tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91118568973598943492023-11-16T07:47:15.493-08:00Joe's Great India AdventureCome join me on the adventure of a Lifetime..... I will try not to bore you with too many photos of the traffic in Chennai. But understand, it's a large part of the lifestyle in India. Along with the many spiritual feelings one might feel along the way..... I only wish you all could be here to enjoy this experience with me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-33656319203360525052009-03-15T05:08:00.000-07:002009-03-15T05:39:53.618-07:00Karen's Update #5Because I can't seem to keep this blog updated enough, I've decided to include my wife's update. She emails this out once in a while. Obviously, more often then I! <div><br /></div> Here goes....... I hope you enjoy it.<br /><br /><br />Vannakkam!<br /><br />It's been a long time since I've sent an update and so I have lots of photos and a few stories: some funny, some happy, some sad.<br /><br />I'd rather start with a fun story. Today is Holi which is a festival celebrated more in North India than here so my friend & I went to the area of Chennai where lots of Gujarati people lived. It's a fun holiday associated with Krishna, the mischieveous, fun incarnation of God. People throw brightly colored powder or colored water all over each other. And boy do Indians love color! Each color is so deep and intense. I've never seen this depth of color anywhere else. There will be bonfires tonite and of course the day is begun with Puja, or worship.<br /><br />Each day begins with the women sweeping and scrubbing the house floors in preparation for a new rangoli. Rangolis are patterns made with chalk, white or colored, simple or very complex. They are a welcome sign at the entrance of most Indian homes. Each family member will then bathe and then they are ready for Puja. It is very ritualized, involving offering the Lord flowers, incense, light (oil or ghee) food (usually a coconut in South India) and sometimes sandalwood paste. The light is probably the most important aspect as it symbolizes knowledge, whereas darkness symbolizes ignorance. Knowledge removes ignorance as light removes darkness. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our negative tendencies and the wick is our egos. So our negative tendencies are burned away as the flame burns upward toward higher thoughts and actions. Almost every home has either a Puja room or each building will have a small shrine. Shoes are never worn inside a Puja room or inside a temple. Every morning a Hindu priest comes to clean our Ganesh shrine and decorate it with flowers and perform Puja.<br /><br />Knowledge is revered in India and there is of course, a festival to celebrate learning. This is a perfect time for asking blessing for exams etc. Books are never touched with the feet. There is a festival almost every week in India. There is one for brothers & sisters, tools & beasts of burden, remembering our past relatives, and the birthdays of all deities, etc. Sometimes the festivals last for days or there may be several in 1 week. I esp. like the festival for tols & beasts of burdens because that includes the animals which are painted different colors on their bodies and horns. The ricksha, truck & bus wallahs (drivers) get into the act too by decorating their beasts that they manuever around the crazy, crowded cities.<br /><br />Festivals almost always begin with ritual bathing and usually involve gift giving of clothes, money or jewelry. Wearing new clothes, if affordable to the family is typical. Most large temples have tanks, or manmade ponds surrounded by steps, where people practice these rituals. Most Indians bathe twice a day. With all the personal and home cleanliness, it is hard to reconcile the filth and trash found just outside everyone's doorstep.<br /><br />India is a complicated place. So much beauty but it has it's share of ugliness. So much purity but there's also filth. The political corruption is staggering and expected. The suicide rate is astronomical but no one will admit it. They are listed as "heart failure" which is true, esp. after one pours kerosene over oneself and strikes a match. Or an entire family swallows poison because they cannot repay their debts which were at an enormous interest rate. Students are under so much pressure during exams that the suicide rate goes even higher.<br /><br />Back to happier things:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE86vWv4qYnZcv2VkXJOEo3GA27VToXD8eC2pKQrnuZ5vEKiYz-5De32zymcgl6yrGWEtA1t7MUg4Cbfzh3vNv64oYi12CJDFev3huRw6w8HauZjuVBOtaOqKfm46vf9_sCoBrEFDyQ4g/s1600-h/DSC00231.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE86vWv4qYnZcv2VkXJOEo3GA27VToXD8eC2pKQrnuZ5vEKiYz-5De32zymcgl6yrGWEtA1t7MUg4Cbfzh3vNv64oYi12CJDFev3huRw6w8HauZjuVBOtaOqKfm46vf9_sCoBrEFDyQ4g/s200/DSC00231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388136364683890" border="0" /></a> I love this picture. Joe took it when he first arrived. These lovelies are of course, water buffalos. What can I say? We love cows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLpd3BJzvxkXCWFMyToFoZ1bJAYZu7kKUObaicP_IojXNPNULlyJMiEoKGNbJ1Q97YDl2gRKHeWNKic12w8LlfEgYuaK7zWUtjmys5ixAm790lZJpFT8iSz78jsFNiA4uqL1Vy1i4HgY/s1600-h/DSCF2332.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLpd3BJzvxkXCWFMyToFoZ1bJAYZu7kKUObaicP_IojXNPNULlyJMiEoKGNbJ1Q97YDl2gRKHeWNKic12w8LlfEgYuaK7zWUtjmys5ixAm790lZJpFT8iSz78jsFNiA4uqL1Vy1i4HgY/s200/DSCF2332.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313389029231842450" border="0" /></a>Hema with Mary-Chitra helping Cesca with her first saree.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscp8MbYObCjUIVp6tnawEZe8epbXSzfE6P47iyEQuSO2CYEH13gN8s2knpREWLKxShK6X8GkSz6QNIs3DZJJHqOLExaT3LgWhmOyjMLBZCAhkRE5nzXhkRrWTAsX7Wtajr1fsFrAH3Jo/s1600-h/DSC00281.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscp8MbYObCjUIVp6tnawEZe8epbXSzfE6P47iyEQuSO2CYEH13gN8s2knpREWLKxShK6X8GkSz6QNIs3DZJJHqOLExaT3LgWhmOyjMLBZCAhkRE5nzXhkRrWTAsX7Wtajr1fsFrAH3Jo/s200/DSC00281.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388137676601922" border="0" /></a> A brahmin wedding Joe went to. The groom always arrives on a horse. Notice his hands are hennaed too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpBMQZVlhbURr1fjMi2mkZelsGhWNzJnJI1dIlqWLRmAMtzKbKxE8q2UXniayCRWNboB0h8xHwTpo-AZ9ERsE3eFTryvgsXbzL55CPYw2-Cu-RG44Y5uhu8fMF8SuCn8TRw5wCLbsCeg/s1600-h/DSC00293.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpBMQZVlhbURr1fjMi2mkZelsGhWNzJnJI1dIlqWLRmAMtzKbKxE8q2UXniayCRWNboB0h8xHwTpo-AZ9ERsE3eFTryvgsXbzL55CPYw2-Cu-RG44Y5uhu8fMF8SuCn8TRw5wCLbsCeg/s200/DSC00293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388616424868914" border="0" /></a> The weddings usually last several days. This is the actual marriage ceremony the time of which is set by astrologers, numerologists and the lunar calendar. It could be @ 4 a.m. Sometimes there can be 1000s invited and everyone comes. People feast after they have greeted the bride & groom. In South India the marriage is official when a gold colored string is knotted around the bride's neck several times. She never takes it off except for replacing it once a year on their anniversary. The groom places a toe ring on each foot. Only married women wear tikkas--the powdered mark on the forehead. Widows usually stop wearing tikas. Tikkas are blessing, usually gotten at a temple each day. Those that worship Vishnu will wear a different mark than those that worship Shiva, etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfeDzzf0EgwFpFuy5LRAvxV3sOOGctyQUp5OY32tEmP3m42qFlvKwk66IdPVHlrwDEJWdC7HBLTh_j1Z5RD0KE6gKHqx6rvi5KVlf2kVU-D8SLp4Cc7zBxtQqg-IoiJo4AfVlqe4hZII/s1600-h/DSC00228.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfeDzzf0EgwFpFuy5LRAvxV3sOOGctyQUp5OY32tEmP3m42qFlvKwk66IdPVHlrwDEJWdC7HBLTh_j1Z5RD0KE6gKHqx6rvi5KVlf2kVU-D8SLp4Cc7zBxtQqg-IoiJo4AfVlqe4hZII/s200/DSC00228.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388135138513170" border="0" /></a> One of my favorite stores, full of lots of shiny things.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k3NJCvlupaebYuLdk-DCfhoeebOKVN1F06DqEBKrfaS8ZSUvgrtv75AyZnYmQfMExBj4V3rrypVrPHM_TNPxpQiXrjXEWLWW-zNZNp9EVv70txUV-f-hXRtpA_g6od0A0UFvavX5d2Q/s1600-h/DSC00136.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k3NJCvlupaebYuLdk-DCfhoeebOKVN1F06DqEBKrfaS8ZSUvgrtv75AyZnYmQfMExBj4V3rrypVrPHM_TNPxpQiXrjXEWLWW-zNZNp9EVv70txUV-f-hXRtpA_g6od0A0UFvavX5d2Q/s200/DSC00136.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388132875955634" border="0" /></a> The mall. The first time Joe & I went it was a weekend and we had to leave because we couldn't take the crush of people. Now I'm a pro and can make my way through any crowd.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSg43Azuhy6nheJtMLVMJ5h_EaIAbLqXD2DWEkgY-Hb65oZo5M9SutbV0reoe2sdfj5QnqKaN-h3RJdt7Vt_PofyZ8BBVlCxcUBKl7HhPLdU_Q2RNOywspRZOsxo_grJSky0mB2loQEE/s1600-h/DSC00187.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSg43Azuhy6nheJtMLVMJ5h_EaIAbLqXD2DWEkgY-Hb65oZo5M9SutbV0reoe2sdfj5QnqKaN-h3RJdt7Vt_PofyZ8BBVlCxcUBKl7HhPLdU_Q2RNOywspRZOsxo_grJSky0mB2loQEE/s200/DSC00187.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388134869260514" border="0" /></a>A typical sweet shop with lots & lots of help. Still, service is usually agonizingly slow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeJaDxeBgsnXWU2d6VKJIPmqAhNn10TEVCBJ0v9SBvBX6BTQpGXytwgMTwT5BJWQzQYVvkkK9YIPT2SPyT4Z_l7Fp2Q1FjTNFLyq6x_Qty13InAYfU9VCkbHgOwiLF8hyphenhyphen9cp22VsBA1w/s1600-h/DSCF2171.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeJaDxeBgsnXWU2d6VKJIPmqAhNn10TEVCBJ0v9SBvBX6BTQpGXytwgMTwT5BJWQzQYVvkkK9YIPT2SPyT4Z_l7Fp2Q1FjTNFLyq6x_Qty13InAYfU9VCkbHgOwiLF8hyphenhyphen9cp22VsBA1w/s200/DSCF2171.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388620012420834" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4axXv9cGW9JXWV9y_NT7yQmBM94hgE6VgbRjwAgnzcH5RNNGdE31ZQ7-VNIsO-93ryLCfu8opgzE7JLgymyNuJNqPfMBkjzu2quwUiFN8J9o5BbfE3Kg9mmqGjRkONyzwpXTb3FO_2WA/s1600-h/DSCF2189.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4axXv9cGW9JXWV9y_NT7yQmBM94hgE6VgbRjwAgnzcH5RNNGdE31ZQ7-VNIsO-93ryLCfu8opgzE7JLgymyNuJNqPfMBkjzu2quwUiFN8J9o5BbfE3Kg9mmqGjRkONyzwpXTb3FO_2WA/s200/DSCF2189.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313389020874408066" border="0" /></a> Preparing for the arrival of Krishna's Chariot during a festival procession. Now that was fun & joyful. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1izynpSQEPSnx5CY4YAvLO5YTJH0ECzDa2AO5Cu0zp1hmC4owBoOdFZo4odmvYnxJAXyHEoCqfM9m4OY1RtZ_3NwlStdh0pOmqpa2l33KBIsUm2jnBQDgRfujA3IGQImupl1Z6J-Lfo/s1600-h/DSCF2195.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1izynpSQEPSnx5CY4YAvLO5YTJH0ECzDa2AO5Cu0zp1hmC4owBoOdFZo4odmvYnxJAXyHEoCqfM9m4OY1RtZ_3NwlStdh0pOmqpa2l33KBIsUm2jnBQDgRfujA3IGQImupl1Z6J-Lfo/s200/DSCF2195.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313389025984518578" border="0" /></a> Remember the Hari Krishna's in the 60's with all the dancing & chanting? I went with some friends who are followers.This typical South Indian dress. They may have a small towel over their shoulder which has many uses. Check out the cell phone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYlgchvfayffNtRgXyWspYqrW1vu5-FTgQGZbitffP0rVDppcQ6RESKhC5i8Canx_CpntNpIuIR-OePiX_aWAYIB_bC8sjrPGWLwvNmorDH_NoLBCN5NDFmbS9BB0uGUexPZSmrcfoFE/s1600-h/DSCF2327.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYlgchvfayffNtRgXyWspYqrW1vu5-FTgQGZbitffP0rVDppcQ6RESKhC5i8Canx_CpntNpIuIR-OePiX_aWAYIB_bC8sjrPGWLwvNmorDH_NoLBCN5NDFmbS9BB0uGUexPZSmrcfoFE/s200/DSCF2327.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313389022267679794" border="0" /></a> One way to deliver chickens to a shop or restaurant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMhpW09V4NOukzswgH_OaPkxiF1rt9Tiiq1RXCgvySHp3-bOSZj7mxqifkOTf04Q3gHD4tQzURXdI0YzvDQkI9_txk83dwX88I6K-MWj3zU7AM5V5coC6atqcFo94DoIUlJVEs9gGG5o/s1600-h/DSC00287.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMhpW09V4NOukzswgH_OaPkxiF1rt9Tiiq1RXCgvySHp3-bOSZj7mxqifkOTf04Q3gHD4tQzURXdI0YzvDQkI9_txk83dwX88I6K-MWj3zU7AM5V5coC6atqcFo94DoIUlJVEs9gGG5o/s200/DSC00287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388617841502706" border="0" /></a> Blessing of the groom by a relative.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0erUwgzXTDvDRg3l_jZKGffikjgtiMQTpdDdVi-SDmA3P7kZ217KSXPz5wDOifO9WB0CrkhwgxHwH8DBX5eBD92naNc0OifvcbsmUBGfFpjVgmVvgAqEEPAjhyphenhyphenXOyZvCJkqA5QzYKZc/s1600-h/DSCF2326.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0erUwgzXTDvDRg3l_jZKGffikjgtiMQTpdDdVi-SDmA3P7kZ217KSXPz5wDOifO9WB0CrkhwgxHwH8DBX5eBD92naNc0OifvcbsmUBGfFpjVgmVvgAqEEPAjhyphenhyphenXOyZvCJkqA5QzYKZc/s200/DSCF2326.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313389024236506066" border="0" /></a> Mix of modern & ancient India.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkG5lDWxMTmsM9erfLLHxHjYsVHHCJoGEbBSktLKtMoI2S14Z4lcVRgK5udQUmkimYkqONcSkEAvfrN_7rnnpHClbwK7QzE8athAoHB__TtyX6ceDBmONtQceS_r6Nx6nj1PcHwe18rc/s1600-h/DSCF0990.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkG5lDWxMTmsM9erfLLHxHjYsVHHCJoGEbBSktLKtMoI2S14Z4lcVRgK5udQUmkimYkqONcSkEAvfrN_7rnnpHClbwK7QzE8athAoHB__TtyX6ceDBmONtQceS_r6Nx6nj1PcHwe18rc/s200/DSCF0990.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388617836525410" border="0" /></a>Our Puja man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRtDFbbmWw-3mjJR-cgJdPOVsx8KeiCdT576AQNRVk_WmkreixucUBarCHHD0doIkgFl6kNY30gBFwwD-Bwmvb1L4zUvvoi01yDtYuvx0GO0g5NIOxMy0yTSL6A-3XIV4yW_iTNGjGQM/s1600-h/DSCF1288.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRtDFbbmWw-3mjJR-cgJdPOVsx8KeiCdT576AQNRVk_WmkreixucUBarCHHD0doIkgFl6kNY30gBFwwD-Bwmvb1L4zUvvoi01yDtYuvx0GO0g5NIOxMy0yTSL6A-3XIV4yW_iTNGjGQM/s200/DSCF1288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313388618694013474" border="0" /></a> Puja for our car and our driver, Raj's two-wheeler (motorcycle) of which he is very proud.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXFvIZFZVygTue6Y5roiSxHbvJRNsAr1__0KKnxkGD0020pc1LkJidrWzxN94QR7TI2Bh2sOCAp9MZRMt8dbSui4jqBGATUdd-Aqw95jcWR67Wl2V5HUKfZBT48iefyc_agBrjPx0Pa4/s1600-h/Holi+2009+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXFvIZFZVygTue6Y5roiSxHbvJRNsAr1__0KKnxkGD0020pc1LkJidrWzxN94QR7TI2Bh2sOCAp9MZRMt8dbSui4jqBGATUdd-Aqw95jcWR67Wl2V5HUKfZBT48iefyc_agBrjPx0Pa4/s200/Holi+2009+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313389272605288306" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrrKxBrHeUHRjZ2auSagORRyM-FeXvTGjYQ_3rxYJi6NbEZUXToihI4pmHqSugi4-wX7SAkYcLM8QE6ytuYugx0IShJkaKX3JqmQ7P29o_ECG73-ZXdS2e5H4po8ePeVV4tNbEktKVuo/s1600-h/Holi+2009+016.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrrKxBrHeUHRjZ2auSagORRyM-FeXvTGjYQ_3rxYJi6NbEZUXToihI4pmHqSugi4-wX7SAkYcLM8QE6ytuYugx0IShJkaKX3JqmQ7P29o_ECG73-ZXdS2e5H4po8ePeVV4tNbEktKVuo/s200/Holi+2009+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313389280229234434" border="0" /></a> High Holi!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-79939315217690593142009-03-15T00:58:00.000-07:002009-03-15T01:35:19.692-07:00Holiday Update: Australia and New ZealandBecause I can't seem to keep this blog updated enough, I've decided to include my wife's update. She emails this out once in a while. Obviously, more often then I! <div><br /></div> Here goes....... I hope you enjoy it.<br /><br /><br /><br />HELLO FRIENDS, JANUARY 2009<br /><br />WE SPENT OUR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA AND DRIVING ALL OVER BOTH ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND. SO WE THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO SEE SOME PIX OF OUR TRAVELS IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD.<br /><br />WE ALL FELL IN LOVE WITH BOTH COUNTRIES. CESCA ESP. LOVED SYDNEY AND MAY APPLY TO SYD U. WHEN THE TIME ARRIVES. IT'S A GREAT CITY. OUR VISIT TO SYDNEY WAS ENHANCED BY OLD FRIENDS TONY & KELLY REDHEAD WHO WERE GREAT TOUR GUIDES AND LOADS OF FUN.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gr4xDFoL5BaFkKcHmuoojaLFO6lpyppbAtu9opFF9DH5TZlz9HzyHzd7tTvhadv8ewSNYpp6QJUR6G3uDu9eKkBqYQKVfAFgWVqS_n4PWKGl_pGcz7cN8ERYu4rEuloq2G1R8uW15t4/s1600-h/DSC01450.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gr4xDFoL5BaFkKcHmuoojaLFO6lpyppbAtu9opFF9DH5TZlz9HzyHzd7tTvhadv8ewSNYpp6QJUR6G3uDu9eKkBqYQKVfAFgWVqS_n4PWKGl_pGcz7cN8ERYu4rEuloq2G1R8uW15t4/s200/DSC01450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313323511429034050" border="0" /></a> ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS IN THE WORLD, THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE LIVED UP TO ITS REPUTATION.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwkWMHR-gEmH6UlS_TjuZoZFqEUQfExX4zLewxpqOCqKVajlbZzpLqCF5-R6qf-4vMzVqy4ttizkxDCTe3j1c61PlrrFf_TkEsuI2EkE_zgSeYoIkJPS54KzMG6jYJBjR-rgtOGYHUMo/s1600-h/DSC01396.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwkWMHR-gEmH6UlS_TjuZoZFqEUQfExX4zLewxpqOCqKVajlbZzpLqCF5-R6qf-4vMzVqy4ttizkxDCTe3j1c61PlrrFf_TkEsuI2EkE_zgSeYoIkJPS54KzMG6jYJBjR-rgtOGYHUMo/s200/DSC01396.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313323514374062754" border="0" /></a>ABORIGINALS PERFORMING BY THE HARBOR<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFwjwPToPXxWCDOBYhf_M-lzJvkOArAf2a0zIVHveacQjfumMSDkvwNKW4Fj5QutCYGJAyPr38DljMmpsMBliE1vnmp4In_lgVjwthfZBf1_N_wjb_-ENCHYjEkDisg6zPLji0QbyInA/s1600-h/DSC01459.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFwjwPToPXxWCDOBYhf_M-lzJvkOArAf2a0zIVHveacQjfumMSDkvwNKW4Fj5QutCYGJAyPr38DljMmpsMBliE1vnmp4In_lgVjwthfZBf1_N_wjb_-ENCHYjEkDisg6zPLji0QbyInA/s200/DSC01459.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313323515577692050" border="0" /></a> UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY<br /><br />NEW ZEALAND WAS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES I'VE EVER BEEN. WE SPENTA GOOD PART OF EVERY DAY SAYING, "WOW!" THE AIR, THE OCEAN, THE MOUNTAINS, LAKES, RIVERS & STREAMS WERE ALL SO BEAUTIFUL & PURE.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGSanmVyO3xr_ss7mNLsgqhKK2TAdm-GzEJ8fTils0Js5of49JSUCs5dMynTzEortr7IrkQb0bCmQXtvXgvme_krU7Uc50O_C_b30Gj6w1963OQ8Z-jNLoOQBUScact4rRUG-VeqFCWY/s1600-h/DSC01530.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGSanmVyO3xr_ss7mNLsgqhKK2TAdm-GzEJ8fTils0Js5of49JSUCs5dMynTzEortr7IrkQb0bCmQXtvXgvme_krU7Uc50O_C_b30Gj6w1963OQ8Z-jNLoOQBUScact4rRUG-VeqFCWY/s200/DSC01530.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313323518111018130" border="0" /></a> HOLE IN THE ROCK AT BAY OF ISLANDS:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdtbrkHliieExd8kb3c1y8emvKqeYSR3hZRmX_Qino4H6sQQdVf48MKfz62-GxbFCXQOifYMZvz9K_bWtA6w6XETU9K2jn5Hy0NshLBP9ZbJpxUyaEEDKfe0kEEVc43aU24Gw2IK5YPw/s1600-h/DSC01577.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEdtbrkHliieExd8kb3c1y8emvKqeYSR3hZRmX_Qino4H6sQQdVf48MKfz62-GxbFCXQOifYMZvz9K_bWtA6w6XETU9K2jn5Hy0NshLBP9ZbJpxUyaEEDKfe0kEEVc43aU24Gw2IK5YPw/s200/DSC01577.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313323519923309106" border="0" /></a> I HOPE THEY USED ORGANIC SPRAY PAINT ON THESE SHEEP. I GUESS IT WSA MEANT TO GET OUR ATTENTION & IT DID!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnC6xP9alVy87n3UidDuM80jNHmyhMjFXd7RxZNrkcFjEgVn9fpokjfIkpKFekc1c6HIEVJ2bdDcbdHRHx4DrtLQbnDdCX1aKemjscaaRDjunlz9fzaBuitR_uxtc-Qj-_p0FEtql984/s1600-h/DSC01595.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnC6xP9alVy87n3UidDuM80jNHmyhMjFXd7RxZNrkcFjEgVn9fpokjfIkpKFekc1c6HIEVJ2bdDcbdHRHx4DrtLQbnDdCX1aKemjscaaRDjunlz9fzaBuitR_uxtc-Qj-_p0FEtql984/s200/DSC01595.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324379811377554" border="0" /></a> LOTS OF SHEEP & LOTS OF COWS IN NZ. THESE ARE OUR FAVORITES. THEIR FACES LOOKED LIKE DOGS.<br /><br />NEW ZEALANDERS LIKE THEIR ADVENTURES, ESP JUMPING OFF HIGH THINGS. CESCA & WALKER BUNGIED, SWOOPED, SHWEEBED, ZORBED AND FLEW. JOE & I WERE CONTENT TO REMAIN WITH THE TERRA FIRMA. I REFUSED TO LET THEM JUMP OFF THE AUCKLAND SKY TOWER WHICH HAD TO BE 35-40 STORIES UP. SELFISH OF ME BECAUSE I WAS MORE WORRIED ABOUT ME HAVING A HEART ATTACK WHILE WATCHING THAN THEM NOT MAKING IT SAFELY BACK TO EARTH.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIliKK77lEujxTr2CBe0njJ-uj82-rWBRjcgAj6Ani9tT5JwY5KODx809SDzYz__cl2edpb9Jy7wXCDqxLlrgsdEKrOvmwAo4u2HJjPGyrwpbYJutjao4bwH4PHRLExjZQYL-NULKBb4/s1600-h/OD6A2919.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIliKK77lEujxTr2CBe0njJ-uj82-rWBRjcgAj6Ani9tT5JwY5KODx809SDzYz__cl2edpb9Jy7wXCDqxLlrgsdEKrOvmwAo4u2HJjPGyrwpbYJutjao4bwH4PHRLExjZQYL-NULKBb4/s200/OD6A2919.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313325415908323762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh0iv0KP37xjihmuOc9SZe2a17JtJYC0-tHpKSPeQ5HvjBykQrZJ5wVPNVhAugrztcBGaJ9G_5CdNJuSRGrJ1z0fvrMymZettMC36dAaQ4GFdgM97hLBLpv8uerHSDThDby1zT-Qi6BE/s1600-h/OD6A2931.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMh0iv0KP37xjihmuOc9SZe2a17JtJYC0-tHpKSPeQ5HvjBykQrZJ5wVPNVhAugrztcBGaJ9G_5CdNJuSRGrJ1z0fvrMymZettMC36dAaQ4GFdgM97hLBLpv8uerHSDThDby1zT-Qi6BE/s200/OD6A2931.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313325416517301954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYGsd8b5FQN7aV6xi57p-g12fS0wNh_hIBfNwga_V834P0Enuo_lW4RaboudpXWCB7KckJGbuCzxdqqqkXj6sqajBVNMgTXksFjc98g81EruNKBLWpU7zxZXOsceV47nbrnntFq__t10/s1600-h/OD6A2662.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYGsd8b5FQN7aV6xi57p-g12fS0wNh_hIBfNwga_V834P0Enuo_lW4RaboudpXWCB7KckJGbuCzxdqqqkXj6sqajBVNMgTXksFjc98g81EruNKBLWpU7zxZXOsceV47nbrnntFq__t10/s200/OD6A2662.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313325411000544626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />ROTORUA IS THE MOST SACRED AREA OF NZ FOR THE MAORI. IT HAS AMAZING GEOTHERMIC ACTIVITY INCLUDING GEYSERS, BUBBLING MUD POOLS AND SULPHURIC STEAM ESCAPING EVERYWHERE. PEOPLE LITERALLY JUST PUT OUT A SHEET OF METAL TO BBQ ON IF THEY HAVE A VENT IN THEIR BACK YARD.<br /><br />INTERESTING MAORI CULTURAL EXPERIENCES TOO. NEW ZEALANDERS SEEM TO REALLY HONOR & RESPECT THE NATIVE PEOPLE AND THE MAORI SEEMED TO HAVE HELD ON TO THEIR CULTURE WHILE STILL BEING VERY MODERN NEW ZEALANDERS. WE ALSO BECAME FANS OF THE ALL BLACKS, THE NEW ZEALAND RUGBY TEAM THAT DOES AN AWESOME MAORI WARRIOR DANCE AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MATCH.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivksjnC3nMcM36SPWTl3DNruILK61uui0TecdfLtxQiqrmDvQUeJ7Fo5CFXxAeFD1aPYkJk2_YPQFgxTKWSxQlWj3yr0TKI4YBbirQuUAh8qlLyHojVyK2RVWPSKYbl1t4Z-k2x-khWIc/s1600-h/DSC01668.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivksjnC3nMcM36SPWTl3DNruILK61uui0TecdfLtxQiqrmDvQUeJ7Fo5CFXxAeFD1aPYkJk2_YPQFgxTKWSxQlWj3yr0TKI4YBbirQuUAh8qlLyHojVyK2RVWPSKYbl1t4Z-k2x-khWIc/s200/DSC01668.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324380791946338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR67dfK2NLg7SdIi68LgGKbp2ZciF-mGg2hckNohqZawxMGc71ihXjlgQU5UbToz69maQFk4pgu1CWm5-nTOPopaEDGb5xOsfJtTozkNWbXqgi1typRf83Li2a5C69y6Zc6MS-Fc6FUUw/s1600-h/DSC01675.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR67dfK2NLg7SdIi68LgGKbp2ZciF-mGg2hckNohqZawxMGc71ihXjlgQU5UbToz69maQFk4pgu1CWm5-nTOPopaEDGb5xOsfJtTozkNWbXqgi1typRf83Li2a5C69y6Zc6MS-Fc6FUUw/s200/DSC01675.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324385662357202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Iuaow_1DrgI6qAhG7FJWQlZodhexfJZuqHaflwMV3HEftjq5tiaY0JLSUc0C-eIq7Laa7l3BUOQzYRVsXVD4VzIwP8b5FF0xmHz3pV3bN66VCkoE-DXjcejJvk3a89HWVbxBE1ud7_c/s1600-h/DSC01714.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Iuaow_1DrgI6qAhG7FJWQlZodhexfJZuqHaflwMV3HEftjq5tiaY0JLSUc0C-eIq7Laa7l3BUOQzYRVsXVD4VzIwP8b5FF0xmHz3pV3bN66VCkoE-DXjcejJvk3a89HWVbxBE1ud7_c/s200/DSC01714.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324386261947810" border="0" /></a>WEST COAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YyiBxAKlk2X9-eBKUXnStBhETfiCp29aF2yyZgFsHZBYIoe1pP2LRogR7cr2gmgNpOU0VjF55tVD61zpPTfNCNd_cVqoYGE_Xiti59IT10kKWGG_rA-wU1SuSKDXmqpuczlFEFZPqO0/s1600-h/DSC01724.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YyiBxAKlk2X9-eBKUXnStBhETfiCp29aF2yyZgFsHZBYIoe1pP2LRogR7cr2gmgNpOU0VjF55tVD61zpPTfNCNd_cVqoYGE_Xiti59IT10kKWGG_rA-wU1SuSKDXmqpuczlFEFZPqO0/s200/DSC01724.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324388837109330" border="0" /></a> AND PANCAKE ROCKS <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaLkiuBQ2Xh659VNanWpHDnNT6kl8XKvguVmAFF1i_KrzJvEAzSXxLKmw1jAtrB1vbKIY2XmorQTxpqDvBqI1INHPAtfR3tSe-XwGkZZ8D_Br0yL5sd5KBiHjyHz2JePoUOKjtOIXSZU/s1600-h/DSC01832.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaLkiuBQ2Xh659VNanWpHDnNT6kl8XKvguVmAFF1i_KrzJvEAzSXxLKmw1jAtrB1vbKIY2XmorQTxpqDvBqI1INHPAtfR3tSe-XwGkZZ8D_Br0yL5sd5KBiHjyHz2JePoUOKjtOIXSZU/s200/DSC01832.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324900144236642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />ON CHRISTMAS EVE WE WENT ATV-ING AND THEN TOOK A HELICOPTER RIDE UP TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER FOR A HIKE. ITS THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD WHERE A GLACIER IS RIGHT NEXT TO A SUB TROPICAL RAINFOREST. THE ICE BECOMES THIS BEAUTIFUL BLUE BECAUSE THE WEIGHT OF THE NEW SNOW SQUEEZES THE OXYGEN OUT OF THE ICE BELOW. THE WATER WAS DELICIOUS. THE RIVERS AND LAKES NEAR HERE HAVE AN UNBELIEVABLE COLOR THAT THIS (LOUSY/FRUSTRATING) CAMERA CAN'T QUITE CAPTURE.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aNk9OuGMDoPpU5iAy2aONYq2yqJh3X1VIBPUw4ZUW_HHfbID2xopetWi7PpK3NHktq6ejYvnYsOzSNKyuo35MEUXHLslto9G2Ni6tHZZhrZV7SAK6VcSYo5QDlcBeaEjUu6JdsrsYLo/s1600-h/DSC01764.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aNk9OuGMDoPpU5iAy2aONYq2yqJh3X1VIBPUw4ZUW_HHfbID2xopetWi7PpK3NHktq6ejYvnYsOzSNKyuo35MEUXHLslto9G2Ni6tHZZhrZV7SAK6VcSYo5QDlcBeaEjUu6JdsrsYLo/s200/DSC01764.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324881735643874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sYqRtJLC42ONGAIVQBQWzkVBmudR4b2puEOyQD080Yv_sLB8Jf-IcNvfvXih1Tk-LL8wjRcOWs7ZJo7bph58mv7WCH7AyNRToK0iUTS3ZKZHzggQpSfod6qx4ikTJEONL-e2IHzQzsw/s1600-h/DSC01810.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sYqRtJLC42ONGAIVQBQWzkVBmudR4b2puEOyQD080Yv_sLB8Jf-IcNvfvXih1Tk-LL8wjRcOWs7ZJo7bph58mv7WCH7AyNRToK0iUTS3ZKZHzggQpSfod6qx4ikTJEONL-e2IHzQzsw/s200/DSC01810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324901696930962" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTCvzQBPOLgPRHMnwRFZvA2LmEiPlOxV1rxfBeJ6OgsGauAYAt_7hwPBxv6rxhGJG9wcUQzrPzOeCnyUCKSroK3q-i7L1ZBgmTWXWZ9m4oJpUTy2_r9GYLdLxY7Ia6rE3l6hVo6oAkn0/s1600-h/DSC01801.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTCvzQBPOLgPRHMnwRFZvA2LmEiPlOxV1rxfBeJ6OgsGauAYAt_7hwPBxv6rxhGJG9wcUQzrPzOeCnyUCKSroK3q-i7L1ZBgmTWXWZ9m4oJpUTy2_r9GYLdLxY7Ia6rE3l6hVo6oAkn0/s200/DSC01801.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324893276903122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczajiRhSnyCYyPV7gUywTin6SGnQdSb2iiim-8wJmHyzgHMFJsKwQQSZ8VyYWQulqqTIWLCNIMbJLisAFQXXls6DaoB4XW8lCTxNh53P6guTEX5e6u8k2DyFNtbH1xthI31IJ-QbiPx4/s1600-h/DSC01808.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 112px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczajiRhSnyCYyPV7gUywTin6SGnQdSb2iiim-8wJmHyzgHMFJsKwQQSZ8VyYWQulqqTIWLCNIMbJLisAFQXXls6DaoB4XW8lCTxNh53P6guTEX5e6u8k2DyFNtbH1xthI31IJ-QbiPx4/s200/DSC01808.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313324892881590514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOVGHV7r0b1erGXwgttHyvssGTj37m2oxQnOiMKlLckk-cbi3VmLcC3jnLHw2Ol440TmFQ6BpvtGbM32l6mRKBYC9jWyP6poeD2HoYuplUFv3R2ldtY1nEfWfsFZqEqxsKokbKqy4gI4/s1600-h/DSC01848.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOVGHV7r0b1erGXwgttHyvssGTj37m2oxQnOiMKlLckk-cbi3VmLcC3jnLHw2Ol440TmFQ6BpvtGbM32l6mRKBYC9jWyP6poeD2HoYuplUFv3R2ldtY1nEfWfsFZqEqxsKokbKqy4gI4/s200/DSC01848.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313325397479715906" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nWXe-k_ZMyw3Df6_3ou4txaREzUOptjmN0uoP3yu5HreGVpxoj6A6Z2TBlp-cpgJIQ_wAEwe_-Gx7Y1bR9Cvxgun1HVy2pI1tZnvGJH3SBRm2L0naKRo58TAXrkdPKSqzxxjiZa7QO0/s1600-h/DSC01853.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nWXe-k_ZMyw3Df6_3ou4txaREzUOptjmN0uoP3yu5HreGVpxoj6A6Z2TBlp-cpgJIQ_wAEwe_-Gx7Y1bR9Cvxgun1HVy2pI1tZnvGJH3SBRm2L0naKRo58TAXrkdPKSqzxxjiZa7QO0/s200/DSC01853.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313325407772896850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />WE STAYED IN LOTS OF B&B'S AND ENDED WITH A FARM STAY ON A RARE BREED FARM WITH ALPACAS, PIGS, SHEEP (OF COURSE) GOATS AND ALL MANNER OF STRANGE LOOKING CHICKENS, ROOSTERS & DOVES, TO NAME A FEW. EVERY SINGLE PERSON WE MET IN NZ WAS FUN, FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING. IF YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE TO VISIT THIS PART OF THE WORLD, DON'T PASS IT UP!<br /><br />STILL WAITING FOR OUR FIRST GUESTS IN INDIA,<br />KAREN, JOE FRANCESCA & WALKERUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-3050617197770979562009-03-15T00:41:00.000-07:002009-03-15T00:57:17.760-07:00Karen's Update #4Because I can't seem to keep this blog updated enough, I've decided to include my wife's update. She emails this out once in a while. Obviously, more often then I!<div><br /></div>Here goes....... I hope you enjoy it.<br /><br /><br /><br />VANAKKAM! Hello! in Tamil<br /><br />Several of you have asked for more pictures so here you are. This is basically the 2nd half of my most recent India Update (yesterday's) as there was just too much and too many pictures to include.<br /><br />I wanted to include pictures of the Jain Temple we visited in Mumbai. In the Jain religion there is extreme respect for all life. They don't eat any meat or even root vegetables in case some tiny insects have bored their way into the root. Very devout Jains wear thin screens over their mouths & noses to prevent them from accidentally inhaling any airborne insects.<br />Worshipping at the Jain Temple. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC5M8Nl0AKqXOBYxrzvCzbh78N7fV6-H8m_cNDklJWF_Lm3dV5H9TJO1fBq1niXTYwnNqJjlZA23MQLPwfR_Ad10JPPo2QNSKn2I2bWJuq_JqEgJ_BLvUNtMaZ4qNEHs8F7p-5MXaRhs/s1600-h/DSC01126.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC5M8Nl0AKqXOBYxrzvCzbh78N7fV6-H8m_cNDklJWF_Lm3dV5H9TJO1fBq1niXTYwnNqJjlZA23MQLPwfR_Ad10JPPo2QNSKn2I2bWJuq_JqEgJ_BLvUNtMaZ4qNEHs8F7p-5MXaRhs/s200/DSC01126.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317456601365106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v6F9rByxO2MEw5X25ymVnnf3B1PNeTfdS9am6MDYEZW6VeYSWvzL0oRRRLbY0DGVcSpOeCwLkdEL6JMjPax2ZXK7-867uUlh7-Qqcmln-4b-8Vnvn6oc8NVEhLUxTXR-x7q0jmt2atI/s1600-h/DSC01131.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v6F9rByxO2MEw5X25ymVnnf3B1PNeTfdS9am6MDYEZW6VeYSWvzL0oRRRLbY0DGVcSpOeCwLkdEL6JMjPax2ZXK7-867uUlh7-Qqcmln-4b-8Vnvn6oc8NVEhLUxTXR-x7q0jmt2atI/s200/DSC01131.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317460494749922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR6Yz7Or59nnjo6I0kcbSuR2tSEpnkQspmOrfG3wySiQ4ydi9Evv0WqegxWWIK5BZcmRTTlC7C1IdbseqSz8SkaASktLSt2QdZXXcEtQDylX1eLs3VfkqJQw1lZ5pn3DOLdMI1M9tmR8/s1600-h/DSC01120.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR6Yz7Or59nnjo6I0kcbSuR2tSEpnkQspmOrfG3wySiQ4ydi9Evv0WqegxWWIK5BZcmRTTlC7C1IdbseqSz8SkaASktLSt2QdZXXcEtQDylX1eLs3VfkqJQw1lZ5pn3DOLdMI1M9tmR8/s200/DSC01120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317449808626034" border="0" /></a> A women makes intricate patterns in rice as an offering.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHcD3F3kJLOUgPrjFky4F5t7EOVB61V_5alDJsVJMb9KASIjtH63djZ2BfU-Sz4sEy5toNZgl2XPTAy6rUUw5Sji6gMqcfAXqQJF4psnatXK78SBicbC4LznD4IW5MK63qhxtzS4XTNI/s1600-h/DSC01113.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHcD3F3kJLOUgPrjFky4F5t7EOVB61V_5alDJsVJMb9KASIjtH63djZ2BfU-Sz4sEy5toNZgl2XPTAy6rUUw5Sji6gMqcfAXqQJF4psnatXK78SBicbC4LznD4IW5MK63qhxtzS4XTNI/s200/DSC01113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317440864142594" border="0" /></a> We passed a circus family on their way to or from work. They set up on the street or near a market and their children perform tricks on the "highwire" that they set up using poles. The little guy in the basket may not be working just yet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFzE-x8cJBHjrjc4llYoqUD6kB0C1UcjVjE8qpg8NIg70Sh1RbhrrWQp9xzgIsZSBlUJUNOKD9wIrjYjXNPtVY-zrvnF9y72VHtymStKpH0u06D-Vh8ZdSds299wNFaj78pY_BRLbUco/s1600-h/DSC01261.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFzE-x8cJBHjrjc4llYoqUD6kB0C1UcjVjE8qpg8NIg70Sh1RbhrrWQp9xzgIsZSBlUJUNOKD9wIrjYjXNPtVY-zrvnF9y72VHtymStKpH0u06D-Vh8ZdSds299wNFaj78pY_BRLbUco/s200/DSC01261.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317974952615858" border="0" /></a> We visited a Spice Plantation while we were in Goa and it was really interesting. Pepper, cardomom, coffee, turmeric, bay leaves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, clove and of course, chilis. No wonder Columbus called the Native Americans Indians when he was searching for India and it's spices.<br /><br />Ayurvedic Medicine is an ancient method for treating the body and it was developed in nearby Kerala State so there was an Ayurvedic doctor and medicine available. Ayurveda means the "science of life" and the medicines are derived from vegetables, minerals, spices and more. It's practice incorporates exercise, yoga, meditation and massage.<br /><br />Years ago I heard of a type of Ayurvedic massage given WITH the feet , involving long strokes from the soles to the outstretched fingertips while the practitioner steadies herself by a rope hung from the ceiling. I finally got to try it in Goa and it was great. Somehow though, I don't<br />think I'll be adding that to my repertoire.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w7W_TH_UmzcL-XAu-bQ8eLnzRcVCivnJ4NXYgQqB6h8wcjaMVbkZeWPf-K4Q6vJuSZDQQwx4Mpgdev-OnG0DyK3sGBYGNvNUq1fZdZHAb7u5BbFSrlCsr3AAcV42Xq60hHtyNL9v3EM/s1600-h/DSC01235.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9w7W_TH_UmzcL-XAu-bQ8eLnzRcVCivnJ4NXYgQqB6h8wcjaMVbkZeWPf-K4Q6vJuSZDQQwx4Mpgdev-OnG0DyK3sGBYGNvNUq1fZdZHAb7u5BbFSrlCsr3AAcV42Xq60hHtyNL9v3EM/s200/DSC01235.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317967009465074" border="0" /></a> Who cleared out the Memory Tea?? Oh yeah, that was me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW0VJoFbReCV-6IzTl0RO1jY0nup8n6YUlo4uEqJumzk-qn2rZM1seHH4y7zk1SsDbiezQljJctfzfyUPHFy2iGD4BbAP1SQMBvpEilf9WicsHzT_DyxtlCzj8RxrPgbCEd7tB5vnXvA/s1600-h/DSC01232.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIW0VJoFbReCV-6IzTl0RO1jY0nup8n6YUlo4uEqJumzk-qn2rZM1seHH4y7zk1SsDbiezQljJctfzfyUPHFy2iGD4BbAP1SQMBvpEilf9WicsHzT_DyxtlCzj8RxrPgbCEd7tB5vnXvA/s200/DSC01232.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317963835855330" border="0" /></a> Lots of waterways on the southwest coast. This one by the plantation had some lounging water buffaloes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XnAloU2PjKGCRT1bH1vJwJJcLfx_MCeLdJrQXqVdHqlC3r35S3x6ptoyXACzdVS2Sagpl2tpxnfrvx5BVuSLAf1WOXsTRRZzrPg-QU6GOqQfA_qnUkVXFStK-wNLo4x6Y32XeYofNek/s1600-h/DSC01249.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XnAloU2PjKGCRT1bH1vJwJJcLfx_MCeLdJrQXqVdHqlC3r35S3x6ptoyXACzdVS2Sagpl2tpxnfrvx5BVuSLAf1WOXsTRRZzrPg-QU6GOqQfA_qnUkVXFStK-wNLo4x6Y32XeYofNek/s200/DSC01249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317968236996658" border="0" /></a> Did I tell you we met Tarzan? This guy climbed up & down the trees and swung from tree to tree so fast I couldn't get a clear shot of him until he stopped--obviously enjoying himself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfspZFUoO3mC631xRfG1ht722VwyLasz8ZZjKtwprTa0x-5MBe6DmeQLkcf7Icz4j1UgvXeI2iDOMM7R9K9BSX1SnEOSXMr2ta6ZR7kDwDm0noZVx1YN7xmOdG5mGdsHsCotrVM8wjQCI/s1600-h/DSC01250.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfspZFUoO3mC631xRfG1ht722VwyLasz8ZZjKtwprTa0x-5MBe6DmeQLkcf7Icz4j1UgvXeI2iDOMM7R9K9BSX1SnEOSXMr2ta6ZR7kDwDm0noZVx1YN7xmOdG5mGdsHsCotrVM8wjQCI/s200/DSC01250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317978157882770" border="0" /></a> Here we are enjoying the traditional cool off at the end of the tour, poured down our spines. It worked!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TuXpCC8yDKDpBMcH0UFQH2Eb-LSRRYYcNb4A5CDqSghjDVcf7Hm85dn5eoU4gAsrgwyEhhhlMYQlpqIUlY-kNDYKYiSC9yd5WNJqMnJS86zaUEYcgrShZqo2RZSMnIwLV4DwF3hopZI/s1600-h/DSC01262.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TuXpCC8yDKDpBMcH0UFQH2Eb-LSRRYYcNb4A5CDqSghjDVcf7Hm85dn5eoU4gAsrgwyEhhhlMYQlpqIUlY-kNDYKYiSC9yd5WNJqMnJS86zaUEYcgrShZqo2RZSMnIwLV4DwF3hopZI/s200/DSC01262.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313318146954709906" border="0" /></a> Everybody loves color in India.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LbNQSYbj_Zl9wm0jiQ1hFpZB9y594rtFapc1bQ_T1h21pEDuHIDuz7gEHTw7O7ZRT4H7WXBXOYQYMXAeVVFytDSz_2ClJmzZCrTtYlAFvGY7j1GGYPIEgcDV3Ib14PaYH6IM_vLqD9I/s1600-h/DSC01177.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LbNQSYbj_Zl9wm0jiQ1hFpZB9y594rtFapc1bQ_T1h21pEDuHIDuz7gEHTw7O7ZRT4H7WXBXOYQYMXAeVVFytDSz_2ClJmzZCrTtYlAFvGY7j1GGYPIEgcDV3Ib14PaYH6IM_vLqD9I/s200/DSC01177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313317466215539266" border="0" /></a> Paan Wallah in Mumbai. A beetle leaf is spread with nuts & spices, folded and popped into the mouth as a mouth freshener. It's pretty good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-21399065126947864172009-03-15T00:08:00.000-07:002009-03-15T00:39:26.527-07:00Karen's Update #3Because I can't seem to keep this blog updated enough, I've decided to include my wife's update. She emails this out once in a while. Obviously, more often then I!<div><br /></div><div>Here goes....... I hope you enjoy it.<br /><br /><br />December 4, 2008<br /><br />Namaste!<br /><br />India has certainly gotten a lot of press lately and I cannot ignore this tragedy here. We are praying the terrorists won't win one of their main objectives and cause a war between India & Pakistan. Things are really tense now. The Indian people are also rightfully furious with their government for ignoring specific warnings from the U.S. and being woefully unprepared for this kind of attack despite all the relatively smaller attacks they've had previously. I wonder how many lives could have been saved if there was a central intelligence gathering agency or if everything in India wasn't politicized by all of the innumerable political parties trying to get a little power. The police and army have very little training or equipment and the commandos need much more too. They all did the best they could, considering. Many in India are saying "enough is enough!" I hope this time they mean it. So many lives lost and it seems at least some of them could have been saved.<br /><br />It was the usual chaos throughout the ordeal with mobs of people allowed to be only yards away from the Nariman House (incredible even for India) and the crowds allowed to be within firing range of the terrorists inside the Taj. There was plenty of drinking going on too. That really got me. What a time for that. The Taj is my favorite hotel in the world and Francesca & Walker love it too. All that the newscasters were saying about it being a huge Indian icon are absolutely true. It is probably second only to the Taj Mahal. I have stayed there every time I traveled to India in the last 30 years--except this time. So I could picture where all the hostages and those that were trapped inside were waiting and praying. It is such a beautiful, elegant and old world place, especially the old colonial section. The terrorists wanted to take it down but it was just too strong. None of this has dampened my love for this country but we are so sad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzNgsNxHE0ysKS7-BK0X415FosoeKGv0QVIwALwVnGpJN2zMvylQgzfEOId4hHk53xSIGgTVmChQuxqVz9OaMfZMfINfSdOh5ZTTy2mQtzUIEjLda3ukFaSDX7xNgCirBbz0Mtnlls20/s1600-h/DSC01147.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzNgsNxHE0ysKS7-BK0X415FosoeKGv0QVIwALwVnGpJN2zMvylQgzfEOId4hHk53xSIGgTVmChQuxqVz9OaMfZMfINfSdOh5ZTTy2mQtzUIEjLda3ukFaSDX7xNgCirBbz0Mtnlls20/s200/DSC01147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313312783456475394" border="0" /></a>Walker & Cesca at the Gateway of India across from The Taj.<br /><br />Just a few weeks ago we were all in Mumbai for Divali. We were at the Taj for lunch with friends and left from the beautiful old Victoria Station which is now renamed something unpronounceable. Both these sites will have a very different memory now. I try not to think what a few weeks delay in the terrorists' plans could have meant to our family.<br /><br />We visited Gandhi's Bhavan and that was inspiring. India needs him or someone like him now. He was against the separation of India into India & Pakistan. And of course his abhorrence of violence is known the world over. I'm including a picture of his library and of his room. You can see his bed and the spinning wheel which is represented on India's flag. The English exported Indian cotton to Britain where it was manufactured into cloth and then shipped back to india where the cloth was sold at a high price. Gandhi believed that if every Indian spun a little yarn every day and refused to buy English products that India could soon be free. Again, a small step that led to many more, and eventually Independence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV4qLjIdo2aJ_h0Tj_6Ciw1EtqgjYTSDGY6fWDkVMPmh_siqhS-JmDtJPx_DOKA4WLGOmvNj-BibfLa1hGdVrKQoKSbn7q0MxvSxLN22Zmyqh25PqFZPwtHUyRbUt2GpI2mxtYUfWa0g/s1600-h/DSC01109.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV4qLjIdo2aJ_h0Tj_6Ciw1EtqgjYTSDGY6fWDkVMPmh_siqhS-JmDtJPx_DOKA4WLGOmvNj-BibfLa1hGdVrKQoKSbn7q0MxvSxLN22Zmyqh25PqFZPwtHUyRbUt2GpI2mxtYUfWa0g/s200/DSC01109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313309298026725010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_i8N-0iY5KXmMLcUKJ99Lv09akr2swPAdHjGpttGmcHzSIRsLKrzk-qn93SKImwjovC9_Bj7P0wKkU9EO2ztJGXLIqMSre0K-q2yLT30INBsN6RfAVqOw-J5fMPpoY-LKsDm2H7KLoFU/s1600-h/DSC01110.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_i8N-0iY5KXmMLcUKJ99Lv09akr2swPAdHjGpttGmcHzSIRsLKrzk-qn93SKImwjovC9_Bj7P0wKkU9EO2ztJGXLIqMSre0K-q2yLT30INBsN6RfAVqOw-J5fMPpoY-LKsDm2H7KLoFU/s200/DSC01110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313309302004784802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Every region of India celebrates different festivals. Some are obviously more important in some regions than others. But Divali seems to be the most important and widely celebrated. It is the "Festival of Lights" and there are many, many strings of electric lights decorating homes and businesses everywhere. The Indians LOVE to decorate. Also, the Indians love to light candles, which are really oil in a small, pretty clay bowl with a wick. There must have been hundreds just in our hotel lobby arranged in a beautiful pattern around a Rangoli. But the meaning of Divali is quite beautiful. It is time to celebrate the victory of Light over Darkness, Good over Evil. Light symbolizes knowledge while darkness symbolizes Ignorance. The festival focuses on Lord Ram and also on Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. She is supposed to visit every house during Divali, attracted by the light within. So even the poorest household tries to find a candle to light.<br /><br />Indians also love fireworks and light them for many festivals, especially Divali. And just for fun, it seems--any time any where. The festival lasts for days and the fireworks go on ALL NIGHT. On rooftops, in the streets--everywhere. Of course there are no regulations and the quality and therefore safety of them is suspect. Cesca & I had to wait 20 minutes to get by a gang of 30 or so young men who weren't going to stop lighting M80s, Cherrybombs and who knows what all else to let us by. Sparks are everywhere as the fireworks don't make it very high in the sky. Fun, but a little scary. I guess it's a good thing it's so dang humid here or else half of the city would burn down every year!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRdRN-FbACPqpV-5Anxsw_kAEOopVYCUcKOcJHUVHQZ__0jvR8HoegdHRZU6zWI-GvJB8rIe0zMPGTrnvqsaxLD3VclWjvCl5e5-OClMtk-RCyLaRSKMqVExEapmOE-RNN0hRmt0-qso/s1600-h/DSC01098.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQRdRN-FbACPqpV-5Anxsw_kAEOopVYCUcKOcJHUVHQZ__0jvR8HoegdHRZU6zWI-GvJB8rIe0zMPGTrnvqsaxLD3VclWjvCl5e5-OClMtk-RCyLaRSKMqVExEapmOE-RNN0hRmt0-qso/s200/DSC01098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313309290731732226" border="0" /></a>This is the Launderia in Mumbai. 100, 000s of clothes are washed here every day.<br /><br />Next we headed to Goa after a 14 hr. train ride down the west coast, stopping at hundreds (not kidding) of villages or ?? Those were the places that were so unidentifiable as a station that I don't know how they knew where to stop. One stop was the remains of a cart, toppled over, by the rails. It was mostly village life once we got out of Mumbai. There are hundreds of thousands of villages in India where life is hard but simple. My Tamil professor likes to say that "The village people are very good people. Very simple people." I think he yearns to return to that way of life. I wish my camera could have captured some of the scenes we passed but the windows were too thick and too dirty. Fields, ponds with water lilies and the famous lotus flowers were scattered across the landscape. Years ago, a friend who was the first person I knew to travel to India likened the country to a lotus flower booming in the mud. Pretty close. So much pain, filth and suffering here but also such indescribable beauty. My favorite visual memory from our train ride was a group of villagers in their field separating the wheat from the chaff by beating the wheat against an old drum barrel. The beauty of it was the rhythm they had. Two beaters on one side, one on the other, alternating swinging the wheat over their heads down onto the barrel. The chaff would fly away while the bran would fall onto a burlap sheet. Lovely.<br /><br />Goa is the big vacation spot in India, kind of like Hawaii but it's not an island. I had heard about it for decades. The hippee culture really embraced it from the 70's on. Lots of drugs, drinking & nudity. Much tamer now but very over developed and crowded, which is why we headed for South Goa which was beautiful. Big Portuguese influence complete with old churches, one of which contains the remains of Francis Xavier. They had a pretty wicked Inquisition here which went on for 200 years. They destroyed many Hindu Temples and threw in prison any Hindu who would not convert. Those who survived that were burned at the stake. Did I warn you that these Updates would contain the good, the bad and the ugly of India?<br /><br />I think we were the only Americans at the resort, with lots of Indians. As we were leaving, the Russians were pouring in as their high season was about to begin. The Indians who worked there much preferred westerners, esp. Americans. We seem to treat the locals in the friendliest, most respectful way of any other nationality. I have heard this everywhere, over & over again, so we Americans must be doing something right.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtDBaRs5qSC_OASc7Wy4-kUuASAPsP8XU41jj060NBHkzkljT-2OFUzmT5m9fFINUuu9voj9rxYDEaWLNGjY5hgaSCIt5mRkjOUxHxeMTbAp5aiDG2r-NQUolLOYdlD9vZNDSC5GljLA/s1600-h/DSC01212.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtDBaRs5qSC_OASc7Wy4-kUuASAPsP8XU41jj060NBHkzkljT-2OFUzmT5m9fFINUuu9voj9rxYDEaWLNGjY5hgaSCIt5mRkjOUxHxeMTbAp5aiDG2r-NQUolLOYdlD9vZNDSC5GljLA/s200/DSC01212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313312791416601506" border="0" /></a>Walker on a Goan fishing boat.<br /><br /><br />I realize I haven't written much about the city we live in as a lot of friends didn't know how close we were to Mumbai. Chennai is on the southeast coast in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city was called Madras (as in the plaid from the 60s). We are the 4th largest city in India behind Mumbai (used to be Bombay), New Delhi and Kolkatta (used to be Calcutta). The idea to de-Anglacize the names comes from the politicians. Chennai has somewhere between 4 and 7 million people--but how could they possibly know?<br />South India is more Hindu, more conservative and more vegetarian. Hotter too. We are about 1 1/2 hr flight across the country to Mumbai, the financial & film center. Chennai is the gateway to South India. I think it's prettier than Mumbai because there are a lot more trees and less pollution. There is a surprising 20% Christian population here in Chennai. That is due to Saint Thomas settling here and converting many. Saint Thome contains a relic from his body and is one of the three churches in the world built around a relic of an apostle. St Peter's in Rome of course and another in Spain.<br /><br />Something we find appalling here is the amount of skin whitening ads there are in the media. 60% of all cosmetic sales (male & female) are some cream that claims to whiten the skin, which is quite dark here in South India. They are Dravidians and quite beautiful to my eye. But the skin whitening craze is all over India. I guess it's the result of the English rule here.<br /><br />A little on the caste system of India which is ancient and very slow to change. There are many subdivisions but the four major caste divisions go like this:<br /><br />Brahmins: priestly caste<br />Kshatriya: the warrior caste<br />Vaishya: the merchant caste<br />Sudras: those who do the manual labor<br />Untouchables: those who deal with things that are unclean. (cleaning latrines, working with leather, removing dead animals etc.) Nowadays they are referred to as Dalit " the oppressed". After the government passed laws providing assistance to some Dahlits several other low castes have claimed that they too are oppressed and deserve some handouts from the government. They are arguing that they are lower than each other.<br />Brahmins and others of a higher caste would cross the street rather than come in contact or proximity of a lower class person, esp. an Untouchable. This system is obviously much more complex than I have room to explain here. Change is coming to India but it will take centuries to completely root out this deeply ingrained social system. Gandhi was very much against the caste system and was also for equal treatment of women.<br /><br />Any Indian can take a look at another Indian and know all about them including their caste, probable job, their religion and if they hear their last name, what state their family is originally from. I showed a picture of a baby shower I attended to my cook and she immediately said, "Brahmin. North indian."<br />The government has passed many laws trying to do away with this system but as usual with the many laws and regulations in India, there is almost no enforcement. Corruption and bribes are the norm and expected. There just isn't any justice here. Everyone gets paid off and it takes years & years for anything to come to court, if ever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSYBfAeXIGbjxw5f1J80o0GttUnFW4eNx9nTnCVT4emHAZZHpvR15Pn54mLhjzmeJ0sT3pV5XwFpE_qz9KKE8BbVG8UoGwb4vyWx9ivex1oXgVxX6XxU98F_WNvPZxQu0xTURp2eYegQ/s1600-h/DSCF0899.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUSYBfAeXIGbjxw5f1J80o0GttUnFW4eNx9nTnCVT4emHAZZHpvR15Pn54mLhjzmeJ0sT3pV5XwFpE_qz9KKE8BbVG8UoGwb4vyWx9ivex1oXgVxX6XxU98F_WNvPZxQu0xTURp2eYegQ/s200/DSCF0899.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313312795999721746" border="0" /></a>Cotton Candy<br /><br />Four of the ten richest people on The Forbes World's Billionaires list are Indian. Yet close to 87,000 Indian farmers committed suicide between 2001 & 2005 because they couldn't pay their debts. No idea how they came up with that number. Who is there to report these deaths or care, beyond their families, who of course are very rural and very poor? Banks don't lend money, even before the credit crunch. Money lenders charge high interest and most never get out of debt no matter how hard they work.<br /><br /><br />I realize this Update has been a lot more somber than the others so I will end on a brighter note. I was invited to a baby shower "Vallekappu" in Tamil. They rent a big hall and bless the expectant parents. These people are Brahmins of the Jain faith and originally from Rajasthan which is why the saree pallau is worn over the head. They have this ceremony at 5 months, again at 7 months and again at 9 months during the pregnancy. Each guest, beginning with family, blesses the couple by placing a tika (Hindi) or pottu (Tamil) on the forehead. This is the red and yellow powders. Then a few grains of rice are sprinkled on their heads and the person doing the blessing feeds them both a small bite of special food from the Thali. The mom-to-be has had bangles placed on her arms because they believe the baby in the womb is old enough to hear the sounds they make. They are seated on an ornately carved wooden swing because the mother will soon be swinging her baby. Gifts are given, usually money. Then of course there is a huge feast!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfur4I0Ju6BFKD5b3jiNTIRU1d3EwCXdGnSqnNk4UEtIdXw4t_H_20dubSx8CIMZJ5ia9BX3q2dPGVVOTUnXL5SWVAp6kv8O5lT9JOWBd8yrKpeRK8K704FBnVWzUROJ9PDAWcSCe0Hwg/s1600-h/DSCF1023.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfur4I0Ju6BFKD5b3jiNTIRU1d3EwCXdGnSqnNk4UEtIdXw4t_H_20dubSx8CIMZJ5ia9BX3q2dPGVVOTUnXL5SWVAp6kv8O5lT9JOWBd8yrKpeRK8K704FBnVWzUROJ9PDAWcSCe0Hwg/s200/DSCF1023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313312811280697730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rWPS4wlrz1lLyDhHbXeQze-PntfLuHhjUMah_XEKy-6Sz2aC6IvlZKGPOqMh51SDkjn1TZZM9RGUuQmwX95bBjTFe84yPoDMVcWfTuFPaNVLDmsLUddQwJQeN8yL2g9gQu2f6iQilVI/s1600-h/DSCF0902.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rWPS4wlrz1lLyDhHbXeQze-PntfLuHhjUMah_XEKy-6Sz2aC6IvlZKGPOqMh51SDkjn1TZZM9RGUuQmwX95bBjTFe84yPoDMVcWfTuFPaNVLDmsLUddQwJQeN8yL2g9gQu2f6iQilVI/s200/DSCF0902.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313312806978770578" border="0" /></a>Notice the Communist Party flag in front of the Christian Church? Just one of the many political parties.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SMF2a5CXdxC7D_AlFvAniYBP0fOVAaEjwP9zcaqSLILy-3SQbg4mzJGbVIoLp5aol-E6lNHP9MN3Pnt1Bj51WSVH-RCR_Ha3w4-kGwFRhsCBQXDgcohItc3RpBiFhjDZ1pxOD_HicWE/s1600-h/DSC00658.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SMF2a5CXdxC7D_AlFvAniYBP0fOVAaEjwP9zcaqSLILy-3SQbg4mzJGbVIoLp5aol-E6lNHP9MN3Pnt1Bj51WSVH-RCR_Ha3w4-kGwFRhsCBQXDgcohItc3RpBiFhjDZ1pxOD_HicWE/s200/DSC00658.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313309282206956418" border="0" /></a>Henna<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNvSqYNFDdK4Bmjw9iM8cXrO72RzvFSFF8ygBBVfqrfkNGv789_Lx1rVTJTm5Z5rXJyYFty2k4e_g3HyrOmtnpaQO-hLgqobWT4ZA5YobMq6yFOHZ4DTnQEIAG3raHXK8SkmGFsMYKd4/s1600-h/DSC00275.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNvSqYNFDdK4Bmjw9iM8cXrO72RzvFSFF8ygBBVfqrfkNGv789_Lx1rVTJTm5Z5rXJyYFty2k4e_g3HyrOmtnpaQO-hLgqobWT4ZA5YobMq6yFOHZ4DTnQEIAG3raHXK8SkmGFsMYKd4/s200/DSC00275.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313309274166354034" border="0" /></a> Joe at a wedding--there is a 4' tail in the back! Next to him is Abahya Kumar--one of the partners at Sonyimageworks India. We call him the King of Chennai. Whatever you need, just ask Abahya.<br /><br />I have so much more to write so I am splitting this in 2! Bye for now and God Bless!<br />Karen<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-43547635835724756902009-03-14T23:33:00.000-07:002009-03-15T00:03:22.360-07:00Karen's India Update #2Because I can't seem to keep this blog updated enough, I've decided to include my wife's update. She emails this out once in a while. Obviously, more often then I!<div><br /></div><div>Here goes....... I hope you enjoy it.</div><br /><br /><br />Dear Friends & Family, I will try not to wait so long til the next Update because this is pretty lengthy. Sorry! You might want to read it in pieces. My friend, Sweet Bonnie, accused me of writing a novel last time! And I could have written much much more this time.<br /><br />We have been here for more than 2 months now and people here are still asking me if we are "settled in". My reply was that we were settled in after 2 days. It was a very easy transition, even for the kids. I could say that I am proud of them for that but the fact is that since their first visit in 2004, they seem to feel almost as comfortable in India as I do. Their school is great and is very rigorous. I've learned this seems to be true for most of the International Schools all over the world. They have lots of homework and the teachers really pile it on over the weekends. They miss their friends but have lots of new friends here and are even more independent, going out for dinner in groups on their own.<br /><br />Every morning @ 6:30 we start our day with Krishnamoorthy, our Yoga Master. He is a small man who is in his 40's and has been practicing yoga since he was 5. Needless to say, he is a human pretzel. There is much more to it than that and we all enjoy the Pranayama (breathing) and esp. the chanting. The chanting is all in Sanskrit, a very ancient language from India. Some of my friends reading this already know a lot about yoga. I used to practice a little many years ago and it feels wonderful to start the day this way.<br /><br />Walker & Joe just came back from Colombo, Sri Lanka (1 hr flight south of here) for a swim meet involving all the international schools in India & Sri Lanka. Joe says it's like India but with much better infrastructure. We hope to go back as a family to visit. It is exceptionally beautiful there. All students stay with a host family so Joe went down just to cheer him on. Sadly, Francesca's volleyball team did not get to go to Bangladesh because several parents (Indian) wouldn't allow their kids to travel. Indian families are very close, usually very strict and often very protective. I hope we get a chance to host some kids from another country for a weekend tournament.<br /><br />The kids are learning a lot about different cultures and the varying levels of cultural and religious commitment. Hinduism is very strong in South India and it is a more conservative area than many others. There are many many temples here that survived while the invading Muslims centuries ago destroyed many Hindu temples in the northern regions of India. The sarees don't expose much of the midrif here and I think the women look down a little at the northern version of how to wrap a saree. There are several ways to do it. An Indian can look at a person, hear their name and know what area their family is from, their caste, their religion and what kind of job they have. The caste system is changing here but it will take centuries to completely do away with it.<br /><br />Cesca was telling me about a Muslim girl in her class who was complaining that she must always wear a head scarf except for during P.E. I told her that her friend was lucky not to have to wear a burka covering her entire body. We often pass by a Muslim College for Women and see lots of young women in various levels of coverage. They are always dressed in black but most have beautiful embroidery on them. Some wear only a head scarf while others are completely covered with only their eyes showing. This seems unimaginable to me in this heat. But neither Francesca or I feel comfortable wearing tank tops or shorts anywhere but home or school. At our local swim meet, kids from the local Indian schools, esp. the girls, wore bathing "costumes" that would remind us of those worn by our grandparents in the 20's. Even so, some of those kids whipped us pretty good!<br /><br />The school is a great community with meeting & hangout places for parents and lots of extra classes offered to parents and students. There are kids from 30 different nations with teachers from the States, India, England, Australia and Russia. Some of the teachers have taught at International Schools all over the world. They have a store on campus and 2 coffee/snack shops so there are parents there all day, every day. I was excited to find frozen hamburger patties and organic coffee at the PTA store. Whoo hoo!<br /><br />I am taking a Tamil class and also fitness class at school. Tamil is an ancient language, even older than Sanskrit, that this poor brain is really struggling with. It sure was easier to learn when I was younger. By about 3/4 of the way through the class I get a headache and it feels like steam is coming out of my ears. Oh , there is no word in Tamil for "busy".<br /><br />We're also getting a peek at the lives of Embassy employees. They certainly lead interesting lives with a move to another embassy every 4 years. They "bid" or request certain posts if there is a position open. Some places are considered "hardship" posts. Many I spoke with had lived all over the world. The Embassy kids and the kids at our school are all on their way to becoming Global Citizens. Chennai was considered to be a hardship post but I'm not sure that this is still true.<br /><br /><br />On Sundays we walk to a cafe where we get lattes and croissants. But we lose power on a daily basis, usually several times a day. Modern India vs. Old India. Our building has a generator but that is certainly not true for the vast majority of locals. While India is blasting into modern technologies, it is still lacking in many, many basics. People are hungry or malnourished and many millions of them live in pitiful homes. The water is filthy, if there is enough of it to go around.<br /><br />Electrical power is delivered mostly in old, exposed wires that look awfully dangerous. You will see barefoot men in dhotis (the fabric South Indian men wear around their waists) climbing up into the electrical stations to do repairs--IN THE RAIN. There is no Dept of Public Works that makes sure drains are clear, trash is collected etc. There are piles of trash & rubble everywhere. And also such beauty here, it makes my heart ache. After a building is completed there are piles of broken cinderblocks and other construction material left in front with no agency to insist on it's removal or fine the owners for leaving it there--for years. It just becomes part of the landscape. Last night local friends were telling me about the running joke that no pipe repairs are done until just after the road is repaved. They will then come in, dig up the new road and fix whatever. And the holes left are rarely filled in properly. That's the biggest reason to wear seatbelts here--to keep you from bouncing around in your seat too much.<br /><br /><br />My dream of massaging babies here has come true thanks to an introduction at the orphanage by a British woman who has lived here for decades and is involved daily with many charities. Cesca and I just returned from a visit where she helped me massage the babies. She's a natural at it and needed almost no instruction. Maybe because she had so many massages herself as a baby. The place is clean, organized and the caregivers are cheerful and loving. This Foundling Home has been around since the 60's and right now has 37 babies. Can you imagine feeding 37 babies every 2 hours plus the diaper changing, medication etc.? There is very little time for soothing a crying baby which is where I can help out. 99% are girls as boy babies are much more valued.<br /><br />The pediatrician who gave me permission to massage all the healthy babies showed me the ant bites on one tiny little girl who was thrown into the street. The families don't want the cost of raising a daughter only to have to pay a marriage dowry and lose her and her possible income when she leaves to join her new husband's family. Sons will bring home such a wife to the family without the family having had to support her before she could a contribute to the family. The few boy babies have something wrong with them--hernias or club feet or cleft palettes. Drs. here donate their time and perform surgeries for free. There is a 3 year old who is very tiny because of an inoperable heart condition. Another that will likely not survive because there is hardly anything Right with his body. Another sweetheart that is mentally retarded who is unlikely to be adopted. But this week 5 children were adopted!<br /><br />The monsoons have arrived and it's pouring outside. The Indians seem to understand that the rains are life-giving and while some take shelter, many just go about their business, getting soaked while doing so.<br /><br />Things I saw and wished I 'd had my camera with me:<br /><br />A funeral procession on the way to the cremation site. The body was carried on their shoulders on a pallet surrounded by flowers. In certain areas there is not enough wood to complete the process.<br /><br />Female construction workers carrying piles of bricks on their heads after climbing the stairs in a modern building because they are not allowed to use the elevators. We were on the 11th floor!<br /><br />Here are some snaps I did = get:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi823P1t6g-IVFtQ1xyup_DFU_wAyjjyqow1hSo_7SM7nfOAC53P3jy2SDEkW2mUjjrvyILsm6m-Ktled3p-kvgbK-7jf71ysTA3qYqPw2F0gHuXOobwWn6KxpaqV64vxI97Ih3pc3Kbz0/s1600-h/DSCF1269.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi823P1t6g-IVFtQ1xyup_DFU_wAyjjyqow1hSo_7SM7nfOAC53P3jy2SDEkW2mUjjrvyILsm6m-Ktled3p-kvgbK-7jf71ysTA3qYqPw2F0gHuXOobwWn6KxpaqV64vxI97Ih3pc3Kbz0/s200/DSCF1269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313303424100616402" border="0" /></a> Chitra (Mary) using a coconut grinder at lightning speed. She holds it down with her foot. Coconut rice is one of my favorites. Yum.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-DUFH19WOm8doIc9m_wW0ya1SgcpoXS5yXmAaq0p3frK0ERgg2V2Rbgw-QQD-9twOfKI75ONr5Jp5zBsIfrCWdJeRYZBfnYa69p9xBHV8NcRz0Z5ApC47t_is4QbaQ3wCcekctSXrwI/s1600-h/DSCF1229.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-DUFH19WOm8doIc9m_wW0ya1SgcpoXS5yXmAaq0p3frK0ERgg2V2Rbgw-QQD-9twOfKI75ONr5Jp5zBsIfrCWdJeRYZBfnYa69p9xBHV8NcRz0Z5ApC47t_is4QbaQ3wCcekctSXrwI/s200/DSCF1229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302898737391746" border="0" /></a> Cesca & I fell for this Sweetie selling from her family's shop by the beach. What a smile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O30py2ypk-D4-yBo9_CMPGRk-SCyR9EBUmCQycz1gYzEMe46HLWTlsQmqRzaDD_GYyC1pfbRtKDSHucpO7wA58oMSNCFMBLRBAZTwGM9yuP9-eBv4wDYDIXqXNmLez1OxvKTx6wn5Tw/s1600-h/DSCF1231.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5O30py2ypk-D4-yBo9_CMPGRk-SCyR9EBUmCQycz1gYzEMe46HLWTlsQmqRzaDD_GYyC1pfbRtKDSHucpO7wA58oMSNCFMBLRBAZTwGM9yuP9-eBv4wDYDIXqXNmLez1OxvKTx6wn5Tw/s200/DSCF1231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313303413730897554" border="0" /></a> A typical home with a single room. Notice the colored chalk marks on the doorway. Prayers and reminders of the Divine are a constant part of most Indians' day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lUF3fWoAlbF21IVpzje5EdzH9buUCZWTN6CUkBMz56YmRhWD6UCW2B7zEuBmgICdTwD5KxsEpN-prhgux43wCPzTap3hL6RdY6N8f_AKJWocg9doPFR64GceVX7iE5nsTQFPq7XNLoI/s1600-h/DSCF1209.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lUF3fWoAlbF21IVpzje5EdzH9buUCZWTN6CUkBMz56YmRhWD6UCW2B7zEuBmgICdTwD5KxsEpN-prhgux43wCPzTap3hL6RdY6N8f_AKJWocg9doPFR64GceVX7iE5nsTQFPq7XNLoI/s200/DSCF1209.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302883243057746" border="0" /></a> A beggar who taps on your window with a baby that may or may not be rented. The bloody bandage is fake. Still, the need is real.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OauyxQnNsmGrbw2wajo0Vd-9JkkjADkXp1jNDEwXZb49UHsLaKbVrlyPVPyCeNCvOohRPmgC53ZluhizhNQSi_8JxGGUArBiMyDgVM8OhZCzn5e3EvVRSQ-LsnqHDjkdDD87bD2Vlis/s1600-h/DSCF1216.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OauyxQnNsmGrbw2wajo0Vd-9JkkjADkXp1jNDEwXZb49UHsLaKbVrlyPVPyCeNCvOohRPmgC53ZluhizhNQSi_8JxGGUArBiMyDgVM8OhZCzn5e3EvVRSQ-LsnqHDjkdDD87bD2Vlis/s200/DSCF1216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302892380422034" border="0" /></a> A small fish market--.which is why we haven't eaten fish in a long time. They occasionally sprinkle some water on them. The smell...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7g6YdZcLpZ1_CBS7SmXDLRrSauzAXcBuOts_pP0tsVW8cYHdQgxdwxqOrNX4xF_TIZZRbAIrvkfI6S4J9MZ6lsmYNFGMGbLed7FBD9SdkkpY8covOS9fIcASL_oHyF5uNocv2R7qjc8/s1600-h/DSCF1208.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7g6YdZcLpZ1_CBS7SmXDLRrSauzAXcBuOts_pP0tsVW8cYHdQgxdwxqOrNX4xF_TIZZRbAIrvkfI6S4J9MZ6lsmYNFGMGbLed7FBD9SdkkpY8covOS9fIcASL_oHyF5uNocv2R7qjc8/s200/DSCF1208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302878799973570" border="0" /></a> These are typically seen on houses under construction, used to ward off evil.Remnants of Colonial India, with Moghul influence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp2xv68SbL4PZkkk7QtCDP-6yoHhkN53Y89JDYNhkIMApaOt7QubywdADii2jPmhaze1vqgAgEnZ4C_PwTgidGDpNPGihJ9AJFbuOpZ-BIsod4z0PS7HOh7mIyj4Jg0p79SWf3TGgHOk/s1600-h/DSCF0834.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp2xv68SbL4PZkkk7QtCDP-6yoHhkN53Y89JDYNhkIMApaOt7QubywdADii2jPmhaze1vqgAgEnZ4C_PwTgidGDpNPGihJ9AJFbuOpZ-BIsod4z0PS7HOh7mIyj4Jg0p79SWf3TGgHOk/s200/DSCF0834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302189320118178" border="0" /></a> Marina Beach where many of the locals go. The double row of vendor booths leading out to the water must have been 1/2 mile long. Most Indians only wade and women go up to their knees in their sarees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDhy9oZ7DGRNYSl8zlNVydJC0HawGHG4hFwVrhQXwt0079oQkGFtVb696sprH5rIKBw9_o7xj1i7Eh-rZxSd2sqon34_5AI116THUDz7bIihcM9YuYksUA7JHCSvgzBmn3qHD-GzUoNQ/s1600-h/DSCF0832.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDhy9oZ7DGRNYSl8zlNVydJC0HawGHG4hFwVrhQXwt0079oQkGFtVb696sprH5rIKBw9_o7xj1i7Eh-rZxSd2sqon34_5AI116THUDz7bIihcM9YuYksUA7JHCSvgzBmn3qHD-GzUoNQ/s200/DSCF0832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302184848197458" border="0" /></a> Care for some freshly squeezed sugar cane juice?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4y8N8GvvENkBRTTzoLHoy2QsdbI5yKmjGZvkkXq2hTvaeVEMqAQ6KsSXCJ9-JSNfcxX61tusy1OuqVH3F1BFspuSb4P7g09PEuzcm5dUFHvT1rsCLjPMKr-uPjvbfV6kE_K6BiyHY-s/s1600-h/DSCF0829.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4y8N8GvvENkBRTTzoLHoy2QsdbI5yKmjGZvkkXq2hTvaeVEMqAQ6KsSXCJ9-JSNfcxX61tusy1OuqVH3F1BFspuSb4P7g09PEuzcm5dUFHvT1rsCLjPMKr-uPjvbfV6kE_K6BiyHY-s/s200/DSCF0829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302164813149314" border="0" /></a> Walker go-karting with a friend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5686zzoECheJmp1S5yLkFcCEZZlVJ4PkY3oparKD-Uz9jWnt7YZ22g2f010gKg5W28nbQWV9Q8n9hJQ2yZaMvUQ3LN_p_QkOyDjM5WHXpEWxQbge7uOPxrMlnLxEAZqN16QXOiehVP0/s1600-h/DSCF0858.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5686zzoECheJmp1S5yLkFcCEZZlVJ4PkY3oparKD-Uz9jWnt7YZ22g2f010gKg5W28nbQWV9Q8n9hJQ2yZaMvUQ3LN_p_QkOyDjM5WHXpEWxQbge7uOPxrMlnLxEAZqN16QXOiehVP0/s200/DSCF0858.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302867906506514" border="0" /></a> One could do a whole coffee table book on what Indians can carry on a bike or motorcyle. Once I saw a mattress.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-rTZ6F1gRA6nTRzsgsSH6PZkCIP5pp9CKRNSZc0_5Ub6-8nyYeukQwGxr0lA0DbUKqltUuQP2gkp856yZ9lRcoeDO5x7m33rFcRBvvyRjGnMWhBSxtypa2ZwCzABKP99AFotNXrX9A4/s1600-h/DSCF0831.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-rTZ6F1gRA6nTRzsgsSH6PZkCIP5pp9CKRNSZc0_5Ub6-8nyYeukQwGxr0lA0DbUKqltUuQP2gkp856yZ9lRcoeDO5x7m33rFcRBvvyRjGnMWhBSxtypa2ZwCzABKP99AFotNXrX9A4/s200/DSCF0831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302173626213794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm-VGyas9IjJO4UgbboZW1nXTxfd3nCkMfFIqIBnkT2R_6mYIkXegnutNmof9qjjGDQMoCSHtbQPAr3-k3yREZaeJPYgtUqeHdPreBCRTKe5yA249oJ9P_x02HPaTBTr6Lx97sx8bz4g/s1600-h/DSCF0851.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm-VGyas9IjJO4UgbboZW1nXTxfd3nCkMfFIqIBnkT2R_6mYIkXegnutNmof9qjjGDQMoCSHtbQPAr3-k3yREZaeJPYgtUqeHdPreBCRTKe5yA249oJ9P_x02HPaTBTr6Lx97sx8bz4g/s200/DSCF0851.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313302197826117602" border="0" /></a> Ahh, South India.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-58780832260207183162008-12-07T06:33:00.000-08:002009-03-14T23:31:47.978-07:00Karen's India update #1Because I can't seem to keep this blog updated enough, I've decided to include my wife's update. She emails this out once in a while. Obviously, more often then I!<div><br /></div><div>Here goes....... I hope you enjoy it.</div><div><br /><br />GREETINGS FROM INDIA!<br /><br />NAMASTE!<br /><br />My first impression of India on my first trip in 1979 was of the smell. As soon as the plane's door opened, it hit-- hot, very humid with a strong odor of curry, incense and manure all mixed together. Many things have changed in India since then, but not that.<br />I hope to write of many things and experiences during our stay here. Some will be about modern India and some will be about this ancient, colorful and amazingly beautiful land as it still exists in most areas of India.<br /><br />First, a little background for those that don't know much about my love affair with India. It really started as a spiritual love affair with Avatar Meher Baba. Meher Baba is sometimes known as the Silent Master because He kept silence for over 40 years. He said, "I have not come to Teach, but to Awaken." He didn't want His lovers to proselytize so I will just say He has Christ-like qualities and as soon as I fell in love with Him, I headed to India to visit His Tomb and to spend time with His Mandali (close ones). Meherabad is my very favorite place in the world.<br /><br />It is in Maharashtra State and is about a 2 hr. plane ride from here, followed by a 2-3 hr. car ride. Hey, they have a real road now, not like the good old days. Coming from the states one would fly into Mumbai (Bombay) then drive over the Ghats to Pune(formerly Poona) then onto Ahmednagar, a small city. The Ghats are natural terraces that wind up to go over the mountains which lead to the Deccan Plateau. Most people speak Hindi or Marathi of which I know a few words like "Gurum Pawnee" (hot water) which I had to learn to ask for if I wanted a hot bath. There is always a drought here so that was every 3rd day. An Indian bath consisted of a bucket of hot water which was heated by fire which you mixed with cold from a tap (whoo hoo). You took the plastic cup provided and after mixing the two poured it over your head, soaped up and proceeded to the rinse. Lest you think we are roughing it like that, let me tell you we in in a 3 bedroom 3 bath apt. More on our digs later.<br /><br />I always felt very comfortable and at home here and have made 4 trips to Meherabad over the last almost 30 years. That includes a trip with my children Walker & Francesca in 2004. My husband Joe was never interested in visiting India with me so imagine the irony when he was offered AND ACCEPTED a job here in India. He will actually end up spending more time here than the rest of the family.<br /><br />South India is new to me. Every part of India has different food, language, dress, religion and temples . Most women wear sarees here altho you do see some salwar kameezes ( they are the long tunics with the pj-like pants worn underneath. The pants are often tight at the ankle. You rarely see a woman without a scarf. Now some women wear western clothes but not too many. You might see tunics over jeans but that makes no sense to me as it is HOT here and oh so humid that only thin, loose cotton seems reasonable. It is a wonderful sight to watch an Indian woman walk-- it's more like gliding, even if she has a stack of bricks or a pot of water perfectly balanced on her head.<br /><br />By the way, women here do construction. You will often see whole families including children working on a building. And the scaffolding is bamboo--even many stories up! And window washers are either very brave or crazy!<br /><br />Traffic here is terrible. There used to be millions of bicycles here. Now there are millions of motorcycles. Only the very poor seem to still ride bikes. I saw a very small child walking his bike across the railroad tracks and I wondered how he could possibly reach or even mount the bike (it had the boy's cross bar on it). He accomplished it by sticking his leg through the other side and riding it that way so his whole body except for his right leg was on one side of the bike. How he could balance I don't know.<br /><br />There is no concept of lines. For instance, in boarding a bus the whole crowd tries to funnel in. Somehow it gets accomplished. The buses are PACKED and some tilt so badly to one side you'd swear it was about to tip over. Lanes are a mere suggestion. And one hand is for the horn. Our driver Raja is especially fond of the horn and pretty much just keeps it blowing. We are getting used to it.<br /><br />All this constant sensory input is exhausting. By the afternoon we are done in. I knew that would be the case so we chose a place in a quiet, shady and fairly clean neighborhood called The Boat Club. People come from all around to walk or run here. The locals pay for trash pick up because that just doesn't exist here. Even here you will walk by a pile of trash burning in the street or on the sidewalk. Yes, we do have some sidewalks in The Boat Club but that is rare.<br /><br />There are mountains of regulations in India but not for things like safety or pollution. When you want to buy something in a store you choose what you want then the clerk will write it up, someone will bring it up to the payment counter where another person will wrap it or put it in a bag while you pay yet another person and someone else will very efficiently stamp( often with great gusto and seriousness) your receipt --all 3 or 4 pages and THEN you go to the other wrapping counter to pick up your purchases after your receipt is checked by another soul. WHEW! I am convinced that this is to employ as many people as possible as their work force is so huge.<br /><br />I enjoyed watching the man at the hardware store wrap my meager purchase of 5 nails (there was a choice of 2 different kinds). They were wrapped in newspaper and tied with twine but with such a flourish! Plastic bags are ruining the beauty of India with no ban in sight. Paper is very valuable here and trees scarce in many parts of India. So you get plastic or in upscale shops a cloth bag. The countryside is covered with blowing plastic bags. Very sad.<br /><br />Most families live together with the son's wife joining the household when they marry so there are often 3-4 generations in the house. Everyone tries to help out in some way by adding a small amount to the family income or helping out by caring for the children. You often see children with a woman who is their grandmother or great grandmother walking them to or from school. I was told by a friend (local) here that the poor families have started sending their children to the public schools since the government has started feeding them lunch. Then they know their child had at least one meal that day.<br /><br />I'm trying to connect with the Overseas Women's Club which seems to do a lot of charity work. But what I really want to do is hands on with the babies. I know someone who knows a woman who runs an orphanage so I'm hopeful... It seems each orphanage, home etc. focuses on one particular group: home for foundlings, home for disabled, home for mentally challenged women (they can keep their children with them) home for death w/ dignity for the destitute.<br /><br />Below are just a few photos I promise many more in the future. These were actually taken by Francesca as my camera broke and don't know how long it will take to fix it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg879sVb2ydjP7_WWicdWTbeqdh3-uZBrHVcSPY-mPiE2dIY9ZBPrHvHpW5eWz0A7Wo1Nb-vv41AGJBcyYiTozDS35Wkz3GCHg4o4Z3lctHPVDQfN8dt4x1e162F3GZErZD0aaaFjWzs0s/s1600-h/image.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg879sVb2ydjP7_WWicdWTbeqdh3-uZBrHVcSPY-mPiE2dIY9ZBPrHvHpW5eWz0A7Wo1Nb-vv41AGJBcyYiTozDS35Wkz3GCHg4o4Z3lctHPVDQfN8dt4x1e162F3GZErZD0aaaFjWzs0s/s200/image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313297012506134290" border="0" /></a>1. Ideal Beach where a lot of Expats go.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeRsZ7yXwBLiaqm5etGBlZPeI7STME-pJFMiMtZ-FlqAd9HRQRo1nXIKNtA-2tBar9HTerYPPDSyXUEbjUZpjtolijeCOc-EbKbaWfGnPtPvwcABCdJAPtJ2bPQdI4X22d4_77bl_D94/s1600-h/image-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeRsZ7yXwBLiaqm5etGBlZPeI7STME-pJFMiMtZ-FlqAd9HRQRo1nXIKNtA-2tBar9HTerYPPDSyXUEbjUZpjtolijeCOc-EbKbaWfGnPtPvwcABCdJAPtJ2bPQdI4X22d4_77bl_D94/s200/image-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313297018451674450" border="0" /></a>2.Craftsman making our cane furniture<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1kaGS9r2h0DJxcItsXCUuX3CixDC0cCNFN5uQeMuq-P_iJ3xjG0urOeH15MWHlWlrA19y5GtFUSLIjzAYwl2dp7rGnmjJGVkHR9Pk1vjOaIsC9eKCLPAxPpUYJtMzk6VpDX05BTavQo/s1600-h/image-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1kaGS9r2h0DJxcItsXCUuX3CixDC0cCNFN5uQeMuq-P_iJ3xjG0urOeH15MWHlWlrA19y5GtFUSLIjzAYwl2dp7rGnmjJGVkHR9Pk1vjOaIsC9eKCLPAxPpUYJtMzk6VpDX05BTavQo/s200/image-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313297018658427442" border="0" /></a>3.One of the many colorful turbans you'll see. My favorites are the hot pink ones!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1DjXLYz6OA7s_zNT0aj5aQuhHwUzs9G5tMZ2Ihh9Isna9yrYcTKrHxSdjp8I7LCIYhz8NHb2APbwEE8s3PI_T3Ald6z1psLW0GrTPWiLnSk2pe30ndqmHBBZu14DDgNmafM_9T51exA/s1600-h/image-3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1DjXLYz6OA7s_zNT0aj5aQuhHwUzs9G5tMZ2Ihh9Isna9yrYcTKrHxSdjp8I7LCIYhz8NHb2APbwEE8s3PI_T3Ald6z1psLW0GrTPWiLnSk2pe30ndqmHBBZu14DDgNmafM_9T51exA/s200/image-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313297022248094946" border="0" /></a>4. Cow are one of Cesca's favorite subjects.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUbgPR7bEaqYOEhzth_9hiITWgCWjYPfr9JgdUunHKvYzm9c8rwgco7-bHLlMDnZmVPXBzgALa8vTqk5jEmJ63E-tWnLe_84ICadlQALQOnVTu7768jXGLeOootCmbuBwcqstIxaSuz8/s1600-h/image-4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUbgPR7bEaqYOEhzth_9hiITWgCWjYPfr9JgdUunHKvYzm9c8rwgco7-bHLlMDnZmVPXBzgALa8vTqk5jEmJ63E-tWnLe_84ICadlQALQOnVTu7768jXGLeOootCmbuBwcqstIxaSuz8/s200/image-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313297022734188530" border="0" /></a>5. Pondy Bazaar: as soon as you get out of your car, peddlers use it to sell their wares. They are very accommodating and quickly remove them as soon as you are ready to go.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2y6bqSVnDsa7lu2oYbRB1uvywLEHQYYaNN014b4qqnP3uYXs4t6q2CLZBbuQODpIrtDnsDSYC8-9tQBWv2KjHJ_pDUqVus70IGLZRETmosxlsnUTn3PmBdd5h5_36fsSTykFtcvWyBrc/s1600-h/image-5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2y6bqSVnDsa7lu2oYbRB1uvywLEHQYYaNN014b4qqnP3uYXs4t6q2CLZBbuQODpIrtDnsDSYC8-9tQBWv2KjHJ_pDUqVus70IGLZRETmosxlsnUTn3PmBdd5h5_36fsSTykFtcvWyBrc/s200/image-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313298312558719714" border="0" /></a>6. Taken thru a rainy window--I still love these sites. Seen mostly outside of the cities.<br /><br />That's it for now, I don't want tis to be too long.<br />Love to all and Namaste!<br /><br />P.S. Years ago Namaste was translated to me as " I bow down to the God within you." I love that and hope it does not lose it's meaning and become a cliche in the west where I have heard it misused and seen as a marketing tool. My friend was relating a story of how he withdrew from an escalating verbal altercation by using this word. Powerful.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-65212428140917153382008-03-09T22:09:00.000-07:002008-12-10T03:59:04.561-08:003/08/08 Saturday Traffic.....<div>On my way to Pondy Bizarre we entered this intersection where everyone was entering it at the same time....... It was the first time I have ever not been able to move. It took about 15 min. before the traffic released itself......... WOW!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVmba9znGCJCebeHbQr25wFwTsjyWlW-f2gFj4X0NID5sruam0B_rKSPTxGdCMF9KHwupB2x9ydfMqIVhC9KL04xpwUILJ9PuFpdXhJGr9OfspuJ0GkPNGnU5PhxiTS3pRfoXkM2q19Y/s1600-h/DSC00324.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVmba9znGCJCebeHbQr25wFwTsjyWlW-f2gFj4X0NID5sruam0B_rKSPTxGdCMF9KHwupB2x9ydfMqIVhC9KL04xpwUILJ9PuFpdXhJGr9OfspuJ0GkPNGnU5PhxiTS3pRfoXkM2q19Y/s200/DSC00324.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175993728040792386" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5qTEwUC7NZU9Y959S9-cwH3OlcwzOKBGTAWpssU01ubmVq5QFVhOcfF7LdP4EL0c2_lHBlX6fqIqWElkwhlXl9SyLrM4nw-r1YnSQjwpkhgczAgmYthnmj9LKBlMiLqhfHYdzq9XIo2c/s200/DSC00323.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175994226256998738" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq8RGamwnMQdmoxg_p-X3DE3wIF42TRQ4zyxnCctGPwwp2O-GtDCgxffkl5Wk_87wh47QlaabQM3ePG9jCTWStVMUK1s0EYLfBhSLeN4RXB11AfOIZsj7lDPP-bv1GPUxAtQ2zPGtrcU/s200/DSC00322.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175996721632997730" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKW1Rr7Fb-zMfK2R7qh7oAlbvO8VQB7cYdmOk1qzR7UA__UDuTnAw_-auX2RnQuX5lx1XfTwGwnks1WwaPL6R7VlYz0KRUC_vEBOzxoMfPak4Q1M1BI_0v5SMQ-sPnzE9I0sj0Qw-lrwM/s200/DSC00320.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175997722360377714" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_UVSYXUiqA1fNT7Vien9UjiiAenw9hqnLZFT23VQHr2v2-Rcnx75bG4CO-qBZ0bHv4IF5XPHx0vOTF9gGtoSNDaiv0ykxRASUIc1oeTpr4knlcQzcf_dUryczYpZstWn3hCGJkS1CqY/s1600-h/DSC00327.JPG"></a><div>I finally made it to the store to find some pots and pans..... Boy, did I have a selection.</div><div>Every kind, shape and size in the world was there..... I wanted to push this large stack over, but I thought I'd better not......</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_UVSYXUiqA1fNT7Vien9UjiiAenw9hqnLZFT23VQHr2v2-Rcnx75bG4CO-qBZ0bHv4IF5XPHx0vOTF9gGtoSNDaiv0ykxRASUIc1oeTpr4knlcQzcf_dUryczYpZstWn3hCGJkS1CqY/s1600-h/DSC00327.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_UVSYXUiqA1fNT7Vien9UjiiAenw9hqnLZFT23VQHr2v2-Rcnx75bG4CO-qBZ0bHv4IF5XPHx0vOTF9gGtoSNDaiv0ykxRASUIc1oeTpr4knlcQzcf_dUryczYpZstWn3hCGJkS1CqY/s200/DSC00327.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175985086566592818" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy these video's....... Sometimes you just need a little sound for it all to make sense........<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTf7s9Sno_JrBHPaImOTQBD3Rp7OZtjxPi0xZBaftIGlBA8xcc1CMi69OitBv4dY6DCVxDKGP4I8UtgT23TQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwAhtb-iR4G92A45lQpuaEOuXDKlVRsqYgeJDFIz1gVwNM2G1V2ABls6gjU0Pj0Qnelz52r6LcrqRoGbXtmMQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-54370410722460118062008-03-09T09:39:00.000-07:002008-12-10T03:59:06.743-08:003/06/08 Cleaning the side of our building<div>If you think you have a tough job, check these guys out........</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n4H1QD0aPejDirIYYmikLzYbxWrtoR0ZI8tE-H2CF9-3OTm5Fftwm1XvX-KKB-1i-v5VO60T_leFpzOltp_GwM-9LJiVGwbyBoRX4xcql1-AA8zPj9MHNtsLkEjjni0V1zQU2o_wgK8/s1600-h/DSC00313.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n4H1QD0aPejDirIYYmikLzYbxWrtoR0ZI8tE-H2CF9-3OTm5Fftwm1XvX-KKB-1i-v5VO60T_leFpzOltp_GwM-9LJiVGwbyBoRX4xcql1-AA8zPj9MHNtsLkEjjni0V1zQU2o_wgK8/s200/DSC00313.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178016588917731794" /></a><br />I took these pictures right outside my window. They stopped cleaning to have their picture taken...... Don't they look like their having fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQlvLeT2Kv-uSeeB8PhsSIXnqvKduvCJUna3mXoLpa3mIUh9XBSZgl7brEzP3sVCdh75p_mCNpmtiJitryQ1ljaOeqWwFoqdC2iyJR1JXzWybzbYTb-hHt7WTzfSKa8F4zOkC2GhrNKM/s1600-h/DSC00316.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQlvLeT2Kv-uSeeB8PhsSIXnqvKduvCJUna3mXoLpa3mIUh9XBSZgl7brEzP3sVCdh75p_mCNpmtiJitryQ1ljaOeqWwFoqdC2iyJR1JXzWybzbYTb-hHt7WTzfSKa8F4zOkC2GhrNKM/s200/DSC00316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177939030398300562" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPxKjF8L51dqjuHr5AKPYyG8xkiD0nubchtmfvmO10blF0fPFBIRLVfpEPCWk4_pxBajA1wULdP1w3zqAy46S6CaoTVuOujkWYxU-jyrgpoBIIdlWAJpmUtCf8cpquDMN25HWGXQPVdY/s200/DSC00315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178015497996038594" /><div><br /></div><div>By the way, if I didn't tell you...... I'm on the 11th floor of a 13 story building! WOW!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzf2wTXDXYf_m3DMP39-oLVmuI2_wMjURfW8GkXY5Mj728W3v89GJC7KuOM5r5bj2ZbvnkYYpfY-KfFGZdgVRzVapZjsqQKt30STGTtbGrBI0VU4XnDSBubbzn8cGPGPAdMABHuSIA_E/s1600-h/DSC00317.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzf2wTXDXYf_m3DMP39-oLVmuI2_wMjURfW8GkXY5Mj728W3v89GJC7KuOM5r5bj2ZbvnkYYpfY-KfFGZdgVRzVapZjsqQKt30STGTtbGrBI0VU4XnDSBubbzn8cGPGPAdMABHuSIA_E/s200/DSC00317.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177938721160655234" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSMBJj26IzhvgDMzDPxFy7z-uCwaJeEIW78BjEjyH_kzc7kvVzUTs7Gx3gRugge8G3f-VcjgG3eSKd3q7pl7Hzs_-5Jqav5LtEocUSfdX1dunahkPmkjfVYkJlC_DjKA7RkLn7e-83gk/s200/DSC00319.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178014450024018354" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXBj0CgfNxT1iv2yoF_2tLgLstzsLWOolD417EKTfq2i-IYXe-6ni7T9JukBILXD4VMXpZOHQ4ckmJmdjnmzT6NYLLTr3JM2A6NS02n8SRsOg58aIxwbTvlhKu1kq3YqfgGkPlcd-rNg/s200/DSC00318.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177942801379586466" /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-40440409760040605452008-03-09T08:05:00.000-07:002008-12-10T03:59:08.087-08:003/2/08 New Facility "POOJA"<div>The day before our facility opened up we had some spiritual people come in and perform a "pooja". Basically, we had our facility blessed Indian style...... Man, was it different!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxt0Iq-ZGhAbtJtYKzDd6eDOfd4p5oibDz9D9G8tsJBuH91_oy_EdE3KvFkq3x4OYLDfOXfvcyq6Lm8yC4bWtDxZA0fkYPoKWNHboNT_MGUO23zsdD6o7kWtKBWFe-fBWHYQoYkstmJ8/s1600-h/DSC00298.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxt0Iq-ZGhAbtJtYKzDd6eDOfd4p5oibDz9D9G8tsJBuH91_oy_EdE3KvFkq3x4OYLDfOXfvcyq6Lm8yC4bWtDxZA0fkYPoKWNHboNT_MGUO23zsdD6o7kWtKBWFe-fBWHYQoYkstmJ8/s200/DSC00298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175765420464238818" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9U_9w18YHndvpsa2-rRRZIDKMY3LoSDWR2P0fRB_-kwx6W-rlFeyfqUD1NJ_zzGmjDCfJQJVxo6eZk32ctdFXbe-elRA4jYkkoBiJqu0Fh1wKsUsX6GFvRXnVDdtWk2MQ35j9k45RoI/s200/DSC00296.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175778936726319346" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjCBu9kl7Ix7kJwhARpnnMn3SZyhbrPeyxLCRvjV5NeC26sGZ92ZAGIPC0QWKie1n3ifwH2Mw0NYish1atERjZj516tGr3d1iVEi1g6j5Lh4-ndZZfWAvBC86_zjoEvqm7lTOkEJMqzU/s1600-h/DSC00304.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjCBu9kl7Ix7kJwhARpnnMn3SZyhbrPeyxLCRvjV5NeC26sGZ92ZAGIPC0QWKie1n3ifwH2Mw0NYish1atERjZj516tGr3d1iVEi1g6j5Lh4-ndZZfWAvBC86_zjoEvqm7lTOkEJMqzU/s200/DSC00304.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175760915043545282" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJF3I8yZINeLKREVsjk4RvtL2EuJ0slTt0mKpkmkzP1nESOLEaA07HyRyrooPzZnEqwuzV73ahhhXvlFwjteHTl5iBt6BfyrxuKxky2kRlRUuKuIawd-oW67YJ3rz7P3YFeUKftgQa9KA/s200/DSC00301.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175764806283915474" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUselsLzrvRSPCeqYZ-trmmsGXja0EuTLpxzvsvN3Hi5SzuqBFiZZFTFPe3_U3UdCTZNZ7Fk72XMLarvMI_zmN1hg13ToWehkzQO7tKjx1laxcoe3arvO1MLwOYRn6lWYU1DSJkOE_DCA/s1600-h/DSC00309.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUselsLzrvRSPCeqYZ-trmmsGXja0EuTLpxzvsvN3Hi5SzuqBFiZZFTFPe3_U3UdCTZNZ7Fk72XMLarvMI_zmN1hg13ToWehkzQO7tKjx1laxcoe3arvO1MLwOYRn6lWYU1DSJkOE_DCA/s200/DSC00309.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175759098272379042" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx3dfIf1FaXjCgoWs1ww6QkMhL9RP_IP9doSt3uCIUhEMWUqxxo44ZQ7Z_MbOR0Tbjr2sd6FomEJnp8mXB4tevLubEAzkAPESDIMGFq1hbYnnGFo9UDInBHZgCB9ol2GsYl68bQlp0qY/s200/DSC00308.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175760468366946482" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You have to hear it...... pictures don't do it justice.</div><div>Enjoy!</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzS500EkiPHdUG53qWeSPWPwHy7e_AoKHZB2-KDEqGwZ9Cwtl7PnwAMBYOa5yDrA4rvubSBEwmbQ0pklKbk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-46379580024150350232008-03-08T02:13:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:59:10.670-08:002/28/08 - Traditional Indian Wedding<div> </div><div>Where do I begin........ I will try to explain as much as I can, But if you ever get a chance to experience this, don't pass it up...... WOW! </div><div>First of all, all the men meet in one place and all the women meet in another and they eat.... At some point, the band starts a procession, all the men lead the way, all wearing these hats (not sure of the name), then the groom rides along on his horse, all the while, separating the women from the men..... The women follow behind the horse......</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPdutcUgPT_3nb6RKuscLoPtK5J2_ADsmqt5XgYsGAix6kjeeZtRNV_J3o_pKQNS1eIDD_pSpHgS6o7aygOFxMVUJAeomHtl97yBXYn2WQkpp4giqT94DRCGsB86_Sjl5FJ2hvlLag5E/s1600-h/DSC00279.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPdutcUgPT_3nb6RKuscLoPtK5J2_ADsmqt5XgYsGAix6kjeeZtRNV_J3o_pKQNS1eIDD_pSpHgS6o7aygOFxMVUJAeomHtl97yBXYn2WQkpp4giqT94DRCGsB86_Sjl5FJ2hvlLag5E/s200/DSC00279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175752045936078962" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuWi-wdMAW5KVPWgkESZXEE_a7G4D6jUsO9_2f18nj80kksn-DAM5pA1zV-wB_vnd49L0qRHTqHy8HAYoSyaT-HncOBuHL_OMREb5BAjYSanGJ0UieZ74xFzSABZMQwMAklKth7D3-W8/s200/DSC00278.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175752810440257666" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlgdAaRNrSWo4EFvhVrTAVN2_uGFt9GndzgiQz6lrGK22C-XuUiBQJHCyOfnDmV1WoBknjzCPZVyOaQ6Dy14QfK0Q2B82zdc8B5b5pMVrAfF1jsiTLn70NaLbCkLRM0LrzW2av1nYfE0/s200/DSC00274.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175753879887114386" /><br /><br />We finally end up at the wedding hall where the groom meets the mother and other ladies... They place dots on his forehead and they also try to pinch his nose.... This is suppose to mean something - as to whether he's going to be hen picked or in control of his house..... He actually keeps them from pinching his nose by covering it with a handkerchief.... <br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvAC7UWNtz98_izaCIj7pNnmy5cI_ZRNv0-QH6DLht0A9rxth68-F9pkYupZQyx1tc8X7TA33RchVKv4_CbXzO_guof9kZRqoJdHlFzfMl4Ak0aT9cM4aTKpsxgTc_edBlcnOeEEnFfk/s200/DSC00282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175750254934716514" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kUx8bqE6tC7tC90n_8zJ3TYrl7PZnoX8sD6ZB3tktsLbN1EWJhYYqXng8t0ji2G4KM6GIwe_LxBohS4icVuK-bRX6zhUUlS4kNb6w6fa_3hqGYfJfTl0LySd8TzYLpxcvQ5oT3iYTGI/s200/DSC00284.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175745895542911058" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zKRao5hdtVoB-xGKNgcqBG3KXayAS6ErXRgq-PkOoShhlIitjGSwp9Ggkgi2tGU_hAWtNJQXUsoxhKkk2wflbqs3uzL3ULryTb90Qof__BMm-h-NNNfpUbC-PHtUONeE-xYth_C1Xks/s1600-h/DSC00287.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zKRao5hdtVoB-xGKNgcqBG3KXayAS6ErXRgq-PkOoShhlIitjGSwp9Ggkgi2tGU_hAWtNJQXUsoxhKkk2wflbqs3uzL3ULryTb90Qof__BMm-h-NNNfpUbC-PHtUONeE-xYth_C1Xks/s200/DSC00287.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175745388736770114" /></a><br /><br /><div>Then at some point the bride comes out to meet him. After a few ceremonial things happen, they make their way inside..... Understand, while all this is going on, the family is inside on stage meeting and greeting the other family...... You see, these people don't know each other at all..... The bride and groom may have met maybe once or twice before this ceremony takes place..... This is what they call a planned wedding. If you look real close, the bride and groom don't look very happy... Actually they're quite scared.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9i2e_NckuQZhN0PxRxmdoIroB9t-1R9qZlqAW3gkMXM53BbKYUcf6ApOxjw3a599Z25ykoIYKqvpH0UQ9Bi341JBcbloXxgT-BQtzIsNtuxhlf1UdhIMwjxfj1G3gzZHLoX93wKQE-g/s1600-h/DSC00290.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9i2e_NckuQZhN0PxRxmdoIroB9t-1R9qZlqAW3gkMXM53BbKYUcf6ApOxjw3a599Z25ykoIYKqvpH0UQ9Bi341JBcbloXxgT-BQtzIsNtuxhlf1UdhIMwjxfj1G3gzZHLoX93wKQE-g/s200/DSC00290.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175315801812856850" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf2iZRvpSZJL6hlB1mbSdE0TDdj9pfpCnRtIkBnWQvlCAfVeX_qIG73nk2xmQo0SU0hlB82uspE8-NFd8XdcUQ0OYMtrqT-UI8W5Yi4e8OuYZDXUDtDzKf6suUZsSrb_XASVts_-yHmw/s200/DSC00289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175316158295142434" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfZTw0Iq39IU8RmnVcPpfxBWVjA0ED8FmN66xCaYx-PN4dMaB0UAO2CJ1TTsk3lk68o2ky7rt3URo-twMOxJ_bCLmSTpqSfom-Q-BEyb5StomBnoLlJmjlOORoQEELvwuOPwFKBDCIQ4/s200/DSC00288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175743726584426546" /></div><div><br /></div><div>After a little break, the bride and groom settle into this little area for the ceremony..... Not that many people witness this, as everyone is in another hall eating and talking.... You see, during this whole event there are all these different things going on.... In our world everyone is focused on the bride and groom..... Here, they're eating talking and barely paying attention..... During this part especially, I was even pulled away to go to some other function. So, I never saw the ending.... Who cares? Was the feeling I got..... But then for the next 3 days, they have different receptions and parties... Then everything is back to normal....... By the way, this wedding took place on a Thursday morning. It started around 11am...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J8AJMrsXznLIbVl-PzDUE-3VKS1Zr_QEQMF0QMIW2MpRNhWYwB3Kbl_6O6aPlyPL1uDoxSKBIXmemSV1yHR-6epWIFZ6zAJCWbFr1xVSTd878x74cMv-scJjG4LpTibuz9HXj1xYPT8/s1600-h/DSC00293.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3J8AJMrsXznLIbVl-PzDUE-3VKS1Zr_QEQMF0QMIW2MpRNhWYwB3Kbl_6O6aPlyPL1uDoxSKBIXmemSV1yHR-6epWIFZ6zAJCWbFr1xVSTd878x74cMv-scJjG4LpTibuz9HXj1xYPT8/s200/DSC00293.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175312421673594850" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezvIg2QL-fz3RCc8woJSHrjzv3RG3nylCPvwnl3WQ3iXTYlm_xnbkPc8sJ0zNnvyE11LeP6pltG3g9p_eXt259IQsC_JNynjnTMxbFR6eX81Jo-iMhNSZY7kCjPyayvWuQohji46X9W4/s200/DSC00292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175313439580844034" /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is some sights and sounds of when the groom meets the mother and the other ladies as he comes up to the hall......</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPlhitZhX47865hs2CN6_CbIP_autCiYaypLbDIxkrVfKt6ZOnRRlyH8wjVIDpMWdTmMbrK0kUYmaQset4vg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-57592925033093342552008-03-07T07:59:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:59:12.800-08:002/25/08 Traveling The Countryside of Chennai<div>On this day, I went and bought some pots and pans in a section of town call Pondy Bizarre.....</div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvi7Jis4-wJHUDgnBxo0W0tSOm9XFmz7dPpKrSEhyphenhyphenll4GaDQyBdoDypqR2gtUcmvBStO2YOI2xuDP2FTxDnDJIaRfrVC0bpKdOX-vs_1y-gvlfJocBYYZIKZAgTkWPCcA_a4JOlVDYi_U/s200/DSC00228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175297677050867602" /><br /><br /><div>Then, I went and picked out some fabric to have some curtains made........ For the whole Apt. it cost less than $250 (including the cost of the fabric). I think thats pretty cheap!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfgeQJMF-ngRzmKiif1ATZyTTT6xnnv_Pth4aptwoGZmLKPO1PL2pyWPzGmUjkzRLOVMZwoQiPxt2VEu-BsMLJWz7IV3cxY1Tj-sxqCJkWzULh4quC24mAC5HLvx_QSCFAbIieNwwcL8/s1600-h/DSC00223.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfgeQJMF-ngRzmKiif1ATZyTTT6xnnv_Pth4aptwoGZmLKPO1PL2pyWPzGmUjkzRLOVMZwoQiPxt2VEu-BsMLJWz7IV3cxY1Tj-sxqCJkWzULh4quC24mAC5HLvx_QSCFAbIieNwwcL8/s200/DSC00223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175305721524613026" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8kKp9kvXiMdNjBfAXyTss5JQGQKuX5v8aX43GosZRBJW8SeNGg6r9thT2V-SuL8SMtR-ajYICTXZGCarBMyNpqOhx-3rNBwHiGk4mFq0Eres9IxwNwExsm9TxZ_3jad7FfM-zqYvShg/s200/DSC00222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175309136023613362" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFh8OWNuavib49v-CbV_N0dHFBBuhqJVcxuqadCff07Un_nKzOAYuubh-u8esCYNlOifwrHN3k2kAjGfyFrYUPB2K3qtLYAXXP_QYQoEhZ0XJUEJ8MZgVzcP7KouA11DNaZ1Ri3ET3UE/s200/DSC00227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175310845420597202" /><br /><br /></div><div>Later in the day, we rode out to the old facility for a meeting....... It's 45min. out of town.</div><div> And along the way I just couldn't pass up some of the country side...... And this was nothing..... I'm not sure why water jugs were hanging along the road..... If I find out, I'll let you know. It was just weird.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienggbvdvPfV6sPtQZOaEhVizEiUKNc1aEjMa7a_Ns-4sDBOuHlulzTWNtIUvK112hDckat2np2_j9DEBkOgGl_25O_FuyzX-fUhq8Vn2B3eXmsiOZPR07ocK3TI1CZzIjXJkQFyELH_I/s1600-h/DSC00231.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienggbvdvPfV6sPtQZOaEhVizEiUKNc1aEjMa7a_Ns-4sDBOuHlulzTWNtIUvK112hDckat2np2_j9DEBkOgGl_25O_FuyzX-fUhq8Vn2B3eXmsiOZPR07ocK3TI1CZzIjXJkQFyELH_I/s200/DSC00231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175291556722470786" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSKnSUSd0NtZHmY6yyoU8DcV-DO-MHmgynJ5dPozZevSUGHeAKsRkzMqBQYOakvUhw9FGmymaYpj8G16Frf3yGDXJSxMT43iwjlxsDalKuqlLR6zw6Qdlqfwaq6098IN6aYPAxABTEi8/s200/DSC00232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175310587722559426" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqUHKJAonsCB48K6s6KmUmRjnkt4YViDtjAwonEePsHFd-MBZSkaG2dS5mkVo-OtX0cOQq8lfOteheIIXsVsi3OyLJj6M9cWjbuhFFg1uBIH8fdcjmmQa1wydla8WMaPX-nUrEPKpgb0/s200/DSC00233.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175032548719685490" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-27729940281669579002008-03-07T07:04:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:59:14.175-08:002/21/08 Found Apt.<div><br /></div><div>Here's my apt (minus furniture)...... The apt. is in an area called the Boat Club...... It's also within walking distance to the Park Sheraton Hotel. Where you can get American food!</div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGxi_Jvv0xlwfryUXNJdbtwugvawkKFUPG8Tv-os2xlCjSQLNjJ122xdEfRzKb8I67w1ptITdsvpvn1sKhqXC65zDP2kC3lip9c06cofnbTRdQR4ic_biK_nGiEdNB4P-E9TXBBRFvmo/s200/DSC00198.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175016850614218498" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq6DVYbYxPBi_Zeqq_1s1U1uOxzANJ4F8NeXYysnaQMW5UAyR4roBAlxcgan7EaSkO8aFdemPXmS-Gxn_A98_G5ehFPPQhmM_4Dxo0tf81wijKR21tTyerYkYMi919zIPen_CY4_yiaM/s200/DSC00199.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175016472657096434" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZnMzb5dZf-ya9MhMPCRpSw6wtXtB2PvU5gRpTLvJBpH5Ijcg5dXM7-wwoTIYfzNt5z78PJ-48Nryp4pbrYcs222cuTm_IXLYHB9YZIzOGfi2QyFTNsVPmvjL3fQ49EAiCJMCni67TQ8/s200/DSC00203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175017250046177042" /><div><br /></div><div>It has a little patio, 3 bedrooms, dining room, living room and of course a kitchen..... Notice all the green trees when you look out of each window........<br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37j5BIp5A61UwGGecMNRAsP-S67QyiwyxY1WEPSjbhqZCC4-_pWZa7Xq-Em6QZatYSHRVmqaORU3booywSSlPaSF2vl_hpNgwz2Eb1FsJRoIIdxDONAR21QZ85nigHIZ9de7cwd3had0/s200/DSC00202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175028661774282594" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXbRw5Mjk4kL2dnQJ6q32ZRJefOqmuIgYZSo3S65POrIUpCNdYa5-YCAZ8zuZwhvdeu6odQKzgvlHgM-GWESOMrRSiZ6EbYx4DEM-cBOXN-mEOmliaHlg-QLoP0QsNyoT64r6WNxThGk/s200/DSC00196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175019509198974754" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9G-tzyzb6YMs1SG37w1haJ0Kn4sFIsqIqFC41YC20L24SwBnFtChiw8sOudf75Rt_kn_kM5QUyCTTA-tlqQtTe-EB6zuajNrl1Jki-Rd8M-3L1PndRqbVP7QnsM2n5NnRqVJukpqUNg/s200/DSC00201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175021274430533426" /><br /><br />It feels really Great!<br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvSlDIrXL4m9XngChw8OgS8uq6yD__tZjqnN-s8OE-Ho7tmX4n1uYdajvtSNYxmmBSmAYPLljt1nJTlmEW_m2QH3Ra2VY4qW5NSPRsBI42EUW4ExvcYWo2MVMQaMQv3ycWJlxKqO5IF4/s200/DSC00197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175021686747393858" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxd66AlTxmWcolZgJgFN8OMRXqzrPH1LRvUTQxkp9vFALBgmz3kh5g77ZaZaHxwiQkHb59g6HzmdUtSZv9-XzL4uBb375NSpKe2h4wCr1XhZWxE3n3dYnshUhMMJj0fccPqUVEz50piiQ/s200/DSC00200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175024731879206738" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-50219450873466682882008-02-24T08:17:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:59:17.975-08:002/20/08 Railways Day<div>On this day, one of the many things I did was to go to the railway station..... This station is called Chennai Central..... You can either buy your tickets online or stand behind the screen..... As you can see, Deepak is showing me where to go........ This railway station for traveling within the country of India. Across the street there was another station for the local Chennai trains....... ALL ABOARD!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-k-RFpd-TRISj_DXgbl89YWf_2gruOpTcyJuDPQinEGYLxoBmBU_6FrJqlS-yyclVfiKnYrjs6mRhiDjLkMGNR5FxNhbCB6xFw-ENO9xxHBMXWLhyphenhyphenbtBRoBfG1hyes2PnsBAfq5QDmmw/s1600-h/DSC00155.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-k-RFpd-TRISj_DXgbl89YWf_2gruOpTcyJuDPQinEGYLxoBmBU_6FrJqlS-yyclVfiKnYrjs6mRhiDjLkMGNR5FxNhbCB6xFw-ENO9xxHBMXWLhyphenhyphenbtBRoBfG1hyes2PnsBAfq5QDmmw/s200/DSC00155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174950742477598434" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL5jB1llAy9qt_-s-Hfdf9LFEzniXaF0uXF8xaCNaDYci1ZbcfsF_dVz-4sSPRIwIXbJz7f3VapSxi1ZMtRgQ5cBZ4wE1fxDzFbep5OW8Mx2LM8DK-pGa3yyuec-tlVaomvcOAouLzmg/s200/DSC00156.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174931513909014226" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NjE0mo2L4VnS9LsYrH7G2Exu0izG4IDnTt243DNeFozFMd7af7PTquAX1Sz4eCs_I1jYJXkPtn8nFwoZGW4eyKZ5POiEU5CmBNEOC6ZS56KQkUY0Py-GvkqvxbfJM05R_BRlqut3udE/s200/DSC00158.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174923978737675602" /><br /><div> </div><br />If you left your water at home, there were these troughs to fill up your water bottles...... If I were you, don't leave your water bottles at home!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPpPLjVVZ4uzUj2l4lJ0azPOcynBOfEW5NBub-t9EM0mzvcy-hK3GiTWtOE5LONoeGLFb63Sx9GHGjVp0ZlT2EL2L2p_RCfSPQe1P-jg6diTGfZ0NZ8mXLRIvPZtNqne5EphHygup2ss/s1600-h/DSC00164.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPpPLjVVZ4uzUj2l4lJ0azPOcynBOfEW5NBub-t9EM0mzvcy-hK3GiTWtOE5LONoeGLFb63Sx9GHGjVp0ZlT2EL2L2p_RCfSPQe1P-jg6diTGfZ0NZ8mXLRIvPZtNqne5EphHygup2ss/s200/DSC00164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174924068931988866" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXoPKKCvDLP7c-1CPMl39of4qg8GhNVkR-ugxT7lglTy0K_AH1BG24ctHjQLk5ytvUtEBLBPVQaZNDdLtG8dxmU1nM5JXhSbOVUIY3IQCqvnzwa4u533aJbiVFeLUmec5f41njnIyv3s/s200/DSC00165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174924025982315874" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMX9C6iGpBFBBVowKBO6R9aSwrXF_1J2rAK7750kQdugAvQDr0po7hSdXIiDEk4v3E-eVXIRsfoxOYTVKhP_M09sD2bJwa0w3lGOLP_q2vQyvExPRH9sefUAxM4LvMOOQf0aDvN0xuaWg/s200/DSC00163.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174924043162185074" /><br />If you want you can get someone to help you with your bags..... This is a scene is out of a movie. Notice the old guy in the background, the guys in the foreground are carrying his bags..... <br /><br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IEVs4xuv_MM0maVi0R0ix_xqcyFtjM1wIT96h2fy9_YsCM56Hb0Zq9f9iUL8wNDX3xOZSB9y7f7Qx351K30ZaOFVvmXMXkck-4cQZ4D9eGAaGsnPvbg6nDC_g5ll7v1PM3qsmhvLtAw/s200/DSC00169.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174922093247032578" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3V7cgpaxSSEcjmhJlSA0US4hNzKvMXT2rE2QFhZ4bP2P0b7NvbnU7TgtCMzCLlgzbZKv132ZXNQe4wl9oGO8dsVMqXuu77tjVfi7YUeuBmuv57kfy-ouJpdgviSbOj544lucWH9WfGVk/s200/DSC00170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174922123311803666" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTdsxVh2hUvFr8DCBZwpkZ_7yb7_SkeniI5AgEH1Uq0gyigxuJoNlFJxctLYHym99ckgE6n6lYQbYJYXylKeYOvdOGE6wghvj2ulX0DTBZ0xlhUH08ixncTFz1nv5HA1GcJpt_d-xkV8/s200/DSC00167.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174922127606770978" /><br /><br />This huge building holds 2 huge waiting areas. This is where you wait for your train to arrive. Some people actually sit on the floors while they wait.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgfosfFpqZ_3qtGB7ViQe-APoMkkdIJVwvzHPVw0ypsC6qR7kP9eMh50YGHaA0B_YMb30unhjhFzlDvL6L0JRtRREUD3VbpUbm7tJn0T8PypFL6RjGwEPq1PUd3IPwHQUw5St3G4cz4U/s1600-h/DSC00162.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgfosfFpqZ_3qtGB7ViQe-APoMkkdIJVwvzHPVw0ypsC6qR7kP9eMh50YGHaA0B_YMb30unhjhFzlDvL6L0JRtRREUD3VbpUbm7tJn0T8PypFL6RjGwEPq1PUd3IPwHQUw5St3G4cz4U/s200/DSC00162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174922166261476674" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjS4nWq1T8wKBkgi9WdygbdH8KuIaTVy4WI4HHLbPAihcqJuGoFbOgSI6xINBPQuTseVB9NSed0oDLHfsWcb_CpcMTCD-PoQFctrO6CM9hlICGo6ZRl4vcGuCla651-zBR2bcJ5wqlcw/s200/DSC00166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174922149081607474" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWZLu-ZqHdKA4vk6dlq4G62UaZJkBrUU-NldLNIWkNXzsqUUmF7WQV9lkRTBYZfxOHd4UWgNgbVPj6UzODS1oQmT8YuO27vB5Hz3oWeGqwIIDc0E-9Vv7xOnybiXALYXuSqjstTchQws/s200/DSC00160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174924081816890770" /><br /><br /><div>This guy is saying good by to his wife through the window and I'm pretending to go for a ride.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIql0qws2CD5Q2UrWnVD3KayUUPpVKI4WDbjASnArSchaxLx0tMNy5fcEAjRfGW2HJTJ8as_pcPMXX0FxSYVPT9HcF4rrD1FxynG2l-TyJVhevsMZZRvVkcL1AfOfx3Ob05nCiBe1ah4/s1600-h/DSC00176.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIql0qws2CD5Q2UrWnVD3KayUUPpVKI4WDbjASnArSchaxLx0tMNy5fcEAjRfGW2HJTJ8as_pcPMXX0FxSYVPT9HcF4rrD1FxynG2l-TyJVhevsMZZRvVkcL1AfOfx3Ob05nCiBe1ah4/s200/DSC00176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174920538468871378" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5zjlzuRQ_rtA_f1ISlg6JjWgz7KPoJrtDilvOryAqRnZDDyEpm1LpZm9FFV8AxShJXaKsPzDpcFansXH1z7nZS27ccibSLxf_viK-QCRxsRE9C7eXVFu9LgLXQwdn03Aio4V1J5AUCE/s200/DSC00178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174920525583969474" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also had the opportunity to board the engine to see all controls and how the engineers work the train..... It's not the kind of job you'd want. I'd rather be a pilot!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHy6zmYWnD-WcuL6lfTQHxjrRRYP4EYv8pafR2VX700wxrIoG5TlmBzuusfZ3gZNxJOsdXcN0R0hEBqhbfoH9-AWH_9ZJU0a49eEvE4XYfTR75nGJ3sHKCO6GexS2Wv0BWXRYu8Ket4Y/s1600-h/DSC00172.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHy6zmYWnD-WcuL6lfTQHxjrRRYP4EYv8pafR2VX700wxrIoG5TlmBzuusfZ3gZNxJOsdXcN0R0hEBqhbfoH9-AWH_9ZJU0a49eEvE4XYfTR75nGJ3sHKCO6GexS2Wv0BWXRYu8Ket4Y/s200/DSC00172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174920568533642482" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c8Lv5d7tPokMsLFcXl2cmsv40NDmrH7eRdQ3K1ZUZE29bjzN5kYIdzqwpXI2vSji1L6sE8HUequj1Dt3Gx2PkAAeiLwAfEv_VepPXP0bo2LCF2tEBtsClaA_6EgFCodx-5pxnwzp46s/s200/DSC00175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174920551353773282" /><br /><br />All the trains are electric. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NfnrVcW89L-wgywxND7rHI-iBlWo7vbCny9usFNou-F0PCJ-Q8_Uy9u2wBicfeicqtNoyojoZbxxsXFWV32jkqCfLs3T9mkpbNQ0bxGue1YpDHF_-qrCIYbi24wU-1tH_bgoUqpbBec/s1600-h/DSC00181.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NfnrVcW89L-wgywxND7rHI-iBlWo7vbCny9usFNou-F0PCJ-Q8_Uy9u2wBicfeicqtNoyojoZbxxsXFWV32jkqCfLs3T9mkpbNQ0bxGue1YpDHF_-qrCIYbi24wU-1tH_bgoUqpbBec/s200/DSC00181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174919486201883826" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30O8GlwHmLN3mpVwsC4CY3t155CtvOJEOIzZR4HckWGPe41yuHaWgh09XKoawvdTNWpMyL9RVV29g6HIVqym0fYAOHMhxs-AtDbYCvEN4layUJhU5B_2yHegMNM3oxib4hiSfZWm51xE/s200/DSC00183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174919477611949218" /><div><br /></div><div>Before your travels, you can buy your Indian Sweets. They even make fast food Indian if your in a hurry.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD8DM6OYuvHnE5cMpym1e6-0jmWAd-rDMIb0vGnw4w8Ho6hoClvvAC5QB5bEJQk-84anoliM4vnryW3Qkv6MCahbQNVLLgOjl8tU7cZBytwlmv88aDRmCr0TgGfkaNhk0NEnChGeUmKY/s1600-h/DSC00187.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKD8DM6OYuvHnE5cMpym1e6-0jmWAd-rDMIb0vGnw4w8Ho6hoClvvAC5QB5bEJQk-84anoliM4vnryW3Qkv6MCahbQNVLLgOjl8tU7cZBytwlmv88aDRmCr0TgGfkaNhk0NEnChGeUmKY/s200/DSC00187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174918949330971778" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6D3a21DyalowCLGjpNyJDsPfxxYMMt5PQZ2NuxAYQMEJAuubghliv4GCTrMXgmDkwl34vPk6qBPD9YMIk2IoLe8Iy-uR9TfnzKIOj798VJiyuhPqrXyoj5QEfoz90p3k9KZTbZAV7oA/s200/DSC00185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174919469022014610" /><br /><br /></div><div>Here's the basic magazine stand and if you brought a bomb with you, they also have a bomb dept. to detect them....... WOW!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj906kkDeHaVk1WfXngWrvDJJtuiCK8PGreO8EI1WJViwNQoWpQOXkb0Ln4PJcNIPv752SueedHaYMJXMNlUI8J-sa4lyWyANlya6kovX21SWOcwIJOvd-OiJWH1CnqyWKkNWmP52aLQwg/s1600-h/DSC00192.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj906kkDeHaVk1WfXngWrvDJJtuiCK8PGreO8EI1WJViwNQoWpQOXkb0Ln4PJcNIPv752SueedHaYMJXMNlUI8J-sa4lyWyANlya6kovX21SWOcwIJOvd-OiJWH1CnqyWKkNWmP52aLQwg/s200/DSC00192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170582741966505234" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZs-xPQ3fzKGKKhNoYG_or1zgDjF1vJbx5pmIKPaBfOw8nLV8Zk4-YtL3TWhYG2Xz70KFFJhs5xqbLGqkcgUa5eEpcY2oUQ5BVyWNmLCUbBlHOrN-I61e64xv9Bo8xaMFXHNW29HarYvg/s200/DSC00188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172437433345851426" /></div><div><br /></div><div>And of course, they have scales to check your weight and to give out predictions....... Sorry I can't tell you my prediction!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISmJ1UrSu1MenVFaPTvqdOnHxfh1hm6Q-sQaOu9mcds0kMV-3GgRLndaIPFp2YaKwOkzyYuJ5nP006Lc5vm8GfC75t-vVLA35AVMrRd9jVkRzFv0b2SbcwmT6bL-zzHrrRXL6deZFPYQ/s1600-h/DSC00194.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISmJ1UrSu1MenVFaPTvqdOnHxfh1hm6Q-sQaOu9mcds0kMV-3GgRLndaIPFp2YaKwOkzyYuJ5nP006Lc5vm8GfC75t-vVLA35AVMrRd9jVkRzFv0b2SbcwmT6bL-zzHrrRXL6deZFPYQ/s200/DSC00194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5170582153555985666" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Play this movie to see how close you can come to missing you train!</div><div>Enjoy!</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxnO8blfLljo_9H1R1a0MwZPuZBlYotaXr78Bv1Dh192MtcptEE_A7mq1j_UOiCfE__-yXbv-ZpzRSFWhe5ig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-35177186342089889552008-02-19T09:31:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:59:20.420-08:00Weekend 2/15cont.-2/19Continuing on the 15th, Deepak took us to a hospital to check it out...... Man, total chaos! You see, when one family member goes to the hospital, the whole family usually comes too....... Which means, there's 3-4 times as many people there..... Anyway, we took the tour and I only got lost twice from the group..... But, at least we now have an understanding of how the hospital system works.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirt7EZWDoGSrw-_SBslVWCRdhyphenhyphen5mMqMLwNhKjTOJNajLMBx_AxAA1hRZFrYxoBznOnmSPxXO1SX9Kuy-D2D4Bs71A1oit7NdR4Z43I4IQHWESmW65h-wxM4dceGE-O1czzk8Y4BhLxIm0/s1600-h/DSC00120.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirt7EZWDoGSrw-_SBslVWCRdhyphenhyphen5mMqMLwNhKjTOJNajLMBx_AxAA1hRZFrYxoBznOnmSPxXO1SX9Kuy-D2D4Bs71A1oit7NdR4Z43I4IQHWESmW65h-wxM4dceGE-O1czzk8Y4BhLxIm0/s200/DSC00120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168765472584090674" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RbyUJ8obWsTQYFJRUrT-OVcZNCsQDIq-a9Z_VxdM3lzebNVJQKAwyyMEmYiTVS5WzEzFqoQsxF7-Iis02GwzoIb_7IuXXzuXPNAB9jXfRplWN1WcyaidKUayG1AnActFQRxaY8jjIcc/s200/DSC00118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168767186276041810" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFIDT_VZP4ZJswjlQlF8gAlj9ZT127TKYA7zh7-9bKqvuk5CGRbhNNY85OVTXcXMAmuGBxH2jUbivfvzRbUwbEO2jALgGWJcCDSKGjyDZwgzdCge1QToIYLqZcJ4LTZMWa-K_mHJSb9s/s200/DSC00119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168765970800297026" /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTqGJH5nLdFCf2lEB_OB0T7NjkVfmDBGY-idovykNfoBmnH4fOHgLR_q2A3pcJvIA-1YLnmdTyI3RMbm-1z0fkpvkPlPMNuyUkveymmmcNXY4zVHuyZt8FlA2KJihwFgbiJ4_B-UC6Zc/s1600-h/DSC00121.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTqGJH5nLdFCf2lEB_OB0T7NjkVfmDBGY-idovykNfoBmnH4fOHgLR_q2A3pcJvIA-1YLnmdTyI3RMbm-1z0fkpvkPlPMNuyUkveymmmcNXY4zVHuyZt8FlA2KJihwFgbiJ4_B-UC6Zc/s200/DSC00121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168764931418211362" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Also on Friday, Deepak took us to the local movie Theater..... I didn't get any pictures here as it looked like any other huge modern theater....... One thing interesting though, they have a desert place right next to it, which is owned by the theater chain...... When you walk into this place, it's like it could be a desert shop on Melrose Ave...... Young, hip, and wild looking deserts, but tasty too........<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi6jx4uS8phkoZgGRLL-O0JXj7tJeNSJ1eUb5jAkFISzFsc4sUi_N1yAU6VcE2nNsoGIIFnSRLy_g8GAiCjjE9kiVOEcbWUR3cjbUCUj7E0XBdpKVxSGo9TVBi9mqOXPb7sUwCPq8R4U/s1600-h/DSC00122.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi6jx4uS8phkoZgGRLL-O0JXj7tJeNSJ1eUb5jAkFISzFsc4sUi_N1yAU6VcE2nNsoGIIFnSRLy_g8GAiCjjE9kiVOEcbWUR3cjbUCUj7E0XBdpKVxSGo9TVBi9mqOXPb7sUwCPq8R4U/s200/DSC00122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168763857676387346" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Then to cap the evening off, Deepak took Karen and I home to meet his parents and wife (Meeto).... It was so much fun. We learned how an actual Indian family lives and worships...... Later, we sat down for some Indian snacks...... This was truly a high-lite to our exhausting day..... Really down to earth people. </div><div>By the way, I've been invited to his cousin's wedding at the end of the month...... More to come on this.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9YGeel0vvAoR0s5y11z37VRbGZi5YFVI3K8tmA9rUNC_j0ztiQxaloUuunchvZ4qQg8Up4qgU4gbHsMy5CGVOCe26u7ZWbZ6hXUruW4Xprf6Gp-3swEnj5Jo5gCdjpoVUoE6_F5125s/s1600-h/DSC00129.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9YGeel0vvAoR0s5y11z37VRbGZi5YFVI3K8tmA9rUNC_j0ztiQxaloUuunchvZ4qQg8Up4qgU4gbHsMy5CGVOCe26u7ZWbZ6hXUruW4Xprf6Gp-3swEnj5Jo5gCdjpoVUoE6_F5125s/s200/DSC00129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168760851199280098" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrheB11oPXabLJFpewpVkEdCfBq9tFoiPIjLbQKaxUZpwT58DzzIWQUc5QkMQRUZu7qMpu9TbIiInVheLDDTYidGWvEwoIw2RR7fcNhhVVpHllmlP6APm3gTibejR9ggku3bR0Cqyk_0/s200/DSC00124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168763337985344514" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnP6KCk80iaCGExjprQvfPzlV8bqRPdupDIRQ2ktxJ5j27w4n42o-OVLiaRKBlcADyC_w-KL_bREQSaSRME7EMAjmOQJIXWMbIe8kwB5mctNPlUeMQf0UinVNc2Gx3DEVxCFPCB3n3Ukw/s200/DSC00128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168762766754694130" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then on Saturday 2/16 - we were off..... Going from one furniture show room to another looking for cheap furniture for our new (hopefully) apt...... We put this couch on hold. It cost Rs. 56,900 on sale........ Which equates to approx. $1,425. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wait a minute, it's not that cheap!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lez5k6_LNN0ZWrTBCI-23UlAASeAc-L7eyl3159HC072zJBqviR_vJrXl5hAGP19JUInMjwE3zwoMw_YvfAQbK2gpOUWzOsBjDzH1tGreiFF5B4a14jmWSRIVa6okYryeeeGXfoiICY/s1600-h/DSC00132.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lez5k6_LNN0ZWrTBCI-23UlAASeAc-L7eyl3159HC072zJBqviR_vJrXl5hAGP19JUInMjwE3zwoMw_YvfAQbK2gpOUWzOsBjDzH1tGreiFF5B4a14jmWSRIVa6okYryeeeGXfoiICY/s200/DSC00132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168757505419756482" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7CZVPiBXsPqT-f-2GlbC_qGHQvVWWv5XHkeO_IFQcsC2XLbYda85U21u7rrnTdVzknp6FQyvSb8Zws6wdGT1EQahWmyLKpLUP0kxuCaAHBZhAPdiGj4sb1YORJyrfrAs39dTWMISQ14/s200/DSC00131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168758673650861010" /></div><div><br /></div><div>For a late lunch, we went to this great little south Indian Restaurant..... The name escapes me for the moment. It's located at the Park Sheraton Hotel, which is right around the block from the Boat Club area...... Again, this is the area where I'm trying to get the apt....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NjTN21SkgYDfAa4mnLv_hJE8bpruW66wbezbtCe9bIJ94DirqOAMVqCFT5ydXXjTVzKLMH1kLVXL9DkP1fXwlXRX5skfCFyTF3AqF2xlC7ZLaryXxy6GABHX-CHfLw390Wug4VNhk50/s1600-h/DSC00134.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8NjTN21SkgYDfAa4mnLv_hJE8bpruW66wbezbtCe9bIJ94DirqOAMVqCFT5ydXXjTVzKLMH1kLVXL9DkP1fXwlXRX5skfCFyTF3AqF2xlC7ZLaryXxy6GABHX-CHfLw390Wug4VNhk50/s200/DSC00134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168755186137416626" /></a><div><br />If you think the roads weren't hectic enough, try the local mall "Spencer's". It was so packed we lasted about 15 min. there...... And for Karen and shopping, that's unheard of...... We did find a neat antique furniture store which I'll go back and pick up some end tables later this week......<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61CM24bjvfQXGbAZtztYXiscj4AR-rz5B5eOTyKY3etjH5qIgt6xt646LoBEzyRZ7ejUheUsieqJLnvvz9yooHkeX5kFcpRxits2EtOl-5dFB9JXQst3Yf1QRmbmOK_8Z4lehVEq5X3s/s1600-h/DSC00138.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61CM24bjvfQXGbAZtztYXiscj4AR-rz5B5eOTyKY3etjH5qIgt6xt646LoBEzyRZ7ejUheUsieqJLnvvz9yooHkeX5kFcpRxits2EtOl-5dFB9JXQst3Yf1QRmbmOK_8Z4lehVEq5X3s/s200/DSC00138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168749125938561938" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fz4dXqNch2m_Iww3RPvXbGsup4e_G62wLXaPDQ7vCf3f5w7tVDrhQ48J-SUI1ASyKxleU0gpyxFOZ1CHoYy7x4j9ddW_Fb8SdruqV99SyfJiryin5T4RuMhdwnSEFPdHhIYvMZ7ijH0/s200/DSC00136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168754825360163746" /><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-38394116056177701772008-02-17T21:55:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:59:22.456-08:00Week of 2/11 - 2/15This is another vegi. Rest. called - "Cream Center" not only does it have Indian food, but Mexican and Greek as well...... But I have to tell you, the Quesadilla and Pita w/Humus tasted good, but with Indian spice......<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIPeF6GW1KsVYI3Zs2hqLFgPcd0YEnUVOxCrj54Sv__CTz8RRajNHfogmotV4t5uV1Tmr8Rt44YVRPLWeWGI39zi8HzrtsBsRPNlb_bXDM0W-FVw0JWlkJbPIFJPkngM2FjSyudOp-q4/s200/DSC00059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168197536173638354" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM0z5xOfWCV5p-pETr-tXjB4OWf8S3f0vwnuTGq_QTqjRXYPhrcNfILFA78nvC6oMJXhOveh1pK6MV1jfPgxjWpCP3tDY03jLAx7ETjgB7gMjhSY2Fag2BsejaDn34d3xUHVsi8TCX8Q/s200/DSC00058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168196754489590466" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriuaaSmNQz_yGHA3lBwOnAqqvUnUHmGZErD-EQlUYWWnWczSQniRNU5Cfpf2LwaOMn4GG0U7KvmQREwtg0att81r7fQrtDTJjtXGk_5dryUXHlLjxDtC1YgAy2RQ1AYDF2WGYesbX9hE/s200/DSC00057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168196011460248242" /></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div><div> </div><div>This is the welcoming committee at the airport..... I was waiting for Karen to arrive. Can you pick me out in the frame?</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5T5Gj7in7ctj2MG0PRs7Bsf5b_nXauGvs2UgvNDuHuc3VkE8t-QK_TDTP5mAQXgaHRGHC3F8XNFoA3yeaSooEHbe40JHJ1Ixo8R6hFIxjPTKyrGKerhgJs0Gy48XnSk21q8hcuVvn5Xc/s200/DSC00064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168198412346966754" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This was my Tuesday....... Spent at the Bureau of Immigration.. You see, I have 14 days from the time I arrive in India to register for a work visa..... The only real treat was Deepak picked me up in one of those Auto Rickshaws..... Boy, was that a fun ride......</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>.<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfrYxONWk2-Dytk65Tf2FE8xNnU2HtThdZj3vuU3s6prQXHROEyf6GHRo5D44VgEGohu8FL6r52JnYu-C_fMLmuG7juTujgarXNE5orbYkNjcu9BVrjLNEsFerXvWSmXqRXvSXV2MKjI/s320/DSC00075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168304635478131474" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9ffaZl8dk91mNs_nIo31U3jys4Jt8i91SSKZzclXxAbw3JSRiqvE9RO3hHdmw9FFG1x4yP-zr6ESOkV8sIy6R6DB72ltJMiALvpj7HtjN0vT_OwyN1Xd5Xm2PuMfeWClsYpThAddCGs/s200/DSC00074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168300512309527298" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxECiRljjkGtYchOFkQ8VbB6aBC-uza3m3N4ZurNj-noCQAJZQkrcIgV0JbDpSfR7mQx9-kCyvz-j8yFxHdq43TZhRnP6Xt8i-OxfOLXwfyT41VSz5BzU8bu-a3eUGtH7AsH3vODOc4og/s200/DSC00068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168199297110229746" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1-zXokOBn8qCOMbK8_CuZVvfEThWp3O5KzMBMU0M8d7CCmGA6OFZxj_a15rwD5rNdAtwfGRhxOBKLsQeIDH3OC5m5Q_l0XAeW_etlShdFXaGrqNDmq_HeQ9-l24KO7HeJaneKOOPCH8/s200/DSC00076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168308415049351970" /> </div><div><br /></div><div>Then we went to Bazaar on the streets and a Singapore Shopping Center..... They have a little of everything CHEAP......... I would have posted more pictures, but to upload a picture to my blog takes about 5 min. per pic. (that's if it works)</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht58m3F0nP2JESBCOx6EP9b9XiCBzFxx15g20_SCmLmXz_AYvUtVpX1KrD1frl9THqfWwGjhtKUdA1ksmHu1ul1-pOUNh4W6G7adV0lIEwTw2O0W2d2zcUhQFwbgz3XpuBh-HS04q1X-4/s200/DSC00097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168402440473396066" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjYv9RuHMGu1NyjdFtzIctI6a92yrIzTq7lx-MCxWMRkMzjs2IdQ1EIA4gVGi-v0vU3womdm3QtrbR-2DGUqZwWQyJnQSK4IXKxnWUtiIKvXEKEhoSDb2DyQWwfd8Pon23dHaABhYQzs/s200/DSC00081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168313783758472002" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLY1BC-gjdDb97_O6_77WleM1bJYg-d74RorbLMD3ITOLRnPCfxHZqwpWN2m1ClP5BRUHhtW1hb0-oVkgE_8mkqxMsld699EMqXw9g7B9HKHE7v-z1u16OX84_X-_IA_HyRqOD25j5pUY/s200/DSC00098.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168322579851494226" /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfh168CzvwDCnSqUk7WfiVKC1IDmquoGdIbOOBflJA3pRTqY6mgiBCiS6DBhznjOsXMIC8eevm7BzAMV3QGrbyQQI7xG1zydGkqeNi9o1e9JsKNijwnWNiog6QbRKMSiqiYy1BT65bzQ/s200/DSC00080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168309853863396146" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Then Karen and I spend the rest of the week looking at places to live....... This was a beautiful house w/4 bedrooms a study and a backyard....... It was sooo cheap.... But the big problem, it was way out in the country and about 35 min. to work (w/traffic)...... I will try to post more pics later. Also, we think we found an apt. we really liked and we're waiting to see if we get it...... It's more expensive but it's in town and close to work...... </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajuwSoHuR-GawoeZ5RQDbPgL6pv7Tx8H6Dtqox5LH4SX99pR1RtOl-gFOFyY8MjQP7dYyeERgeQ9kmFqT3cSo9IXfCXM0MA6Ri06UrBsvv3kzBr9e5naxcNR8ca-dYnybGVpLZRlwlX4/s200/DSC00103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168403509920252786" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrW9WvZvV5h0bUMzsyyypU9yyaHghHVUB9d-ZLLNLsXfX4BveKfX7i6H_6cTLitPB1fGGNNqxcC7vwQBPgJquI7RkGq8OhkfoPYqQEOVammenvy33UGDBA5GXpWrw7vbAlfaXHw1927k/s200/DSC00110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168406439087948674" /><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-8548289420711710862008-02-10T13:10:00.000-08:002008-02-10T13:16:22.847-08:00Day 3 - 2/10/08I hit the wall today...... No Pictures. I spent the whole day in the hotel. I had breakfast and dinner and the rest of the time I either slept or watched Cricket........<div><br /></div><div>Cricket is a pretty exciting game. India was playing Australia in melbourne. India won by 5 wickets.... Don't ask me how it's played. I'm still figuring it out.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for today...... Maybe more pictures tomorrow....</div><div><br /></div><div>Chow</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-68511125287307828212008-02-10T11:03:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:59:24.137-08:00Day 2 - 2/9/08Well, where do I begin..... Here is where I'm staying "The Park in Chennai", and the view, along with a pool on the roof......<div> </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w9KehFFmXRceD03mppJCo4V-jlwiwX09BcuIy-sfNShWRgUHjquA6W_3R8AGXoTUtjlZJOUybWbFT9xkxZ-VhDJwUaAg0Ioz790MPmi5c8ra1WAPuMFPX0oW53wtD32wtO_gFwmXdgI/s200/DSC00056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165430628047241730" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IvG7fg0KJ8Och36cy2vHqaFIlIxPuWt2WHhtE1OU_GqddJhUCyfxlZ_VanFb0l1gWsytDlj774BtDBq1by4qU0dPlcToeMJ7PPjMlM6tB4LMEmw2JZ9zrz-M3g63EA2Yxrk5hb1Yhyphenhyphen8/s200/DSC00031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165432457703309842" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXiYtATnH78edE8no-27EqyDLDhl45-Oy8jmStIa8jqv522PPG49eu8qCvX5fGSr_KJf07SQQILTUwETmLxAuQxKlfDb2i3v4PRPhzgCXLDWXFvDDvlG6bBqRSTq7UmhkW4O65E9nQS4/s200/DSC00034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165433677474021922" /><div> </div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>While we were out hunting for housing, Deepak stopped along the side of the road for a little refreshment, coconut juice. It's supposed to sooth your stomach..... It actually tasted pretty good. I would definitely do it again...</div><div> </div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBzR3UfiqilrmzNZqu88Tlx-QCpYVGpGa108F2jvKf5-55IM8B4IHY37le0hbCf0LNcY_NnmEruhq9fhQ8ALaDmIOxZa5OvGjnTSi_RS291po9NrD5N_WRtpA_x-zZm42i0ufaN-bAC4/s200/DSC00039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165438659636085298" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93uSJdSLdHmqUo-mHuCD6Inq2mvnlzwECp3bunb7L1d1qV1novZB6TOHAeq1s_ad1VJiOF3mL-qXA6FXUruTi4A90Djh9L8wxRQUOTThs997j8mfWD_lDfcdBU69mbqPQRdgb-WWKW5k/s200/DSC00040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165439750557778498" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsITn36umuUbBs8YFMAEaN0sLD5Ycs7ulx3U_S0a0zj7K744bYv0WGjRQsxgr9S_Du4ZleSO01VYru3KP5at62wY2-Vn-vP2noJhovjYLBmyg8iqc3T2sixOvQFQH6RPp3wSXEL9qW-is/s200/DSC00041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165440656795877970" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZikidWPUmvVnT3Tn9U_mLphCFs1LsWMv8-3T90LTsNjXQcmpoDVK3pUalet9-uFJ4XHE5ODV97p7Ar8edCSpBzVK7OmkmCUMe1il4j1NtqRPsHx655Ck7zrEhqL_8ldF_u4E_mdJ8-yE/s200/DSC00043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165445411324674658" /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Here are 2 possible places I found to live...... The apts. inside looked really nice and roomy. The ocean view was extraordinary, until you looked down. You saw the most disgusting living conditions ever..... People living in tin huts along with all the trash. You would never want to walk the neighborhood at all. I guess you could call this the extreme, which I've heard so much about.......</div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YuYaW5o_XAD6KGna47tglzIHgixTuV3hsEJuK12U0Gh2vJLukvxreTgzrmokQjK6reBUH_Ozbd28EaJDwCeD3jcowUajkKvwn4a29sh1e1bwGRiBYWZSR_satwHjIEb1wxCRnvpl4uw/s200/DSC00045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165446429231923826" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck9c5Uv-tHnJ9UpwKfYqreUPE-M1QpGbcNdw2fix-_83KNihI7XFGmsNmC42sqUuQ2msqz0WxB7hI86pyYyfCUI74i0hyGXfu2gKN3jRs2mRPjtzpQc_4uZfaqSENUOjOPkJE1A_imxQ/s200/DSC00049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165452931812409986" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSDnfug_q7FDGCIaWegdrvQiw5-LQmDi4O5AjZwdgkt9RnOba3t1i1XaSJD1rEDmw4vdZkZxXNHYLNW08ys9b9a1dcmi65af_8HJsljilVjFzNyOLgrnm9oLJ-pLFsXAOECYXxihc71Q/s200/DSC00046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165459189579760274" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kTN85aJN-7iUnJre0QwB1wUei4lpMWVMetSwug-qMVEkS0SMn2Hg5D7h5VSxDX-zRIDjOwXBoYkHQplu9K3u7YXn05NKNU1zISht8_lq4o47ZqRrrkslkjPBOGeGIzN2z3OqXX0wj-o/s200/DSC00047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165460177422238370" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9111856897359894349.post-85373234971668836802008-02-08T09:33:00.000-08:002008-12-10T03:59:25.628-08:00My first day in India 2/8/08Wow what a day... It started as a 21 1/2 hr plane ride followed by an hour car ride to the hotel.<div> </div><div>Here are some pictures of the ride from the airport to the hotel.......</div><div>.<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFo4BGBmg3h_qicDDjVveslarNtp1l0BoOj6BYBHVBQtCcCBk6ki7bSVfB5YAq2kwNWb8SBJFliKjjiuhMlf3BNudjy5m83_m_f-SeBQILutlkues512lOCrSe9dqjNDY1ertoICtTTI/s200/DSC00014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164805643915448690" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDjj8WZMdoyZtnWkQWYD-HwhJsfL2g1H-zVafbZLqSY4uG1Mn4ZUoSxMh5B6CmBi0xmGZNMa87zeLoA_jxDH-ERMDeD9pFWt0CaJh7S7voCcHiw_gp7mQsPF45QYBX3Dnl1cPaWo7iRo/s200/DSC00016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164810295365030274" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBP9xYmR0pb4_q5YJ1G-ZpnitZY6TnuLMrG7I64bLQlyidU1fGxjrhdq0wmSbNXq7s2PnG0Bx7ApgQ4KBXFCzoWOZHi0U6tKC5iFuTewvvqFVjRQXYssEIC50Qj9qUXKiMDveUxYkU5I/s200/DSC00013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164821208876929458" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2ihF1WbUCL0u6zuBkSLSy7kNBngreQjlh00Oq8N7gKkxihpiSGl-wFQK1anRUJQfs0aghIk0f-9rTkQbdN8tqQ9OgrcrSV_BzR0EdG-a1xAnyJ75JFe5-QGfPIKLGGJ1eHEDe2FWqVE/s200/DSC00012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164825082937430466" /></div><div> Also on the way, it took so long, our driver fell asleep and Deepak (my work contact) had to wake him.....</div><div> <img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtZf7uVo3Oo-5wqIuVoo16RLZYcApxyqnxal9eQACFv0oJghgM6-hY_J3ic0mjXfWyKASyD03JFsbuUikkibSDHI_9m-2RgGdoNvQUutoq6kmNmY4zXj1TLx2N92sEcMSkh06dm2-CUM/s200/DSC00010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164804067662451042" /></div><div><br /></div><div>After a little nap in the hotel, Deepak took me to "Little Italy" an Italian restaurant. I call it a taste of Italy, Indian style....</div><br /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dpy7QlGGsMD5csqbmSBRmAl1NxYlZ-55rFEPHs_XiinhGmLZdZvEPFaV8ysmiOFWuvLI6mgKDZMku8ErWfhvBIOj-dYNEN5PepI3jZCFAZwRlXt3rSHcj43jnz1fnxZV774jPLkr3Ms/s200/DSC00023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164811669754565010" /><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WNW9SBYaHx8p85lmCipIskgD2T3ePFwiz8QmmUrKVDCkDXKMgoUVwC7ClYXtpNpUsGi7JQsqRvoqzWC5az39sXDFtI7f5eQ71tAi-l_H0VjrSgqaiRpg7t2ReNgmy7uJ3F6CCmVkCZc/s200/DSC00024.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164812752086323618" /><br /><div> </div><div>It was as I expected, an overwhelming and fulfilling day........</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2