A Taste of India
After 20 hours of flying the wheels were released from the underbelly of the plane and rolled down the tarmac - I was finally in India. The sun streamed down and baked my skin as I walked through Colaba, Mumbai, admiring the architecture that gazed at the Arabian Sea. A slow breeze teased me with moments of cool relief.
White marble shined from the light of the rising sun while birds tweeted their morning song. Once the beauty of the Taj Mahal sank in, I thought about the woman it was built for. The one taking her eternal rest just below my feet.
Surrounded by red sandstone structures, I admired where Indian and Islamic architecture merged in the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. Whispers drifted with cool air that sailed through the buildings; a tale of three palaces Emperor Akbar built for his favorite wives. Agra’s antiquity reminded me that there is always more history to be learned.
Surat surrounded me with lush greenery and a fresh aroma that danced in the air. Rani pink flowers swayed in a soft breeze through the window. I sat still while a woman decorated my fingers and palms with mehndi (henna). My eyes traced the lines being stained on my skin.
The hued homes of Goa proved that bright colors are not solely meant for cotton dresses. Oranges, yellows, and reds danced through the streets to the rhythm of the waves crashing nearby. A feni cocktail tiptoed across my taste buds as I watched the sea become restless and the skies turned. I could only scratch the surface of India during my trip, but the tiny taste of this vast country has left me hungry for more.
