Jaipur

Asher and I left Agra at about noon today, after managing to spend time at each of the places we most wanted to visit (more on that when we find ourselves in a proper WIFI situation... ) in our car with our driver - Mr Bapu Lal -
and headed first to Fatephur Sikri where we were hynotized by the beauty and depleted by the mid-afternoon heat. We persevered and eventually made it back to the car and now sit in a 260 year old Haveli, Karnot Mahal (in need of further renovation) - but with one internet connection and a television (Asher's main two requirements). We do not know what is for supper but we are ready. Tomorrow we head to the Amber Fort on Elephants (of course) and then to spend an afternoon in Jaipur and another night here. We stood on the roof and watched a family of monkeys cavorting on a small roof top terrace just across the road. A change of plans resulted in an opportunity for us to spend Friday (neither of us can remember what day it is) in the magical village of Bundi where Rudyard Kipling wrote much of Kim and other tales of India
.

Fantastic Asher. Keep taking the great photos! They are really wonderful. Not only a once in a lifetime view, but a once in a life time trip.

Almost a Day in Agra

The classic view of the Taj.

The view no one knows about.

Me adding a minaret at Sikandra (Akbar's Mausoleum)

Varanasi

A scene from the boat zone

The Shiva Worship temple

<------------ Our wonderful strong Boat drivers

<------

The Once in a Life time sight

Varanasi

We made it ... more soon. Internet cafes and naked sadhus everyplace. Asher is documenting and we are off now to a ceremony across the river.

Day 2, LAS perspective

Asher and I have hoovered into our visit to Delhi, neither of us understanding what we were in for ---- on any level. Although brief in real time, we have found ourselves exclaiming about the wonders of how much can fit into a minute when our eyes take in unfamiliar ways of being. We have been startled by the contrasts - that just about everyone writes about. The extraodinary diversity; the roads and our survival each time we successfully cross a major street or get out of tuk-tuk or rick-shaw. During our two days, we have retreated to which ever big Luxury Hotel is in the neighborhood for calm and airconditioning before wondering out again for another dose of the incredible world we are visiting.

Asher at the Imperial, after hours with the Mughals at the Red Fort

Incredible

Wow...looks like a very incredible trip so far. Keep taking the photos. I can't wait to see your next posting. have fun.

Delhi Day 1

Doboom Rinpoche (Director Tibet House, New Delhi) and AMS...

Good Karma

A street scene from our took-took.

A rickshaw waiting for a customer.

A homeless man

Scene from a taxi ride.

A tomb at Lodi Gardens

and reflections at a bridge

Me, Lisa and our friend Bimla Kayshyap at Lodi

Hello, Eastern Voyager

So how is it so far??? You must have been there at least a few hours—why no posts? I miss you already.

The Ever Evolving Itinerary, as of today (suggestions welcome) -

July 1
Asher and Lisa board Continental Airlines at Newark Airport ...

July 2nd – July 5th (3 nights)

New Delhi
• The Maidens Hotel in Old Delhi -

July 5th – July 7th (2 nights)


10:40AM flight to Varanasi--- one of the holiest cities in India

• Ganges View Guest House




Try to catch the 17:20 (BSP) Marudhar Express train to Agra (AF or IDH), arriving at 6:15ish...


from July 8th – 9th (2 nights)

• Taj Mahal



• Fatehpur Sikri





• Itimadudulah



July 9th – July 14th (5 nights)

Jaipur (2 nights)

...with thoughts of journeying through the countryside to visit and see the work being done by the people associated with the Barefoot College (www.barefootcollege.org)

Bundi (1 Night)

Udaipur (2 nights)

JULY 14
Delhi to catch an overnight train called the Jammu Mail which leaves OLD DELHI Railway station at 9.15pm each night and gets you to Pathankot Station usually arriving around 7.30am OR a day train called the Malwa Express which leaves NEW DELHI at 8am and arrives at Chakki Bank Station around 4.10pm OR an overnight deluxe bus OR and finally a 1:45 (less than 2 hour flight)!!!



July 14th – July 19th (5 nights)
Dharamsala / Mcleodganj
Chonor House, off Bhagsu Road


July 19th – July 23rd (4 nights)

Bombay, with the Ahluwalia families

the Gateway

July 24
HOME !!!!!

Marble Arch, the 50ies

If you get the chance check out our old flat in Bombay. It's on Cumballa Hill and the address is 52 Pedder Rd. {sp?} At the time the family that owned the building was Dr. Meir Homji. You were friendly with their daughter. At that time more than 50 years ago it was considered one of the better flats in the city. I wonder if it still stands and what condition it is in. We had the fourth floor. Love, Dad

Getting Ready

Sometime just before Christmas, 2007 Asher and Lisa went to see a movie called The Darjeeling Limited, directed by Les Anderson and starring Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson and Jason Schwartzman. The film is about 3 brothers who mostly have not gotten along for a long time. The oldest one, after a scare, invites the two younger ones on a train trip through India in hopes of establishing a new level of friendship. But old habits die hard, and the brothers end up on a complicated emotional journey featuring exciting adventures in India. After the movie ended, Asher and Lisa were talking about it, and suddenly decided they should go to India for a couple weeks to see what adventures they could have together.

When they began to think about what they wanted to do; they realized 3 weeks can go by very quickly. Lisa thought they should go on a Tiger Safari but then learned the Parks were closed during the monsoon season. Fortunately Asher decided that rain should not be a deterrent and that they would have other adventures. Lisa also hoped they could meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama but learned that His Holiness would be in Wisconsin while they were in Dharamasala.



So as of March 15, Asher and Lisa have decided to spend their time taking in as much as they can. After a few days in Old Delhi, they plan to explore the sights, colors and flavors of Rajastan by visiting the great Mughal cities of Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodphur. They may also join a hunt to capture - but not hurt - a wild bear!