- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A colorful reminder of the beautiful colors and women of India. They so boldly stood out against the dreary, dirty streets and the green of the fields. Those visions will not long be forgotten. Incidentally in this picture the woman who did this quick pose requested money for haven taken the picture. We were often asked to take their pictures and then asked for money. Most, however, who asked to have their pictures taken just wanted to see themselves in the camera. For many, perhaps a first picture taken. Oh we are so lucky!

Winding Up and Winding Down

Cathy and I are laying on our beds in Beijing pondering our next move. Should we pack? Return to the frigid streets for one more glimpse of this amazing city? How about we just hang out, work on our travel journal and begin the pleasurable task of the preparation and presentation of our India financial statement! Done!

I love my travel partner. Cathy is so fun loving and can be easily impressed. A nice toilet facility or a warm cab will bring a smile to her beautiful face. That is providing you can see her face. The past five days I have found her wrapped in two layers of pants, one turtleneck, three coats, a fleece scarf wrapped around her face and head twice and her stylish black cap she bought in NYC. What a shame she left her gloves in warm India!!!

I am watching her pack now. She is focused. Both of us had to buy new full size suitcases... Cathy's, to carry her array of prescription eye glasses and a treasured broom and mine to haul the goods home for my grandson.

A few things happened in Beijing that should remain in Beijing. We were often bemused and confused. Enough said.

What we know for sure is we are so looking forward to returning home to our families and friends.

Coming home now so signing off. Xoxo.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

Thank you!

Many thanks to my beloved friend Cathy, who has not only taken so many terrific shots of India and China, she has posted many and shared her thoughts with all of you along the way.

I will post some of mine, Kerry's and Shelley's when we return to Vancouver.

I am coming home soon Bob. I heard that your paw pads are getting sore from checking this blog!

Leslie xoxo


- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad




Last post today, another of the beautiful buildings. We are just digesting our Peking Duck, yuc. We are having a nightcap just to be sure our stomachs survive. We are stuck in our hotel room momentarily as we wait for our fifth pair of glasses to be delivered. Tee hee, way too much fun. Progressive Prescription glasses for $30. Good grief.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The architectural design of so many of the buildings is quite something. It is a very modern, exceptionally clean city. Such a contrast to India.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Yes we have seen some sights in Beijing. Here is Leslie looking out over the icy lake that is front of the Summer Palace.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

We are saying goodbye to Dharmender and our astonishing India. Astonishing was Shelley's word to describe the country of India and as we all thought about it we agreed that it was a place of much astonishment, from the very good to the very bad. We shall not soon forget the many sights, sounds, tastes and smells of this amazing journey. We know that Shelley and Kerry are safe at home sharing their stories while Leslie and I are excited to return and do the same.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Leslie and her new suitcase in front of a very dangerous doorway entrance. When you walk down this vacated lane way it is like magic that the door opens just as you are a few feet away. Inside, Oh Dear!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Babs and myself with Sarah Palin........oh no wait a minute, that's Leslie Thomas. Wait until you see her in her new glasses. Babs got us in a lot of trouble in the Pearl Market today. It was so nice to see her.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


We have our lovely room but just around the corner is this home for a family. The poverty is indescribable.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A beautiful view of the Ganges from our sitting area outside our room. Just amazing.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Oh aren't they lovely, these two ladies on the Ganges, just before they placed the lovely candle for Rachel on the river.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

One of two burning ghats we witnessed where the Indian men take their relatives for the ritual passing into the next world. Women do not attend as they tend to grieve out loud and these cries may interfere with the successful transition into the next life.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A scrawny little puppy trying to make his way across this very rutted road. Some of hen imps were bigger than he was.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Shelley and Leslie being chatted up by two young men at the Amber Fort. It was a beautiful fort.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The truckers love to decorate their trucks. This is their home for many, so they fancy them up with pom poms, streamers, and long ribbons. Some are a mass of decorations. There are many stands that sell these wares.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Another homemade meal being prepared for us. A friend of Dharmenders. We visited the craziest market before this. This is the home with the tree in the middle of it and where they hang the family toothbrushes. Delicious food.

Another of lovely Udaipur. This is from our hotel room. The view really did take your breath away. On the streets, we, of course, did stand out and were targets for every shop keeper. They seemed to know our every move and found us over and over. One fellow obviously had a shop in the previous city we stayed in as he caught up with us here.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


A view from our boat...........Udaipur. A favorite city....the Venice of the east.

We really did fall in love with the donkeys.



- Posted using BlogPress

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


The only elephant we saw in India. Of course, 'You touch you pay'. Of course we touched and put our rupees in his trunk and he quickly passed the money to the rider. Everybody must make a living.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


The fort that starts with 'M' on the road to Udaipur. Our worst bathroom experience,dark and wet. This was most unfortunate for Cathy where her India began.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


The monkey started to become common features in the little towns. Shelley loves the monkey and was quite excited about each monkey sighting.

Where are the cows?

Cathy and I have just returned to our hotel room and we have both agreed on one thing. We loved the cows, we miss the cows and we would still be photographing the cows if we were in India.

Hey, newsflash! You would take a picture too if you saw a cow at the corner of Burrard and Georgia. Don't kid yourself.

We miss Shelley and Kerry! They should be on their way home by now. Be gentle with them as their re-entry into Canadian civilization could be traumatic. They will be searching for their personal driver, they no longer remember how to cook and they can only relieve themselves by squatting over a porcelain hole. In time they will readjust. Finish marking those English exams, Kerry and Shelley...give our love to Farhad. Xoxo.

Leslie


- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



More of the faces of India. Outside the Jain Temple. They were delighted with the chocolate and shampoo that we could offer them.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



Yes, what do you want?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Kerry in the grand fort of Jodphur.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


The blue city seen from the fort in Jodphur. They painted their homes blue to ward off the flies. Catching up on photos from the time we were not able to post.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Cute little faces peeking at us from the bus right beside us. Just so cute and playful.

Hello from Beijing

Cathy and I said our goodbyes to Shelley and Kerry this morning at the airport in Beijing, China - hard to believe our time in India had come to an end. We are here for six days and our plan is to slow down the pace but to continue our explorations with enthusiasm! Off to The Forbidden City this afternoon, Great Wall tomorrow and meeting Babs for shopping and dinner. Can't wait to see her! Cathy is posting our final India pics as I type - thankfully we have wi-fi again.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



A little nose pressed against our window. Very difficult to ignore, but we were told not to roll our window down.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



This is our dear Dharmender and his family. He and many other members of his family gathered in his home as we were served our final meal in India. A pretty amazing evening. We visited the market before dinner where they insisted on buying each of us something. Very kind! We saw a different side of the girls, especially mom, when they showed us their Bollywood dance moves. Such a contrast to the modest, reserved women that we see. It was delightful to see.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



A typical side of the road. No one uses a garbage can. This is where all the street animals find their next meal. Talk about a dog eat dog world.

Hello from Delhi!

The internet at our present hotel in Delhi is very sketchy to say the least. No wi-fi, so no pictures. Tonight we leave for Beijiing and we all are feeling incredibly sad about our goodbyes to dear Dharmender. Last night was an unforgettable evening with 17 of his closest family members and we were treated like royalty. More later on this experience.

Love to all, Shelley and Kerry will be home on the morning of the 20th around 10:30 am I believe.

Leslie

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



Yes, there is a man sleeping in the back of this little rickshaw.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Can't have a posting without a cow or two. Aren't they beautiful!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


A boy fixing his kite. It was kite festival here so the skies were filled with kites. Another danger.........tripping over kite string.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


A dwelling on the back streets just off the river. Pretty typical here.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Where many children spend their day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



Shelley with a dear little girl who was such an entrepreneur. She sold candles that you float on the Ganges. Would love to know her story. All the children seem to know who we are each day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Looking down the Ganges right near our hotel. Leslie swarmed by peddler children when she gave one child some shampoo.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



Crated chickens for sale on the street. Jammed in!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


The classroom in a tiny local school on a street. The children were so helpful trying to explain their school.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



What a face of India. What is she thinking!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Kerry and her eggplant in a market we found as we wandered through the crazy streets of Varanasi.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Our beautiful Leslie from our beautiful deck just outside our room. Flying to Delhi today. Glad when we are landed safely.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad





At the back of our boat on the Ganges. Varanasi in the background.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad






A common means of transport for a family........all piled onto the motorcycle. Mom always rides side saddle and women not allowed to wear helmets.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



A family dwelling

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


A family with all of their worldly possessions. They stopped for their meal of rice beside the train, washed their utensils, picked up their two sacks of goods and moved on.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



Have I sent this picture lately?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


A smile from the back of a truck.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad


Women with some of many types of loads that they carry.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad







A Fine Balance. We see men and women with their sewing machines in every nook and cranny.

Thank you!

Sincere thanks to my present roommate Cathy, as all the photos you have been enjoying are her beauties. I have not downloaded any of my 2,156 pics yet but please rest assured that I will be sending every single one of them to each of you immediately on my return. Special thanks to Tara for her wonderful tech support! We owe you a dinner!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad



At the steps of our hotel. The street is lined with the very, very poor.