February 29, 2024

I saw the Taj Mahal and it was dope

It is week 9 of the quarter. That is kind of crazy. If I was back in Seattle, I would probably be mildly depressed from the 4 o’clock sunsets and spending six hours a day in the library.

The other day, my friend Facetimed me from Odegard stressing about her upcoming final, and I couldn’t help feeling a little guilty when she asked what was up with me, and my answer was that I just came back from a weekend visiting Jaipur and Agra in Northern India.

I am not trying to ruin the image Julian tries to create for this program, that it is a “boot camp” and that having fun is not one of the objectives; I’ll just leave it at that I was feeling pretty grateful to be standing outside the Taj Mahal instead of Odegard library.

This is not to say there haven’t been subaverage moments during this program, and I especially have been feeling the stress of the upcoming deadlines recently. However, it is moments like staring at the massive marble mausoleum for hours that reminds me how much I will miss my time here once I leave.

I remember, after one of the fall quarter GCIL prep sessions, the only thing I had written down after hours of information was, “When in India, be in India.” I wrote this down in response to hearing multiple alumni emphasize they wish they had been more present while they were in India, reminding us “Seattle will still be there.”

And so, while I sometimes feel inclined to get lost scrolling through my camera roll wishing I was back in my house with my roommates or hyper fixated on what plans I have for Spring quarter, I make it my goal every day to be present during my remaining time here.

Whether that looks like paying extra attention to the details of Bangalore streets I have walked many times, or saying yes anytime someone in passing wants to talk to me or show me something, or planning a trip to see one of the seven wonders of the world on a whim, I have found that letting go of expectations and simply going with whatever comes my way has been what makes my time here so enjoyable.

I thank the GCIL students before me because ultimately it was their advice that led me to getting to see the Taj Mahal, and it was dope (and I wish Adam could have been there).

By Phoebe