Within The Marble

I stood on white marble with stone inlay all around, unfamiliar smells wafting about, and long lines filled with bright colors wrapping around corners. I was at a place of worship, a place of pilgrimage, a place of beauty. However, being so cluttered with people, I retreated to my own ways. I was a minority who happened to pay more. I was looked at both in light and dark as I skipped the long line. I walked with covered shoes past those of the land with bare feet pressed to the floor. I brushed against the walls of marble that were not mine. The process caused me to ponder: what was my purpose of being there? What purpose did it serve to the people? What was valued - the money in my pocket or the white that draped my skin? That I do not know. However, I do know what I value.

I value the story behind the blueprints of the marble. I value the people’s stories who stand in the line wrapped all the way around. I value the beauty and joy on the faces around me. But, at that moment I did not know what to do. Do I stand in line with the rest? Do I pass with a smile as I say sorry? Do I stand and watch but don't contribute? My mind was torn. Not knowing what was acceptable, I followed my guide past the throng of people. I walked tall without looking into their black porcelain eyes trying to rationalize my moves. I asked the guide time and again why? The answer was simple; white. I kept walking, practicing my knowledge of cultural norms, not smiling, posing, or revealing. The feeling of guilt still bubbled within as I tried to understand my actions and theirs. It was not what I had expected a wonder of the world to be like. It was not how I thought I would react. That is not how I thought I would be treated. However, now I understand the internal conflicts that accompany travel. Now, I understand that although the Taj Mahal is a wonder to the eyes, the people are a wonder of curiosity to the brain. I understand the little truth that lies within an expectation. I now know that in those situations, I will approach each differently. I understand that adaptation of the brain is more useful than the adaptation of actions. So while the Taj Mahal glistens with beauty, I will also remember the internal conflict that accompanied it.