Elephant parade

I was all set to put a picture with this story, have the camera with me and everything. Well, not everything. I forgot the cord and reader. Oh well. Picture later. I was with Michael about five minutes from where we stay. I wanted to go get something, and wanted to do it alone just to see if I could. I was walking along, seeing familiar things, then not familiar things, so I would go back to the last familiar thing. I never really got lost; just took the long way! I was at a place where everything was looking familiar, walking along, thinking, and looked up and saw an elephant coming toward me. It was decorated and had people riding on it. I thought, "Boy, I need my camera. I hope I'm close enough to get it." Turns out I was right at the corner where we live! I ran in, got my camera, and ran back out. There were two elephants, two camels, a brass band, dancers, and horses just stalled right there waiting for me. I started taking pictures. A man asked if I wanted one with the elephant. I asked, "For money?" He said no, so I gave him my camera. A bunch of kids gathered round. They love to get their pictures taken and to take pictures. I took their pictures, they took mine. I continued taking elephant, camel, and horse pictures in between. A man came and told me to get my camera. He said some stuff I didn't understand, so I thought he wanted me to stop taking pictures. Turns out, he was worried about the kids with the camera. His nephew just got married. He was the one on the horse. Take pictures of him. It lasted about 15 minutes, then they moved on and so did I. My first solitary great adventure!

We had a University of Michigan t-shirt party. Here is part of the group remaining at the end. Left to right: Golu, Bhabiji, bottom row: Rahul, Monu, two neighbor kids. top row: Jooli, me, Jooli's husband.

Jaipur

I have moved on to Jaipur. The temperature was record hot in Delhi. I now have some understanding of my husband! Hot, hot, hot! I have lost total track of days. Friday, I believe, we did nothing. Laid around our room in Delhi, recovering from two busy days in the heat. Saturday we went to the Taj Mahal. It is as incredible as the pictures portray. We got there by train, spent time at Taj Mahal, then went to Agra Fort. By then, I was wearing out, but found an herb garden to sit beside. Next day, got up early and took train to Jaipur. We went straight to Jooli's house and began meeting people. We were not even inside the gate when the children spotted Michael. I am called Mama (accent on last syllable). This morning, Jooli and Bhabiji (pronounced Bobby G) played dress up with me. They got me all gussied up in a festival dress, complete with painted finger and toe nails, toe rings, bangles, bindi, the whole works. Michael took pictures. It was all very fun. Jooli speaks some English, Bhabiji does not. We figured it out though. We had some lunch, then got out the U of M t-shirts. I wasn't really sure what to expect, but it turned out to be so much fun. The kids were rooting around, finding their sizes, and Bhabiji put one on. Jooli's husband put one on, then another, because he wanted two, o.k? Pretty soon, Michael was taking pictures of the "fittings", then we posed for some more pictures. The people here love to be in pictures. It will be good to be in Chennia at Michael's so I can load pictures. Michael and I played cricket with the children for awhile, then went back to our room to rest. Jooli owns another house that she rents, but will always keep Michael's room for him! The "house" is like our houses, only tall and skinny. The "homes" people live in are one very small room. Bhabiji has a husband and three children in her family. During the day, the bed is where people sit. The stove is a two-burner on a table. The bathroom is in common outside. There is a common area that I would consider inside, but it is called outside, I guess because it is outside the home. We will be going back there for dinner when we are done here. I have never had such a dry mouth in my life! Michael is trying to make a plan for us, but everywhere is this hot, except in the mountains, and it would be very expensive to go there. Stay tuned for our next stop!

Made it to India

It was a lot of work, but I did it!I had to refund my Delta ticket through Amsterdam, then buy one from American Airlines that went Chicago to Delhi. Yesterday, Michael and I walked around Delhi in over 100 degree heat. It was crazy. I never really felt hot, but my mouth totally dried out and I had few little dizzy spells. We saw some incredible things. I will post pictures in a week or so when we get back to Michael's in Chennia. We were at Lodi park last night, which is the best place I have been so far. Today we went to Delhi market. It is really crazy!!! Busy, fast, all outdoor stalls. I can't describe it properly here. I bought an Indian outfit. It is the long tunic top, pajama bottom pants, and stole. The way it works is I went into a material shop and picked out and bought the fabric I wanted. Then I took it around the corner to the tailor and he made it while Michael and I continued with our day. We went to a Mosque, then lunch, then to the Red Fort. In the morning, I thought I was doing better than yesterday, but I think really we just got an earlier start. It went like this: walk a little way, buy a water and sit in the shade, walk a little way, sit in the shade. It was actually quite fun. We talked to some people, watched kids play, regained some energy, and saw some more sights. We then went and picked up my outfit and headed back to the hotel. I enjoy sitting in the parks as much as looking at the historical and quite beautiful landmarks. It has been a combination of intense, relaxing, amazing, tiring, and wonderful!

Volcanic activity

I am trying not to check the volcano and flight cancellations too often, but I'm not having much luck with that. I SO want to leave on time tomorrow. Some airlines are beginning to fly, and mine doesn't get to Amsterdam until Tuesday morning, so there is still hope.

This is me. I think I know how to add pictures and comment on them now. If there is a way to put a bunch of pictures without a space to write, I haven't found it. I will post pictures with my stories, but for bunches of pictures, go to my Facebook page.

This is my husband, John, who took these photos. If you want a better look, click on his picture!

These girls were really having fun. I think I'm getting the hang of this. I haven't figured out if I can put two pictures side by side yet. I don't think so, though.

I tried this group picture in a different format. Let's see what happens!

Now I am trying different picture sizes. These are more colors of Holi.

Holi on the Diag

I am experimenting with adding pictures today. This is a group picture at Holi in Ann Arbor on April 11, 2010.

Holi on the Diag

I just got home from Ann Arbor, celebrating Holi on the Diag. Holi is the Festival of Color in India. I wanted to be there for it in March. In Jaipur, elephants are also decorated. Unfortunately, the visa people interfered, and I'm not leaving here for another week. Holi is the official arrival of Spring, so I guess that's why it is late in Michigan. It is a fun festival, and lots of color for sure.

Packing

I will be at the airport in 10 days. I have been packing and organizing and making lists of things to not forget.

Easter

It is Easter Sunday, and I am still in Florida. We have been having a wonderful time with my mom and dad. I had a new granddaughter while here. Her name is Marissa, and she was born April fool's day. The weather here is gorgeous!

Florida

I've been in Florida for a few days now. We went to the beach, and have been shuffling, boys against girls, and play til we are even in the win column. Pinochle is another highlight.