Sunday January 7th, Agra India
By Francesca Preti
Today was our fourth
day in India, and it was the most memorable one yet. We started our day off
early with a 3.5/4 hour bus ride to Agra, India, where we would be seeing the
infamous Taj Mahal! This incredible monument was built to be a mausoleum for
the wife of a Mughal emperor named Shah Jahan. Although Shah Jahan had several
wives, Mumtaz was his favorite, and he was devastated when she died after
giving birth to her fourteenth child. In her honor, he had this incredible
mausoleum built as a testament of his love. Walking inside of the Taj Mahal was
a bit rushed, as the sight attracts a large amount of visitors, but it was
really incredible to see one of the new seven wonders of the world up close.
For lunch, we stopped at a place in Agra called Sheroes
Hangout Café. This restaurant is run by survivors of acid attacks. As our food
was prepared, we watched a brief documentary on some of the women’s stories
about their attacks, and how their lives have moved forward afterwards. This
experience was one of the most moving things I have ever witnessed, as these
women were still so positive and so kind-hearted after having gone through
something so painful. It was amazing to see how the women’s lives have
progressed after their attacks, and how they have turned their painful
experiences into something positive and empowering. Two of the women working at
the restaurant sang songs for us. After we ate, the women informed us that
there are no prices for the food, and that we only pay what we wish. I think
this is a really incredible way to run a business, as they are so willing to
give to others at no determined price for themselves. A lot of us bought some things in their shop
and also donated money to their cause.
Comments
Post a Comment