Purana Qila .....The 6th City of Delhi.....and more BATS!!!!!

Excavations at the site of Purana Qila have revealed that the area has been continuously occupied since 1000 B.C.

Yes.....well over 3000 years.

It is also believed to be where the city of Indraprastha, the capital city of Pandava mentioned in the epic Mahabharata,once stood.

Remember my entry on Humayan's Tomb? If not, please go back and read the entry because all of the proverbial "dot's" are starting to be connected.

Purana Qila, is now often referred too as the 6th City of Delhi, as it was on this site that Humayan began to build his city in 1530, four years after the death of his father Barbur.

Humayan lost the city to another ruler who ousted him in 1540......his name was Sher Shah Suri.....who strengthened the fortifications and built a Mosque on the site as well as some additional buildings on the grounds. In 1545, Sher Shah Suri died, leaving his kingdom vulnerable and the dispossessed Humayan saw an opportunity....attacked and recaptured the city he had begun.

Humayan, used a beautiful octagonal building on the grounds for his library, and one day, with several books in his hand, he was distracted by the call for prayer, his foot getting caught in his garments and he fell down the stairs.

His injuries were fatal...this happened on January 24, 1556.....only a few short months after he had regained control of his empire.

The history of Humayan is fascinating......so was Purana Qila.....Preston and I always have a great time exploring these monuments...there is a very well done museum on the grounds that is included in the admission fee of 100 rupees ($2.00).....pictorials of the various excavations that have taken place....displays of the various objects unearthed dating back to 1000 B.C. when the first inhabitants occupied the site..

The perimeter walls of the fort have huge gated entrances where years ago countless of people used to move in and out of the city....while exploring one of these, Preston discovered more bats above his head......and of course, called to me to come and see.

The second time you discover such interesting creatures the more relaxed you are around them.....here is one of several up close shots and just before it the nice place these guys are living...

This is a "must see" on any visit to Delhi....the explorations continue and the adventure is alive and well......Incredible India awaits.

Street Scene's.....Mehendi

Mehendi is the practice of painting the hands and feet of the bride as part of the wedding ceremony.

This ancient art form is still alive and well and flourishes where any talented entrepreneur sets up his shop.......

Linda and I had just finished dinner and as we were making our way back to our car, we stumbled upon these two artist and their customer busy at work creating this work of art on the sidewalk.

It was amazing just watching them work. I can barely draw a straight line with a ruler......God just did not bless me with the artistic talent that he has given to others.

I politely asked the young woman if I could take her picture and she obviously obliged.

Linda has expressed a desire to have this done one day.......perhaps when Parker gets here!

I will be sure to take some pictures of her when this happens.

I a not sure what the cost is to have this done.......but it is certainly an art form unique to South Asia.....and not something one sees taking place on the sidewalk in any city in the US.

Enjoy!

Tughluqabad Fort......

The Sunday that Preston and I visited the ruins of Tughluqabad Fort the temperature outside had reached 102......but, the heat here is a very dry heat, similar to what you would experience in Arizona. Nevertheless, it was warm, especially while climbing up and down the ramparts of this beautiful remnant of history.

Tughluqabad Fort was built by the man who named it.....Tughluq....Sultan of Delhi.....he has an interesting background, but I think I will spare you the details.

But here are a few amazing facts.

He became Sultan/ Ruler of Delhi in 1321 and he immediately commenced construction of his fort to defend against invasions from Mongols. The walls of the fort reach 35 feet in thickness in some areas, but most average between 15 - 25 feet. The perimeter walls are approximately 6.5 km long. It was built, complete in only 4 years.

Apparently there were so many workers commissioned to build the fort, that worked stopped at the construction of a well for a local Saint named Nizzamudin. Nizzamudin was so angry that he placed a curse on the fort which later proved to be a reality.

Preston and I had a great time this Sunday, despite the heat, and can't wait to explore it further when Parker gets here. It is well worth a second trip back as we didn't have any water with us and cut the visit short.

Speaking of water.......the lack of water on the ridge was the primary reason that Tughluqabad was failure. It was abandoned shortly after it was built, making the "curse" come true.

By the way......Delhi is also know as the place of "Seven Cities". The American Embassy School offers a program that lasts ....seven weeks....and includes visits to each of them. Linda was advised to wait until the fall to take the class, as newcomers tend to take on too many new things at first..

Tughluqabad is know as the THIRD CITY of Delhi......I think Preston and I have visited about 4 or 5 of the seven so far......just on our weekend explorations of Delhi.

And one more thing......we found the "secret escape passage" but as I was descending the stairs and my eyes finally adjusted to the darkness of the underground passage, my eyes saw something moving and chirping......and when I looked closely the ceiling was filled with bats.....needless to say, I climbed the stairs very quickly.

It is always an Adventure....with me!

Enjoy!

Pink City Blues!

Jaipur is thus far Linda's favorite city in India.....and although Jaipur is high on my list, I honestly haven't visited a city in India that I haven't liked.

Jaipur is rich in History, Heritage and Legend......One such "legend" is how Jaipur earned the designation of being the Pink City.

The story is told as follows:

Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint to welcome its distinguished guest, the Prince of Wales, in 1905-6. The contractors inability to supply any other color in the required quantity compelled the choice of pink shade for its walls. A contractor’s compulsion famed Jaipur to become known as the Pink City.

I cannot attest to the accuracy of the information....because several of the websites I visited had different years that the Prince of Wales visited......the earliest stated that he visited in 1852......some in between, and the latest was 1905-06. Who knows?

One thing is for sure.....Jaipur is a very special place and besides the history/legend behind it's name.....Jaipur is also know for Blue Pottery.

The influence of the Mogul Rulers can be found in the architecture and arts throughout India. Like these, the use of Blue Glaze was developed by Mongol artisans who combined Chinese glazing technology with Persian decorative arts. This technique travelled south to India with early Muslim potentates in the 14th century. During its infancy, it was used to make tiles to decorate mosques, tombs and palaces in Central Asia. Today, the art is being revived by only a few skilled artisans.....but they are making many decorative items for modern consumers to use in their homes.

When Linda learned about Blue Pottery, her first visit to Jaipur would not have been complete without a stop at a place that sold Blue Pottery....luckily, one of my earlier visits to the City I learned of just such a place that has their own artists and factory.

All handmade and hand painted.......the result of this timeless tradition yields some beautiful works of art....vases, drawer knobs, tiles, coasters, bowls,figurines, plates, furniture....

I have no doubt that our family and friends will be recipients of some Blue Gifts from the Pink City!

Enjoy!

Swati and Himanshu's Wedding.....

Before we arrived in India, Linda and I had both read during the "researching" phase of our India Adventure, that attending an Indian wedding is an incredible experience and .....chances were good that we would be invited to attend one while we were living in India. That premise held true, and this past Thursday we attended our first Indian wedding.

I was honored when Amit, our GM for Technical Services and Engineering, presented me with the invitation to attend his sister's wedding. As a matter of fact, I was so excited, that I couldn't wait to return home to announce to Linda and Preston that we had been invited....

Although I am not an "expert" on Indian weddings, I will impart what little I do know, to give all of you back home reading the blog a sense of how things differ from the traditional "western" wedding.

Weddings in India take place on days that are considered "auspicious" by the priest or "pandit"....These are days that are considered to be "special" according to Hindu tradition.

Recently there was an article in the paper that over 20,000 weddings had taken place in New Delhi alone......on one day in February. There are over 165 such days in the Hindu calender.....and we can HEAR weddings taking place from our apartment. Yes...hear them.

Swati and Himanshu's wedding was no different.....the Swagat Barat, or Grooms Procession, takes place with much fanfare.....there are fireworks and a band to announce his arrival.....he is dressed in clothes befitting a "maharajah" and traditionally arrives on horseback or on an elephant.....

Fireworks, the band.....dancing family......it truly reminded Linda and I of a mini Mardi Gras parade......

Once he arrives, there is a small greeting ceremony that is conducted by the Brides family.....welcoming the grooms family...once the groom arrives, he sits on a stage and waits for his bride to join him......she sits on his right until the ceremony is complete. And yes, there is the exchange of the the "garland of flowers".......remember my "inadvertent" wedding to Jeshri, my Indian wife...

The food is elaborate......the clothing is gorgeous.....and the wedding ceremony for the family doesn't end until about 3:00 in the morning. Yes.....it lasts approximately 6 hours......we unfortunately couldn't stay for the entire ceremony as the wedding took place on a school night......but....it was an honor to be invited and a part of our adventure that will remain a highlight of our experience here in India.

Here are a few other things to note from the pictures.....Notice the intricate henna artwork on the brides hands......somewhere incorporated into the design are the letters from the alphabet that make up her husbands name......she is supposed to try and identify them......the henna artwork is a symbol of fertility......

The jewelry is given to the bride by her family...it is her dowry of sorts.....part of the ceremony takes place under the arch...where the bride and groom walk around a ceremonial fire 7 times each reciting certain things....this is the part we couldn't stay for......She will wear the red bangles on her arm for one year indicating that she is a newly married bride.

Like weddings in the US...it is a very special and festive occasion, but the entire week is filled with activities.....both the bride and groom, after 7 days of activities and a ceremony that lasts until 3:00am, must be exhausted and ready for things to be over.....

If you are invited to a wedding, you can ask other people to attend with you.......it is common...yes we could have invited some friends to join us....people that neither party knows......they adopt the philosophy that the more people the merrier.....this does not happen in the US.....attendance is sometime very strictly controlled....sometimes children are eliminated all together....and never could you bring someone...unannounced.

India is INCREDIBLE...and I hope that we are once again honored with another invitation to a wedding while we are here.

In the last picture....from left to right....Amit's Mother (the brides mother), Amit's wife, Swati(the Bride), Amit, and Amit's Father

Enjoy the pictures!

"Nothing Old, everything new, something borrowed, nothing blue!"

For those of you who may be reading our blog and are wondering about the title of this blog entry......it is simply an adaptation of a saying that typically applies to a BRIDE in the United States.....a custom of sorts....I'll explain!

The entire saying comes from Victorian Era England, where it was customary for a bride to incorporate each of these items into what she wears as good luck and for a happy marriage.
"Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue,
And a sliver sixpence in her shoe"

Needless to say, in the USA, the last line of the phrase is often eliminated.....for obvious reasons.

Hence, the title of this blog refers to our experience leading up to attending Swati and Himanshu's wedding.

We had nothing OLD.......all three of us decided to purchase NEW clothing for the wedding.....There was something BORROWED......but nothing BLUE.

Shopping in India is always interesting, fun and a learning experience....

For the two "guys", the experience was quick......and painless...well sort of. We simply took some advice from Sonya on where to shop.....walked in, announced that we were attending a wedding and needed to purchase something to wear.....and Presto...within a half an hour we were all done. Except, for me......I was unable to complete my wardrobe purchase because they didn't have "Jutti's" to fit me.....yes, it was explained that only 1 out of every 55,000 people in India have a size 13 foot.....so finding large shoe sizes of any type will be a challenge......especially in Indian footwear....but as you can see from the pictures.....persistence, some guidance, some aggravation from the hassles of haggling, and a few extra litres of diesel, and visits to several shops....I have a snazzy pair of jutti's.

Preston and I also had something borrowed; the two silk "scarves" that we are wearing were borrowed from the generosity of Sonya.....it was a last minute addition, but it certainly put the finishing touches on our outfits.....we need to go and purchase two of our own. Thanks to Sonya......who once again has proved to be an invaluable resource to our family......she is truly helping us navigate through the waters of our India Adventure......and the sailing has been smooth.

I hope that all of you agree that Preston and I looked "smashingly handsome" in our Kurta Pyjama's and Jutti's......yes, it was the most comfortable wedding I have ever attended.....you get to wear pyjama's.....well that's what they call them anyway!

Linda didn't find anything that she liked that day, so it took a few trips to a few stores, but in the end, she found something that looked absolutely fantastic......she looked the best out of the three of us.....and it was so wonderful to hear her say that her outfit made her "feel like a princess".....and minus the tiara, she truly looked like one!

I almost forgot....the something borrowed....through one of Linda's friends, she was introduced to a jewler.....yes.....YIKES....but wait.....I have been telling you how INCREDIBLE INDIA is.....here is yet another example.

Linda visited with the owner of the store who began showing her very elaborate jewelry from his store......urging her to take whatever she wanted.....his philosophy is simple....BORROW whatever you need...whatever makes you feel beautiful......his kindness and generosity through the years to the expatriate community has paid dividends that can only be imagined.... Linda was very conservative in what she selected to accessorize her outfit......but in the US, things like this only happen in Hollywood.....not to ordinary people like Linda and I. Incredible, warm, generous, kind, gracious........India.

We had a wonderful time at the wedding.....enjoyed our new clothes........Preston did have some pain....a small blister from his Jutti's....but that was it.

PARKER....get ready.....we are taking you shopping when you get here...there is a pair of Jutti's and some Kurta Pyjama's waiting for you! You too will be able to look as handsome as Preston and Dad!

....more Holi fun!

It seems like everyone gets excited about Holi!

The excitement unfolded right before our eyes, and Linda and I enjoyed the views from the balcony of our apartment.

Holi gets started very early......first with the Security Guards, then Ramesh and his friend Surrender...and then as the neighborhood children woke up, they joined in the fun with water guns, and water balloons.......wetting each other down before the colorful powder began to hit....we could hear the drums from a nearby band playing somewhere near the house.....it was very festive.

Linda and I had fun....even though we just watched the excitement from the comfort and cleanliness of the house......but, when one of the neighborhood kids saw me up on the balcony taking pictures, he did his best to hit me with a water balloon.......but he missed!

The pictures are of Ramesh, Surrender and the Guards, and one of the dogs in the neighborhood that didn't escape the fun.

Preston's Technicolor "Holi" Day

Well it seems like all over the world, there is some sort of celebration of the beginning of Spring......in the US, color is infused into Easter in the form of dying eggs.......in India, you dye your body.....well you don't, your friends and strangers do it for you.

So goes the celebration in India called "Holi".

Preston was picked up in a taxi by a group of his friends at 9:00am,and after a 500 rupee ride to somewhere in Delhi, Preston's Holi celebration started.

That's right, we had no clue as to where I son was going with 4 other teenager's in this city of 17 million people, but we knew that he would not come back the same way he left us.....clean, well somewhat clean. We did speak to Parker and he thought we were crazy to let Preston go off, and not know where he was going. Of course, he proclaimed that we would have "never let him do that at 15 years old". And he is probably right.....but neither Linda nor I knew what to expect and we decidedly chose to celebrate our first Holi.....as spectators.

However, we did give Preston certain instructions....Be careful, don't drink anything strange...only water, stay with your friends, call us occasionally and let us know you are OK, keep up with your money, have fun and one more final "be careful".
If the pictures didn't paint (no pun intended) a clear picture, as I am writing this blog, he just emerged from the shower......and he proudly came to show me the Q-tips......black from his left ear, red from his right......It appears that he had fun!

Holi is not your typical celebration, as you may have gathered....and Preston came back in one piece, and didn't drink anything strange......yes, there is a drink that is traditionally served at Holi which is called BHANG.

Bhang is a type of tea.....sounds innocent doesn't it....here is the recipe..... There's also a Hot Buttered Version as well!

Flavoured Bhang - Ingredients

2 cups water
2 ounces marijuana (fresh leaves and flowers of a female plant preferred)
4 cups warm milk
2 tablespoons blanched and chopped almonds
1/8 teaspoon garam masala (a mixture of cloves, cinnamon, and cardamon)
1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/2 to 1 teaspoon rosewater
1 cup sugar

DID YOU NOTE THE SECOND INGREDIENT??????

When Linda reached him by phone, Preston's explained that he was at the British High Commission (Embassy) with his friend George.....and that he only had 20 rupees and needed a ride home.

Ramesh, our driver was off today, so it was my turn to drive in Delhi once again.....so I did get to have some fun on Holi also.

I brought some old sheets to drape over the car seat, and retrieved him for the drive back home......in one piece, but covered in FUN!

Have a very HAPPY HOLI...wherever you are.....personally, I cannot wait until next year.....stay tuned for the pictures!

Morning Shower......

I make it a point to always have my camera with me. The camera and I are inseparable on the weekends; a trip to the store, a walk in the neighborhood, on the way to the school, and on and on......

The same holds true every morning on the way to work and in the evening when I return.....

The reason is simple....to capture and share life in India as it unfolds around us. India...where the UNCOMMON is COMMON.

This morning as Ramesh had come to a stop in the line to pay the toll......I looked to my left and captured one such moment of everyday life here in India......the morning shower!

While it is common to see people bathing along the roadside.... anywhere, at anytime of the day......I have never seen it done in this manner....

Enjoy!

Delhi Landmark - Qutub Minar

As incredible as India is, it is remarkable that there is so much literally right in our backyard.

With the intention of preparing for Parker's upcoming visit, we have decided to embark on several exploratory trips to plan what will surely be an action packed adventure for him.

This week, Preston and I discovered Qutub Minar......a New Delhi landmark since the year 1193 A.D.

That right......1193 and built on the site of 27 former Hindu and Jain Temples that were destroyed by the first Sultan of Delhi; Qutub-Ud-Din who managed to only reach the first level before his death.

The Qutub Minar is part of a vast complex of other monuments of historical importance....and is a must see landmark on a visit to New Delhi.

The last picture I included is the beginning of a second tower, which was supoosed to be twice the height of the Qutub Minar, but the Sultan died and it was never finished.

Here are some interesting facts and 5 of the 354 photographs that we took at the site......

Interesting & Fun Facts about Qutab Minar

Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world.

The height of Qutub Minar is 72.5 m. or 238 feet tall.
There are 379 stairs inside the tower, which lead to the top.

The foundation of the tower was laid down by Qutubu’d - Din Aibak in 1193 AD.

The purpose behind the construction of Minar was for the use of mu'azzin (crier) to give calls for prayer.

The next three stories were added by Shamsu'd-Din Iltutmish, the son - in - law of Qutubu’d - Din Aibak.
The fifth and the last storey were constructed by Firuz Shah Tughlaq.

Some say it was damaged twice by lightning and subsequently repaired in the 1300's.....some say it was from earthquakes.

The Minar contains numerous inscriptions in Arabic and Nagari characters, which narrate its history.

Qutab Minar is made up of red and buff sandstone, containing intricate carvings and verses from the Holy Quran.

Enjoy.

The Last Mughal Emporer - Safdarjung

I caught a cold.......and I am not a good patient. My cold started on Friday which was a bit of a bummer because Linda and I had purchased tickets to the Aussie Wine and Food Event.....and there was no way I was going to miss it....sick or not. I had been looking forward to it all week.

Sunday, as you can tell, was my day of just relaxing, taking care of my cold and catching up on my blog entries......but boredom set in for both Preston and I. If I were back in the United States, I would have just jumped into the car and headed for a drive.....only Parker can uphold the Lauland tradition of.....driving to escape.

Ramesh had the day off....so Preston and I grabbed a Tuk-Tuk at the end of the street and off we were to Safdarjung's Tomb.

This tomb was also fashioned after Humayun's tomb which was built some 200 years before. Safdarjung's son erected this tomb in his fathers honor in 1754.....22 years before the United States gained it's Independence from Britain. Safdarjung's son didn't realize when he commissioned the resting place for his father that he would be responsible for the last significant example of Mughal architecture in Delhi.

It is truly a beautiful building, that is currently undergoing restoration. Restoration work is revealing some beautiful hand painted design work that has been covered for sometime.