Emily+Da

Hello! I am Emily. Right now, I am in India at the Taj Mahal hotel, the same hotel William Bixby stayed in during his visit to India in 1923. What a beautiful country this is! So much to see and so much to do. No wonder Bixby enjoyed his stay so much!

Day 1 - Bombay - Taj Mahal hotel

This morning, I awoke to young children shouting and laughing gaily in the streets. Sweat was beading on my forehead and arms; India is just as hot in the morning as it is anytime. As I rise slowly from my cot in my hotel room, I see in time the glorious sunrise, staining the Indian sky with too much color; pink, orange, purple. In front of it, the Taj Mahal, standing tall and proud. Today, I plan to get a closer look at this wonder, while I go siteseeing through the city of Bombay; more commonly known as Mumbai. I went for a drive about two hours after I woke up. I ate breakfast in the hotel lobby and I washed up because I was sweating like crazy. I went along the sea, it's water gleaming so beautifully in the suns morning rays. Soon enough, I got to Malibar Hill and the water supply that has a small park right on top of it. This is called a floating garden. The flowers that were assembled neatly in the middle of green ferns and trees stood out like sore thumbs, fully alive in their extended ranges of pinks and purples. Reluctantly, I climb back into my rented car and drive away toward my cozy hotel room and hotel for lunch.

Day 2 - Bombay - Taj Mahal hotel

Awaking much better than yesterday, I planned to go on another drive today. Maybe I'll go back to the floating garden. Oh, the colors and beauty it posesses. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. I see the Taj Mahal in the near distance as I make my way to my rental car once again. The palace is not but a sillouette in the dim moring light; the sun is hiding behind some clouds at the moment. As I drive along the road, I see a large crowd of people gathered around 3 full-grown elephants. What a marvel! I parked on the sidewalk and saw a "Free Rides" sign next to the largest elephant of all. I pushed my way through and the man who was running this event helped me on to the large mammal. "This is Shanndi," the man said. "Shanndi is the great granddaughter of the elephant who had the great honor of carrying Mr. William Bixby himself." I was astounded. Who would have thought I would get an oppurtunity like this? Exciting as this may be, I got off, thanked the man and drove back to my hotel. "This experience was amazing!" I thought. "William Bixby must have had just about a great time as I did!"