Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Ranakpur!



A Grandson Story

On my behalf, Jen asked Sam: "Would you prefer a wooden Indian camel, elephant or monkey from Grandma?"
Sam replied: "I would like a wooden race car."
Jen said: "But that's not what I said."
Sam replied: "Well...it's what I said."

On the lookout now for a wooden race car.
Today. Was. Great. After visiting the fort I now have a big urge to rush to the nearest dvd rental store when we get home and find myself one of the old movie flicks from the 40's, you know the ones I mean, about India in it's days of glory and majesty.

We ate off the street today. A samosa filled with steaming hot spicy potatoes and peas. Orgasmic. We washed it down with a "lassi" - a drink made from yoghurt, honey and coconut. Delicious.

We met a cool guy who is a spice expert and we were invited to his upstairs private quarters where he proceeded to explain everything we ever needed to know about Indian teas, spices, incense, perfume fragrances and saffron. Of course we know that he invites every foreigner up to his private den, but what the heck, it was fun and we all dropped some rupees on Garam Masala, Masala Tikka, Kava Tea, (yes, Jen, I remember you telling me about this), aroma oils, and assorted loose teas for digestion, tension, constipation and high blood pressure. The added bonus was his life story and his burden of being a late bloomer, having married after the age of 30 which has made him a major oddity in his community. He lives with his four brothers and their families......let's all picture that for a moment. He was adorable and I fell in love.

We bought some Indian red wine. That's all I will say on that topic.

Back to the bustling streets for another glimpse of daily life in Jodhpur and now we go to dinner.

Namaste.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Good morning from Kuchaman Haveli!

I have been taking Tylenol PM pills (2) at bedtime to knock myself out but perhaps the combination of the pills and Kingfisher beer (yes, there is no tequila...) may be a bad idea. The first night I dreamed of a woman with a monkey head, then came the nightmare of dropping an open container of diamonds while standing on a deep shag carpet and last night was the craziest so far. I was stock piling food in a hidden tent at Cates Park. In the bushes.

Also, read in The Times of India this morning that Jaipur temperature is 3.8 degrees Celsius. Mercury is likely to dip further later this week!!! Second losest temperature in the last 20 years!

We are a bit of a freak show as the four of us walk down the street. There don't appear to be many tourists in the areas we are visiting but this also works in our favour as we never wanted to be on the beaten track. It's morning time now and we are on our way to Mehrengarth Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Kerry's poem to the haveli -

An oasis of calm in a desert of sand,
A haven of peace in this colourful land,
A haveli named Kuchaman in lively Jodhpur,
Is a balm for the senses, a traveller's cure.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Jodhpur!

India is incredible. We have fallen deeply in love. Each day seems to bring bigger and more exciting adventures. How can this continue? It is such a departure from our lives at home, it is difficult to put into words what we witness, what we feel, and what we are learning. The face of India is indeed in the people.

Although I posted the Rat Temple picture yesterday, we actually did not visit it until this morning. No words really can describe the feeling of walking through a temple in socks with hundreds of brown rats scurrying past constantly. Cathy had some trouble with this but she faced her fears and had victory. Leslie who is famous for having a severe rat phobia was amazingly calm throughout the visit. Go figure.

On our way to Jodhpur we stopped at a hospital for the sacred India cow. It is a facility run by volunteers and it has a section for blind cows, 3-legged cows and cancer cows. Quite a surreal experience to say the least. We initially found ourselves escorted into a small octagonal shaped building where we said some sort of prayer for the cows and participated in a ritual with fire and chanting. Each of us were given a gift as we left. We are learning to understand the significance and importance of the cow in India, in fact Leslie was hip checked by one today in the busy market.

Dharmender took us for a chai tea break mid afternoon and we arrived in Jodhpur in time to walk to the Clock Tower and market before dark and another great meal. Tomorrow is the main fort and palace as well as another chance to stroll the streets where you really do have to be aware. Motorbikes, tuktuks, animals of all kind do not stop for pedestrians. Many vendors try hard to entice you into their stores and once you enter it is very difficult to leave without purchasing something. Our only purchases so far are a few pashminas, jingle bell braclets for our ankles, (for our Bhangra dance classes) and great stainless steel spice pots. Tomorrow we have plans for some serious purchases.

The temperature is much better today as we have headed south. The health of the four of us is good and we are slowly getting on India time. We have clocked alot of hours together in a very small car over the past four days but we are still talking to each other. It is hard to believe that we have been away almost one week and we hope that you are not missing us all too much. Thanks for reading. Love always.

PS - the Bhangra Dance class cancelled. LOL!

Leslie and Shelley.








Happy Birthday, dear Carol!



आनन्दगीत गाना खुशी जन्मदिन!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Bikaner!

Hi everyone....still very little time for the internet as we compete with other travelers....today was once again totally amazing.

Our day began with a visit to a government school in a remote farming area between Mandawa and Bikaner. The headmaster and his staff welcomed us warmly and the children aged 6-13 were beautiful. We managed to spend time in and out of the classroom, Kerry and Cathy using their teaching skills and all of us doing our best to communicate with the children. The students loved having their pictures taken and then seeing themselves in the photo afterwards. Some were very shy but all seemed so pleased to have us visit. We enjoyed a chai tea break with the staff before we moved on. So much to say, but so hard to put the experience into words.

We continued on the road to Bikaner which turns out to be quite a modern city in comparison to Mandawa. Our hotel is once again terrific, with a rooftop restaurant, friendly and accomodating staff and a view of the city that allows you to glimpse into the homes and lives of the local people. We visited the historical fort and our day concluded with a wild race to the Camel Research Facility where over 350 camels reside, including a one hour old baby camel that we were able to observe its first attempt to stand. Kerry and Cathy both thoroughly enjoyed a camel ride while Shelley and Leslie took pictures. Good ones.

The rooms have no heat. Something we did not expect. Last night we froze. Tonight we have heaters. Shelley and I had to spoon to survive the night. The showers may or may not have hot water. It is absolutely a dream to be here so these little things just add to our experience.

Tomorrow is Jodhpur where we will stay for two nights. Happy Birthday dear Carol, we hope you have a wonderful 2011!!! We raised a glass (or two) to you this evening.

Leslie






Saturday, January 1, 2011

Mandawa!





New Delhi!

Note to readers *** The photography below does not belong to any of us. I am using photos from the internet as we have not had an opportunity to upload any of our own. Also the time of these posts does not reflect India time, but it shows as current Vancouver time. Thanks.

In the past 48 hours we have experienced enough to write a book. From our first moments of meeting our dear driver, Dharmender to this evening's sunset in Mandawa, we have had the opportunity to witness the real India. Dharmender helped us explore the morning sights and sounds of Delhi but these events would prove to be small in contrast to our afternoon and evening. We were invited into the private homes of the extended Shokeen Family where we experienced the gracious hospitality that was second to none. It left us speechless. Day one was filled with memories that will last a lifetime as we learned about the Indian culture and their way of life firsthand. Dharmender's family could not have been more welcoming, the New Years Day feast any more delicious, the children more precious. Kerry and Cathy immediately bonded with the teenagers and Leslie gravitated towards the Grandma or Daadeema as she is called. It was quite a start to our India experience and we will be forever grateful for their generous and welcoming spirit.

To drive in Delhi one must learn the game of "chicken." You compete with donkeys, motorbikes, tuktuks, and camels. The horn is the main means of communication, not in anger as it is used in North America, but as a friendly reminder that someone is close on your tail. There are driving laws but they are a suggestion more than a rule. Amazingly, we all feel very safe.

Leslie and Shelley had a laughing fit at bedtime and on reflection cannot remember quite why but it was a great moment.

Today was "The Road to Mandawa" - 7.5 hours of road travel. Mandawa is considered to be a small village of 30,000 and it is famous for it's heritage havelis which were once mansions owned by princes years ago. We hired a local guide who took us on an amazing walking tour which included a rooftop view of the city. A walk down the main drag of the town allowed us to take pictures of a procession of camels coming home from their work day and a cast of local characters who seemed quite fine with our picture taking frenzy. I can only imagine what they might have thought of the four of us oohing and aahing over the cows, the camels and donkeys. One would think we had never seen animals before.

Chai tea is fabulous. All the food thus far has been terrific. We all feel great but are still struggling with the time change. Tonight we hope for a better sleep. On that note....night night sleep tight.

Leslie







Happy New Year from Delhi, India!



नए वर्ष खुश है!

Friday, December 31, 2010

Arrived safe and sound!

Flights on time. Hotel perfect. New Years Eve party on roof! Life is good in India!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

We will be well cared for, Mom....xoxo

This is a letter with the plan for our first day from our new and dear friend, Dharmender. I don't think he would mind me sharing with you...

hii
kerry
it's nice to hear from you
as we are going to met at 11 a.m in the morning we don't have much time to visit whole Delhi
so according to me
firstly i'll take you to my home
here you'll met my family
then there is an old temple up to 10,000 years old in my village
i would like to take you there .......
then there's a local and popular market near my village
from there you can buy salwar kameez because if you buy it from fabindia its quite similar to buying from canada
but in the local market you'll get better variety at cheaper rates.....
and else as you wish we'll do it like that
and don' worry i'm not gonna get bored with you four...
and your botteled water would be ready in my car....
and one more thing rajasthan is too famous for for clothes......
as there are a lots of textiles over there.
and a greater quantity of clothes are exported from there....
and according to me you should prepare a list of items you wanna buy then i'll take you to the places where you can get them at cheaper rates with greater quatilty...
and for your husband tell him that i'll take care of you
and first day we'll not see any tourist place...
you'll be safe with us on hour home
here i'll introduce you to different cultured people...
in the end as always
have a nice day
and may god bless you.


dharmender.......

Monday, December 27, 2010

Waiting. Wondering.

Three more sleeps.

I am sitting alone in my living room. Waiting.

I know it's a big deal for me to be going to India. I feel the reality sinking in. My travel partners are feeling similar thoughts. Leaving your family, your work and your comfort zone for almost a month can be daunting as the time draws near.

I hope I can do this trip justice. I read that India is an amazing experience, a sensory overload of sights, sounds and smells. I don't want to miss any of it.

I don't feel afraid. If anything, I feel more alive than I have in a long, long time. I feel 23 again, and for that I am thankful. I am blessed with this great big life surrounded by a loving and supportive family. I will miss them.

The four of us will all come home with different stories. I wonder what they will be? We will learn new life lessons and I know we will be better for it. The Indian culture and their way of life has always fascinated me and now we get to live it.

Thank you.

Namaste.

Friday, December 17, 2010

As a matter of interest...


Beer in India dates from the early days of the British Empire by the 1700's. Beer was produced in India after the high demand of this refreshing drink by the British administrators and troops in a hot climate country.

Nowadays production of beer keeps on increasing in the Indian beer market, reason why there are plenty of breweries. Some of then are currently producing beers that are brewed for export and are very popular in India as well.

The most famous beer is Kingfisher that is sold in many countries around the world.

Kingfisher
Kingfisher is a beer with history; it is made in India since 1857. It is very popular around the world, this lager contains 5% alcohol is slightly sweet, crisp and refreshing.

Bangla Premium Beer
Bangla is stronger than most Indian beers; it contains 5.5% alcohol and has a fuller flavor and smoother taste. It is a perfect drink to complement a spicy food popular across India.

Lal Toofan
Lal Toofan is a 5% alcohol premium lager brewed with basmati rice, which gives it a good taste in order to go with the Indian cuisine. Its name comes from the red dust storms that show of the desert sands of Rajasthan in Northern India.

Cobra Lager
Cobra Lager is a new style of Indian beers, it contains 5% alcohol, it is an extra smooth lager with full flavor.

Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal premium is brewed by United Breweries which is India's largest brewer that make many brands including Kingfisher and UB Export. Taj Mahal Premium is a 4.5% Crisp hoppy bitter with a clear amber color and a light body that complements many a spicy Indian curry.

Maharaja Lager
Delectable hops and malts in a lighter style lager; good with fruitier preparations of poultry or lamb.

Information from Cocktails From Around World website.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

A Plug for Vedas Indian Restaurant


If you love Indian, you simply must try Vedas at 149 West 3rd Street in North Vancouver. The four of us recently went there for the first time after our field trip to the India Consulate. The restaurant itself is lovely. The staff terrific. The food to die for. Nice extra touches like fresh flowers on the tables and hot, steamy cloths at the end of the delicious experience.

Last night we ordered takeout from Vedas and were not disappointed. Really great Indian dishes. All so fresh and unique.

Give it a try over Christmas if you want a change from turkey and shortbread.

Check out the extensive menu at www.vegasindianrestaurant.com or call 604-973-0123.

Tell them who sent you.

L.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Practice with the itouch

Here we sit at Kerry's having our last planning meeting for India.

Kerry says that at age 47 she is so grateful that she can still experience wonder. She is looking forward to an intellectual adventure.

Cathy says she hopes to see something so totally new...something she has never seen before.

Leslie says she has gratitude for the man who is sending her on this journey and she looks forward to sharing her stories with him.

Shelley says she looks forward to a sensory and spiritual experience.

Namaste.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iTouch

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Dabbawalla


Yesterday I came across an excellent CBC TV series called "India Reborn" which can be viewed online. It is divided into four segments, about an hour in length each. I believe it was originally broadcast in the spring of 2009. I was fascinated to learn about the career of a "Dabbawalla." The Dabbawalla (also spelled dabawalla, dabbawallah) are predominantly entrepreneurial men who pick up and deliver the Tiffin (lunch day meal) to customers (mostly men) in major cities such as Mumbai or Delhi. Dabbawalla in English means something very close to "one who carries a box."

The devoted Indian wife prepares the hot meal in the morning and then packs it in an insulated stainless steel tube with various compartments. The Dabawalla then collects the Lunch Tiffin from home and delivers it to the work place in a record time. Approximately 4,000,000 transactions are done per day with a work force of approximately 5000 employees.. The Error rate is 1 in 16 million transactions. The charge is Rs 300/- per month ($6 per month) This rate is standard for any distance or weight.

Affluent families use this service today to deliver nutritious meals to their children at school.

It is a century old profession and it an integral part of Indian culture.

Factual information above found at wikipedia.org

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Countdown begins today

Today marks one month remaining before our departure to Delhi, India. What began as a pipe dream in a restaurant in Paris on the Las Vegas Strip in May 2009, is now so close to becoming a reality. Sadly missed will be our treasured friend Carol who was one of the original four, and we hope she knows how much she will be thought of throughout our journeys.



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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Emails between the travellers....


Kerry said...

Did anyone catch the Knowledge Network show last night about Indian life centered around their trains? It was AMAZING. I tried to get all of you and no one was home or answering!

It looks like a hoot! My only hmmmmm. How are we gals going to whip medium size suitcases up the stairs and onto the train when the thing sometimes doesn't even come to a complete stop and thousands are milling about? I can't wait!!!!


Leslie said...

I will tell you now that I will not be able to move like the 3 of you can in a rush situation. It's just a fact. I know you guys will help me as much as you can but if I miss the train, I beg of you all, please wave from the window like I see people do on the TV?

Thanks in advance for your consideration of this matter.


Shelley said...


Hahaha!! Leslie, you crack me up.

Listen, I have been working on my upper-body strength at yoga specifically so that I can haul your suitcase for you in India. It's the least I can do for all the work you have done in planning this trip while I sat on my haunches. So you don't worry, Leslie, if anyone gets left behind, it will be me with both of our suitcases!

Kerry said...

I will definitely wave to you on the platform as the train pulls away. But I was thinking that as our first Plan A, we could attach a bungey cord to you. Then when the train gets steamin' along at a good pace, the bungey will kick in and you will be flung ahead to our carriage where you will go splat against the outside wall.

From here, all we have to do is open the window and scrape you in.

Piece of cake planning. No probs. Always looking out for you.


Cathy said...

WE ARE A TEAM! NO ONE WILL BE LEFT BEHIND...THOSE ARE THE RULES.


Leslie said...

It's comforting to know that you will always have my back.

Monday, October 11, 2010

SOLD OUT!


Our fundraiser for the DFN of Canada is sold out!

Deep Cove Yacht Club
Saturday, October 16th, 2010
8pm - midnight
$20.00

Dancing the night away to The Keith Bennett Band!