The day ended well

After work I went to play with "my puppies". My favorite one wasn't there - where is she? The other three were there and they all got to enjoy the biscuits. They now sit for me before I give them a treat, we are becoming buddies. The next lesson plan will be to make them sit and stay - wish me luck.

Walked to the Yoga studio, a new place in GK-2, to find out what time class was tomorrow morning. There was a woman there who just joined also. She's living in Delhi on her own and just moved from Mumbai. She said that she didn't have a lot of friends here yet. We went for coffee and a bite to eat and had a great chat. We share lots in common - both have Labrador retrievers at home, enjoy hiking and staying active. We have tentative plans to explore a park nearby.

On Sunday I have plans with Swati, the woman I meet two weeks ago and who is moving to Mumbai. She is back in Delhi for the weekend and wants to get together on Sunday.

Are things looking up? Work is a downer, but maybe making contacts will get me through the rough patches.

At least I can end my day feeling good and looking forward to the weekend with friends!

An arrangement that I took as a gift to the wedding. It's beautiful and only cost $8USD! I will have to buy some for myself tomorrow at a flower store right next to my apartment.

Can you quit a volunteering job?

Today I almost threw in the towel with my fellowship. You have read that I am not the biggest fan of the PHI director, Dr. P. Today confirmed that! I will tell the story and you can decide if I am over reacting.

Earlier this week I was feeling pretty good about the job. Dr. Prasanta, the director started using some of the material I had previously worked on. That makes me feel productive. On Wednesday I went to the meeting with him to the Lilly office to discuss PHI portion of the NCD, non-communicable disease, project. It was a good meeting. At the meeting the Lilly folks told us there was a diabetes conference on Friday that was invitation only and he would forward the email with the contact info of the organizer. I was very interested and mentioned that to Dr. P on the way home from the meeting. On Thursday I asked Prasanta if he had received it. His response was he hadn't checked his emails. When I got to the office I searched the internet. The only thing I found was through a link to LinkedIn. I sent it to Prasanta to see if I should try and if he was interested in going. He said that he had too much work to do but I should try. I also contacted Prabhat from Lilly for the email, he responded with a message to say he had forwarded it to Dr. P in the am; Dr. P was ccd on my email. I felt bad that it appeared that we didn't communicate in the office. I contacted the organizer but never got a response.

The morning routine is that Prem, the driver, picks up Dr. P and then picks up JC and myself. Dr. P wasn't in the car this morning and Prem said he had a meeting to go to. OK. I just hoped that he didn't go to the diabetes conference and not invite me as he well knew that I wanted to go.

At the office, Cheena my co-worker came in around 11 after talking with Dr. P. Guess where Dr. P was??? Yes, at the diabetes conference. JC was there and he had listened to me requesting that I go to the meeting and how he should join us if he was available. Cheena had the passes for the conference and had told Dr. P earlier in the week that we should all go.  This was the first time I was hearing about this.  Cheena has not been in all week as she was involved with her brother’s wedding (the one I went to last week). Before I saw her today she had spoken with Dr. P while he was at the conference and told her that she could not go as she had too much work to do in the office. When Cheena told me all of this I could hardly control myself. I am here to help PHI. If the director cannot have the decency to include me in these activities, which he well knew I was interested in, what the hell am I doing here????? I wanted to contact Dr. P's boss, the director of PH in USA and the Pfizer global health fellow coordinator to let them know about this event. Cheena and JC calmed me down.  She made a phone call to get me on the invitation list. I went, two hours after the start, but that's OK. The conference is totally free, no charge so why wouldn't he want me to attend? He saw me there and all he said was that he had to return to the office. That's it, nothing else.

I enjoyed the meeting, made a few contacts and really wish that PHI had a larger support present as their work was mentioned by one of the panel speakers. It is embarrassing that no one from the PHI employees were there. What does it show to the diabetes management community? It isn't important? At least I was able to make a presence and speak of the good work PHI has done with the diabetes educator project. At the end of the conference - Oh BTW the food was fabulous! If all else fails I can find comfort in good Indian food. It's amazing I am still thin! Maybe not after 6 months, but I'll worry about that some other time.

Got back to the office. Dr. P was talking with JC and never even asked me how did it go? What is he thinking???? Thankfully my fellow co-workers were able to calm me down enough not to blow up at Dr. P. With a bit of luck by Monday I will have cooled off enough to talk with him calmly and try to understand his point of view. I really hope for my sake that he has a good explanation!

Unbelievable!

The first session of the conference focused on new technologies for diabetes diagnosing, managing and medications. Second session discussed the prevalence of diabetes in India, which is so very high with many of the cases undiagnosed and if diagnosed poorly managed. Third session discussed behaviour modifications and healthy eating habits. Overall, very informative and I am glad that I attended.

Wedding and a bummer Sunday

Went to Cheena;s brothers wedding last night. It was nice. To my surprise it was very casual. People and family involved in the wedding were dressed really nicely but others were very casual. I was expecting lots of beautiful saris and jewelry, in that respect it was disappointing But otherwise nice. Loud DJ, at least 7 photographers/videos, lots of food, lots of wait staff.
 At first they blessed the rings, the first picture.
There is a lot of exchange of gifts between families.  The brides family gives gifts to the grooms and then the grooms family gives gifts to the brides family.

pic

Next This is Cheena, my co-worker with her Dad.  Just like at work, we see each other in very informal dress and then viola - they are extravagant.  Those shoes!!!  She looked beautiful.  It was Cheena's brother who got married and I believe she is the one who organized the entire event.


It was difficult to get any  pictures as the photographers took up the stage.  There were lights set up, wires and people.  As the audience cannot see what's happening there are TV screens capturing the live events - interesting! 

It is very common that the bride is given jewelry - look at that gold!  Not only did they get jewelry the happy couple also got a Honda Civic. 
One thing that was interesting to me was some of the men's attire. I captured a picture of Prem, our driver, with this fella all decked out in a nice outfit with ELF shoes - the toes are curled up!  Wild. 

It was a nice event and I am really glad I was able to participate.  Actually spent quite a bit of the time talking with a woman from Germany who was in India volunteering.  Ah, when you see a "white" person I immediately feel a connection as we are "outsiders".  She is on a spiritual journey - young and searching.

 Today is Sunday and I was so excited as I had a plans with a woman I met in exercise class. Gave her a call this am and she was on her way to Mumbai as she is moving there ASAP.  Bummer for me.  It was a beginning to have a connection with a local.  Oh well...
In the mornings at the park I walk around I hear something that sounds like a pool.  This is VERY surprising to me as I haven't seen any pools.  As my plans have changed for the day I started searching for pools and yes, my hearing was correct.  I am excited as it is so close by and its a club.  I'll just join...  Walked over there, about 10 minutes.  Got shuffled to the manager, another disappointment - they only allow natives!  If I know someone who belongs, then I can accompany them but otherwise - NO.  On my walk back home I am thinking who I could ask to join (I really do not have many options on that front).  Oh well, I guess it was not meant to be.  WHY NOT????

My highlight today was to Skype with Iris.  Iris is amazing, so full of energy.  She just visited the Grand Canyon and soon off to Glacier Natl park and she does it all on her own!  I can relate to wanting something and then going for it.  Ah yes all those beautiful places.....

Tomorrow I'll go for my morning walk and listen to people doing laps in the pool.

Work

Don't know where to start.  Project HOPE India, PHI, has been focusing on diabetes education training.  Starting in July 2012 they are participating in a 5 year program in collaboration with the PHFI, public health foundation of India, PSI, population services of India and it is all sponsored by Eli Lily.  I will not say that I am from Pfizer!!!  This is the project I will be focusing my efforts.

An except from the project proposal: Eli Lilly and Company made a commitment over five years to fight the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in developing nations. They sell diabetes medicines.  Lilly is launching The Lilly NCD Partnership in India, UDAY, which combines the company’s unique resources with the expertise of leading global health organizations, to identify new models of patient care that increase treatment access and improve outcomes for underserved people. The partnership will focus on diabetes core business area in which Lilly has deep expertise.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), known as chronic diseases, include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. The first phase of The Lilly NCD Partnership will focus on improving diabetes care.

PHI has four employees, Dr. Prasanta-  director who only started in December of 2011 so he wasn't part of the project negotiations, Cheena, program manager, Vishwa, HR and finance manager are in office in New Delhi, and Ciju who is based in Bangalore.  I haven't met Ciju yet but we correspond by Skype or phone. 
Everyone is extremely busy!!! but not with the current project.
I like Vishwa as he has made an effort to help me enjoy India.  He is very friendly, organized, open and wanting to make my stay in India enjoyable.  Cheena is wonderful, but too busy to offer much guidance and direction.  Ciju- I don't have an opinion yet.  Now Dr. Prasanta has made me appreciate my superiors at Pfizer.  They are leaders, organized, encouraging, and good project leaders.  Dr. Prasanta is a dictator, not encouraging, tells people what to do (if he has time), and focused only on himself.  I don't fell comfortable with him leading the project.  Yesterday he came to me to tell me about a meeting that he will have to discuss PHI plans of action and he said that he should do it alone.  I indicated that I would really like to participate in the meeting so I can understand what the other groups are thinking and that four ears are better than two.  We'll see if he includes me, I hope so. 
I have pictures here of a training session that PHI executed in BD manufacturing plant trying to get a few workers to act as leaders in diabetes prevention and education.  PHI has lots of potential to make an impact helping people control their diabetes and educate them to what is necessary to live with diabetes and how to take care of themselves with self-management. 
Over the past month I have been doing research on line to get info about other training programs, to learn about the two location study sites, Sonepot and Vizag.  Over the past few weeks I have been processing data so it can be included in a summary report from the previous PHI project.  I am comfortable doing this but wonder if it will be used.  Often when I submit info to my colleagues I don't get a response - very frustrating.  I ask myself if I should even bother but then again what else am I going to do?
Next time I write about work let's hope it is more upbeat and goal oriented.
I am here for 6 months and am not enjoying myself very much.  It's not bad but I'd rather be home doing what I enjoy  to do- being with my loved ones, garden, hiking, At the same time this is work and I don't always enjoy work.  Also volunteering may not necessarily be fun but it should be rewarding. If it was rewarding and I felt productive I am sure this would be a better experience - there are over 4 months to go so things should pick up.
Stay tuned

Indian life

Indian food cooked by Wajit.  The vegetalbes are from two separate meals.  Left is Okra, called lady fingers in India and the other is potatoes/onions/tomatoes - my favorite, he must have used extra salt and oil!  Accompanied with traditional dal with rice. 

At first it was great to have him cook for me but now it has become too often as i don't cook antmore.  He also brings me food that his wife makes (and boy is that good!).  The problem is that he brings it at around 8:30pm and I have usually already eaten but I don't want to be rude and turn it down, besides it is just yummy.  If this is the worst of my problems I must be doing OK. 

On Monday I went to my exercise (yoga) class, it was fine.  I walked home with a woman from class and we have a date to do something on Sunday.  My first friend!  I like her and she speaks English very well.  She works for an international advertising company based in Delhi.  She has moved out of her family home for the job and has her own flat in Kalkaji, the neighboring town. A woman living on her own is not very common in India as most remain with their parents until marriage.

i am finally getting into a routine for the week.  I have been waking early at 6:30 and go for 1/2 to 1 hour walk around the neighborhoods.  I found a park that has a walking path that is sand.  There are quite a few people walking in the morning which is good.  The temperature at 6:30 is around 91 and when I return it is usually around 93.  Monday and Fridays eve I have been going to exercise class, Wednesdays is my Skyping evening and cooking.  Food is good.  There is a Southern indian restaurant down the street that I want to go to but still havent.  i seem to always have food at home that needs eating.  No different than home...  Eric and I facetime a few days a week which is something i look forward to.  Before I left for India Eric got an iphone.  Because of the iphone we can talk easily whenever there is wifi.  Love the Apple technology andstaying connected. 

Feeling a bit envious of people at home.  Eric in the Adirondacks, Christine in the Adirondacks, Tony and Christopher backpacking.  I miss the great outdoors.  I am hearing that it is quite hot and humid in New York.  Here it is very hot, but dry.  Humidity level is usually under 10%.  Yesterday was hot and humid (14%).  Maybe I shouldn't complain but I know in New York it doesn't stay that way for months.

Tonight is the wedding.  DO I take a gift?  Money?  I will look it up on line to see what I can find.   Looking forward to seeing how elaborate the affair will be.  Marriage and babies are events to celebrate in India.  Maybe everywhere....

I know I haven't discussed work.  That will be another posting.  Not good, but there is hope that it will pick up.  I have been here for 6 weeks, 17 weeks more- Ugh, but the project should pick up in July.  Always need to have hope that things will get better and I do have that.  Between my Christopher's FB and emails from outdoor outfitters I am thinking about a backpacking trip for next year.  In the mountains, water, trees.... Need positives and things to look forward to helps me keep going. 

Before I left home I was planning on going to Laos and Cambodia for an active adventure following my fellowship. Since I have been here my thoughts were maybe to stay and travel around India. Over this last two weeks I decided that I didn't want to spend anymore time in India than I have to.   Hopefully I will head up to Ladakh area, the Himalayas of India, for four days.  I just want to see the area and the best time to travel is May-August.  I won't have time for a backpack, but hopefully there are short hikes for exploring the valleys and hills.  Sue, my friend from Australia mentioned a great trip called the Valley of the Flowers (sounds great huh?) but I would need at least 5 days.  The agreement for the fellowship was that I couldn't take any vacation during my 6 months.  I have worked two Saturdays, so I will be using those as comp days.  Need to make myself happy right???

I will let you know how the wedding goes....

Bahá’í temple and Mahamta Gandhi museum

Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi, alias the Lotus temple.  June 17, 2012

I woke early with no plans for the weekend and decided that I should go for a walk in the morning before it got hot. The Lotus temple is a site in the area that was suggested to visit so I got my maps, decided on the route and off I went. Made it directly there without any wrong turns!  I must be learning how to read the maps and understand the streets.   The temple is surrounded by a gate to keep the area peaceful and clean.  Waited in line for the gate to open at 9 (it was 8:30 when I arrived) with many locals waiting to do their morning prayers. One must remove their shoes before walking up the steps towards Baha'i temple. The thought is that shoes are generally dirty, so one takes them off so they do not make the house of God dirty (respect). Traditional concept was to purify completely by taking a bath. Most temples still have a pond for this purpose just beside the temple; though no one was allowed to get into these water pools surrounding the lotus temple. It was very peaceful and expansive inside.  No talking is allowed.

!                                                   On left is overhead shot of the temple lifted from Internet. It is beautiful!  It's a shame that a tourist cannot see the architectural  beauty from the ground.

Administering Polio Vaccine.  A table was set up with two nurses, on the table was a cold box that was written polio vaccine. Here we see the Oral polio vaccine being given to children by a drop of the vaccine on their tongue - painless.  I have heard about polio immunization days but to see it in action was really great. Polio was supposed to be eradicated from the world by 2000.  This has not happened BUT the number of cases of poliomyelitis has decreased to a few hundred cases worldwide.

Eternal Gandhi Multimedia Museum: - The Museum presents historical records of Gandhi’s life through tools of information technology. It revives the values by which India obtained freedom and redefines them to animate modern products and design. The museum was very interactive, had a nice doll exhibition and very life like images as seen in the picture of Gandhi and his wife.  Gandhi wanted to spread the message of truth and non violence. Ironically he was killed by a man who worked actively for the eradication of Hindus untouchable and the caste system.  Gandhi also shared that same goal. 

I went to the museum in the afternoon with Melinda and her co-worker Kristin.  I had not planned on going out during the day, but I couldn't miss the invitation to be with others.    Most of my friends know me as being very independent, often, when I do get out with other Indian colleagues I find that I would rather be on my own.  But at the same time if I go out by myself I sometimes wish I had someone else with me...

When I returned home I wondered  why someone wanted to kill Mahatma Gandhi.  Below is my summary that I found on the internet:

Nathuram Godse, the assassinator, thought Gandhi harmed Hindu's by preaching non-violence and naively ignoring the violence that was occurring in the country at the time.  In fact, honour, duty and love of one's own kin and country might often compel us to disregard non-violence and to use force. Many thought that Gandhi's politics were irrational but Gandhi had great followers as he lived a most severe austerity of life with ceaseless work for peace. During In 1946 the Muslims were massacring Hindus and Hindus were not retaliating because of Gandhi's politics.  Godse believed and risked his life to release governing Hindu leaders from Gandhi's spell of non-violence whose policy and action had brought ruin and destruction to millions of Hindus.

Interesting.  I guess we are all entitled to our own opinion.....

Pictures

 Sue in her Indian dress style.   Material is light cotton.  Learning experience: there is NO cold water wash as there is no cold water.  The material is not made with color permanent dyes and the dyes are very efficient at coloring other material (whites). This was apparent to me when I washed orange pants with whites, all whites turned orange and the orange pants became a faded orange. Live and learn.

Office support staff and cook.  Ashok on left and Krisinji on right.

The sacred bull seen here is rummaging through the garbage on the side of the road.  Not a pretty sight.  Garbage is a real problem in India.  Not sure what is supposed to be done with it, but there aren't many trash cans and it seems that everyone finds it acceptable to throw the garbage from their cars or just dumps it once they are finished.

Impressions of India

Outside my apt they are working on the water pipes or sewage drains. See picture on left.  The hole that needs being dug is about 5 feet deep by 2 feet wide. It all is done by man and women power. I was watching what appeared to be a couple work together, the man was in the hole, already at his head level, gets a shovel full of dirt and hands it to the woman on top to empty it and hands it back. This went on for at least 10 shovels full until the young boy of maybe a year -is that when they start walking?, threw his shoe into the hole. He had been keeping himself busy and out of trouble. The Mother tried to stop him from doing it again but then the other shoe fell in. The young lad had nothing to keep himself busy but rocks and dirt. Not like at home where babies ar given LOTS of toys to occupy them. The mother took off her scarf and whirled it around to be a rope, tied one end to a post and the other to the ankle of the baby. It worked!

Trusting and kindness.
The first week I was here I went shopping for a top at the market close to my place. The lady sold me a top and pants. She was very pushy and wanted me to buy more. I didn't have that much money so just asked for the two items. I didn't have enough money so she took what I had and told me to pay her the balance some other day. The balance was equivalent to $4. I was shocked! I thought that she might have just overpriced them, put they were reasonable. I liked that. Within the week I paid her the balance.
This is not a single occurrence but happens all the time at the local market. I might not have enough small change and they say pay me later. When I buy fruit and veges the bill is about $1-2. So I might be short a few cents. I always go back and pay the amount I owe. Surprisingly this happened again and at the next stall I or he didn't have change and he kept the extra, but thinking I owed him he said no and gave me my charge back, he just didn't have the small bill. This is a very positive impression and unusual for me.
When I was in Jaipur I bought a bracelet which had a security lock. The security lock was broken. At a jewelry store in the mall last weekend I asked them if they could fix it for me. They did with no charge! Very nice.

Auto rickshaws
Almost all of the auto rickshaws have meters. Most of the time I am told they are out of service. So I ask for a price. I am traveling the same route often and know that it should cost 30 rupees, about 70 cents. Often I am told it is 50, 60, or even 80, I know that it should be between 30-50, I now say I'll give 50 and if they don't say ok I'll find another rickshaw. I am told that we shouldn't tip them as they will continue to expect that from foreigners. It's all part of the fun learning experience!

Getting lost and the weekend

Last night I went to the neighboring town by auto rickshaw for a massage, it felt wonderful.  I decided that it would be great if I could walk to the spa in the evenings as I am sure I will be going back.   This morning I decided to wake up early and try to walk to GK-2 M block market.  My maps and directions accompanied me and still I could not get to the market!  Most of the streets don't have names, towns are divided by blocks.  I live in D block and there are A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J and K blocks.  Not all the blocks are located in order, very similar to the frustrations people have at work locating rooms.   I'll try again tomorrow morning.  At home, in the USA, I usually do quite a bit of walking and I miss it, but the heat of the day is too much for me.  This morning it was only 86 F, quite pleasant, I got home before the sun started warming the air.  It was a busy week at work and was looking forward to the weekend.  No plans.   Saturday I went to Lajpat Nagar market (needed to get out) in the afternoon.  Cheena, in the office is hosting her brothers engagement ceremony  (similar to marriage) and invited JC and myself.  I have nothing to wear!  I kicked myself that I did not buy a sari when I was in Jaipur as they are known for wardropes.  Anyway, I decided to look at Lajpat Nagar market, and they have TONS of options.  I first looked at dresses in stores, but then wandered to the streets.  What I learned was most of the stalls were selling fabric. One buys the fabric and then goes to a tailor and has it made.  I wanted to experience this, so I found a nice material (that is a bit more dressey than my usual purchased items), bought it and then went to a tailor.  I need to pick it up this week sometime.  It was a good experience. Saturday night, Wajit, the night watchman, offered to cook dinner for me so I could see how it's done.  I think I found the secret to Indian food - lots of salt!  It was very good.  Wajit doesn't speak much english, so it was mostly an effort to communicate, but otherwise OK.  Sunday. Sitting and watching So you think you can dance. N I have never seen the show at home and wanted to see why Christine and Christopher enjoyed it.  I like it.  Not quite sure what the judges look for, but many of the dancers are fun to watch.   I spent the morning learning Hindi.  Suprabhatham, Aap kaisae hai?  good morning, how are you?  The website has the tutor tell how it sounds and then it records me saying it.  There are quite a few mix of letters that I do not pronounce well, but will try with the group at the office or the watchman at my apartment.to learn a few words and greetings. I did go to the mall around 4 to hear a all women Yale group sing a cappella.  I couldn't really enjoy the singing group as the acoustics were not very good and people around were talking.   I can't believe that my plans for the weekend was to go shopping and then to a mall!  What is becoming of me???

Jaipur

We had another busy day starting the tour at 8:30.

Started off to take a picture of Hawa Mahal, the wind palace, stands upright as the entrance to the City Palace, Jaipur. An important landmark in the city, Hawa Mahal is an epitome of the Rajputana architecture. The splendid five-storey “Palace of the Winds” is a blend of beauty and splendour much close to Rajasthan’s culture. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh built Hawa Mahal in 1779. The pyramid shape of this ancient monument is a tourist attraction having 953 small windows.  

It looks like a real cobra. 
Could it be???  It was happy to stay in its box.


 Then Amer or Amber fort built in the 1600s. Melinda and I rode an elephant up the hill to the entrance of the fort.. Oh yes, there were small hills surrounding Jaipur. Is that why it's called the walled city?

The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh the fort was made in red sand stone and white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic fort-palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings.















Built mainly for the warring enemies as a safe place, the heavily structured walls could defend the residents within the ramparts of the fort. 








This wall was magnificent, the glass, mirror and design. Amber Fort had a great water system.  In the valley was a lake and they used a great system to bring water from the lake to supply the fort and cool the rooms. The technology back then was amazing.







After that. We went to a textile store. We were taught how to make fabric prints, followed by a trip to well known Babu market, picture on left. Needed a couple hours here to do shopping but no time.






Visited the really interesting Observatory,

Jantar Mantar (Observatory) - built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the huge masonry instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. Enormous sun-dial still provide accurate time, which are subject to daily corrections. Last sight was City Palace which was neat because so much of it was pink!

I am having my picture taken with an Indian family. This is interesting as families want to have their pictures taken with Westerners.  The tour guide mentioned that they might be from a rural area and not used to seeing Westerners so they like to capture "us" with "them".  No harm here.

The last stop of the day was to City Palace.  Filled with many museums, armory, picture gallery of the rulers, clothes/ropes and art work.  I liked that most of the buildings were pink, just like a pink city.  By this time I have had enough and ready to rest. 
We have a 6 hour ride back to Delhi.





I thought the ride home would be relaxing - Wrong!!!
 There is no way to describe the traffic. The roads are shared by bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, tractors, horse (camel, elephant, bull) cars and 14-18 wheeled trucks, large!. There does not seem to be any order to the traffic and where they position themselves on the road. The worst is we are traveling along at 80km/hr and come upon two or three trucks that are positioning to be first going about 40mph. This happens ALL the time. On the back of the trucks is written "BLOW HORN" or "HORN PLEASE". I guess our driver is reading those signs for each truck we pass. Thank god I don't drive or my blood pressure would be really high do to stress and aggravation. Now we are having a dust storm and rain is shore to come. Good for the farmers. Much of the land between Jaipur and Delhi is agricultural. We arrived home safely which is  the most important.
Good night rest.

On the way to Jaipur

 I know that I am a few days behind in my writing, but I wanted to have this portion documented in the blog. I am still on my trip from Agra to Jaipur.  Around 10am left for Agra fort. Already to hot during the day. Before we headed out of town we stopped at a place that cut the precious stone and marble as seen at the Taj.

Supposedly the Taj was built by Iranians as they were considered the greatest architecture.  They had some beautiful pieces, of course I had to get a souvenir.  I would loved  to have bought a marble table top, but it wouldn't really fit into my home decor. 



Agra fort was good, red sand stone and marble.  Quite a bit nicer than the Red Fort in Delhi. The king had three wives, a Muslim, christian and Hindu.  The fort had many symbols of the three religions.  Agra Fort was the home of the Mughal emperors for many generations. Each ruler added to the complex.  Shah Jehan, emperor who had the Taj Mahal built was imprisoned in Agra Fort.  His son, who put him in confinement must have had some sort of compassion as Shah Jehan was able to look out and see the Taj Mahal.  I have attached a picture of his prison accommodations.

                                                                           View from prison cell


                 Prison cell    

 After that we went to Fatehpur Sikri, another fort built and used by the Mughals.  At this time of day it was really hot - maybe 125.  The shade didn't even offer any relief.  By this time I felt the one fort was too much like the other so my interest level was fading or non existent.  Too much for one day. Drove to Jaipur, around 4 hours.  Jaipur is known for their textiles and jewelry.  Stopped at a gem place.  Had to splurge and bought tanzanite earrings.  I have been looking for some for a while and these seemed very reasonable for Tanzanite, and nice blue color.  Only got to hotel at 8pm, had dinner and bed.  Staying at the Fern.  Good spicy dinner .  Got up at 7, went swimming. Definitely not as nice as the Radisson and there were people in the pool, yuk!  I was spoiled at the other pool.  

Peets coffee received!

A colleague from Pfizer, Narender, was visiting his family in India. My friend HQ asked if I wanted anything. The only thing I am really missing besides my family and friends is coffee. Havent been able to find good coffee. HQ bought me two pounds of one of my favorite coffees, gave it to Narender and I received two pounds today! Can't wait to have it tomorrow morning! Thank you VERY much HQ and Narender! Narender arrived in Delhi on The weekend I was visiting The Taj Mahal and didn't get to see him which is very disappointing as it would be wonderful to see a USA collegue. I spoke with him and we will try to get together during his stay. I am actually doing well. After walking home from yoga I stopped on the way home to buy a few Mangoes,there are many different kinds and I cannot say which are best yet. Hopefully I can continue to do the taste test for many more weeks! Only the fruit and vegetables in season are sold In the open markets which is where I am doing most of my shopping. It is great to be able to walk outside my apt and within a few blocks get everything I need. On a walk near my apartment I saw two puppies, maybe six weeks old. I am nervous about touching them because they are really dirty. Today I bought a box of dog biscuits and am looking forward to see the pups agAin and give them a biscuit or two. I will start carrying a few in my bag for those special moments when a dog looks kind and loving. Many of the "wild" dogs are very independent and not interested in people at all. I do see people walking pets on a leash. Funny as most of the dogs are labs. I have never seen any dogs looking like German Shepards. Work is picking up. I'll let you kow about that in another posting. I am doing better. I miss you all!

Taj Mahal

June 2, 2012  Melinda, JC and myself in front of the Taj Mahal

Aingenius photo taken by the tour guide, Kumar

Words can not describe the feelings I had when I stood facing the Taj Mahal. I was actually emotional and a tear filled my eye. It's just perfectly symmetrical and absolutely beautiful. We got up at 5am to get there for the sunrise. Didn't really see it at sunrise but it was still early enough, the sun was not too bright. The architecture is exquisite! The marble, we were told is the best marble in the world, translucent. They have a full moon showing that should be awesome. I would recommend for any visitors to see it then and then the following morning. The marble inlay was made with precious stones. There is a special coral which is translucent orange which is illuminate on a full moon allowing the Taj to glow. Pictures don't do it justice just like pictures of the grand canyon does not allow you to "feel" the experience. Now I am back at the hotel, 5 star may I add, and just went for a swim. I have the pool to myself. Can't get any better than this. The setting of the Taj is away from the madness of Agra and the surrounding crowded, noisy towns. Driving here from Delhi was a mad house, but here I am away from the Indian craziness I have been experiencing.


I would recommend coming to India even if it's just to see the Taj Mahal and treat yourself to a wonderful hotel. First you need to experience Delhi and the surrounding areas to get a feel for India. India is a great place to find inexpensive things, but I am saving my shopping for Jaipur (gems and textiles) which is next.
I am in awe of the architecture and the idea that the Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan's as a resting place for his favorite wife death. No one lives there, it's the tomb for Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. Another amazing thing was the corners which are designed with black onyx and forms a optical illusion because the onyx is inlaid on diagonal but the stone is flat. It looks like it's an according design, but actually is flat.

Beautiful! Awesome! Magnificent! Speechless. Everyone should see this. I am going back in for a swim to cool off. What a great day so far, and I only have one hour left here before seeing other historic sites.