Mid-Trip Moods

If I were to tell you that an Indonesian woman was climbing all over my back this morning, would you believe me?

Ansana spa's soothing back massage at the Trident in Delhi was the perfect end to a wonderful week tour of the golden triangle (Jaipur, Agra, Delhi). Following the massage, mani/pedis were top priority before re-exposing our feet to the bug infested, sandy floors of all that is MICA.

Leave Trident. Back to reality. Arrived at the airport on time only to find out that our flight to Ahmedabad is experiencing a 3-hour delay.

What was an amazing day has been compromised by a few hours at the Delhi airport. More to come on our last day in Delhi when my feet are on the ground with spirits lifted.

Calm, cool and collected, the SMU crew landed in Ahmedabad for the second time, gathered our belongings and hopped into the tiger bus. (The name our MICA bus touts due to the infamous tiger sticker strategically placed on a side view mirror). 3:30 a.m. arrival at the glorious campus. Greeted by meowing peacocks.

I unpacked as soon as we walked through the door due to my OCD-esque personality, skyped some people I love and ahhhh...I can finally breathe.

Until tomorrow.

New Delhi: Take Two

Agency Pics
Day two of agency visits in Delhi: DDB Mudra and IMRB.

Just some things I've learned along the way...

Culture Shock: Part Deux

• Power failures that no one notices but us, Americans at agency visits, class, restaurants and even during turndown service.
• Instead of receiving change for a purchase, coins may be subbed for chewing gum.
• It is believed by many traditional Indian families that fathers who take money from their daughters, at any age, will not be a human in the next life.
• Head nods are opposite, meaning yes is a horizontal, bobbing movement, leaving us all lost in confusion after ordering ice cream only to get back an American signal for "no." 
• No problem means it's not really my problem, but I will see what I can do.
• It is illegal for a doctor to notify parents of the sex of an unborn child.
• Dowry.
• 35 percent of the Indian population is illiterate.
• Women hold hands down the street in friendship, as do men of all ages (Believe it or not, these men are not homosexual, but simply affectionate). In some pictures, I have tried to capture some of these moments because it's one of the most amazing acts of humanity I've ever seen. Whether it be teenage boys walking home from school with arms on each other's shoulders or grown men holding hands on their way to work. It's a beautiful thing to see, and while I know American men (Kyle...Dave...Daddy) reading this will not understand, but it really is remarkable. 
• On a similar note, in South India, applications have recently began including a third gender leaving gender options to be M, F, and T (transgender).
• Truckers sleep outside on cots when they need to pull over for a night's rest
• 30 percent of teachers are absent for their own classes, most work two or more jobs and are attending priority positions instead of teaching the youth. (Note: There is 1 teacher for every 441 students).
• There are 11 million new people looking for work each year in India.
• 40 percent of Indians live on less than $2 a day.
• Population 1.3 billion with 50 percent of that population under the age of 25.
• 330 million gods
• Only 1/3 of India has irrigation, leaving rural areas and food almost totally dependent on rain.
• Less than 1 percent of the population has insurance!
• Only 1 percent penetration of PC, yet it is the software capital of the world. 
• "Anything you say about India is true--and so is the opposite"

To an infinite of unknowns and the beauty of knowledge.

Enjoy.

Love and miss you all so much.

18 days.

Social Responsibility is Real

Advertising in a nation whose poverty runs so deep, at such a tremendous level that is unbelievable until actually experienced seems like a paradox wrapped up in a pretty little box. And yet, our itinerary is full of day tours to international ad agencies whose advertising efforts are successful, award winning and revolutionizing India as a brand. After meeting with Wieden + Kennedy, Delhi offices, I have a deeper and rich understanding of what is taking place in the Indian market place and how it is impacting the entirety of the population and the world.

As our presentation at W+K ensued, a collective ambition and the passion of advertising as an institution to help the good of all India radiated through the speaker. He reminded us that as we were sitting in an air-conditioned conference room clutching our over-sized coffee mugs, there were starving children, begging mothers and an entire nation lacking proper infrastructure and basic human needs such as shelter, clean water and hygiene. However, he assured us that each and everyday there are people who are aware of the bleeding situation and advertising has the social capability to assist and address this situation through a new wave of social responsibility--from agencies to CSR and sponsorships for local parks, school and restoration, it is a ground up operation. 

And yet, another inspiring day.

More Delhi Pics

Survived.

Train from Agra to Delhi. Survived. Barely held on without the impending breakdown. I'm sure that will come after landing in Dallas. Imagine a child with only one leg, scooting and hopping along the outdoor train station. Staring Indian men, women and children wondering who you are and what you're doing in their county. Once on the train, you try to make eye contact with no one, but somehow it happens again, and again. Thank God for Alvey and her maternal ways, creating a safe haven for first-time Indian travelers during times of overwhelming uncertainty. Mass chaos and an indescribable fear that is not, or rarely found in America.

Arrive in Delhi at the amazing Trident resort. Dinner. Wine. Sleep. Breakfast. Tour. Pictures to come.

Sleepy with an early side of morning. First Delhi agency visit begins at 8 a.m.

To novel experiences and humble appreciation.

Taj Mahal

At sunrise, I visited the most beautiful man-made structure in all of its glory. Arriving at the Taj Mahal at 5:30 a.m. was incredible. At first glimpse of the Taj, my eyes start to moisten because of the pure beauty that is and behind the meaning of the mausoleum. Many do not know, and I myself included until today, that the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum for the former king's wife. After bearing him many children, 14 to be exact, she died in childbirth as her husband promised to build her a structure so exquisite that it would never be surpassed by any other man-made figure. It is made entirely of marble with hints of color that are actually semi-precious stones, not paint.

As you approach the entrance of the Taj, you can see the middle of the structure waiting for you to share its enormous amount of energy. Walk even closer and the entire temple is exposed, leaving you to wonder, "Is this real?" It's beauty is so immense, so uncapturable, I hope these pictures do it some justice. Sunrise illuminated the Taj so that beams bounded off the marble, picking up hints of gold, yellow, pink and even the purest of whites.

Inspiration. Immeasurable beauty. A new perspective.

Enjoy.

Taj Mahal Pictures

Kingfisher and Elephants--Only in Jaipur

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I, Sarah Nicole Skelnik, hopped on top of a giant elephant today. Don't believe me? See for yourself! Today was the first day I felt a little under the weather. I'm pretty sure the culprit was not eating for 2 weeks at MICA campus then going to Jaipur's 5 star hotel dining room and filling up on the buffet.

On the road to Agra. Before we depart on our next adventure, the unreliable ATM and chemist had to be visited. Sinus infection, stomach problems, my unfortunate 24 hour headache have been bittersweet additions to this heavy, yet inspiring trip.

Yesterday was fun-filled, and maybe even a little bit too filled with excursions and tours of temples, bathing pools and palaces. Starting at 7:45 a.m. was prime for touring since the Indian sun was hiding behind the morning. However, around 2 p.m. dizziness surrounded me, which was probably caused by a mix of dehydration and lack of a wholesome diet. Don’t get me wrong, yesterday was an absolute blast. From an elephant ride with Rennie to drinking Kingfisher in the Raj Mahal Palace resort, it was a day none of us will ever forget.

Elephants and Other Adventures

Imagine a fort at the top of a giant hill, and as you look down a giant herd of 10 foot, 4 ton, brightly painted elephants. We had to climb steps up to the place where we would climb on top of this beautiful, rare creature. Wishing his name was Babar (haha, Kyle), his keeper said his name was Yao-something. It was a very Asian name and I couldn’t even pronounce it, yet remember it. With every step of the elephant below us, our entire seat would shift until I had Rennie almost in my lap. Wonderful pictures were taken along the way by my new friend, Lucky—the youngest paparazzi I know. Around 10-years old, I think (it’s hard to tell children’s ages here because they’re so malnourished) his day job consisted of taking wonderful pictures that captured the ride. I bargained with him and only bought 1 out of his 5 photographs for 50 rupees, roughly a little over a dollar--forever priceless.

After our elephant adventure, we were all feeling rather daring, so we proceeded to the monkey palace, where I actually fed a monkey! His little, human like hand reached out as I did, then gently took a peanut from me as if I were handing it to anyone. They took over the temple, thus where Monkey Palace received its obvious name. Baby monkeys clung to their mother’s necks, and I was reminded of Lou dog. Although they had no real resemblance, they were teeny tiny, brown and absolutely adorable—just like Lou. Cascading the steps, we heard laughing and playful shouting. However, we would soon find out it was a bathing pool for all ages—some women, mainly old and shameless, actually stripped down, too. (Not pretty).  We went right back down those steps pretty quickly. Most of us felt very uncomfortable in this setting.

During the day, shopping was always part of the routine. Markets are found on nearly ever block, but we were directed to an art/jewelry/textile market by our tour guide, VJ. As we walked into the market, art and jewelry were on display with their designers sitting behind their masterpieces. With great pride, an artist who was honored by the Prime Minister and Price Charles, with photos to prove it, sat a few of us down to look through his work. Pure Indian art, with culture that jumped right off of the rice paper. The artist used gold leaf paint, which is real 24-carat combined with a mix of other elements to make the piece shimmer. (Later, while visiting the King’s palace, the walls and entire ceiling were covered with this same illumination, 24-carat gold paint). Exquisite.

A full day ended with pool side drink service at the Jai Mahal Palace, our hotel for the past 2 nights. Off to dinner to soak it all in before an early rise and tour bus ride to Agra, our next adventure city. There, we will finally see the one, the only, majestic Taj Mahal.

Pack up. Breakfast. Check out of Raj Mahal Palace. On the tour bus. Agra, here we come.

Arrived in Agra. iPhone does not work. Not sad because I’m wearing my awesome new ring and Glee just so happens to be on TV in our room. Dinner with the SMU crew at 7:30.

It will be an early 5 a.m. morning to see the Taj in all of its glory.

To adventures at the Taj.

I ♥ Jaipur

Flight from Ahmedabad to Jaipur: Short with a side of turbulence. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our private drivers in a huge, air-conditioned and CLEAN tour bus. YAY! Checking in our hotel was an attraction in itself. We were greeted with red dots and freshly cut flowery leis into a marbly decorated foyer of the Raj Mahal Palace. That's right...palace. Aquamarine rooms with tile floors and oversized king beds are a drastic change of scenery from what we have been accustomed to at MICA. And, did I mention hot water in the shower? We dropped off our bags and proceeded to begin our Jaipur journey. First stop: a beautiful marble temple.

Vibrant colors and hundred of people were at the other end of our camera lenses. With so much to see and so little time, it was up to our knowledgable tour guide to show us to the nearest site. Since our arrival into Jaipur was a bit late, the group opted out of sight seeing until tomorrow only to find ourselves at one of the finest jewelry stores in all of Jaipur! Without the help of my wonderful father, I myself haggled with Vismay until I finally and happily purchased a diamond/topaz ring. Not only did I get to pick out the ring, but I also got to wander downstairs inside the shop to see it reshaped, set and made exactly to my own liking. (Pictures to come, but it was absolutely amazing).

Dinner. RED WINE. Magic show at the Taj. Laughter. Hotel room. Simply amazed.

Tomorrow awaits. To Sunday elephant rides.