Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

Growing up, I was always taught that "Actions speak louder than words." Generally, I believe this idea. However, when walking down a busy street in Agra filled with merchants of carpets and jewelry and fabrics vying for your attention, under the midday sun with around eighty percent humidity, "words" definitely speak louder -- especially international ones. It may have been the depressed look of the man perched in front of the shop, or maybe the little kid urinating just to the side, but something told me refreshment was still to be found elsewhere. After being entranced by the Bollywood-style soda commercials earlier that day, I was ready to dance my way into a cold refreshment anywhere. Eventually, I remember finally finding a stand with suspiciously open bottles of "Thumbs-Up" cola, but what struck me most was the slogan of the season: "Badal do Zamana!" meaning "Change The World!" Curious that a simple word would call me to action in India.