Small World

Yesterday we went to see the Taj Mahal. We rented a car (and driver) and rode about 4 hours to the city of Agra. This trip through rural areas gave us a chance to see parts of India we hadn't yet seen. There was one field where about 7-8 camels were strutting about. We saw some cement block, storage-locker looking structures, one containing nothing more than two rope beds and a hookah. Seeing the Taj Mahal with my own eyes was surreal. It made me feel the same way I felt when I saw the David in Florence. You just can't believe your eyes that you're looking at something so beautiful and legendary. As we were walking around, several, separate groups of kids came up asking to take photos with us, just because they love foreigners. It happened again today, at the Baha'i Lotus temple! After we finished our visit, we stopped at the Mughal hotel to have lunch on Tapu's recommendation. It was a delicious buffet of American and Indian foods, including (to my utter delight) rice pudding, also known as Kir. In line for the buffet I noticed an older couple in front of me speaking English and, feeling friendly, asked if they were from the States. We chitted and chatted and, long story short, they were from MAPLE GLEN. Whitehouse Road, to be exact, for those of you who don't know the area that is approximately 2 minutes from our family's house. What are the odds! I love when these coincedences happen. Adding to my affirmation that it is really a small world is hearing more and more about G's family members. There are cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc all over! Dallas, London, Dubai.. as if these places are not thousands of miles away but just right round the corner. What makes this remarkable to me is that everyone is so close. Mike and I have both been welcomed into this family with open arms. And we see how close G is to everyone, even though he only sees them every few years. Everyone travels as often as possible, is very good about keeping in touch, and it works amazingly well. In this way, no one seems very far apart. One cousin in the US, one in Europe, one in India.. no problem.