We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already, we have the power to imagine better. -JK Rowling

We went to the towns of Chikli and Valsar to run some errands and see some relatives.  Chikli had a lot of alleys of shops that made me think that I had stepped onto the Indian version of Harry Potter's Diagon Alley.  It was very odd to see tiny little shops of random things spread out amongst high-end clothing stores, but that is basically how India is.  Everything is mixed together.  You will see a shanty-town right across the street from an expensive hotel, a fruit stand across from a skyrise, a metal heap next to a well kept mansion.  The disparity that exists between classes is existent everywhere you look.  It is really disheartening.

My parents have taught me and Ziz to be aware of the situation that we came from, having servants and being completely taken care of when we were toddlers, to moving to America to a one-bedroom apartment.  We saw our parents work incredibly hard and make many personal sacrifices so that he and I could go to private universities and graduate.  Through the years they have gained stability in their careers and now they are very fortunate to have their own home and are able to help others who are starting off in the way that they did.  So with that mindset of knowing the human struggle,  I feel even more when I see the poverty that is around me on the streets.  I wish there was more that I could do.  It's more than a wish.  It's an urge, it's a calling that I've been feeling more and more lately.  I have to do something to help others in this world.  I can't just stand by anymore.

One of the things that attracted me to Akhtar in the first place was his drive to volunteer his time and his money to better the situations of others.  I hope that after we're married, we're able to do more than we have done and make some kind of a dent in the problems that we see.  Here's to giving of ourselves and strengthening our souls.

Alley in Chikli

A vegetable stand in between clothing stores

Mom and Mom's sister-in-law at a fruit stand.  They had apples, oranges, green grapes, and purple grapes, and an Indian fruit called jumrook, which is what my aunt is buying.

Indian Candy!  Indian Snickers does not taste the same as American Snickers and the size makes the American normal size look obese.  The Indian Cadbury is pretty much the same as the UK Cadbury.  The others I haven't tasted yet.  Though, it's just a matter of time before they end up in my tummy.

Marshlands of Valsar

Sun setting over the Arabian Sea, on our way home from Valsar