Weekend away to Goa

I took a half of day on Friday 30th of October and flew down to Goa for a long weekend (2.5 hour flight). Goa is distinct because of its beautiful beaches and colonial past.
It was inhabited by the Portuguese until 1961 and the Portuguese influence in architecture, religion, language, music and even food are still evident.

My colleague's husband booked me into The Kempinski Leela and it was truly an indulgent weekend.

This was the view from my room...I spent allot time reading on the deck and watching the birds, although at night the mosquitos were treacherous!

Elephants, elephants and more elephants!!! KAM in the outdoor hotel lobby before her island tour.

Here is the real thing!!!

Local Indian women doing a traditional dance....

Whilst I was walking through the village streets - local man offered me some fruit.

I had to pass on it (if I want to live another year), although it was tempting!

One of the many Catholic Churches I visited on the hot sunday - this one being a world heritage site.  The body of St. Francis of Xavier (1501-1522) lies in this large Cathedral in Old Goa. After he died, his body was dug out 3 months later with little signs of decay. It was thereafter declared a miracle and he was canonized as a Saint. Every 10 years the body is put on display for all to see (put 2014 in your diary?).

I visited a large temple - The Shri Mahalsa Temple - and on the streets flowers were sold to be placed at the altar. Of course I bought flowers from all of the above old women.  When I placed them on the altar, the local elder told me that I would find love in February. Good news but he did not say February of what year? ;-)

Birthday Celebration In India - an experience!

Although I am far away from friends and family, I felt truly blessed on my birthday. My friend Sian Parry was in Delhi on business, the Indian Management team surprised me with a cake and my own team decorated my cabin and were so so generous.  I also received so many wishes from family and friends via email and calls. Thank you. It was truly humbling!!!

Lovely cake which...........In India............the tradition is for it to ??

Be put it in the face / hair of the birthday girl!

Sian wanted me to get the guys back who did the throwing, which I did!

Sorry Navneet and Sumitro.

Here are some of my team in my cabin - which they decorated with balloons, streamers, flowers and lovely poems. I think they had more fun then me!! My team are truly the best thing about India!

Diwali - A Colourful Celebration

Amongst firecracker, illuminated oil lamps, sweets being exchanged - Diwali - the arrival of Lord Rama's return after 14 years of exile was celebrated on October 17th and as I found out - is a huge fanfare in India. My team celebrated with floor and bay decorations, competitive Bingo, and lovely Indian food.

"Lord Rama" as a floor decoration - this was a true team effort - it took them two hours to do.  Flowers, coloured rice and other spices were used.  Impressive!

The above art was called the "Family" - including food, candles, and symbols which reflect peace, symmetry, birth and death. This was my favorite! I was tempted to eat the fruit, but I did refrain (u proud of me DJW?)

The Jeannie gave me one wish - World Peace? Feeding the Children? Cure for a specific terrible diseases? Or......?? Well let's just say that my wish has not come true yet...but I know it will.  ;-)

The Taj Mahal

I had the opportunity to visit one of the World's most famous and dare I say most beautiful buildings...The Taj Mahal.  It was absolutely breathtaking!!!! It's perfect proportions and exquisite craftsmanship have been described as a "vision, a dream, a poem, and a wonder...".  Someone can not travel to India six times and not go (you know who you are .....  )

My colleague Pat and I drove 4.5 hours on Saturday night and woke up for the sunrise viewing.  The light, colors, crowds and also the heat were very accomodating and it was a perfect time to visit.

The Taj is located is on the East Bank of the River Yamunna.  Not the most picturesque river and on the day we visited it was very low and filled with roaming animals.

You had to put on slippers when walking around the tomb....this is Kerry in front of a mosaic marble rug...which there are many on the inside and outside of the building.

Not exactly the famous "Princess Diana" photo, but here I am in front of the Taj...at about 6:30 am.

Look at the right glass.....share my view with me.  ;-)

We also went to other tourist spots, including the Agra Fort and met some school children.  Beautiful colors and smiles.

Some more friends.....3 generations of Sikhs....one has to love the colors of their turbons and they were very kind to allow me to take their photo.

Trip to Kinari Bazaar and Jami Masjid

Kerry, in  her robe supplied by the mosque workers (I was wearing shorts), in front of Jami Masjid...India's largest mosque.  At anytime, up to 20,000 muslims can gather and pray in the square.  This mosque is in "Old Delhi", with a Hindi temple right down the street. I did try to smile, but it was very  hot!

The Mosque is absolutely beautiful - built in 1656 - it took 5,000 people to construct. Balwant and I listened as the prayers were being said.

Old Delhi bazaars are legendary for their spice, silver and gold, cashmere, carpets and of course fabric.  I needed a Indian suit for the Diwali celebration (India's biggest holiday), which is happening next Saturday.  Of course they tried to sell me about six saris and suits, along with the shawls but I restrained myself to two. Good news - I have something to wear on Christmas day in New York. ;-)

Just a few fun masks in preperation for Diwali.

Balwant (my driver in the Khaki) and I travelled the street of Old Delhi in bicycle rickshaws.  He likes being driven for a change!!

This is  typical bazaar street.  Lots of people and decorations, specifically at this time of year.  It was very very busy, but fun to go through.  Many christmas presents were bought!

The photo is not great...but many of the residents near the bazaar take their families and clean in the local shower. The mother is currently bathing an infant....I know that he was a boy because the mother came up to me later for some drink...which I gave willingly (this time / not all the time).  I still continue to be humbled and feel blessed everyday!.

Touring Delhi with Debbie and Jon....

Debbie and Jon (co-workers and friends) came out for another exciting trip to India and on Saturday we toured parts of Delhi.  The visit included a trip to the Presidents Palace...........Rashtrapati Bhavan...Not quite the White House but the "Red Copper House." The palace also included various government buildings and beautiful sculpted gardens!

Here is Debbie and Kerry in front of the Imperial Hotel with our friend Okahar, after just finishing a wonderful lunch (Imperial is the hotel where Mahatma Ghandi negotiated and signed the indepence document from the British in 1947).  The buffett is an all you can eat buffet and it is pure delight!

This is the temple we went to, but never made it in! It ws 34 degrees outside and no cameras, water or diet coke were allowed past the gates. Also, our bags had to be checked and the bathrooms were a bit "minging" (terms used by DJW). Therefore, we opted for the early lunch at the Imperial.  No worries...I will go back!  (also please note that Debbie did actually go to the bathroom at the temple..I was an eyewitness! Much soap was used thereafter!!)

India Gate is on a long avenue on the opposite end to the Presidents Palace and reminded me a bit of the Arc De Triumphe at the end of the Champ de Ellyse. It is made of massive red sandstone and was built to commemorate all of the Indian and British soldiers who died in WWI.  Names are listed all over the arch..I stopped counting after 1200??? ;-)  On the way we also ran into a snake charmer....and oh yes another monkey by the President's palace.

It is really nice having friends visit................our driver Pawan was an excellent guide and we toured the city music compliments of Kerry's Ipod. J amd D did not like my music to start off but then the Miller sap, classical, motown and dance collection grew on them........;-)

The Moonsoon - another experience??

Both Gurgaon and Delhi reeled over the second wettest day of the year, with the monsoon tail just hitting.  It rained from 2:30 am until 8:30 pm. The roads were watelogged and full with traffic jams, pot holes and lots of floating material. (hmm....)

My driver Balwant, who lives in Delhi, was unable to reach me so I had to get to work through other modes of transportation.  See below.  (just kidding). It took many of my colleagues 4-5 hours to get to work (dedicated team) and we put 40 people up in hotel rooms so that they did not have to experience the traffic challenges as the rains did not subside.

As one point, the water was waist high on the streets. I was late in taking out my camera but what this pictures does not show is the children that were swimming down stream on the tires.  It also does not show the water coming into the car...........not a good day not to have the wellies!

Visit to the Neermana Fort Hotel

The Neemrana Hotel is a 15th Century fort turned into a luxurious hotel. It is set amongst the hills, half ways between Delhi and Jaipur in the midst of the desert. The rooms all have different themes and come in vibrant India colours and shapes with furniture from the period. My deck overlooked the village below and I could see families gather in their "courtyards" for dinner and prayer (very vocal chanting). It is a very simple, peaceful yet luxurious place. Of course if view were many animals including cows, monkeys, birds and more birds and pigs.

We had a bank holiday on the 30th of August so Balwant dropped me off on the Sunday after church and picked me up on Monday afternoon. The best part being at the hotel was of course sitting by the pool, reading books and magazine. The Indian version of "People" Magazine and the India version of "Money" make fascinating reading. I have read six books since my arrival to India - some books on Indian business, maybe a Danielle Steele and James Patterson and how about Eat, Pray and Love ?? which has become my "motto" for the year! (Julia Roberts in in India as we speak filming the movie).

This is considered a 5 Star Hotel, but the shower facilities were a bit ancient. Actually, I really enjoyed the "bucket" experience and sitting on the stone bench. It only took me a half hour to figure out how to turn on hot water, but I will get there!

Indian Wedding

KAM on her way to a wonderful Indian wedding. I will wear a SARI in the future....but I decided I would wait a few months.....(and yes by the way I am working on getting my tan more even. ;-). The beautiful bride and groom - Arti and Reggie. Both work on my team and met at Fidelity a few years ago. The music, food, flowers and dancing were all fantastic and I felt very blessed to participate.

Some of my colleagues, who looked absolutely beautiful. Jai Ho...... Kushoboo, Deepti, Kalvana and another Kushoboo!

LDS Church In India

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has 6 Branches in and around Delhi, with around 600 active members. It is slowly but surely growing. I thought there would be more "expats" in my ward, but there are only two other families and one is leaving at the end of the month. We meet in a converted house - first two floors are Church classrooms and the third floor is a home. The missionaries can only teach in English and the stake including Pakistan, has up to 75 fulltime American and Indian missionaires. The Saints in India have beautiful hearts, enthusiasm to learn, and passion to serve the Lord. I hope and pray that I can serve and support.

Around Delhi and Visit To Bird Sanctuary

Debbie, John and Kerry on a day shopping in Dehli. A few pashmina's later and dripping with sweat as it was so so hot - we had a successful shopping day in Dehli!

There are monkeys all over the streets - big, small and usually very hungry. Here is one eating a lime. For the most part, they are friendly but one got into a friends home and ate shoes and tore up items in the flat. Needsless to say - the windows are closed in my flat. I can hardly take all of the lizards around!

The local Shepherd......not sure what kind of cows these are but there were many! They stopped traffic for about five minutes, which allowed me to get out of the car and take the photo. Tally Ho!

Life is not that easy for the Shepherds...but they work hard...

Taxi or Rickshaw?