our former church)! The next few post are about our time with them-- the sight-seeing and the ministry! Enjoy.
After a long night of chatting and catching up (and opening up bags of goodies from friends and family), we thought it would be a wonderful idea to take them to see the Taj Mahal- after all, it is one of the seven wonders of the world. And even though we've been in India for almost two years, we've yet to see it.
There are a few different ways to plan a Taj Mahal trip, but with limited time, we chose to take a taxi. It left at a very early 6:00 AM!
Car rides can be difficult in America. But sometimes they feel 1 million times more insane in India. For starters, I owned the seat in the very back. It was small, and my boys apparently found me more comfortable than the seats they were given. I'm almost certain they sat ON me, rather than beside me. I sort of felt cheated by the other adults who had their very own bucket seat. But after arriving in Agra, we piled in yet another adult (our tour guide) and that left Jason, Troy, and Amy to share two bucket seats. My back seat was looking better!
After a terribly long car ride, we finally arrived. Max was so happy to have Troy. He loathes walking, and Troy kindly gave him shoulder rides! Part of me thinks he did it to be kind, and the other part thinks he was just tired of hearing Max whine! :)
We finally entered the gates, and behold, we saw the Taj.
My favorite fact from the trip was: The four towers that are placed at each corner are built on an angle. In the event that one were to fall, it would fall away from the main building. I think you can see the angle in the picture.
We also took a family picture for proof to my children in years to come that they have actually seen it (just in case I never bring them back!)
Troy and Amy took in lots of new cultural sights in there first few hours. One of which was the fact that men (who are just friends) hold hands. Troy couldn't get over it. He couldn't resist trying it. My favorite part of this picture is the way Jack is looking at them... he's just a little unsure about this whole "hand-holding thing!"
Jack may be a little shy about holding hands with other men, but one thing he loves is posing for a camera.
Before you can enter the Taj, you have to do one of two things. Most of us elected to wear the 'shoe coverings' over our own shoes. They may be practical, but there is ABSOLUTELY nothing stylish about them.
The other option is to go barefooted like Troy. But I don't think he'd recommend that to anyone else after stepping in an unknown wet substance inside the Taj Mahal!
Even though it was still only March, the weather was still terribly warm. Thank goodness for cold water.
After seeing the Taj, we did a little shopping (or looking because we were too poor to buy the goods) and had some lunch. We endured another long 4 hour trip back to Delhi, and I once again resumed my backseat spot UNDER my children!
I guess you can call me weird or odd, but I'm just not much of a sight-seer. When I see a building, all I see is a... well, a building. Now don't get me wrong- the Taj Mahal is beautiful, and I HAD to see it at some point, but now I can successfully say "Been there... done that!" And I don't think I ever have to do it again.
And for those who plan to visit us in the future, don't worry. Jason will be thrilled to make a return trip with you!
But despite my feelings for sight-seeing, spending time with these people was worth all of it!
I'm not usually one to cry, but I admit I got a little emotional when I saw them walk through those doors. They came as part of a vision trip. Troy, Jason's best friend, is serving as one of the pastors at Northstar Church in Saltillo, MS. And Amy is a long-time friend and is married into one of my favorite families, the Brownlees. Her family attends East Heights Baptist Church in Tupelo, MS (our former church)! The next few post are about our time with them-- the sight-seeing and the ministry! Enjoy.
After a long night of chatting and catching up (and opening up bags of goodies from friends and family), we thought it would be a wonderful idea to take them to see the Taj Mahal- after all, it is one of the seven wonders of the world. And even though we've been in India for almost two years, we've yet to see it.
There are a few different ways to plan a Taj Mahal trip, but with limited time, we chose to take a taxi. It left at a very early 6:00 AM!
Car rides can be difficult in America. But sometimes they feel 1 million times more insane in India. For starters, I owned the seat in the very back. It was small, and my boys apparently found me more comfortable than the seats they were given. I'm almost certain they sat ON me, rather than beside me. I sort of felt cheated by the other adults who had their very own bucket seat. But after arriving in Agra, we piled in yet another adult (our tour guide) and that left Jason, Troy, and Amy to share two bucket seats. My back seat was looking better!
After a terribly long car ride, we finally arrived. Max was so happy to have Troy. He loathes walking, and Troy kindly gave him shoulder rides! Part of me thinks he did it to be kind, and the other part thinks he was just tired of hearing Max whine! :)
We finally entered the gates, and behold, we saw the Taj.
My favorite fact from the trip was: The four towers that are placed at each corner are built on an angle. In the event that one were to fall, it would fall away from the main building. I think you can see the angle in the picture.
We also took a family picture for proof to my children in years to come that they have actually seen it (just in case I never bring them back!)
Troy and Amy took in lots of new cultural sights in there first few hours. One of which was the fact that men (who are just friends) hold hands. Troy couldn't get over it. He couldn't resist trying it. My favorite part of this picture is the way Jack is looking at them... he's just a little unsure about this whole "hand-holding thing!"
Jack may be a little shy about holding hands with other men, but one thing he loves is posing for a camera.
Before you can enter the Taj, you have to do one of two things. Most of us elected to wear the 'shoe coverings' over our own shoes. They may be practical, but there is ABSOLUTELY nothing stylish about them.
The other option is to go barefooted like Troy. But I don't think he'd recommend that to anyone else after stepping in an unknown wet substance inside the Taj Mahal!
Even though it was still only March, the weather was still terribly warm. Thank goodness for cold water.
After seeing the Taj, we did a little shopping (or looking because we were too poor to buy the goods) and had some lunch. We endured another long 4 hour trip back to Delhi, and I once again resumed my backseat spot UNDER my children!
I guess you can call me weird or odd, but I'm just not much of a sight-seer. When I see a building, all I see is a... well, a building. Now don't get me wrong- the Taj Mahal is beautiful, and I HAD to see it at some point, but now I can successfully say "Been there... done that!" And I don't think I ever have to do it again.
And for those who plan to visit us in the future, don't worry. Jason will be thrilled to make a return trip with you!
But despite my feelings for sight-seeing, spending time with these people was worth all of it!
No comments:
Post a Comment