Visit to the Taj Mahal

Lots more photos to come, but we were delayed 2.5 hours on the return from Agra at an Indian railway station, so a bit too late to start posting lots of photos. Our visit at the railway station was an experience - huge rats, beggers, people peeing on the platform, street chlidren everywhere and monkies. Off to Varanasi tomorrow morning and then more photos of the Taj and our visit to Varanasi.

Day 2 - Old Delhi w/ Teresa

Day 2- Old Delhi w/ Teresa

A school bus, Indian style

The narrow streets of Old Delhi

From the top of a minaret

Also from a minaret

FINALLY!!!!

Praying at a tomb in Delhi.

On the grounds of IBM New Delhi.

Rajasthan, India

I spent 2 days in Rajasthan, where I was gathering facts on 2 trafficking cases which I am preparing for litigation. It was a fascinating trip, albeit very hot (approx 120+ degrees). The below sections entitled "Explanation to Come" include photos from the trip.

Rajasthan has a big trafficking problem and there are recent reports of young girls being kidnapped and injected with cattle hormones, causing them to develop breasts earlier. They are then sold to brothels throughout India and the Middle East. Despite numerous reports, the government has not done a thing. In fact, while we were there, we met with an aspiring politician who actually turned out to be part of the problem. He was supposed to take us to meet with families who had first hand knowledge of the problem, but instead he just kind of spun as around, leading us away from any valuable information.

My supervisor (the one on the left)

With Pankaj, a lawyer in our office.

Meeting with a family re: trafficking rings.

Rajasthan.

Explanation to Come

Explanation to Come

A hospital bed in the "maternity ward." In this hospital in rural Rajasthan, doctors are seeing an increase in child pregnancy and STDs.

Note: Not all these photos were taken by me. My camera died after the first day. Erica, another intern, took some of these photos.

Explanation to Come

Friends

A photo with a few friends

(l-r) Rachel (Toronto), Sarah Jane (Cape Town), Narain (California), David (Singapore)

Misc.

The caste system is nowhere near dead in India (or for Indians abroad - see below) despite no official recognition of castes. Society is still very much divided along caste lines and they play an integral part of everything from hiring to marriage. Below is a photo I took of the section of the major newspaper here which has a section for people to advertise for marriage. According to my house father, it's a very common practice. As you can see, the section is divided according to upper castes (low castes wouldn't advertise b/c 1) many are illiterate; 2) no money to advertise 3) tradition 4)no access to newspapers/media.

I suppose this it's similar to Jdate, etc., but the Indians just cut right to the chase.

You can't see the first advert under Brahmin, but it says "Brahmin match for a girl. B.Sc, M.Sc and Ph.D from UK in cell and molecular sciences, working in Manchester University, seeks suitable boy doctor, Ph.d, scientists, engineer in U.K. , U.S. or interested to abroad. Father is Commandant in Indian Army."

2. Below are some photos of a muslim market just outside of Old Dehi. While wondering through, we heard drums beating and stumbled on a wrestling match. Not quite sure what to say or even how to explain.....

FOOD POSTING

I had some delicious food this weekend.

1 -2. This morning when I woke up, my house mother had prepared for me potato curry, chickpea masala and homemade puri (bread).

2. I visited the Kashmiri Embassy for some local food. I had lamb curry. It was great, but too spicy. I finished the meal and my head was literally drenched with sweat.

3. We went to a famous restaurant in Old Delhi named Koreams. It's been a Delhi establishment for over 100 years. We ate: 1) tandoor chicken (a whole chicken "tandoorized"), tandoori cheese , spinach and potatoes, a bread which tasted like corn bread, and seikh kebobs (minced lamb kebobs).

Old Delhi

A few photos of Old Delhi. It's a predominantly Muslim area. Very overwhelming with its crowds, but there's a beautiful mosque and excellent food. Plus, impressive markets and just a very authentic Indian feeling.

FOOD POSTING - Chicken Korma and Vegetable Nan

My first time eating chicken korma. I got it from a local place "famous" for this dish - very delicious. The nan stuffed with vegetables was also very good. If curious, here is the recipe for korma:

1 (2 1/2 pound) cut-up chicken 2 cups yogurt 3 cloves garlic 2 medium onions, chopped 1 tsp paprika 2 tsp fresh ginger, chopped 2 tsp peanut or sunflower oil2 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp ground chili 1 tsp cumin Seeds of 2 peeled cardamom pod 1 tsp poppy seed 1 tsp turmeric 1 bay leaf 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped.