Friday, October 21, 2011

Day 3 Delhi

India is a walk in the park-- at least it was this morning when Mooshi, our hostess, took us to Nehru Park. George ran while we 3 meandered.

Our visit to a local Sikk temple was lovely-- all were welcoming.

The wood detail is from the world heritage listed Qatar minar, a Mughal ornate tower, madressa, mosque, tomb complex from the 15 th century. Taller than Washington Monument, it is built from intricately carved red and yellow sandstone.

One picture is of the WHS Humayun, s Tomb, the architectural inspiration for the Tah Mahal. H. Was the first of the Mughal emperors. We met a wonderful group of brightly colored sari women and children who were thrilled when we took their pictures .

Children here love us-- they practice their English. From simple greetings to slang to lover! They are crammed sitting and standing into their school buses-- the ubiquitous green and yellow 3 wheeled auto rickshaws.

George and I took an hour's drive in one-- cannons -- buses, cars, car and bicycle rickshaws, motorcycles, to the right and to the left!! Inches away...

Spent last night in an Indian train-- an overnighter to Varanasi. Pic of monkey and spit sign in station.

Not much sleep but soaked up a lot of local color!!

All's well. Today's lesson: Indians never say " no". You only find out they mean that after they say no problem and your request never materializes!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Delhi day 2

Democracy on the march: protests against government bribes.

2nd pic: old Delhi scene; we toured this chaotic marvel of entrepreneurship in a bicycle rickshaw; view preferable over sidewalk one!

3rd pic: view from top of mosque. In contrast to pleasant visits to African mosques, trip here almost scary... Hard, glaring, disapproving eyes assaulted us throughout. Only a few welcoming ones.

Word for the day: bakkeesh ( sp?)-- a system of "tips", bribes, kickbacks, payments, salary that is owed EVERYONE, from the lowliest pavement dweller to the highest government official. Bakkeesh: Synonym for India itself!

Mary and Sandy and Buddy had a Rikki session with our hostess who is a master in it-- more on that later as I haven't had my consult yet and even then, I may not share!

All is well..George tried to get some exercise by pedaling our rickshaw... Our " driver" not that amused ... They take their jobs and roles very seriously here-- so many people willing and waiting to jump into your coveted spot.

Last pic: will share this carpet story upon our return if we're not too embarrassed to, that is!!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Day 1 continued

Today's trips to Gandhi's memorial, the President's house-a woman- and the India gate has set the tone and bar for this trip!

Gandhi was assassinated here; his spirit lives here yet in this serene, simple place filled with his writings, his possessions,(see picture) and over 30 diaramas of India's revolutionary past.

Buddy, Sandy, George and I love our driver--the Master Guest House is our home here for 3 nights. We are all well.


Delhi day 1

Bigger than life India starts with this massive sculpture at the airport's immigration counter.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Dulles

Thanks, Don, for ride to Dulles! No more Tarmac busing--sleek new tunnel trains and sparkling terminal. Same old security! Looking forward to some French food and drink on air France's new 380--biggest passenger plane in the world. Au revoir!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

iPhone 5 launch day madness!

Mayhem even prior to India!! In spite of lines and apple mania, we received VIP treatment when we took ourselves and our new iPhone 4 in for a "proper introduction."

Now I can blog sans computer-- I just need tinier fingertips--all these years of manual labor (or is it just all these years!) have swollen and knuckled my digits...

Here's a pic of a spontaneous tribute to Steve Jobs at the Annapolis store.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Getting ready for India

George and I leave for India for 3 1/2 weeks Monday, October 17th, and if enough computers come our way or we figure out how to manage all on the iphone, we will post some pics and notes on this blog.  If you check us out and we haven't managed to check in, we'll catch up with you when we return!