Day 2

Today was a very exciting day. In the morning we got to see the India Republic Day Parade. This parade was the most spectacular event I have ever seen. I guess you guys are reading about how Nicolas Swarkowsky was in India for the event... one-fourth of France's people followed him out here. In the section we were sitting in there were more French people than Indian people. I didn't see Swarkowsky, but I did see his Mercedes limo pass through in the parade. 

There was a float for all the states of India. These floats were AMAZING! Bihar's had a Buddhist theme. The parade was also a display of India's army's strength. They had tanks, missiles launchers, fighter jets, and lots of army personnel. That part of the parade was interesting. Vineeta and I were trying to think of the American equivalent... I don't think America has something like this? The helicopters that flew overhead shot marigolds on the crowd. There were also elephants in the parade!!!! Sorry folks, no cameras allowed. I didn't get a single picture of the amazing ceremony. 

There were thousands and thousands of people at this event. Walking back to our tourist bus was an experience. Imagine the India Day Parade in Fremont for miles and miles: that's India. The sheer amount of people everywhere is mind boggling. I'm amazed at how small Indians from India are. They are the tiniest people. At one point I was walking next to a group of women. All of the women were wearing saris and sweaters, and had their head covered. They had really parched skin and very large nose rings. I was trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. I just wanted to know what was happening in their day, today. I saw a couple of them double take at me. One of them said I was "foreign"... :)

Right now I'm in Jaipur. We're going to be sightseeing for the next two days. I'm getting ready to pass out, here!

I'll have pics tomorrow, when I can take my camera. I was so excited to videotape the parade... The amount of army personnel roaming around Dehli is actually scary. There are army guards on every corner standing with huge rifles. It doesn't really make you feel safe...