tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29434547905767580282024-03-05T19:17:57.436-08:00Iowa Guru in the Land of the CoconutsIOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-51720490945353368972015-01-25T01:23:00.001-08:002015-01-25T01:28:19.265-08:00Daily Life, Part IV: The Cost of Living in China<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When we were small I remember when someone said something that seemed unrelated to the conversation people would retort, "What's that got to do with the price of eggs in China?" The saying itself doesn't have much to do with getting off topic either, but there you are. <br />
Exactly what IS the price of eggs in China? Well, for me it's a wet market purchase, so if you follow my blog regularly you'll know that I'm not quite sure what I pay for things there, because they ball up all your purchases and announce a price, all without a receipt. But the price of things in China is an interesting topic.<br />
Some things are much cheaper than the U.S., and others are outrageously expensive. In the first category I would put most Chinese restaurants, and by Chinese I mean those that are serving mostly Chinese people, and also those Chinese who are NOT part of the burgeoning consumer-class of pretty well-off people who are very much into conspicuous consumption. Just your average Chinese citizen can get a pretty good meal for a few bucks. In my last blog I wrote about a restaurant that is probably for fairly affluent customers, but the bill was still only around 12 USD. However, if you go to many of the very new restaurants here, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese, and all of the western menu ones, you are going to pay high end prices. It's good food, but your bill for two is going to be similar to what you would pay in America, which is NOT what I'm looking for while I'm not in America. Today for brunch I paid 8 USD for a waffle. It had some other weird stuff on the plate, a scoop of vanilla ice cream with unripe mango, but still, that was steep. Coffee drinks are another example of high end products. While I'm not a coffee drinker, S is and I'm always a little alarmed at how much those fancy mocha, latte whip-creamy-type coffees are. However, I'm pretty sure they are expensive in the U.S. as well.<br />
Produce is another subject. Fruit is usually cheaper, though when I buy blueberries here I pay 20 RMB, which is 3.20 USD for a half-pint. However, I don't fuss about it because (1) they have fresh, quality blueberries for sale, which I never saw in India and (2) it's amazing that they have them fresh here this time of the year and (3) they are supposed to be a super healthy food, so I put this item under "health needs" on my budget instead of food. Avocados, same story. I paid 12 RMB (2 bucks) for an avocado, and I thank my lucky stars I can enjoy the luscious fruit once more. Vegetables are cheap, extremely cheap. Even beautiful, diverse, extremely fresh mushrooms are about 1/4 of the cost they would be in America.<br />
Clothing is another item where racing to be Western (or just consumers) has resulted in quite expensive clothing. I was at a gym in Chengdu and saw some great yoga pants. They were over 100 USD. I thought I wasn't calculating correctly but the Chengdu Panda pulled me away, warning me that the price of clothing would not be Indian-like. Not even close. If I go to H & M or Mango, I can expect to pay what Europeans are paying for the clothes, if I can find my size, which the marketers of the stores smartly decided wasn't going to be the size of the average Chinese shopper. High end clothing items abound, including shoes. I found a Clarks Shoes store, and saw a shoe I bought for 50 USD over the summer; they were 240 dollars here, American dollars, not the Chinese RMB. The import taxes for luxury goods must be crazy high, or the stores think crazy people will buy them. Which is another fact of life here; while there is a good supply of high end malls selling high end goods, there are NOT people lining up to buy the goods in the high end shops that I see. Of course that could be because rich people don't shop on the weekends like us normals, or it could be that they send normal looking people to do their shopping for them. I can't tell, and have no inside information on this yet.<br />
Our apartment is 6000 RMB/month, which is about 1,000 USD. It's got 3 bedrooms, one quite small, but I wonder how much cheaper that is than a similar sized city in US. I've not rented an apartment for a long time in the U.S. so I couldn't say. Our utilities are probably pretty cheap, but the way in which I pay for them makes it difficult to tell. Here's how the school figured out would be easiest for us. They assign us a realtor who helps us find an apartment. After we have our apartment that person then becomes our life line to anything local. We can call them with any question, and many do. However, for the paying of the utilities, I give this real estate agent some cash. They then receive all our bills for internet, gas, electricity and pay the bills until they are out of money, at which point they call and request more money. When they come to collect the money, they give us all the old receipts for the bills they've paid. That's all great but the receipts are in Mandarin, so I pretend to look them over then toss them.<br />
Last, the price of services in China seems strikingly low for the most part. I imagine it's due to the billion or so people who live here, but it's a good thing for us. We recently got our motorcycle, really an electric bike, repaired for 5 kuai, which is less than a dollar. I had to pay a guy to come put nails in my wall, and he charged me by the nail, which was 10 rm., which was pretty steep. I'm afraid he charged me the infamous ex-pat tax. I would have done it myself, but I couldn't find either a nail nor a hardware store. He came without a hammer, though, so I had to lend him mine. I wanted to charge him a "didn't-come-prepared" tax.<br />
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-81909505389900667112014-07-08T03:14:00.001-07:002014-07-08T03:14:41.501-07:0010 Great Things about India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's impossible to list all the great things I've experienced in India, especially all the kind-hearted people, but there are a few that deserve special mention, along with some final photos the last day we were in India.<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Mangoes, the best I’ve ever consumed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also the Keralan epicurean delights of appam, dosas,
and the coconut curries, and the paneer of the north and the lassis from M.I.
Road in Jaipur<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Fabulous Textiles, hand-block prints, embroidery
work, silks, and cottons<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Mughal era Palaces:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Udaipur’s, Jodphur’s, and Jaipur’s were all
winners<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sari Shops:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both the products and the shopping experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saris are the coolest clothing I’ve ever
worn, and probably ever will.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Nature, from the gorgeous coffee plantations of
Wayanad, to the especially exotic birds like kingfishers, green bee eaters, and
water fowl of every color of the rainbow<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The beach at Kovalam, 30 minutes from our home
in Trivandrum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t get there often
enough, but it was enough just to know it was there if we needed to escape.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Great traditions and festivals of both the
Rajastanis and Keralan people, especially Devali in Jaipur and Onam in
Trivandrum<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The people, all the friends we made and all the
people who were friendly and curious and very pro-American<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Cheap books<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->JLF:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jaipur Literature Festival:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>enuf said<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p>There are dozens of other things, but I'm here in China now, and it's time to say good-bye to India for now.</o:p></div>
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<o:p>Here's a link to the my new blog which will illustrate my life in China…. http://iowalaoshi.blogspot.com<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EQy_DNFQyxamZOpxQ85WejSL6_IhGieE0nAuAALeF3YH1wOqtDeeg-lqabfkkf8VxzEZfa_wwF6seQUJKh195qmxB4LuZbl7N3pkLKThtc8yi0GBqQk6AZqbjlK8v8Tn4u5i3rteW1c/s1600/Ambassador+classic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EQy_DNFQyxamZOpxQ85WejSL6_IhGieE0nAuAALeF3YH1wOqtDeeg-lqabfkkf8VxzEZfa_wwF6seQUJKh195qmxB4LuZbl7N3pkLKThtc8yi0GBqQk6AZqbjlK8v8Tn4u5i3rteW1c/s1600/Ambassador+classic.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambassador: Soon to be Discontinued</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TGAn26bKXKzPwxjHY5EUWVIggpuSYoVeI9llg8p9j6Uz2Y6P1wBappTD46XoltLQYJcsIAXyoXJXwU6S2ewpWBPH8FABW6ntp85ZbpoTTWV7yEhUKcalHNvfe4gaiYwU3QDhtIOJYb4/s1600/squid+and+coconut+chips+Keralan+Style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TGAn26bKXKzPwxjHY5EUWVIggpuSYoVeI9llg8p9j6Uz2Y6P1wBappTD46XoltLQYJcsIAXyoXJXwU6S2ewpWBPH8FABW6ntp85ZbpoTTWV7yEhUKcalHNvfe4gaiYwU3QDhtIOJYb4/s1600/squid+and+coconut+chips+Keralan+Style.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squid and Coconut Chips Keralan Style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelSpQxqpkDh3wB3NY_XspWp5IyWc3aWTuRFhpYg26AGHgsPSDuJR_5lyeKH1s3eSeiNsaPE-g6gGSlYxN_5OYGL1N9yTlWV2n-x4dXwGPA9KoiOjieRG9_KP-zD14oFCn2LDGUuXBWCA/s1600/Elvis's+in+the+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelSpQxqpkDh3wB3NY_XspWp5IyWc3aWTuRFhpYg26AGHgsPSDuJR_5lyeKH1s3eSeiNsaPE-g6gGSlYxN_5OYGL1N9yTlWV2n-x4dXwGPA9KoiOjieRG9_KP-zD14oFCn2LDGUuXBWCA/s1600/Elvis's+in+the+house.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy Nature…Elvis is in the House on this one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy_060Pfp0s6tw4cllj5XWmorxAsU7virndXN_mosLFEXfWSIPocXMZoSB-gnye5A5bVJ68Bh1PpI-bo0QWyX-KbD3NjQOV1wgzVKBVePNIMsTQ2ntpizwbHcurEwitw_P-NsuM53ozc/s1600/gate+and+facade+of+house+down+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmy_060Pfp0s6tw4cllj5XWmorxAsU7virndXN_mosLFEXfWSIPocXMZoSB-gnye5A5bVJ68Bh1PpI-bo0QWyX-KbD3NjQOV1wgzVKBVePNIMsTQ2ntpizwbHcurEwitw_P-NsuM53ozc/s1600/gate+and+facade+of+house+down+street.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright colors like this house down our street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t8Ypc1dk2ocZVw7-7G-9e43IH9bZaouA_mkNGQq1EnFchVZMjIST26rvcynPE4Uru4pIT0ijVTn-JDjy-0ZlopDG17PQRxwG9ldtbPdvOpn8Ya-KjHUWS_gd-yUA2p8w1rK6oLr7yUg/s1600/punker+bird+with+rat+tail+hairdo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t8Ypc1dk2ocZVw7-7G-9e43IH9bZaouA_mkNGQq1EnFchVZMjIST26rvcynPE4Uru4pIT0ijVTn-JDjy-0ZlopDG17PQRxwG9ldtbPdvOpn8Ya-KjHUWS_gd-yUA2p8w1rK6oLr7yUg/s1600/punker+bird+with+rat+tail+hairdo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again with the crazy looks from the birds with the rat tail</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs9bZbCm8m1b5lIzRLBqIkX7qc0NHQosSIVYW7ejzVEXh-Z0kmPbW4g6o3y5AG4A7JNvsFLpkcdUinN0AQKaTq34vqkWdmQi0oOfU8fiQK2hGdv6E-OKjxXLeRBdZhK7ANYTFLEwgatA/s1600/small+durga+temple+in+triv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKs9bZbCm8m1b5lIzRLBqIkX7qc0NHQosSIVYW7ejzVEXh-Z0kmPbW4g6o3y5AG4A7JNvsFLpkcdUinN0AQKaTq34vqkWdmQi0oOfU8fiQK2hGdv6E-OKjxXLeRBdZhK7ANYTFLEwgatA/s1600/small+durga+temple+in+triv.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durga Temple full of color and Hindu symbolism</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbhr2TnUJ8RiZ93uJqwpovQA-F7GsznFd_csqS0G-6HiTWIXaGyBHbmnLs57Up7j561UEGcXgVHVfVg2TB2EbUfCIFEezTuGeM1BYDElItm5FOk5jPl2G6g6b3xEipFSRSSB82BGnNuY/s1600/Temple+of+Gold+in+Trivandrum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbhr2TnUJ8RiZ93uJqwpovQA-F7GsznFd_csqS0G-6HiTWIXaGyBHbmnLs57Up7j561UEGcXgVHVfVg2TB2EbUfCIFEezTuGeM1BYDElItm5FOk5jPl2G6g6b3xEipFSRSSB82BGnNuY/s1600/Temple+of+Gold+in+Trivandrum.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous Temple with Loads of Gold in the Basement!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J44gWdwAvqpbNo0TRRbAWT4a9AFfh78XjKoc5ozrM3YpaAxqGjMEVI0XfVeGUbvGuHXFFChbEtDEVCi0LeDxxeFtkMui1KtpE-q7AzHrCO7KOBtLJlM6ZfhuHcwDyk4LfB4KdFmxVjw/s1600/peacock+topiary+in+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J44gWdwAvqpbNo0TRRbAWT4a9AFfh78XjKoc5ozrM3YpaAxqGjMEVI0XfVeGUbvGuHXFFChbEtDEVCi0LeDxxeFtkMui1KtpE-q7AzHrCO7KOBtLJlM6ZfhuHcwDyk4LfB4KdFmxVjw/s1600/peacock+topiary+in+park.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just because we can, we do...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds7PU-IeoUWT6D4mRsee6K0Hyq7CFyRQzvDmu9pAhdqbRf-yNkf6Th4OVSbKNMSgaAcNCTpd1Va3uXHQ8po9daaS79SpbEBE0q6XmC71VsZQmw_NRsnumapQ9_zaQ33zK75Jvez5mLhY/s1600/banana+chips+from+Maha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds7PU-IeoUWT6D4mRsee6K0Hyq7CFyRQzvDmu9pAhdqbRf-yNkf6Th4OVSbKNMSgaAcNCTpd1Va3uXHQ8po9daaS79SpbEBE0q6XmC71VsZQmw_NRsnumapQ9_zaQ33zK75Jvez5mLhY/s1600/banana+chips+from+Maha.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD1Y2tXWiZKk1c6iBrOvDmQZDuKFEppHDBiTh0yFDMjOgnEsvpyBndDQW2m7nbqTmh2S9VKOGRd-yVtrJyYyr-BqXdCJn1xiFnJuw-9PVkZOAI_ypYSyAfNh-3fiQuxyHGH0H0YKSXQ8/s1600/sunset+on+the+way+to+China.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhD1Y2tXWiZKk1c6iBrOvDmQZDuKFEppHDBiTh0yFDMjOgnEsvpyBndDQW2m7nbqTmh2S9VKOGRd-yVtrJyYyr-BqXdCJn1xiFnJuw-9PVkZOAI_ypYSyAfNh-3fiQuxyHGH0H0YKSXQ8/s1600/sunset+on+the+way+to+China.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Maha's Famous Banana Masala Chips and Sunset from Plane on way to China</td></tr>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-68768062113331972982014-07-01T21:28:00.002-07:002014-07-08T02:37:29.950-07:00Jaipur Redux<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today is our last day in Trivandrum, and there is some
unfinished business to report.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, I
was in Jaipur last week for a week, and it was an unhuman temperature of 49-50
degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do the conversion; it’s too
scary for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked with a great group of women who I’ve been training for 2 years as master trainers and they were
great fun as usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picture below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great fun to see old friends, old haunts, and see the peacocks in full strut at Rambagh Palace. Here
are some great pictures of various poses the peacocks struck: <a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZgoTsy">https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZgoTsy</a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhcv3Ri_0ec-c_XOuLYQGGLmlYjYpOI96YZxT0QeaShrkc-VIDIe8GLbxvpjNh9_XhAjbMbGoBbv9yVjkzTpwd8kcXyGNiWxIB7YGlwBVo8DMkYmp6GZXpIJbW4-jOqILNSWPfd1nq5s/s1600/master+trainers+June+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhcv3Ri_0ec-c_XOuLYQGGLmlYjYpOI96YZxT0QeaShrkc-VIDIe8GLbxvpjNh9_XhAjbMbGoBbv9yVjkzTpwd8kcXyGNiWxIB7YGlwBVo8DMkYmp6GZXpIJbW4-jOqILNSWPfd1nq5s/s1600/master+trainers+June+2014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also failed to post my “Monsoon is Here” blog, because I
couldn’t get my super short videos (7 seconds) to load for some reason. Here
are some pics of monsoon time:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYWqUUN">https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYWqUUN</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me just describe the wind bending the
trees:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was lots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The monsoon weather here is a little odd,
because I expected daily sheets of rain, backed up gutters, flooding in the
streets, etc, but it’s been much much less than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had 2-3 days where it doesn’t rain at
all and sometimes it’s gorgeous weather with a cool ocean breeze and sunny
skies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days it’s sultry and humid
to a point where it eventually rains just to relieve itself of the humidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was told that Trivandrum doesn’t receive
“the rains” nearly as much as most other parts of Kerala, for some unknown
reason, and there is worry here that they are receiving far too little and will
suffer in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also
some clicks of a textile showcumsale at the bottom of the hill where I may or
may not have purchased the gorgeous handsewn dupatta the man is holding up…
Look for it on our sofa in China when you come visit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Enough on the rain, the big news since my last blog is we’re headed to
China!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got a great job in Suzhou,
China, about 30 minutes by bullet train to the north of Shanghai, on the
eastern seaboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an IB school, and
I’ll be coordinating ESL programs and also teaching, probably 4<sup>th</sup>
grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a private school which was
constructed with the purpose of teaching the kids of ex-pats who are working on
the IT Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be living in a
gated compound of some sort and it has lots of Western amenities, so it will be
a change for us from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The school’s
population is quite similar to that of Weber’s, so I’m looking forward to
working with about 40 nationalities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here’s the link to the school:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.ssis-suzhou.net/index.aspx">http://www.ssis-suzhou.net/index.aspx</a>
Caution:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s such a bright future you
may need sunglasses!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a welcome
return to the world of the knee-high humans, and the administration and school
seem very welcoming and organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes,
organized, sigh….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomorrow I’ll be writing my last <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Land of the Coconuts</i> blog, with a list of favorites from India and
a link to a new blog site, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Iowa Laoshi in
the Middle Kingdom</b></i>, which will chronicle first our two-week visit to
Chengdu and #1 daughter which starts on July 4, then our two years in Suzhou (yep, signed a 2-year contract,
but there were enough perks on the contract I didn’t read that calendar part
carefully. )<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After having to pack up
everything for the 3<sup>rd</sup> time in as many years, I’m ready to put down
some roots, and hope we will see lots more of Daughter #1, and probably #2 as well, craving the China vibe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-8843903353193483242014-06-12T20:59:00.002-07:002014-06-13T02:04:39.915-07:00World Cup a la Kerala<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are some times when I miss having a TV, and right about now is one of them, the advent of the World Cup. I've got the fever, and I don't want the cure, I just want a TV. S. wants a TV, too, but so he can watch his beloved Spurs win the NBA. It's not going to happen for either of us, and forget about a sports bar where we might watch it, except someone is going to sponsor a televising of a game, but it's at the techno park outside the city I've never been to, so again, not going to happen.<br />
At least I'm in the right state for World Cup news, because Kerala is one of the few states in the country that doesn't equate sports with cricket and more cricket. There is even a league in the state, and some people have organized a tournament along the coast to honor the World Cup. 16 teams will vie for the ability to be in the semi-finals, and they will be held the day before the real ones, and the Keralan teams will wear the colors of the teams who are actually in the semis. Sounds like a good time, but I can't even Google this city and get anything, so I don't think I'll be partaking of the fun. Spellings are a bit arbitrary, to say the least.<br />
In other WC (World Cup) news, I read a great piece in our local newspaper about a couple of octogenarians who are set to attend their 9th consecutive World Cup games in Brazil. They are shown holding up their air tickets in the attending photo and they look pretty intense. They are quoted as saying …."You cannot even imagine how seriously we take the World Cup." I think I can, actually. They might be my new role models. They said they went to their first ones in Spain a few decades back and saw how much of a party atmosphere it was, so decided they should go to all of them. They live on a very modest pension but save carefully for each WC. People with their eyes on the prize, I would say! Safe travels and get these people a vuvuzuela, or whatever the Brazilian equivalent of that is. <br />
BTW, VIVA MEXICO… Tonight against Cameroon (sorry, younger daughter). I do like Eto, but Mexico is home of beans and rice and all things sabroso, so, once again, ÁNDALE, MEXICO!<br />
<br />
In other more mundane news, there was an article yesterday about a scientific breakthrough regarding malaria in the labs of London. One scientist declared a "huge advancement" in the reduction and possible eradication of the disease, because they have perfected the serum for a vaccine that renders mosquitos doomed to produce only male offspring, which don't bite.<br />
First of all, what's with all the anger biting, female sisters of 6 legs??? Second, I think this pronouncement is a little premature, as the procedure involves injecting a serum that alters the genetic code. Think about it…. Have they figured out a way to get all the mosquitos to get in line for their shots? Or perhaps perfected a secret wrestling move to pin them down? There were no particulars about this part of the game, so I am thinking there is still more work to do. I think it's reminiscent of the Aesop Fable of Belling the Cat. It will be a wonderful day when malaria is arrested and perhaps eliminated, but there was another article right under it about how polio eradication may miss another goal. Lots of work to do in the global health arena, but I know one woman who is ON IT.<br />
<br />
Finally, sadly, more shootings in our country. Such a great country with such a huge glaring Achilles Heel. It was interesting to see even Obama show some frustration over how to respond, although I'm sure that's his usual emotion on most days given the ineptitude of Congress to do much of anything. When I talk about it to nonAmericans, I try to explain that legislators are mostly scared of the powerful gun lobby, the NRA. That doesn't make any sense to them, or to me, but it's the sad truth. How did we ever permit our legislators to be bought and sold and is there a way to put the Genie (money) back in the bottle? No answer for that one.<br />
Happy picture for the ending….The walled gate across the street from our apartment complex was newly painted, and then the rains washed it. Pretty, isn't it? I love the Malayalam print but also the incredibly long word written in Roman script as well. I don't know what it means because all I can see on the other side of the gate is an empty lot with some banana plants and coconut trees. Beats me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywydO5t00mT-vD1g8jlswrPFkksKo4ySYDxu_3sJ6nIbSc-AfkNJ9mjASoR5ZAW1gQwNCA4KpHAim86P7jIst0A6EQwhDtUyya3KRpM9TGVoLOlHh7QmEfDYNbK5srgd8tAHN_pTzsCk/s1600/typical+walled+street+across+the+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywydO5t00mT-vD1g8jlswrPFkksKo4ySYDxu_3sJ6nIbSc-AfkNJ9mjASoR5ZAW1gQwNCA4KpHAim86P7jIst0A6EQwhDtUyya3KRpM9TGVoLOlHh7QmEfDYNbK5srgd8tAHN_pTzsCk/s1600/typical+walled+street+across+the+street.jpg" height="151" width="320" /></a></div>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-42447369979422304802014-06-12T05:24:00.001-07:002014-06-12T05:36:52.756-07:00Monsoon Season Arrives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
While we were in Delhi last week we read that the monsoon had reached our fair city, which is about as close to the tip of India as you can get, save one other city where few people live. This idea of the monsoon's arrival was confirmed by my Keralan students that week, but when our driver picked us up from the airport and I asked him how the monsoon was going, he laughed and looked at me a little funny and said, "There is no monsoon yet, mam. Tomorrow night it will come. This is just a little rain." <br />
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So much for weather accuracy, which is equally poor on the plains of the Miwest as it is in the deep south of India. Of course he was right, and last Sunday the rains began in earnest. It is so far very enjoyable, no floods, no one getting hurt. The awful humidity of May is forgotten, replaced by fresh breezes which sometimes erupt into gales, which herald an upcoming downpour. When the rain begins, it is mostly silent, so you can hear it hit all the greenery, and not much else. Occasionally there is a rumble of thunder, but that's not typical. Mostly the humidity builds, the grey clouds roll through, and when it's at its threshold, the sky opens and down comes the rain. I tried to capture it on my camera, but it's hard to film rain, so it looks like it's not raining. However, if you look into the horizon you see what appears to be a mist or fog, which is actually light rain. Sometimes the rain is pouring sheets of intensity, but that doesn't seem to last too long. I read in today's newspaper that the "real monsoon intensity" will be felt from "…tonight onward" whatever that means. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWlsyAPeu2n0oYJLNfDoQm8CRRhnNzk4FSaUtMPDeWMNq-h0f57_hgdPf8gB57Ab5s30sD6ln0_XpZ4W8Vcpf1QTCfQkhyfem-nJ7YbNaZib4ua3PS528mJv7MlfinRjMKYzxTC1LNkU/s1600/gingerbread+museum+washed+in+the+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWlsyAPeu2n0oYJLNfDoQm8CRRhnNzk4FSaUtMPDeWMNq-h0f57_hgdPf8gB57Ab5s30sD6ln0_XpZ4W8Vcpf1QTCfQkhyfem-nJ7YbNaZib4ua3PS528mJv7MlfinRjMKYzxTC1LNkU/s1600/gingerbread+museum+washed+in+the+rain.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>I like the way the rain is washing the buildings like this museum at our park at the bottom of the hill, making everything a little brighter, as does the gentle light fil<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn8QP0qBNgPr83lnjSceLEgvVId5eOElLZ4dcMFWcoxB1546m0tZ1kV2ChxeQJTlU5FkursefKGJn726E3BDwQfYtnr1UOhev3XL97XJe9qzgfgYJi4UrYBt4hol_HetibzF8p09lFaQ/s1600/monsoon+rain+and+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn8QP0qBNgPr83lnjSceLEgvVId5eOElLZ4dcMFWcoxB1546m0tZ1kV2ChxeQJTlU5FkursefKGJn726E3BDwQfYtnr1UOhev3XL97XJe9qzgfgYJi4UrYBt4hol_HetibzF8p09lFaQ/s1600/monsoon+rain+and+green.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwud7BNULLtQEU0Sa6n82ETzbvUVw2cUZ5BIRFd9_zE6dCjdh5xfZrIeg-OrQZfo6s_HhH52EY3e32VgLimjyH1BqmKNBqcDABEK9XZC3E5f6sJek5t644eRqcDY4OEN-b3f60ukqv-U/s1600/neem+tree+in+full+bloom+for+monsoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwud7BNULLtQEU0Sa6n82ETzbvUVw2cUZ5BIRFd9_zE6dCjdh5xfZrIeg-OrQZfo6s_HhH52EY3e32VgLimjyH1BqmKNBqcDABEK9XZC3E5f6sJek5t644eRqcDY4OEN-b3f60ukqv-U/s1600/neem+tree+in+full+bloom+for+monsoon.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neem tree comes into full bloom just as Monsoon rains arrive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
tered through the clouds. I have relearned my rule of watching the natives and copying them, because today I was ready to head to the florist when I noticed a strong breeze and no one on the street. I decided to sit on the terrace and get a little film of the winds and see what developed. An hour later the rain stopped and people started to appear, so I put on my shoes and grabbed my purse, and my umbrella, and was on my way. There is a relaxed, quieter pace now that the rains have arrived, and I'm all for it. The children started school on the first of the month, too, so there are far fewer Indian tourist buses on the street leading to our apartment. So far, monsoon is working well for me.</div>
IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-85954362358236564972014-06-05T10:42:00.004-07:002014-06-05T10:50:14.505-07:00The Beginning of the End<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sitting in a car in a traffic snarl in Delhi seems an apt
time to begin a blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels somehow familiar being back in the
north of the country; I turned in recognition when I heard someone use a
familiar Hindi phrase yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was odd in
itself because I only know about 10 or 15 phrases, but still, it’s more than
I’ve accomplished in Malayalam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
eager to eat some grilled paneer, that dreamy spongy tofu-like cheese of the
north, because in the south they serve it hard and flavorless and rarely
grilled, where the tandoor ovens are always cooking something yummy in the
north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Delhi is still a snarly, steamy, congested concrete jungle. I’m currently reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Capital</i>
by Rana Dasgupta, which is a riveting account of how Delhi broke free from
economic controls in the 1990s and the subsequent consequences of the growth.
Actually it’s much more than that, and it’s filled with anecdotes and stories
that make you forget you’re reading a nonfiction account of the history of a
city, which is always a plus for me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
only about half way through it, but it’s a great read for anyone who wants to
get one person’s perspective on what is wrong and right with the nation’s
capital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He makes a lot of interesting
assertions, which he doesn’t bother to back up with research, so I’m also a fan
for that attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throw your opinions
around and let others worry about their merit, I say!<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’re on the first leg of a farewell tour of some of our
Indian haunts, and it’s always a respite to come here for the great international restaurants and pampering
hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> There is a certain patisserie here that always seems to draw me in; here's a picture of why.</span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev5tmRAfvo2NZvHEVkT_Zk1de4H6ypnaHhFgDc2cpxCLhfvu_PXp5VLANIXhXjty3vPDS7FD8v93tlAYv3N7C4WXlqTmH7Za9dOyWsJrfGu1A9FUGkRlkw0AP54LazgoPyNrzQcbgzRU/s1600/eclair+and+2+macarons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev5tmRAfvo2NZvHEVkT_Zk1de4H6ypnaHhFgDc2cpxCLhfvu_PXp5VLANIXhXjty3vPDS7FD8v93tlAYv3N7C4WXlqTmH7Za9dOyWsJrfGu1A9FUGkRlkw0AP54LazgoPyNrzQcbgzRU/s1600/eclair+and+2+macarons.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev5tmRAfvo2NZvHEVkT_Zk1de4H6ypnaHhFgDc2cpxCLhfvu_PXp5VLANIXhXjty3vPDS7FD8v93tlAYv3N7C4WXlqTmH7Za9dOyWsJrfGu1A9FUGkRlkw0AP54LazgoPyNrzQcbgzRU/s1600/eclair+and+2+macarons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev5tmRAfvo2NZvHEVkT_Zk1de4H6ypnaHhFgDc2cpxCLhfvu_PXp5VLANIXhXjty3vPDS7FD8v93tlAYv3N7C4WXlqTmH7Za9dOyWsJrfGu1A9FUGkRlkw0AP54LazgoPyNrzQcbgzRU/s1600/eclair+and+2+macarons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGBqTgFe_6mZu9tTkYjxzOxA03BmuJ6jFztddPAVqrWa1UHvujzSNci73_dflw3sa5ZFxl90bbg_CGvwHO-ee5p47merur07S5i8IWjutuxVuJrJiksoafiXiyMdeHUZyvqZgWDfR5e0/s1600/lap+of+luxury+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGBqTgFe_6mZu9tTkYjxzOxA03BmuJ6jFztddPAVqrWa1UHvujzSNci73_dflw3sa5ZFxl90bbg_CGvwHO-ee5p47merur07S5i8IWjutuxVuJrJiksoafiXiyMdeHUZyvqZgWDfR5e0/s1600/lap+of+luxury+flowers.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers in our room.</td></tr>
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A word about our current hotel, <i>The Lalit,</i> is also warranted.
When you are a returning customer of a certain level star hotel here in
India, you are greeted by name at the door by someone whose job it is to make
you feel special. They whisk you away to
your room for signing in (no need to stand in line with the riff raff, you are
their “valued client”) where you are feted with fresh flowers, chocolates,
massage and meal coupons. It makes me
worry about fitting in my work with all this pampering there is to be done… I
could definitely learn to make this a habit, but I believe this is it for the
fancy hotels and such.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<!--EndFragment--><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjev5tmRAfvo2NZvHEVkT_Zk1de4H6ypnaHhFgDc2cpxCLhfvu_PXp5VLANIXhXjty3vPDS7FD8v93tlAYv3N7C4WXlqTmH7Za9dOyWsJrfGu1A9FUGkRlkw0AP54LazgoPyNrzQcbgzRU/s1600/eclair+and+2+macarons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;">There are some silly luxuries, too, like the TV that's in the bathroom. Not sure who asked for that one. I do like printing stuff by sending it to the front desk and watching it come sliding under my door later, and swimming in their luxurious pool at sunset, and playing "stump-the-concierge" by asking some pretty odd questions that he is quite capable of handling. We leave Delhi in a day, and I'm ready to escape the furnace-like heat and head back to Trivandrum for our last few days there, where the monsoon arrived earlier this week and the temperatures and humidity took a nose dive. Should be interesting to see what monsoon looks like close up. BTW, I just heard what I'm pretty sure were gun shots, so even though I'm in the safe enclosure of this posh hotel, I'm glad to be on the 25th floor!</span></a></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-81305296110961258912014-06-05T10:33:00.002-07:002014-06-05T10:33:49.891-07:00Being the "Foreigner"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
One truth about living in the South, in a capital city with
little to no international tourist traffic is the fact that most places I go, I
am an oddity, and I’m gawked at by a variety of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly it is kids, but there are also adults
who stop, look, conjure an English phrase and try it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy to have the same conversation over
and over, because they enjoy it, and also a part of my job is public diplomacy, although I hope I'd be nice even if it wasn't in my job description. Once they have decided to engage the stranger, the conversation inevitably goes something
like this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indian:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hi!<br />
ME:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hi!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How are you?<br />
Indian: (giggles) Fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are YOU?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ME:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m fine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indian:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s your
good name?<br />
ME:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connie, What’s yours?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indian:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Varied
response.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indian:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming from?<br />
ME:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m from the U.S., the United
States.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indian:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, America!
GOOD GOOD GOOD!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ME:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I live in
Vellayambalam, working with the government of Kerala.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indian:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow,
great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you find India?<br />
ME:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people are very friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indian: Ok, Good bye!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ME:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BYE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>Most of the time I just recite my part of the dialogue and don’t think much about it, but
sometimes it gives me pause. On the day of this picture, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhEeTL0ENGDJRFgBywyEaOfYb1bcMVNR5Hedcal6sVLv2ldDissYXroN3IDQbH7CVUxU_S24QK5S4jpVhV8CMvXoT4TCOquFO_7PoeWeBC5yfs1IcUqFKOGWUcBcaKKX_7HPVi8XPSmM/s1600/con+with+excited+Indian+young+women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhEeTL0ENGDJRFgBywyEaOfYb1bcMVNR5Hedcal6sVLv2ldDissYXroN3IDQbH7CVUxU_S24QK5S4jpVhV8CMvXoT4TCOquFO_7PoeWeBC5yfs1IcUqFKOGWUcBcaKKX_7HPVi8XPSmM/s1600/con+with+excited+Indian+young+women.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></div>
I was reclining on a
chair at the beach, relaxing and letting the salty breeze blow through my hair. These 4 young maidens crept up on me and just
stood there giggling until I got up and started the dialogue. They were
cute, and I’m a sucker for kids so when they wanted pictures I was all smiles. I wished then they were fluent in English
because I wanted to know the purpose of them having a photo taken with a
stranger. Who did they want to show it
to? What story would they tell? What was I, exactly, to them? In a few years time, when they saw it in an
album, surely they, too, would wonder what I was doing in the picture of their
outing?<br />
Then a woman, their mom, I believe, asked shyly, gesturing nonverbally, to have
her picture taken with me. I was happy
to extend some positive vibes her way, and felt honored to be asked into
their pictures. She was pleased as punch and all I had to do was be friendly. There is something to this smile and don't ask questions diplomacy plan!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I started wondering if we Americans have a similar habit of
talking to “the other” when we see them in our country, but I had a hard time
imagining a circumstance or conversation that rang true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s because we’re not as
friendly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or more private?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or we aren’t comfortable striking up a
conversation with a stranger even though we might be curious? I know I was a
naïve kid, curious about anything from another culture growing up in a
small-town in the Midwest, but I couldn’t remember such an exchange with
someone from another culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it
was because I never saw anyone from another culture, you say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could be, or it could be that it wasn’t acceptable
to speak with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard to say… Any thoughts, anyone?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-75204524091787078452014-06-05T10:27:00.000-07:002014-06-05T10:27:00.678-07:00Carbon Paper Lives On!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I’m not one to carry on about things (HA!) and I thought I
was pretty well acclimated to the bureaucratic ways of Indian every day life,
but last week I witnessed 2 instances of papering that still impressed me in its abundance. I take my
ironing to the “dry wash” (dry cleaning) every week, but last week it was hard
not to crawl into their small space and reorganize, or make that organize their
operation with one change that would give them twice as much time in their work
day. <br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When you approach the window you see a variety of old paper
and newspaper strewn in many directions on a shelf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the clerk sees you, she tears off a
piece, grabs a pencil, and writes an inventory of what you’ve brought in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looks over the clothing thoroughly to
point out any stain or tear, then tallies the clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once that is completed, she will search
around under the strewn papers for a receipt book, where she will commence to
copy the list she just made on the paper scrap into the receipt book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She does this, making 2 carbon copies, then gives me a copy for
retrieval. I smile, take my slip, and wish them a good day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> The system is
working fine for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it’s my
internal toe-tapping that is the real problem, so I suppress the urge for
reform and get back in the car.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Second, I saw something repeated
in an airport line that I’ve often seen, and it doesn’t fit my American
sensibilities and desire for efficiency either.…..The weight limits of checked
baggage is carefully checked and fines are assessed if someone has too much
stuff stuffed into the bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fine,
acceptable, that’s fair. I’ve been dinged several times, and I just open my
wallet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually the procedure to pay the
fine means returning to “GO” (accompanied by a very polite airline
representative, lest you stray), <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which
is the ticket office by the entrance of the airport, paying your fine, and then
cutting the boarding pass line to get your boarding passes and luggage
tags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, however, the person in
front of me was guilty, and the airline representative took out a receipt book
to charge her “there itself” as they say here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is progress, I thought!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
it was, sort of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in front of
him was a computer with all her information in it, and yet he handwrote her
receipt in triplicate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This country is
FULL of software engineers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely one
of them could take an hour and write a program that would allow the airline
staff to use her data in the computer to spit out a receipt for the baggage overage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Has no one thought of that, I wondered….Of course they COULD do it, but no one in charge has yet seen a need to do it. Again a case of my internal toe tapping, which means I’ve not spent enough
time in this country to be comfortable with ALL the daily routines!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Oh, and just so you don’t think you’ve
figured out what’s going to happen in a given situation, we were over on our
baggage weight, too, but when I told him we would just carry on one of the bags
to avoid the fine, he said ok, no problem, go ahead and check it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line was long, we were nearing time to
board, and the man was tired of writing, no doubt. I do enjoy the randomness of it all when it turns in my favor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-65988544991680291072014-05-22T06:53:00.002-07:002014-05-22T06:58:17.078-07:00Den of Iniquity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I found out yesterday while waiting for my driver by the portico that I live in a house of ill repute, at least according to the management's standards. I wish I knew more specifics, because my this letter is tantalizing! Sad part is, we've not been invited to any of these bacchanals. How depraved could it be if the families are renting their apartments to other families? Oh well, my imagination is fertile.<br />
BTW, there are several questionable word usages, but it only adds to the enjoyment of the reading. The overwriting and flowery phrases are normal, but there are a few things that are just wrong. Don't focus on the mistakes, just enjoy the tone….<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LYVjxmYhYVS7aS0xfyjm8yGDeDhygyzPdGaQNe7_SFnhxS_WMSK3DjK7vt9cipkqFkrBqqQxVCnxrOJtiRfTye_4pwxkGKUUBNHTiEXtj8qtVlTV5hW0IY0cmZ-7DwMLfyFAG-xSBkM/s1600/Dear+Sir+for+Heera+Apartment+People.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LYVjxmYhYVS7aS0xfyjm8yGDeDhygyzPdGaQNe7_SFnhxS_WMSK3DjK7vt9cipkqFkrBqqQxVCnxrOJtiRfTye_4pwxkGKUUBNHTiEXtj8qtVlTV5hW0IY0cmZ-7DwMLfyFAG-xSBkM/s1600/Dear+Sir+for+Heera+Apartment+People.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-1450555979769566472014-05-22T06:47:00.002-07:002014-05-22T06:47:37.807-07:00BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20A90Q8eVGgWIwf8FeO4pR33uW3xXxnLpTcS8kxtQntHJYcV8SXrR2mkqsD2mrc6YVpSesHQ_Z7_z-59rSSgg-tIikqrXodaGC3mNlLL-L4zfEgBECSJWj6g-lKX0z18rWByVBwV1Nc4/s1600/02+school+supplies+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20A90Q8eVGgWIwf8FeO4pR33uW3xXxnLpTcS8kxtQntHJYcV8SXrR2mkqsD2mrc6YVpSesHQ_Z7_z-59rSSgg-tIikqrXodaGC3mNlLL-L4zfEgBECSJWj6g-lKX0z18rWByVBwV1Nc4/s1600/02+school+supplies+display.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Yesterday I was in my favorite department store, Pothy’s, where they always have a seasonal display when you walk in the main
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday, it was <i>BACK TO
SCHOOL</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here in the south of India,
school’s opening coincides with the monsoon, around June 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[Not sure there is a comparison to be made,
but have YOU seen the inside of a kindergarten classroom the first few weeks???
Natural disasters have prettier faces.]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve always loved shopping for school supplies, either with
fellow teacher sister R, or the annual ritual of an early August morning trip to
Target with Daughters #1 and #2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love
to see the display, check out the cool stuff, and get goofy folders with
text-ese on them, or precious puppies (the kids, not me), or whatever the fad
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to point out a couple
of India-specific items that made my perusal even more pleasurable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0IX-fN_d9TZY0yNfTECDTbvDD5L001c1GteQKtiok0jZevXhWUX1MMEiYr0QchYKqX-DbiCkOIpSeBwY7Y-bJBTEMnjHFQ_6PwAZHB6Yh98R19WggvdYbqhEZmkOo9KNUoDFJ74LdGc/s1600/03+closed+tiffin+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0IX-fN_d9TZY0yNfTECDTbvDD5L001c1GteQKtiok0jZevXhWUX1MMEiYr0QchYKqX-DbiCkOIpSeBwY7Y-bJBTEMnjHFQ_6PwAZHB6Yh98R19WggvdYbqhEZmkOo9KNUoDFJ74LdGc/s1600/03+closed+tiffin+boxes.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>First, every child must be outfitted with a tiffin box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tiffin boxes are used to bring hot meals to
people at their jobs, and have several compartments and stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the kids’ version, check out first the
sneaky copyright infringement (Happy Birds instead of Angry Birds, even though
the face is the same) then the Japanese animé borrowing with the cute bunnies
“taking a walk”, the compartments so the rice and the curries don’t meet
prematurely, and even the cut-out hearts on the utensils. There is even a retro
classic version in stainless steel. I had to buy one, the bunnies, yet I have
no use for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inexplicable but there
you are.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx58kv_ub3zs0wej0TTgy3nTlzghmcQRSWP4nnw1aXznGWFEyer5-skVylpaBWegSQasD6SMir_ay_xT8Hg8ScknYln_zWAxULCnqOPZ2ZTeEQvrGmlf7Y2AlO708INDEMLNj6oYLsNZI/s1600/04+open+tiffin+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx58kv_ub3zs0wej0TTgy3nTlzghmcQRSWP4nnw1aXznGWFEyer5-skVylpaBWegSQasD6SMir_ay_xT8Hg8ScknYln_zWAxULCnqOPZ2ZTeEQvrGmlf7Y2AlO708INDEMLNj6oYLsNZI/s1600/04+open+tiffin+boxes.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Next I noticed small chalkboards that were plentiful, so I
guess they are for the younger students to do their maths (that’s what they say
here, not math) or write “Hello” to the teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cute, but I wonder how they hold up. BTW, check out the faux-pencil cases, which are really games! Some of the games are on the top of the box, and others are hidden inside. Nice touch!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Third was a great variety of notebooks, but they have a leg
up on the American versions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have
collectibles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why didn’t WE think of
that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a series of famous Indian
monuments, crafts of the world (I wanted them ALL), and famous places around
the world. How do they ever decide?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSQBTVu3B0SXFOHqHMK9i9CNqYLLtAch_w8z6SZtmYHRjhKa_3eLUh1YAKVygPqxQVJl0NeqR_F4GHsMMGVh24W4Wgds1KDJv6LHiRKT3LQsNpriy-eBzSGYMIVsfk3c3ihybkKYlqv0/s1600/05+classic+stainless+steel+tiffin+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSQBTVu3B0SXFOHqHMK9i9CNqYLLtAch_w8z6SZtmYHRjhKa_3eLUh1YAKVygPqxQVJl0NeqR_F4GHsMMGVh24W4Wgds1KDJv6LHiRKT3LQsNpriy-eBzSGYMIVsfk3c3ihybkKYlqv0/s1600/05+classic+stainless+steel+tiffin+box.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA-huIaX-rdaIGQ5YybOF4IRrBg0NgnESWQ-6hq4ryop35qH0dVpdOK001sWzSwqL3HEQvPTW6jfJe0Kcz_UQ0f3ImWElxb8sSSSUxn0Jzp9FFU1qByQnPl7abuqyGCi_oceQ5Pn47xo/s1600/06+faux+pencil+cases+with+tradmark+infringements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIA-huIaX-rdaIGQ5YybOF4IRrBg0NgnESWQ-6hq4ryop35qH0dVpdOK001sWzSwqL3HEQvPTW6jfJe0Kcz_UQ0f3ImWElxb8sSSSUxn0Jzp9FFU1qByQnPl7abuqyGCi_oceQ5Pn47xo/s1600/06+faux+pencil+cases+with+tradmark+infringements.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretend Pencil Cases that really have games on them. Genius.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oEj-DM3BNKBVS6yzA6Vln1bgd87Q33_JXSOO9usBH_P29YcoiiLJeDj49qnPDfoaaLIlOAJguq7j3dPZTFogV2MWfwolwfP9x0awOrq_eazhaAPDIpe-nvjMyGCw82fAl0rxPVkccYY/s1600/07+mini+chalkboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oEj-DM3BNKBVS6yzA6Vln1bgd87Q33_JXSOO9usBH_P29YcoiiLJeDj49qnPDfoaaLIlOAJguq7j3dPZTFogV2MWfwolwfP9x0awOrq_eazhaAPDIpe-nvjMyGCw82fAl0rxPVkccYY/s1600/07+mini+chalkboard.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slate boards, modernized</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXu2Dud7hATtNmVc4j8uxK4K6wFZVCpms0vPFL2z9vto8z_zOK9hKuaZpxtlwjCTiEb3eh52ZIWK1V2C9BN5dfwC0emuWF_Hkle7EZ5slGy44nxcXPXU1RHfCPA8A1kIzoaBwm_lSeaQ/s1600/08+notebooks+with+cool+covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXu2Dud7hATtNmVc4j8uxK4K6wFZVCpms0vPFL2z9vto8z_zOK9hKuaZpxtlwjCTiEb3eh52ZIWK1V2C9BN5dfwC0emuWF_Hkle7EZ5slGy44nxcXPXU1RHfCPA8A1kIzoaBwm_lSeaQ/s1600/08+notebooks+with+cool+covers.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw8BdelJyIB-jiy1xq5b7lA_YFPfpUatiDrxdohJXCcO3o_Xjo82iFTEqncV19tp4VHJlqz4szbKZ3F9e_LCuT5RJVNHDVZ9umcrCrwHQKT7ucnDKmWPWGkw3neJmn_BfEZrT1_Edcp0/s1600/09+mini+umbrellas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw8BdelJyIB-jiy1xq5b7lA_YFPfpUatiDrxdohJXCcO3o_Xjo82iFTEqncV19tp4VHJlqz4szbKZ3F9e_LCuT5RJVNHDVZ9umcrCrwHQKT7ucnDKmWPWGkw3neJmn_BfEZrT1_Edcp0/s1600/09+mini+umbrellas.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, there is another item unique to the south of India,
little plastic decorated umbrellas for getting drenched on the way to
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still can’t quite picture how
the kids will get to school during a monsoon downpour, but everyone assures me
it’s manageable, although several people also add that sometimes the CM (Chief
Minister, similar to the governor the state) announces a school postponement of a week
because of heavy rains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
matter if it’s early out, late start, or cancellation, for rain, snow, sleet or
blistering heat, every kid in the world warms to the idea that there is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Deus Ex Machina</i> out there that can
intercede when the reality of school just seems too much.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-65330451581601509942014-05-20T11:43:00.002-07:002014-05-20T11:43:21.488-07:00#1 Ladies Detective Agency<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I may have earned my badge. This morning I was traveling in the backseat
of a car working on my computer when I heard the unmistakably sound of metal
crunching other metal. I looked up and
saw a truck trying to fit into a space in front of us that wasn’t sufficient,
and continuing to pull the bumper from our car until it freed itself, then the
truck kept going. The truck kept
going. That was pretty incredible to start
with, but it got better. My driver
stopped quickly to survey the damage, didn’t like what he saw, jumped back in
and drove in pursuit of the truck. He
overtook the truck, then swung back in front of it and stopped. He did it well, I have to admit, and it was
impressive. Just like in the movies,
only I was in the back seat.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then he got out of the car, and started shouting
immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two older men (mid-40s, my
driver is 28) started shaking their heads and shouting as well, and pretending
it wasn’t their fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like we didn’t
see what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like it wasn’t
obvious whose fault it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like we were
stupid.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon it became clear that what I had heard about these
events was true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both sides have to come
out shouting, and the person with the best act prevails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure how I could help my driver, but
I wanted to try, as he’s had a patch of bad luck lately, and he was driving a
government car, and his boss wasn’t going to be happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSAN-q9sp3yT52w-EHBjSCHOaDh3f-4UgnwGnRL4obGPHMvtysh8U9HnQtQaec4hfoqiqAXczdWZJXeOVQHnR9Op3_xVj3FM2exSlvMjgY6ozwh1QAo1MlAZekxJ4W-9vsmZEmRqfrDg/s1600/man+looking+away+from+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSAN-q9sp3yT52w-EHBjSCHOaDh3f-4UgnwGnRL4obGPHMvtysh8U9HnQtQaec4hfoqiqAXczdWZJXeOVQHnR9Op3_xVj3FM2exSlvMjgY6ozwh1QAo1MlAZekxJ4W-9vsmZEmRqfrDg/s1600/man+looking+away+from+picture.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Perp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided I should take some pictures, because it looked
like the truck drivers were trying to get back to their truck to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I grabbed my camera, got out of the car,
and walked up to the license plate of the truck, and started shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I took pictures of the truck, where it
impacted our car, and asked our driver where else he thought I should take a
picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next I turned and attempted to
take a photo of the driver, but he turned away and put up his arm in front of
his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I was getting somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited until both of them were involved
with more shouting and I got a good profile of them both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could most definitely ID them on a line up
if need be. Last I went up to the driver and shook my head and with my best
teacher face wagged my finger in his face and said, “You know you did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t try to lie.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was unimpressed (if only I knew how to say
that in Malayalum!) and walked away, and I returned to my car. I was feeling
it, working them, despite the language barrier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My driver got some
information from them at that point, and we drove on to my training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My driver told me someone would be calling me
tonight, but I never got a call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
going to speak with his employer tomorrow to tell them I have some eyewitness
photos and would be glad to be deposed on behalf of my driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gal’s got to protect her ride, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later when I was telling my colleagues at work (they already
knew by the time they arrived!) they laughed out loud when I told the part
about taking pictures, but I didn’t see anything funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>S got a kick out of as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it was a perfectly normal reaction in
this Wild West mentality of car accidents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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A small irony of the day is that when I got in, I noticed I
was in a different car (it’s a car pool so sometimes someone else has “our”
car.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a different car is no big
deal, but if a government official has been sitting in the back, they always
tuck away the seat belts because they are invincible, I guess. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told my driver that when I got to my
training, he should get in the trunk and retrieve the seat belt for me, please,
and in the mean time, don’t have any accidents or kill me, ok?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughed, but it turned not to be funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, India, your roads are a mess, your
traffic hopelessly congested, and your drivers mostly pretending they are in a
bumper car environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could use some
safe mass transit in my life….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-5042520219639563272014-05-20T10:52:00.002-07:002014-05-20T10:52:31.370-07:00Victory is MINE!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Any of you who have been watching my blog since I came to
God’s Own Country (thanks to both of you!) may remember that when our
possessions arrived from Jaipur in the late summer, several of them were
damaged. Since September 8, I have asked
the moving company to make good their contract and pay me damages for the
items. I have them photographed,
itemized, and sent several forms at least 6 times to no less than 3
people. Still, no love, no rupees.<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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At the beginning of April, I lost my patience and decided to
try a different track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wrote to the
most recent moving company employee who lied and told me they would resolve the
issue within 21 days and told them HE had 21 days to resolve this issue, or I
had prepared a very damaging advertisement that explained how unresponsive
their company had been, and was going to put it in the Jaipur newspaper when I
visited there in early June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That seemed
to get their attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A flurry of
emails asked me be patient (7 months doesn’t qualify, I guess) and that my case
would be resolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I responded with a
simple “21 more days of patience left, oh, no, now 20.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expected to be placing an ad (hadn’t
written it yet, but somehow I feel like I could have come up with a homerun)
when surprise of surprises, I got an email today that looked like another
apology without action, but had an attachment of a check made out to me, which
they didn’t bother to tell me how I was to receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually the email was confusing, because it
sounded like they were congratulating themselves pretty heavily on getting the
stuff here at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the
beginning:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Dear Sir,</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">This is in reference to your email message dated 17-04-2014
regarding the subject consignment. We thank you for your continuous support and
patronage. We have the best network and proper infrastructure for the safe
delivery of your sensitive and high value consignments. State of the art
warehouses, mechanized handling, containerized vehicles, Online
Tracking; CCTV vigilance etc. is to ensure its safety and security. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">However, sometimes due to
external factors and rarely due to human error, there are unforeseen cases of
loss during transit. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
As I read on down it explained that even though they were basically not at
fault, and “<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="color: red; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">We also agree that a cheque cannot compensate the
inconvenience caused. This gesture to compensate with a cheque is to
purely minimize your monetary loss.” </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Whatever,
somehow I think I will still feel better if you pay me what you promised to pay
after you broke my bookshelf into several pieces, broke several pieces of other
stuff, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was
elated to have made them do their jobs, but I responded and said this was a
nice beginning, but I still didn’t have the check….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and now comes the the part that made S really
guffaw….. They replied thus:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Mam</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Same has been couriered to Trivendrum address through overnight
courier on 20</span><sup><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">th</span></sup><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> may’14.</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> Same will be receiving within 2
working days</span><span style="color: #1c304e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1c304e; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">An
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-27626038120335487982014-05-11T01:43:00.000-07:002014-05-11T01:43:00.900-07:00America, Heck Yeah!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We were in America last week for a wonderful wedding celebration, and in the spare moments (very few) we reloaded our supply chest. Several people have asked me what kinds of things we need to get in America that we can't find here, so I'll list a few. You'll notice the distinction blurs between "need" and "want" quickly: Dri-weave sports tops (Target, I love you.), crazy glue, Sharpees, baggies, sticky-backed hooks, jeans, underwear, pharmaceutical supplies, hiking boots…Definitely on the "want" side we feature chocolate, oatmeal packets, almond butter, black beans, tea, Italian spices, high-end vinegar, and parmesan.<br />
A few of my favorite things: It was great to see family, be part of the celebration, and also to visit America. My but there are a lot of enjoyable parts to our country, including but not limited to family, chocolate milk (obviously no order here!), clean streets, the fantastic Frontera Grill food at O'Hare (Thank you Rick Bayless, for making my coming and going so pleasurable) beautiful rubble-free landscapes, friendly people, no horn honking, street lights, pedestrians and drivers obeying street lights, safety, Mexican food, the ease of using a credit card or checking out of a hotel, any financial transaction that is filled with carbon copies here but paperless there, the chatty friendliness of Midwesterners, HGTV (the property brothers still ROCK) people who speak English and understand me (well, understand my English, anyway), etc. Not a small list, but an important one.<br />
We leave here in less than 2 months for China to visit Eldest Daugther, and it will be fun to explore that culture again, but it was so comforting to be in a culture where you knew what you were supposed to do, even if we didn't always do it.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb21UXrHWitNcaAVZX6J1Rz5qVLG7fZDfanBG3nxNyDOBjppGRWwLCsboIeRRpRw2a3R622yhPGHWZ1La7uWzcvA1I5EqggrW8lE2N04h_69DrRQhOlarBeJFf5LZqTPbM-4HKtc3y20/s1600/chairs+with+electrical+outlets+in+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb21UXrHWitNcaAVZX6J1Rz5qVLG7fZDfanBG3nxNyDOBjppGRWwLCsboIeRRpRw2a3R622yhPGHWZ1La7uWzcvA1I5EqggrW8lE2N04h_69DrRQhOlarBeJFf5LZqTPbM-4HKtc3y20/s1600/chairs+with+electrical+outlets+in+airport.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We could 't believe our eyes. This level of service in an airport seemed uniquely American.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhba47jeG7ffWWgY3eO1VduXXBLg9DPtZEH_7OeWUOHyFRM6dXPXlT1n10fC5duXQAxIaSbLSOea5Arbk_tN2FV2liG34DSDx1tm68nF6zXVDnXIQ_MFf7lQ5CRjBJ2E0DtfUCB5Tc-A/s1600/chocolate+milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhba47jeG7ffWWgY3eO1VduXXBLg9DPtZEH_7OeWUOHyFRM6dXPXlT1n10fC5duXQAxIaSbLSOea5Arbk_tN2FV2liG34DSDx1tm68nF6zXVDnXIQ_MFf7lQ5CRjBJ2E0DtfUCB5Tc-A/s1600/chocolate+milk.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had quite a few of those, as it hits 2 pleasure centers.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSULbnYSerwGd1XHuR3kO6dEjR4NzJGxcv5HQH9qGbdm0CyzT_0QvCPQdFG7lZaDLtLxAYUFK4O9chBC_vKMFsvyBEdRc_pTiW8Ax8Ukca450gpSm4_broYkGak5L52Y8XAFHdASRK9A/s1600/Rick+Bayless+on+way+out+of+country.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSULbnYSerwGd1XHuR3kO6dEjR4NzJGxcv5HQH9qGbdm0CyzT_0QvCPQdFG7lZaDLtLxAYUFK4O9chBC_vKMFsvyBEdRc_pTiW8Ax8Ukca450gpSm4_broYkGak5L52Y8XAFHdASRK9A/s1600/Rick+Bayless+on+way+out+of+country.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FRONTERA Grill at O'Hare</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-45881625771380552442014-05-11T01:23:00.001-07:002014-05-11T01:23:30.290-07:00And that's what you missed….<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
During my 6-week writing hiatus, India has been holding national elections. They spread them out by sections of the country because it gives the national election commission sufficient time to oversee the voting to avoid "irregularities", etc. The results are to be announced this week sometime. It's been so long even the newspapers are getting bored of writing about it. One highlight for me in the campaigning came a few Sundays back when I read the following in the newspaper:<br />
<br />
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The Headline: Day of Embarrassment for BJP, Congress<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the one side, a Congress candidate threated to chop the
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</span>He was arrested on charges of hate speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caught on video, he said, “If Modi tries to
turn U.P. (his home state) into Gujurat (Modi’s state), then we will chop him
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<br />
On the other side, the BJP announced that party membership of one guy had been
annulled on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had joined the
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<br /></div>
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In other news, the great Gabriel Garcia Marquez died. If you haven't read either <i>Love in the Time of</i> <i>Cholera</i> or <i>100 Years of Solititude</i>, put them at the top of your list. The man was a genius, and his short stories, along with his novels, are some of my favorite reads. Here is the opening sentence of 100 Years...</div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“One Hundred Years of Solitude”
sold tens of millions of copies. The Chilean poet Pablo Neruda called it
“the greatest revelation in the Spanish language since ‘Don Quixote.’ ”
The novelist William Kennedy hailed it as “the first piece of literature since
the Book of Genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race.” I concur.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 21px;">Below are some pictures I've been saving for various blogs that I have to condense today because of time constraints. They are from a recent trip to the beach, our train ride to Bangalore, and the birds of my neighborhood. I'll let the pictures do the talking...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz4A_LGEp_DW33qbCyzGP8L3B1GTtVBZPXbruXfmKfbcR8DciKwV8XfMQXuUUPMwjv1IxQ0QCR6FW4YfXwN66BdYpxtgRiOtndgvjG5g2wN2lwV0BV1ODiTm-xr7gKC7iQ99dodxHPLs/s1600/blue+legged+bird+in+the+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz4A_LGEp_DW33qbCyzGP8L3B1GTtVBZPXbruXfmKfbcR8DciKwV8XfMQXuUUPMwjv1IxQ0QCR6FW4YfXwN66BdYpxtgRiOtndgvjG5g2wN2lwV0BV1ODiTm-xr7gKC7iQ99dodxHPLs/s1600/blue+legged+bird+in+the+park.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was in the park. Check out the bluish legs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4TqVkBWidgmlbjKCf9aehQqy2NmrvrtJRrHK8kPiI_JduP0Nda23aDxQJjnwSh-Ky3bcAQ2e4BXvrK68RA0aiE-OcN8FD1CmJoWTO5slBa9ktk4r6VSBLVpJ4h6Dq69H245vyVTCilw/s1600/holiday+at+the+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4TqVkBWidgmlbjKCf9aehQqy2NmrvrtJRrHK8kPiI_JduP0Nda23aDxQJjnwSh-Ky3bcAQ2e4BXvrK68RA0aiE-OcN8FD1CmJoWTO5slBa9ktk4r6VSBLVpJ4h6Dq69H245vyVTCilw/s1600/holiday+at+the+beach.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI0EguYOn7Zgek9o2wvqkt8LdNwVVZ_wyrTY68sqpeW2SZQomgvcgLuf0Rj4BU7jZmshn31kvhKjFM18MzajyhMbpQqzaNjw45AlYECMihW00fBYepMEY5OqddneYfBvFZ_2ICQ5YiXE/s1600/men+stuffed+into+trunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI0EguYOn7Zgek9o2wvqkt8LdNwVVZ_wyrTY68sqpeW2SZQomgvcgLuf0Rj4BU7jZmshn31kvhKjFM18MzajyhMbpQqzaNjw45AlYECMihW00fBYepMEY5OqddneYfBvFZ_2ICQ5YiXE/s1600/men+stuffed+into+trunk.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the rear of a loaded truck</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: Georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JvMsw1zZbJA7_pS3C8UgjDQ0o8q2GVnX2QT4Or7zZhA0Ozlkm2ZI7AY34vyxZK3rJe2M1kitsnyqqxqrEFLtA9TKUKcoV6WiU7cSy7_mtzanJEdAhuQ8JMgspDEUlkZGCzhSQ8rOwYs/s1600/S+enjoying+an+Indian+detective+novel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JvMsw1zZbJA7_pS3C8UgjDQ0o8q2GVnX2QT4Or7zZhA0Ozlkm2ZI7AY34vyxZK3rJe2M1kitsnyqqxqrEFLtA9TKUKcoV6WiU7cSy7_mtzanJEdAhuQ8JMgspDEUlkZGCzhSQ8rOwYs/s1600/S+enjoying+an+Indian+detective+novel.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kvrfKWcxwVvtI7n6NCIs-85TzPDyvzwrfT52KD1tBZGRM0obsmpJTnDCYJdx32xVsVkAv-o8w3il_l1Mpt9RNneySMyzAy1cBxRNCGj-4JTDHoGXUnkQtWJWMk1ZKuP87v2GQP_lC10/s1600/trunk+load+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kvrfKWcxwVvtI7n6NCIs-85TzPDyvzwrfT52KD1tBZGRM0obsmpJTnDCYJdx32xVsVkAv-o8w3il_l1Mpt9RNneySMyzAy1cBxRNCGj-4JTDHoGXUnkQtWJWMk1ZKuP87v2GQP_lC10/s1600/trunk+load+.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small load by Indian standards</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLqxTBUDnzyMGpCZ26dkWrcodUxtIKiLbuzIUVCN_S-cenEbe2l8QJapz79U4RuuQjGd3_sQ5rZDXp_Mo9kgcq1eZxpCbhvgQvSa9_ABKWUQevkpuQGvn-JWlfQB4UqeD4JcI-uJLxJo/s1600/up+to+his+thighs+in+sand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLqxTBUDnzyMGpCZ26dkWrcodUxtIKiLbuzIUVCN_S-cenEbe2l8QJapz79U4RuuQjGd3_sQ5rZDXp_Mo9kgcq1eZxpCbhvgQvSa9_ABKWUQevkpuQGvn-JWlfQB4UqeD4JcI-uJLxJo/s1600/up+to+his+thighs+in+sand.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing and watching the tide roll in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbPru4rlTSjQIvoRxZcD90bdM14lNPgIrkSDfyzie9ePrF0zkIj8EHT9O0jG_I7KMF3RW_ZPu09tRQ2SmX99vVnMkNFImv6mMYzOyOnWoUE2Jsbdppy_prbIfxzLBppzQiqwPTznrqIo/s1600/punk+woodpecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbPru4rlTSjQIvoRxZcD90bdM14lNPgIrkSDfyzie9ePrF0zkIj8EHT9O0jG_I7KMF3RW_ZPu09tRQ2SmX99vVnMkNFImv6mMYzOyOnWoUE2Jsbdppy_prbIfxzLBppzQiqwPTznrqIo/s1600/punk+woodpecker.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Punk Woodpecker</td></tr>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-12518557478755179022014-05-11T01:10:00.004-07:002014-05-11T01:10:50.477-07:00Oh, Bangalore!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Way back in March we were in Bangalore for a few days, some work some play, and it was a bit like being in another country much of the time. Part of the fun was visiting our former Iowa City chums P and R, and it reminded us that we used to have friends and there is great comfort is laughing over the same stuff, and sharing a cultural base. <br />
They showed us the best of what Bangalore has to offer, and that is a pretty impressive set. There is serious money in Bangalore, NRI and international, because of the technology park and subsequent high-end industries. You notice it as soon as you step off the plane onto the pristine marble floor of the airport, and walk down a corridor lined with gorgeous plantings but no garbage. We saw several trash cans in Bangalore, a rare sight in India, along with restaurants of every cuisine that rivaled major cities around the world. And yes, we partook of as much as we could. We visited R's very impressive lab that had state of the art equipment, management, and cleanliness, and P's progressive, gorgeous, well-equiped elementary school campus and we had a sense that we were not in the India we had come to know thus far. It was a great respite, though, I'm not complaining. It is curious, though, how much difference an infusion of money can make on a culture. Sure there was lots of horn honking and crazy driving, and other Indian-markers, but there were also several experiences that seemed rather out of place. <br />
We were hoping to go back in June, but the deal fell through for another workshop, so we'll have to settle for a great memory of time with friends and great food and hotel experiences. Sigh…. Some pictures of our time, yes, they are of food, a salad and great dessert, to be specific… the burrata cheese in the salad was top quality, as were the micro greens and the tiramisu was fabulous. Keep up the good work, Bangalore!<br />
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-38638092638375707422014-05-11T01:00:00.001-07:002014-05-11T01:00:15.347-07:00Mother's Day Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
For me, Mother's Day has very often been about gardening. In Iowa it was a great time to set plants, both perennial and annual, and mess around in the dirt. This year saw a return to the garden, this time of a tropical variety. In addition to the mango festival next store, a couple of nurseries set up their wares, and for very few coins I was able to amass a lovely array of tropical exotic flora. Enjoy the show.<br />
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-43348171826627692372014-05-11T00:16:00.000-07:002014-05-11T06:47:04.464-07:00MANGO FESTIVAL!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">I've been on blog hiatus while I've been traveling, working like a fiend, and visiting America, but I'm back and have lots to catch up… First and foremost, there is a MANGO FESTIVAL across the street at the palace grounds!!!! There's always some cacophony and crowd there for some exhibition or other, so I don't usually pay much attention, but when I saw the giant mango at the entrance, all I could think was "Oh yeah, baby, that's what I'm talking about!" and I made a bee line for the ticket counter.</span></div>
At first it reminded us a bit of a state fair atmosphere with the informational pavilions, but the mango hawkers' pavilion was pure India: loud, messy, crowded, colorful, and delicious. I thought I had more than my share before I happened on the sales pavilion, but I guess I was wrong, because about 30 mangoes later I emerged with full bags. These are by far the most delicious mangoes I have ever eaten, and so far, the Alphonsa is still the queen of them all. A couple of hawkers insisted yesterday that their "rare" variety was sweeter than the Alphonsa, so I bought a kilo, but I've yet to taste them, as they are still ripening. I'll believe it when I eat it. Last night we had mango lassis made from 8 Alphonsa mangoes and some yogurt, and I'm sure a sweeter drink has never passed my lips. I did indeed swoon.<br />
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And, as if the mangoes weren't enough to get my heart going, there was a drum group at the bottom of the hill, but not just any drum corp.<br />
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It's normal to hear drums around the city about every day, because they are employed to "drum up" business for any new opening of a store, exhibit, or just because. But these drummers were on fire with the beat, and I capture some footage I'll try to upload for your enjoyment. Not sure this bandwidth can handle it, though... They were incredible, really, as good as any drum group I've heard, and they had great stage presence. One drummer would subtly announce a shift by bending forward over his drum, or something I couldn't ascertain, and then they were off. Sometimes they would gather in a circle and try to outbeat each other, and sometimes they got so loud I had to back up. Notice the curved drum sticks, by the way, and also the ages of some of the drummers. I guess they are getting better with age like some of us!<br />
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All in all a great experience. This is some of the best of what Kerala has to offer, and I was loving it! I've been waiting all year for mango season in Kerala, and it has not disappointed. I'll be "putting up" some mangoes in the freezer with some lemon juice and a very small dash of sugar, blended, to use as a sauce for yogurt or ice cream, or just to take a direct hit from. I don't want to be caught without mango goodness during the monsoon season, in case the mangoes stop coming… Enjoy the photos below, sorry, I know it will make you quite hungry for the mango nectar….<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alphonsas….Export Quality but I snagged them before they got out of the country!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Exhibit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibition Hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luscious mango ice crew</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Humble beginning for the fruit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2UjeaVgKMMpsAFRqhq-8S5T-x_Mf7r7WGEsb3kl2HI4SaSu0CnUd5vCIRh6Hymtkve1F3MfsSH6NsAFDdFAxUW2_1Dz8xUS5hDatFIaAJIQDi7aM041pAkuA6g6-JhpYAU6sSJXaQBc/s1600/06+sugar+babies+alphonsa+and+other.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2UjeaVgKMMpsAFRqhq-8S5T-x_Mf7r7WGEsb3kl2HI4SaSu0CnUd5vCIRh6Hymtkve1F3MfsSH6NsAFDdFAxUW2_1Dz8xUS5hDatFIaAJIQDi7aM041pAkuA6g6-JhpYAU6sSJXaQBc/s1600/06+sugar+babies+alphonsa+and+other.jpg" height="146" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few varieties: sugar babies in the middle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYEXh8EMz98zPAx72vBHWsuGhVvpfnUmZS3ey1-RCLA-264aV2fjNJRaFq19yQ3pSWg1IS3cCCEyZI0IJrKeheeU3GopgHYQycSb19zbYTp-BmtUjpQGYLtZ5M2alTod6S_k_9ur1wiw/s1600/07+mangoes+on+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOYEXh8EMz98zPAx72vBHWsuGhVvpfnUmZS3ey1-RCLA-264aV2fjNJRaFq19yQ3pSWg1IS3cCCEyZI0IJrKeheeU3GopgHYQycSb19zbYTp-BmtUjpQGYLtZ5M2alTod6S_k_9ur1wiw/s1600/07+mangoes+on+floor.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bounty spilling over</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfrALrfTXp_oBALfb4oSsB5UUtmPKYcoGGAHr1q0k_epfTL6h3r2fiYmuKsm04X15IDEUtKkcrNHcV8X_iRIhNhMHwkE65-Cx-OLATY_WOrk6qJmoutBU9yjHamA-gt_GDnujSAVhTsc/s1600/08+green+huge+variety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfrALrfTXp_oBALfb4oSsB5UUtmPKYcoGGAHr1q0k_epfTL6h3r2fiYmuKsm04X15IDEUtKkcrNHcV8X_iRIhNhMHwkE65-Cx-OLATY_WOrk6qJmoutBU9yjHamA-gt_GDnujSAVhTsc/s1600/08+green+huge+variety.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"rare" Tamil Nadu variety I was overcharged for</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_9wjFEkM8Fd80ySC-56X79W8GQoeAtnRJvpM2Iz2UUvHJOqO2_lCe8eQTYSkToUE9SPkfrwS5d8y7lkEBO0ayNO7ZSHOGhEoVS7k-UVtocRGSt-2WruVfk-U8QNlbczUqCv90HYGvTI/s1600/09+huge+curvery+variety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_9wjFEkM8Fd80ySC-56X79W8GQoeAtnRJvpM2Iz2UUvHJOqO2_lCe8eQTYSkToUE9SPkfrwS5d8y7lkEBO0ayNO7ZSHOGhEoVS7k-UVtocRGSt-2WruVfk-U8QNlbczUqCv90HYGvTI/s1600/09+huge+curvery+variety.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gets the "great shape" award</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N57wMvqdFD2GUSWDkQZUcfO37kUODJcK1HxlX8AbNUr8Cj0wa4bhXXkusyL4QHyJnkySHGvngqVCBrk44kUnJimGharwjBAPvfmzaV7j-_7EEQweOGcJkxrwXSSTcMdRFwBYAKtYkg0/s1600/09+sweet+babies+on+the+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N57wMvqdFD2GUSWDkQZUcfO37kUODJcK1HxlX8AbNUr8Cj0wa4bhXXkusyL4QHyJnkySHGvngqVCBrk44kUnJimGharwjBAPvfmzaV7j-_7EEQweOGcJkxrwXSSTcMdRFwBYAKtYkg0/s1600/09+sweet+babies+on+the+floor.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a mound of sugar baby goodness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBcn2ZrFXIGaUUXP5SMafAG9wKw3uAlwcRqgL3igldAI_2b0LOgFtnbbGdTVnZ7yMMZFrEliYk0Ir4tMO01l_lMGTbqd6L5CRV71TrE82CoJIXRS_kL_1d5stmfrtyXdfvno4Mz0-SSI/s1600/10+hello+beautiful+mangoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBcn2ZrFXIGaUUXP5SMafAG9wKw3uAlwcRqgL3igldAI_2b0LOgFtnbbGdTVnZ7yMMZFrEliYk0Ir4tMO01l_lMGTbqd6L5CRV71TrE82CoJIXRS_kL_1d5stmfrtyXdfvno4Mz0-SSI/s1600/10+hello+beautiful+mangoes.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTBnIREzbuN0EotG7U66q7Ln_pWq3UVcC5y8NjC9tvhfo51ly2buqnSrMhD2zczaiXh7d8T3n0-YzDxtqBkRiXhtbCQIZwHKNIx9_0kUw5xZpCAk-gboVUQ4IUJrw3Xy3pAF7HLnqLtA/s1600/11+competing+hawkers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTBnIREzbuN0EotG7U66q7Ln_pWq3UVcC5y8NjC9tvhfo51ly2buqnSrMhD2zczaiXh7d8T3n0-YzDxtqBkRiXhtbCQIZwHKNIx9_0kUw5xZpCAk-gboVUQ4IUJrw3Xy3pAF7HLnqLtA/s1600/11+competing+hawkers.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawkers plying their trade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG31RMuOQQWKCs8Ws1rZejqj8TKWy5ddPd8Zctz-ZD0IvOnEiJXnTvkIFXjquQoN7Z6de5ylylZWP_7Og9vr0_NleMKamS1SZG85IcMRSsSEOUZq1sLheRKD2rq70qWPNRe81Dss4eyc/s1600/11+hawker+posing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG31RMuOQQWKCs8Ws1rZejqj8TKWy5ddPd8Zctz-ZD0IvOnEiJXnTvkIFXjquQoN7Z6de5ylylZWP_7Og9vr0_NleMKamS1SZG85IcMRSsSEOUZq1sLheRKD2rq70qWPNRe81Dss4eyc/s1600/11+hawker+posing.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawker who asked me to take his photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWfxYi4bVhu_8xrZVN4xPHeCH-RXXo9XUC4excGix6u4soFXyplUv55Q9VWuyhoqMScIt7T0MrwEz8NYGA_dXvpm18tbDo_VE4xgqU1iEnk5VO_vcPA-i7WcvtCmzh_cYIkrew4kaka4/s1600/12+drummer+going+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">r</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOd0Nzy7gBnxloNqJWd4DlfKCN9lQt_mBAlN6-ohPctIRPWAMY2-yPzPDP7D__I3YCFLc_8L8U1qbytoorv2uYngHmFCVZ1Pk6gaVMHZ3-Ay7Bg_wZ5AxYFD_8U_7pTu2H8qiTrBavETs/s1600/12+drummers+static+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOd0Nzy7gBnxloNqJWd4DlfKCN9lQt_mBAlN6-ohPctIRPWAMY2-yPzPDP7D__I3YCFLc_8L8U1qbytoorv2uYngHmFCVZ1Pk6gaVMHZ3-Ay7Bg_wZ5AxYFD_8U_7pTu2H8qiTrBavETs/s1600/12+drummers+static+shot.jpg" height="185" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">drummers in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82PVmlPKenfPKYFVNQB_CzHz-6yUL2xFE8UlKcS3VqgjtUp_wkFVQLKyorQo4sy9SFysPr_ZFY1cnggCV_7LxZCku6WhjOByo90CKvBLFA-pBy9z5P2x1vXw2NV3ALpokkaeiOKYle_E/s1600/13+backlit+plumeria+tree+in+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82PVmlPKenfPKYFVNQB_CzHz-6yUL2xFE8UlKcS3VqgjtUp_wkFVQLKyorQo4sy9SFysPr_ZFY1cnggCV_7LxZCku6WhjOByo90CKvBLFA-pBy9z5P2x1vXw2NV3ALpokkaeiOKYle_E/s1600/13+backlit+plumeria+tree+in+park.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree in park at Sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1hhyphenhyphenoi2kYGzv2MXVrowfmfnUvdgAJBVWvJWTw_Q9Hx_PbNlyo9IPbsusSf46onMSWQsBwB8SqppdA_4XiQgeSB96jmKFQ0ABhw7E6eQZeUJe-xUHcWjaOQeSkmVXLhqpfbN68kQsb4Y/s1600/13+sunset+over+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1hhyphenhyphenoi2kYGzv2MXVrowfmfnUvdgAJBVWvJWTw_Q9Hx_PbNlyo9IPbsusSf46onMSWQsBwB8SqppdA_4XiQgeSB96jmKFQ0ABhw7E6eQZeUJe-xUHcWjaOQeSkmVXLhqpfbN68kQsb4Y/s1600/13+sunset+over+park.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun sets on the mango festival</td></tr>
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</div>
IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-32652068681184840312014-04-03T18:52:00.002-07:002014-04-03T18:52:46.554-07:00Don’t forget the Popcorn!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been on the road for a while now, and I try to load up
on newly released movies if I have a long commute or travel day, which I usually do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, I’ve seen a lot of movies
lately, so I thought I’d provide a lightning-round review of some of what I’ve seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saving Mr. Banks</i></b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumbs Up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We actually found a theatre in Chennai showing this on its screen, so
part of our enjoyment came from the experience of a real live movie theatre,
but I thought it was well acted and interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, I am in the huge camp of people who
believe Mary Poppins is “practically perfect in every way”, so seeing her again
was a sweet reunion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Year in Burgundy:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another documentary about 3 or 4 vintners in
Burgundy, and how their year revolves around the grapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful scenery, of course, and once again
we see why the French can be a little haughty…their life looks very sweet
through the lens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, be prepared to be
very thirsty for a drink of Burgundy’s finest product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh that we could find it here…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">20 Feet from Stardom:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Documentary about back-up singers that is
full of great singing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story gets
repetitive but the singing is worth the wait.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All is Lost:</i></b> This is the Indie movie
starring Robert Redford as a guy who encounters some serious troubles on the
seas in his sailboat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s the only
actor, but he’s got what it takes to keep you interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s well done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The French Minister:</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new French dark comedy about politics,
French style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought with all the
hoopla in the Indian press about their upcoming elections, it might be good fun
to see someone else’s campaign follies. The movie is sometimes a little too
French to get whether it’s a joke or not, but I found myself laughing out loud sometimes,
so it tickled me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">FROZEN</i></b>: As soon as someone told me Idini Menzel sings in this, I was in. I was also excited to see Jonathan Groff (another Broadway star who I saw in <b><i>Spring Awakening</i></b>) had a role, but he did NOT do enough singing. Only a very short silly song. That man has a gorgeous voice, so that was sad. Also, Idina should have sang more. It was interesting and well done, above average for Disney, and I remember all the years reading <i>The Snow Queen</i> to one daughter who was obsessed with it, so I’m sure the knee-high population was spell bound.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b style="font-style: italic;">Inside Lleywn Davis, the CONCERT: </b>Not to be confused with a movie/documentary by the Coen Brothers, which I did NOT see, because I heard it was messed up. This concert was wonderful, full of great folk song talent, new and old, so I got some great ideas for new songs. Don't miss it. Also, I was watching and humming along when I noticed a face I recognized. Indeed, it was a former preschool-high school classmates of Daughter #2, playing her bass and singing her own song. Well done, B.K.!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">12 Years a Slave</i></b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disappointing to both S and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course slavery was/is awful, dehumanizing,
etc, but I kept looking for something fresh or original in this story and
didn’t get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Must have missed
something.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas Buyer’s Club</i></b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t expect much from Kevin Mc, but I was pleasantly
surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the rock star/actor who
played the transgendered person was pretty fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I felt the movie gives a small taste of
how horrific and isolating it must have been during those years if you were
HIV+.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
And, DRUM ROLL PLEASE, the SLEEPER
of them all<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ABOUT TIME</i></b>. I doubt this quiet, charming, well-acted
movie made much noise in the American theatres, but I found it delightful and
thoughtful. First there is Rachel
McAdams, and she’s so pretty you just want her to dress up and come out for
oogling. Second, Bill Nighy has a
starring role, and I am a little in love with his style. He is, in turns, zany, sarcastic, and openly
sentimental, and he makes the movie worth the goofy premise. I loved him in <b><i>Bridget Jones</i></b> and <b><i>Marigold Hotel</i></b>. And you get to see some wonderful English
countryside. Oh for a garden to snip and
dig in!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, in case anyone missed it the
first time around, like me, on HBO I saw the movie <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SHANGHAI KNIGHTS</i></b>,
starring Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They both keep you entertained in their unique ways, Owen with that cute
innocence/ignorance thing he has going on, Jackie with his incredible moves,
and together they make a pretty good caper movie, with the requisite puns,
running gags, and action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check it out
when you need some yuks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Oh, and if anyone is looking for
an interesting biography to read, Ved Metha’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Face to Face</i></b>, a book
chronicling growing up blind in pre-partition India, was quite well done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw him in person at the Jaipur Lit
Festival, and I could tell a great mind was inside those words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrote for the New Yorker for decades and
is still writing more stuff I want to read, when I get a breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> His volume of work makes us all look like slackers. I don't think he sleeps.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-3850541772975717192014-03-21T19:42:00.002-07:002014-03-21T19:42:45.432-07:00On the Road Again...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00dVlULMNst-8sT0ZyPzsq8TpJ3XwdYnUvuZ1fdCGGcgLdgg1nfDXStcT3xS64sBwuG4isRRI2U-EMMWq6ZGzMjRkaHgARegVeZkeGpJAYUA5Dd8WBJM51A6ME1heALekQRucBW762wY/s1600/train+station+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00dVlULMNst-8sT0ZyPzsq8TpJ3XwdYnUvuZ1fdCGGcgLdgg1nfDXStcT3xS64sBwuG4isRRI2U-EMMWq6ZGzMjRkaHgARegVeZkeGpJAYUA5Dd8WBJM51A6ME1heALekQRucBW762wY/s1600/train+station+entrance.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>The first order of business if you want to take a train ride
in India is to purchase a ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
government (who owns the railways) has a convenient website for making your
choices and purchasing your ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Convenient if you are a holder of an Indian credit card, because
otherwise, forget it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our friends in
Bangalore kindly offered to help us book our tickets, which was wonderful both
because it saved us a hot mess at the train station, and because it helped us
walk through the alphabet soup of choices of where you can sit and whether or
not you can lie down, travel in AC, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is CC AC (Chair car air conditioning), etc, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a nifty SMS system of notification
and paperless ticketing, so I was getting pretty upscale vibe about the operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqv5g7a0Pa3zAfGJiHQBMtqqE3zvduE7H_uZUtFVHwT1_0JkM7OGVo8LWrGHiis2koXzj47E36siNtO8aWo0DvR2n4KONAXUyQS_brCgwMgjE5TAZDTk-6YTGo-aZQ_pW8Q3qbAXiZz8/s1600/rising+dawn+and+trains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqv5g7a0Pa3zAfGJiHQBMtqqE3zvduE7H_uZUtFVHwT1_0JkM7OGVo8LWrGHiis2koXzj47E36siNtO8aWo0DvR2n4KONAXUyQS_brCgwMgjE5TAZDTk-6YTGo-aZQ_pW8Q3qbAXiZz8/s1600/rising+dawn+and+trains.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>We were dropped off at the station by the taxi, and therein
lie our first challenge, because usually our driver takes us, and he knows we
are ignorant in the ways of Indian travel, and so hustles us to the place to
see which platform we are leaving from, then navigates the crowd and carries a
bag or two up and down some steep stairs,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(I usually need one bag just for teaching materials, heavy materials)
then searches for our exact car (another set of letters hidden in the secret
code on your ticket) and deposits us directly in front of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Added to that is trying to step gingerly over
and around the scores of people who are in various stages of repose at the
entrance of the train station. Whew!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUp34883zMxwBaprp-tpZnlfO2LpyHozHxQwZF2_VWOtjbWLJdb87PacGL-WIjzcVAwdh8wX0gVadAzqXgAGoaJ5W96m0Xa4VkRatVWe4ZlIuN1QQj1lr1D7T6uAX1iQsPzdchWZuAEU/s1600/from+high+on+a+platform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUp34883zMxwBaprp-tpZnlfO2LpyHozHxQwZF2_VWOtjbWLJdb87PacGL-WIjzcVAwdh8wX0gVadAzqXgAGoaJ5W96m0Xa4VkRatVWe4ZlIuN1QQj1lr1D7T6uAX1iQsPzdchWZuAEU/s1600/from+high+on+a+platform.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>We were on our own this time, and tried to imitate our
driver and look confident as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
got as far as the correct platform (sweaty after heaving the bags up and down
the stairs) then we deciphered the car we were looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We realized we had no idea which direction to
walk, so one of us held the bags and the other served as a scout, first going
all the way to the end of the train looking for the correct letter combination,
then after no success retreating and walking almost all the way to the other
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not sure if there is a system
to the order of the letters, but we couldn’t see a pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately we had enough time for the
inefficient system of trying both directions, because these trains are long.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once we found our seats, we prayed the AC would be turned on
soon, because all the windows were closed, the electricity was not yet on, and
I was leaving a small pool of sweat anywhere I touched the vinyl seat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t long before we were on our way, and
S had no trouble utilizing the sleep accommodations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually can get lots of work done because
there is a live electrical outlet in each of the cabins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That happened again,
and what was supposed to be a 5-hour ride turned into a 9-hour marathon quite
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc1v1EfVGW6OWOXnaxy1avhqjY9EmeS-5kz0Z7kezHa-3hE4SEsFUrEFFpyf_nLaqGOk_1fpgj1AOAS-mEg2u7j_bvd9FrT2HV9nNc7cJmcUfO_xrhBJ70ZYaeyNPeN2MLt8R_YYT_Ts/s1600/First+class+accomodations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPc1v1EfVGW6OWOXnaxy1avhqjY9EmeS-5kz0Z7kezHa-3hE4SEsFUrEFFpyf_nLaqGOk_1fpgj1AOAS-mEg2u7j_bvd9FrT2HV9nNc7cJmcUfO_xrhBJ70ZYaeyNPeN2MLt8R_YYT_Ts/s1600/First+class+accomodations.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMgb3NXeROsBLhXkVwQ5d33jeQRNLkZKqHcTuGfDjkwg55z_MLoBdrYm7Jq4pBJEeVcGB305r94KhqTBS3X0AY45sS88rFHJCs2IxcA2UnnIYR_q7wxuAzzvxd0i1hOpAihLbzrQDBI8/s1600/S+rocks+the+bottom+bunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMgb3NXeROsBLhXkVwQ5d33jeQRNLkZKqHcTuGfDjkwg55z_MLoBdrYm7Jq4pBJEeVcGB305r94KhqTBS3X0AY45sS88rFHJCs2IxcA2UnnIYR_q7wxuAzzvxd0i1hOpAihLbzrQDBI8/s1600/S+rocks+the+bottom+bunk.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
s one of the best things about train
trav<br />
el, for me. We were rolling along when suddenly we stopped, where we sat
for over an hour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8c_1WKYq7rX0rp5TQUfT0ZbSwwO5OgwoiuYvLAyD35v2KuiMlvhzPILHnMGuD339NRQ4Yub6ZNMTphMX0NWlrb4rs5K5S6PrCPYvAGqxqKRyeHocwQqE79jadWaX-SZL0iuF4nOqKFw/s1600/freedom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8c_1WKYq7rX0rp5TQUfT0ZbSwwO5OgwoiuYvLAyD35v2KuiMlvhzPILHnMGuD339NRQ4Yub6ZNMTphMX0NWlrb4rs5K5S6PrCPYvAGqxqKRyeHocwQqE79jadWaX-SZL0iuF4nOqKFw/s1600/freedom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>However, we survived, got off the train, and once more
schlep the bags up and down platforms before we have escaped with our possessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next challenge involved finding our
hotel’s car, and then understanding what in the world he was saying to us, as
we tried to connect with him for the better part of another hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept saying he was in the parking, but
when he finally appeared he was driving in the front entrance, so I’m not sure
whose parking he was utilizing, but it definitely wasn’t the train station’s. Our
Bangalore friends assured us that train ride was quit<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes the mode even more inviting. Last
night we took another voyage via train and we almost missed our stop, because
someone was sleeping (not me) and I was too engrossed in my work (watching Glee
reruns) to notice the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good fortune
smiled on us because an employee dashed into our cabin to make up the beds for
the evening riders and he told us we had 2 minutes until Bangalore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first I thought it was an Indian two
minutes, but in fact we were stopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were thankful he stopped by, but there isn’t usually any announcement
of where the train is stopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
train ride in India is meant for those who can learn the system and navigate it
on their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check out the numbers and
languages on the side of our car to see what I mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ticket read:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>C and S Greenleaf (we knew that part), then
PNR 4714613528, Trn: 16592 Frm MYS to SBC<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cls-1A, P1-HA1,5 P2-HA1,6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See if
you can find the clues on the side of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, they also post a hard copy of the reservations on the side of the
car where you belong, so they aren’t totally heartless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, you have to find the car first,
which proved a challenge for us first-time-on-our-own passengers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4J7fzDQzQ7X7jWtvKRc_6rl2ZXoHt9opzqOzk7wiaI347hV10r1RKT_GyNiqoDrIXJ2g7UtF23SVPGzv4dGIC5XcLKq5JDr8zwMmXcvFBN77QIw0uCouL0iIZ4BJrjC3FfCXoipl5Zg/s1600/up+the+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4J7fzDQzQ7X7jWtvKRc_6rl2ZXoHt9opzqOzk7wiaI347hV10r1RKT_GyNiqoDrIXJ2g7UtF23SVPGzv4dGIC5XcLKq5JDr8zwMmXcvFBN77QIw0uCouL0iIZ4BJrjC3FfCXoipl5Zg/s1600/up+the+stairs.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQYfGj6ePxHHFtdyrOTmNCHthdeBAgnO2nF6T9Mv7jKFOe_8Rz0D0A1M4LNv4V1U3Ctb3JwRsn9FZI6NfHHgt9LePyJl2-JZBuqKeTi9bVisCRY2SBLan4Ef2DDYjSgwjw4HT7Z8wjgA/s1600/Happy+to+be+off+the+train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQYfGj6ePxHHFtdyrOTmNCHthdeBAgnO2nF6T9Mv7jKFOe_8Rz0D0A1M4LNv4V1U3Ctb3JwRsn9FZI6NfHHgt9LePyJl2-JZBuqKeTi9bVisCRY2SBLan4Ef2DDYjSgwjw4HT7Z8wjgA/s1600/Happy+to+be+off+the+train.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
e atypical, but that trip
made flying look attractive, and that is saying a lot. Oh, I forgot to mention
the biggest perk of taking the train in India…the ticket is dirt cheap.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOObCnwgCw6I0UaixPf0x3OrsFldILxwgmMr4vNr3SRhh0CIK7kqp4pR-BRnm56QONQRtiPXBZ0YH3kFZrkCJq4ioa5nButf4WgV1pbFGvcoLsXSpU_EBJW63jY4RaGudis0wwN68C5os/s1600/side+of+train+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOObCnwgCw6I0UaixPf0x3OrsFldILxwgmMr4vNr3SRhh0CIK7kqp4pR-BRnm56QONQRtiPXBZ0YH3kFZrkCJq4ioa5nButf4WgV1pbFGvcoLsXSpU_EBJW63jY4RaGudis0wwN68C5os/s1600/side+of+train+car.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-67019432225691638742014-03-21T10:17:00.005-07:002014-03-21T10:17:45.055-07:00Namdroling Monastery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hsQzewNOtLXlUGyU1E0KgizoUvXNaLO5UcULmbhotfAu0S31KFrQc4Ur_86fvlyWF9uugkrFF8_hpJSPwhzLaLBLqW9KDs2IQ0-2A8bDAh8FCXWz6zsW4G1txBL17E6P94_8tjvPOXE/s1600/jewelbox+of+a+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hsQzewNOtLXlUGyU1E0KgizoUvXNaLO5UcULmbhotfAu0S31KFrQc4Ur_86fvlyWF9uugkrFF8_hpJSPwhzLaLBLqW9KDs2IQ0-2A8bDAh8FCXWz6zsW4G1txBL17E6P94_8tjvPOXE/s1600/jewelbox+of+a+building.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
This Tibetan monastery is of the Nyngma Sect. These are the people who enjoy lots of statutes, ornate paintings, and deities galore. Aka, the Catholics of the Buddhist world. For some unknown reason, there is a large settlement of this community about 1.5 hours outside of Mysore. One monk answered this query by saying, some like it cold so they can go to Dharmasala, and those who like it hot can come to Mysore. Whatever!<br />
It was almost sensory overload, because there was gorgeous architecture and painting everywhere you looked. But then the monks began their chanting, accompanied by horns, cymbals, conches, and a huge drum, and then things really started cooking. We saw a couple of groups of monks doing the rounds of the various buildings in the compound, singing on their way, then chanting a little, then prostrating themselves in unison while chanting, then dusting off, and on to the next venue. The grounds were beautifully landscaped and very peaceful, and each building was a little jewel box to be opened and explored. Enjoy the pictures here: <a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjV7MwMK" style="text-align: center;">http://flic.kr/s/aHsjV7MwMK</a><br />
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This palace was quite impressive, but I am getting a bit jaded by the abundance of such palaces, durbars, temples, and general fancified buildings in India. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f5KoNcXufCR_cwuPsRQOTjIEuKsOBl2zN3ox5pDJac33WCQBSxDv5b1idMvYSlDz2AB6oSv1jGUvkbbtD77mL5_tJyLdgwHmwViH6yASjw8a3t7pErWK_KwRMt9vFZCdiJvmAwpGZKg/s1600/center+durbar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f5KoNcXufCR_cwuPsRQOTjIEuKsOBl2zN3ox5pDJac33WCQBSxDv5b1idMvYSlDz2AB6oSv1jGUvkbbtD77mL5_tJyLdgwHmwViH6yASjw8a3t7pErWK_KwRMt9vFZCdiJvmAwpGZKg/s1600/center+durbar.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>Originally this was the digs of the Wodeyar Kings, rulers of the current state of Karnnatika. They liked to show people just how much money they had. This palace was rebuilt in the late 19th century after a fire destroyed the original. The architect was British, and the style is a combination of Indian, Hindu, Mughal and European late Victorian style. There is a huge parade/show grounds, and the usual DURBAR in the center of the building, where the king would receive lucky people.<br />
See how many styles you can find in the pictures here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjV6bf2f</div>
IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-8408581868482145692014-03-21T00:58:00.002-07:002014-03-21T00:58:44.858-07:00Bird Sanctuary near Mysore (Ranganna Tittu)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This sanctuary is a nesting and breeding center for all
kinds of birds, from herons, egrets, painted and open billed storks, to the
beautiful white ibis. We started the day like amateurs, forgetting our
binoculars, but soon hit our stride when we popped for the extra rupees to take
an incredible 30 minute boat ride that had us within a couple of feet of
several birds, their nests, and the occasional crocodile. Sometimes the proximity was a little freaky,
but mostly it was an incredible sight.
The birds weren’t spooked by either the boat or the white people inside,
so I could click to my heart’s content.
If anyone knows the name of the beautiful golden/bronze heron, I’d love
to know. If it didn’t have a hunchback,
it would have won best of show yesterday.
Enjoy some fabulous feathered photos (said aloud it is still
alliteration) here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjV67oXZ<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzIrCNQLbAtAAn2UTaeO3sb1JbpPz3vkDWOBJky-kXQPWN4zLKyBYJ2V1wrniHOZCI4cL7Z0cFeJl-0Mco3kKdmKiiI7bMVHiD6I_G8JYIsWAb162xTcOI4mpp_pWKmUeotGo16aF3nU/s1600/posing+for+variety+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzIrCNQLbAtAAn2UTaeO3sb1JbpPz3vkDWOBJky-kXQPWN4zLKyBYJ2V1wrniHOZCI4cL7Z0cFeJl-0Mco3kKdmKiiI7bMVHiD6I_G8JYIsWAb162xTcOI4mpp_pWKmUeotGo16aF3nU/s1600/posing+for+variety+shot.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneak Preview of FLICKR Collection</td></tr>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-65017897484121672842014-03-08T09:49:00.001-08:002014-03-08T09:49:26.881-08:00Local Flavor: Protests, Posies, and Cotton Exposition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAOEZ6AC866lSyJUwcyUmlBF-n5CN-nRqTCmf2H5BW30gISAKAKheVu_rq7WcBV_7QuX5YNrUbN66ZjFzZ_LPl36YWo5MVNYuyuaZuDjFsVBiVSn81MJW0vM7UfoXB6ChrfqTtSDVkoY/s1600/bouganvilla+on+arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAOEZ6AC866lSyJUwcyUmlBF-n5CN-nRqTCmf2H5BW30gISAKAKheVu_rq7WcBV_7QuX5YNrUbN66ZjFzZ_LPl36YWo5MVNYuyuaZuDjFsVBiVSn81MJW0vM7UfoXB6ChrfqTtSDVkoY/s1600/bouganvilla+on+arch.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bougainvillea on Arch in Park</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqeOW2Ccb9oLhYGSLnkjvTFjNtJ4F5L5d7s3MyrQt0E220YBQDFI0338WfAoEfLAk6jhsYfpdoxnNZvosG2zO0DLJQfkPB4WcyguMZ2duPkWMGXsLqR98N1QCDeyQ0OR_VWHGMqtxcEU/s1600/close+up+of+embossed+cottons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqeOW2Ccb9oLhYGSLnkjvTFjNtJ4F5L5d7s3MyrQt0E220YBQDFI0338WfAoEfLAk6jhsYfpdoxnNZvosG2zO0DLJQfkPB4WcyguMZ2duPkWMGXsLqR98N1QCDeyQ0OR_VWHGMqtxcEU/s1600/close+up+of+embossed+cottons.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>I've been back in Trivandrum for exactly 4 days and we're taking off tomorrow for another 2 week swing, this time in the south of India. While here, I visited a cotton exhibition at the bottom of our hill, and I feel like I have really arrived in India, because even without the signs announcing which state each booth is from, I can tell the ikats of Orissa from the block prints of Rajasthan, the silks of Varanasi from the stitching of West Bengal. Second, there was yet another protest, this time from the Banker's Union. This state, Kerala, is famous for its communist leanings, and also for its overuse of the protest. I found the placards these bankers were carrying quite interesting, because all of them could have been carried by someone in the United States, save the one about the 5-day workweek. We don't have the saying of "banker's hours" for nothing. Finally, a walk through our park signaled that spring/summer is officially here, with the bougainvillea and other trees in full blossom. There is lots of humidity to help the blossoms along, and it promises to increase until the monsoon arrives. I checked to see exactly when we could expect some relief, and the monsoon arrived on June 2 last year. It's going to be a muggy, hot spring/summer. I guess we'll just have to spend more time at the beach.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUz_7UfSIhg9s_WTRGMOQK3AXwNDLP2qZ2wBLs3YfHX30keFvbBJkY9Pc6klaEcHUX54HsaShnvN-qrllJ_J_avKM2odgBC7zS6qnCYMpknUQennMCXUEuU1hTjajLyCNQoxqonBGHaI/s1600/close+up+of+yellow+blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUz_7UfSIhg9s_WTRGMOQK3AXwNDLP2qZ2wBLs3YfHX30keFvbBJkY9Pc6klaEcHUX54HsaShnvN-qrllJ_J_avKM2odgBC7zS6qnCYMpknUQennMCXUEuU1hTjajLyCNQoxqonBGHaI/s1600/close+up+of+yellow+blossom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-18032140538012250142014-03-03T07:30:00.001-08:002014-03-03T07:30:36.748-08:00Hiking the Himalayas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58EyFocqppKY2DrWbkxYQchSppXLEV5psqjSdCcSzq9AlywI7ikPDyU32ECchXyTM1wKm1-M-bEaJg50lTKvxQYGPJRGKe1kapgHZAfvsRw0LAIbMsgSAXtMPhWYi5KJ-6g7mvH4E0uo/s1600/fishtail+from+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58EyFocqppKY2DrWbkxYQchSppXLEV5psqjSdCcSzq9AlywI7ikPDyU32ECchXyTM1wKm1-M-bEaJg50lTKvxQYGPJRGKe1kapgHZAfvsRw0LAIbMsgSAXtMPhWYi5KJ-6g7mvH4E0uo/s1600/fishtail+from+hotel.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a>Yes, I know it's hard to believe I'm hiking anywhere, let alone beside the big Kahuna of mountain ranges. We (2 friends and I) flew to Pokhra, in Nepal, to do some hiking along the ridge that faces the majestic Himalayas. We were gifted an absolutely perfect weather day, and began our day at 5:30 a.m. We got about 2/3 of the way up the ridge where we were to see the sunrise over the mountains, when we came to an abrupt halt. There was a huge traffic mess, no one was moving, so we quickly decided to alight on foot, much to the horror of our non-English speaking driver. We got most of the way up before we stopped at a great vantage point to enjoy the view. Here is the link to pictures of this impromptu hike and the one we took mid-morning: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjTL5XWR<br />
After we came back for breakfast, we headed off for a hike up to the World Peace Pagoda constructed by Japanese Buddhist Monks. We had beautiful weather, beautiful views, and by the end of the 3+ hour hike, I had some very tired feet and creaky knees. However, the views were worth the pain. Enjoy the scenery!</div>
IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2943454790576758028.post-124796702483095692014-03-01T04:34:00.003-08:002014-03-01T09:02:45.865-08:00Nepal Travels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been on the road for work (and a little sight seeing) for about 10 days. Tomorrow we go to Pokhra, 2nd largest city in Nepal, for a quick 1.5-<br />
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day look around. It's famous for great views of the highest peaks of the Himalayas, but it's been cloudy or rainy here for 7 days and so far, I could be living in Iowa for all I can see. Here are 3 places I've been, including Hyderabad, in India, before we left for a conference and meeting in Kathmandu. The blue title at the beginning of each short description is a link to photos on FLICKR.<br />
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<a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjTAcPeh">Hyderabad</a>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hyderabad
is famous for its large Muslim population, its bangles, its attar [perfume
without alcohol, which is forbidden in Islam], and I’m not sure what else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one free day I had we went to Char Minar,
the outdoor bazaar, and these few photos are from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjTAmgK7">The Golden Temple</a>, Patan, Kathmandu, Nepal: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTzb8LUYIQ0y3oFv4cyYV0LKKG36QF3qz9kM48lK0vXcyeYY6JCDEywO70qPwkQfGwqGRDSrEMSQPKf31wqrMfVehpE5grgkoid7PKH4wYFCxXR0la_hdkGsnSi3SjKCrmfkOreLKvzQ/s1600/monk+in+tennis+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTzb8LUYIQ0y3oFv4cyYV0LKKG36QF3qz9kM48lK0vXcyeYY6JCDEywO70qPwkQfGwqGRDSrEMSQPKf31wqrMfVehpE5grgkoid7PKH4wYFCxXR0la_hdkGsnSi3SjKCrmfkOreLKvzQ/s1600/monk+in+tennis+shoes.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>This 3 story golden pagoda of Shakyamuni (Lord Buddha) was
built in the 13<sup>th</sup> century by King Bhaskar Verma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the walls are paintings depicting a
complete life history of Buddha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are large prayer wheels, and places for prayer situated around the courtyard,
with people in outside alcoves preparing their puja (offerings) and others
reciting prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Toward the end of
these photos are some photos of the incredible Durbar Square in Patan, an area
of Kathmandu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patan was once the capital
of a powerful independent kingdom, and is the oldest city in the Kathmandu
Valley. These buildings are exquisite examples of Newari architecture from the
18<sup>th</sup> century, with a royal palace along one side and assorted
temples grouped in the remaining public space.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjTAdkLF">Boudhanath,</a> Kathmandu, Nepal:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The great white stupa at Boudha is one of the
world’s largest stupas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also the
most important Tibetan Buddhist monument outside of Tibet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since 1959 Boudha has been the focus for
Tibetan exiles in Nepal, but it has been a sacred site on the Kathmandu-Tibet
trade route for centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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IOWA GURUhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01513011109384156205noreply@blogger.com2