Everything’s brown. That was the first thought which entered my mind when I stepped off the train and looked at my Indian hometown Malda. I had been excited for my cousin’s wedding coming up in two days, but as I looked around, my spirits dampened. Compared to sunny California, where I lived, my surroundings here seemed awfully bleak. The platform, previously the color of black cement, had become jaded with time and sprinkled with a caramel dust. The people were brown, faces tanned and covered with dirt. Their clothes were soiled with grime, all symbols of the grueling task of survival they faced daily. The autos and rickshaws, as hard as the owners tried to keep them clean, contained an ever-present hue of a coffee color. I suppressed a sigh at the uniformity. Where were the colors of India?
â–º QUARTER FINALIST 2012 TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
The temperature at noon rose to a sweltering 110 degrees Fahrenheit on the wedding day. The air was overbearingly humid, and my clothes stuck to my body uncomfortably. One of the morning rituals had involved rubbing turmeric paste on our faces and bodies to make them glow for the evening. Instead, I’d been left with a sickly yellow hue on my skin that was impossible to get rid of. I definitely was not looking forward to the wedding ceremony that evening. I did not even want to look at the extravagantly beaded and heavy, black and red salwar kameez that had been laid out for me. Flopping on my bed, I opened a book and hoped my parents would forget about me and leave by themselves. Suddenly, they rushed into the room wearing their clothes for the night. I was stunned. My mother had wrapped a vibrant red-yellow sari around herself with a matching gold necklace and a pair of radiant earrings. Even my father had donned a shiny, blue kurta rather than his usual white or black. This burst of colors was like a rainbow after a long shower. My hopes for the night instantly rose.
I dressed up and went in search of my cousin, curious to see how he looked in his wedding costume. He invited me to ride the groom’s car with him to the wedding venue, which, in India, is an honor; so I was naturally ecstatic. Suddenly, a group of large horns and noisy drums announced their presence in front of the car. My cousin told me they would be a part of the groom’s procession to the venue. I gaped. By the time we were there, the entirety of India would know that a wedding was taking place!
As we arrived there, the groom’s friends and family started to dance around the car. Individuals of all ages leaped and sang and laughed around us, enjoying the moment and celebrating the day. People on the streets joined, throwing their hands in the air and bouncing with the beat. I had never experienced such abandon or bliss. They were letting go of their daily struggles and work. They were letting go of the brown. I was beholding an entire new set of colors of India, the colors of joy and love and celebration.
My cousin emerged from the car as the king, followed by me, his awestruck loyal. Firecrackers lit up the sky. As the king went inside to meet his queen, I was swept by the colors around me. I realized that even though I’d missed them at first, they had always been there. For these unique colors lived in the Indian people. They were the true colors of India.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
1 Reply to “The Colors of Joy”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
One of the most expensive parts of the trip is the accomodations. Our family has a timeshare in Williamsburg and we get discounts on our maintenance for recommending others to stay for 3 nights at one of their 2 bedroom apartment with kitchen & take a 90 minute tour. The accomodations are great & free after you set your watch and listen for 90 minutes. Our link is on craigslist: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/vac/2518503559.html
NOTE: Yo u DON"T have to or want to buy into a timeshare, but if you do, you have 3 days to back out of it with no penalty. If you really are interested in buying, there are many foreclosures online that you can find.
After reading your post, I really feel you are truthfully experienced in explaining this. I was looking for more information about Dog Friendly Hotels, turns out I found it in your post. This post is helpful. I wait for your next update, Thanks
Bangor Maine 1 week road trip any suggestions on where to go from there. Some hiking some leisure and to the coast
We just published this great article about a road trip that starts in Bangor Maine and works its way up through New England to New Brunswick in Canada. There are a lot of things to see, and lots of activities that might interest your kids, with stops for hiking and swimming and offbeat museums.
check it out: https://myfamilytravels.com/content/47397-two-nation-road-trip-maine-new-brunswick
Awesome Story
KEEP IT UP
I looked all over google for it!! Thanks for the info..pfff! 🙂
It was an awesome story
Keep it up!!
Patricia Leal- This was a great experience in my life as a whole becuase as a young student, this helped me shape my life an become who I am today.
this is really good to know, as Im really affected by this "Solo Parents, Grandparents and Guardians can satisfy legal requirements before crossing international borders with these Permission to Travel And Consent forms.
regards by
Tenant Screening –
http://www.rentalprotectionagency.com/tenant-screening.php
The content of your article is realy very attractive, if some one likes to play with snow then this is the right place to enjoy holiday with family or alone specially for children ,most of the children like to play with snow & this is a beautiful place gifted by nature.
Regards,
http://www.shockgarden.com/activities-snowboard.html — helmets snowboard
I am completely agree with your views.Traveling by bicycle is a fantastic way to see Europe, which has a bicycle friendly culture.
Regards, padded shorts
This trip definitely sparked my ambition in life. Enjoy reading!
Good info. Luckily, I reach on your website by accidentally, I bookmarked it.
Regards
Hope you enjoy my story about my favorite family vacation!
I am sharing this with my spouse. Maybe this will get him interested with me again. Things have been a little boring lately, hopefully this will change that.
http://www.newportsliprentals.com
I’m impressed. Very informative and trustworthy blog does exactly what it sets out to do. I’ll bookmark your weblog for future use.
Reign http://www.joeydavila.com
What should the letter of consent say if I, a single parent, am taking my daughter to Germany, but then crossing other borders into bordering countries on our vacation? I may not know specifically what other countries we will be visiting until we get into Europe (we are staying with friends in Germany and they will be taking us around Europe for a bit).
It's best to be as specific as possible, because these letters include the dates and destinations for your trip. We would suggest that you note the full date range (from… to ….. and make it a bit longer just in case), then you put down as many countries as you think are possible. List Germany and all the contiguous countries and add a few more, better more than not mentioning one you will visit.
Also, you should carry 2 notarized copies of the Permission to Travel Letter (put one with your passport to show at Immigration and flight check-in; keep the 2nd one in the child's luggage in case you lose one or an Immigration official wants to keep it). Enjoy your trip!
Great travel guide and form description for new travelers.. helps a ton..
The eco-friendly vacations are really innovative thought! I have not heard such type of vacations before. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.paradiseresort.in – Hotels in alibaug
Thanks for sharing the information.I think this place can be plays a perfect
holiday destination role. I will discuss with my friends and make a plan to visit there….
http://www.adventuresboatrentals.com – Cruises Newport Beach
You can not even being imagine how i am happy to know this..Definately I will go there with my family in comming summer vacatin holiday. and ai will enjoy with my family and childs. thanks of lot for let me know this….
Excellent blog! I definitely love how it’s easy on my eyes as well as the facts are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which need to do the trick! Have a nice day!
I just turned 16 and am a make-a-wish kid. I am SO excited!!! I have dealt with a primary immune deficiancy my whole life, been a "lab rat", been on Death's doorstep so many times that I know he hates it when you ring the doorbell and run, and (because of missing so much school when I was young) have a harder time getting along with kids my own age than those younger/older than me. I get to leave on August 3rd, and will be staying at GKTW in FL whilst going to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Seaworld. It feels like a dream, and if it is, DO NOT WAKE ME UP!!!!! I am thanking God daily for all the blessings he has given me; my new sister and her continued health, my fudge-like family (awesome, sweet, and full of nuts, and so much more. B>)
Thanks for posting this Info on GKTW. I haven't found anything like this anywhere else!
Cycling is one of the most popular sports of most of the people. If you are among those you probably need padded shorts to protect your subsequent parts and reduce the level of discomfort by acting as a protective layer between the bike seat and you.
http://www.shockgarden.com/activities-bmx-padded-shorts.html — Padded shorts
Turkey is a land of myth, a cradle of civilizations, a canvas of nature's most aesthetic bounties & a confluence of varied streams of culture. Owing to its favourable position, Turkey is the bridging nation between the East & West (Europe & Asia) & therefore boasts a spicy blend of oriental & modern, splendor & sleekness, which makes diversity its other name. In Turkey every visitor can find something for themselves. The world class cuisine, vibrant cities, warm hospitality, recreational facilities, historical attractions, cultural heritage, over 8000 km's coastline & an unparallel natural beauty make Turkey an irresistible holiday destination for independent or group travelers…
http://www.exclusivetravelturkey.com
excellent article very informative on specially the remedies are very useful to prevent the disease
I love cruising, and I love the Norwegian Epic! I find great Cruise Deals from http://www.cheapcruiseshipdeals.com for ideas – and when I'm ready to book!
It is great to have the opportunity to read a good quality article with useful information on topics that plenty are interested on holiday destination. Its really a nice holiday destination where anybody can relax with natural beauty.
Regards,
http://www.adventuresboatrentals.com – Cruises Newport Beach
San Miguel de Allende is a truly magnificent location, and is becoming a locale of choice for American and Canadian expats. There is a highly developed infrastructure that supports a very large and sophisticated English speaking community here. Culture abounds, and there is extremely active social calendar. There are easily forty or more art galleries in town. The climate is among the best, with warm, dry temperatures year round. Real estate here is among the most beautiful in the world, and your dollar can buy you so much more house than in North America. I lead exciting home buyer trips to San Miguel. Join me on one of these exciting tours to view and buy real estate in San Miguel.
http://www.livinginsanmiguel.com
I think eating more vegetables will be better for health !!!
The road trips are always a good experince. In road trips we not only enjoy holiday destinations but the journey is also an amazing experince. I think the roadtrip with kids teach them various things around them.
http://www.paradiseresort.in — Hotels in alibaug
I know this is an older post, but I just saw it. My kids are 6, 7 and 15 and old pros at road trips. I LOVE road trips and have been known to take "road trip" vacations in which no video games/dvds/electronics are allowed and we pack the tent (to save money on hotels) and just drive to random spots and camp out along the way. If you pack a cooler it can be an affordable vacation if you only pay for gas, food from the supermarket and a few odds and ends. Historic landmarks, national parks, or places like Washington D.C. are full of fun cheap spots to bring the kids! My kids love this and handle being in a car forever very well, we play games, sing, talk, etc. Plus we aren't afraid to take deters and go see things like the worlds biggest chair! It's a bunch of fun!
Sounds like you know how to have fun, and like your kids really get along well. that's the biggest challenge we find in a long trip with a crowded backseat. When everyone starts to 'express' themselves it can get hairy!I love the idea of picking random spots to camp out in. You must be really resourceful!
I love the idea of picking random spots to camp out in. You must be really resourceful!
thanks for sharing your experiences very inspiring!
Kyle —
Great color commentary — and congrats to Ron. Can't wait to see the film (but I guess I'll have to …)
Chris VandenHeuvel
Taking children with you when you travel all over the word can be a hassle. I have had to do it myself on occasion. When my family and I were looking into moving (http://www.angieslist.com/moving/) over seas for work, it became even more difficult getting the documentation together. Though once you have al of the paperwork squared away you can save it again for another time.
Did you know that in a new survey released that Denmark had emerged as the world’s happiest country. you might include this in your itinerary for visiting other countries
I hope that the judges that will be reading this essay will really reconsider to travel to Egypt sometimes in their life.
There are lots of great information.There are so many destinations I’d love to visit.My dream vacation would be to New York.Perhaps the world's top shopping spot, the Big Apple hardly needs an introduction. Fifth Avenue. Madison Avenue. Soho. Times Square. The list of stellar shopping destinations and famous names is almost endless, so pack light and stock up on everything from electronics to vintage clothes while you're there.
The town of Pigeon Forge is great for evening entertainment as it boasts comedy, music, and magic shows, as well as shops and restaurants.
While deciding a family -friendly vacation destination,one has to take in a account each member's preferences and concerns.Do not get confused we will aid your the right way.
Rome is famous in terms of cultural heritage, ancient history, arts and crafts and cuisines. If you are planning to visit Rome click this site http://www.seapyramid.net to get a better idea of what this city actually means.
Tiffannie
http://www.seapyramid.net
My childrens mother gave my 8 and 9 year old daughters to me to raise 2 years ago. She hasn't seen them in 2 years. She wants a 2 week visit with them in another state. I need a form to have her sign to make sure she returns the children to me by a certain date.
if I were you…I would be making the "Mom" come to her children for a visit NOT the other way around. The kids should not be put out by her especially if they havent seen her in 2yrs.
I certainly enjoyed the way you explore your experience and knowledge of the subject! Keep up on it. Thanks for sharing the info
http://theworldcurrentaffairs.blogspot.com — The World Current Affairs
I stayed at http://www.premierinnhotels.co.uk/County-Hall-London-premier-inn-hotels.php — County Hall Premier inn — on my visit to London last month. It was in a great location. Was nothing fancy but I only needed it to sleep and store my things! Thanks for the other reviews, might book at a nice Hotel for one night on my return in September 2011.
It has been an informative article very useful and helpful many people have to face trouble in making passport
Really Northern Florida is lovely place and its Attractions are attracts to people towards it.Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. Your website is very useful.
The blog is really informative. The idea of having such wish granting resort for children is appreciating.Those who have children with life threating illness can make their children happy by visiting this. The services the resort provides seems to be very good.
The octopool in the pink shell beach resort and spa is really interesting.It would be really nice experince to visit the resort.
Always bring a small container of new little toys and a little treat for each child to have in the car or on the plane.
We do this with our sons…we purposely get some new toys and treats that fit into a small container so it is easy for them to carry it on their own. The novelty of new little things keeps it fab fresh and fun for them, which keeps it peaceful and happy for my hubby and me. A little bag of crackers or cookies, a small bottle of water, and a few little toys to play with keeps them happy. If we fly, we even try to find some gum that they may not have had before, as it keeps it interesting for them to try something new.
Love reading all of the great tips!
Colleen
@F5th on Twitter and Sunrise Learning Lab is my blog:)
It's best to give kids the best experience they could have in their lives. Great page iNdeed. thanks for sharing.
http://www.averagecostinsurance.com — average insurance
San Antonio has so many fun family places like Seaworld and Six Flags,but dont forget the Lone Star Hall of Horns. My kids loved it.
rsvp cant wait !!!@alongcamemary1
i lik them helpin ppl out wit wat they need to do
I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog.
Family travel is a great fun.
We shall be judged more by what we do at home than what we preach abroad. What made you want to look up abroad?
Share thoughts here in this site
Christina http://www.bailerbin.com