Gandhi and Pampering

Beginning our residency in Ahmedabad this week, the influence of Gandhi in this area has been a re-occurring experience. Gujarat, the state in which Ahmedabad is situated in, is the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi and holds a special place in the events that took place during his lifetime. After Gandhi left South Africa where he worked as a young man, he returned to his home state and took residence in the city of Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad, which is known as being a leader in development, continues to try and realize a Gandhian vision of empowerment for its people.

Yesterday, we had the great opportunity to visit the ashram and university Gandhi established during his time here. Among the many profound insights this visionary was able to contribute to humanity, one has stood out as particularly relevant to my context right now. When we were at Vidyapith, the university he created, the idea of consumption was touched upon in relation to the levels of comfort we’ve become accustomed too. Back in 1909, Gandhi himself made the point that we were “pampering” our bodies. In this day and age, what does “pampering our bodies” mean though and what did it mean then?

At the ashram, Gandhi's bedroom as it actually was

When I first heard this, I immediately knew I was guilty of such indulgence as I do “pamper” myself in many different ways to achieve the state of comfort I've become accustomed to and quite thoroughly enjoy. Being in India just over a week now, it is hard not to notice how little there is for some and how much there is for a few. Coming here as a tourist, I realize how much “stuff” I've brought or gathered along the way (products, medications, electronics, clothing, etc.) as well as all that I have access to, to make sure that I feel comfortable. At the time, everything felt like a necessity, but now I wonder.

Further speculation to this wondering was sparked this evening when we visited the local non-government organization “Centre for Environment and Education” (CEE).  The idea of consumption and development was probed even deeper and placed in a global context that helped bring this idea of “pampering” and comfort into a larger perspective. Essentially there lies the inevitable problem, which we must eventually face, surrounding the fact that ideas of “development” which circulate around the world are not sustainable. This is a critical problem because those who are considered “developed” are living far beyond what is sustainable for our planet and those who aspire to be “developed” want this too.

Beautifully sensuous and artful displays of welcome for us at Gujarat University

Having this global context of sustainability now provided, I find myself coming back to what Gandhi said over a century ago – we are pampering our bodies. In North American lifestyles, there's a portrayal and expectation of indulgence. If we are to set ourselves out a sustainable path however, in what ways would it be possible to reduce our impact on the planet back and would this require less “pampering”? Given the current population being over 7 billion, we should individually be living with a “footprint” of less than 1.8 hectares – Asia currently falls within this but North American’s are utilizing over 8 hectares to allow for our lifestyles. Is it possible then for us to kick some habits and reduce to a sustainable level?

Gandhi's final resting place in Delhi

A few of his many daily visitors

Being a person who knows that I do pamper myself and have expectations of being “comfortable”, what parts would need to changed, altered or given up completely in order to start actualizing such sustainability as well as continue in the Gandhian vision of empowerment? Is this idea of indulgence and “pampering” ourselves to the extremes that we do even the culprit to our disproportionate lifestyles?  What do you think?

Port of Entry

As my week in Delhi comes to end, these days have shown such a variance in diversity.  From what I’ve seen, Delhi is a city of extremes. At times, the roads and landscape are so well manicured you forget you are even in a foreign country with the scenery seeming so familiar. Then all of sudden, you turn a corner and just as soon as your beginning to feel comfortable, you’re struck by a sudden and extreme shock that demonstrates your naivety in understanding of the realities around you.

One area that has made me feel especially naive has had to do with the bargaining and negotiation of money. Constantly having to go back and forth to try to get fair prices for rickshaws or goods has been an extremely daunting task. Even though I haven’t really had any experiences to prepare me for this, I do not seem to have a clue as to how to effectively go forth anywhere here without practically being ripped off or taken advantage of as the “typical” tourist – which is precisely how I have felt this week.

To be honest however, having a week of tourism, sight-seeing and consuming all the different attractions I can, has been a lovely way to adjust to all of the foreignness I am now immersed in and trying to understand in some sort of meaningful way. While it has had its ups and even the rare downs, this week has been a wonderful introduction to India. The people, the food, the sights, my accommodations and the fabulous company I’ve been fortunate enough to share these experiences with has all exceeded my expectations.

Looking forward to moving on to Ahmedabad in the Gujarat state today; from what I’ve heard, it’s quite different from Delhi and not a typical spot for tourists. Ahmedabad, supposedly being a far more "traditional" state, should provide many more shocking but amazing experiences!

The City of Love

Yesterday, Olu and I travelled to Agra to see the famous Taj Mahal and other breathtaking sites. Agra, known as the “City of Love” because of the Taj, is a wonderful city and quite different from the pace Delhi. It was a 4-hour drive to getting there, although we did stop for breakfast at a lovely park where we were also fortunate enough to see some incredible animals.

Breakfast of eggs, spicy potato cake, and sandwiches 

An elephant! I got to pet it :)

Adorable and talented monkey

Once we arrived in Agra, the first place we visited was Sikandra (Akbar’s Tomb). Akbar, who was an Emperor from the mid 1500’s to early 1600’s, commenced the construction of this mausoleum for himself, however, after his death, his son – Jahangir – commenced the construction. The architecture of these buildings is a combination of Hindu, Muslim and Persian.

Olu and I outside the elaborate south gate entrance of Sikandra

Standing outside Akbar's Mausoleum

The Mausoleum

Inside where Akbar's tomb lies

After exploring the grounds of Sikandra, we proceeded further into the city of Agra and made our way towards the Taj Mahal. This experience was absolutely incredible and was the biggest crowd I am yet to see in India. Not only do people all over the world come to visit this incredible ‘World Wonder’, people from all over India travel to visit this most sacred site. Built with all white marble to symbolize peace and inlaid with semi-precious stones which add the incredible details in design, the Taj Mahal is known as the “Temple of Love”. Grief stricken Emperor Shah Jahan had this mausoleum constructed for his third wife after she died giving birth to their 14^th child. This most elaborate tomb which took 20 years to construct is a true testament to love.

Entrance gate to the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal - Can you see me?

Well I can check that off my bucket list 

Olu and I 

Front of the building - if you look closely you can see the calligraphy writing around the edge 

Beautiful - you can see why its one of the Seven Wonders of the World

After leaving the Taj, we had lunch at a wonderful restaurant “Indiana” within Agra, before heading to our next, and final attraction, the Agra Fort.

Olu and I, along with our guide, head into the huge Agra Fort. Over 400 years old, this fort was built by approximately 4 generations spanning 100 years of construction. Used as a site for Emperors, the Agra Fort compliments the Taj Mahal and the two structures are keenly located across the Yamuna River from one another. 

Walking into Agra Fort

Entrance

Palace inside

Another palace inside, along with the wine garden! 

View of the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort

To top off an already wonderful day, Olu and I ran into Joanna, Tali, Warren and Julie just outside the entrance of Agra Fort!! We will all be meeting in Ahmedabad on Sunday to begin our residency, but as fate would have it,  we somehow manage to bump into each other in Agra just days before. What are the odds?

Joanne, Tali, Me, Olu, Warren and Julie 

I made it!

Its bright and early 8:15am here in Delhi. I arrived last night around midnight and finally made it to the hotel for around 2ish. There was a bit of a mix-up with my airport transportation but grabbing a taxi worked out just fine to get here. Arriving so late hasn't given me any chances to go explore the city at all so today will be my first big adventure day! Going to go meet Olu at her hotel and figure out where we'll go from there.

So far, all I've seen of Delhi was in the middle of the night but I did have a lovely breakfast this morning.

Getting Ready!

Leaving for India in less than three days... I'm now beginning to pack and am completely unsure as to what I'll need. This will be my first time out of Canada for anything more than a week-long vacation. Trying to wrap my mind around our pre-residency readings and assignments has been daunting enough but trying to figure out what the "travel essentials" are has turned out to be the more challenging task. How does a person know they are equipped with all the tools they may need for a trip abroad?

Apart from trying to figure out how many t-shirts or pairs of underpants will be adequate, I'm left with this troubling uncertainty that goes along with inexperience. Having never pushed myself in such a way, not only am I left without savvy travel tips and tricks, I'm also in a position of having no frame of reference to prepare myself for what I'm about to land into too. On Monday at 11:30pm I'll be arriving in Delhi, hopefully to the view of my hotel shuttle waiting for me. For my first few days in Delhi, it seems I will also be without a travel companion, so personal boundaries will almost certainly be pushed!

Any tips for thriving and surviving in India for this first-time lone traveller?