home sweet home

we got home today from a fantastic, wonderful trip...it was truly a once in a lifetime experience..i've never been gone so long, been so far away from my home, never flown around the world...there is so much we saw and did in one short month...it really went by fast..plus, it was alot of fun! dubai was modern, clean, new, and basically unreal...they have built so much in such a short time..a very easy place to visit..india on the other hand wasn't so clean, new or modern..but it was unreal! from the bobble heads to the nodding heads of those people wanting to help you..the crazy, and i mean crazy traffic to the peace of the taj mahal...the crowds that are everywhere, the streets, the countryside, the markets...basically everywhere there are alot of people...it's just an amazing place..and then there is thailand...it's so different from india...alot of people, but well kept, beautiful green everywhere..the blues of the ocean and sky, the flowers and plants..the markets are fun, the temples are amazing..it has so much to offer....so, we saw different cultures, different ways of life..a fantastic time and you come home really appreciating the country we live in...

last days in mumbai

we are coming to the end of our trip, here in india...we're in mumbai again...today was a relaxing day....i went to the beauty shop to get my nails done, they didn't have an appointment..but, they did have time for a head massage and foot massage...so i got those...wow! the guy doing my head first put oil (i've had more oil on my head) on it and then started massaging..he did that for about 20 min...then went to my neck, shoulders, arms and hands...it was fantastic...the foot guy was a great foot massage...then they washed my hair, more massage, then blew it out..how relaxing...we then went shopping...ok, it was sooooooo hot...and muggy...and the 'cool cab'? wasn't so cool...the air doesn't work if the cab isn't moving...so it was steaming inside...we were dying...so, he dropped us off and we went down the streets looking for stuff...kathy got attacked by a zillion guys selling placemats...russ was hit with the sunglasses guys..it's crazy...crossing the street is taking your life in your hands..but, we're old pros now...we were so hot...i mean, literally dripping..so we went back to the hotel to the pool...tonight steve wanted to take us to a fish restaurant that he has been to...it was down this little crummy street...the restuarant was great though..the pictures are amazing of what we had..after steve ordered, they brought the live crabs out, the shrimp, so we could see that they were fresh....we had this kingfish to start...delicious..then, they brought these huge, and i mean huge shrimp...with the tails and heads on of course...it was like eating a huge steak..then, we had crab...they put bibs on us..then, when i wasn't getting enough meat out...the guy did it for me...they sort of hovered making sure we were ok and eating it all...it was delicious...it was a fun place to go...so tomorrow is our last day here..the fryers might be here another 2 weeks...and we're off to thailand...

delhi

the drive to delhi, which was yesterday, was not so bad..the road was much better than the road to agra...it took about 5 hours though...we stopped to see the agra fort before we left..a beautiful place...as we drove, we of course saw many interesting things...the fair grounds, houses that aren't quite houses...we saw a huge mosque...we also saw a semi-truck that was full of people, i'd say at least 140...they were crammed inside, and outside on the top...they saw us taking pictures and started waving..our driver said it was probably a village of people traveling to various temples..then we drove into delhi...it turned out to be a pretty normal city...of course, there are those parts that look pretty bad, but on the whole, it has some very pretty buildings, parks, nice streets..i was amazed..especially after what we've seen...our hotel is the imperial hotel, it was built in 1930...it was delhi's first hotel..very lovely old, restored hotel...in the english part of the city...we had dinner at this fun restraunt last night that was called the spice room and it was decorated so cute..like a spice bazaar...today we went on a tour of the city...our guide wasn't really in to it..so it was sort of funny...he would tell us about things, but, then say..it's history, but not historical...so i guess that would mean not that interesting...so, our 6 hour tour was about 2 and 1/2 ...we did see the mosque..that was cool..we had to wear these kimono things and go barefoot...we saw a building that the taj mahal was sort of copied from..it was beautiful...and then we saw where mahatma ghandi was cremate, they don't bury them, the presidential palace, the india gate etc etc...then we came back to the hotel..we laid by the pool...a favorite thing to do...later in the afternoon we walked down the street...it was fun to see all the shops...the girls would love this shopping...too bad russ doesn't...we were accosted by many beggars..always women and children or men with no legs or no feet etc...i've seen some of the worst deformities here...very sad...the bellman at the hotel warned us to not go anywhere with anyone...we'd be robbed...so we didn't...but, some guys wanted to shave russ and give us all ear cleanings...they love russ..he's so big and blond...he's been called 'big guy', my big friend, handsome..etc etc..pretty funny...it's usually the men...it's sad because you are afraid to make eye contact or smile because their hands will come out...so you have to be sort of mean...kathy always gives to the cripples...the salesmen are nonstop..they don't give up...it gets pretty annoying...you wish you could be nice..but you can't...and you can never pull your wallet out..they would attack you...it's an interesting experience...so tomorrow...back to mumbai..that beautiful city...not! but, since we've been there it will feel like home...

the taj mahal

what a way to start the day!!!
we went to the taj mahal this morning...amazing...beautiful...fantastic to see...what a gorgeous place...there are grounds, a park like place, the city gate, a mosque all surrounding the taj...it's just built for the one purpose...for the burial place of the queen, and then the king was buried there also...a beautiful story.they fell in love at first sight, they married 5 years later...they were married for 19 years, she had 17 pregnancies, 14 deliveries and only 7 kids lived, she died giving birth or soon after..he was so disraught that he built this building to honor their love....it's made of marble, that's translucent..it shines when hit by the sun...and inlaid work of marble and stone.everything about the building is in perfect symetrey....it was a great experience...now we are just resting around the hotel...leaving here :( to go to delhi...another drive...we'll stop and see the agra fort

some activites today

not to say we didn't do anything fun today..we did...as we drove along to agra...we stopped at fatehpur sikri which is an old palace built in the 1500's...it was really pretty, made of sandstone..the king built the city and brought his 3 wives to it...one a hindu..top wife because she gave him a son...she had a huge palace of her own on the property...a christian wife, she had no children..more of a gift from someone...and the muslim wife that had 2 daughters..and a small place to live...there is a beautiful mosque there also...after we got to the hotel we just layed around and enjoyed ourselves...

the taj

need i say more? this is sooooo cool...and this is just from our hotel...we're going to see it early, early tomorrow morning...i can't wait!

the road to agra OR let's play 'chicken'

today we got up early to drive to agra...that's where the taj mahal is...it was about 5 hours driving...5 hours of alot of holding your breath...here's some thoughts on driving in india...lucky we were not driving ourselves...but, i don't know if that's better or not...
1. our driver is a sikh, which is a form of religion..they don't believe in cutting their hair or hurting anything...sooooo, while we are driving he doesn't want to hit anything...
2. ok, there are alot of animals in the streets..i'm not saying to hit them, but, he would swerve to miss..which is sort of scary...driving fast...we were worried we would crash trying not to hurt the squirrel or frog in the street...
3. the goats that almost caused us to crash as he swerved away from them as they bounded into the street...and the guy behind us that almost rear-ended us...pretty scary...
4. one thing i've noticed is that they HAVE to pass at any opportunity...you're driving along behind a truck, then he wants to pass and you go in the other lane and you see another truck coming towards you...that's when it's like chicken...hopefully, you'll make it...
5. everyone just wants to go as fast as possible and never, ever stop...so, they make ways to do so...watch out anyone in the way...
6. the road was pretty good for quite aways...but, then we hit the old road..don't know if i should call it a road..it was a 'rut'...so then we were swerving to miss the ruts..don't try and sleep with this going on...
7. plus, then we got to agra and besides being on a semi dirt road that led into town...traffic was crazy...everyone just going for it...on motorcycles, trucks, camels and carts..you name they were there...
8. and, if you're stuck in traffic in a town..there are always the people tapping on the windows wanting money or you to buy something..the blind beggars...the best of everything...
9. there are these great trucks that look like they were built in about 1920, they actually use a crank to start...they are usually hauling something..people, hay, whatever...
10. the trucks, vans, carts, everything...are usually filled to the brim with people...there is always room for 1 or make that 20 more...how many people can you fit in a 5 passenger car? probably about 30...really...they are smashed inside..then people hang on the back, sit on the front...it's unreal...
11. speaking of over burdening something...the trucks are filled to way over flowing...i mean...they have huge huge burlap type coverings that they put over hay, or whatever they are hauling and it is twice the size of the truck...it's just crazy...so top heavy...
12. motorcycles usually have at least 3 people on them..sometimes 4 or 5...babies smashed in the middle of people...a little girl sitting up front of her dad..the women sit 'side saddle' because they have their saris on...one motorcycle was in an accident today because her sari got stuck in the wheel...
13, oh, this is fun also...when the road you're on has a 'diversion' and suddenly you're on the other side of the road..wouldn't matter if everyone knew that's what you were doing..they just honk...or if they need to get to one side and they are driving down the other way..they just drive on the wrong side..no worries...
14. camel dung that is piled up and sold for cooking fuel.
15. the little little children that run around naked..that way you don't need diapers..

so those are a few of the thoughts going through my mind today...AND we get to do it tomorrow, driving to delhi...yipee!

amber fort

today we drove up to the amber fort...it's out of town and up in the mountains..as you drive up the road you see a wall that goes up and down the tips of the mountains...a mini wall of china...the fort was built in the 1700's...it's high up in the mountains with an older fort that's at the top of the mountain...they used that one first , then moved down into the amber fort...it was very beautiful with an entrance for the maharajah and a separate one for his wives..he had 12...we drove in an old jeep on a very, very bumpy road...they are always restoring things here, but don't seem to get anything done..we saw elephants-they were dressed up for the new year celebration that is this week..when we got out of the jeep there were so many beggars, people selling things it's was hard to walk..all wanting money from us....we saw camels, wild pigs..lots of different animals...on the way back to the city we stopped at the summer palace which is built on a lake..for some weird reason, the ground floor is always under water...strange...we got back early, so we laid out...russ had a massage first, then kathy and i had one..it was in the same room..guess they thought we were a couple...the spa is in a building made of tents., but with a regular floor, windows and doors...another greasing of my hair...can't believe how greasy it was...must have put a few cups in it...we were supposed to have a little cooking lesson tonight, but it didn't work out..too bad...so tomorrow we are going to drive to agra...the taj mahal! can't wait...

jaipur

today we saw jaipur...or the pink city...it's the old city with a huge pink wall around it...we went to the city palace...as we drove in our guide pointed out people selling bird feed to others..he called it a 'bird restaurant', people buy the bird seed to feed the birds..and monkeys that are around...we then went to an astrology park...there was the biggest sundial in the world...plus all these horoscope things..they are really into that here...we then went to the palace, didn't go into the palace except for this museum they have..interesting...we drove around the city and saw other things..we also saw where they make fabric and rugs...they hand stamp the fabric with a design...saw how they polish gems for jewelry etc...we also saw many camels pulling carts...donkeys, elephants,cows standing in the middle of the road, dogs, lots of animals wandering in town..we also saw some 'snake charmers', we see ladies that sweep the leaves off the grass, they need a rake, if any of you saw ' the amazing race' last sunday, it featured jaipur...it's alot like that...crazy...our tour got back sort of early...so we had time to kill today and it was cloudy...so, we wandered around our 'colonial' hotel...it really reminds of being at some english peoples house for the weekend...we went to the 'gymnasium' and they had ping pong, so we played, russ killed us...then we played at the pitch and putt...the little guy that works there was going to be our caddy and russ invited him to play..i think he ended up winning...we also threw darts...on a very small dart board, and played ring toss...i won! tonight we went to this italian resturant at the hotel..it was outside...the waiters are so nice...they know exactly what we want to drink..oh, we also saw them making 'naan' which is indian bread...it was pretty cool to watch...the chef told us tomorrow that he will show us how to make some 'gravies' or i imagine curry...that will be fun...we watched american idol...which is delayed a day...and we saw Kelly! that was fun...anyway...that was our day..

jai mahal

i put a map of india on so you can see where we are, where we're going, etc. we started in mumbai, flew north to udaipur, then flew farther north and in-land to jaipur...then, we'll drive east to agra, then north to delhi and south again to mumbai...today we got up early and flew to jaipur...it was on a pretty small plane...but, the flight was fine...jaipur is a larger city about 3 million people...we are staying at the jai mahal...it is an older hotel, reminds me of an old english type hotel from the 1940's...alot of workers working on the gardens as they call them...ladies sweeping the leaves off the grass...clipping the weeds from the grass...we laid out at the pool today...there were birds that thought the pool was a large bird feeder or something..anyway...a nice slow afternoon...tomorrow we'll go sightseeing...tonight outside on the hotel there are supposed to be activities like a little mini bazaar, puppet show etc...should be interesting...

udaipur--the city

we toured udaipur today..very interesting..had a very nice guide..we figure he's about 25 and his family is looking for a bride for him...they will choose...he has never dated...interesting...then, they will live at his house...so, we went to the temple today..it was very high up, with alot of stairs...it was interesting...while we were there, they were chanting and ringing this bell...really loud...the older people go every morning to this temple...it's an interesting process...then, we drove to the palace...that place is huge! it's sooooo long and big..there is the maharana's side and the queen's side...there are all these windows, where the women look out because they aren't to be seen...the palace was highly decorated with tiles, pictures etc...very ornate and beautiful...there is still a royal family, but now they don't govern, they are just making alot of money...then, we went to some shops..that was fun..bought some fun stuff...russ was pretty bored at this stop! then, we went to some gardens which were nice..another stop for jewelry...then, to the museusm...their museums are weird in the fact that they always have these little dioramas showing things...interesting...then, they gave us a puppet show...it was cute...we also stopped for lunch at this little place...pretty good...by then it was about 4 pm so we came back to the hotel...it is such a pretty spot...we have been cooling off in the pool outside our rooms..watching the deer, vultures (they look like hawks), peacocks..it's fun to see...

udaipur

today we flew to udaipur. it is north of mumbai..about an hour flight..last night before we left we went to dinner at this great indian restaurant...the chef came out and told us that he would bring us the food we should eat...it was fantastic...the taxi ride there of course was pretty scary...it's unreal how they can drive...we're staying at the gorgeous oberoi hotel...it's amazing...i could just stay here and not even see the city...but, we will go out and see that tomorrow...i'll take pictures tomorrow...we have a little semi private pool that serves a few rooms...our room looks out on a animal conservation area...there are wild boar, deer, vultures..i don't know what else..pretty cool...i had a fantastic massage, russ and kathy stayed at the pool for the afternoon..then we went and had a great dinner...so, tomorrow we'll see the sights...

things we've noticed in india

well, kathy, russ and i are sitting in our room, just chillin', so we're going to tell some things we've noticed about india..they love business cards...sort of like the olden days, when everyone had a card to present, i've been asked for my card...they love curry...morning, noon, and night...the slums are called suburbs...are there worse ones that we haven't seen? if you work construction, you usually live on the side of the road in a yucky tent...they do the bobble on the head..they bobble their heads back and forth to say yes...the construction workers get paid $6 a day and they are making good money! teachers get paid $300 and professor $900..of course who do they teach? i don't see alot of them in school...although alot do go to university and have masters...haven't seen the call centers that are calling the u.s....when they speak, they speak pretty good english, then start going faster and faster and then it sounds like marbles are in their mouths...so, you miss a bit of the sentence..very nice people though...well, we're going to the pool..i'd go to the beach but kathy is afraid that the brown ribbon in the water is poo! so, we'll just go to the pool..it's about 95 degrees here...oh, and a final thing...steve got pink eye and got eye drops from the pharmacy for about 30 cents..he is supposed to put drops in every hour, but does it about every 15 minutes...driving is taking your life in your hands..they are literally about 2 inches away from the other car, bus or truck...just going for it!