Thursday, December 31, 2009

The lotus


The lotus is a symbol of many things, but the essence is that it symbolizes beauty that can rise out of ugliness. These flowers were growing in a ditch filled with filthy water next to a gas station where our driver refueled.

"Bibi" now on vacation in India wishes you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Radovan in Auroville

Here is Radovan in a New Age community established in the 60's just outside of Pondicherry. Wikipedia will explain more, since I don't have time to add a hyperlink now! The large golden 'golf ball' is a meditation center, but you need special permission to enter, so Radovan, my friends, and I just contemplated it from afar...

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A heavy load

This brickloader begged me to take his photo, so..... I see so many people here doing hard labor without much protection. Some just wear flip-flops while hauling bricks or moving large slabs of granite with crowbars. Watch your tootsies.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Acrobatics on the beach

The beach in Chennai, as on other beaches I've seen here, is a place for all kinds of activities from selling candies, offering horseback rides, selling trinkets and food, and of course for performers like this little girl.

The Bay of Bengal for the most part is really choppy, so few people go swimming where the water is so rough, so activities are welcome diversions.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Green, green

Couldn't resist this little vegetable seller, all in green like most of her veggies! India is a feast for the eyes and the palate!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Henna tattoo

This young woman is having a 'mehendi,' which is a temporary design painted on one's hands, arms, or feet either for a special ceremony or wedding. It's done with henna, so of course it's only temporary beauty, but beauty it is.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas from India


Wishing you readers who celebrate Christmas the very best of holidays. This photo was taken at the Christian church Saint Thomas Mount where the saint was allegedly martyred.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Take my picture, please!

India is a photographer's paradise in more ways than one. Not only could you burn up memory cards taking photos of buildings, fruit, streets, and all kinds of attractions, but people actually love to have their photos taken, especially kids. These youngsters who were traveling in a motorized rickshaw begged me to take their photo, but were whizzed away before I could show it to them!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Bricklayer's helpers

They certainly don't look like they'd be doing a job like helping a bricklayer, but these two ladies were doing just that. Most people I've come across in my two days here LOVE to have their photo taken, and delight in seeing it right away on my camera. The only bad part is that they often pose, whereas I'd prefer a more candid shot. But hey, I'm not complaining.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Pomegranate seeds

Aren't these beautiful? There are pomegranates on Belgrade markets occasionally, but I never think of buying them. Here in Chennai where I am at the moment, our friend's housekeeper made us a yummy spicy lunch on our first day here, and these sweet seeds were perfect as a dessert.

Today we walked through our friend's local neighborhood, and I am soooo enchanted with India...

Monday, December 21, 2009

Radovan on the Road again--India...

Radovan is on the road again, and 'Bibi" is well enough (she hopes...) to accompany him. Radovan has become camera shy and won't feature in all of Bibi's posts, but he'll be with her as she travels through Tamil Nadu and to one other mystery destination Radovan won't allow to be disclosed just yet....stay tuned.

I am going to try to post pretty much live. I've never missed a post, but it may be a bit hard now with sporadic Internet connection...

This post is for Bob of Saint Louis Daily Photo, who traveled to India and Tibet a while back. Tibet's where I'd really like to go (next time, or in another life...), but I am really happy anyway to be going to India. My friend and I will be visiting a Tibetan settlement, and that's about as close as I'll get...hope to find another Buddha for my collection.



ICE CREAM

 When ice cream calls, I come running. There is a shop in the municipality of Zemun that sells exquistely tasty ice cream. Here you see a cu...