What’s up!? It’s Sloan.
Wednesday was a very fun and interesting day. We went to a small city in the middle of Baroda and Ahmedabad. Satish’s friend took us there and we had to wait at the Bank of India (where he works, like Satish), until he got in touch with the rickshaw driver. When the rickshaw driver came we went to all of these old temples. All we really did was take pictures. In my opinion the temples were nice, but I didn’t think they were so great. My favorite thing we visited was the 500 year old mosque (even though I’m Jewish).
Wednesday was a very fun and interesting day. We went to a small city in the middle of Baroda and Ahmedabad. Satish’s friend took us there and we had to wait at the Bank of India (where he works, like Satish), until he got in touch with the rickshaw driver. When the rickshaw driver came we went to all of these old temples. All we really did was take pictures. In my opinion the temples were nice, but I didn’t think they were so great. My favorite thing we visited was the 500 year old mosque (even though I’m Jewish).
The rickshaw had a back where you could sit. It was very dangerous and very fun to sit in the back at the same time, especially when we were going to the mosque because the “road” was sand and had literally hundreds of bumps in it. Luckily I was sitting in the back when we were going there so I got to experience Disney World India!
The main reason I liked the mosque the best is because the guy let us go in it. The first floor was probably the nicest but definitely not my favorite. When we went to the higher floors it was the favorite part of my day. It was nice because I couldn’t see anyone; all I could see was lots of green grass, open fields, mountains and flowers. It was a beautiful sight. After that we had lunch and went to Pavagadh, a temple on top of a mountain. The rickshaw driver and all of us thought that he could make it up the mountain. No sweat right? But after we were about ⅓ of the way there a policemen, who was doing absolutely nothing before this, stopped us and said that we were not allowed to go beyond that point. He doesn’t like Americans or he actually takes his job seriously. He followed us the whole way down. He let us go but told our driver to come back and pick us up in two hours. We took a jeep to the top of the mountain and soon realized that the rickshaw probably couldn’t have made it halfway up anyhow! Now I’m happy the Policeman was doing his job! After the jeep took us close to the top of the mountain we took a tram. We had to sit so our weight was exactly equal on both sides. Other than the fact we couldn’t really move, it was fun. When we got off the tram we walked through this tiny village to get to a temple. We were all wondering how the village could survive the 
summer when it rained everyday. These people live in tiny brown shacks in their tiny village with a population about 60. Most of them owned small convenience and jewelry stores. Mom bought two wooden bracelets each for ten rupees. Some guy said it would take half an hour to get up and half an hour to get down for a total of one hour. All together it took us half an hour. He was probably talking about people like him who were not as fit as us. We went up and down. For some of it we had to take our shoes off and walk! How exciting!! All we did was go see the temple and walk through a terminal to go back. When we went back down the mountain we were not alone. In the jeep we went back with about 20 other people. Some people were smushed together like pages in a book and some people were hanging on to the handlebar at the side like spider monkeys. The guy driving wanted to charge us 150 rupees but we only paid him forty. He was trying to get us to give him more money but we are smart people so we only gave him forty.
But the Day wasn’t over.
I was in the shower and some kids that I’ve been playing with came over. Hitesh, an adult Indian friend, was also over and brought us some great rice! When I came out they were playing with Hailey’s Nintendo DS, my PSP, my camera, the computer and all of the games. Hailey was fed-up and didn’t want them playing with any of her stuff. She doesn’t like any of them. I was okay with it. It’s probably like Disney World to them because they haven’t played with any of this stuff before. Something that was kind of strange is that they were obsessed with my camera. While we were showing them a slideshow of the pictures we took that day, they took pictures of the computer. Some photographers they are. After they left, Hitesh told us that they were “low
class” and “we shouldn’t leave any of that stuff out while they are here.” During the time he was at our apartment he drank five glasses of beer and did much more belching then talking. In India it is polite to burp when you have had a good meal. I still thought it was disgusting. Right when we would say something, “BURP!!!” and we forgot what we wanted to say.
summer when it rained everyday. These people live in tiny brown shacks in their tiny village with a population about 60. Most of them owned small convenience and jewelry stores. Mom bought two wooden bracelets each for ten rupees. Some guy said it would take half an hour to get up and half an hour to get down for a total of one hour. All together it took us half an hour. He was probably talking about people like him who were not as fit as us. We went up and down. For some of it we had to take our shoes off and walk! How exciting!! All we did was go see the temple and walk through a terminal to go back. When we went back down the mountain we were not alone. In the jeep we went back with about 20 other people. Some people were smushed together like pages in a book and some people were hanging on to the handlebar at the side like spider monkeys. The guy driving wanted to charge us 150 rupees but we only paid him forty. He was trying to get us to give him more money but we are smart people so we only gave him forty.But the Day wasn’t over.
I was in the shower and some kids that I’ve been playing with came over. Hitesh, an adult Indian friend, was also over and brought us some great rice! When I came out they were playing with Hailey’s Nintendo DS, my PSP, my camera, the computer and all of the games. Hailey was fed-up and didn’t want them playing with any of her stuff. She doesn’t like any of them. I was okay with it. It’s probably like Disney World to them because they haven’t played with any of this stuff before. Something that was kind of strange is that they were obsessed with my camera. While we were showing them a slideshow of the pictures we took that day, they took pictures of the computer. Some photographers they are. After they left, Hitesh told us that they were “low
class” and “we shouldn’t leave any of that stuff out while they are here.” During the time he was at our apartment he drank five glasses of beer and did much more belching then talking. In India it is polite to burp when you have had a good meal. I still thought it was disgusting. Right when we would say something, “BURP!!!” and we forgot what we wanted to say. 
2 comments:
Hi Sloan:
I love reading your posts! Your descriptions are so much fun to read. Sounds like traveling by rickshaw gives you an ongoing sense of being in Disney World!
The mosque sounded like a true adventure. It's such a treat to be able to wander around some place that is so old and filled with history. Really makes New York feel very new by comparison.
The posts from you and Hailey write are a cool way to take a "virtual trip
with all of you". Hailey - I Loved the dress with 1000 beads.
We are having a rainy Sunday here at home.
Enjoy!
Charna
Hi Sloan,
You are a terrific writer indeed. I am so thrilled that you guys are safe and settled. Have you played cricket as yet. As a kid I loved playing with my siblings and cousins. I grew up in Guyana. What is your favorite Indian food? Try Aloo Paratha, you might like that. You remember Martin my son, well he is enjoying the cirriculum this year at Central Synagogue. Your Mom said that all your work is being faxed to you. That is great. Martin will be thrilled to read your blog. I am quite sure he will write to you. Hailey looks so very pretty in her Indian Garb, as does your Mom. Now it's yours and Lance's turn. Well you guys all look great, stay safe, and have a great stay in India. My best wishes to you and your family. Can I help in getting a donation of books for the synagogue in India. Let me know. Stay well!
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