When we got to the airport there was a really long line. Anita told us that the amount of people that pass through this airport in a week is equal to the population of Switzerland. Mind boggling!
As we stepped through the metal detectors, we were a little stressed. People weren't following an exact line system so people kept cutting in line- but Anita was watching out for us and promptly straightened out the situation! #GoAnitaGo
At the airport, we ate some really great muffins, Pizza Hut, KFC, and McDonalds which made us and our tummies super happy. Sofia and I both got two muffins and then decided to get Pizza Hut because we were still hungry. There was a slight muffin incident between Olivia H and Caroline (they are still fighting about it next to me as I'm typing right now)... We are all now all aware of how thangry (thirsty + angry) Olivia H gets.
On the plane we all watched half of movies because it was so short (45 minutes!). Also the flight was not crowded so we got to all sit together.
When we got to our hotel we all hung out and played a fun game of catch phrase. We all bonded and laughed and it was great to laugh until we were crying.
After our little break we went to Khalsa Chief Diwan Orphanage, a Sikh all boy orphanage. We listened to an presentation about how the Khalsa Orphanage supports 330 boys, ages 5-17, from donations ands from the Sikh community. This community really understands the importance of community The orphanage was nothing like we expected! Everyone is welcome regardless of caste or class. The boys receive clothing, food, shelter, and education. Each students prepares to be a self sustaining, contributing member of the community. The blind students learn Braille and music in order to find work in the gurdwaras in Amritsar after the graduate.
We got to visit the classrooms and talk to the students about what they were learning. They would greet us, laugh and smile, proud to show us their work. We even got to take a few pictures and were excited to show the boys the pictures.
A lot of them didn't speak English but our guides and the teachers and volunteers helped us communicate. One class was learning advanced math - we told them that Frances was in a hard math class and the boys kept repeating it.
We also went into their tablet lab. It was fascinating to hear about a project that students were working on in collaboration with a company based in California to create programs that reinforce math concepts. The study is researching with computer math programs can increase individuated instruction and enhance learning.
Finally, we were fortunate enough to hear a performance by a group of talented musicians. These young men were learning music and Braille in preparation for life outside the orphanage. Their music moved us to offer a humble rendition of, "Now I Walk In Beauty" without the round. They seemed impress, but to be honest, we were kind of struggling. We did however get to see first hand what Mrs. Pagenstecher means when she says that music is an universal language.
After returning to the hotel, we ate lunch. We rested and watched Harry Potter or took really nice naps.
Our deep slumber was interrupted by the other half of the group entering and singing/yelling (we were unamused). We went to the lobby where we happened upon an Indian wedding that was taking place outside the hotel. They noticed us watching and invited us to their wedding! It was so beautiful and they were so kind and welcoming to all of us. They also explained some key aspects of Sikh wedding rituals to us, which was interesting.
We then took our bus as far as we could and transitioned to auto rickshaws or tuk tuks and horse drawn buggies to the Golden Temple.
After an orientation, we toured the inside of the Golden Temple which was beautifully decorated with gold and red drapes. There was music, prayer and everyone seemed so devout in their faith. Our guides were amazed at how quickly we were able to enter the Inner Sanctum of the Golden Temple because usually it takes three hours, as it is the most sacred of all Sikh holy sites.
Our visit ended with a tour of the area where communal meals are served. All visitors visitors to the temple, Sikh and non- Sikh, rich and poor are invited to share meals morning m, noon and night. We were amazed to learn that this spirit of equality and communion is central to the three pillar of Sikhism, believe in God, prayer, and service. We all agreed that we had never experienced anything quite like it.
At sunset, we took rickshaws back to the hotel and, despite the traffic, it was super fun and not stressful at all. However, we all agreed that if we had to drive one we would crash in two seconds.
After our fun adventures we finished up the day with dinner, a delicious desert called jalebi, and vanilla ice cream (I am having my third serving of as I type this).
We are having tons of fun in India! Shoutout to all our fans, we miss you guys!
-Sydney R. and Olivia H.
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