India's Republic Day Parade - a Practice Session



Army Regiment on Horseback


January 26^th, 2011 will mark the 62^nd anniversary of the signing of the Indian Constitution.......it is known as REPUBLIC DAY.


Bugle Regiment practicing on Raisina Hill, New Delhi


Republic Day in India sparks a patriotic fervor in the hearts of all Indians, reminding them of their glorious history, their rich culture and proud heritage. It is a day they choose to remember and honor those they consider heroes of their past; freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi and military heroes as well.

Army Regiment on Horseback with Raisina Hill in background

To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital city of New Delhi. Attending the event in Delhi is almost impossible, as you need to be invited by someone who is politically well connected.

Army Regiment on Camel back on Raisina Hill, New Delhi

Last Sunday, Preston and I took a drive and just happened to stumble upon some of the military units beginning to practice for the parade.

View from Raisina Hill down Rajpath with India Gate in the distance

It is a grand parade that begins at Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace), then along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort.

Camel Regiment Passing the Gates of Rashtrapati (President's Palace)

Prior to its commencement, the Prime Minister will lay a floral wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, a memorial to unknown soldiers at the India Gate at one end of Rajpath, which is followed by two minutes silence in the memory of unknown soldiers.

Camel Regiment Silhouette - Raisina Hill, New Delhi

The different regiments of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force march past in all their finery and official decorations. The President of India, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute.

Camel Regiment Passing in Front of the Secretariat Building - Raisina Hill, New Delhi

We felt very lucky to have witnessed the practice session and were able to take some photographs, as cameras are not allowed during the actual parade unless you are a member of the press and have been given special permission.

Up close View of Indian Soldiers on Camel back

Happy Republic Day India........just a little bit early......

Indian Army Tank near India Gate

Rajasthali Resort and Spa - The Gatekeeper's!

Rajasthali Resort and Spa - Main Building

Last week I was on the site of a hotel we will be opening very soon just outside of the city of Jaipur........a beautiful resort at the foothills of the Aravali Mountain Range........the perfect backdrop for a peaceful place to visit, relax and unwind from the chaos.

The finishing touches are being put on the Resort as we speak..........

While walking around checking on the progress of the construction, I stumbled upon a group of workers.....well.........more than just workers..............these guys were artists in their own right.

The skills have been passed down from generation to generation..........the skill of making something beautiful being made of of mortar and stone...........and the details of the stone work that makes the architectural style of Rajasthan so distinctive.

Main Arrival Gate

Take a look at what I witnessed taking place at the main gate of the hotel...........

A Blank Canvas of Mortar

Above, the artist begins by creating his "Blank Canvas" of a layer of mortar approximately 1 inch thick.......after literally throwing the mixture onto the concrete wall, he smooths the surface with a wooden floating tool.

Stenciling Work

The simple stencil above is used to trace the design onto the mortar, following the first chalk line.....he continues to work along the top and he is followed by another member of the team that begins the process of carving out the waste material

Carving with the broken Hacksaw Blade and Paring Knife

Below, another artist and his assistant begin laying out a flower design just by sight.........chalk lines and no protractor or architectural scale.......the angles precisely laid out by hand and eye...the work of a skilled artisan for sure.

Laying out the Flower Design

On the far side of the wall, another member of this four person team has begun the process of creating the design of the framework.........

Chalk Lines and Laying out the Framework

Meanwhile, the artist who is creating the flower, begins with another crude stencil made from a scrap of cardboard.........he begins by outlining the design with his knife

Stenciling the Flower Design

He begins carving the outer leaf petals.........carefully angling the knife to create the three dimensional design.......

Carving the Flower with a Paring Knife

The flower design is truly coming into form....you can see that the border carving above where he has been working in a crouched position still needs to be completed.

Border Stenciling and Flower Carving

Below, work begins on the carving of the framework............the curved portions have been detailed and the straight edges of the framework will follow

Carving the Framework

The next picture shows the finishing details being carved on the border design.........the efficiency of the team has been carefully orchestrated......the artist who was working on the flower design has not moved..he simply pauses his work on the flower and finishes the border for a slight change of pace.


The Four Artists at Work

After finishing the border, he returns to start doing the detailed work on the flower design.......he has introduces a new tool.......a small paintbrush that he uses to lightly brush the surface of the flower to remove any leftover debris from his carving activity.

Finishing the Bottom Edge of the Framework

Above note that the other members of the team beginning working on carving the straight edge of the framework.........one hand holding a piece of scrap lumber while he slices his knife through the mortar..........he will repeat the same process on the other chalk line and then remove the center waste material.

Carving Detail of the Flower Design

The flower artist is now detailing each petal of the flower.......carefully shaping each with gentle curves and only following his vision.....no stencil.....just years of knowing how to create with his hands and eyes.

The Final Product!

Finally, the finished product............anyone want to take a guest at how long the process took.........from the first photograph that I took to this final photo I snapped above?

Using simple and crude tools and methods.........paring knifes you could find in any kitchen that would normally be used to cut fruit...a broken hacksaw blade, simple stencils and a small brush.........four people working together in an orchestrated manner......crouched, in some cases, in the same position and space for the entire time.........each member methodically executing their individual tasks......?

One Hour.........yes just one hour.....and such beautiful work.......the team repeated this task and design on 6 such surfaces that day.....each looked the same.....no deviation from design that the eye could see.....one hour of precision artistry at work......

Eventually their design will be covered with that same light yellow color that had been used to paint the top section of the gate.....and at some time in the very near future, many guests will walk past their work......not knowing the about the skilled hands that created the work they are hurrying past........some may stop to admire......but most will make their way through the passage just knowing that they are arriving someplace special......

Murphy Stewart Lauland - 2000 to 2010 - Why we should celebrate birthday's in a special way!

We received a call today........"The Call"....the call you never want to receive when you live so far away from family and loved ones

It is one of the toughest days since we have been overseas and perhaps the most represents one of the most difficult aspects of living so far away from family..........the loss of a family member.

Murphy was our pet Maltese.........white and fluffy and extremely loving, he was truly a member of our family......and in many ways just as human as we are.

It was tough to leave him behind when our adventure began.........but our oldest son was just beginning college and while he would have loved to have kept Murphy, he was staying in a dorm and they didn't allow pets. We would have loved to have let my mom keep him, but even though he was getting older, he was still energetic enough two years ago that he would have been tough for my mom to deal with.........in addition to having a brother-in-law that is allergic to dogs........

Linda's mom came to the rescue and offered to take care of Murphy in our absence......it was great for Murphy too, because Linda's mom also has a Maltese......and Murphy and Oscar always got along very well.

In the past 2 years, I only had the chance to spend a few days with him last Christmas............Linda and the boys had more time with him..........at least twice per year for several days at a time.

The timing of these "events" in life are never perfect either..................over the next two days, both of our sons will celebrate their 17th and 21st birthdays.................and now this unfortunate incident happens just before their special days.

Life/death just isn't fair sometimes..............it just makes you want to ask...........why at this time????.........why couldn't we celebrate our son's Birthdays without a sadness in all our hearts...........

Isn't it ironic that over the next two days we will be celebrating the dates which brought us two special people into the world............while we are losing one that we all loved and cared so much for..........

Do you think there is a lesson in this? Does it take something like this for all of us to realize just how special LIFE is.......and how special celebrating a birthday is..........

Just the other day, I made the comment to some colleagues that "at my age, my Birthday is just like any other day to me"..........and I have heard others say similar things.......

I don't think I will repeat those words again...........Birthdays are meant to be celebrated........celebrate life and make your day or someone you know feel special on the day they were brought into the world.

I think I am going to go for a ride on the motorcycle and take my mind off of things for a little while.

Obama's Visit to India -Feeling Close to Home

I was in India for the Presidential election that sent Obama to the White House........that was November 2008........two years later, except for a few visits to the US, this was the closest I have been to the President of the United States of America.

Indian's love politics...........they love Indian politics, and they keep a close eye on what happens in the US.......Bill Clinton is still endeared by the India as a whole.....he left an indelible mark on the the global political atmosphere and most Indian's judge all US Presidents on the "Clinton Benchmark".

Looking back two years ago, I was fresh into India, and most of the people I was meeting, whether casually or at business meetings, would ask me what I thought about the Presidential Election in the US.

I always gave a similar evasive answer.........Why?.....My mother always explained to me that "It is never smart to discuss politics or religion with people you do not know well........you will never make friends"

Mama knows best...........and she also knows her son very well.

I am a very patriotic person..........I love my country and I respect the "Office" of the President of the United States.........for the time being, my "politics" ends with that statement.

I have had the pleasure of meeting, in person five of the last seven Presidents of the United States of America.

Jimmy Carter - Denver, Colorado
Gerald Ford - Denver, Colorado
Ronald Regan - Houston, Texas
Bill Clinton - (twice) - Denver, Colorado
George W. Bush - Lafayette, Louisiana

Hosting the President of the United States in your hotel, is no easy task..........preparations begin as early as two weeks in advance.........and for the time that the President is in your hotel, the entire property becomes the "White House". I have been through this drill several times as you can see...........so it was no surprise to me to read about the amount of preparations that were taking place in India ahead of his 3 day visit to India.

Here is a list:
Air Force One
Air Force Two
Nuclear Button - or "Nuke -u -lar" if your are George "W".....he always had trouble with that word!
33 Warships
1 Aircraft Carrier
Marine One - the Presidential helicopter
2 Jets - with advanced communications and security systems
40 - Vehicles in his "convoy"
800 "Luxury" Hotel Rooms.........none of the hotels we are managing unfortunately! That's just Mumbai....there will be another 800 for his Delhi visit.....each city!
13 heavy Lift Aircraft - to carry the vehicles and equipment
3 - helicopters
500 - Security Staff from the US alone - not counting the personnel from the Indian Armed Forces
Sniffer dogs - I remember these animals.........treated very, very well!

I have read that his visit had a price tag of $200 million US dollars per day...........I'm not sure.......

As for me..........the closest I got to Mr. Obama was to see Air Force One.......and AF Two parked at Indira Gandhi International Airport as I was boarding a flight to Visakhapatnam. I managed to "sneak" three pictures, along with several Indian passengers boarding my flight.

They were all snapping pictures with the cameras on their phones......very cool to see their excitement as well. It was very nice to see Air Force One parked at the airport in India...........it made me proud.....just as proud when I see the American Flag flying high when I pass the American Embassy here in Delhi.......its always nice to be close to home.

I missed the traffic jams............closed roads and of course the chance to meet him............but maybe there will be a time..........

I did take a picture of a very cute billboard that I saw down in Vizag on my  trip. For those readers who are not familiar with the brand "Amul", they are one of India's largest manufacturers of diary products; butter. milk, cheese, and even ice cream!

They have a very creative advertising group..........

Khanna means food or to eat

Thanks for visiting Mr. Obama............you and Hillary look great in your Indian clothing.

"Who Knows"? ......the Incredible burden of being a "living mystery"!

Was it the cough from the guy sitting behind me on one of the seven flights I took in a span of 5 days a few weeks ago? or was it a sneeze....I think the guy sneezed come to think of it......my mind is still foggy.

Or was it anyone of the multitude of surfaces that I touched? Hmmmmmm? Now that's a thought!

There are very few "sky ways" at India's airports....which means transportation to and from the terminal to the airplane is by bus...........and the driving skills and ancient transmissions force you to hold onto something......or you will become a human projectile......and not be very welcomed by your fellow passengers.

I am not a "germ-o-maniac"..........actually the name given to someone who suffers from the fear of germs is Mysophobic. GERM-O-MANIAC sounds better don't you think?

I may never know..........and even up to two days ago, I didn't even care to begin tracing where I picked up my "mystery bug"..........after dealing with the effects of my illness for the past 10 days.......honestly, I still don't care.........._ _ _ _ happens!

What I thought was my allergies acting up, or the beginning of a typical head cold, has progressed into one of the mysteries of modern medical science...........

On Monday October 11th I started feeling bad..............and I have a high tolerance for everything.......so when I say bad .............it means bad enough not to go to work......which for me is a huge deal. I decided to stay home that day and get some rest, as I was traveling the rest of the week......I wasn't doing well Tuesday....my throat was killing me, coughing.....etc.....I had my faithful NYQUIL, that I brought from the US as it is unavailable in India.........it didn't help.......I returned to Delhi on Friday......by the evening, 103.5 degrees of fever...........I had chills..........my body had just shut down. I was aching in my joints.....not just aching.......ACHING (I'll do my best to describe the feeling)

By Saturday morning I was fine.......Sunday ........no issues..no more fever............I sounded terrible........I had a very deep voice.........and was coughing up all of the colors of the Indian flag! Very patriotic don't you think? I still felt like I had been run over by a truck......and I begin resembling Harvey Dent!

Surely you remember Harvey Dent from Batman......the handsome candidate running for District Attorney in Gotham City, who ends up becoming the character "Two-Face" after suffering severe chemical burns on the left side of his face from a battle with the Joker.

The high fever I suffered on Friday night had caused these very unusual things to appear on the left side of my face......one under my eye, one on my cheek, one on my chin, and the typical fever blister type thing in the corner of my mouth. Just like Harvey!

By Monday afternoon..........my friend, Mr. Fever, had returned..............over 102.........no work....

Tuesday...........on and off fever and I had pretty much lost my voice............terrible cough, but nothing in my chest......I had ruled out in my self diagnosis that I had pneumonia........

By Wednesday evening, the chills had returned...........teeth chattering chills..........under a down comforter, the bed covering and two additional blankets.........no position was comfortable........I was/am miserable.

By 2:30am Thursday morning, the decision was made to see the doctor, an option open the entire length of my ongoing battle, but it is a "man thing"...........or I am genetically predisposed to delay seeking medical treatment.

What finally made "me" decide....caused the decision to go to the doctor...........perhaps it was the rash that began to cover my body............and a very worried wife who was growing more concerned by the day/evening  that I had contracted some strange disease in this foreign land we now call home.

As of the time of writing this blog entry..............I look like hell, I feel like hell and all I know is what I DON"T HAVE......!!!!!  It is still a mystery!

My blood tests have come back negative for all of the diseases listed  in the Center for Disease Control............I am a CDC mystery as well..........

Besides doing some work from home and answering emails between my numerous bouts of rest........I haven't felt like doing much..........nor can I.......I promised to describe the aches in my joints.....ALL of my joints....even my hair joints......if there is such a thing..........I A..C..H..E.........everywhere......in addition to looking like some cartoon freak............it feels like I am walking on golf balls.....my feet ache, my ankles, my damn toes ache.........not to mention all of the other moving parts......knees, hips, elbows,WRIST'S....oh my wrists......just chop them off......my feet are the worst..........like someone has just hit them with hammers.

Oh and my doctor.........a very well certified, US trained doctor from Harvard Medical School..........who also worked at the famed Parkland Hospital in Dallas just after the Kennedy assassination..........told me that it would be O.K. for me to "take a walk in the garden", "not for exercise, but to just get out of the house"......

I/we do not have a damn garden to even walk in.......and if I/we did, it is too damn painful to walk.......all I want is for him to properly diagnose me........which hasn't happened yet!

In the meantime, in addition to the drugs prescribed by Dr. C..........Ramesh has prescribed papaya juice made with both the pulp and the skin.......Linda has started referring to him as "Dr. Ramesh" ......which he insists on making for me........in addition to being healthy, they taste pretty good also..........and probably even a little better with some rum!

I may be on the edge of death...but I haven't lost my sense of humor............or my love for India......

Bye for now.

Feeling Empty

October 2nd..........Gandhi Jayanti........Mumbai Airport.........a taxi cab driver named Mohamed

Four quick and easy facts that I will never forget............the day I lost a very dear friend.

We had known each other for just over two years.........almost had been inseparable since the beginning of our relationship.

We worked together, instinctively.........feeding off one another...........the other always knowing what the other was thinking...........we did some great things together, if I do say so myself.............but this was confirmed by others who thought the same.

My friend taught me to look at things in life differently........everyday life..........what I could see with my own eyes was surprisingly much different that what I could see through my friend........my friend pushed me, helped me to try new things.......led me to take risks..........taught me to capture the moment............taught me that life was an adventure and meant to be enjoyed.

My friend made me slow down..........stop and smell the roses, the daisies.......flowers of all kinds actually. My friend taught me to take an interest in others............strangers..........strangers who became temporary friends......there were times we brought joy to the lives of those we interacted with.....we were good together......

Damn, we made some memories..........looking back and remembering all we had been through..........all that we have done together. We were close..........we drew stares when we were on the street.......sometimes people would smile at us............sometimes we were dismissed with the wave of a hand.......my friend had a special talent of breaking down barriers........especially language barriers.......

I feel sad and stupid .....at the same time.........lost and empty......void and sick to my stomach when I think about how it happened.

I feel this way often.............especially when driving through uncharted territory.............watching life and opportunities flash by through the window of the car........any car..........any city..............even the view from the window of an airplane...........it doesn't matter where.......I miss my friend.......I hate seeing things that remind me of the loss.

It's like calling a familiar number.................and not having anyone pick up on the other end.

I have constant reminders too...things left behind........things that used to charge us both.........things that prepared us for our next adventure together, left behind as useless reminders of our past together......

I have suffered many losses in my life..............this feeling is not new to me.....just the most recent...........certainly not the most painful..............but it is currently serving as a reminder ....be careful with those that mean the most to you.........don't take anything for granted...............don't treat things casually...........you never know when a loss will occur............when a friend will disappear from your life..........perhaps as a result of something you did..............something stupid......something that you will regret.

Damn.......I could kick myself................it was my fault...........I just want to scream........oh how stupid could I have been.

I know..........life goes on.............new relationships can be forged........new memories captured.......maybe I should look at this as an opportunity.......I know......I have been told............something better is right around the corner...........get a new friend.............a better friend.........but right now I am at a low point...........unmotivated to search..........discover.............yet I dream.....the sickness and emptiness and the desire to kick myself returns

I lost my friend............it was my fault.........October 2nd..........I LOST MY CAMERA........I placed it on the roof of the taxi........got distracted...........turned and walked away......left it behind....I didn't realize what happened until I was in the strapped tightly in the seat of the plane...........just before speeding down the runway of the airport in Mumbai.........

Eat, Pray,Love..........Living with a Movie Star!

Last night was the "opening day" of  Eat, Pray, Love, the movie starring Julia Roberts....which was partially filmed here in India. The movie is based on the "best seller" written by Liz Gilbert, which share's the same title.

I guess it is safe to begin talking about this now that the movie has been released in both the US and now India.

Pataudi Palace - the location where the movie was filmed


Linda has been on a "gag" order since the filming of the movie.............yes......it's true, a gag order! This meant that I have also been unable to put anything in print regarding the movie.............until now......I'm ready to "TELL ALL".........are you ready for the "juicy" Hollywood gossip?

Before the gossip.......I awakened this morning to read Roger Ebert's review of the film.........2 Stars......and a rating of "Fair"............Roger.....while you are entitled to your opinion........there are are at least 20 people who enjoyed the movie and rate it much higher!!!! maybe even higher than 4 Stars!

Now the story and the gossip!

About one year ago, Linda received a call from one of her "bestest friends", who prefers to remain nameless.....it was a last minute invitation to participate as an "extra" in the movie.......Nameless's "number one hubby" as she refers to him, was to attend but due to work, he was cancelling.......and Linda was asked to "tag along".....with the understanding from the Director's Assistant that she would not be paid for attendance......she would simply be a "volunteer extra"......so, no lucrative salary like Julia!

The instructions.....wake up at 3:00 am.........be at the movie set by 5:00am.......bring two dresses..........the wardrobe department would select which one she would wear....no camera's.......no discussing the film before it is released......and on and on ....Nameless's entire family was participating.....kids and all.........and as it turned out, Number One Hubby also was able to arrange his schedule to participate as well........so Linda was a "tag along".

Linda and Julia spent a great deal of time together on the set........sitting just a few feet apart.......and yes Linda confirmed that she is truly a "Pretty Woman" in person, but much shorter than she appears in her films.

There is a great deal of waiting on a movie set........endless takes.........more waiting.........more takes......camera positioning.......more waiting.....and hearing the song "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang over and over and over again..........during one of the breaks, Linda shared that she was able to get a glance of Julia's children who traveled with her while she was filming......not bad for the children who visited Italy, India and finally Bali.....

http://www.sobermusicians.com/Tunes/celebrate.mp3

After a very long day........ Linda arrived home around 7:00pm that night, exhausted but excited and not knowing if she would be in the film.......one never knows in a situation when reels and reels of film are shot.......and after the final editing........if they made the final cut.

The film hit the cinema's in the US on August 13th..........and the telephone and emails started pouring in......Linda made the film.............requests for autographs also.......real time "movie star" moments.........but her Screen Actors Guild (SAG) card has not arrived in the mail as of yet.

It has been a long two months waiting for the film to come to the big screen here in India.......

Last night, the red carpet was waiting for Linda........at the PVR Gold Cinema at the Ambiance Mall in Gurgaon.......a theater experience much like home............large reclining chairs in a huge auditorium.....where you pay out of your nose for a seat.......but it was the only way to watch Linda's debut on the big screen.....

What scene..???? about halfway through the movie.........the character Julia Robert's portrays (Liz Gilbert) is attending the wedding of a young Indian girl who she meets at the ashram and befriends........the Indian wedding causes Liz to recall her own wedding......and a flashback to her "first dance" takes place......

It is during this flashback scene that Linda appears, as a guest at the wedding, sitting at a table watching the newly married couple..........the entire scene in the 2.5 hour movie lasts about 1 minute........and it took over 12 hours to shoot!

As the camera focuses on the dancing of Liz's husband, Linda can be seen sitting at the table at least five times as the camera angles change........about 15 seconds of time on the big screen! Hint: if you want to see Linda, she can be seen several times just over the shoulder of the groom....clapping and smiling on cue.

Hey.............everyone is entitled to 15 seconds of fame..........but who would have thought that it would have happened in India.

About a week later, while I was in Jaipur on business, I received a call from Linda.......Nameless, through her film connection, was asked by the Director's assistant if she could find a "Tall handsome American" to play the role of a doctor.........I thought it was very nice of Nameless to think of me........I fit two of the criteria at least..........but unfortunately work prevented me from participating......by the way, I looked for the "doctor's" scene in the film, but I don't think it made the final production anyway........so for now, the house has only has one Movie Star......!