We are leaving India tomorrow, and I want to tell you about a few of my favorite things. I really liked going to Ranthamboure National Park on safari. We saw tigers, a mama and two cubs. The cubs were really cute! We also saw antelope, deer, birds, peacocks, monkeys and jackals. The park used to be a hunting ground for the Maharaja and the landscape was rocky with a ridge on each side. We were in a Maruti Gypsy, which is basically a long Suzuki Sidekick. It was an 8-seater open jeep with four-wheel drive. We needed it because we went up 60 degree hills and over a lot of rocks and bumps. If we were in the larger Mitsubishi Canter, what we originally booked, then we wouldn’t have gotten close enough to see the tigers. We saw the tigers down in a valley lying on a rock. We got stuck a couple of times in the jeep, but we got out. On our second ride, our driver was driving like a maniac!
All over India, people ride in tuk tuks. They are little, three-wheeled, one cylinder cars that carry passengers in the back seat. The sides are open and they are driven like a motorcycle. We rode in them all the time. I like them because you always felt like you were tipping over, like the best ride at Six Flags!
There were also a lot of very full trucks that had bags hanging off the sides and back like enormous pillow cases. The company that makes all the trucks is called Tata and I liked the trucks because they were really big, colorfully decorated and said “Horn Please” on the back.
It was an adventure taking trains in India. We also visited the National Rail Museum in Delhi. We almost missed our first train in Delhi because the station was so big and the train was about 40 cars long. We didn’t know which one to go in! Once we found it, we got on and it was a sleeper car. It was fun to lie on the top bunk while we rode. We were in there with two other Indian guys and we talked to them a little. They were nice.
Our last stop in India was the Taj Mahal in Agra. We went to see it at sunrise. The marble dome weighs more than 12,000 tons. It was large and beautiful and sits on a river. Last year, they cleaned two tons of trash out of the Yamuna river because President Obama was supposed to visit. He couldn’t come in the end because the Saudi Arabian king died and he went to the funeral instead. But now the river looks really nice! I’d like to tell them to clean it up more often. And the rest of the cities, too, which are full of trash on the streets. They really shouldn’t litter. They need to stop honking, too. It’s going to make them deaf.
That’s the highlights of our time in India. Our next stop is Kenya, Africa. I sure would like to hear from my friends about how you are doing, so please comment below and tell about living at home right now. I miss you!
Out of our Comfort Zone to Explore the World 
Bays says we are about to do our school play on Friday. It is about hats. I have my last basketball game this morning. My team is undefeated. Have fun in Africa. Please tell us about the animals you see.
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Hi Bay! Good luck at your basketball game. What a great season! Miss you. Love, Luke
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Hey Luke! This is Reese. We have just started baseball this week. We are plying machine pitch and have practice this morning. I’m about to go throw the baseball with my dad. We miss you!
Hey Luke!
This is Charlie. Those pictures are so cool! I wish I could go to the Taj Mahal house. Our play is coming up on March 4. It’s about hats. Reese and I are baseball players, and Jonathan is the umpire. For spring break, we’re going to ski in Colorado. I can’t wait to see the big mountains and snow! I wish I could do a trip around the world like you. Hope you’re having fun!
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Hey Reese and Charlie! Have a great time skiing on spring break and good luck in the play! Love, Luke
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Hey Luke! This is Mrs richardson – it sounds like you are having a great time traveling! ! We are one week away from spring break but it isn’t very warm here. The spartan baseball team had their first game this week and they won! The uga baseball team is playing too and starting off pretty good. The spartan soccer team is also off to a good start ( but mrs. Bill mayer can tell you more about that!)
I love the pictures you posted and especially like the different animals you have seen. Africa will be full of amazing animals so I can’t wait to hear what you find there! Be safe and tell your mom and dad hi from me!!
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Hi Mrs. Richardson, Thanks so much for writing. I’m excited to hear about all the sports. Mom told me about Drew’s scholarship. That’s so awesome! Happy Spring Break. Love, Luke
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Hey Luke this is Emmeline,
Love the animals all so wonderful!! We are starting writing test soon and you will be good at it. Lots to write. Sorry I did not ask before but did you see any Koalas in Australia. They are my favorite. Hope you keep having fun and being you!!
Love,
Emmeline
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Luke, I’m so glad you enjoyed India and noticed the differences in home and India. Makes you thankful, huh? Did you make any new friends that you can keep up with through the years?
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Hi Emmeline! We did see koalas in Australia on the Great Ocean road. Miss you! Love, Luke
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The friends I made in Jaipur were Anushka and Akkoo. We shared addresses so we can write to each other. Love and miss you! Luke
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Hey Luke, I loved reading about your adventures in India! Do you think the drivers honk just as much as they do in Vietnam??
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Erica, it’s hard to believe but they honk more here!
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Hey Luke,This is Emerson.I noticed that there was a lot of trash in the street.Why was that?Did you know that I am going to Disney World for spring break?Bebop and she and taking me and my mom is going too.we just found out.I am going to go on a safari there in the animal kingdom but I am sure it is not as cool as what you will see in AFRICA!!Did you go inside that big church in the picture?My mom said you went to one of the 7 wonders of the world.Are you going to see anymore?How did it feel to ride on the bunk of the sleeper car?Was it fun?I think it would feel like sleeping on your own bed!i miss you alot and you wont believe how big atlas is now.so big i cant pick her up.=!she is almost as big as Britty!i really miss you and please write me back.love emerson
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Hi Emerson! Thanks for writing. To answer your question about the trash, people don’t know how to put it in trashcans. I don’t to give it away, but Disney World is going to be awesome! The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders but it’s not a church. It’s where the emperor and his wife are buried. I’m sad I won’t get to pick up Atlas! Miss you lots. Love, Luke
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Hi Luke! So cool .. I agree on the littering and honking … Can’t wait for you get back even though I’m sure your having more fun!
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Miss you Henry! Thanks for writing! Luke
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Hi Luke and Suzanne,
The lower school students started studying Kenya in world languages this week! We would love to connect with you while you are visiting Kenya. Email me: acoleman@athensacademy.org
Maybe we can facetime, google hangout, or just enjoy your blog posts from our classroom! We will be in school through Friday then off for a week. Enjoy!!
Allison Coleman
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Hi Luke! This is Campbell, Max, and Kate. We love seeing your pictures and reading your reports of where you have been. The trash sounds gross. The Taj Mahal was amazing and so big. Campbell lost one of her bottom front teeth the other day so the tooth fairy came to see her. Tonight we are going to a fun game night at church where we will play games and eat pizza. Have you had any pizza lately?
We love you and miss you!
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