papa-papa razzi!

Hey all! Just a few quick updates...we're currently in Ahmedebad for day two of three! Yesterday we toured the National Institute of Design, the National Innovation Center, and then finished off the day shopping for fabrics and various other trinkets. Today we visited the Calico Museum (incredible!), visited where Gandhi spent 15 years of his life and got to learn how to spin cotton into thread. Then Casey, Peggy, Haley, and I ventured out VIA RICKSHAW to a little market in the Old City. Besides Peggy distracting a motor-scooterist and causing him to hit a man...we managed to stay safe on our own! It was quite an experience! Tomorrow we are meeting with Arvind- a denim weaving mill and then heading back to Mumbai. Sadly, Lauren will be leaving us tomorrow night and heading back to the US, but I'm sure she's about ready after her 3 months here. We've loved being able to travel with her and having her here to answer all of our many questions. She really fell in love with India this summer and her experience is truly inspiring! Be sure to check out her blog http://culturevagabond.blogspot.com/ for more!

So about this paparazzi--- We were in Mumbai for two days before Ahmedebad, and we did some touristy sightseeing to the Gateway of India and Fashion Street. We quickly learned that wherever crowds are- we are likely to be picked out of that crowd and the camera phones start clicking! We had to keep moving so that the crowds wouldn't gather, but as soon as we stopped.....they were following right behind us. Casey had a good solution of just taking pix of them back, and she managed to get some nice inspiration shots of the crazy jeans the Indian guys wear. Our trip to the mall tonight included some paparazzi as well...but also some delicious cookies and chocolate shakes!

We'll try to post more pix soon! bye for now,
~~~Christine

Hey everyone!
Christine nicely put today's adventure into the market by saying it was "quite an experience." I must be honest and say that it was absolutely insane! I feel guilty for causing unintentional distractions on the rickshaws... although I can probably blame it on Haley's blond hair (people can't help but stare her down - and the bold teenagers don't shy away from a personal pic with her!) The market is packed with everything... from goats, cows and dogs to rolling suitcases, bananas, and stuffed elephants! Rickshaws and motorcycles were coming in all directions and I was honestly holding hands with Haley to stick together. All in all, we had a great time and I will never forget this Ahmedebad market.

I am excited for Arvind Mills tomorrow. Their clientele includes GAP, Calvin Klein, and Levi Strauss!
I realized I haven't posted anything about the Taj Mahal. It was pretty incredible and I love the story behind it...how it was built out of love by the King for his wife. It is also amazing how many talented hands went into carving the marble. You see the amazing architecture from afar, but the intricate designs in the marble are just as impressive.
More later! Thanks for following!
-Peggy