Vrindhavan, Barsana, Mathura, and the pilgrimage trail

This actually occured Sunday but I haven't had much time to write lately with work and all. I had the chance to do the Krishna pilgrimage trail. Hindus believe that Krishna is the incarnation of Vishnu. Vishnu is the Supreme God whom all serve. While I won't take this space to dive into Hinduism, but its remarkably similar to primitive Christianity and Judaism. Anway, I went to the Shri Krishna Janmaboomi ( The birthplace of Krishna). Was pretty cool to see. Huge temple next to the site because the Muslims built a Mosque over the site much similar to temple Mount. Hmmm. I see a pattern here. turns out the Taj Mahal was a shiv Temple prior to being partially destroyed and a Tomb built. Turns out most Mughal timbs are old Hindu temples that have been destroyed and rebuilt. Anyway, i saw the birthplace, where Krishna defeated an evil tyrant very similar to Herod. this guy heard Krishna was going to be born and would destroy him. He destroyed hundreds of kids to make sure he got Krishna but Krishna was spirited away to live elsewhere with Step parents. Very interesting correlation to another story I know. Anyway. The places were exceptionally cool and I saw much of the countryside. I didn't take nearly enough pics of what I saw but It was really a great trip. Very exhausting and tiring but very good.

I've uploaded some added pics, including some more of the Taj Mahal. You can't take pics of teh temples interiors and its hard to get far enough back to take pics of the outside since these are embedded in little towns but trust me that they are great.

Agra, Vrindavan,Mathura, and Govardhvan

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Cruising Delhi one more time

Wow, am I tired. I hit everyplace I hadn't before and saw some things twice. It was still fun though. Started off incredibly foggy and there were some major accidents on the way out. Was a bit chilly too although it heated up as the day went on. In fact, I was sweating pretty good by mid-day.

I had to take a couple of new American dudes from work down to Red Fort and Chandi Chowk. I walked it this time and saw more stuff. It was funny because one of teh dudes smokes and got chewed out by an indian woman for smoking in the markets. We had a snath in Paratha Gali, which means street of teh Paranthas. Paranthas are a fried bread you each with curry. It was a tight squeeze but the food was good. We also went to Jantar Mantar, a set of HUGe astronomical instruments built into the ground. Check out the pics to see just how big. The sundial is accurate to 20 seconds. I checked it. From there we went back to India gate and I could finally get close enough to see its also a memorial to the fallen soldiers from all the wars. After that we went to an outdoor market. It was crazy with people and hawkers shoving stuff into your face. I've learned enough Hindi to tell them to take a hike and it seemed to work. A little language goes a long way. Finally we went to Humayun's Tomb. Its pretty dang impressive and 64 people are buried with him. He was the G gandson of Genghis Kahn. Pretty cool. The pics do it great justice nad I have pics of the plaques to show what I don't type here.

Finally we had dinner at Connaught Place, or CP for short and headed back. I finally go to sleep at midnight and had to get up at 5am for the next days trip

Delhi and Environs

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A trip to see the Taj Mahal

I had a wonderful trip today. Went to Agra to see the city and the Taj Mahal. It really is as beautiful as the pictures yousee. No wonder its one of the 7 wonders. It was also not too crowded since we got there relatively early. I took some great pics, some even with me in it. Click on the pics to see them all.

Agra-India

I also went to Mathura to see one of the oldest temples dedicated to Vinshnu still in operations. I couldn't take any pics but needless to say, it was very cool. I also went to a Hare Krishna temple. That was weird! The Shiva temple was less weird than that. I do give the locals this. They truly believe and practice their religion. There is a definite feeling of spirituality here.

I also hit the Agra Red Fort. It was pretty cool and has a bit of history. Its across the river from the Taj and Shah Jahan built his private apts, and his daughters with a special tower where he could look out upon his dearly departed wife. This last line was censored by Cristy.

Slept during much of the drive, it about 3 hours from Delhi. I am hoping to go to Jaipur this weekend. Its supposed to be very cool and have killer shopping. I'll keep all of you mugs informed

Straight out of Noida

No pics this time but some thoughts and observations. In the past couple of days I have had some great experiences. I was invited to the home of a very nice person for a typical Indian lunch. It was fantastic. Besides loving the food, I had the most interesting dessert. It was shredded carrots cooked in milk, I think, with sugar and spices added to boot. It was great. Sweet enough to satisfy the best sweet tooth and yet mildly healthy...It was just carrots. Their house was really nice and very well decorated albeit a little small. Regardless, it was great.

One very odd thing is the pervasiveness of livestock on the roads. Coming back from work to the apt last night there were 2 donkeys cruising down the left lane on the highway. A 3 lane on each side highway. There is also 2 cows the cruise the road in front of the bldg. Its weird but, considering the local beliefs, understandable. Still, I see monkeys.

This weekend I am going to Agra. This should be a great trip since I really want to see the Taj Mahal. There are other really cool sites as well that I think would be quite interesting. I'll take plenty of pics and post all I have. I am considering a trip to Jaipur next weekend to check things out. I'll have to take a Bus or Train to get there and stay in a hotel but it should be good fun. I hear Jaipur is incredible. Will keep all informed.

Lastly, I had a great conversation with a Hindu Monk. We talked for a couple of hours and it was quite enlightening. Clarified a lot of my misconceptions about Hinduism and validated my belief that at the core, all ancient religions are really the same.

Well, back to work. I will post again soon.

Chillin in OId Delhi

I had quite the day today. I went for a walking tour, sort of, through Old Delhi. I saw tons of things. Ghandi's Cenotaph (Rajghat) and its surrounding parks, the Red Fort, built by the Mughals (Muslim0 emperor Shah Jahan. Its was a spectacular complex but most of the buildings were shutdown for the upcoming Republic Day. Seems 3-4 years ago, some Pakistani terrorists tried to blow up the place during Republic Day since the PM gives a State of the Union Address there. I hired on a Rickshaw (BIG mistake) for a tour of the old town. Wow is it a crazy place. Its exactly what I pictured Delhi looking like. Masses of people and shops. There were Guild Areas, temples, claustrophobic streets...the whole shooting match. I also figured out, after talking to my company assigned driver, that I got ripped off for the charge. I paid 1000 Rupees (~25 bucks) for it and he said I should have paid maybe 600. Hmmm. Not a lot in the scheme of things but I don't like being taken advantage of. Went from there to the National Museum and saw some incredible stuff. Seems the Indus (Vedic) civilization came up at the same time as the Egyptians and was much more advanced in many ways. lastly, I went to Connaugt Place. A shoppers paradise with name brand stuff and a killer bazaar. I went looking this time but will be going back to buy some stuff for sure.

Old Delhi

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There are around 150 pictures here with small description. Enjoy!

India, Baby

Well, I'm in India. Noida to be exact. They have me staying in some great apartments even though they are in the middle of nowhere. In fact, most of them are empty and still under construction. BUT the locals assure me that the address I am at is the new posh district. Take a look at the pics and tell me how posh it is. Actually, the units really are nice.

The smog is absolutely unbelievable. My eyes actually burn at times. Since they are having a record cold spell, it will hit freezing tonight, all the homeless or tent/shack dwellers are burning files of foul smelling wood and stuff. It almost smells like sandal wood. Regardless, it makes for an interesting stay.

Noida,India

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I went to dinner last night in the equivalent of a food court. The food was good but it was really weird to have to go through a metal detector just to get into the mall area. Its crazy but I understand why with the killings, bombings, and stuff.

These shacks are crazy and literally right behind the house. I can throw rocks from the balcony and hit it if I tried. I also watched these women with baskets on their head move an entire mound of dirt. A tractor could have made short work of the dirt in 3-4 scoops but they just kept walking from one mound and spreading the dirt out in this open area. They were done by end of day and it probably cost a butt load less than hiring a tractor. Makes it easy to see how the pyramids we built.

India

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That reddish looking shack is a tea shop and cafe. Not sure I will be visiting that one.

The smog is horrible here. I actually had my eyes burnin. A lot of the poor people are burning trash or something to keep warm as India is experiencing record cold temp. It should be freezing tomorrow.

Its actually not as bad as I initially thought. Yes, the apt is miles from anywhere and I feel like a prisoner at times but work is good and its pretty interesting here by the office. I'll get some pics of it but it is amazing how you can have a modern office bldg in a slummy neighborhood that the locals say is actually pretty nice. Wow, how perceptions rule our thinking. I suppose its really not that bad.

Hangin in Singapore

Well, I am here in Singapore and at this point am actually headed to the airport to fly to India. I'm going to be in Noida for almost a month. I'm kind of looking forward to it but I'm really beginning to miss the family and I haven't even been gone a week. I did get out and see quite a bit of the city and met some old friends a few nights. It was wonderful seeing them after 6 years. It was amazing...Just sat down and picked up the conversation like nothing no time had passed at all. Kristoff and Simmone are doing fantastic and are trying for kids. They really haven't changed a bit. Good on them. I didn't even get sick this time! Anyway, if you want to see more pics than this click the pic below to go to picassaweb

Singapore Photos