Every Picture Tells a Story.......I just wish I knew what their stories are

Here are some of my favorite photographs taken over the past few weeks....From Top to Bottom:

The Nap- I took this photo near our house; we had stopped to get our dry cleaning and this man looked so comfortable resting and it was such a perfect example of how life is here. India has its own heartbeat.....I have seen several men piloting these bicycles designed for delivering items...some times very heavy items like construction materials, pipes, furniture, etc. What time did he awaken to go to work? What time will he end? If he has done this job for the past 10 years or so, I can almost bet that he has traveled more km/miles on this three wheel bicycle with heavy weight than many of the athletes that have participated in the Tour de France.......yest he has found his equivalent of the Grand Prize under the shade of a tree next to a waste bin.


Fences Make Good Neighbors- I took this picture while walking atop the perimeter wall at Purana Qila. We came upon a temple located just outside the wall of the fort....a very busy temple. Many times when I am taking a photograph I am trying to capture one thing and I later discover something more interesting than what originally caught my eye. Here the beggar's have formed along the fence asking passers by from the temple for a handout of anything. What struck me after reviewing the picture is how orderly things are on one side and how chaotic they are on the other. Then it dawned on me that the wall I was standing on taking the picture; built in the 1500's formed a similar purpose many years ago...India is a country filled with contrasts like what is depicted in the photograph. Can they not see how clean things are on the other side of the fence? Do they not wish that they too could walk to and from the temple? Why don't they beg from the other side?

The Specialist- I named this photograph the specialist because here in a market where thousands of items are being sold, this man is selling a single item: what appears to be cranberries from a basket covered in cloth. I watched him set up shop just a few feet from a man who was selling the same thing......look closely at the photograph and notice the bags that he puts the berries in once a sale takes place. The bags are made from recycled newspaper......nothing is purchased that would increase his overhead costs...he works from an open air shop, a sidewalk in the middle of the market. He may sit for hours with his berries baking in the 110 degree heat. Has he always been a "berry wallah"?

The General Practitioner- Again, just a few steps away from the specialist, in the same market, was the GP.....with the fancy store and huge selection. The produce here is so fresh...eating healthy is not a problem in India......the displays are always very beautiful and colorful. Was this shop passed down from his father, who was a vegetable vendor as well as his father?

Mardi Gras Beads- This young girl followed us from inside the market to our car trying to sell us a string of glass beads, which I would have purchased if Linda would have truly needed a pair.....the price she was asking was 25 rupees...., but I honestly took more interest in her than her wares.....she was paid her asking price for allowing me to take her picture. Will she always sell necklaces? Will she become a famous Jewelery Designer one day?

Invisible.......a Poem

INVISIBLE

I look for her twice daily as I make my way to and from work
There are times that I wonder if she is only visible to me
When she disappears and I wonder where she has gone
Only to reappear to the same spot she has claimed as her home
Always draped in black her body rarely takes form
When sleeping, curled against the wall she could be anything but human
These are the times when there is no sign of life
No movement; an inanimate object co existing with the chaos around her
She does not beg like others at the corner
Is she less needy than they
Her head is always covered, her face always hidden by the shadows
Yet she sits and stares watching life on the thin pad that doubles as her bed
Her sandals neatly placed before her in contrast to the litter tossed carelessly about
She seems content and not ailing
Although she has moved from the wall to the center of the walk
Does she remain invisible to all but me

Typical Saturday Family Shopping Day!

I recently read, in one of Linda's handy books that she bought from one of the lady organizations she attends, about this very interesting shopping area in Delhi.....this was our second trip.

The shopping area consists of shops from various parts of India, that sell handicrafts from the villages from their state. All of the prices are very reasonable and fixed, so there is typically no need to go through the typical bargaining session that is the highlight of other shopping experiences.

We found a few exciting things to decorate our apartment with, but there were no major purchases. Well except a statue of Lord Shiva.....that Linda thought was the statue of a girl.....she kept referring to it as "Her" until our driver Ramesh pointed out to me that it was Lord Shiva......the destroyer!

But I did get a couple of very interesting photographs and some colorful ones as well......and what Preston typically does when Linda and I explore the shops.

I know that Preston can't wait to get his big brother over here so they can go off and explore things on their own......it will be good to have both of our boys back together again.....even for a short time.

We think about you all the time Parker......about 22 days and you will be here......and perhaps you can find a place to sleep like Preston!

Road Trip! Hitching a Ride.

A week ago I had another visit to the property in Jaipur.....another long day of leaving at 7:00am and not returning until approximately 11:pm.

The mode of transportation was by car this time....not the usual quick flight of an hour......but a trip by car that takes no less that 4.5 hours.

This is my preferred mode of transportation, because of the sites that avail themselves.....but sometimes, the need to effectively utilize time does not allow for this, and the plane is necessary.

There are some incredible sites that one can witness while driving anywhere on any road in India.

The "Truck Art" is amazing......Preston enjoys "collecting" pictures of truck art as well.

And then.....the Indians have taking the term "Hitching a Ride" to a new level......In this picture you can count six people hanging on the outside of this Jeep....what you can't see is how many people are packed inside.....I am not exaggerating when I tell you there were at least 10 people inside.....traveling about 40 km/h down the highway.

Experiencing India by car is an amazing journey all it's own. A word of advice is to always have your camera ready.....anything is possible.

"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.

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!

Market-ing 101 - A Visit to I.N.A. Market, New Delhi

Markets come in all shapes and sizes in Delhi.....a complete range...simple to sophisticated......those frequented by locals where very few expatriates shop, to those that specifically carry items that expats are familiar with from their home countries.

There are markets that specialize.....the fabric market, the spice market, the meat market, the produce market, the book market, the bike market.....any commodity that can be sold, there are markets (clusters of shops) or simply a street, that have concentrations of vendors hawking the same or similar items.

And then there is I.N.A. Market......which has a bit of it all. A few weeks ago, on the way back from our visit to Safdarjung Tomb, Preston and I stopped for his first visit.

I had previously visited this market, once to purchase the "Tongue Cleaner's" I brought back for Erika, and some cashew nuts for the plane trip......and once for a visit to the I.N.A Meat Market..... the open air, non-refrigerated, fly infested, pick out a chicken from the cage and have it butchered while you wait, fish and shrimp and......and the "aroma's" and the combination of melted ice and other liquids all making their way into the crude drainage that exists.......you get the picture?

Yet, I.N.A. is considered one of the best places to shop.....and I do recommend it.....and a visit or two......the experience is unforgettable.

Linda has been on several trips with other friends.....here are some of the sights.......and look at those shrimp/prawns.....huge....probably 2 shrimp/prawns per pound.

This is a definite visiting place for Parker when he joins us for his visit in a few months......this will be his training grounds for shopping, bargaining, and getting a good feel for the other places we will be visiting when he arrives.

Enjoy the photos!

Holy Cow!

I have shared pictures of the cows wandering the streets of New Delhi in the past.......but they have always been from the distance.

Last Sunday, Preston and I took a walk in our neighborhood, and came across a HERD of cattle......not just the random one or two cows that are typically seen......but seven or eight.

We discovered them as we neared our house, using an alley as a shortcut.....and just as we entered, they were entering from the opposite end.....along with a scary looking dog. Preston and I didn't know what to be more afraid of......the dog or the herd.

Well, as luck would have it, neither bothered us and we were able to get some up close and personal photo's with our bovine friends.

So if and when you visit.....and you are faced with a similar situation....there is no need to panic or to be scared......just MOOOOOve to the side and let them pass by.....

Let's have a Chaat!

No....I didn't spell anything wrong in the title of this blog entry.

"Chaat" is the Hindi word for a savory snack.....typically found on the streets of any city in India.

Chaat comes in many varieties.....and as I have mentioned before, we read warning after warning about eating food from street vendors before moving to India.....but there comes that moment, when you smell something delicious cooking, that you just give in.

So, you cast aside most concerns.....yes, you still need to be careful and follow a few simple rules of thumb. Stay away from liquids......even warm ones.....always make sure what you are hungry for is freshly cooked......and very hot. Simple enough, right?

Yes.....you kind of cast aside that the vendors probably didn't wash their hands, or where they have been, or the fact that there is no running water.....or refrigeration,and that they are cooking outside, where it is very dusty.....oh and sitting on the ground, and actually preparing the food on the ground, where perhaps a cow or dog roamed the night before of maybe just hours or minutes ago.

.....and then, the pictures themselves.....take a close look at the top of the ice chest......and the fact that it probably doesn't even have any ice in it, or very little.

But, despite all of these negatives, there are those freshly cut and peeled potatos.......ALOO.......and that piping hot oil, that you are confident enough is going to BURN away any germs that might have come in contact with the food during it's preparation.....

Hmmmmmmm.....and you smell the aloo frying, and then the vendor tosses them in some spices......and serves them to you. YUM!

Preston enjoyed his "Aloo Chaat".....and didn't share much of it at all with Linda and I......a testament that it was good.....and a bargain at only 25 rupees......if the adventure doesn't make you ill! The round ones that look like crab cakes are called "Aloo Tikka".....

This vendor was just outside the Opticians Office where I finally broke down and had my eyes checked and bought a new pair of glasses. My glasses will be ready tomorrow.....and I hope that when I return to get them, the vendor is there, and I get the chance to try the "Aloo Tikka"......it looked very good.

I'll let you know how it tastes and perhaps I Hiralal can learn to make them for us here at the house, where things are slightly better controlled.

Fine Dining - Roadside at the "Chicken and Fish Corner"

Since I arrived in India I have been sharing my experiences with the wonderful food I have been eating......and about how careful I have been to eat at places that have been recommended by Ramesh or other trustworthy sources.

India is a culinary smorgasbord......from a Five Star fine dining experience,International Chain Restaurants like TGI Fridays, McDonald's and KFC, local restaurants serving great Indian home style cooking (where we typically eat)..... roadside eateries called "Dhabas", or simply an entrepreneur who finds a place on a sidewalk to set up shop and cook and serve hot food.

If you ever pick up a book or visit a website on the topic of traveling in India, all of them will stress that it is best to "always drink Bottled Water" and try and stay away from eating food served by "street vendors". The food may look wonderful, but unfortunately, food sanitation practices are not stringently followed by street vendors.

Last week I traveled to a city named Amritsar.....the home of the very famous Golden Temple......and only 30 kilometers from the border of Pakistan.

We met with two potential clients; one hotel that is well under construction and another client who has a vacant piece of land that he is interested in developing a hotel on.

Our meetings were back to back .....and combined with our flight that was delayed by 5 hours due to fog in the morning, there was simply no time for visiting any of the interesting sites in and around Amritsar.

One benefit of traveling with colleagues is that they are "in the know" or know whom and what to ask those who are "in the know".

Amritsar is known for many things, but one thing in particular is their food....or the technique of how it is prepared.

As it was nearing time for dinner, some inquiries were made on a great place to get some "Amritsari Fish".....the information was delivered in Hindi....directions exchanges.....all I was asked is "if I wanted to try some fish"?

Not knowing where we would be eating, we said goodbye to our clients and the driver whisked us away to what is considered the best place in Amritsar for fish......the "Chicken and Fish Corner".

The name says it all......no fancy marketing....no brainstorming sessions, no marketing plan.....no agency hired to create the perfect name or brand for him.....he set up shop on a corner in Amritsar to cook Chicken and Fish.......simple....brilliant....call it what it is........no confusion....."Makhan Chicken and Fish Corner"......

I don't know what kind of fish it was, other than "river fish".....don't know what spices/seasonings he used.....didn't see a Certificate from the Health Department....no chairs.....no table.....cars, rickshaws, tuk-tuks, dogs, cows and whatever else was on the streets replaced the waiters and other diners one would find in a restaurant.....the background music was not piped in and fancy.....it was horns and barking and the sound of engines....and more horns.......after the first bite....I didn't care......

It was incredibly some of the best fish I have ever had in my entire life.

It was also the first time I had eaten street food.....the risk was known to me ....I didn't get sick...... the reward was delicious and priceless.....

I wondered how successful we could be at a hotel.....with this team from the "corner" in a well lighted kitchen, surrounded by Stainless Steel, chef's hats and jackets......food handling training, guidelines, procedures, time clocks, and on and on.

Then I remembered......the following sayings....."don't mess with success" and "keep it simple".

When I am back in Amritsar......do you have any idea where I will be dining and what I will be eating?

Bon Apetit!

Four "S's".....Saturday, Soccer, Sheehan and Sikkim House

Thursday marked my return to Delhi from my trip to Vizag......and Jeff returned on Friday night from his own India Adventure, with our mutual friend, P.V. Patel. He and I had been trading "text messages" all week while he was between Jodphur and Jaislmer.....and then to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. During one of our conversations, Linda and I were invited to meet he and P.V at BUKHARA.....the very famous restaurant at the ITC Maurya Hotel....which is the first hotel I stayed at when I visited India in August. It was going to be a real treat.....and it was....great food and I definitely went NON-VEG on that night!

Jeff was a trooper.....after an exhausting week of traveling the India countryside......by car most of the time.....he told Preston that he would like to be part of the family and watch his soccer game......

The AES Falcons....played the Bai Bharti School.....and won the game...final score 2-1......and Preston played an awesome game in goal.

Here are a few pictures from the game....some action shots of Preston....The last picture is becoming a "post game" ritual of sorts......lunch at the "Sikkim House". Sikkim House is located about a block or so from the school and they have a unique way pf promoting their area as a tourist destination in India......they have a great restaurant.....and as usual, the prices are great. Linda, Jeff and I had lunch while Preston dined with the team.

SATURDAY....SOCCER....SHEEHAN.....and SIKKIM....

Here are some fun facts about Sikkim.......it is nestled in the Himalaya's.....it hosts the highest peak in India, and the third highest in the world.....and it is the least populated state in India, with just over 500,000 inhabitants....Nepal is on their west border, China to the north and Bhutan on their east and West Bengal on their south.....