Exploring Hauz Khas Village

This past weekend Hilary, Anna, and I explored Hauz Khas Village. It was so much fun and was definitely the hippest place I've seen in Delhi yet. It had so many cool antique stores filled with vintage trinkets and old film posters. There was also plenty of high-end stores, offering lux clothing and gifts.

Hauz Khas Village

We decided to try some "New York" style pizza. Hilary and I wanted to see if it was actually NY style or if it was India's version of NY style (which has been the case for most "American" food we've tried). Our verdict: It was actually fairly close to pizza you'd get in the States, not quite NY, but good. We then hopped over to the Elf Café (I think that's the name) for dessert and drinks. The lounge was gorgeous and we had a blast.
















While we were exploring HKV we came across this incredibly creepy hallway. Bright pink with fangs! Hilary and Anna's friend Azeem were the bravest and went first. Once Anna, her friend Adrian, and I saw that they came out alive we went in next.

Turns out it's an amazing art gallery!! It was full of incredible urban art with a small cafe and amazing view! From the backside of the building is a phenomenal view of Deer Park. The warm weather brought everyone out to enjoy the scenery. After we checked out the gallery we made our way down to take it all in as well.

The art exhibit was definitely the coolest find of the day and apparently a hidden treasure as some native Delhi-ites(?) hadn't even heard of it. We hope to go back soon to see if they change out pieces. It's definitely a must-see for anyone discovering HKV...if you can find it, that is.



Some of the amazing pieces at Social Space Art Gallery!!

A Weekend In Amritsar

The weekend before last Hilary and I headed to Amritsar to visit the Golden Temple. We traveled by train (about 6 or 7 hours!) with Mr. Jolly, Mr. Malik, and Mr. Jolly's daughter. As we traveled north the temperature slowly started to drop. We reached Amritsar in the afternoon and headed to the club we were staying at to drop off our things. That evening we headed to the Indian-Pakistani border to watch the changing of the guards. It was incredible. I expected it to be a tense, serious event, but it was the complete opposite. People were dancing and laughing. Patriotic music was blaring over the speakers. Soon the actual changing began and it was incredible. The guards wear these extravagant hats and perform their rituals with flair haha.



The Changing of the Guards
 (Excuse the lamppost, couldn't be helped.)

The next day we went to the Golden Temple. It was one of the most beautiful sites I've seen since being in India and definitely the cleanest. After we walked through water (mandatory, to clean our feet) and covered our heads (again, mandatory to show respect) we saw it! It was absolutely gorgeous, shining in the middle of the Pool of Nectar. We waited in line for nearly an hour, but it was worth it. The inside of the Temple is extraordinary. The design is so ornate and it was evident what a spiritual experience it was for everybody there.




The Golden Temple

Mr. Jolly's daughter explained to us that at the Golden Temple, the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor all volunteer alongside each other to care for the Temple. A meal is also cooked fresh every single day for anyone who wants it. It's supposed to be some of the best food in Amritsar and it's all free of charge.

It was such an amazing experience seeing the Temple and all the people who traveled to see it. 
 

Spending Time with the Widows in Vrindavan

Widows of Radha Kund

Yesterday we headed to Maitri's home for abandoned widows in Radha Kund. It was about a four hour drive from Delhi and well worth it. As we drove closer to the home, we could see some of the city's widows begging alongside the streets. It was heartbreaking and I could already see why Maitri works so hard to help these women. Eventually we came to the home and were greeted by the women singing devotional hymns. Most of the women spoke only Bengali, but it certainly didn't stop them from talking to us! Some of them showed us where they slept and where they kept their belongings. A few had some really beautiful religious keepsakes or posters of Krishna hanging near their beds. After speaking with them for a little while we helped serve them lunch, handing out a banana to each woman. The women are provided a mid-day meal each day and fruit three times per week through Maitri. Without Maitri's assistance, most of these women would be left to beg and starve. I was such a small part of the day, but I felt so privileged to be able to even hand out lunch.

Gen. Bhopinder Singh and U.S. Ambassador Catherine Russell

While we were at Radha Kund, we were also able to meet U.S Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, Cathy Russell! She came to learn more about the plight of widows in India and spoke with the General about what Maitri is doing to help alleviate some of their suffering. It was such an honor to meet her and something I won't be forgetting!

Future Home of Maitri's Home for Abandoned Widows

Shortly after we left Radha Kund we arrived at the building site for Maitri's new home for abandoned widows. The structure will be able to house 100 widows and is hoped to be finished around the 20th of March! This home will go a long way in providing better care and shelter for the widows of Vrindavan.

Also, there were monkeys, puppies, and piglets everywhere. I loved it.