Agra

My internship has been going well, and I have observing the programs that CFI runs. They are all really interesting and seem to be making an impact on these kids lives. The slums that I have been going to are a lot different than the ones that I saw in Mumbai. One of them was very crowded and the homes were very small, maybe the size of a single dorm room for a family of four. I am in the process of writing my big paper, and I met with my advisor yesterday and he's the type of person than hates structure. So this paper is basically going to be my reflection and thoughts along with trying to write a paper that would be satisfactory for back home if I ever needed it- not gonna happen. He doesn't want quotes from other readings pulled in, and it will basically be one long journal entry ending with whether or not I think the NGO is doing a good job and what they can do better. AWESOME

This past weekend five of us went to Agra, and one of my friends dad came as well! He treated us the whole weekend which was really nice, and the monuments we saw were beautiful. The Taj is unbelievable. It is made completely out of marble and has intricate carvings and in-laid work, and all of the in-laid work is made with semi-precious stones- basically really expensive! We also saw the Agra fort which reminded me a lot of the Amber Fort in Jaipur- i think they were done around the same time. We also saw Fatehpur Sikri which is an abandoned city 30km outside Agra. It took 15 years to make and then everyone left and went to Agra. It is thought that they left because there was no water, but normally thats the first thing you look for in a city, so it is kind of a mystery. We flew into and out of Delhi and didn't really see much of it which is fine, I feel like it is mostly government buildings anyways.

Ok thats all for now, I am spending the weekend in Pune and will be writing furiously!

Peace