My Raga...

So I finally did it. We went out today and I found a sitar! It was pretty exciting for me. This piece of work is beautiful. I had no clue what to look for when I bought it, but it looked nice and got an extra pair of strings so that if I foul up there are no worries.

You'll see me on a mound of pillows and a hooka...

This Morning...

....There was a murder down the street and all these police men came and shot tear gas and now my eyes are burning.... good start to the morning!

Yo

So I have been spending the past couple days shopping like a maddman here. There are so man Valentines day sales going on its unreal. Everything is SO CHEAP in Kolkata, I mean... dirt cheap.. wicked shirt for 150R ($3.50)..etc... so I have been loading up... By friday I will see if I need to get another suit case. I have Dhula Bhai (my cousins husband) on the prowl to find me a Sitar and Tablas so I hope that goes through. I have no clue how I am going to get them back home but I'll worry about that when I have to. Besides that the rest of the time is spent here. I am just starting to now know all the neibours around the area and I am the new kid on the bloc here. Last night at about 11 this Hindu wedding party strolled down the street. Its crazy, there were these 2 floats that were all lit up with Hindu gods, drumming, dancing, and fireworks that went into the night. Most of Kol is Musim, but there are Hindus here too. India has 25 provinces and apparently all of them are completely differnt; differnt languages, foods..etc.. I noticed it when I went from here (west Bengal, to Dheli, to Orissa... even all the Temple structures differ from area to area and you can tell what religion is predominant based on the style of Temple or Mosque...

My aunt told me that I should get an arranged Marrage here in India... hmmmmm

Oh yah..

We went to this wildlife sanctuary in Bhubaneswar and there were wild Elephants and Monkeys everywhere and this Monkey charged right at me while I walked by it....Yah... fun I know.

Best name for a Restraunt....EVER!!

So we were driving down the streets of Bhubaneswar and we drive by the..

"Brown & Cream" shop..... I wish I got a pic of it!

So the state of Orissa is absolutely stunning. Its pretty much as rustic as you can get; Bananna/Coconut/Bamboo trees growing everywhere, rice fields, thatches roof huts, locals that speak only Orissan, sacred cows on the streets in a field of Hindu Temples. The city of Bhubaneswar has about 720 temples and about 90% of them are all Shiva (elephant god) temples.

We spend the first day touring around the city looking at all the old temples from the 4th century AD. I couldnt go into them becasue I'm not hindu but at this one temple a Hindu priest took me to the entrance and gave me a brieft explanation and chanted an ancient verse to me about the temple and then blessed me on my journeys... it was pretty cool.

The next day we drive out to the area of Konark where we saw the Sun temple (not the Sex temple as previouly said.. heh..and thats the temple in the picture you see above) This was unreal. The temple itself used to house a larger temple riht behind it that was twice as high. There are 24 wheels carves around the base (symbolizing 24 hours) and it looks like its being pulled by 7 horses (7 days per week.) When the sun hits the temple you can count by the minuite what time it is. Also in the larger temple (that doesnt exist anymore) there used to by this stone god that literally floated in the center. The temple had both magnonite stone for the base and roof which caused a gravitational pull and made the stone float. When the sun comes over the temple it hits a diamond on the forehad of the god which illuminates the whole temple. When the British came in 1903, they wanted to take the stone god which collapsed the whole temple....

Next we drove bown the coast to Puri where we watched the sunset and the moon rise on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and picked shells that came in from the Sea. I think out of all things, that was the most amazing thing I did. It was so peaceful and the sea was go grand it was just what the doc ordered.... on the way home we loaded up on goods in the town of Pippli and then came back to Bhubaneswar...

It was a steath mission there but totaly worth it.

Now I am back in Kol lounging and gonna catch up on a load of sleep. I crashed hard on the train last night but I could use a ton more....Tonight I am going to my Cousin Bula's house and then I am going to shop the rest of the time here. Everything is so damn cheap and I am going crazy. I do though, have a wicked tan going on... moreso

Transportation/Family

So far today I have been on a hand drawn Rickshaw,Tram,Bus,Auto(aka Tuk Tuk like on the amazing race),Metro Subway, Taxi and soon to be on a train.. pretty mental. Very cool though. Bonny took me around to some markets... I even went to visit the Competition... Music World.. it was WILD, it has the pep like an HMV but all Bangla music and DVD and all this staff here to help... you cant imagine what I bought (amongst some others)....

Indian Idol Vol 2 (insert busting a gut laughing here)

Aslo we went to the national musieum here which was amazing. Lots of old Indian/Bhuddist/etc relics.. this place needs a map to navigate though and there is a central court yard in the middle. Of course I had to pay the foreigners fee of 150R and Bonny paid 10R.... I tells yah they gouge the money out of you here... well thry try to.

Also today I met some more relatives.. everyone lives around the area and in the buildings. I was taken on a tour of our ancestors house next door which was wicked. ITs about a hundred and some years old and Bonnys Great gandfather built it back in the day.. it looks like old ruins but there are is still a family living in there.

I have been making a consious effort to speak bengali here too. All of them want to talk to me but its been hard, its getting better though. There is this couple here popo and Puupi I call them. They would be like a distant great aunt and Uncle for me. They are both around 80 years old and they never had any children and Pop told me that she treats me like shes her own which is sweet. Puupi has parkinsons disease in his hands and I didnt think he knew any english so all I would say to him is "how are you" in bengali.... tonight he came up to me (he can barely walk) and started telling me about himself and how he used to work in a drafting office for steel structures for 40 years untill he had to retire becasue of his hands.... I dunno. it was pretty damn cool that he made the effort to spek in engligh to me since he could barely say anything...

Anyways.. I'll hit the blog up in about 4 days after Bubaneshwar.. We are hitting the beaches and the Suntempe of Konarka (I think its the sex temple too)..

Ciao...

(ps Damn you anti Malaria Pill!!!!)

I miss ya'll there.. Tis been quite the reality check here, you have no clue how good we have it in ye old Canada.....

Oh yah..

New Dheli is like the New York of India. The place has something like a hundred million people.. its NUTS.. The roads so SO congested and its constant chaos here.

We stopped off at a Macdonalds here and it was like being into a futuristic Mac D's. You walked in and they were blasting Hindi dance music and I ordered the Mc Chickenaloo or something like that and it was this spicey burder with chutney on it!!!! There was even a cell phone charger stand while you eat your hearts content. As well there was valet parking too!!!!! Natty, you can also order the "Veg Surprise" burger too, since a load of Indians are Veg here.... too wild!

I had to mention that.

I dont even know where to begin...

So the past few days has been absolutely crazy here.

We started off at the train station which was nut. Its one of the largest in India and the system here is so chaotic. There is a system though. We board the train to Dheli and spend a good 24 hours in there. the landscape is beautiful;filled with rice fiends and little shanty towns and when we get into Dheli we are bombarded with people asking of if we needed rides..etc..etc.. We took a ricksaw though the congested Old Dheli which was crazy. Roads half the size of ours packed with Rickshaws and maddness. There was a wedding going on too so it was wild; the groom was propped on this elaborate cart of some sorts and there was music and dancing and they paraded all though. It was amazing. I tried to take a pic of it...

We finally get to a hotel, which, in my standards was really a dive.. but for something like 200 Rupees (which is like 5$ Can) its not bad.

The next morning we hop on a train again to Agra which is about 3 hours. On the way there you can see all sorts of Mosques and Temples in the fields. It wqas awesome, in the distance I asked Sam "whats that huge while mosque" and he told me it was the Taj Mahal..which was awesome...

We get into Agra, and there is this mad rush to this booth outside the train station to get these Government approved tour packages to see agra. You pick your package you want and then the taxi takes you around. We chose the 8 hour tour which takes you to pretty much everything there. Agra is the Holy City and I know know why.

I honestly can say that the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful structure I have seen in my entire life. It is absolutely perfect in all ways. I got shivers the whole time I was there. I can't believe the Mogul Ruler built that for his wife out of pure love. Both him and his wife and child are now buried in the Taj. The top dome inside is like a perfect sphere and all sounds resonate for a very long time there. Apparently at the very top there is a hole that goes from inside the dome to to the very tip and when it rains there is just enough room for one drop of water to fall on the wife grave. On either side of the Taj are 2 Mosques which are equally as beautiful. You had to take your shoes off when you are on there. We took lods of pics and I even stole a little chunk of Marble from the Taj. I wrote so much i my book to tell but I am giving the shorter version of it here.. ha .. i know..

The next day we are in Dheli and hire a taxi to take us around the sights. There were some unreal structures in Dheli.. I cant rmeember them right now but when you guys get the pics I'll take you though them..

On the way back I got really sick from my Malaria pill and today I am just taking rest becasue tonight Mom, Aunty and I are off to the beaches of Orissa (which is about 8 hours train ride).. I am pretty pumped..

Bonny and I walked his daughter Fauzia to schoool. Actually Both Fauzia and I took a hand drawn rickshaw and Bonny walked behind us, then he took me on a Tram ride and then on a Bud ride around part of the city which was really nice. Went to a couple markets this morning and am going to do some shopping this afternoon before the Train leaves.....

I'll post again in a few days after Orissa....

This country is absolutely off the wall....

The Puja

This morning when I woke up Bonny took me to the side of the apartment where there was a celebration going on. Today is the celebration of the "Education God" so there was this shrine of the female god riding a swan and everyone was worshipping her. Actually all around the area there Puja's going on for the god. Right beside the apartment too is this Vishnu temple that is literally hidden between the houses and there is this sacred tree right beside us and at the base of the tree are sacred stone that are worshipped. I took loads of pics and all the locals are intrigued of the " Canadian boy" that has came to Kolkata..its pretty amusing. And yes, I do still stick out here... I think its the tattoos...

We just got back fomr the Zoo here.. it was alright, all the animals were sleeping though but it was cool.

Now its afternoon Tea time, drinking my Chai that Fahima (my cousin)made me and eating peanuts and Guavas. I am going to take some rest now. Its almost 1:30 and the train to Dheli leaves at 7:30. I am going with Bonny's friend and its about a 20 hour ride. I'll be back in 4 or 5 days or so then when we get back Mom, Aunt Kushi and I are heading to Puri/Bubhanashwar to see some temples.... All is swell here..

Oh yah.. Donny (my other cousin) took me to the market right by here.. It goes for Miles long and its SO congested. All the farmers bring their goods in for the day. It was crazy....

hmm what else....I forgot about the lizards on the bedroom walls here. At least they stay on the walls and no where else....

Oh my lord

ok, where do I begin here.. We get into Kol, and there is this announcement on the plance telling us that there is a strike in the airport so that means that there are no Luggage trollies, no boarding tunnels and no airport staff there. This means we get down from stiars on the runway and make a mad dash to this group where they took the luggage carts and basically had everyones luggage in apile to sort out. Imagine 300 people or so looking for their bags... it was a nightmare!!! We found ours after a while and head through immigration. Since we were Canadian (I think) they just waved us through the baggage screening (India in gneral is bad for screening and rummaging through luggage) At the exit, there is this huge grop of people waiting for the arrivals and Bonny and his wife fine us right away (which is aweosme becasue I had no clue what they looked like) Of course right away the locals help out to get our bags onto the taxi, but after demanded to me that I give them singapore money. Bonny told me to just go into the cab right away. These 4 guys followed me, opened the cab door for me, rolled down my window and waited with their hands out demanding for money. Needless to say we drove away fast...

This city is just what I thought it would be but about one million times more crazy. I cant even begin to explin how congested and filthy it is here, but there is this constant beauty that is present. After about 40 min we arrive at Aunty Kushi's house. They live in this 3 story complex that they own and rent out. The awesome things is that right behind the complex is our old ancestors house that is about 150 years old and its beautiful. I am still trying to figure out how to address family here. I just call all the elders Uncle & Aunties. The Jet Leg has totly set in and I am contemplating the Taj Mahal Trip becasue of it. We'll see though. I just might such up the motion sickness to see it.

I got in shite from my Aunt becasue I cant spek Bengali and she is cant talk to me. I can understand what she is talking but I cant talk back. I blamed my parents from not teaching me.

Oh yah.. I am SOOOO going to miss my shower and bathroom for the next 3 weeks. You'll know what I am talking about (I know you know Somantha and Marla what I am taling about)

I am looking out my balcony (my room is on the top floor) and the street is filthy with garbage and wild animals and a million crows... I think these flamingos just flew above me, well they were at least as large as flamingoes..

ok time to go... breakfast time...

this is nuts!

19:-Something

-My good pen broke...that blowes, DAMN you using cheap Singapore Air pen to write in my journal!!!

Feb 2 1:45am***THE NOT SO AMAZING RACE***

So we make it into the Airport, there is a table where people were getting Hotel vouchers and I inquired about ours (becasue we needed it for 2 nights) and the guy tells me that SIA wont cover for hotes, even though it was their fault for the Delayed flights which put us in this position to stay in the country overnight.... We pass immigration to get our lugggage.. I find the Night Stop Desk and inquireagain.. apparently our Hotel Vouchers were there.. and the nice dude " Larry" found a flight earlier to Kol. Than the friday originally. So we leave 11:30 today in the Am to reach Kol at 1:30...it about time... I am running on Pure Faith right now.. on a plus is GEORGEOUS out.. like in the 20's and super hot and humid..

Sorry bout the typos again,,,, at a differnt Free Net station...

Feb1st 16:00 hours part 4

Hour 14 on SQ Sucks, it will be well, worth it though..

19:04..

So after a 15 hour flight we get to Taepei to switch gates and are on the way to Singapore on another 4-5 hour flight. I was wearing my glasses (which arent as strong as my contacts) and walked into the Terminal.. Bad idea, The whole airport loked like a fun house of mirrors. Everything was tinted green and everyting reflcted off of everything. It was pretty crazy modern with Duty Free shops galore with a train of workers for each shop trying to lure you in...

The Island looked alright..nothing too major tho

Jan 31sish 14:52 Part III

I am on 10 hours on flight here. Thank you to "KRIS-WORLD" for giving me hours of entertainment. There is nothing like watching CSI, Corpse bride, Finding Nemo,Family Guy, Ab Fab, Will & Grace, News..etc at 35000 ft up. On the way to Taepei now and going to fly over Japan soon. 5:21 hours left to Taepei abd tgeb mnore to Singapore then 2 nights there. I still cant get over the Duty Free woman shouting too... too funny! Oh yah. th4 stewardesses still dress the same and still give you the steamed towels before meals... just as I remember from 1989 when I flew SIN..weird eh?

Miss all you guys... and pass this blog infor around to Friends please...

Turbulance through the Jet Stream SUCKS!!!

Jan 30th? Part 2

Duty Free!!!.. What a gong show sitting at gae 115 for SQ29 to Singapore. Crazy orientals shouting out "DUTY FREE" and randomly pointing out with their bags in hands..it was hillarious!! I am so ready for this flight right now. It better be the best flight ever!

Highlights...

-The Quantas airplane to Oz looked SO DAMN COOL.. the whole plane was painted in all these aboriginal art forms...
-Took a shuttle to the middle of the LAX grouns to catch the SQflight.. the whole of LAX is as big as Saskatoon...I swear!

Jan 30 Part 1

So right now I am sitting in my xxl white shirt I got in my "overnight bag" from Singapore Airlines. The day has been LONG; Stoon to Calgary, 5 hours wait there, then to LA. The trip to LA was beautiful though. I cant believe how HUGE that city is and LAX is such a crazy airport. Mom and I trekked to three different terminals to find SIN Departures. In the building it was a gong show. Flight SQ29 was delayed because of Fog in Taipei and no flight was going out that night. We ere so tired from flying and waiting and this was the icing on the cake. So, we got new boarding passes for a departure the next day which screws up our Kolkata connection which was changed to Friday evening which screws up our Train departure from kol to Dheli (for the Taj Mahal...

Highlights so far..
-Flying to LA at night
-Seeing loads of Palm Trees
-The nice older people that showed us to the proper line in the Hilton Hotel.
-Staying at the Hilton.

*** Seeing flocks of SIA Stewardesses was pretty weird too.

Sorry for the type'os..I am writing this from a free net station in Singapore and this is coming straight out of my journal....