Another view of Branko's Bridge, this time through a peephole on its stairs down to the river.
See other bridges on Louis La Vache's SUNDAY BRIDGES.
Impressions of Belgrade and Serbia and maybe photos from an in-country trip by a long-term ex-pat.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
WEEKEND REFLECTION---Upside down
The clock tower in Kalemegdan, upside down in a puddle!
See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTION.
And if you're here in my part of the world, don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight....
See other reflections on James' WEEKEND REFLECTION.
And if you're here in my part of the world, don't forget to set your clocks ahead tonight....
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
The sun sets....
The sun sets on yet another trip to India...I hope to return. This is Delhi's Lotus Temple at sunset. It was completed in 1986 is a house of worship, and has become a prominent attraction, having won numerous architectural awards and featured in scores of newspaper and magazine articles. You can read more about it if you click right here.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Schoolboys
India can either be a photographer’s paradise or nightmare. People LOVE to have their photograph taken, to the point that if you have any sort of visible camera, you’ll be clicking away non-stop. Couldn’t resist these young schoolboys, who were delighted just to see themselves on my camera’s monitor. The one with the topknot is undoubtedly a Sikh. Sikhs do not cut their hair and as a form of respect cover it with an elegantly tied turban. To keep one's hair is a commitment to accept the body in the natural form in which it was born, and to get rid of vanity relating to outward appearance.
Leaving tomorrow, sniff, sniff....
Saturday, March 23, 2013
With no disrespect....
No disrespect whatsoever to the lovely Audrey Hepburn, who was one of my favorite actresses, but this goat also deserves a magazine cover, I think. Indians appear to take good care of the animals that bring them livelihood, and this nanny goat is no exception. 'twas a chilly morning when we met.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Do I really need to tell you....
....where this is?
This photo
shows what most people think of when they hear "India". The Taj Mahal was begun in 1630 by Emperor Shan Jahan
as a tomb for his beloved wife, who died giving birth to their 14th
child. He described the construction thus:
Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.
This is the classic view, but better ones are had from across the river from the other side.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Hit the road
So far on all my trips to India I have traveled by air, van, tuk-tuk (shown), bus, a short camel ride, inter-city bus, and train. But not by elephant. I do think it would be kind of fun, though.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Ladies of the Lake
Another photo from a bus. Not quite sure where I was...been napping.
P.S. Adding this note a bit later...I know now where this is....it is the Jai Mahal or Palace on the Lake that you can read about by clicking on that link.
P.S. Adding this note a bit later...I know now where this is....it is the Jai Mahal or Palace on the Lake that you can read about by clicking on that link.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Enough blue, now pink
Jaipur, in contrast to Jodhpur, is called the Pink City. There are various theories just why the city is called the Pink City, and if you care to read them (they're all quite interesting), have a look at this link. Thisman, whom I photographed while whizzing by on a tuk-tuk, is wearing a pink turban, quite appropriately. Notice the ad behind him with a woman's face. Some Indians prefer light skin, and although I'm not sure what this photo is advertising, I have noticed quite a few skin-lightening creams in stores.
P.S Here's a cute post I've just uploaded for the 16th, since I didn't have Internet that day....
P.S Here's a cute post I've just uploaded for the 16th, since I didn't have Internet that day....
Monday, March 18, 2013
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Here I am below Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur....quite a walk up a winding road. The fort is situated 400 feet (122 m) above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. The imprints of cannonball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Jodhpur, the Blue City
Jodhpur is known both as the Sun City and the Blue City. I've been here once before when it was not sunny, but rainy, but it was still definitely blue. Quite an impressive sight, especially from Mehrangarh Fort, which you'll see tomorrow.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Snoozing...or not quite...in the shade
Still practicing my hip shots here in India, though this Buddhist monk was nobody's fool, since I think he may have known. He is a monk at the Gyato Monastery of Tantric Buddhism near Dharamsala.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Offerings to the Ganges at Hardiwar
My posts are a little out of order since I am never sure where I'll find an Internet cafe. I am no longer in Dharamsala, but in Rishikesh, were the Beatles once studied with their maharishi. Last evening we went to Haridwar, one of India's most holy Hindu sites, and watched the 'puja' ceremony (offerings to the Ganges) and it was an experience not to be forgotten, and to think it goes on every evening. Chanting, incense, colors, music....and the people. In the photo you see a leaf basket filled with flowers and a candle that someone has set afloat on the rapidly-flowing river. I cast in my marigold 'mala' that I had received bought at one of the temples we visited.
And Happy Birthday today to my friend Marianne!
And Happy Birthday today to my friend Marianne!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Golden Temple in Amritsar
From Dharamsala our small group took a 5-hour bus ride (one way....) to Amritsar, holy city of the Sikhs. Above is the Golden Temple, an absolutely splendid place as you can well imagine from the photograph.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
India-Pakistran Border Ceremony
From the title you might think that the India-Pakistan border might be a dangerous place, and perhaps sometimes it is. However, every evening just before sunset, both countries' borders stage a super show when they close their borders. Lots of strutting, horn blowing, cheering from the packed crowds, and overall just plain fun....why can't this happen in real life? Here you see handsome two strutting Indian guards.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Norbulingka Institute for the Preservation of Tibetan Culture
Just outside of Dharamsala is the Norbulingka Institute for the Preservation of Tibetan Culture, a haven for artists of all kinds. In 2011 I showed you this close-up of a Buddha's head. Don't mind visiting this place again at all.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tibetan momos
I love momos, which are made from a simple flour and water dough and are filled with a mixture of vegetables, meat, or local cheese, then steamed. They're usually served with some kind of spicy sauce. My friend is holding hers. I ate mine before I took the photo....
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Tibetan Monk in Dharamsala
I have to be respectful when photographing monks, who are almost always camera shy. This monk was not so much a fast walker as I was a quick snapper, with a lower-than-should-have-been shutter speed.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Dharamsala
Here I am in
Dharamsala, where I’ve visited on my last trip.
Dharamsala is a hill station in the state of Himachal Pradesh, famed for
its large Tibetan community and as the home of the Dalai Lama. The town is divided into Lower and Upper
parts, the latter of which is known more commonly as McLeod Ganj,
named after David McLeod, the once the British Lieutenant-Governor of Punjab. McLeon Gang has an altitude of around 1,750
meters. We’ll be making some excursions
from here, including a hike or two.
This photo shows the tent-like white crests of the Dalai Lama's palace and the many prayer flags you see all over.
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