tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20872756151274899802024-03-23T12:10:21.923-07:00Towers Take a TripTowers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-91819797132568105422013-12-10T19:29:00.000-08:002014-04-16T13:52:54.746-07:00Waving goodbye to Bangers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
As we wave goodbye to Bangalore and this chapter of our lives, I really don't know what to say. I am so so sad to be leaving incredible India but deep down am happy to be going back to Cali. For now, I am concentrating on the big farewell not the reunions and reconnections.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We have seen so much, done so much, had so many adventures, learnt so much. I can't even think what the highlights were and it's too soon to really assess the lessons learnt. I will so very definitely be bringing some part of India back with me. I have been immersed and entrenched and somewhere deep inside us, this wild crazy place is now part of us. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It's been like living surrounded by amplifiers - everything is louder, brighter, smellier. Even the emotions.......I've been more frustrated, more irritated, more humbled, more amazed, more overwhelmed, more in awe, more everything. I've laughed more, cried more....whatever you think about living in India - you feel so alive, sometimes frighteningly so!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We have seen the generosity of the very poor, we have seen beauty, dignity and grace come out of poverty and suffering. We have met so many unsung heroes - those that do so much to try and counter the lives of the have-nots. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The little adventures, life here is sort of a series of them. Only this morning my maid arrived with a car and a friend to take all the stuff we aren't bringing back to US and letting her have to sell or keep, to take back to her house before work. She asked if I wanted to go and see her house. Of course!! I jumped into the back of the vehicle with all the boxes - she and her friend in the front - don't know what security thought!! We drove into some back roads behind Whitefield Main Road and then turned onto a little unpaved track - little box shaped houses - cars on either side, wing mirrors turned in. This was why I imagine, she didn't think I was up to driving to her home. Then over some flagstones covering a deep ditch and onto an empty space of waste land covered in trees and shrubs but no trash, at the back of which stood her tiny little house. Outside were lovingly tended plants and trees, together with cages of chirping fancy colored birds. A little oasis. The house - yes, ramshackle and tiny, filled with furniture and bits and pieces of which she was incredibly proud. Four rooms one behind the other - a bit of a jumble but her home, her little bit of tranquility. I was touched to have been invited and to have a fuller picture of her life, and to see how, despite all her troubles, she has carved out this little piece of home. A little spontaneous adventure and not even 8.00am. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The traveling, the trips have all been wonderful.........but there are still lots we haven't done. My "to do" list just gets longer. I am sure that when we are back in Cali we will have the need to travel and see more. We have seen so little of the US. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhnUwdjD7gTLEAmXPILeHDr9cMp7ncU6fALMw4LPF_ftASdRSlppewbf8fICUC-AsYQwyYwzuZsYfmxlgoPKym5YnoWyyjWmZHxxJJZ1xjomRY42lE2VxprOsSQN_wBPv6xtozn6WEH9Q/s1600/IMG_7083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhnUwdjD7gTLEAmXPILeHDr9cMp7ncU6fALMw4LPF_ftASdRSlppewbf8fICUC-AsYQwyYwzuZsYfmxlgoPKym5YnoWyyjWmZHxxJJZ1xjomRY42lE2VxprOsSQN_wBPv6xtozn6WEH9Q/s320/IMG_7083.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<div>
There have been so many marks of passage as the boys have grown from a preteen and a little kid, to a taller than me teen and a confident boy. I look at the pic of us leaving San Jose 3 years ago, alongside that of us about to leave India. How they have grown. I just pray they really remember their time here - that the life lessons they have learnt will stay with them - a sense of social justice, a country where we go to church, we wake up to the sound of the mosques call to prayer, and we join in our Hindu friends' festivals. Ads has lived as a minority, Wills where his skin color is the norm. They have seen how huge the accident of birth is, how some of these slum kids are bright, enthusiastic, kind, friendly and generous but will never have the same chance at a future they themselves may have. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Somehow I have to work out how to go back geographically and logistically while still moving forward. What to do with the new discovered interests, the photography, the writing, the fundraising, got to find a way to make them fit.</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
And I don't even want to think about leaving the friends we have all made. As I have said in this blog many times, you make friends fast and furious in expat land and we have. Some have left before us, some will leave shortly after and some will stay for the long haul. Hopefully we will all meet again, sometime, somewhere..........<br />
<br />
This blog - who knows......is it done? am I done?<br />
<br />
Our exit has come round too quickly, things fallen into place too easily (so far) that it's hard not to believe that for us, the time is right.................</div>
</div>
</div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-6331832881328771352013-12-07T02:23:00.000-08:002013-12-07T03:51:20.275-08:00Pushkar - up the hill<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This was after all a photography trip and in search of sunrise and the 'silhouette' shot we had a 4.30am 'rise and shine' call and a very strenuous uphill hike.<br />
<br />
I have to admit tho' not necessarily feeling it the time it was an incredibly beautiful morning. The views as the sun crept over the hillsides were quite phenomenal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSa1HnlOw93X1RxI-xsmtIn-hELw_gziI1U17F8VmYnT2Hg6SHVuh7joCOUReJAaQbNvxZ-O81L1TN2rwzMPAL5V-njsLl-YiPZLvgT3JFtX_IgtmCm1Evpy-8kA-kgpJJIrn1a0mUQfE/s1600/IMG_6380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSa1HnlOw93X1RxI-xsmtIn-hELw_gziI1U17F8VmYnT2Hg6SHVuh7joCOUReJAaQbNvxZ-O81L1TN2rwzMPAL5V-njsLl-YiPZLvgT3JFtX_IgtmCm1Evpy-8kA-kgpJJIrn1a0mUQfE/s320/IMG_6380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The light was so soft until the sun came out to play in full force....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_65XQvbFRtcjhR4CUllTD1HLyE2ChqHB5WQ6CnLMLjSo4ZYTT7GzKYm473iw35102GnGAsq9CUv4gBQUTA7XB_UBIv5G8DrJGs3p_p5VKExXAKVOFAGlD37_URIEJi5ubaMKB67Ue33gL/s1600/IMG_6412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_65XQvbFRtcjhR4CUllTD1HLyE2ChqHB5WQ6CnLMLjSo4ZYTT7GzKYm473iw35102GnGAsq9CUv4gBQUTA7XB_UBIv5G8DrJGs3p_p5VKExXAKVOFAGlD37_URIEJi5ubaMKB67Ue33gL/s320/IMG_6412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TtsUpk6zpaxWz4BHjtCRM0ITAPzVMgTV2reVxrMdwSlFecRz9HpqpJmlSZk7O9CErqw5FPCV1DO_lob-8UgpAYVfzxJBK-rZcQWK6jIIDLYp8LawyXT10fCxHV62PlJv0d82sPgwCqpU/s1600/IMG_6425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TtsUpk6zpaxWz4BHjtCRM0ITAPzVMgTV2reVxrMdwSlFecRz9HpqpJmlSZk7O9CErqw5FPCV1DO_lob-8UgpAYVfzxJBK-rZcQWK6jIIDLYp8LawyXT10fCxHV62PlJv0d82sPgwCqpU/s320/IMG_6425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And the elusive silhouette shot...yep - i am maybe getting there (thanks to a couple of friendly models!!!) - tho putting this into action with the camels later was more successful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e7lQ5SuELeXeo4UpW5Fr03z2O9tvzjmbUBTQdd4pwY1ysxWpNvKV6l3nBcqy2DFTW_lxXFfecwnIhgJziX_DjtlF0AM1cbfEa1WkZmfqk5sfYz-i2bzhXtY13kpyDIpnZFn3adlWEJdE/s1600/IMG_6498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7e7lQ5SuELeXeo4UpW5Fr03z2O9tvzjmbUBTQdd4pwY1ysxWpNvKV6l3nBcqy2DFTW_lxXFfecwnIhgJziX_DjtlF0AM1cbfEa1WkZmfqk5sfYz-i2bzhXtY13kpyDIpnZFn3adlWEJdE/s320/IMG_6498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Just to prove I was actually there - despite 3 days of tent living and early mornings having a rather strange effect on my hair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UmVYf2R2w1vOPT-94wrdm0OmGZ_qBc9bxB-3I3WvvqsZb_aAOZfTAeOe2wXLI9gv00svSplMiLHekiRISW0Siox2wjMdFg3YV2w3tKVy1bbpzbKBKAe5uJO7NfmrMD6RhewoEY29E4gr/s1600/IMG_6506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UmVYf2R2w1vOPT-94wrdm0OmGZ_qBc9bxB-3I3WvvqsZb_aAOZfTAeOe2wXLI9gv00svSplMiLHekiRISW0Siox2wjMdFg3YV2w3tKVy1bbpzbKBKAe5uJO7NfmrMD6RhewoEY29E4gr/s320/IMG_6506.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After a most yummy cup of chai - the easy walk back down the hill for a very well deserved breakfast!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1JfDqDb7i6Q6HmMN6Fh6fycSA4l2wzR09i58T8xYg0jDkzX6Zj949X5h4hVPjmmVTRLAStmC62Rks1tyOnqQqRWH-Qlz_zojssi0hQj3ki01tW7gFhc6xfngmCoLJlElr2RIQ-A3ps3N/s1600/IMG_6541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1JfDqDb7i6Q6HmMN6Fh6fycSA4l2wzR09i58T8xYg0jDkzX6Zj949X5h4hVPjmmVTRLAStmC62Rks1tyOnqQqRWH-Qlz_zojssi0hQj3ki01tW7gFhc6xfngmCoLJlElr2RIQ-A3ps3N/s320/IMG_6541.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-68673122372876946832013-12-05T19:00:00.001-08:002013-12-05T19:00:51.068-08:00Pushkar Fair - The Stadium<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
From the relative peace of the dunes to the Stadium and all the fun of the fair and then some. The Ferris wheels towered over all, the strange juxtaposition of the old and the new. The noise of the fair permeated deep into the night.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-upyx1D7LB4gpjxLRMaeermXa9gicoUH07F3tPkE1xPFJlYO2ueZLm36pifPr8Wo2ghixefHCgQ7546VpOfQaiLGhlPQCT4waSE_WDFGOONzWDfPG0te-LOTpIfqEjqvdEp54N_f1G8Z/s1600/IMG_5390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-upyx1D7LB4gpjxLRMaeermXa9gicoUH07F3tPkE1xPFJlYO2ueZLm36pifPr8Wo2ghixefHCgQ7546VpOfQaiLGhlPQCT4waSE_WDFGOONzWDfPG0te-LOTpIfqEjqvdEp54N_f1G8Z/s320/IMG_5390.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
This is India at its noisiest, craziest and at play! People are selling, entertaining, socializing, watching......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVinGh4GVJheaib6iBOR1MXJ2V-kRUr1wh6RktoL2soPTZUIeLWYBcHYL2ToMPAqS68pkDbJi_sUSiLMiAqD3Oan1b5yva9iRK7LCbdtP4qjX-BBT96PEvWB5v4J_fKCqZRBs-QWT4JHd/s1600/IMG_6204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVinGh4GVJheaib6iBOR1MXJ2V-kRUr1wh6RktoL2soPTZUIeLWYBcHYL2ToMPAqS68pkDbJi_sUSiLMiAqD3Oan1b5yva9iRK7LCbdtP4qjX-BBT96PEvWB5v4J_fKCqZRBs-QWT4JHd/s320/IMG_6204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The competitions were totally and wonderfully silly. Best mustache - is yours the best twirled, thickest and longest? The pot race -foreigners welcome - though not I'm thinking expected to win - but win this blond girl did and I'm sure is now posted on many blogs and FB pages!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewlqETolKVIZqCU6k7Kwxx1PZCFcdd3R_wTqZ03ht6xp-O4eUmCn8sS5ODuazAJE4SG2ArO8XP2aBr0Imy-GXzj0x-c_QSWMLMbAFoXpZw_EEZYAFg76cwzZknjwAE_tXhhw_lHTpM9yy/s1600/IMG_5950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewlqETolKVIZqCU6k7Kwxx1PZCFcdd3R_wTqZ03ht6xp-O4eUmCn8sS5ODuazAJE4SG2ArO8XP2aBr0Imy-GXzj0x-c_QSWMLMbAFoXpZw_EEZYAFg76cwzZknjwAE_tXhhw_lHTpM9yy/s320/IMG_5950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The best and longest competition was the dark v the pale male human pyramids. Aim to knock a clay pot suspended high above the ground off its perch. The foreigners plotted and planned their human pyramid with an engineers precision. We amused ourselves trying to guess their nationalities - strangely I think, not too generalize too much, but when away from their home turf people exhibit more and not less give away signals telling from whence they came. The Brits become more British, the Germans more German etc. - trying to cling onto who they are in a distant land. Any way while the foreigners practiced and kept a focused eye on the end game, the locals lounged and chatted - their wiry but strong sinewy muscles betraying the message that they weren't really taking this too causally.<br />
<br />
The whistle blew and the clambering began. The Indians with speed and agility quickly climbed on top of each other and to a wild cheer from the crowd knocked the pot down. The foreigner's pyramid wobbled and trembled as it grew higher and eventually, before reaching its apex crashed and burned. With true fortitude, as the Indian team watched on, regrouped and rebuilt and to an equally wild cheer eventually unthroned its clay pot. All entrants got a certificate - and the foreigners a good over dinner story to tell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLDORO1ju4U_gzInPJyOxr8OMXQeVFyFQoG2cwHTb7yM5KbkLSgdNhyphenhyphenJeJ3pvsupNwYyZbYRVKY9WikBmwu7j89XcojZ9BwwbNLkKUHJ8xDmAsMbXvkXwcKP4nn4SRgOsFYcx5RRqvN1y/s1600/IMG_6074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLDORO1ju4U_gzInPJyOxr8OMXQeVFyFQoG2cwHTb7yM5KbkLSgdNhyphenhyphenJeJ3pvsupNwYyZbYRVKY9WikBmwu7j89XcojZ9BwwbNLkKUHJ8xDmAsMbXvkXwcKP4nn4SRgOsFYcx5RRqvN1y/s320/IMG_6074.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The kid gymnasts child labour/exploitation of just families trying to eek out a living in the scrub of the desert the best way they can?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_8Oa3CVE5uz_Vq5-o5vH-zTvvsTF0TGQRJIfMrl1cazjXaS8oTjjMKaeVsaoK0etrYvozDxpiA8JogvS_-HbuzXSZzCcfjQf-VfsHONn8yokbpBR9EXrKKCsMy3HEUXXfT68o63QD44s/s1600/IMG_5973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_8Oa3CVE5uz_Vq5-o5vH-zTvvsTF0TGQRJIfMrl1cazjXaS8oTjjMKaeVsaoK0etrYvozDxpiA8JogvS_-HbuzXSZzCcfjQf-VfsHONn8yokbpBR9EXrKKCsMy3HEUXXfT68o63QD44s/s320/IMG_5973.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpklngvje_neNnrGRJGr5ZN8eJWtJDEv6AIQf_wctMnOwWPuckPX77rEZ8OfGmGmrH9aJZZPEZAj-GJMKpK2s7KXbeg7RCMRYh5Jt426pUo3yj7dFeaijx4iv_YsiMXi6lpF8Wu8gJk9v/s1600/IMG_5983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpklngvje_neNnrGRJGr5ZN8eJWtJDEv6AIQf_wctMnOwWPuckPX77rEZ8OfGmGmrH9aJZZPEZAj-GJMKpK2s7KXbeg7RCMRYh5Jt426pUo3yj7dFeaijx4iv_YsiMXi6lpF8Wu8gJk9v/s320/IMG_5983.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T2MXq1P_rA0lpEFlGkMn5GWpgqWsoJyWzYhXnQrI4hruEJHOMYOWODpVwXlYctXX9MZuJ0PysOZSKo9uZwOSfLQNFbUAX5mDXt7uF2VgLwCKDhcjLv39XL_voMdAUl0j1wrhJYrpt3zl/s1600/IMG_6103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T2MXq1P_rA0lpEFlGkMn5GWpgqWsoJyWzYhXnQrI4hruEJHOMYOWODpVwXlYctXX9MZuJ0PysOZSKo9uZwOSfLQNFbUAX5mDXt7uF2VgLwCKDhcjLv39XL_voMdAUl0j1wrhJYrpt3zl/s320/IMG_6103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi2XaTefCyXsuENWylk8a7Yw57-kEID_c0kupBKK_sHBvd-emQnhiK8kT8WcP0WKvFHwF2AJPHWo64NawVy91zHRhQEc1fd5kCKU4tNaAVucH0l8FcIRNMcgU3lZ0VRG0H_ld1vYqgJ-C/s1600/IMG_5985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi2XaTefCyXsuENWylk8a7Yw57-kEID_c0kupBKK_sHBvd-emQnhiK8kT8WcP0WKvFHwF2AJPHWo64NawVy91zHRhQEc1fd5kCKU4tNaAVucH0l8FcIRNMcgU3lZ0VRG0H_ld1vYqgJ-C/s320/IMG_5985.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The closing day of the fair drew folks from far and wide----all dressed in their best, the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of the sari's complimenting the turbans in every color of the rainbow - it was time for them to party and us to leave....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oGHueWcp3XrMYzXaQWRbI_aKmSgHeyawQnGj7leO1UE1mVog0AvxAuI3rR7rmGkfXbBFL1qCAZ6leN_V5-O61EMnKUvML-0YRrnu0mPOY2NwWy-aRS4bF0asa97AsZBCxWPndND7WP-r/s1600/IMG_6997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oGHueWcp3XrMYzXaQWRbI_aKmSgHeyawQnGj7leO1UE1mVog0AvxAuI3rR7rmGkfXbBFL1qCAZ6leN_V5-O61EMnKUvML-0YRrnu0mPOY2NwWy-aRS4bF0asa97AsZBCxWPndND7WP-r/s320/IMG_6997.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
These pics are pretty terrible being taken from our bus back to the airport - but you can maybe get the impression of the melee and the mass. The kids below are on top of a train - they were laughing, playing, jumping about - not a care in the world.......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgn9Rj31vm4s3aLE72KzcKcLSuZDEOr_f920Wfi3aQh2k61adAbGa_CbS9ljGlu3n6MzdBZNNzmBGRDPqo5i5ZMpKvlR9en9RL8pYTVTUjR0pbz8Qoo5ZTmrhYgiGRoE2ElSUuMKqksK4/s1600/IMG_7001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgn9Rj31vm4s3aLE72KzcKcLSuZDEOr_f920Wfi3aQh2k61adAbGa_CbS9ljGlu3n6MzdBZNNzmBGRDPqo5i5ZMpKvlR9en9RL8pYTVTUjR0pbz8Qoo5ZTmrhYgiGRoE2ElSUuMKqksK4/s320/IMG_7001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFimdrQjaeqxsw475IO5zC4BloPa5ekSV9MaBa6avNf96ZUnusUeAwk_fT-UdmaIa-tKbynLgzNG6fAE76pW1WANDTf4jnuEFzlP6ATK8gw4rqRamYarjg0_R5b0mYJuNJIN7nGnMfRSd/s1600/IMG_7015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFimdrQjaeqxsw475IO5zC4BloPa5ekSV9MaBa6avNf96ZUnusUeAwk_fT-UdmaIa-tKbynLgzNG6fAE76pW1WANDTf4jnuEFzlP6ATK8gw4rqRamYarjg0_R5b0mYJuNJIN7nGnMfRSd/s320/IMG_7015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This trip to Pushkar had everything, absolutely everything I love and admire about incredible India, an appropriate last journey before we return to Cali.......but be warned I will be back!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-33391007423149233112013-12-05T08:57:00.000-08:002013-12-05T19:06:55.208-08:00Pushkar Fair - The people of the Dunes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The camel herders/owners who bring their camels to market set up home for a few days on the desert dunes while they go about their business. Watching these folks was maybe the highlight of the trip for me.<br />
<br />
Before we even moved to India, safely closeted in San Jose, I watched the bollywood movie - Jab We Met, a Hindi romantic comedy with Kareena Kapoor. Its a typical easy watch happy movie which has a wedding scene in the heroines home town in the Punjab. My absolute favorite scene is when the males of the wedding party dance to 'Nagada Nagada'. Indian guys can certainly dance and these Punjabis in their wonderful turbans take it to a different level. Even since then I have had a thing for turbans - in Pushkar I was in my element!!!<br />
<br />
These are just a few of my favorite turban pics......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IU5Hd-j8LJ899TNduoWfibnSz2SX9jmylaLwsO_4gM7BLwMMzcUzfkrzDfkmD7ytf2b-bqFnPMIbp0zPeKEgP0XQehEQ4WorFHYFj-lvQf7f8ry9n0dccG89RlT7TV0rZlBVLCQ-B382/s1600/IMG_5576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-IU5Hd-j8LJ899TNduoWfibnSz2SX9jmylaLwsO_4gM7BLwMMzcUzfkrzDfkmD7ytf2b-bqFnPMIbp0zPeKEgP0XQehEQ4WorFHYFj-lvQf7f8ry9n0dccG89RlT7TV0rZlBVLCQ-B382/s320/IMG_5576.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MXZ2oqBA8kct-WXmSMR9qEopsoHWaEs3RUnO1LczasFuw8tlSjQe-faZiqwapjrhDSsIXwWn6hxdJcqwdRe3JlgXIPLi4kI-qpnNebvSrWv9RAwOwUgAlrS2oiCmUBEYOjh_YgZyJznJ/s1600/IMG_5630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MXZ2oqBA8kct-WXmSMR9qEopsoHWaEs3RUnO1LczasFuw8tlSjQe-faZiqwapjrhDSsIXwWn6hxdJcqwdRe3JlgXIPLi4kI-qpnNebvSrWv9RAwOwUgAlrS2oiCmUBEYOjh_YgZyJznJ/s320/IMG_5630.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
and of course real men can wear pink! Even in the desert everyone has a cell phone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaUULyqKi8yXqmCH9M7uOoYpxvuorNkqrMSQyJ7176tlMuF4iLD-EEDQ1NEZbkla-Ezt4_tq6WWnrxjZd1gzxkzuF5KW1WC141ev9B5oVE7XpDoA4ZaV0EJPxddnKYfrXC7tyuk8QG192/s1600/IMG_5803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaUULyqKi8yXqmCH9M7uOoYpxvuorNkqrMSQyJ7176tlMuF4iLD-EEDQ1NEZbkla-Ezt4_tq6WWnrxjZd1gzxkzuF5KW1WC141ev9B5oVE7XpDoA4ZaV0EJPxddnKYfrXC7tyuk8QG192/s320/IMG_5803.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd1n6hJlH6FUMsPXTs4k6lYkD3unS4Bs4b4P5mP0qvHHBLSaZzooRO5I58paZyjTdbbU_XWgiKBDaGpGdV575Pnrcm6Lk28pTNW_8QVueK_acShjylxTN03CebjBLwPpXsbteLPQnQRuK/s1600/IMG_5834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd1n6hJlH6FUMsPXTs4k6lYkD3unS4Bs4b4P5mP0qvHHBLSaZzooRO5I58paZyjTdbbU_XWgiKBDaGpGdV575Pnrcm6Lk28pTNW_8QVueK_acShjylxTN03CebjBLwPpXsbteLPQnQRuK/s320/IMG_5834.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Turban wearing does I guess make dressing a little more complex in the mornings!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f7fR4tGJbNZkw_p-v-Y_c1jWEFDef2UJHS4KNpk2-r0Yhg7xO1dTVWNfH4_B6YksCjuxquhmh7F34yzNRBozAv8ezVL0ccW4ieYP0OqPMFIS1d1t_ItkytphYDL49yZ3s9zuF3_BSx44/s1600/IMG_5930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f7fR4tGJbNZkw_p-v-Y_c1jWEFDef2UJHS4KNpk2-r0Yhg7xO1dTVWNfH4_B6YksCjuxquhmh7F34yzNRBozAv8ezVL0ccW4ieYP0OqPMFIS1d1t_ItkytphYDL49yZ3s9zuF3_BSx44/s320/IMG_5930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And these three guys hanging out all in red probably had me down as a stalker by the time I had finished taking their pics every which way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjPQ1qo4he0YkGD4QxLGIoXFyb5eBu1issBLfpkxquGlQiPc29UVBtoB0S_vZg27EFTHPO8Saemo_IC1ACDDjTDj9bOG4sL4ji3c6-_yhy2LnlJjZ7fX5N0Veo6ezf7kfxOPrX2wuPJ6O/s1600/IMG_6058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjPQ1qo4he0YkGD4QxLGIoXFyb5eBu1issBLfpkxquGlQiPc29UVBtoB0S_vZg27EFTHPO8Saemo_IC1ACDDjTDj9bOG4sL4ji3c6-_yhy2LnlJjZ7fX5N0Veo6ezf7kfxOPrX2wuPJ6O/s320/IMG_6058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this guy with both turban and a beautiful mustache of which he was suitable proud really was something else.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7L5pSOtIWWKQK7py9PuostvexPfoy0u2pJ0_OXv6JrYN4yRixxGV01oujiF2m7Pl5CvsuSPtbhTLUK7AKGgXTD4CofUa9JHLjinvyuxL-M-jnXQl7m7A5qTxHiH3M-8AGFaDHd4IGVVf/s1600/IMG_6035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7L5pSOtIWWKQK7py9PuostvexPfoy0u2pJ0_OXv6JrYN4yRixxGV01oujiF2m7Pl5CvsuSPtbhTLUK7AKGgXTD4CofUa9JHLjinvyuxL-M-jnXQl7m7A5qTxHiH3M-8AGFaDHd4IGVVf/s320/IMG_6035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Moving on from my turban fetish and back to life........to make your morning cup go chai your need milk and where best to get it warm and fresh......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYMfCUnNemitw4m9ywmJhI2fnxfNLApHcLzWpZFcHrOUM-CyxTnpiuV7H90tyJUVHAcNAWPyqnr6LYFytxr6ruxWspzeWh5Qx7naLwmvcDREJyORz1_SdzzkiLjPLlNN2jMcYzG5x3ut-/s1600/IMG_5566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYMfCUnNemitw4m9ywmJhI2fnxfNLApHcLzWpZFcHrOUM-CyxTnpiuV7H90tyJUVHAcNAWPyqnr6LYFytxr6ruxWspzeWh5Qx7naLwmvcDREJyORz1_SdzzkiLjPLlNN2jMcYzG5x3ut-/s320/IMG_5566.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Make a fire and your brew is nearly ready</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlwchkvIRxsY6xD3whfwQHLeaXOxtTo3enZqT1SA2Yi5_JmoYyRq-waY18cUqnnDp4vlUCo98_seKNFCt1wb58oJGHTVv-3N_2uQucTYUNVCLB0F2JLxwJW8VbVNvBhogA4rlYyE0LXfV/s1600/IMG_5553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlwchkvIRxsY6xD3whfwQHLeaXOxtTo3enZqT1SA2Yi5_JmoYyRq-waY18cUqnnDp4vlUCo98_seKNFCt1wb58oJGHTVv-3N_2uQucTYUNVCLB0F2JLxwJW8VbVNvBhogA4rlYyE0LXfV/s320/IMG_5553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Time to sip your cuppa while someone else starts kneading the bread while the camels just wait.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofoPIVBqES_8JwxReCDkQcBvvVbUMn4bpjL2ZixLqVlZ0NKMIKhd7RWXa-oVnbPnLm6H7l3S51KxgnbuNTcpZqQyvbF9qp9S7AvnThqWNMP7Tpmg-b1FVDCpTrurmbFgGxi9CkOqKKuj9/s1600/IMG_5872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofoPIVBqES_8JwxReCDkQcBvvVbUMn4bpjL2ZixLqVlZ0NKMIKhd7RWXa-oVnbPnLm6H7l3S51KxgnbuNTcpZqQyvbF9qp9S7AvnThqWNMP7Tpmg-b1FVDCpTrurmbFgGxi9CkOqKKuj9/s320/IMG_5872.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pushkar, it's camels and its people are of course a photographers mecca. So many of our potential photographic masterpieces were bombed by other folks with lenses at least twice the size of mine - but I'm sure we did likewise!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSqp5cCVH1wAMcSYAkmQoUeFBSHqu_NSZCGkA4F77yB06BgXUltIz2RIVGjm4AqfStOVjhWPXalXfryJkb6fKadxnVs0evJwk4MVJC8wEY-Em8FrXXfoEHYXrg1rmAfs8GHD9tvQmt6UE/s1600/IMG_5638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSqp5cCVH1wAMcSYAkmQoUeFBSHqu_NSZCGkA4F77yB06BgXUltIz2RIVGjm4AqfStOVjhWPXalXfryJkb6fKadxnVs0evJwk4MVJC8wEY-Em8FrXXfoEHYXrg1rmAfs8GHD9tvQmt6UE/s320/IMG_5638.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Strangely my fav pic has nothing to do with camels or turbans but this little old lady, her face, teeth and clothes tell a story of a life of toil and hardship but her eye still twinkles and in her piercing stare an inner strength shines forth.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ndIfNlaxhzRM81qWafjywAdT4hvHhzwRLW-JGRMwcP8z0G2wBS3NA5GF-WUNDBXrBeolKWgOqtmgXwpYhhKWjsYg9UKmQWXYS65unvsktYnv1toxl3_dQ8wqnTlHlK7DIBJvSSeI23ek/s1600/IMG_5624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ndIfNlaxhzRM81qWafjywAdT4hvHhzwRLW-JGRMwcP8z0G2wBS3NA5GF-WUNDBXrBeolKWgOqtmgXwpYhhKWjsYg9UKmQWXYS65unvsktYnv1toxl3_dQ8wqnTlHlK7DIBJvSSeI23ek/s320/IMG_5624.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-48075241771091981732013-12-05T02:17:00.003-08:002013-12-05T19:09:10.625-08:00Pushkar Fair - Cavorting with the camels!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We drove along straight flat roads (I think its a Bangalore thing - the Brits talk about the weather wherever they go, Bangarloreans the roads!) from Delhi, through little towns and scrub to Pushkar Fort. This would be our (me, another dozen or so photo buffs and our leaders - plug here for Hema Naraynan - teacher and friend) accommodation for the next three nights, tents for two. Posh tents that is, with a bathroom (sort of) and proper beds. With an extra cover and my cleverly remembered camping blanket it was actually quite cozy when the desert had cooled down for the night.<br />
<br />
The purpose of the the trip was to do photographic justice to the camels and peoples of the Pushkar Camel Fair. An annual melee of camels to be traded and peoples to buy, sell, socialise and of course party!<br />
<br />
The first camel our party saw roadside as we drove into town elicited a flurry of excitement and camera clicks. A few hours later a herd of 20 camels crossing our path much closer would hardly result in a raised eyebrow. How quickly the unusual becomes the norm, the extraordinary, the ordinary.<br />
<br />
The best hours for photography are the hours immediately after sunrise and before sunset when the light is softer and kinder. However, this results in some very early mornings and chilly evenings......but in the name of art (ha-ha) we braved the cold and managed our pre-breakfast jaunts to the 'dunes' to see the world coming to life.<br />
<br />
Our transport in and out of town and round and about were camel carts - in four of them we bumped along. Our little convey was definitely efficient and as the days passed we got to know the camels by their degrees of aggression and frequency of emissions from either end!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOcMR4mQIvoVVt_YWPzNhmLKioT_caeh2xE7VHqV7g1s8Pag447D7R5RSX2RLpla3-hpeIkR2tgqXg_1jTqt0mh9mjbBeOj-z78JQe7OI6meuRphRyrbvQAgFc7N1LgNxX7Wf9cFAGKnI/s1600/IMG_6581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOcMR4mQIvoVVt_YWPzNhmLKioT_caeh2xE7VHqV7g1s8Pag447D7R5RSX2RLpla3-hpeIkR2tgqXg_1jTqt0mh9mjbBeOj-z78JQe7OI6meuRphRyrbvQAgFc7N1LgNxX7Wf9cFAGKnI/s320/IMG_6581.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I have to say by the end of the trip, although camels will never feature in my list of cuddly cute animals they do have a certain dignity and grace and an ability for incredible peace and stillness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikusmk6Rek6AtNHpXqgjmQIbnzn4xq5YXSdfy-tL24aCv-fmX-HqwLc9gnqwJqXX8L4PEk-I3UYouJv6nuaFQPs8WlBeetkxXycmlWEbFpgOJlcJosc6ngo6cAAmncxhbaluhrF9Eett3b/s1600/IMG_5350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikusmk6Rek6AtNHpXqgjmQIbnzn4xq5YXSdfy-tL24aCv-fmX-HqwLc9gnqwJqXX8L4PEk-I3UYouJv6nuaFQPs8WlBeetkxXycmlWEbFpgOJlcJosc6ngo6cAAmncxhbaluhrF9Eett3b/s320/IMG_5350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The turbans (I'll be coming back to them) and the camels just filled the sky line.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLFz_cCkt27wCyJ9rCvqaGmE7R1wq935CmYuGuvdSIPuIAe5Wav9UB48tD6lLlC-frkjP6GbstkghxSr_0x3_G4YGMbvu3t-3cDU9vqtVtAAG_oi31fPJ3oQNksPIdTEItDAOBj_By_Xu/s1600/IMG_5380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLFz_cCkt27wCyJ9rCvqaGmE7R1wq935CmYuGuvdSIPuIAe5Wav9UB48tD6lLlC-frkjP6GbstkghxSr_0x3_G4YGMbvu3t-3cDU9vqtVtAAG_oi31fPJ3oQNksPIdTEItDAOBj_By_Xu/s320/IMG_5380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The early morns were my favorite times - just to see the calm before the madness of the day, the campfires giving some warmth and food to the folks spending the nights huddled in thin blankets huddled under the clear and cold sky or some make shift shelter.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbplD2gVYxMDej6xLJRqy_7zTEytQZB61xHbkOVo0yqFZKlixYmRLxNEQwdX0rM5wR82AQ_I0XurpylP8zv3ehtk90NeKFacr7_J5qWi-Q1iZgKiX1VeLw338pTmc5s0qC9BhXZGrYFpAC/s1600/IMG_5461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbplD2gVYxMDej6xLJRqy_7zTEytQZB61xHbkOVo0yqFZKlixYmRLxNEQwdX0rM5wR82AQ_I0XurpylP8zv3ehtk90NeKFacr7_J5qWi-Q1iZgKiX1VeLw338pTmc5s0qC9BhXZGrYFpAC/s320/IMG_5461.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF14tMLpxoyfFNHsB0SClPHAY9jPVBglluyeMrbv_Sp14twfeg3GU74FJnm2KYTGBCPjqv-6tAfY7d07k4ATdNd8zIWb1Sro9BuhE2s-jXcFMwE8tLY8Z6Mc-C0fa3j7SMILkLQbCetxG/s1600/IMG_5634-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF14tMLpxoyfFNHsB0SClPHAY9jPVBglluyeMrbv_Sp14twfeg3GU74FJnm2KYTGBCPjqv-6tAfY7d07k4ATdNd8zIWb1Sro9BuhE2s-jXcFMwE8tLY8Z6Mc-C0fa3j7SMILkLQbCetxG/s320/IMG_5634-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And the aim of the exercise was business - buying or selling I'm not sure which!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Lg5dkF70PZcCdhvEbc09dwArm0cUJbeQhjreKN5olXRsil1GRuWRZEl5Q58Een-QkLiwMxgqTpPQZH-LDrWeGzQ-pzBw6ZzUXr0oEoCo0Aqddt2ipm2GFllI_Mp1yf8rk68CFFqMOiy8/s1600/IMG_5767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Lg5dkF70PZcCdhvEbc09dwArm0cUJbeQhjreKN5olXRsil1GRuWRZEl5Q58Een-QkLiwMxgqTpPQZH-LDrWeGzQ-pzBw6ZzUXr0oEoCo0Aqddt2ipm2GFllI_Mp1yf8rk68CFFqMOiy8/s320/IMG_5767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Camels appeared from all directions...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lxc22MHqpqvGfxh5aW_7E1yyy_B8MLC6HzyJ9jn38A0hFVELhfkmsiNo_htCFvsG4yQc-aFu45n75znBrS63cgjoM40dd3DiIlkSpkQzwNNO0C_iDkuoyVDqL_vjFPL2zDPTAwCOUtpB/s1600/IMG_5848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Lxc22MHqpqvGfxh5aW_7E1yyy_B8MLC6HzyJ9jn38A0hFVELhfkmsiNo_htCFvsG4yQc-aFu45n75znBrS63cgjoM40dd3DiIlkSpkQzwNNO0C_iDkuoyVDqL_vjFPL2zDPTAwCOUtpB/s320/IMG_5848.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Much as I did grow to find Camels slightly more appealing - the teeth........</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4y365GLYRP_Q1O9P-NNe7sNjyuFlh7OBqSEtAx4-rvce6kMLpFjFr2eYV_HaehcxJKmibAOdjoeSux72_vmHEjN5r9rKpAc0qbbRYIiv1nggWkxASHopaOtag3_1hPEbFCjGO06uh87y/s1600/IMG_5859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4y365GLYRP_Q1O9P-NNe7sNjyuFlh7OBqSEtAx4-rvce6kMLpFjFr2eYV_HaehcxJKmibAOdjoeSux72_vmHEjN5r9rKpAc0qbbRYIiv1nggWkxASHopaOtag3_1hPEbFCjGO06uh87y/s320/IMG_5859.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and the tongue............never!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFuKhuhfUAS5wq_v_I39ZPJD9_1ntmxWpSZQ0lVlBK_zw1rTtWVD0yMIvVliBxegix8jz6sbKFmL6cYGESdnFMAE-gyFjOyL3iSUvNhM19pcFpytGNk8lB4AupbXAVclD5evz6MNZ47nI/s1600/IMG_5892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFuKhuhfUAS5wq_v_I39ZPJD9_1ntmxWpSZQ0lVlBK_zw1rTtWVD0yMIvVliBxegix8jz6sbKFmL6cYGESdnFMAE-gyFjOyL3iSUvNhM19pcFpytGNk8lB4AupbXAVclD5evz6MNZ47nI/s320/IMG_5892.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Except of those of course of best in show, dressed to kill......the best turned out..... Mr Johnson!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TnsXBEDfSryJa4pCG9bsrgwoRGaf1wD5tzzOjQtzdcwnl3OkevEjeCPhBwrgTiStVfO4bKY3TyL0XoY7mKsbIQvc6Py5mzEVGPoLywTZn2naHzcoRgN0FxJpjPdhPeHeF-DlRc1WLG87/s1600/IMG_6121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TnsXBEDfSryJa4pCG9bsrgwoRGaf1wD5tzzOjQtzdcwnl3OkevEjeCPhBwrgTiStVfO4bKY3TyL0XoY7mKsbIQvc6Py5mzEVGPoLywTZn2naHzcoRgN0FxJpjPdhPeHeF-DlRc1WLG87/s320/IMG_6121.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-18319983747307897642013-11-12T18:41:00.003-08:002013-11-12T18:41:44.721-08:00Another busy day in Bangkok!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Across the river from the Grand Palace is the Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.. Again we travelled by skytrain and then river boat and were now feeling like old hands at getting around Bangkok, especially Ads who seems to have an inbuilt sense of direction - not sure where he gets that from - not from either of us!!<br />
<br />
Anyway, a sign on the trains you won't see else where - please give your seat up to monks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzKzcMhS__SiNFhJDm4svx6dwTsgiscpPI_03VlaD6GATZuDVAzqJM6fp1gkF43BsymbHHkMTPRuBmAFFcUllmCb8ec6WOw43dpu34chzM9dVTrVetpz05p3B5Vrfz9D_LZ00B7HLUff1/s1600/IMG_5060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzKzcMhS__SiNFhJDm4svx6dwTsgiscpPI_03VlaD6GATZuDVAzqJM6fp1gkF43BsymbHHkMTPRuBmAFFcUllmCb8ec6WOw43dpu34chzM9dVTrVetpz05p3B5Vrfz9D_LZ00B7HLUff1/s320/IMG_5060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Wat Arun is seriously tall with very high steps - we got up as far up as possible and could definitely feel our thighs later that day - especially poor Wills whose muscles had the shakes!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_B3STXIh_QeAC0LQXu-uzlK3yEVC8DxSuKstF9jOxIIx8_IZ8N7QSLwx9RtNMD1Mcmee4nvTzJEuM_-a_h_4qkf9V46lA-S0CkAvF2Pz8NELxjwAC-9b7LbWWHfgySpmD7Aso8Pby2Dp/s1600/IMG_5037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_B3STXIh_QeAC0LQXu-uzlK3yEVC8DxSuKstF9jOxIIx8_IZ8N7QSLwx9RtNMD1Mcmee4nvTzJEuM_-a_h_4qkf9V46lA-S0CkAvF2Pz8NELxjwAC-9b7LbWWHfgySpmD7Aso8Pby2Dp/s1600/IMG_5037.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The views were pretty good though.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLwC3RYXuQ3Yutvi3fenjF5CYtUx-dPNWMeitBRY-c-w-wfJYyF3b9O2ZstAdipKjIO7mVRB_CFxEL7f2EAL20zOrLIFR4A-dAUxXkpXtjlfb7EMYtTJ2gXoLBrTiXuFAS1OwxMQ43mpS/s1600/IMG_5033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLwC3RYXuQ3Yutvi3fenjF5CYtUx-dPNWMeitBRY-c-w-wfJYyF3b9O2ZstAdipKjIO7mVRB_CFxEL7f2EAL20zOrLIFR4A-dAUxXkpXtjlfb7EMYtTJ2gXoLBrTiXuFAS1OwxMQ43mpS/s320/IMG_5033.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The boys decided to go dress up!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKxNkknJC09IDL3FFIBTu_-sIWLEsJbp6SGHzFXz4KEo27bMtC2ZafbllfiGWR-rj1G9i0-6a6Zrv4nnTU9XpRnfyFUXc2tDKDM5UaXrivp1AxqMfKZQoQz8-1omS7ZblyKuEBXG-G68c/s1600/IMG_5027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrKxNkknJC09IDL3FFIBTu_-sIWLEsJbp6SGHzFXz4KEo27bMtC2ZafbllfiGWR-rj1G9i0-6a6Zrv4nnTU9XpRnfyFUXc2tDKDM5UaXrivp1AxqMfKZQoQz8-1omS7ZblyKuEBXG-G68c/s320/IMG_5027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next stop was Jim Thompson's House. Said man was an American who was employed in Thailand from the US, fell in love with the country and then retired there. One day aged 61 and 5 days he went for a stroll in the jungle and was never seen or heard of again - either dead or alive. We took a tour of the house but our guide seemed to focus primarily on the toileting issues from bygone ages. Apparently Thai's being very hygienic preferred outdoor toilets. However, if there was a call of nature during the night they used well disguised pottys (not so hygienic). A pottery cat with a removable head was designed for the gentleman's usage and a sort of frog with a hole in its back for the ladies to squat thereover. They say if you kiss a frog it may turn into a prince - not sure what the comparable is here. Anyway it was a very nice Thai style teak house!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aW_Ldeaq2MmDpzi2m_lWABxtCJEWjx5H5j6ThhCqz4kAZbtrDWl1aZJ1uceZ4EbXcSz7z_Uedw0ZsAJ6ozUW5WSkzWRlTCx6bPz3fznPMX-Aa9x7eT2qIyDwhF-oW1ZWbIgsN5eJXHTD/s1600/IMG_5098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aW_Ldeaq2MmDpzi2m_lWABxtCJEWjx5H5j6ThhCqz4kAZbtrDWl1aZJ1uceZ4EbXcSz7z_Uedw0ZsAJ6ozUW5WSkzWRlTCx6bPz3fznPMX-Aa9x7eT2qIyDwhF-oW1ZWbIgsN5eJXHTD/s320/IMG_5098.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7bhgAw0UD-Xge8aAQq4k1MWOpIXLpvmuGSoZrMAm7kwBQ9hdF2OuBpRbPQF4lpUkBucjuoEkNwCslAuvaoxgQmUqC-4Fwz7Gcl3gocqX9po2t_h3LEw2LTne_WfBZ-w73btk09VVei-z/s1600/IMG_5077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7bhgAw0UD-Xge8aAQq4k1MWOpIXLpvmuGSoZrMAm7kwBQ9hdF2OuBpRbPQF4lpUkBucjuoEkNwCslAuvaoxgQmUqC-4Fwz7Gcl3gocqX9po2t_h3LEw2LTne_WfBZ-w73btk09VVei-z/s320/IMG_5077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At Jim's pad, as all over Thailand, there was a little shrines outside. The theory is that when you build a new house you may displace the spirits who were previously resident. In order to escape their wrath one builds a little house outside for them to live in comfort. Food and water is regularly provided for their welfare.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMlOVGZotFXd7U9W3lnLgSjYqOeuraFS6mjtVpSE7qlfClOt0y9czBrPo5L8W5pDjFTUecb1g4Z9LfC79y0mdN8tCmBD0b3Ce4PujlnbWyzw-nFBy5nICinjOt5EBynOTJTDDmhnuXZ6B/s1600/IMG_5100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMlOVGZotFXd7U9W3lnLgSjYqOeuraFS6mjtVpSE7qlfClOt0y9czBrPo5L8W5pDjFTUecb1g4Z9LfC79y0mdN8tCmBD0b3Ce4PujlnbWyzw-nFBy5nICinjOt5EBynOTJTDDmhnuXZ6B/s320/IMG_5100.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next stop the biggest indoor market in South East Asia -The Bangkok weekend market. This is a labyrinth of stalls selling everything - from clothes (knock off designer gear), foods, ornaments, pets and clothes for them, scrap booking and crafting stuff, candles and incense, household goods, knives and knuckledusters........</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was very busy - even the approach.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI3UEkgmBvZoweg1hCCv42DEa1HK4WYRnKIPKih9tVb7NRbEyBEbDr4eQ-BPEC9g-Lw28Q8WFYo7FSWhlhVF-x7upBjjJMzyD4OV0zt7VWz0esKYkJsUgao9To8RwJuEvx9kKuD8T075L/s1600/IMG_5114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI3UEkgmBvZoweg1hCCv42DEa1HK4WYRnKIPKih9tVb7NRbEyBEbDr4eQ-BPEC9g-Lw28Q8WFYo7FSWhlhVF-x7upBjjJMzyD4OV0zt7VWz0esKYkJsUgao9To8RwJuEvx9kKuD8T075L/s320/IMG_5114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Luckily Ads is taller than the average Thai, so even when he'd speed ahead, lag behind or wander down a side street as he is prone to do - we didn't loose him!! He was always at least a head above the crowds!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCI_LkjkOOw_FrbjZT3fil8zcuqMr_j9Gnq92wVoLLZk11UBVOMwGegLU2jlIHG-YpQuhmxXFS5M0YpYZwweGHcPNyl8G2gtOa_3TjNdqIPg_BZCv7wORuPrO0FJg8fobQHLGszgL1zPp/s1600/IMG_5128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCI_LkjkOOw_FrbjZT3fil8zcuqMr_j9Gnq92wVoLLZk11UBVOMwGegLU2jlIHG-YpQuhmxXFS5M0YpYZwweGHcPNyl8G2gtOa_3TjNdqIPg_BZCv7wORuPrO0FJg8fobQHLGszgL1zPp/s320/IMG_5128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Even Simon who hates to shop was entertained in this market for several hours!!<br />
<br />
Last stop in Bangkok was the Erawan Shrine - a very active and busy pray center. I do love the way Hindu's and Buddhists -in fact all religions except Christians it would seem - can get down and pray wherever, whoever is about and whatever is going on around them. We seem to prefer the privacy of cold dark churches. The Erawan Shrine is right below the sky train and an over road foot path.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXcYHJHCTjj11SCb_pPmK1vG-BlKIOzcAiGz8uiBCA763J2A7hifaeBzwuqtBnkwqWpRf_xz_6kgumR9q3KwBPoTJnUtaoCDN37fBoZCHH78-wvEDor1L_mNFvSAM2df5PFUJbQVAV39x/s1600/IMG_5179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXcYHJHCTjj11SCb_pPmK1vG-BlKIOzcAiGz8uiBCA763J2A7hifaeBzwuqtBnkwqWpRf_xz_6kgumR9q3KwBPoTJnUtaoCDN37fBoZCHH78-wvEDor1L_mNFvSAM2df5PFUJbQVAV39x/s320/IMG_5179.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
None of those at pray seemed remotely concerned by the surrounding activity of everyday Bangkok.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FZGaEL8Lg4ARexOAOZh-Z8hh1d2qP9wdUQhFwDOPL43aofSsieLexnda8Ks0kFgbVxmFEVoM19bQ1whtBBvRThrOPsVg-KXoeSYIA2NZiJrAvpCVDtrGd2dLc-ZBaHp3JBd-C4uW6kxP/s1600/IMG_5186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FZGaEL8Lg4ARexOAOZh-Z8hh1d2qP9wdUQhFwDOPL43aofSsieLexnda8Ks0kFgbVxmFEVoM19bQ1whtBBvRThrOPsVg-KXoeSYIA2NZiJrAvpCVDtrGd2dLc-ZBaHp3JBd-C4uW6kxP/s320/IMG_5186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
There was a haze of incense and some very Chinese looking dragons, and some acrobats, the significance of which I didn't work out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gc2a1aTydpY-LkWIKZubwCTFnep5PUFxLKpTLjieeSIJS00X7IuKHuxf81d_9ytPELLPZDHbW6gX73eCunK7tJbvE4DaW-WACnphyphenhyphenaqm0E0vQeTw8cK4vKWrLdGUgn_jUEBRVJ-YSm6a/s1600/IMG_5143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gc2a1aTydpY-LkWIKZubwCTFnep5PUFxLKpTLjieeSIJS00X7IuKHuxf81d_9ytPELLPZDHbW6gX73eCunK7tJbvE4DaW-WACnphyphenhyphenaqm0E0vQeTw8cK4vKWrLdGUgn_jUEBRVJ-YSm6a/s320/IMG_5143.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRid8jGvr1uqFu1AYf60a-TVVqCDOsboQx7IQAg9G44pdcCLzcuNXOs8PbQGw2IBlRNC3DDM07RCtm0sCMZHorUNgkKgHMeDtDR-1nMuoUr852huEA36YQ0cvpkJqoJqAytrObIBFK0R0A/s1600/IMG_5150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRid8jGvr1uqFu1AYf60a-TVVqCDOsboQx7IQAg9G44pdcCLzcuNXOs8PbQGw2IBlRNC3DDM07RCtm0sCMZHorUNgkKgHMeDtDR-1nMuoUr852huEA36YQ0cvpkJqoJqAytrObIBFK0R0A/s320/IMG_5150.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Thai dancers prayed for folks by request, chanting and dancing the relevant prayers while the person requesting the prayer knelt on a mat in front of them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0BCbntWEXvXRLP_cYvRsJK2IhFJRTyfD5Tv_7D7AI_zEwnU1cVGhaT9QZtXBQWFB6rD5-JFPq93uaIGRvYslN31apard4LhU9KtqM_6ITTInFcltENABFVFcaoSlfml2Y7BvvzXmnsQP/s1600/IMG_5171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0BCbntWEXvXRLP_cYvRsJK2IhFJRTyfD5Tv_7D7AI_zEwnU1cVGhaT9QZtXBQWFB6rD5-JFPq93uaIGRvYslN31apard4LhU9KtqM_6ITTInFcltENABFVFcaoSlfml2Y7BvvzXmnsQP/s320/IMG_5171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It was then time for us to pick up our bags and return to the airport on the ever efficient public transport.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three nights in Bangkok and the Towers family happy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not much between the temples and all the shopping</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel a return visit coming to me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
OK that is terrible but I don't have time to do any better - Thursday off to Pushkar to take pics of Camels......Camel Chaos, Camel Confusion, Cavorting with Camels....there will be camel blogs to come!!!!!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-29474324214919969662013-11-12T00:33:00.000-08:002013-11-12T07:40:09.913-08:00Busy in Bangkok!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bangkok - the modern monochrome city. I don't think it was just the contrast from the highly coloured India. Seriously the vast majority of people were in black and white or similar dulcet tones. And the legs.........now that is a reaction to India. Micro mini skirts, tinsy winsy dresses and cheeky shorts...all very tasteful but so short!!!<br />
<br />
This was the first major Asian city I have visited outside India. Population of Bangkok 6.335 million, Bangalore 4.3 million. And boy what a difference! No pot holes, way less trash, smooth roads, public transport that connects and is scarily efficient, street food you can not only smell but can eat whatever, wherever.........Bangalore - what is your problem????<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
However Bangkok has a hugely divided society the 'hi-so' (high-society) set we saw in central Bangkok of pretty people, with milky white skin, twinkling jewels, designer clothes, auburn rinses and speaking school learnt English, an electronic device in each hand. At the Siam Paragon Mall we went into in <span style="line-height: 18px;">a Lamborgini show room with a yellow merchilago and a black aventador (had to steal that information from Ads Facebook status!!) However</span><span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"> the inequality stats are scarily close to those in the US, wealthiest 20% own more than 85% of the wealth, lowest 50% own 3 or 4%.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fafbfb;">We stayed in a wonderful apartment on Asoke - less than 5 minutes walk to the sky train. Modern apartment with all we needed on 35h floor with views over the city. We all loved Bangkok - the kids when asked which they preferred Cha Am or Bangkok - voted Bangkok without hesitation. Getting around was so easy, the food so good and so much variety -maybe we'd overdone the seafood in Cha Am.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We did quite a bit of Mall walking and shopping but also explored the old parts of Bangkok by boat. The public river boat was just as efficient as the sky train. The first stop was the Grand Palace - which was very Grand - an orgy of gold, spires, paintings - total opulence!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind_vWQ1Q3dJ4_5jAOVU4IQqugQLLVyabfpEkHFdxOrEM9aYRUm4TSwnZ0VHDcT4Pafy6ejZBDDOs_HxXpQ0ukamoJC6oQpBU2N7d-YARAhbLWoVx4xuOUPfbU38S6Fzitj0CR9tv5rHgX/s1600/IMG_4926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind_vWQ1Q3dJ4_5jAOVU4IQqugQLLVyabfpEkHFdxOrEM9aYRUm4TSwnZ0VHDcT4Pafy6ejZBDDOs_HxXpQ0ukamoJC6oQpBU2N7d-YARAhbLWoVx4xuOUPfbU38S6Fzitj0CR9tv5rHgX/s320/IMG_4926.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Dh9leK0ZuO3lENUmCUT-F0dWwoTrwZcHdL7NLLFgzK7F2CGk3lwpYrcxD4cPiHeg6WvepobaWJxzpApyhtM7jFxnu-576EeYskkcwLUyWATX_l6ktdzOgUIGSbY4AU_4eSIXQuyu81MP/s1600/IMG_4928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Dh9leK0ZuO3lENUmCUT-F0dWwoTrwZcHdL7NLLFgzK7F2CGk3lwpYrcxD4cPiHeg6WvepobaWJxzpApyhtM7jFxnu-576EeYskkcwLUyWATX_l6ktdzOgUIGSbY4AU_4eSIXQuyu81MP/s320/IMG_4928.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriKvoOMXh9bZji0meLMBrfoI5EqbePb5e7wFCCqq2q6n8YEGE6C6MgqBfynNa2pPYw-1nXdL4Vdj8WmwSxWQpi7hdGZBKw0igVy6hmDmd3dQWtQOowPyuYb0fqjNb9XznisvZKKcXdS8P/s1600/IMG_4939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriKvoOMXh9bZji0meLMBrfoI5EqbePb5e7wFCCqq2q6n8YEGE6C6MgqBfynNa2pPYw-1nXdL4Vdj8WmwSxWQpi7hdGZBKw0igVy6hmDmd3dQWtQOowPyuYb0fqjNb9XznisvZKKcXdS8P/s320/IMG_4939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKC8S0VjmmS5XPLJyu7ELJCycbSVeGyxGagHox6IHCCEBd7WtsclgbpG_50mtx_Pt_MuMT0n78iHTTEQyuRNvP7NLIvUGaBDzj2BpdseTQ9JzIK7c2AoJZku2fUmflWwxc5Hzjvq8ZPuk/s1600/IMG_4969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKC8S0VjmmS5XPLJyu7ELJCycbSVeGyxGagHox6IHCCEBd7WtsclgbpG_50mtx_Pt_MuMT0n78iHTTEQyuRNvP7NLIvUGaBDzj2BpdseTQ9JzIK7c2AoJZku2fUmflWwxc5Hzjvq8ZPuk/s320/IMG_4969.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwViPyLTRJNYUGStT0JBLKQsAEI8U4HMRgWS3xyp176SCDin5C1_K6LKiN9900HEWw1KUEqA1TqTcYCe7oFR2TFjbVCx2MRb-R5pbFTWRrVB1ZBS4MDQusZiDwZBLpvfjhchptHJxV7LvY/s1600/IMG_4980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwViPyLTRJNYUGStT0JBLKQsAEI8U4HMRgWS3xyp176SCDin5C1_K6LKiN9900HEWw1KUEqA1TqTcYCe7oFR2TFjbVCx2MRb-R5pbFTWRrVB1ZBS4MDQusZiDwZBLpvfjhchptHJxV7LvY/s320/IMG_4980.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJqkZzGCiXMeN7rNQFrdVBeRBmRfe9y7Zq8DyY0I807sm19KZ0QQG_G2UFTUQuKQkwuFsfyRu_XoHNIHkLEGUQukQQY5EBLRjx6vYiypuVR6grGCQINzDWq4aiEQee1LUE3FeFG7mkO1a/s1600/IMG_4982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJqkZzGCiXMeN7rNQFrdVBeRBmRfe9y7Zq8DyY0I807sm19KZ0QQG_G2UFTUQuKQkwuFsfyRu_XoHNIHkLEGUQukQQY5EBLRjx6vYiypuVR6grGCQINzDWq4aiEQee1LUE3FeFG7mkO1a/s320/IMG_4982.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ArGJdnBzoyGYb5fI_5RZHBhOqX6Hah3ilaNl1rP5g49MXYoBgS8DnjKFV8ERx00MGfcV7RxnBQPuDHPbZ-bN1ov3edI7lbIboIng8kphGlDHtFQNjm7Wj9DNxq9sn-RF7zkwFt9Qo-0R/s1600/IMG_4985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ArGJdnBzoyGYb5fI_5RZHBhOqX6Hah3ilaNl1rP5g49MXYoBgS8DnjKFV8ERx00MGfcV7RxnBQPuDHPbZ-bN1ov3edI7lbIboIng8kphGlDHtFQNjm7Wj9DNxq9sn-RF7zkwFt9Qo-0R/s320/IMG_4985.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The size of the palace, number of buildings and the perfect condition everything was in, was quite incredible. The Thais are very fond of their Royal family and picture of the King and Queen pop up everywhere. The powers of the King are these days purely symbolic but he still attracts the respect and reverence of the Thai people.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However their political premiers don't always attract the same. While we were in Bangkok the politicians and lawmakers approved a draft amnesty bill which would allow the previously exiled premier back in. The protest marches were busy, noisy but peaceful.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcc50o8Uu8-3u9OpIiOI0yE405dYgCQSC_8LJgevVEE1TOGbqCcLIwpRWk4eMoNrpUMeqC2xwuF51viFO5JSlpWGG1BRbqLaJsdH3YJ6psrFIt6VBoc4olaJc3JBTZVSVmoXAUgyPxGuq/s1600/IMG_4874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcc50o8Uu8-3u9OpIiOI0yE405dYgCQSC_8LJgevVEE1TOGbqCcLIwpRWk4eMoNrpUMeqC2xwuF51viFO5JSlpWGG1BRbqLaJsdH3YJ6psrFIt6VBoc4olaJc3JBTZVSVmoXAUgyPxGuq/s320/IMG_4874.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A busy day before returning to our apartment to relax and enjoy the view.........</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeiEn4i0_C4biRG0OSXrBJSbAcXoN5mrlhyaNCEnhsuHi1EN1m6E7an0OiVclWzIPDIGC0r-zQVFZooN3ZtTkQPrQNzo9PBxB6j0eqqcPUaZU50ghn5Qt4hxgEzX93Ev-Ye43bl6p7iEl/s1600/IMG_4890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeiEn4i0_C4biRG0OSXrBJSbAcXoN5mrlhyaNCEnhsuHi1EN1m6E7an0OiVclWzIPDIGC0r-zQVFZooN3ZtTkQPrQNzo9PBxB6j0eqqcPUaZU50ghn5Qt4hxgEzX93Ev-Ye43bl6p7iEl/s320/IMG_4890.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
before another busy day on Bangkok!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #fafbfb;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-60072043667697445872013-11-11T18:11:00.000-08:002013-11-11T18:12:13.129-08:00Still Chillin"!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We spent a couple of days on the village beach. Its very organized. You pay for your beach chairs and table.....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPLwwE_PSJ95sT6cIu1UaTjBoSA__m3UA9-zv_c8KykwgcmsX4IDxuNFUoMWwdwM4wZRzZns_5EYxPlsdJCb2myovlrLIfo1ji6pYvG9KKcDo8A2k7gZ5c1p5kxcSb88SwDJrrfnhDhce/s1600/IMG_4538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPLwwE_PSJ95sT6cIu1UaTjBoSA__m3UA9-zv_c8KykwgcmsX4IDxuNFUoMWwdwM4wZRzZns_5EYxPlsdJCb2myovlrLIfo1ji6pYvG9KKcDo8A2k7gZ5c1p5kxcSb88SwDJrrfnhDhce/s320/IMG_4538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
...and then it's waitress service all day - the most yummy seafood snacks to choose from.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dgd-wck2Xm1JWvJTAeULQazOz3NxE57IgO8eWX9w4HMnJYq_hnNQMfeJSiP-auIRknb4gbzr6CFmCNCPx_A3WwoJK0MFFs16_0_DPfIY6KaMK3me6jjVsOTYx0wV4MuCQxQVHt-AX1rJ/s1600/IMG_4572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dgd-wck2Xm1JWvJTAeULQazOz3NxE57IgO8eWX9w4HMnJYq_hnNQMfeJSiP-auIRknb4gbzr6CFmCNCPx_A3WwoJK0MFFs16_0_DPfIY6KaMK3me6jjVsOTYx0wV4MuCQxQVHt-AX1rJ/s320/IMG_4572.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The local Thai people hate the sun and go to all lengths to minimize any rays on their skin...but they must get hot!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA2BRoBSEeAE93dDo1xch5GefCwcBShjzmkQ5sGUVEz2fsrpm6c8T3c1kfTCiFH_A2W4KUaLMeEO_ltOjwLZWArkAN81FSZWO4KZeEqiO9um52J88NRsF0d_b4f1nWu7qVcEJtJLuektb/s1600/IMG_4570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA2BRoBSEeAE93dDo1xch5GefCwcBShjzmkQ5sGUVEz2fsrpm6c8T3c1kfTCiFH_A2W4KUaLMeEO_ltOjwLZWArkAN81FSZWO4KZeEqiO9um52J88NRsF0d_b4f1nWu7qVcEJtJLuektb/s320/IMG_4570.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMcwk-MpPxHnhM17XStIDp2-1w0x_B2l3PvpgCHkVSop07QeJYhEC4QsNKlVQ3IErZrwaNIaHEASqkIrcOO4ZzwNSzUzkXpyh3pUtoQr-4YE1h0lZbGKFMFKOqpzBZ7Ns2AMh84BtaVSn/s1600/IMG_4616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMcwk-MpPxHnhM17XStIDp2-1w0x_B2l3PvpgCHkVSop07QeJYhEC4QsNKlVQ3IErZrwaNIaHEASqkIrcOO4ZzwNSzUzkXpyh3pUtoQr-4YE1h0lZbGKFMFKOqpzBZ7Ns2AMh84BtaVSn/s320/IMG_4616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And being boys just sitting and chill in on the beach needs to be complemented with a bit of action!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJE3xL25Dnis8tNmOUxRggVJyTrQwoixvqKxX9aMHisUFLW8lNoP0h2YgswWmzNLUO7S4AmOO08ThY_Y5PZlbPNMpjGkomGafalCApdeKRTX9Jn_OZSIHnXeOAz2Y4MdewC6A42dM12MQ/s1600/IMG_4588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJE3xL25Dnis8tNmOUxRggVJyTrQwoixvqKxX9aMHisUFLW8lNoP0h2YgswWmzNLUO7S4AmOO08ThY_Y5PZlbPNMpjGkomGafalCApdeKRTX9Jn_OZSIHnXeOAz2Y4MdewC6A42dM12MQ/s320/IMG_4588.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We did visit the local market where again an abundance of seafood and fruit and vedge even more lush than we see in India.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5pzDV0pBz_Zl0jXRLLF-S6UjY7ZI-sfzdm8eBw5jsWIBzCzs5K3oJcLXpd2jBqN6FAHPh8RbTHtX7Dgl4IODfzNwM7pH7BBmxDZnWyJJxzZeSo9yY8Y0L9q4VdOvjtjXSlgaXyM2nKi5/s1600/IMG_4678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5pzDV0pBz_Zl0jXRLLF-S6UjY7ZI-sfzdm8eBw5jsWIBzCzs5K3oJcLXpd2jBqN6FAHPh8RbTHtX7Dgl4IODfzNwM7pH7BBmxDZnWyJJxzZeSo9yY8Y0L9q4VdOvjtjXSlgaXyM2nKi5/s320/IMG_4678.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVvaJI_cKaAuKHB6kflYXZZJUfKBXsDUtlXY-g1pKvR_ocVub_HeKm5whU6l0uo6coR0du0QnzPA59duIzxrlxywYd3dkUHN8jjof2kgTEbYBMD9919V1rxmvx7ddWqRo_j_vfvMOmDvO/s1600/IMG_4686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVvaJI_cKaAuKHB6kflYXZZJUfKBXsDUtlXY-g1pKvR_ocVub_HeKm5whU6l0uo6coR0du0QnzPA59duIzxrlxywYd3dkUHN8jjof2kgTEbYBMD9919V1rxmvx7ddWqRo_j_vfvMOmDvO/s320/IMG_4686.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe-eUyOxbjEEWnHEc1dPUtDV5M_pNnK7vZYbRvkZEVk-6jUe2BTqlBDX6W-52SXIlicU4FNdvXr9t1AmhOpBtOEehlh0ZmAXBSYS9RUaN8FqtmQmVMuNHbn0UBc2bnFYx8krCj0bD-h_F/s1600/IMG_4694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFe-eUyOxbjEEWnHEc1dPUtDV5M_pNnK7vZYbRvkZEVk-6jUe2BTqlBDX6W-52SXIlicU4FNdvXr9t1AmhOpBtOEehlh0ZmAXBSYS9RUaN8FqtmQmVMuNHbn0UBc2bnFYx8krCj0bD-h_F/s320/IMG_4694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After four days of rest and relaxing in Cha am - it was time to head back to Bangkok to explore the city - we were ready!!<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-67670546726311312842013-11-11T01:54:00.000-08:002013-11-11T01:54:40.759-08:00Chillin in Cha Am<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This was our first trip in Asia outside India (except Sri Lanka). It had been a very long half term - well more like three-quarter term - thirteen weeks of it and the kids were over ready for a break. We flew out of Bangers on October 31st after "trick or treating". Wills out and about in the 'hood with his friends and Ads elsewhere. Simon and I left to open the door to the very heavy stream of other ozone kids in costume. Very embarrassingly we ran out of candy and had to shut shop, bring in the decorations and turn off the lights - never run out of candy before!<br />
<br />
Ads returned just in time to get into the taxi and head to the airport. Drive to the airport had one slightly hairy moment when (bear in mind we drive on the left here) taxi ended up off road on the right hand side of the two lane road. Taxi decided to pass an oil tanker which in turn suddenly decided to pul out to pass a tractor. not room for all of us on the tarmac - survival of the biggest - taxi being the smallest gave up and pulled off the road. In typical indian style no one even blinked, let alone waved a fist or yelled an obscenity - engine was restarted and we carried on our way.<br />
<br />
Bangalore airport was all go - an expat exodus for the Diwali break. Considering kids must all have been on various stages of a Halloween sugar high it was relatively peaceful but by then it was rather late.<br />
<br />
When you arrive in an Indian airport - you are without a shadow of a doubt in India. I'm not sure what exactly it is, or why India has such a strong unmistakable character but arriving at Bangkok airport you could have been anywhere in the world!<br />
<br />
As we waited for our car to take us to Cha am - a couple of hours from Bangkok, it was obvious there were some visitors in town for the beer during the day and we know where they were going to go when the light got low. Over the week or so, we saw quite a few Thai/UK couples. Brit guys with a Thai gal - maybe 15 or 20 years younger - very respectable, happy looking couples. Brit guys you wouldn't have noticed walking along the street on their home turf - sort of nondescript slipper and pipe types - not raiders of the lost ark types - who had somehow (no idea what their stories were) repositioned themselves to be spending the latter part of middle age onward with attractive, younger but still mature Thai chicks who seemed to be genuinely fond of them, hanging on their every word. I was actually quite impressed!<br />
<br />
To Cha Am. First stop on the highway had to be Starbucks and very good it was too. Cha Am is a sleepy little fishing village which comes alive on the weekend when Thai's from Bangkok head down for a weekend or day by the sea. Our apartment was a little out of town so we hired three bikes and cycled around the back roads. The usual debate was who got Wills to chauffeur about - more often than not it was me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsgE8q_wQAu-e5TYstaLuzqN1mU2eKq-UAct6dgZpGuNb1JPlvEAS3VnzHwfFYknJKCSO_s8Rs5qR0LlEDLKs_c1tKQowv3QgMHHbl888n6MNW3CMFOGtCpd2ReMfbwMdJd_S8SipGohJ/s1600/IMG_4813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsgE8q_wQAu-e5TYstaLuzqN1mU2eKq-UAct6dgZpGuNb1JPlvEAS3VnzHwfFYknJKCSO_s8Rs5qR0LlEDLKs_c1tKQowv3QgMHHbl888n6MNW3CMFOGtCpd2ReMfbwMdJd_S8SipGohJ/s320/IMG_4813.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gvLZ89LQnL53x52E5lU9v4tPcCNenda08UH-yd6EJaUlsp-IROSd4tbStPdR3LGGruUurxh6uLsCPf9rBW29PvUImGSfgkkoJlcIg69_EGIOcGOek6wjP-NPooNM8hZxyE-H4LXgtz5F/s1600/IMG_4817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gvLZ89LQnL53x52E5lU9v4tPcCNenda08UH-yd6EJaUlsp-IROSd4tbStPdR3LGGruUurxh6uLsCPf9rBW29PvUImGSfgkkoJlcIg69_EGIOcGOek6wjP-NPooNM8hZxyE-H4LXgtz5F/s320/IMG_4817.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Cha Am is essentially a fishing village - I never managed to get up early enough to see the fisherman come in with their nights haul but we sure ate a lot of it! The seafood was phenomenal - I don't think I have ever eaten so much, so fresh and so yummy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cppGRVdQ2myYNFzTaielJZepC2TRY5RYHcBPvZQZW8ciM9_VNkli5Asu9wyBEXAy7OLJKDpILK93vrkKI9rmGWpPAamABfNJV2AYKS0t2vbFR_uiwaGFuRLDU-K2BM7x-b4CkH1GVx-r/s1600/IMG_4675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cppGRVdQ2myYNFzTaielJZepC2TRY5RYHcBPvZQZW8ciM9_VNkli5Asu9wyBEXAy7OLJKDpILK93vrkKI9rmGWpPAamABfNJV2AYKS0t2vbFR_uiwaGFuRLDU-K2BM7x-b4CkH1GVx-r/s320/IMG_4675.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I wasn't too sure about the bright green mussels - but they tasted good!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhurVdjtsIGEOLMFovxEoiSbyIJMUdVgK5lDSU6mL98tbdKOkolVdcIt75o-sRMcsjP2F4VXiF6IrOHvsjTMybBOAIB7H2ZTrSpy_t0ZTx1ieAxZtaN4mcLX3bj2aRtIwYHKxJ6Yt4xn5/s1600/IMG_4676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhurVdjtsIGEOLMFovxEoiSbyIJMUdVgK5lDSU6mL98tbdKOkolVdcIt75o-sRMcsjP2F4VXiF6IrOHvsjTMybBOAIB7H2ZTrSpy_t0ZTx1ieAxZtaN4mcLX3bj2aRtIwYHKxJ6Yt4xn5/s320/IMG_4676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The little harbor was full of brightly colored boats.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEbIsCqTw4JhvY0TpSDmLlN38pSHKnsPJyU7qL-cT0y6eO-Im3YKfD0vVO1o7Ph-Aa_dThHoY1bpUf9jt5b494Rm9ge4_4kWN4HuMBZe47IRHGRp0vsJ1N-AZ3ZyV89Rf-NUUvle8BDgP/s1600/IMG_4640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEbIsCqTw4JhvY0TpSDmLlN38pSHKnsPJyU7qL-cT0y6eO-Im3YKfD0vVO1o7Ph-Aa_dThHoY1bpUf9jt5b494Rm9ge4_4kWN4HuMBZe47IRHGRp0vsJ1N-AZ3ZyV89Rf-NUUvle8BDgP/s320/IMG_4640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK96vouUPERAVPOdu_dq63iUALIrTzaKLygnQ4pN3NT2vV6BObFAvAm6P8khqRK8zIRnOWTd2qUwtaakVxXEoqKe57lH0LhYtFZgtrtI9qvbpIlNpyH8BV2QVgSDjukJVTzTzYwWxX4JL/s1600/IMG_4652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnaiRA4n9y4bP9hFj5JxFHPHMV51vimw5nf5qA1ojYHGR8RJW785s4pqwWZmruPns6BciTzNAK9LWXLV0QdwDzzbkZowLqZ0awom69HLi55PreAKO9hItmvHJUh2XD37ugYq-IQKC3ro2I/s1600/IMG_4787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK96vouUPERAVPOdu_dq63iUALIrTzaKLygnQ4pN3NT2vV6BObFAvAm6P8khqRK8zIRnOWTd2qUwtaakVxXEoqKe57lH0LhYtFZgtrtI9qvbpIlNpyH8BV2QVgSDjukJVTzTzYwWxX4JL/s1600/IMG_4652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK96vouUPERAVPOdu_dq63iUALIrTzaKLygnQ4pN3NT2vV6BObFAvAm6P8khqRK8zIRnOWTd2qUwtaakVxXEoqKe57lH0LhYtFZgtrtI9qvbpIlNpyH8BV2QVgSDjukJVTzTzYwWxX4JL/s320/IMG_4652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After biking and eating - there was plenty of chilling!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp98o_MKKVHRsPHdPb038l4-NT0PekKlI5NA5br-ay02GkCCkLGurEXchzVEl1Ln1MG2nDuvtrQr5axzQNrlilnxVjlr73IE-Gs9cZrhtU3Xoi2Uwjw1m4Ch-fjYiJiK7H6KM0ixFjATm/s1600/IMG_4787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp98o_MKKVHRsPHdPb038l4-NT0PekKlI5NA5br-ay02GkCCkLGurEXchzVEl1Ln1MG2nDuvtrQr5axzQNrlilnxVjlr73IE-Gs9cZrhtU3Xoi2Uwjw1m4Ch-fjYiJiK7H6KM0ixFjATm/s320/IMG_4787.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWDT69Fw1S7tgmJMO5S0wzPzdovqTJLsP5xQnYB2DfckEKfTcgaSUwuSbxW86v5DpH_ngdqHZiPHjG_I41Pr6s9a8g_RJrqvu5Bo2Ew-ImpbwumiEMFuYJl4mqW3yiM1rMbERGcRF6X9x/s1600/IMG_4766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWDT69Fw1S7tgmJMO5S0wzPzdovqTJLsP5xQnYB2DfckEKfTcgaSUwuSbxW86v5DpH_ngdqHZiPHjG_I41Pr6s9a8g_RJrqvu5Bo2Ew-ImpbwumiEMFuYJl4mqW3yiM1rMbERGcRF6X9x/s320/IMG_4766.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-86299753239828558162013-10-27T21:34:00.003-07:002013-10-27T21:38:37.078-07:00Truly a trailing spouse!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Simon was booked in for a week long conference in Goa and we decided it was too good an opportunity for me to miss out on. So for a couple of days we left the kids with two wonderful friends and very early Sunday morning flew out to Goa. By mid morning we were in our hotel.<br />
<br />
This was totally unlike any of our previous trips either to Goa or in the rest of India in that we hardly strayed out of base camp. The only adventures I experienced were in the books I read, and there were several.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOadJYufbYUSwSA4Z4em6rgWQz-POytTPIbcao-x64XJEFYbZhEbHqdAUEq8GpJGLOZEfpu70BpUfT-YoT-43WAiqR5ZeLRX3EOFmdM6ZHpK_NKAeuoEv11o2VVLNg3oVZmBE7pBBTZda7/s1600/IMG_0956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOadJYufbYUSwSA4Z4em6rgWQz-POytTPIbcao-x64XJEFYbZhEbHqdAUEq8GpJGLOZEfpu70BpUfT-YoT-43WAiqR5ZeLRX3EOFmdM6ZHpK_NKAeuoEv11o2VVLNg3oVZmBE7pBBTZda7/s320/IMG_0956.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had lunch in the Cicade De Goa where we stayed with the kids when we were in India on holiday back in 2008 - when we had no idea we would ever end up living here!! That was about 5 and a half years ago, when Ads was the age Wills is now, and Wills was a toddler!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODwxCuZOpQS2N-NZzVXQLjkKyUI-nHeztpD6ytuq9GJwROEARyog4-mw6QGvsiRSYQOn44NjVCje5z6XFvUmUJ-SRZxCoFtYPDlOf6B6vp8uV9Ztuk0hFxBSdyYKn8xNdpVvwNkUbXZzi/s1600/IMG_0954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODwxCuZOpQS2N-NZzVXQLjkKyUI-nHeztpD6ytuq9GJwROEARyog4-mw6QGvsiRSYQOn44NjVCje5z6XFvUmUJ-SRZxCoFtYPDlOf6B6vp8uV9Ztuk0hFxBSdyYKn8xNdpVvwNkUbXZzi/s320/IMG_0954.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We stayed in one of these rooms from which we could just walk down to the beach.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_M2Dy1hKl_lS3eZ9SMqJTFkuT3OuQ4IeHEhKYWOVvkPZ5FOQhO_hHkSRwzPKCyOkC842Bddj_ynB7XShN1r-Ex0LWbYrQR48EG7IfFL0NfY7N7gBUEt1SMSSosJvJpAPLa8RB8rY8208/s1600/IMG_4504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_M2Dy1hKl_lS3eZ9SMqJTFkuT3OuQ4IeHEhKYWOVvkPZ5FOQhO_hHkSRwzPKCyOkC842Bddj_ynB7XShN1r-Ex0LWbYrQR48EG7IfFL0NfY7N7gBUEt1SMSSosJvJpAPLa8RB8rY8208/s320/IMG_4504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Simon's conference was in the Grand Hyatt which was very grand - unlike the hotels we normally stay in!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga04n5y_CHS9gfmcg5kJ4crXP3UFIccjp5qJy7LPeW4JRXPnD8Szx5IwO86LUrJuabkvbrfVPeh44AU-UJfE68-FtVwfnWUS24EqIztQZ9x03uKsbPD55ES487rRAFN15UB39rF34x53J4/s1600/IMG_4505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga04n5y_CHS9gfmcg5kJ4crXP3UFIccjp5qJy7LPeW4JRXPnD8Szx5IwO86LUrJuabkvbrfVPeh44AU-UJfE68-FtVwfnWUS24EqIztQZ9x03uKsbPD55ES487rRAFN15UB39rF34x53J4/s320/IMG_4505.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
However, it was a touch incongruos that Simon's conference was entitled "Leading in a digital world" with lots of signage next to gardeners with brooms and pulling weeds by hand!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEwjugFvOPbL1MET6_J5g2dhl3gVzLCjedry3JWdxHOMUcgY-JxCoxuJVrYMF-xKMm6n2Ivd7zEplU5kjTfcJiYcGz_XVeb3iLjzg0wcwa8aj5SwoA60fXQOZZw6zL5Em-o2ps3Zrj8wW/s1600/IMG_4509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEwjugFvOPbL1MET6_J5g2dhl3gVzLCjedry3JWdxHOMUcgY-JxCoxuJVrYMF-xKMm6n2Ivd7zEplU5kjTfcJiYcGz_XVeb3iLjzg0wcwa8aj5SwoA60fXQOZZw6zL5Em-o2ps3Zrj8wW/s320/IMG_4509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So in the Hyatt, where the latest trends and advances in technology were being discussed, just outside India went about it's business in the same manner, unchanged for many years.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF970chI7YLEiWK2nFgR_8N2cxvinNlwcqaiTfpXUrCXnbu1dnPwope83WzP_9keZ-1QelU0apSiK6j14rPUW3k2UZfXj7fI8NXaAKOVn9hbbwUxUkSbTkxJfQDDlE2sLldCfWpt0C0Jj/s1600/IMG_4512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF970chI7YLEiWK2nFgR_8N2cxvinNlwcqaiTfpXUrCXnbu1dnPwope83WzP_9keZ-1QelU0apSiK6j14rPUW3k2UZfXj7fI8NXaAKOVn9hbbwUxUkSbTkxJfQDDlE2sLldCfWpt0C0Jj/s320/IMG_4512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While this mini break was a really relaxing experience and these hotels were a beautiful side of India - it's not my Incredible India - mine is the one of color, noise and chaos!!!</div>
</div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-85309492586037594702013-10-27T09:06:00.003-07:002013-10-27T09:11:42.039-07:00(Very) Early morning walk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sunday morning - 6.00am - all set for a 13 mile promenade? - not exactly, especially after a very late Saturday night - but off we go!<br />
<br />
Oxfam organize an annual 100Km in 48 hours hike as a fundraiser, in close proximity to Bangers. Teams of four - each member of the team having to complete the 100K. This was a pre-registration, is this a good, or even sane idea? comparatively short hike.<br />
<br />
It was a beautiful temp for any sort of physical exertion - grey, overcast with a slight breeze. In the UK this would herald rain and cold - but here doesn't mean anything of the sort! I didn't take my real camera as - I'd firstly have to carry it and secondly would be a source of irritation to my fellow hikers as I'd be forever stopping and clicking so these pics are all i-phone.<br />
<br />
Its hard to believe that there is this incredible peace and tranquility only a mile or less from the hustle and bustle of mainstream Bangers. Given our on-going monsoon season it's incredibly green and lush at the moment. Even just taking i-phone pics I seem to be lagging here as a couple of my fellow hikers seem to disappear on the horizon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmh0yjOJsZkIVld7iBY-VDNOodouXBfiiG_xudwabYDvBCzBjkfdluCyeay9pBYL8fI57I9LFL-wYEMgp9NGw5vTDM95IszVfP_EZ7k9PsuHnEmV9u8uXGkBkUgiWE5OqOP9OqlR3IRkk/s1600/IMG_0966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmh0yjOJsZkIVld7iBY-VDNOodouXBfiiG_xudwabYDvBCzBjkfdluCyeay9pBYL8fI57I9LFL-wYEMgp9NGw5vTDM95IszVfP_EZ7k9PsuHnEmV9u8uXGkBkUgiWE5OqOP9OqlR3IRkk/s320/IMG_0966.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Its very rural with scattered small farmers cottages and low tech/high manual crop agriculture underway. Both the motor bike and the farmer seem drowned by their loads of sugar cane. But being India both overladen bike and driver will wobble off to market without loosing a single sugar cane on route.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4MKDNsfvvCttGzY7PI5qZetnJr-mlh9pdQ2Ro3LEreA4wUsjksD_y7blzEzlLE9HqyRvMGvYS9Oi2XPGFUuS82EJXwJY2xtbv1ntMH4OFMgrLwifQWUbIhJumQS6yFx374pcGbP3Y_I8/s1600/IMG_0970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4MKDNsfvvCttGzY7PI5qZetnJr-mlh9pdQ2Ro3LEreA4wUsjksD_y7blzEzlLE9HqyRvMGvYS9Oi2XPGFUuS82EJXwJY2xtbv1ntMH4OFMgrLwifQWUbIhJumQS6yFx374pcGbP3Y_I8/s320/IMG_0970.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
Before we completely left urbanisation we walked through a few small villages and even at just after 6.00 am some pooja was underway. The rooster just partially visable on the left side of the pic. was about to meet a sticky end and evolve into an offering to some God, to the accompanianment of some very loud drum beats.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6pk2lr2FCsskYow9lPNGOuSmFfATihpR3tjpPPmU-7jA2ktNBx6VSP00QBRK0pxb2pggidV3Hzkwx3BCHCIfJHTQj3EJCMz6iwG-dYxGQFMtKkwBF0xfCcPZJ-7-cgTBXBTPGyNCRELS/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6pk2lr2FCsskYow9lPNGOuSmFfATihpR3tjpPPmU-7jA2ktNBx6VSP00QBRK0pxb2pggidV3Hzkwx3BCHCIfJHTQj3EJCMz6iwG-dYxGQFMtKkwBF0xfCcPZJ-7-cgTBXBTPGyNCRELS/s320/IMG_0962.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIADjrbTs3KrVBkbm2fnJEAMoo9-vR0N-ZTsr2bhTOvqwStUAaUY_3eSfDEWOHDX8yAmnCB0O2kdU5zcoM5TSsbLrJSK-z4sIZTnAV3FWXx1NEFXGREVcmeKLLWN7nfb5n3wcVShOa7M3/s1600/IMG_0965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIADjrbTs3KrVBkbm2fnJEAMoo9-vR0N-ZTsr2bhTOvqwStUAaUY_3eSfDEWOHDX8yAmnCB0O2kdU5zcoM5TSsbLrJSK-z4sIZTnAV3FWXx1NEFXGREVcmeKLLWN7nfb5n3wcVShOa7M3/s1600/IMG_0965.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And this being India - folks were going about their business regardless of this strange band of walkers. As their lives are so labour intensive they must find it hard to comprehend why we would need or want to go strolling about the countryside for no apparent reason.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2V-Nm5oobQl5NMEClvS9WlqqL-lOgb8vohVrfnau8Yg2N4iggs-iqm66O5CWv3t3VoSgjCJyh7LyDIlYi0gwM6YtMf8lz1uUVZYb2hik2nIoCaomaZGhytPqjZPmBKzcDC7kcWxbSXY3/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2V-Nm5oobQl5NMEClvS9WlqqL-lOgb8vohVrfnau8Yg2N4iggs-iqm66O5CWv3t3VoSgjCJyh7LyDIlYi0gwM6YtMf8lz1uUVZYb2hik2nIoCaomaZGhytPqjZPmBKzcDC7kcWxbSXY3/s320/IMG_0963.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I must admit I felt way better at the end of the walk than I did at the beginning! Twenty -two Kilometres in just over 4 hours - not bad going. Do I feel 100K is possible in 48 hours - yes, desirable I'm not so sure. Our next hike of 30K is planned for three weeks time, Diwali break interupting any atempt at a more rigorous intensive training schedule! </div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-26889588458008471162013-10-14T09:38:00.002-07:002013-10-14T09:39:38.302-07:00Bare naked cars!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today is Ayudha Puja - 9th day of Navrati (full story blog Oct 9, 2011) and almost all forms of transport are dressed to kill - well actually dressed not to kill - they have been blessed for 12 months of safe travels twisting and turning both horizontally amongst other vehicles and obstacles on the road and vertically over the potholes, speed bumps and tracks that make up the roads of Bangers.<br />
<br />
But our poor four and two wheeled steeds are paint less, adornment free and real party pooppers. Today is the first day I missed having a driver - there was no-one to puja the cars and bikes. The gardener washes the cars a couple of times a week and with hind sight I should have asked him to buy the kit and do the necessary.<br />
<br />
So here's a flavor of some of the cars in our hood and outside.<br />
<br />
Our neighbors were very busy - 4 push bikes, 2 motorbikes and two cars all blessed for a safe 12 months on the roads!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPceOjfwQ2S8J9QdCBpsRfM3OawHmoYi7Cc0DdHUC1hNi0rM8UktHWXjM5mjkgZczndUhq65WLvtqBn8IfGUz3bq4Ms8abgz2taxrXRhHhRpZTReauT6EqyKihioKCmLvfxbmeZU_R27SF/s1600/IMG_0937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPceOjfwQ2S8J9QdCBpsRfM3OawHmoYi7Cc0DdHUC1hNi0rM8UktHWXjM5mjkgZczndUhq65WLvtqBn8IfGUz3bq4Ms8abgz2taxrXRhHhRpZTReauT6EqyKihioKCmLvfxbmeZU_R27SF/s320/IMG_0937.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtlvhoSim5RwtdY2YP6O2WbdwjiaASH6rPncp6okTwQRcwVGtQ1bn-LJBgrKyGmoZEoM6XFHIoqmoDsyeup1V_Mmi6H0dDUZnQYlToPILAd6SLNhhCn6nslhmuHE8jFS5AVGyzUJVulS7/s1600/IMG_0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtlvhoSim5RwtdY2YP6O2WbdwjiaASH6rPncp6okTwQRcwVGtQ1bn-LJBgrKyGmoZEoM6XFHIoqmoDsyeup1V_Mmi6H0dDUZnQYlToPILAd6SLNhhCn6nslhmuHE8jFS5AVGyzUJVulS7/s1600/IMG_0938.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0VdIRAWVmdfBLROXPl2uzqjO70nDYwynVdZI4A5OF3pz6rRFB-tCLUtwxG3rEenjeGQKW5OQ4sbZTljFzPUsgRiFwBzHswVu-ehecgal0dKdDgmmNK1vEqFkRomgwlA7w0JrBBLoQx6A/s1600/IMG_0949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0VdIRAWVmdfBLROXPl2uzqjO70nDYwynVdZI4A5OF3pz6rRFB-tCLUtwxG3rEenjeGQKW5OQ4sbZTljFzPUsgRiFwBzHswVu-ehecgal0dKdDgmmNK1vEqFkRomgwlA7w0JrBBLoQx6A/s320/IMG_0949.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Even the Mall was decorated - whether for Dussera or in preparation for the long run - to include the upcoming festival of lights - Diwali and Christmas only time will tell!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8bkmkKg8NE8cSTZGPkC_U3a2mZsy5Xha3Icutd7X3nbcXyCxBLj7fvAYPY3ImnZQj28gpn5fEul45CEGNO8NyL4PuOzRneHj2ZffRWI2jKePxlz9NtDbXwNecDfgVzE6R2Synjp5uGdp/s1600/IMG_0941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8bkmkKg8NE8cSTZGPkC_U3a2mZsy5Xha3Icutd7X3nbcXyCxBLj7fvAYPY3ImnZQj28gpn5fEul45CEGNO8NyL4PuOzRneHj2ZffRWI2jKePxlz9NtDbXwNecDfgVzE6R2Synjp5uGdp/s320/IMG_0941.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
On our walk back from our local Mall we passed one the the newly painted walls into out hood - now adorned with tiles to reflect the multi religious society here - on the bottom row we have mother Mary flanked by a couple of Hindu gods and on the top we have Jesus. If only the whole world could be so harmonious.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMZWgcHWXycwndf_YGUggIxi0bbn_3hBFuf6ZEF1_Rbl4HUB7FWI1fmkoSuRe2S0DZqiqFLriuV7O5zPwBd8fhyphenhyphenoxM1aNLzOIH7NoGXBiTL5dZBYaGK4-XgY2C5MXWFioKPBYt5IKGSt9/s1600/IMG_0943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMZWgcHWXycwndf_YGUggIxi0bbn_3hBFuf6ZEF1_Rbl4HUB7FWI1fmkoSuRe2S0DZqiqFLriuV7O5zPwBd8fhyphenhyphenoxM1aNLzOIH7NoGXBiTL5dZBYaGK4-XgY2C5MXWFioKPBYt5IKGSt9/s320/IMG_0943.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-76736570217410327352013-10-08T00:44:00.003-07:002013-10-08T00:58:50.028-07:00Spastics Society of Bangalore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Not a very politically correct name in the Western world!! The Spastics society in England changed its name to Scope when the word "spastic" shifted from referring to a medical condition to being an extemely derogatory term. There was some big hoohah when Tiger Woods had to apologize for referring to his lack of putting prowess on British turf, as being 'a spaz on the green.' Spastic is still neutral in India meaning someone with cerebral palsy. In the US, it's more a casual term for general clumsiness not an insult. It just shows how Indian English, America English and The Queen's English are very different as to nuances, something we tend to underestimate in inter continent communication, or at least I did on moving from UK to US.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back on point.....The Spastics Society of Bangalore is one of the charities the OWC supports and I decided to go on a visit. Organizing India Night and other fundraisers is all very well and good but it's important not to loose sight of where the money goes and the good it does.<br />
<br />
Not only does the spastics society help those with cerebral palsy but also autism, epilepsy and other debilitating illness. There is also a department of educational phycologists who help/diagnose those with other more minor struggles within the school system - dyslexia for example.<br />
<br />
It could by definition be a depressing place, sort of downhearted and down trodden but not at all. Its by no means opulent but is bright and breezy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUviFu4_MBy6ClOPK6VygfyPfxqQXwcsPovUpELlsNQLn1Xa9P4B9WKzWlCe5ZbNG6QmEt21T1hk_XVmrjEzT1wcRCo1xa37rbOmKr8S3y8_lUch_NZj2a0EPeK7ZpKPvnWBkSpkAhcbR/s1600/IMG_4076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUviFu4_MBy6ClOPK6VygfyPfxqQXwcsPovUpELlsNQLn1Xa9P4B9WKzWlCe5ZbNG6QmEt21T1hk_XVmrjEzT1wcRCo1xa37rbOmKr8S3y8_lUch_NZj2a0EPeK7ZpKPvnWBkSpkAhcbR/s320/IMG_4076.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What was really cool was to see exactly what the OWC had funded over the years and there was a lot:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdbD1VODBPeZXClGJNIBOmlAphbTYRTrcPbqqXLB5U1GeGCk1wVc53Rxh3X0hF_fXoeG0XDn_AtAFdsc5rkF1sw145mTv4Gh_yKKcFs6iv1twRafz3uFE-z_eQ3HItssLXxO5QF6_RYGE/s1600/IMG_4064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdbD1VODBPeZXClGJNIBOmlAphbTYRTrcPbqqXLB5U1GeGCk1wVc53Rxh3X0hF_fXoeG0XDn_AtAFdsc5rkF1sw145mTv4Gh_yKKcFs6iv1twRafz3uFE-z_eQ3HItssLXxO5QF6_RYGE/s320/IMG_4064.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The green floor on the physiotherapy room was one such project.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31qM_uRsCfwiKyb6IXtaz2P5LUH4OI0ai0s_eUlIiUUq3Rj51600Ev_Eeba68j5yzwOBTGA5F0-w3GgXoZpSJgG_glOQWqdERCKUmt6oH-K0OyFn_fL9D6qwNJnH9wJAFJzPbz1boxanu/s1600/IMG_4065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31qM_uRsCfwiKyb6IXtaz2P5LUH4OI0ai0s_eUlIiUUq3Rj51600Ev_Eeba68j5yzwOBTGA5F0-w3GgXoZpSJgG_glOQWqdERCKUmt6oH-K0OyFn_fL9D6qwNJnH9wJAFJzPbz1boxanu/s320/IMG_4065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The OWC had also directed and help produce a video show-casing the works of the Spastics Society. This specifically showed the importance of education about, and diagnosis of, mental illness. There was one mother featured, who has an autistic son, who admitted she used to beat him until he was diagnosed by the spastics society and she began to understand him and the issues he faced. She touchingly said "I thank the Spastic Society for making my child a person" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is all about enabling and empowering. Some of the older kids and adults are put to work helping to make sale-able items - bags and cards for example. There is a bakery where some of the adult patients work to make delicious cookies and savories (we did have a sample or two!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH9zHJ-UVBVZBqnpJgirbFSbsQjHPMmkuzkMZ9DDNNqVQLuqCLO0FvYdJ64_ukg8XCu9wCMSEMWxXmKGpgMhWTQBS6z_UaU7i-sG7-V5upBQnXJnn_t2Qgq4GTTggl8fvFEa6YZPVZoya/s1600/IMG_4097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH9zHJ-UVBVZBqnpJgirbFSbsQjHPMmkuzkMZ9DDNNqVQLuqCLO0FvYdJ64_ukg8XCu9wCMSEMWxXmKGpgMhWTQBS6z_UaU7i-sG7-V5upBQnXJnn_t2Qgq4GTTggl8fvFEa6YZPVZoya/s320/IMG_4097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Again, in order to enable, tools very basic tools are made. Kids with cerebal palsy have limited rotation in their arms as the muscles are dystrophied. Yep - we all know that - but have you ever thought how difficult it is to clean your teeth if you can't turn your arm properly. So the solution is to make a two part right angled handle - (see pink and red contraptions below) a skipping rope or bike grip handle at one end - (to make it easier to hold) and the toothbrush or spoon can by put in the red sort of extension and kids with less than 100% mobility can brush teeth, eat etc.etc by <b>themselves</b>. No fancy expensive aids here but with limited resources and a bit of imagination these kids are being helped to reach their true potential. The parents are always involved - some now not only parenting their own disabled child in the best way possible but also to help teaching other disabled kids and their parents. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZN0dJKZ_5gD-bCIDhWJJa5TxX4B8kuWs9GENwUJ9bTXRZZpoqjo6jME8H17yPoFVQljdV89m-5Z9BWeWCYmfzUbd6sIRiE88Umc-bNNoOndTeXihvTs7sv5PVqQxBjS6HWDyMvJejqK_/s1600/IMG_4104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZN0dJKZ_5gD-bCIDhWJJa5TxX4B8kuWs9GENwUJ9bTXRZZpoqjo6jME8H17yPoFVQljdV89m-5Z9BWeWCYmfzUbd6sIRiE88Umc-bNNoOndTeXihvTs7sv5PVqQxBjS6HWDyMvJejqK_/s320/IMG_4104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The people who run this amazing organization include one of the directors, Mrs Krishnaswamy who at 80 still has a twinkle in her eye, her finger on the pulse and a mind currently coming up with a joint proposal with an international engineering company and a local engineering college to further utilize the latest OWC funded project, a tool room with basic lathes etc. to further empower and enable these kids born with such challenges and disabilites. What a women - to see her talk about the society you see not only what she has done for others but also the sheer joy that, that has brought to her - her light so shines!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A humbling and inspiring morning. I shall draw on this when cajoling local business to donate and the wonderful OWC band of woman to volunteer at our next venture the annual OWC Christmas Bazaar!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-69688862564816949762013-10-01T23:17:00.001-07:002013-10-01T23:17:04.375-07:00A country bike ride!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ozone is on the edge of Whitefield, town to the one side but villages and countryside to the other. I have been out on my bike with a group of friends and also with Simon. It's amazing how easy is it to get out into the country side and also how friendly and helpful, when our trail disappears, the locals are... Biking and picture taking not melding well together, these are a few iphone snaps.<br />
<br />
Firstly to prove I really was on my bike!! you can see how green and fertile the crops are, post monsoon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmBfJlljkISd3jvqrUFLg7aj1wy8PUTPXpMiXXYiLDNK3KU6d6OZlgnBQLKhuMDtscyToKNBPNYuq7f2wXmM2vsC8iMceBckkccj9gegtDer1OCkO33jXZfGNiCmBEVhugSpjv_8V28C1/s1600/photo+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmBfJlljkISd3jvqrUFLg7aj1wy8PUTPXpMiXXYiLDNK3KU6d6OZlgnBQLKhuMDtscyToKNBPNYuq7f2wXmM2vsC8iMceBckkccj9gegtDer1OCkO33jXZfGNiCmBEVhugSpjv_8V28C1/s320/photo+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These are some of the trails we share with other pushbikes, cows either on leash or wandering free, giggling kids wanting to high 5 as we pass, motor bikes, stray dogs, oxen pulling carts etc.etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgBDyhwczVT7li1_U61_z1YtvrgfcYhrH94vSfVJGuYC7cc5E1FjhaCLFbLMZ2lTK7xYypLuUnaFZgvhQGxU3HnfudvW6YJ1HW2REQlmK7_Uu_QhyphenhyphenKsiCuEJy-pnneHr7Rts3weR7mHY3/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgBDyhwczVT7li1_U61_z1YtvrgfcYhrH94vSfVJGuYC7cc5E1FjhaCLFbLMZ2lTK7xYypLuUnaFZgvhQGxU3HnfudvW6YJ1HW2REQlmK7_Uu_QhyphenhyphenKsiCuEJy-pnneHr7Rts3weR7mHY3/s320/IMG_0874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQj4eCJkI0772TUnQ7Pb_AuKrvikrkQFledYpIG6U2DLOG1KOI0foonfwbK2NOiTYxyt3cM2TJWtivTbXglX6V7oMNwfRxdnRW5cGLF1ABEpeee5FPCJb3Cufh5MZ5pxyErmi6Zs862aSB/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQj4eCJkI0772TUnQ7Pb_AuKrvikrkQFledYpIG6U2DLOG1KOI0foonfwbK2NOiTYxyt3cM2TJWtivTbXglX6V7oMNwfRxdnRW5cGLF1ABEpeee5FPCJb3Cufh5MZ5pxyErmi6Zs862aSB/s320/IMG_0877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dhp7hFDWDTg40P_US8Pd7y2CNZvmIY14gdFj4afwr53MIm9p9BRdWl2DlRMC-9CHlGKI7nlgx-gRkvDiyBDnmf_cNuISwskoqUW6ZNKWJ8Lp1IS4X9PiPnHTSOpsFBYRUZq0wOk0A88u/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dhp7hFDWDTg40P_US8Pd7y2CNZvmIY14gdFj4afwr53MIm9p9BRdWl2DlRMC-9CHlGKI7nlgx-gRkvDiyBDnmf_cNuISwskoqUW6ZNKWJ8Lp1IS4X9PiPnHTSOpsFBYRUZq0wOk0A88u/s320/IMG_0875.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Too easy to forget how close we are to nature and a more quiet and peaceful way of life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJfu0bR3tojgJCyTReAqV8VN4KzzFm6VeEf6yBZiMJkTOrm_RK4izN_jXKZhWE_BvYy7Dbmc2_KI_2xG8djng-NQfMPVijTVDwe74NNU4z4vkPOV-4vNnKpyvBq6tvisxrQchzHy9ARhw/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJfu0bR3tojgJCyTReAqV8VN4KzzFm6VeEf6yBZiMJkTOrm_RK4izN_jXKZhWE_BvYy7Dbmc2_KI_2xG8djng-NQfMPVijTVDwe74NNU4z4vkPOV-4vNnKpyvBq6tvisxrQchzHy9ARhw/s320/IMG_0873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We passed one home where there was the sound of a rhythmic banging. So we stopped and took a look. Real cottage industry!! One guy and his looming, weaving the most beautiful sari. All too happy for us to stop and take a look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3TRVIIMYium1EoVvvYWPuyNZjYiGLtiXOMv0QsI9oxMgp2G9PsFC8GozvWyAcFd5leW2WKTE7I7q5vfo55RjS3dEk9BQooFbfrMpNqZ2ppjqeS23WKsSXflnY_F30cneM-zoZsLGW67q/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3TRVIIMYium1EoVvvYWPuyNZjYiGLtiXOMv0QsI9oxMgp2G9PsFC8GozvWyAcFd5leW2WKTE7I7q5vfo55RjS3dEk9BQooFbfrMpNqZ2ppjqeS23WKsSXflnY_F30cneM-zoZsLGW67q/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Good start to a mid week holiday, <span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Happy Gandhi Jayanthi!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-75021507620576294782013-09-28T20:32:00.003-07:002013-09-28T20:43:43.979-07:00Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last night we were at the five star Leela Palace celebrating the re-opening of their Citrus restaurant - a by invite only, real champagne and smoked salmon do with the who's who of Bangers. Then this morning we were rubbing shoulders with construction workers (some of the poorest folks) painting and clearing the lane outside the western entrance of Ozone.<br />
<br />
Such are the wild contrasts of life in Bangers!!!<br />
<br />
Sadly, Bangers is the home of dirt and trash - apparently where people see dirt and mess they are more likely to leave their own. On the converse where there is no litter, people are less likely to drop their own. Hence the solution to our messy lane was to transform it into something neat and tidy in order that it would stay that way and drive off the undesirables who apparently hang out there with drink or drugs.<br />
<br />
I was too late to get the 'before' picture. Project clear up began at 6.30am. Towers family did not manage to join the effort until 9.30am by which time 3 hours of frantic chopping and clearing was completed. Prior to the early start in the dewey dawn, the strip of grass on the right was a few feet high, few feet wide jungle of plants, trash and who knows what. By 9.30 it was relatively clear.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlYrNEUJuJUvlZHEYPC0ms2QbZ5zGzbtKvUbIEYOYxPOt-bCxgiZ4P65wg22tmWKR0H0U4iSBhoGWDHKrVWyf9m-C9yEDkZACVBINagViiDksga8IiEMmAPYETPEQ5kbVMQX9MEF3M5Hu/s1600/claim+our+public+spaces-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlYrNEUJuJUvlZHEYPC0ms2QbZ5zGzbtKvUbIEYOYxPOt-bCxgiZ4P65wg22tmWKR0H0U4iSBhoGWDHKrVWyf9m-C9yEDkZACVBINagViiDksga8IiEMmAPYETPEQ5kbVMQX9MEF3M5Hu/s320/claim+our+public+spaces-33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Lots of Ozonites were doing their bit, helped along by some of the construction workers from a near by building site - there are no shortage of these in Bangers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf20QzH4v54l6X5j0Ep_Ob-tucQ0RVRuDIWybQC93utZGvHOeZawYlwHiWWqj3v9zF0bRTtqjxF-Pm3mxz0LNqRtwoikNtvFH2S8Y9LYe0tXDQq0N4nd3Dmogla5UHwi8FfcblHqWe6f0t/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf20QzH4v54l6X5j0Ep_Ob-tucQ0RVRuDIWybQC93utZGvHOeZawYlwHiWWqj3v9zF0bRTtqjxF-Pm3mxz0LNqRtwoikNtvFH2S8Y9LYe0tXDQq0N4nd3Dmogla5UHwi8FfcblHqWe6f0t/s320/IMG_0920.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Construction workers are some of the poorest folks. Both parents work (see the ladies below). They move from building site to building site where they live in slums and eek out a living. The kids roam freely in amongst the rubble and piles of dirt. Safety is not a consideration - food and shelter are their priorities. Education is basic if at all - as they are essentially of no fixed abode/no school/no-ones...... However, despite their seemingly miserable lives, these women are by necessity strong and good at their jobs, and they couldn't hide their giggles at our pathetic attempts to use their tools. For them aiding with the Ozone clean up work, earned them a little much needed cash in pocket.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAr-6PfNJGqx1B8T2VJxp8yIzUQbtqB3cPSvsYLCIXP6W9Qtt8xwI-UBMDIQtI4D572c_GLwfTVAzlQb8k2WuCM4ZODDl6cGyOHqiEmTn32LMw7dP6Ao1dLgzU6v1ab0nkfKca558Lv1l/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAr-6PfNJGqx1B8T2VJxp8yIzUQbtqB3cPSvsYLCIXP6W9Qtt8xwI-UBMDIQtI4D572c_GLwfTVAzlQb8k2WuCM4ZODDl6cGyOHqiEmTn32LMw7dP6Ao1dLgzU6v1ab0nkfKca558Lv1l/s320/IMG_0927.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That my kids have the chance to work side by side with the less fortunate, can see such extreme poverty first hand and that people living in such dire circumstances can still laugh and be bothered to try and talk with them surely puts their own little problems and issues into perspective.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GuBrBigPI7hWIro23w5o6aOANCydbkPksW8abu2wLrKw0ZCTzDXJNrn-SmQScOP3-8VCIT7LdrcMtSDC3mgqQEheFnbtJg8Nn1kG56UyZ9ou5SgSx_mJmiwuXhCmPAe1KYa-nLZHTe-c/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GuBrBigPI7hWIro23w5o6aOANCydbkPksW8abu2wLrKw0ZCTzDXJNrn-SmQScOP3-8VCIT7LdrcMtSDC3mgqQEheFnbtJg8Nn1kG56UyZ9ou5SgSx_mJmiwuXhCmPAe1KYa-nLZHTe-c/s320/IMG_0926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
As this is India there were a couple of snake scares - and this being India said snakes were removed with little fuss and the business of Ozone clear up continued.!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTRGiQYaZ1JVj0wqrfhRMi5Ar1EYDnNeVeIIiUfCPbfstcw5wHziHSOZW_P46SEhFAgOKori9-P8i-hCYKE-MPdx4VWBM_JlIgJI4XOgMGwG_Mkwo2dVfsDSQFC_KVjIwsf99g8E42FOb/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTRGiQYaZ1JVj0wqrfhRMi5Ar1EYDnNeVeIIiUfCPbfstcw5wHziHSOZW_P46SEhFAgOKori9-P8i-hCYKE-MPdx4VWBM_JlIgJI4XOgMGwG_Mkwo2dVfsDSQFC_KVjIwsf99g8E42FOb/s320/IMG_0933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvLs_NAWYLeD2eTEmwBiQMOyR5_ekZDxjaNfjYACCj89-47YWVv5wMrZ7KwwA1918W4Dws1ajJ2ltSW4VX_VdfluIMLO66OGeNoMJuzv-deejGUnphO1EQ7JMeRpEQUf3i8Tx_ueuIupq/s1600/IMG_0935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvLs_NAWYLeD2eTEmwBiQMOyR5_ekZDxjaNfjYACCj89-47YWVv5wMrZ7KwwA1918W4Dws1ajJ2ltSW4VX_VdfluIMLO66OGeNoMJuzv-deejGUnphO1EQ7JMeRpEQUf3i8Tx_ueuIupq/s320/IMG_0935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
The transformation was pretty quick. See below how clean and tidy the sidewalk and surrounds.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2LyDAA_hXioJmsEhKqPU_fX8EJpVLMM1csslhftWaRbMMSwVXBYugCrGlcgvCmjhIuUYYWyQObnKHFmlbst66FOMlGNmk3r5iF0xCo9ruSJwrZpvfbDxzNAZ80PPvztdKvnSRWYc4asV/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2LyDAA_hXioJmsEhKqPU_fX8EJpVLMM1csslhftWaRbMMSwVXBYugCrGlcgvCmjhIuUYYWyQObnKHFmlbst66FOMlGNmk3r5iF0xCo9ruSJwrZpvfbDxzNAZ80PPvztdKvnSRWYc4asV/s320/IMG_0928.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">To be part of such a project, to see what a difference a few volunteers and a few basic tools can make is truly inspirational. To be involved as a family to feel we are helping our community and of course to help India find her Incredible - priceless!!</span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-17389689253700192232013-09-22T21:29:00.004-07:002013-09-22T21:29:41.707-07:00India Night 2013........the before.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">India Night 2013 – The
before…………<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Someone said to me during
India Night this year that the whole process had been a bit like a pregnancy
and they weren’t far off!! We first started talking with, our hosts, the Marriott back in
February –so timing wise the analogy is pretty close. There was plenty of
morning sickness and some pretty hefty contractions before India Night 2013 was pushed kicking and screaming into the world - well maybe not kicking and screaming more like drumming, dancing, laughing and the </span><span style="font-size: 21px;">noise of 360 folks have a blast!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As OWC, VP Fundraising Events,
India Night is a big one. It has been a
huge learning process – however hard you plan and organize in advance there
will still be the late additions to the silent auction (by late – I mean day
of), the donations that weren’t quite as previously described and those that
don't materialize at all! The meetings with “would be sponsors” who never quite
manage to say yes or no, or if they are “in or out’!! The seemingly endless
communications with potential donors who never actually donated…….. the stories
I could tell ! Key attributes for this job – patience and a sense of humor!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3E3hpLmItSq_KCeDrLhhr4h9MgsMIZTrcyRNKbHXgfQpuZdL02mwjm_CiVLMBoqnRFuFfpYU9SQQoRevqum4fYvTZZH-10QrO03BDKARDzDnVVSpEgAIDWuK4QweJ1PUTinwCJoiJAch/s1600/IMG_4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3E3hpLmItSq_KCeDrLhhr4h9MgsMIZTrcyRNKbHXgfQpuZdL02mwjm_CiVLMBoqnRFuFfpYU9SQQoRevqum4fYvTZZH-10QrO03BDKARDzDnVVSpEgAIDWuK4QweJ1PUTinwCJoiJAch/s320/IMG_4455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">We actually had 70 silent auction
items, over 70 lucky dip winning vouchers, over 20 raffle prizes and over 10 goody bag
items for each of 360 bags, all generously donated. As some items were grouped and amalgamated, that's
nearly 200 prizes to be requested, received, reviewed………..One helluva lot of
stuff!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">So I have to say a mega huge
thanks to those who helped….those who fetched and carried, those who collated,
cut, stuck and glued, those who offered common sense, creativity and their
artistic talents, those who supported, listened and laughed, those amazing
people I have met or got to know better, those who took time away from the
party on the night, those I had neglected over the last few weeks (once the
real labor pains kicked in!!)…………you all know who you are and I thank you all
big time –without you guys there would have been no party and way more
importantly no 12 lakh plus for our charities………..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2dckpO6QlxV8bFRPch1fZ8q4GQIGwZnf2qP0geBKrMuXQbYHaFF-MbwOa0Onv4HOIneCNXA2p292HX0SrG-h6m5hIqG7SB_ysuytFR2CDdGBn4XIlJLvb0WNG5Q5O2mS4iNVlS5xH8HK/s1600/IMG_4446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2dckpO6QlxV8bFRPch1fZ8q4GQIGwZnf2qP0geBKrMuXQbYHaFF-MbwOa0Onv4HOIneCNXA2p292HX0SrG-h6m5hIqG7SB_ysuytFR2CDdGBn4XIlJLvb0WNG5Q5O2mS4iNVlS5xH8HK/s320/IMG_4446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When I left the scene early on the afternoon of the big day to go glam up I was reminded of that magical moment on
Christmas Eve when everyone is in bed, except me and a glass of Baileys, the house
is decked out, the gifts perfectly wrapped under the tree, stockings hung, time
to remember the reasons for and the blessings which have enabled us to be where
we are. Its the calm before the ………………….PARTY!!!</span></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-92136131724125844722013-09-14T22:34:00.001-07:002013-09-14T22:34:47.435-07:00The FRRO - why does it strike such dread in the heart of ex-pats in Bangers?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The FRRO - foreign residents registration office - is an annual day of anguish for most ex-pats in Bangalore.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksTLlrqdgtwU5spQKGl3sXB5LkCgmIV-2mKJ-hrfQuAQthOvjMGQUebcmvXRqwqWWVjcin_Ek4cb5ULotSX-R3vv8yhFsNBOFrsmc12Ms0RcTVcmGdpGl-hiefSkfnYRYTNGUqa-vOWHR/s1600/frro.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksTLlrqdgtwU5spQKGl3sXB5LkCgmIV-2mKJ-hrfQuAQthOvjMGQUebcmvXRqwqWWVjcin_Ek4cb5ULotSX-R3vv8yhFsNBOFrsmc12Ms0RcTVcmGdpGl-hiefSkfnYRYTNGUqa-vOWHR/s320/frro.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
On arrival in Bangers one has 30 days to register at said office where one is, hopefully given permission to reside in the city for twelve months and therefore every twelve months one needs to extend one's residency permit.<br />
<br />
The 'new'FRRO building is pretty innocuous looking - its that yellow and red building. On this picture it looks very clam and quite. However by opening time there is a queue of 'foreigners' and their agents amassing in something which could almost by called a queue. The road is currently half fallen away due to heavy monsoons and the remainder is a sea of mud.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW1sD5cLU8zU64nuy0IX3EfVt7WnjvXIDfXq3ndPBrnuxZ_hv6v6pzBFl8207h1DKkXR0UF2Hm7SVrOpZTl-PoCeLD8KWEJvMqGTuO_DYYv8s7PHVn06rL2eh-WxJWjaB6CtFdCjqoOfF/s1600/44417792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW1sD5cLU8zU64nuy0IX3EfVt7WnjvXIDfXq3ndPBrnuxZ_hv6v6pzBFl8207h1DKkXR0UF2Hm7SVrOpZTl-PoCeLD8KWEJvMqGTuO_DYYv8s7PHVn06rL2eh-WxJWjaB6CtFdCjqoOfF/s1600/44417792.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
To those of us acclimatized to India and Bangers the building itself is pretty average. Whether the bright colors are to give a facade of joy and happiness to disguise the potential frustrations within or just because these particulars colors were on sale I'm not sure. The poor newbies can be seen clutching bottles of hand sanitizer, extra strength, which is liberally applied as soon as any surface is touched, and if they need to use the pretty basic bathrooms you can see their faces go pale at the prospect. To be set down in India, probably in a pretty posh hotel while you house hunt, school hunt and generally get your bearings is one thing but to then have to register at the FRRO is quite another.<br />
<br />
The system has got way more streamlined since we were the newbies nearly three years ago, when the brats were younger and less inclined to sit for long periods of time and this 'new' building is way more civilized than the previous one. But it is still a challenge. Even for us with an agent (who does as much form filling in triplicate as possible, ensures we bring/complete the right documents etc.etc) and as English speakers, this is not a pleasant day! The non english speaking students seem to have the hardest time.<br />
<br />
This is bureaucracy gone bonkers. Whether this extreme need for multiple papers in triplicate to sign, initial or officially stamp is a hang over from the British need for order in the chaos during their period of rule here or not I don't know. I'm beginning to think the higher of stack of papers you arrive with the more the petty bureaucrats see you as a semi-kindred spirit and the more likely there are to move you along through the process a tad quicker.<br />
<br />
The brats, obviously potential terrorists, anarchists or another type of undesirable have to prove they go to school, to an accredited school no less. This is a new stage in the process for 2013. Instead of a short one line "Adam Towers goes to Indus' on letter head with an official stamp, there is now a form which has to be logged on a website which generates a number, which has to be inserted on the hard copy, which needs a passport photo which all needs to be signed and stamped...... I was at Indus twice, second time for an hour to get this done and to pick up the couple of certificates to verify Indus credentials. Needless to say our man at the FRRO didn't even look at this.....but then if we hadn't had it, he would have!!<br />
<br />
Once you have stood in the outside queue and the doors are finally open there are various checks and more lines to go through until one gets a token. Then more sitting and once your token number appears on the LCD (there is some hi-tech penetrating the process albeit slowly) you proceed upstairs - now in the serious business part of the building. By now you know the desk you will be going to when your number is up and can see the FRRO official and can try and calculate his mood and thoroughness. You hope the people in front are not 'problem cases' and have all the right documents for their sake, as well as yours!!<br />
<br />
We saw one young African guy -maybe a student who was missing some mysterious form 16 and whose stay in India was about to be abruptly terminated and some poor girl who was working for a charity but because she didn't earn the requisite salary could not be allowed to be a resident - from what we heard if she didn't earn anything and was a volunteer that would have been OK but then of course she wouldn't be able to live......Anyway she was given until the end of the year arrange her departure.<br />
<br />
Our fear is not that our Visa wont be extended but that we have to make multiple visits due to an "i" not dotted or a "t" not crossed. We did see our official at desk 'B' try to smile a couple of times so when our number was called we were full of hope. And yes this time all was in order but sadly the process does not end there. Someone has to pay for this brightly colored building and its generally sour annal employees and that is the next stage. We are presented with a cost sheet for our time spent chez FRRO and the stamp in our passport. Our agent goes off to the bank to get a payment draft and we head off for coffee - a lot of successful coffee stops near the FRRO. An hour later we have the draft which Simon drops in and is then told the time to pick up our stamped passports -yeah we have time for lunch and time for Simon to drop us home before he returns for the last step to render us legal for another year. He only has to wait an hour and a half. All done by 6.00pm, after getting in line at 8.30am.......well at least all done in one day!!<br />
<br />
Hence my FB status:<br />
<br />
It's not fun to be at the FRRO<br />
It's not fun to be at the FRRO<br />
<br />
Expat, expat there's a need to feel down,<br />
Expat, expat, throw yourself on the ground,<br />
<br />
It's not fun to be at the FRRO<br />
<br />
Ok, doesnt flow as well as the Village people at the YMCA - but you see my point!!!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-3636035751699974342013-09-14T21:15:00.001-07:002013-09-14T21:15:56.923-07:00How does my garden grow?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm not sure exactly with what my garden grows and I don't help it along but with the gardener and the ongoing monsoon rains it is doing very well!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6QmJh_j3UjjfZkUcS1JxGT7cB_61mn-n23YGa9uMSA6U4R_mmaCms4171SqSqeZVLDey3dhqqb65-7RjwWnYXUNZ6uTtoJxeRxeEWG3hWWx_MxKTcJZl0LyDmzIDh82fL6nn7LhZ2yhm/s1600/IMG_3996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6QmJh_j3UjjfZkUcS1JxGT7cB_61mn-n23YGa9uMSA6U4R_mmaCms4171SqSqeZVLDey3dhqqb65-7RjwWnYXUNZ6uTtoJxeRxeEWG3hWWx_MxKTcJZl0LyDmzIDh82fL6nn7LhZ2yhm/s320/IMG_3996.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxFNkjpnE2vy23LbGK8axoGu5h7B-DaWkRMK3obEc02HvqIw1o569xoV-DgFrccXLZTLVr5Dm4cSbAdDPEPnVfDEy4kBldaHrSupQcfODmlakYvof0imOTt8fHqrjy7RItjBISWlQMSk3/s1600/IMG_3997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxFNkjpnE2vy23LbGK8axoGu5h7B-DaWkRMK3obEc02HvqIw1o569xoV-DgFrccXLZTLVr5Dm4cSbAdDPEPnVfDEy4kBldaHrSupQcfODmlakYvof0imOTt8fHqrjy7RItjBISWlQMSk3/s320/IMG_3997.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iN6TThYiygfKFHYcQ8DCeELBO2QoKsFEv6mBRhyphenhyphenxL8swUmarSBEEneoUGnhKaDVUULVywuiar9ukYFyzFFez9UYbwzbvfGGFDGy0hJoOE4-gEy7rE5SFTy1aPUlKcwswjd5GweI65Tdo/s1600/IMG_4002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iN6TThYiygfKFHYcQ8DCeELBO2QoKsFEv6mBRhyphenhyphenxL8swUmarSBEEneoUGnhKaDVUULVywuiar9ukYFyzFFez9UYbwzbvfGGFDGy0hJoOE4-gEy7rE5SFTy1aPUlKcwswjd5GweI65Tdo/s320/IMG_4002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The flowers I have no idea what they are but they are very pretty. I can however identify my pomegranates and bananas!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfes9iOK4PvN1LyA1E3NvAtvsAmxbcO_GqA0FEdWQp-DTLaeg63lIg8iyV0OaRegZrlp4LVAE6siBWoL_BTH_4I0i2-p5TAo6kj6xW0mjUBiTl1g7OY52YvW0EvAdQF5hzNOcqJNvOrhZ/s1600/IMG_3991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfes9iOK4PvN1LyA1E3NvAtvsAmxbcO_GqA0FEdWQp-DTLaeg63lIg8iyV0OaRegZrlp4LVAE6siBWoL_BTH_4I0i2-p5TAo6kj6xW0mjUBiTl1g7OY52YvW0EvAdQF5hzNOcqJNvOrhZ/s320/IMG_3991.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBKdu_40QZFo95Lg5C6HebTLsHBP_iHW4MwKyKPwg8gTjymMw9QOqoa6PnmIA1NGw_N7bVbG5RuPnoQ0a3VinCNOGt9C32n0_rrP-abCcIGudNvY2jxidb3QgICD4Pt1C1bsvXEVvKZbF/s1600/IMG_3998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBKdu_40QZFo95Lg5C6HebTLsHBP_iHW4MwKyKPwg8gTjymMw9QOqoa6PnmIA1NGw_N7bVbG5RuPnoQ0a3VinCNOGt9C32n0_rrP-abCcIGudNvY2jxidb3QgICD4Pt1C1bsvXEVvKZbF/s320/IMG_3998.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-43276275737753185382013-09-10T07:56:00.001-07:002013-09-10T08:57:33.930-07:00My new toy!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been three weeks since I first took to the streets of Whitfield behind the wheel of my new toy - aka 'the old tin can'.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx8ggS7EnLGkugm1SRNYvZABvPaV1r0YuA2CUBUEBMbMbv_khlNhQB1LDkujnKJbU8c_y5jKRelFdwI09OdTxbUoqz6UKNcc6tbNQYdd1dLVZUfoG4jdQpoS7VWg5M25Op3T6biauPIx5/s1600/IMG_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRx8ggS7EnLGkugm1SRNYvZABvPaV1r0YuA2CUBUEBMbMbv_khlNhQB1LDkujnKJbU8c_y5jKRelFdwI09OdTxbUoqz6UKNcc6tbNQYdd1dLVZUfoG4jdQpoS7VWg5M25Op3T6biauPIx5/s320/IMG_0880.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Its impossible to describe the freedom!! Me, the radio on, not having to explain to anyone where, why or when - I just go!!!!<br />
<br />
I know it could all end in tears. The traffic is somewhat crazy but there is a sort of (lots of 'sort of' - nothing too definitive!) rhythm. Its like being in a sort of tribal dance - there are sort of unwritten rules of the road and a sort of code of behavior. A bit like the pirates code Captain Jack and his type sort of adhere too - "Hang the code and hang the rules, they're just guidelines anyway." You just need to relax and go with the flow and expect turns, halts and the untoward. I actually think most people on the roads are extremely good drivers - for these roads and conditions. Their feel for the velocity and stopping speeds of other vehicles and their awareness of the width and turning prowess of their own vehicles is second to none. They wouldn't last long in the US or UK as road signs seem to go unheeded. The worst drivers I'd say are the expat gray Innova car drivers with their sense of entitlement and superiority a bit like the black cabs in London!<br />
<br />
I won't be driving into town in rush hour, after dark, on the highway or long distances but for my normal everyday errands I am now on my own. For those other trips I will just hire a driver for a few hours. Wills and I were driving back from his cricket academy and one of our fav songs came on the radio as we got close to home so we drove round the complex a few times....couldn't do that with a driver!!<br />
<br />
A lot of Indian women - returning from overseas/on assignment from overseas, drive so I couldn't really see why I couldn't! Its definitely helped having driven with a gear/shift stick in a previous life and on the left side of the road. Taking my driving test in London and driving the first time by myself from central London out of the city probably helps also!!<br />
<br />
It's also good feeling like part of the melee and the mass and not like royalty in the back of the Innova, a mere spectator. To feel like I can actually look after my family myself, going to the grocery store, taking to dental appointments etc.etc. rather than being able to just direct staff is a bonus, I wasnt designed to be lady of the manor!<br />
<br />
However I do realize I am not helping the local job market - we have no driver and a part-time maid. One of India's main resources is its many, many people, a lot of whom are skilled domestics. However as the hi-tech and call workers move into Bangers the cost of housing goes up. A few call center singles living in a house can afford more rent than a family of four with one bread winner doing domestic work. The domestics therefore want/need higher wages. At some point they price themselves out of a job and I've no idea what happens then. There is an upper limit to what I will pay for a maid - it's not as tho' I couldn't do it myself, the same for ironing, gardening and YES DRIVING!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-84388477200068993012013-09-10T05:23:00.002-07:002013-09-10T05:24:48.080-07:00Onam <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>The OWC arranges a monthly lunch but as I'm not really a luncher especially this close to my one sari wearing night of the year, I don't often attend. But</o:p> this was not one to be
missed - Keralan food and a bit culture thrown in!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very briefly, Onam is
essentially the Keralan Harvest Festival. It falls at the time of the rice
harvest. To me, this festival is very special as it transcends caste, religion
and community. All Keralities celebrate. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To cut a long and beautiful story
short, it marks the annual visit of King Mahabali, who ended up in exile in the
underworld, back to earth to visit his loyal subjects. To reassure their lost king and show him all
is well in his kingdom Keralities feast, dance and dress in their best. As well
as food, dance and music, without which as we know, no India celebration is
complete, Onam is marked by cultural performances and sporting events. A true
display of all that is great in ‘Gods own country’<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY6YZ3azCUjgZpeJFaJHWDKbHd5GS_2UL8FES1E2_AENRQgLiwrRRyLrUXqv3tkLp5SrLnF53Vy2uMn41KwGc0zdIW66Ti9LhxEqU-pCg276qRMYe1uhNpWLo-ZkIwxMoeSDC7Mh36FSd/s1600/IMG_4319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWY6YZ3azCUjgZpeJFaJHWDKbHd5GS_2UL8FES1E2_AENRQgLiwrRRyLrUXqv3tkLp5SrLnF53Vy2uMn41KwGc0zdIW66Ti9LhxEqU-pCg276qRMYe1uhNpWLo-ZkIwxMoeSDC7Mh36FSd/s320/IMG_4319.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OWC had a great turn out, maybe 40 ladies arrived at the
Ente Keralam to join the celebration.
Along with our welcome drink, we watched the dancer perform
“Mohiniattam” –dance of the enchantress. The graceful gentle movements of her
body is to represent the meandering rivers, swaying palm leaves and paddy
plants of Kerala. The dramatic movements of her hands and fingers and the
intense expressions on her face tell a story – usually one of love and devotion
to a god. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqEI582pvSbT_7YZor3gcZ3r3UhXkmRG5aFs1Nz2Vev_NSDmMUwNX8bxvOjFTR9e0JpH_h661HOGLRoe8rDn1l-058Bw2SVgQIYILpLtzaCcsRb3piHfUNjwxZwJgPGJaFHhjSSsJpmYP/s1600/IMG_4347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqEI582pvSbT_7YZor3gcZ3r3UhXkmRG5aFs1Nz2Vev_NSDmMUwNX8bxvOjFTR9e0JpH_h661HOGLRoe8rDn1l-058Bw2SVgQIYILpLtzaCcsRb3piHfUNjwxZwJgPGJaFHhjSSsJpmYP/s320/IMG_4347.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her clothing and jewelry is also traditional, down to the
thick gold belt, the ankle bands set with bells, her hair in a bun with jasmine
on the left side. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-Cv-g3bOL308z8B5EtdOSIehxl_vwV9J5t1SK3gd1U3DvKz73YIpPl131NwTXlxig2zpWD5wY26GyWgSA9iyYqLTwmloIE0uzwHosoNY7luwnZvsjqubmtDgyQdu12Lol4Za0ttsa5kQ/s1600/IMG_4388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-Cv-g3bOL308z8B5EtdOSIehxl_vwV9J5t1SK3gd1U3DvKz73YIpPl131NwTXlxig2zpWD5wY26GyWgSA9iyYqLTwmloIE0uzwHosoNY7luwnZvsjqubmtDgyQdu12Lol4Za0ttsa5kQ/s200/IMG_4388.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlShCzO-fLpXq_5js5FbvZj3VX_wie1KzcU1HXutMtc-ehya8NIERwQb_faQSg6D28RG2Uf1q4KVUrDx4YN2A5uy2ucIrHxfYgGZ7zO_e7MNT8SRJ7HEFxjXgoFZnW1tO-z38OaFGa0ldm/s1600/IMG_4371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlShCzO-fLpXq_5js5FbvZj3VX_wie1KzcU1HXutMtc-ehya8NIERwQb_faQSg6D28RG2Uf1q4KVUrDx4YN2A5uy2ucIrHxfYgGZ7zO_e7MNT8SRJ7HEFxjXgoFZnW1tO-z38OaFGa0ldm/s200/IMG_4371.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
After the sensuous movements and expressions of the dancer
it was time to awaken our taste buds! To tell you the truth I’m not quite sure
what exactly was in the many little silver bowls adorning our banana leaf lined
plates but suffice to say it was incredibly delicious, bursting with flavor,
color and texture. A thali extravaganza!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEW9w3IEORGGBPPr4eJAW-uPjgIRWfGkqVFw4yCBlpTw7U7xvZFOXEU9eZg_NYgpwwSyj2JhNRGKttO-cjV6o34YewXrNtwO9BFG6ASqX89-rS0XteNYp1ZswPBlpv3vRPbPpxXXELO1U/s1600/IMG_4333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEW9w3IEORGGBPPr4eJAW-uPjgIRWfGkqVFw4yCBlpTw7U7xvZFOXEU9eZg_NYgpwwSyj2JhNRGKttO-cjV6o34YewXrNtwO9BFG6ASqX89-rS0XteNYp1ZswPBlpv3vRPbPpxXXELO1U/s320/IMG_4333.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-27955447614950174582013-09-09T21:05:00.000-07:002013-09-10T05:28:12.827-07:00It's that Ganesha time of year again!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ganesha is somehow all that is Indian - his round cuddly belly, curly trunk, chubby fingers and little bright eyes are but a canvas for colors galore, bling on top of bling - nothing subtle for our Ganesha! You gotta love him!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLpDnBRc-2ho5UnP7z6Eo0G_QwZNx2YI7VUzzD_6sgiamoFhFaOYTnvYVXOu7QA46prY9uNQOs5j1AIlfNbqqkvi_kwrU_sScZHx-tT_g129JBNmcqKFUFlZtVNNb8Q0xhS0f1VPlZN87/s1600/IMG_0895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLpDnBRc-2ho5UnP7z6Eo0G_QwZNx2YI7VUzzD_6sgiamoFhFaOYTnvYVXOu7QA46prY9uNQOs5j1AIlfNbqqkvi_kwrU_sScZHx-tT_g129JBNmcqKFUFlZtVNNb8Q0xhS0f1VPlZN87/s320/IMG_0895.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
Previous years Ganesha blogs I have covered the history and background - so this is all about Ganesha today!!<br />
<br />
This year we thought we'd experience Ganesha locally, within walking distance of Ozone. We forayed out in day light behind the local government school where Ads and I spend an hour on Saturday mornings with a handful of six 6th grade boys listening to them read. Just within stones throw of the busy Varthur road which heaves with traffic 24/7 is another world full of folks only too happy to share their festival with us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfCeVQetKqb8fksOqdiP49aTv-aTaeE6skyzhkMmPWs_Bn24QPuHrCgIQcM5SSlT2mNy0fof5NowatEXpqeautzInS1Kxa3I-EGd626vgKr3uizACxd3tX1lRfiD1LhUeqzHgfibLQUhH/s1600/IMG_0901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfCeVQetKqb8fksOqdiP49aTv-aTaeE6skyzhkMmPWs_Bn24QPuHrCgIQcM5SSlT2mNy0fof5NowatEXpqeautzInS1Kxa3I-EGd626vgKr3uizACxd3tX1lRfiD1LhUeqzHgfibLQUhH/s320/IMG_0901.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Our initial lunch time foray set the scene, the little streets were lined with lights not yet turned on, in some of the pandels Ganesha was already sat resplendent, in others he was covered awaiting the initial pooja and others were empty, awaiting his arrival.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwmLRBRaopbMwQ3cFjA8ExzzxoqUv9jk6W1sHWdTwLZDkdyiC8-gl1bhLZpRAZ5FfpUI-2CvMaUC-RZJUdNeH6_DBe6hQcKaf0ewkMJTjCqESBFuZ_YTOtvPT0vVfRHTHVNL2PkZUkxNR/s1600/IMG_4401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwmLRBRaopbMwQ3cFjA8ExzzxoqUv9jk6W1sHWdTwLZDkdyiC8-gl1bhLZpRAZ5FfpUI-2CvMaUC-RZJUdNeH6_DBe6hQcKaf0ewkMJTjCqESBFuZ_YTOtvPT0vVfRHTHVNL2PkZUkxNR/s320/IMG_4401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These people are very poor but so willing to smile and share - we had prasad (I always ponder the wisdom of accepting and consuming........but it is always so yummy), bindi's on our foreheads, were given a few bangles, a flower tied round my wrist, a banana and some paan leaves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKE6esNwn8XjQLYscl2Tvu90p1jhxI3myXMxWRY-TB69n4kJgtipeVNWfLDrU8FXW9U95LJmHn9YvPdImgEVCCLySsW5dfWkIBbQz5FGyXnc95cw8GOa52I2UNEZJeNLkJw_OJ7Lv7EQVV/s1600/IMG_4427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKE6esNwn8XjQLYscl2Tvu90p1jhxI3myXMxWRY-TB69n4kJgtipeVNWfLDrU8FXW9U95LJmHn9YvPdImgEVCCLySsW5dfWkIBbQz5FGyXnc95cw8GOa52I2UNEZJeNLkJw_OJ7Lv7EQVV/s320/IMG_4427.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We saw some of 'our boys' as I think of them, the smiling faces of the kids from mine and Ads class, full of smiles and welcome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE1y77TvRFI8CWnko755Zj6K-E7ox0YE25HTvb8LcWDzFqaz3w8YOgUPIgCQLKRKlkqEdWw5gEPKdbCqiTjXlc4lhlmRr0VTSZmeogNeCaLwnB2L6tkRoYEA2PAeQylCdRJPt8Bc1ayqX/s1600/IMG_4394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE1y77TvRFI8CWnko755Zj6K-E7ox0YE25HTvb8LcWDzFqaz3w8YOgUPIgCQLKRKlkqEdWw5gEPKdbCqiTjXlc4lhlmRr0VTSZmeogNeCaLwnB2L6tkRoYEA2PAeQylCdRJPt8Bc1ayqX/s320/IMG_4394.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Each small group of houses had it's own Ganesha placed in his temporary leaf shrined home, among garlands, lights and pooja offerings. Around which all gathered to share in prayer, food, music and chat. In an area of a few hundred meters full of numerous small houses (some smaller than my tiny indian kitchen) we must have paid homage to at least ten Ganesha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOjJwLPgtFO0LbnQjjRNaeJFfyQakFKrZct43X26hVDy_gTkWDTnExOjKQeh0Vyn3MzVMkcoFJYmrpRRL-Xbsw8yUqyoPYfFq5jtenVModDBQFgxu8xadrOBheF0jX0zqlD6ZkJ9v0t8s/s1600/IMG_4418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOjJwLPgtFO0LbnQjjRNaeJFfyQakFKrZct43X26hVDy_gTkWDTnExOjKQeh0Vyn3MzVMkcoFJYmrpRRL-Xbsw8yUqyoPYfFq5jtenVModDBQFgxu8xadrOBheF0jX0zqlD6ZkJ9v0t8s/s320/IMG_4418.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
When we returned in the evening, amongst the twinkling lights, the party was in full swing, the streets busier but the welcome just the same.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyJHo3iTa7jKwjyn3qpIztYcwoiF6eKmOW_J1N29TrOJ6hSG0SNCsa-I6Y4ZIpxjdi2CSe85cU519sn3bsfCm-pdZNnQgvochna1s8mARkvvYClit5jeJnrieKFx2tNvqmie5dyI3oY_W/s1600/IMG_4395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyJHo3iTa7jKwjyn3qpIztYcwoiF6eKmOW_J1N29TrOJ6hSG0SNCsa-I6Y4ZIpxjdi2CSe85cU519sn3bsfCm-pdZNnQgvochna1s8mARkvvYClit5jeJnrieKFx2tNvqmie5dyI3oY_W/s320/IMG_4395.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_KYO75YIWuSks5MFYZ_EKRK7zMIWDMvqxd5JRMdhpAYJomoetGMjROV26lEeOw8eIfVvvRzCCytSv6ixG0VFPtRoIs8LLUz-Y9WfBUSBYZtqpDrACb3NHbACNNadZrE56iC4c-3hE015/s1600/IMG_4411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_KYO75YIWuSks5MFYZ_EKRK7zMIWDMvqxd5JRMdhpAYJomoetGMjROV26lEeOw8eIfVvvRzCCytSv6ixG0VFPtRoIs8LLUz-Y9WfBUSBYZtqpDrACb3NHbACNNadZrE56iC4c-3hE015/s320/IMG_4411.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We were again invited up to the front to see each Ganesha, to be blessed, bindi'd and fed!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySDv_cE8cudBVJFneq7Bo-_YB88_qMoAi7tQU4Hi5t4DxW8SdqmYe1fsyxF6IbB7nagDxW2_2Fh_lnZ3k-hRiqapgbzITM0Iwz0jnyITb4SKM8cenp2yiOvBWIcqodBN800PqAaCbI-FO/s1600/IMG_0894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySDv_cE8cudBVJFneq7Bo-_YB88_qMoAi7tQU4Hi5t4DxW8SdqmYe1fsyxF6IbB7nagDxW2_2Fh_lnZ3k-hRiqapgbzITM0Iwz0jnyITb4SKM8cenp2yiOvBWIcqodBN800PqAaCbI-FO/s320/IMG_0894.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
For some Ganesha, life on earth is very short and the same day as they are brought out they are returned to the clay from which they were moulded. Other Ganesha stay in situ for 3, 5 7, or 9 days until they head to their watery graves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFJTcgtMWgbPh2G8Js6u2X-ZBCiOXajZtF8soiF83mBKT3RK9_K40YeNYdEmxDnOgekPWWADd3qkXkkDGu8mww500xl2HBZqZt86Gu3pTNwj11FVIER1nCRKJg5jJ9DPx5lfbZTPeXtrk/s1600/IMG_4440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFJTcgtMWgbPh2G8Js6u2X-ZBCiOXajZtF8soiF83mBKT3RK9_K40YeNYdEmxDnOgekPWWADd3qkXkkDGu8mww500xl2HBZqZt86Gu3pTNwj11FVIER1nCRKJg5jJ9DPx5lfbZTPeXtrk/s320/IMG_4440.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Even next to the most polluted river you could imagine - smelly, green and stagnant, the official dunkers are on hand but someone is parked in amongst the trash at the side of the road watching you........<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wM3Uknw2xNB0HKZYpiaeaU54apeTEA2Q3rFqcd3FptB6Z_2kfj9EMZfl_6tfEDebsWBocDLRrK7G0hZheyP0P8a1Q7bZmNXIcnZWbov8fiT-Kol02yfVj_OH-Z4_846avbjci3kjDOTB/s1600/IMG_4445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wM3Uknw2xNB0HKZYpiaeaU54apeTEA2Q3rFqcd3FptB6Z_2kfj9EMZfl_6tfEDebsWBocDLRrK7G0hZheyP0P8a1Q7bZmNXIcnZWbov8fiT-Kol02yfVj_OH-Z4_846avbjci3kjDOTB/s320/IMG_4445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Such an experience, a different world, culture and religion all on our doorstep. To be made so welcome and invited to share - the kindness and generousity of the "have-nots in material terms" makes me feel quite humbled as we return through the security gates to the closed doors of Ozone.</div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-76064545001384119522013-08-21T19:05:00.000-07:002013-08-21T19:05:37.926-07:00Belated Happy Independence Day to all my Indian friends at home or abroad.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today (it was today when I stated writing this!) marks India's 66th (I think I did the math right) Independence Day and our 3rd in India. The flexibility of IST (Indian stretchable time) and the general never here but will be "coming Ma'am" state of being seems to all but disappear when it comes to Independence Day maters. The Ozone celebration (much like the Vista one but bigger) was scheduled to start at 9.30 am and did just that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJg6v8eC3dXVzmuTPn_8b02awVrI6yt7S3Zx5bY6WwZjF7CoQMX89KtcmGV5Ff5cl6E5_rma3Q8rtbLbW-mU0Avt7EdV8m0ZCsapbW1pdvnVHoyWd_oaS-tbAMmTcCi3Q5imY_6nx7PtQ/s1600/IMG_3369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJg6v8eC3dXVzmuTPn_8b02awVrI6yt7S3Zx5bY6WwZjF7CoQMX89KtcmGV5Ff5cl6E5_rma3Q8rtbLbW-mU0Avt7EdV8m0ZCsapbW1pdvnVHoyWd_oaS-tbAMmTcCi3Q5imY_6nx7PtQ/s320/IMG_3369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The open field was decorated in the green, saffron and white and security dressed smartly albeit slightly un synchronized in their march by.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU_CqD22zZ24byBXDC-n3QzGMIUKyUIDiX9HUx5pvXi3ZAU84rgECfQ1lVAcYbNfY8Z9MKSaoI5NGdZn3oYpur6GO3EKchb0zLbODCQOUVpW_njoVsY7uoqVqA54f_OusjjpD4qecP1pO/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU_CqD22zZ24byBXDC-n3QzGMIUKyUIDiX9HUx5pvXi3ZAU84rgECfQ1lVAcYbNfY8Z9MKSaoI5NGdZn3oYpur6GO3EKchb0zLbODCQOUVpW_njoVsY7uoqVqA54f_OusjjpD4qecP1pO/s320/IMG_3378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The flag was opened by the neighborhood elders. I do love the respect given to one's olders and betters here in India.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVA-r1rrMcx_aVWO1rGO4UZbSks5aiSOGab1QDpjIgSgoo9EBlDuMXcOaew06a2I9LKSmdYvylHtkdFPE0M2WMelJiWw5AT_BhaHAeS23JDp4PLpohhmFUtxHHf7Ceyvmu1xcKfSXS7VZv/s1600/IMG_3374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVA-r1rrMcx_aVWO1rGO4UZbSks5aiSOGab1QDpjIgSgoo9EBlDuMXcOaew06a2I9LKSmdYvylHtkdFPE0M2WMelJiWw5AT_BhaHAeS23JDp4PLpohhmFUtxHHf7Ceyvmu1xcKfSXS7VZv/s320/IMG_3374.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
The flag raised high and the wind co-operative so I could get a picture......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkSKNWvwVFl4iZsZ_gdvCMp942PNbFu2rVTjL3DMtdakyfh_qrzNAAIlld7wwe2rzJvLMa_jgsblb4dikWwrA4qqsg3MJ6ExQdFTNWcNSzZPbrAbXncJmoXA96LUd8oBqU1aIeR-OQKht/s1600/IMG_3390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkSKNWvwVFl4iZsZ_gdvCMp942PNbFu2rVTjL3DMtdakyfh_qrzNAAIlld7wwe2rzJvLMa_jgsblb4dikWwrA4qqsg3MJ6ExQdFTNWcNSzZPbrAbXncJmoXA96LUd8oBqU1aIeR-OQKht/s320/IMG_3390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
the kids resumed the a day of<b><u> </u><i>freedom</i></b> from school - but also in Wills case a true <i><b>freedom fighter</b></i> from a homework recall from the <b><i>British</i></b> (parents)!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eFR6NYq8DdtgWzeq-x8Z7c7hVZ-GEvMBwpP7bqKhf03MizeyT19-UDhfFaEcC7-5t30XlyWHcfMJygTcLqLgjMvwHhqqmO5x8MLTK4lAjwxPafW2QAzaYM0eCG_yfRaPAABf2Kmxs1W-/s1600/IMG_3392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eFR6NYq8DdtgWzeq-x8Z7c7hVZ-GEvMBwpP7bqKhf03MizeyT19-UDhfFaEcC7-5t30XlyWHcfMJygTcLqLgjMvwHhqqmO5x8MLTK4lAjwxPafW2QAzaYM0eCG_yfRaPAABf2Kmxs1W-/s320/IMG_3392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-37286788001256481692013-08-20T19:15:00.000-07:002014-04-21T19:23:26.920-07:00Sri Sri Ravishankar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Saturday I met and spoke to Sri Sri Ravishankar. An incredible experience on so so many levels!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sri Sri (Guruji) is founder of the Art Of Living movement which is a volunteer based, educational and humanitarian, non-governmental organization. It transcends all divides, government, race and religion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMC9nZFpdHEtqB0l7RXMbYTKkxTthS19FvzY7782NaVYglHM4NNEBlv5LOCcVsM-IrPqvL0nvc0k6rEbb5l5hbLq1pNQr4KvM1CQPpAprCI87RqrK2OdJ_5zC0q-9KuzW4xTmFXkpaQXv/s1600/Sri+Sri+Ravi+Shankar+108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMC9nZFpdHEtqB0l7RXMbYTKkxTthS19FvzY7782NaVYglHM4NNEBlv5LOCcVsM-IrPqvL0nvc0k6rEbb5l5hbLq1pNQr4KvM1CQPpAprCI87RqrK2OdJ_5zC0q-9KuzW4xTmFXkpaQXv/s320/Sri+Sri+Ravi+Shankar+108.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It also runs stress relief courses, which follow Guruji's philosophy of non violent resolution.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Unless we have a stress-free mind and a violence-free society, we cannot achieve world peace”</span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in the US I took my Part 1 Art of Living (AOL) course, at the encouragement of some of my San Jose friends. The course was run by one of the wisest people I have ever met and who remains a role model/mentor to me today. I learnt my breathing exercises and became familiar with Guruji's 'knowledge' - the simple truths of life. His book ' Celebrating Silence' is well worth a perusal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On arriving in India, especially Bangalore (Sri Sri's Ashram is on the outskirts) there are posters extolling the great man and his achievements (of which there are many) and advertising his courses everywhere. I have to confess that this turned me off the whole AOL thing. A movement that preaches humility, equality and the power of a greater force putting forth a human idol. Didn't hang well. A man that has met with lots of the big players on the world stage with all that pageantry, paparazzi, and power - can't live the life of the human values he extolls, or so I concluded.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But last Saturday I had the chance to go and see him in the flesh. Promoted as an intimate session with Sri Sri. Yep, me and 1999 other folks!!! I got to the venue early and was seated in the first row behind the VIPs. Hi-tech world we live in, on the screen was an email address and mobile number to email/text questions for Guruji to answer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The guy twinkles big time! He is funny and fun, not serious and solemn. He is wise beyond belief but humble, warm and absolutely adorable, almost childlike in his sincerity, and apparently innocent charm! Not intimidating at all and yes it did feel intimate, even with 1999 other folks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Life is nothing to be very serious about. Life is a ball in your hands to play with. Don’t hold on to the ball" </span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2LDst-vxKQ8ZHFCuCobKz33uMCIXhS-Mg6aJwWcHXC0PvEDPMKhZzeNj5UQzRNWy_Hr_XOcGzLZN5KiXL7tDO3mzJAwAz-cJomPh2axUKvd3Tq2a7Z9SeWJ6lHDrejm8pJnAhUjx7pFH/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2LDst-vxKQ8ZHFCuCobKz33uMCIXhS-Mg6aJwWcHXC0PvEDPMKhZzeNj5UQzRNWy_Hr_XOcGzLZN5KiXL7tDO3mzJAwAz-cJomPh2axUKvd3Tq2a7Z9SeWJ6lHDrejm8pJnAhUjx7pFH/s320/IMG_0858.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Having soaked up his words (hopefully - I did take notes), having sat through a meditation - felt like 3 minutes but was apparently 18, and no I didn't nod off, it was over.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Nearly everyone else was pushing and shoving Indian Style to get near the man. I meanwhile had no urge or expectation to actually meet him so I headed to the exit. The exit though was firmly shut to allow Sri Sri to leave un-disturbed and make a quick getaway through a different escape hatch. Some folks were by now anxious to leave post haste and pushed and shoved and tried to persuade the poor volunteers on the door why they were so important they needed priority treatment to get to their next engagement. I just stood and waited, British style. There was then a flurry of activity as it transpired Guruji was coming out through THIS door </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">after all.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> Marshalls pushed people aside to make a pathway for him to walk. As he reached me he looked right at me and offered his hand through the human barricade and we held hands and chatted.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMRE6ywZwKzHe3Tj1hjhrGBy2FICAtFHitMqwbvB8INkHUTUJBds10AE9sG3XTFeFeP-4uoTLY-RjrbAIJJkEdgQnJYCSUU7mJT-8DDjdAWyGEvHdQJfifFNDlaYEeWWntWa0wLf2691Z/s1600/IMG_0867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMRE6ywZwKzHe3Tj1hjhrGBy2FICAtFHitMqwbvB8INkHUTUJBds10AE9sG3XTFeFeP-4uoTLY-RjrbAIJJkEdgQnJYCSUU7mJT-8DDjdAWyGEvHdQJfifFNDlaYEeWWntWa0wLf2691Z/s320/IMG_0867.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Looking into those sparkling brown eyes was like looking into a reflection of myself, a connection so profound. It was like talking to those old friends in the motherland who almost know me better than I know myself. It was an intimate conversation of the banal which struck deep and which will always be remembered. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">That such a powerful wise man can be so unassuming, so unprepossessing and so much fun is a lesson for our times!</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-39571878700843465892013-08-20T02:00:00.000-07:002013-08-20T19:15:00.038-07:00Off with his hair...........<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mundan or Choulkarma is the Hindu custom of shaving a baby's head completely bald around the first birthday. Indian kids seem to be born with a shock of dark hair which seems to grow think and fast. Well, so it seems to the western eye, where we tie bows on the wispiest, few straggly blond hairs our babies manage to squeeze out and put head bands with flowers and ribbons on the heads of those whose crowning beauty is a tad delayed. <br />
<br />
In Indian eyes even this thick swatch of baby hair is not considered strong enough and is shaven off so it can grow back even thicker and stronger than before. The bald head also gets a big dose of vitamin D while exposed which apparently has it's own medicinal qualities. The shaving is called 'ayush karma' which means prolonging of life.<br />
<br />
I was lucky enough to witness this several times yesterday. The shaving part is a little scary. Howling, squirming, wriggling babies and cut throat open razors. An apparent recipe for disaster....but these barbers obviously have had years of experience and do a painless, clean job.<br />
<br />
This beautiful family let me follow throughout this Hindu tradition. I was blessed that they let me share in this intimate moment in their son's life.<br />
<br />
First, like son, like father.... Dad gets his head shaved.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRQ5_GRtI4907HM-IJaN6hJLt8s2CkdKbV4MlB57dpCtyFyhvuu8dW7dfjHakmMY2Vf3u4ViJ7l3dK7e36JIDNoZEnL3_taUCWbEncYqiKhN6O026zFKmSNpPUsNCKC2NE1VQUTyaCqa6/s1600/IMG_3686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRQ5_GRtI4907HM-IJaN6hJLt8s2CkdKbV4MlB57dpCtyFyhvuu8dW7dfjHakmMY2Vf3u4ViJ7l3dK7e36JIDNoZEnL3_taUCWbEncYqiKhN6O026zFKmSNpPUsNCKC2NE1VQUTyaCqa6/s320/IMG_3686.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Newly shaved son gets washed in the holy waters. Look how smooth and perfectly shaved his head is. It was amazing to watch how incredibly gentle the father was as he poured the waters over his son,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ght09Kn_sht2ybBe6ot50ZDaVPeRJozHXGBpOxbBwsbrWn59obuq7B7U8P5Xn0Su3prOCXMJHJMDOBE38PMfF0Swp3rxgl5_kiRdzPETQle8uIlkCvu55PFXF-55zzSCSrcr5GqFWOq3/s1600/IMG_3710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ght09Kn_sht2ybBe6ot50ZDaVPeRJozHXGBpOxbBwsbrWn59obuq7B7U8P5Xn0Su3prOCXMJHJMDOBE38PMfF0Swp3rxgl5_kiRdzPETQle8uIlkCvu55PFXF-55zzSCSrcr5GqFWOq3/s320/IMG_3710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The baby then rejoined his mom to dry. His anklet bracelets and tummy chain sparkling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOBj-DupLPrfi4qp7Jl298k8to_m-TbPeoRMat6uvjg2oFhOqUh860A9mWfJbfqQp9TbareRVndUouvVfxNHWTmSul1hHAjq6U-abxMSFLRLmBVyUi0ER5Y5g2zX1rzTJ4ppzKBU7iVU9/s1600/IMG_3734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOBj-DupLPrfi4qp7Jl298k8to_m-TbPeoRMat6uvjg2oFhOqUh860A9mWfJbfqQp9TbareRVndUouvVfxNHWTmSul1hHAjq6U-abxMSFLRLmBVyUi0ER5Y5g2zX1rzTJ4ppzKBU7iVU9/s320/IMG_3734.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Its was then Dad's turn to submerge into the waters of the tank.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsKVPBmnieM1epvLF45Yjrf-QxsNmdnmMw2WUIYFwSzXrJjj7TbGBrxPXCz2tAoYLV5uWlJzLVIQwI2iOOansp7YXCZ65awRcq0nXRxBPXOcE1xIAouTAWLp7uisx3BWmdq1LYiI4ZJs8/s1600/IMG_3731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsKVPBmnieM1epvLF45Yjrf-QxsNmdnmMw2WUIYFwSzXrJjj7TbGBrxPXCz2tAoYLV5uWlJzLVIQwI2iOOansp7YXCZ65awRcq0nXRxBPXOcE1xIAouTAWLp7uisx3BWmdq1LYiI4ZJs8/s320/IMG_3731.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Baby is then dressed in his best - and is still smiling. This is one of the few tots we saw who remained happy throughout the proceedings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstjAqyi9QkXJMzlAKZhvhOWykCO4mgoCQEnXW7yEtyOxMeSd8k0R0tywoiqfrfokxWQgEAVZHp_-YDxHoNpd7b60L_rfjb9INVMmEYyK-HXTb-teQqE0CVg-5Fxih4iOBiVBSS8UAjpzT/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstjAqyi9QkXJMzlAKZhvhOWykCO4mgoCQEnXW7yEtyOxMeSd8k0R0tywoiqfrfokxWQgEAVZHp_-YDxHoNpd7b60L_rfjb9INVMmEYyK-HXTb-teQqE0CVg-5Fxih4iOBiVBSS8UAjpzT/s320/IMG_3751.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Mom also managed to discretely swap saris, from the subtle olive green above to something a little more festive and fix flowers in her hair on route for, I'm guessing, either more pooja or food or both!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinse-qhJhgON000ZLwwede_GyH8nV7yN4i2HxydWKoefaP_dLrGAHa2WuOWXcQawLqB00D2_pgdWVl-mWCZ_2HZJwNfFMFHgq_6f6og2ZssMvE51kZQ7SmTZSCHHOsQaLJO23CLmDfxwZr/s1600/IMG_3846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinse-qhJhgON000ZLwwede_GyH8nV7yN4i2HxydWKoefaP_dLrGAHa2WuOWXcQawLqB00D2_pgdWVl-mWCZ_2HZJwNfFMFHgq_6f6og2ZssMvE51kZQ7SmTZSCHHOsQaLJO23CLmDfxwZr/s1600/IMG_3846.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was a part of a photography workshop to one of Bangers oldest temples ........ more will follow!!!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2087275615127489980.post-53279528601516927532013-08-16T04:04:00.003-07:002013-08-16T04:05:49.423-07:00Indus - make your mind up!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In some of my blogs and when chatting to prospective parents about Indus I have always said that Indus is great I think for MY kids, has given them both the support and opportunities they have needed over the last couple of years. My two niggles have been Ads and the hair issues and the communication with parents, which frustrates me and not the kids, so I try and ignore them both.<br />
<br />
The communication with parents was taken to new levels yesterday. Yesterday was Indian Independence day (blog to follow!!) and also a Korean festival so 4th grade and up were bused into school to mark the dual events. Third grade and below had a holiday.<br />
<br />
For Ads, Habba day seemed to involve raiding my wallet, hanging out with his friends listening to music and getting a touch of sunburn. Anyway once he was home and at about 5.00pm the school decided.........<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><span style="color: red;">In view of all the hard work and dedication to make Habba a grand success by students / teachers and as tomorrow is Varamahalakshmi the south Indian and important festival of Karnataka. The school has declared a holiday tomorrow 16<sup>th</sup> Aug 2013.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Rather late notice, kids are happy, not sure about the Moms - kids have been back less than 2 weeks.... time to make plans/change plans.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
However within the hour the position had changed...........</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In the last two hours we have received a number of mails and messages, expressing the inconvenience that the declaration of a holiday at such short notice has caused. We regret the same and we have decided to inform you that the </span><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">decision has been revoked. We will work tomorrow and buses will ply as usual.</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></b></span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">We thank each one of you for your response and we understand what each one of you has expressed.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">What!!!!!!!!...........time to make plans/ change plans again........</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Earlier in the week the school had had an </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">impromptu</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> assembly to celebrate the fact that Indus has for the second year running been given the status of number one school in India. Not sure what the criteria were or who the presiding </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">organization</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> is, but don't think this late decision making, about turning and bending to the will of the loudest parents can be part of what makes a school number 1 in its country. So Indus if you want to stay top dog I think a little more professionalism is required!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Anyway the holiday given, the holiday taken away </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">didn't</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> seem to bother the kids who set off quite happily as usual. So I am really back to where I started. Indus, Indus, you keep my kids happy and give them a good, full education, but please can you now try and keep me happy as well. The school year is yet young, plenty of time for improvement!!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54bSuB0c49cJA5frcIZyuo6N1-4BoWSulYkkipuWG2L9plnFGu6VAlAPmQabUnH6zaQGBtpiH17i7znZRpKFyPcq8L3GT2vjS6617nvUhH9FBDcW0aRrxooSvXIrHOprWrYAEOE7yGYgG/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54bSuB0c49cJA5frcIZyuo6N1-4BoWSulYkkipuWG2L9plnFGu6VAlAPmQabUnH6zaQGBtpiH17i7znZRpKFyPcq8L3GT2vjS6617nvUhH9FBDcW0aRrxooSvXIrHOprWrYAEOE7yGYgG/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" width="239" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Towers Take a Triphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09736253265625582042noreply@blogger.com0