Day 15

India? Please. Is it possible for you to give me a day that isn't completely incredible? Not a day goes by where I don't have a million things to write about.

Today goes down in the history book of my life as one of the most amazing, perhaps THE most amazing day of my life…

And it all started when our plans failed miserably.

Allie, Ariana, and I got all dressed up today for the first time since we have been in India. We dolled ourselves, carefully applying our makeup, fixing our hair into perfection, and adorning ourselves in a thousand accessories. Our plan was originally to do a bit of shopping, stop in at a cafe, see a dance show, and then have dinner in a fancy restaurant.

Plan one failed because it was Sunday and most of the shops were closed. Plan two went through well enough, but half way through the power went out and we had to pay for the bill by light of our cell phone. If you thought maybe the power outage would have been a clear sign to turn around and go home, then you are not as adventurous as us.

I think we have developed a sixth sense for predicting when it is going to rain, the kind of sense you can only develop after living in Vancouver WA your whole life. We had only stepped out of the cafe for a second and we all knew what was coming. The temperature hadn't changed in the slightest but the air had a distinct mugginess.

The monsoon was coming.

Of course that wasn't a clear enough sign for us to turn around either. Further we walked into the city, past a hundred closed shops, to the steps that overlook the lake palace. It was a sunny day, hot as always and aside from having slightly more water, the lake looked normal…..And just like on Friday, the sky opened up all at once, and buckets of water came crashing down, only harder and faster. Huddled under the narrow archway overlooking the lake, we watched as the sky turned dark gray, lightning streaked across the sky and the hills in the distance hid behind a blanket of mist. The steps across the lake became a waterfall, bats the size of eagles flew through the air, and a river of water drained from every corner of the city. We had the most beautiful seat in all of India to watch the monsoon.

The wind was getting harsher and despite the archway there was no way we were going to stay dry for long. We bundled our stuff up as much as we could and ran through the city in our cocktail dresses to the nearest cafe. The run lasted ten seconds max, but by the time we were in the dry cafe, we were soaking wet from head to toe.So much for getting dolled up.

Five minutes later, here comes a random rickshaw, and the five other volunteers from our house come pouring out into the same cafe.

Well at this point, we are already as soaked as we are going to be, so the eight of us ran back down to the steps of the lake palace where seven or so indian boys were playing soccer. We jumped right in with them, kicking and head butting the bright orange ball around in two inches of water as the rain continued to downpour all around us. It was just like something out of a movie. All of us, the Indian boys included, had the biggest smiles plastered on our faces.

The picture we took with the boys is the one attached above. The photo is a bit blurry because of the rain, but you can tell even through the blur that there is no where any of us would rather be than with each other in a monsoon with a PALACE in the background!

After soccer, we decided to grab some food, so we bundled up our stuff and ran though the streets of Udaipur once again. The shop keepers standing outside cheered us on, hollering even louder when Allie and I stopped to take off our shoes. Back and forth, uphill and downhill we weaved in and out of the narrow ally ways barefoot looking for a restaurant that was still open. The streets of Udaipur were gradually becoming a river, but we managed to find a restaurant.

High above the city we watched the sun go down over the Aravelli Hills, Monsoon Palace, the beacon at the top, still visible over the mist of the monsoon. Dinner was delicious and as lightning streaked across the sky every few seconds, the monsoon became another great bonding experience for the volunteers.

And the amazing night had yet to end….

On the way home from dinner, Allie Ariana and I caught a rickshaw back home…. but not just any rickshaw… a BUMPING rickshaw, a rickshaw with two huge speakers in the back, a black light, and a lights that synchronized to the music. We sang and danced all the way home to 50 cent, Katy Perry, and Lincoln Park as water from the streets splashed up along the sides of the rickshaw. Hearing the rickshaw driver belt "I Kissed a Girl" along with us had to have been the perfect way to top off the night…

… So yea… India…. here is my request…. Stop being so incredible. There is too much to write, it's hard to believe it is all real, and I might never come home.

PS. Thank you for the memorable night!