tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21348824452808527042024-02-01T19:11:07.249-08:00Thoughts on SE Asia, by Mia and JoeJoe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-44490957822963554502008-08-18T02:01:00.000-07:002008-08-18T03:26:22.628-07:00Our final blog: Assam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcdS5q2vKZZMn0kMlN-5BM3M7mhVyhzLP3FlwORf_g7RyTOcJcJObJmSu0IBlLSx_D_b51ywVO2VE2attRFyGGc4QL89xRKZEQPrS0CXKRHRdz3kdfLlVOKcnw9q2ki7YaiMpg4BOjnF-/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcdS5q2vKZZMn0kMlN-5BM3M7mhVyhzLP3FlwORf_g7RyTOcJcJObJmSu0IBlLSx_D_b51ywVO2VE2attRFyGGc4QL89xRKZEQPrS0CXKRHRdz3kdfLlVOKcnw9q2ki7YaiMpg4BOjnF-/s320/1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235789473297393570" /></a><div>Mia and Chanda rinse their feet in the smallest of three parallel rivers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh1ldL4dNT8xpcFieEWB2yOoGRmDP_yr-wiYiQjvnPur7YQ3Ppp80PCI7iNGE1ptGZCcHrHcwce8Ry8y_MrJRjAEYQ4s2_WgF83K6zaiLRluBTP4Ki2B2b45mkhSfrHEUd3I8pMhvZF6J/s1600-h/2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPh1ldL4dNT8xpcFieEWB2yOoGRmDP_yr-wiYiQjvnPur7YQ3Ppp80PCI7iNGE1ptGZCcHrHcwce8Ry8y_MrJRjAEYQ4s2_WgF83K6zaiLRluBTP4Ki2B2b45mkhSfrHEUd3I8pMhvZF6J/s320/2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235789477068761922" /></a></div><div>Women hand pick the perfect leaves off chai plants so that you can have a refreshing alternative to coffee at Starbucks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtSRD7Q5qsD7yivxoKcUX7IukkfjE0ZJZuh66-FggmIuEKsvb20HzLQ0Bpi1ocNLZVxesaDlO5s0TmWu2s8vdasTIxFT4Z4DGvj8ETiToXLvrpjfXIS5zy7iFSP9eXPgrq4rNXyNtSqft/s1600-h/3.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtSRD7Q5qsD7yivxoKcUX7IukkfjE0ZJZuh66-FggmIuEKsvb20HzLQ0Bpi1ocNLZVxesaDlO5s0TmWu2s8vdasTIxFT4Z4DGvj8ETiToXLvrpjfXIS5zy7iFSP9eXPgrq4rNXyNtSqft/s320/3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235789478406021730" /></a></div><div>Chanda responds to one of Mia's serious questions with a fart. "Damn girl! You NASTY!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1lFevjq52VG2stbI2bMVqo9oGYir9UIqF4EPrGncO8_xeptQv1qPwAVdrsqifeUGBDz_EmUahHWmUr0CgIO13rfY6u7sEruKbjjS-tBsSgzRXKeXN58_9Bd45jt2czEvLUTcKrjOHHPt/s1600-h/4.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1lFevjq52VG2stbI2bMVqo9oGYir9UIqF4EPrGncO8_xeptQv1qPwAVdrsqifeUGBDz_EmUahHWmUr0CgIO13rfY6u7sEruKbjjS-tBsSgzRXKeXN58_9Bd45jt2czEvLUTcKrjOHHPt/s320/4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235789482329736466" /></a></div><div>Mia and the hour old duckling are mutually thrilled to be spending time together. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDY1bw3iY9OpXB82BXSNhe0KC0V7Ob8o6_t0KOFiIffKyB6YV5-djcbGaGdxbbW13zuiR2Ut0GLke_rdMS3VkuJnf35b5EKbOp6vnJNrtR3RQaSj16b7iao8eWKMdSZ31kKqn9W5ovhoQ/s1600-h/5.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDY1bw3iY9OpXB82BXSNhe0KC0V7Ob8o6_t0KOFiIffKyB6YV5-djcbGaGdxbbW13zuiR2Ut0GLke_rdMS3VkuJnf35b5EKbOp6vnJNrtR3RQaSj16b7iao8eWKMdSZ31kKqn9W5ovhoQ/s320/5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235787663998545170" /></a><br /><div>Is this a public service announcement, or an add for axes and saws? </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrIVTnuMa5YiLQM_IaMMx2djPnPSRn_kS1DI5I44EZSV0dVdjeUhuSO8s-lVIPT2lHZ0lFM634eU9yTPMsYd1DKw5I4oUrAanq0jXMx0IDELIoUhhAVX7OhSwr6CBzHTVX5HthMQJ8f1t/s1600-h/6.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrIVTnuMa5YiLQM_IaMMx2djPnPSRn_kS1DI5I44EZSV0dVdjeUhuSO8s-lVIPT2lHZ0lFM634eU9yTPMsYd1DKw5I4oUrAanq0jXMx0IDELIoUhhAVX7OhSwr6CBzHTVX5HthMQJ8f1t/s320/6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235787663642835874" /></a><br /></div><div>Joe and Mia are draped in ceremonial scarves for photos despite the sweltering heat and their soaring fevers. When the photo session was finished, Joe crawled into the bed and tried not to die.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFNhQayCfL38iNes72U5OTAooqb9I3ZAPTmDSIpwpcqdu7PFW8Tu52OmcTMlXvzHrIvlsGGhzlmlYoj-gSYQPH-TMJ_tuGwz-zsUPiDYrDeQ1XKXCmT4PHCIvMivbGxoFBniHytwo295v/s1600-h/7.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFNhQayCfL38iNes72U5OTAooqb9I3ZAPTmDSIpwpcqdu7PFW8Tu52OmcTMlXvzHrIvlsGGhzlmlYoj-gSYQPH-TMJ_tuGwz-zsUPiDYrDeQ1XKXCmT4PHCIvMivbGxoFBniHytwo295v/s320/7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235787665276724866" /></a><br /></div><div>Chanda's house was like a farm!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX-6iCqVbZdTugVWbfcoMLcR4UiAevBS0U1fNRb0YJAVd5jKAQFUD6vcYVvKO1v_QTX6p7Aa_5M15NkcqFgz5b2LzAOyaHljIkQkxvW2yA38WcDvYVGUtJK6B8M0Luatc7tMowgF2kgr9/s1600-h/8.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX-6iCqVbZdTugVWbfcoMLcR4UiAevBS0U1fNRb0YJAVd5jKAQFUD6vcYVvKO1v_QTX6p7Aa_5M15NkcqFgz5b2LzAOyaHljIkQkxvW2yA38WcDvYVGUtJK6B8M0Luatc7tMowgF2kgr9/s320/8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235787672806116946" /></a><br /></div><div>Joe and Santosh. What women want.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_gI4tobHRlny-bSLriZ14mlKDXRMz1ZWm4gU6nPPOYIZD9VWFoY13D7kKebvKFXbZkQeA3_EZQWjv7ldUbYlPT4WPH75JxlDuguSzAqo2olKuPtgMgnyThyphenhyphenUswry91juNw9kbUZDeDQS/s1600-h/9.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_gI4tobHRlny-bSLriZ14mlKDXRMz1ZWm4gU6nPPOYIZD9VWFoY13D7kKebvKFXbZkQeA3_EZQWjv7ldUbYlPT4WPH75JxlDuguSzAqo2olKuPtgMgnyThyphenhyphenUswry91juNw9kbUZDeDQS/s320/9.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235787681652951634" /></a><br /></div><div>Joe: Still making village children cry after all these months. I also have one photo of it screaming harder and one of it being led away from me by it's mother.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wn3nBFxiWdSlb5Lo1l5hlURU5W0VfS17TNR54gfp6V52RNXAI3TECtg9USVJVZ5SB3c04rZu3zZ09N7Cb6txFSns3Q60PTQW1qMS8oJRmTzd4Yg633jZjucaAtaz6epY2_xP_X0MCRC8/s1600-h/10.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wn3nBFxiWdSlb5Lo1l5hlURU5W0VfS17TNR54gfp6V52RNXAI3TECtg9USVJVZ5SB3c04rZu3zZ09N7Cb6txFSns3Q60PTQW1qMS8oJRmTzd4Yg633jZjucaAtaz6epY2_xP_X0MCRC8/s320/10.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785931777228642" /></a><br /></div><div>Storm clouds gather over the rice paddies.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFavaEZAiDegv-nR9u_9BBwlmPxL-X36JIehBNLdQIqWu44MqceKKteJ-u6dfxSwXl9W9LmBMbnr7fJ2zX-IKhurWzTrdyuacJoqlsTY4CMGMJaB26_ukAD2hZviN1Ly61VtDdPaoSfqan/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFavaEZAiDegv-nR9u_9BBwlmPxL-X36JIehBNLdQIqWu44MqceKKteJ-u6dfxSwXl9W9LmBMbnr7fJ2zX-IKhurWzTrdyuacJoqlsTY4CMGMJaB26_ukAD2hZviN1Ly61VtDdPaoSfqan/s320/12.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785935381615714" /></a><br /></div><div>Village women congregate by the road on the way to see a snake. Everyone in town loved to see a snake. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpNXDSVa2Mj0CHLP-Y_RdJgQLxr9OSZ_ILW13nb9gB6sz3fmGrgadoFGcsdTROd7I1KM0NwggsMb9VZhuPsm_vv0SinLVXyflVBLnFzEaA449Cq1vzdX9mowiEVpNqqxgtuNaJZIj6rEf/s320/13.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785940704485010" /></div><div><br /></div><div>We nicknamed this guy Greenshirt. He spent the whole time we were hanging out alternately explaining to me how dirty his village was and cutting his loogies into tiny globs with his teeth before spitting them on the ground in rapid fire bursts. Anywhere he goes is dirty. Greenshirt.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHLMthsUQvcrYtTzv2fgXynPnTbwnFo-VzfDESYsVwyIUu0lLrpbREVtc2k18MXHQUqwONGJ4PdQ7uTDn14lvP8AanDZmZ3sC7Xe_-DZoLdUdP1d5xthoBciNsIcSpCnmr4sVcO3rI8qk/s320/14.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785945752964802" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next time you are sitting down to a meal of rice, you can call Joe up and thank him for helping put it on your table. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmzeKWCjDCa1VEQ48bpa6Zz7hpLc5xbTXUw4tl9qjFuVspTeJCkXAqNQknmzGQTb_XZa5shbvEg0i2ZPRe3AgENJCMEvURoUwFX7CpdjTpOB0yDkG99FSDNvP93DLyV93725VotYCqbz7/s1600-h/15.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmzeKWCjDCa1VEQ48bpa6Zz7hpLc5xbTXUw4tl9qjFuVspTeJCkXAqNQknmzGQTb_XZa5shbvEg0i2ZPRe3AgENJCMEvURoUwFX7CpdjTpOB0yDkG99FSDNvP93DLyV93725VotYCqbz7/s320/15.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785032482504306" /></a><br /></div><div>Out for a cycle ride. Santosh takes his cycling very seriously. It took half an hour to convince him to let me take my own bike to town instead of riding on the back of his. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XAdvVhNs1BRrGFnRUmJphhprTrM98UZwuP0gIkMkx1pqLpieGewD8nOpkVfRuaQSaMFL-BgL_rkbcm1aGCSj5x8aLo-AwJXrpzuEFjBAygvo4TtEP0H4ZtsfY2WrLnnwdNAs-0u3Ehhk/s1600-h/16.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XAdvVhNs1BRrGFnRUmJphhprTrM98UZwuP0gIkMkx1pqLpieGewD8nOpkVfRuaQSaMFL-BgL_rkbcm1aGCSj5x8aLo-AwJXrpzuEFjBAygvo4TtEP0H4ZtsfY2WrLnnwdNAs-0u3Ehhk/s320/16.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785035675402802" /></a><br /></div><div>Two people waiting to use the rice mill tell their kid, "Unbutton your shirt and practice your modelling poses as long as you are just standing around."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jJHCzfr9QagMHfSjOUPVSWQv6hLnOQT6c8XbWC2MvqgxWL9xhjDmyEQy5If3rjDIPD_0KNgbuAkVJ8jmAV8QL5nUlfqEIRGlZGuqquodG6LAEAJBHcIcNOOSPfQzdrDGZwPfPFqycpia/s1600-h/17.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jJHCzfr9QagMHfSjOUPVSWQv6hLnOQT6c8XbWC2MvqgxWL9xhjDmyEQy5If3rjDIPD_0KNgbuAkVJ8jmAV8QL5nUlfqEIRGlZGuqquodG6LAEAJBHcIcNOOSPfQzdrDGZwPfPFqycpia/s320/17.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785042454427826" /></a><br /></div><div>Two people sweep their unshucked rice into a pile to be milled after Joe ruined their first pile with a Canonball! Joe was later banned from the mill during working hours due to a different incident.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDALginhJIEODjgfqvz57Jy4-YVh8aow6WViKYy7NQ_SAxvqApEM5MT2MwjpWUg_5F8xQL3Uzq-pjKReV0Ocw8oF9SUYlh-w1vx487G2DajgpZGcjCpuBelnNz4NXsW1SyxMIqT-oYml3N/s1600-h/18.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDALginhJIEODjgfqvz57Jy4-YVh8aow6WViKYy7NQ_SAxvqApEM5MT2MwjpWUg_5F8xQL3Uzq-pjKReV0Ocw8oF9SUYlh-w1vx487G2DajgpZGcjCpuBelnNz4NXsW1SyxMIqT-oYml3N/s320/18.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785042804628978" /></a><br /></div><div>A crowd of gawkers gathers to stare open mouthed at a snake someone has tied to a post. When I got this close to get the perfect shot the snake hissed and everyone gasped. I winked at them and grinned a little grin. It isn't dangerous everyone! It's tied to a post!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh041pd3kry0ReBxcQzs2Nc11w_pIyrlv2KWTj1-_Rv8FaK0wvDj0auHDewMUCtBFThOFM4kv8Y8b_IB7VMCSaKbTjH4bAFPd3J2rI8SPAo9WaPoveBQx5fP6YhVl1ALKyrKsuf4WvM2D/s1600-h/19.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvh041pd3kry0ReBxcQzs2Nc11w_pIyrlv2KWTj1-_Rv8FaK0wvDj0auHDewMUCtBFThOFM4kv8Y8b_IB7VMCSaKbTjH4bAFPd3J2rI8SPAo9WaPoveBQx5fP6YhVl1ALKyrKsuf4WvM2D/s320/19.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235785048824066338" /></a><br /></div><div>Locals hard at relaxing. I watched the guy on the right eat a sandwich and smoke a cigarette at the same time. He would blow the smoke out through his nose as he chewed. Then he mushed the cigarette into the last bite of his sandwich so it caught on fire and he ate that too. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEqG6ZIzQHwngZe3KPb_JWn62kbxH9QE_8drpvyTgLa-nzbsgY510kLPuxbBz8MNz-B7qVUpH6EYPw7DYKLety-N0UIgyLHDlTHrcL02PLidd5iNUKqKCMFv_3sHnSQo6rf3u_u8J5Ljn/s1600-h/20.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEqG6ZIzQHwngZe3KPb_JWn62kbxH9QE_8drpvyTgLa-nzbsgY510kLPuxbBz8MNz-B7qVUpH6EYPw7DYKLety-N0UIgyLHDlTHrcL02PLidd5iNUKqKCMFv_3sHnSQo6rf3u_u8J5Ljn/s320/20.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235782226555245538" /></a><br /></div><div>Two crabs which Santosh caught and Joe ate, whole. They were too small to peel so they heated them up and Joe just had to crunch them down, shells and all. It was cool until we had more for dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxTgM2kChhDJjkG-dIFiIs-fmO0V_7DfsPd7xyyOofSD6I3-Yisd86OF62pdWCYWECrW02Dfx9ldONtjs7EqYUDP8lPGkeykoHSL6M4SGUNfuA2jy17PtWNrZP2CARXdZjpCt7ER3OOU9/s1600-h/21.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxTgM2kChhDJjkG-dIFiIs-fmO0V_7DfsPd7xyyOofSD6I3-Yisd86OF62pdWCYWECrW02Dfx9ldONtjs7EqYUDP8lPGkeykoHSL6M4SGUNfuA2jy17PtWNrZP2CARXdZjpCt7ER3OOU9/s320/21.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235782224689498402" /></a><br /></div><div>The girls stand on the roadside, getting ready for a sunset walk.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8C3VxNH2zayuUcyBNzdnq8k2d9egk0860qEtmzQAlF3f2ZcCu99AeoxzUe1MQonYSMM4x0LfdJzqW5hW22gKLVwh2FIfVBHtYPuuo7qlHGivjRDimK2jhU028e4X2IXfzR84vDeMIsph/s1600-h/22.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8C3VxNH2zayuUcyBNzdnq8k2d9egk0860qEtmzQAlF3f2ZcCu99AeoxzUe1MQonYSMM4x0LfdJzqW5hW22gKLVwh2FIfVBHtYPuuo7qlHGivjRDimK2jhU028e4X2IXfzR84vDeMIsph/s320/22.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235782230685452418" /></a><br /></div><div>A man and his grandkids.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyqFOBAvmPSR9pgOiQoZGvScWJw0jcM-Uh_UI-OlK9k_McXzyOlrlPRpMebO5m8Seh-aDM8ybYs8-CZQK845YT1OeB3ON8ztPSkbU3zUkpvY55g0QKsIan_eE_TVVWM5oUj_aPYmFdo3R/s1600-h/23.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyqFOBAvmPSR9pgOiQoZGvScWJw0jcM-Uh_UI-OlK9k_McXzyOlrlPRpMebO5m8Seh-aDM8ybYs8-CZQK845YT1OeB3ON8ztPSkbU3zUkpvY55g0QKsIan_eE_TVVWM5oUj_aPYmFdo3R/s320/23.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235782233323048834" /></a><br /></div><div>Rice paddy.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbHDDlW2KS6eFq2HdTpDPJOvjKVFxywsVp1SwGAxPXd9BAjbXi_xN0PYfq48i9DJjwQ1VBjTw4Um4bt9RejWDoia4JNBFs43tloi3FHD92r21DGSrh1wLCG2e7v-o4a-tQNSMwk9GIAox/s1600-h/24.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbHDDlW2KS6eFq2HdTpDPJOvjKVFxywsVp1SwGAxPXd9BAjbXi_xN0PYfq48i9DJjwQ1VBjTw4Um4bt9RejWDoia4JNBFs43tloi3FHD92r21DGSrh1wLCG2e7v-o4a-tQNSMwk9GIAox/s320/24.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235782235601832690" /></a><br /></div><div>A nature photo brightens up the wall of the Rangia train station.</div></div>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-3640933715039786292008-08-05T23:59:00.003-07:002008-08-07T06:45:02.001-07:00The sweltering deserts of Rajasthan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTUS4nkNFEYwqsZLYpgHxGcspGfrrJqrSYIvlnhPx6ESm7AjFMbf1dcJQeT47_hxjDh-sh5vwzV9hLjwgJweX6fa7fgr6mw8rTYnbwMxOK9mwWxixac6k3p_1gTEgSZPeoIU1nao72EXE/s1600-h/DSCF3981.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTUS4nkNFEYwqsZLYpgHxGcspGfrrJqrSYIvlnhPx6ESm7AjFMbf1dcJQeT47_hxjDh-sh5vwzV9hLjwgJweX6fa7fgr6mw8rTYnbwMxOK9mwWxixac6k3p_1gTEgSZPeoIU1nao72EXE/s320/DSCF3981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231304833837055522" border="0" /></a>Local women drag Mia into a holy desert oasis. The scene is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">reminiscent</span> of a middle school pool party.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGSYGDISsPmgjcAtJ5RemQHLTu2SrGbliHEktV_TItynlTI2zSvlSARewY1qUZ04fHcKm3bKW96yH44g4hiCbPShJ2NPIIuQc8GGPM16SRdvk5GVC292ofhH_64HEBv0fw6kaXgNOnsiA/s1600-h/DSCF3974.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGSYGDISsPmgjcAtJ5RemQHLTu2SrGbliHEktV_TItynlTI2zSvlSARewY1qUZ04fHcKm3bKW96yH44g4hiCbPShJ2NPIIuQc8GGPM16SRdvk5GVC292ofhH_64HEBv0fw6kaXgNOnsiA/s320/DSCF3974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231304835835450050" border="0" /></a><br />Mia's cries of, "These are my only dry clothes!" are cut off as questionable water is splashed into her mouth from above. If Joe's post-Ganges experience is any indicator, Mia's skin can expect some bad times ahead.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AEtMmiAo2Chyphenhyphen4zRSErcX9TgkXmRA1OfzjhkKnlebWII0v_5bHThun7vQwRQl9-NUMUVcy8y5XxQPhs-QKmbZWGqpxa7UG4FZI_a6zzgVbQT6NeTEvUWadJRlljSbX8uDl-vv-PZKyHY5/s1600-h/q1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8AEtMmiAo2Chyphenhyphen4zRSErcX9TgkXmRA1OfzjhkKnlebWII0v_5bHThun7vQwRQl9-NUMUVcy8y5XxQPhs-QKmbZWGqpxa7UG4FZI_a6zzgVbQT6NeTEvUWadJRlljSbX8uDl-vv-PZKyHY5/s320/q1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231303521057665410" border="0" /></a><br />Look how many plates this waiter bussed off the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tables</span> with his BARE HANDS!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXOR6if6uMzocTAUKnsnPwJK2EZMNWLrOmVmgxh7PXh8OXqhiiwd72KBbVNx4oDwqmCMbfSpvzWdH_zdpmtVAt8ocZGwkhZvwEcDLiWHHgxbdYYTioDuIKTgkFjr4HU76nhq7c1bPwx96/s1600-h/q2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXOR6if6uMzocTAUKnsnPwJK2EZMNWLrOmVmgxh7PXh8OXqhiiwd72KBbVNx4oDwqmCMbfSpvzWdH_zdpmtVAt8ocZGwkhZvwEcDLiWHHgxbdYYTioDuIKTgkFjr4HU76nhq7c1bPwx96/s320/q2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231303518516082818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>A sandstone desert home boasts some of the finest carvings we have ever seen. All houses built more than 80 years ago have an elephant door in the front. All homes built after have a garage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkqDs_LKtKUE8s2tu923Bkd5PnlV1XIAYs2ncJesjila0mmLFYwJG90grTMQyNoE_LCXgLagK3clqZefONYRbABOmMPK9vZWie1xlHciG9SKegL3705bd4dddvA-1iIMA0xWLc7V1fMNI/s1600-h/q3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzkqDs_LKtKUE8s2tu923Bkd5PnlV1XIAYs2ncJesjila0mmLFYwJG90grTMQyNoE_LCXgLagK3clqZefONYRbABOmMPK9vZWie1xlHciG9SKegL3705bd4dddvA-1iIMA0xWLc7V1fMNI/s320/q3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231303522141382482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>A bell.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFceMkI4Ibo9ru5FZysI6S9vY-n8Fp7MH-9R_hbh35WP83nWfUIcI8lg8MMhUEuufRDXJcC6WGg5NJwGelh9JNtx7iqbmH6ChIRIyYn8XN2mhHg2Hx2StOuZF3ovF5DvLYDzJ_a02T6zG0/s1600-h/q7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFceMkI4Ibo9ru5FZysI6S9vY-n8Fp7MH-9R_hbh35WP83nWfUIcI8lg8MMhUEuufRDXJcC6WGg5NJwGelh9JNtx7iqbmH6ChIRIyYn8XN2mhHg2Hx2StOuZF3ovF5DvLYDzJ_a02T6zG0/s320/q7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231303052439270018" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Rajasthani</span> man wears all black in the desert. We decided to give him a makeover. This was the BEFORE picture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySb1vgYsFl8imPdeAaWh7k6XeKCu_fxcEHIhvF3GU__WSo42PKGBO0OFLux7lwdwqRq-dwXJJJuZLwUrtpWPdk5VCgDU7ygNJ05MUa-QkGbK74F5RMrdV87yqq-3UEsXt270zBVA0qbqg/s1600-h/shahrukh-omshantiom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySb1vgYsFl8imPdeAaWh7k6XeKCu_fxcEHIhvF3GU__WSo42PKGBO0OFLux7lwdwqRq-dwXJJJuZLwUrtpWPdk5VCgDU7ygNJ05MUa-QkGbK74F5RMrdV87yqq-3UEsXt270zBVA0qbqg/s320/shahrukh-omshantiom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231307770563594594" border="0" /></a><br />This is the AFTER shot. You can see we have trimmed his beard, given him some lighter, summer clothes and used a 5 action whitening cream on his skin.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP125cUrVVLhS8rIacCMQVAHAdhwXIiGkMyzOrz0p-Y9kw5pl4eX5pRLnlGDP23eIT3FiDxZMvdTZYQLth1pY6zupL3a8vVS7g1R546W6y738HcIrtf6T2dlDpENOIl5w7alWMzVuixSy/s1600-h/q10.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP125cUrVVLhS8rIacCMQVAHAdhwXIiGkMyzOrz0p-Y9kw5pl4eX5pRLnlGDP23eIT3FiDxZMvdTZYQLth1pY6zupL3a8vVS7g1R546W6y738HcIrtf6T2dlDpENOIl5w7alWMzVuixSy/s320/q10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231303059964208018" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Joe holds on tightly to his backpack full of cheese in the RAT TEMPLE! Millions of rats everywhere! Is that your HAND in my POCKET? no? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">YAAAAAAA</span>! Its a RAT!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahSKYIvVep7421UwVJ7q8C_hoBEPUe00ekwoRElS4qJMZflVR0rGwEx2-felbvfCrfJL8swT9ASTUwS3E4GPXqx-Mm6fzuIuHD4jpWgtAcIOyrz676ujGJpbDsRI_Rww49vkcai5F9CaR/s1600-h/q9.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahSKYIvVep7421UwVJ7q8C_hoBEPUe00ekwoRElS4qJMZflVR0rGwEx2-felbvfCrfJL8swT9ASTUwS3E4GPXqx-Mm6fzuIuHD4jpWgtAcIOyrz676ujGJpbDsRI_Rww49vkcai5F9CaR/s320/q9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231303053711777394" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We were lucky <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">enough</span> to find the one white rat in the temple. However, our true quest was to save the princess locked deep inside.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWBtyyFf4bBhdJuiioMm5z1UgRKOTIxlZWaM04pKtokpOsjL9k1dco1YvY45ubirUrDpogPdxhlV4Ml6S8H5pti8AtVmBvIGZdwVQzCc3aRqlizNCQZa6KolPW4Sf3CHblagP1oGbTMsG/s1600-h/q8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWBtyyFf4bBhdJuiioMm5z1UgRKOTIxlZWaM04pKtokpOsjL9k1dco1YvY45ubirUrDpogPdxhlV4Ml6S8H5pti8AtVmBvIGZdwVQzCc3aRqlizNCQZa6KolPW4Sf3CHblagP1oGbTMsG/s320/q8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231303053199501778" border="0" /></a><br />There she is! Oh no wait... its just an old lady in another room full of rats.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41QZUO1u3R3y4LDfHDK-65eNsScZEqcFCblZ0zpOxGDvglndP9Ci5T0FeiApLEv_EBVuLXiPt94vISBzk9F0MbVVKu0Yt1gRL8xzRgPpUQ89yu6BBkOP1jtILiKsjbItw1rOoHjzVwEH3/s1600-h/q11.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41QZUO1u3R3y4LDfHDK-65eNsScZEqcFCblZ0zpOxGDvglndP9Ci5T0FeiApLEv_EBVuLXiPt94vISBzk9F0MbVVKu0Yt1gRL8xzRgPpUQ89yu6BBkOP1jtILiKsjbItw1rOoHjzVwEH3/s320/q11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231302476673535218" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Mia leans out of a shot so that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Stephane</span> and Isabelle can have the limelight.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oVrzaNNPtFZltzx3qvfuaO2VGC2t6dZCEheGEdwDfbqYyZpBoDuXbegNdg4hkTuBHhmDLAuGdX_9e0rvxWzqN53N0Uemh8m04V9ejAZR-K4Cach4CoqCXO0FefneoZSUQEiCTLRvz5hN/s1600-h/q12.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oVrzaNNPtFZltzx3qvfuaO2VGC2t6dZCEheGEdwDfbqYyZpBoDuXbegNdg4hkTuBHhmDLAuGdX_9e0rvxWzqN53N0Uemh8m04V9ejAZR-K4Cach4CoqCXO0FefneoZSUQEiCTLRvz5hN/s320/q12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231302476282930530" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Atop the golden city fort at sunset.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UEs1nE2UTtxPJr_LCVt3CpMNvjhwrDP9n-KNRv4A8iwOM4XX_PmMpxlUy-1Z9YiJMTrVGs38BVUGN6Tq97huV7JVonaVIjk3Vtq3sNQFN0pW2g5DHv7aGJkgSwNtgPdvVQ0da6mDBHcm/s1600-h/q13.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UEs1nE2UTtxPJr_LCVt3CpMNvjhwrDP9n-KNRv4A8iwOM4XX_PmMpxlUy-1Z9YiJMTrVGs38BVUGN6Tq97huV7JVonaVIjk3Vtq3sNQFN0pW2g5DHv7aGJkgSwNtgPdvVQ0da6mDBHcm/s320/q13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231302480988167570" border="0" /></a><br />This is what the sun looked like. AWESOME! Like the grille of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Nightrider</span> car. "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Sheeeww</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">shewww</span>. Micheal, look out. Someone is trying to sneak up behind you and sell you a camel hair scarf while you watch the sunset. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sheeeeww</span>."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-0rm2gLUZSC0Jx-yuAWD9YthgfOPPqWjArjw99Wy5RzipwOW15WRZJsx2ctwX_NhwXcy6QnwtsV1ulrVTpvb39WejxNnrvtVhZEHzmXWaf9YVm1yaNq2DKvgt_DarOorUQNiTQVzwzPA/s1600-h/q4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-0rm2gLUZSC0Jx-yuAWD9YthgfOPPqWjArjw99Wy5RzipwOW15WRZJsx2ctwX_NhwXcy6QnwtsV1ulrVTpvb39WejxNnrvtVhZEHzmXWaf9YVm1yaNq2DKvgt_DarOorUQNiTQVzwzPA/s320/q4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231303525443050466" border="0" /></a><br />Two women.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_MBBH1MypclcFBNK4SPymSyyNBJVZf6tZXXdQJ5lMbC6abaI-ckt9qCFS9V06mqw2HtvG8KcfL_DSaf5ijhI2cWn1eNJUdbbuRYBxn7zweAh9uqoSxiZhQWOZb5R2IJDUJ7iRp-1sjd-/s1600-h/q15.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_MBBH1MypclcFBNK4SPymSyyNBJVZf6tZXXdQJ5lMbC6abaI-ckt9qCFS9V06mqw2HtvG8KcfL_DSaf5ijhI2cWn1eNJUdbbuRYBxn7zweAh9uqoSxiZhQWOZb5R2IJDUJ7iRp-1sjd-/s320/q15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231302480733431986" border="0" /></a><br />Mia sits atop her camel, 'Little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Babaloo</span>'. Little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Babaloo</span> was a friendly soul. Docile and with a big heart.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJZHxGAtFeoeqkXfop0D1Om30VHcaAfa9pG5x1H7-iX2R1T8guPXreWDpfb5OaHoTEPKtyjz5SxDhVtCwS1-YD6dZHSIPVNVUoPhImBrvRzugOB1BUOD_rcBEay_44sVWvsnJnfVDE3jY/s1600-h/q21.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJZHxGAtFeoeqkXfop0D1Om30VHcaAfa9pG5x1H7-iX2R1T8guPXreWDpfb5OaHoTEPKtyjz5SxDhVtCwS1-YD6dZHSIPVNVUoPhImBrvRzugOB1BUOD_rcBEay_44sVWvsnJnfVDE3jY/s320/q21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231302272689848962" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>The two of them faced anything that came their way with confidence and serenity.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-qOAcJQq4wNzclf8SIyk90c9LJf3f74H28csdlNCbav99PWUnPllelxFCxJ8Fp4kPvAo9eaUImBE5slQPy8uDepmGYnlq5ZANFvoFwavMY6CljQhFnT1NeLiDEudIHmRnkk2YCd1S2Ih/s1600-h/q22.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-qOAcJQq4wNzclf8SIyk90c9LJf3f74H28csdlNCbav99PWUnPllelxFCxJ8Fp4kPvAo9eaUImBE5slQPy8uDepmGYnlq5ZANFvoFwavMY6CljQhFnT1NeLiDEudIHmRnkk2YCd1S2Ih/s320/q22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231302278860652962" border="0" /></a><br />This is Joe and 'Big <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Babaloo</span>'. They handled life <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">differently</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZfi3ltTRrePrt8QLBtSm5Wehk-CnKg9u7TVkDLZ4pXuGLX84AqnqZ2FhKhLpS9inGNBfzmAAGccO2oQwOijAmZ8ehhIgDrbBufsgjjn17enGHx1Gyxw3_9t34x_MBp6zGa2e67J_rvgh/s1600-h/q18.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZfi3ltTRrePrt8QLBtSm5Wehk-CnKg9u7TVkDLZ4pXuGLX84AqnqZ2FhKhLpS9inGNBfzmAAGccO2oQwOijAmZ8ehhIgDrbBufsgjjn17enGHx1Gyxw3_9t34x_MBp6zGa2e67J_rvgh/s320/q18.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301622958634546" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><br /></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ROAAAAAAAA</span>!<br /><br />As we rode by a herd of antelope I couldn't help but wonder if a camel had ever eaten one. Look at those teeth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyOgkEpPSsBsTOft4zxM3aYNlYBY97_5kY7FuFr76Xtwn6Om3KvdKnKcLGXfrWtMIl5-tYCk7SKr2F2UmQ8X2BzSV3-AjbKDgQyKPF-1Hgkci0HVlmtdrIVr_tWEoUqg3yQILZandvaUx/s1600-h/q16.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyOgkEpPSsBsTOft4zxM3aYNlYBY97_5kY7FuFr76Xtwn6Om3KvdKnKcLGXfrWtMIl5-tYCk7SKr2F2UmQ8X2BzSV3-AjbKDgQyKPF-1Hgkci0HVlmtdrIVr_tWEoUqg3yQILZandvaUx/s320/q16.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301626624762530" border="0" /></a><br />Desert Safari.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsX2UUVSefGLFwxcs7iC2987p6ahvCCZ6CgkDUM3vneDdJ8ZIt_4nQaGtDj2aZ9mPE_mJcMKaFY7PSgKuZCNgabE_ADcuFgwPQZd4DNZVs_Ecy3Of9tbbIhr8Km_BaVj_DQU4zQ8pFAqS/s1600-h/q17.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsX2UUVSefGLFwxcs7iC2987p6ahvCCZ6CgkDUM3vneDdJ8ZIt_4nQaGtDj2aZ9mPE_mJcMKaFY7PSgKuZCNgabE_ADcuFgwPQZd4DNZVs_Ecy3Of9tbbIhr8Km_BaVj_DQU4zQ8pFAqS/s320/q17.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301624781589922" border="0" /></a><br />A desert woman poses in her doorway with her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">conservatively</span> dressed family.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOd70QcoSBnX0iKXi8zS-mvX4DH74q4ad-6e_0SThRQx_DZXkwUHRw-YzHe6O_NWKBR-fglig2PqcOiF73DuVDt_jRCjO83bvJuQ3iYWfr-UI1m80_ArOyUmeJ2f5wP6ewkZiyC8xjwNG2/s1600-h/q19.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOd70QcoSBnX0iKXi8zS-mvX4DH74q4ad-6e_0SThRQx_DZXkwUHRw-YzHe6O_NWKBR-fglig2PqcOiF73DuVDt_jRCjO83bvJuQ3iYWfr-UI1m80_ArOyUmeJ2f5wP6ewkZiyC8xjwNG2/s320/q19.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301628805226978" border="0" /></a><br />Women return to town from the oasis well nearby.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcE6Mq-Klw-8kC3bkGV6ieMU1P3tg9OhEkwU0v5mOqHg-DnkYZSWRfGUnaZwhoO_O1uD_zLalj4DWhR0Bq-HVdDDo5k30eYRLS22b0uQ3kZImCHflw9kZSAj7Oph9RgY2V0c-RS7iuYPH/s1600-h/q20.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcE6Mq-Klw-8kC3bkGV6ieMU1P3tg9OhEkwU0v5mOqHg-DnkYZSWRfGUnaZwhoO_O1uD_zLalj4DWhR0Bq-HVdDDo5k30eYRLS22b0uQ3kZImCHflw9kZSAj7Oph9RgY2V0c-RS7iuYPH/s320/q20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301631265265266" border="0" /></a><br />Camel shadow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAovtnAeeatbA_FlLfCaGpkcJ3PKc4LDNt0j8McusHbRA7bLXPrSJCXPcFnEfK9yVCf_dOKI3LX_avpttMNnpDonHYP8GeTCYKDI6IU7vnYoDGRs3qQ19PVJyH3KtEcWJUi7MtY8VK-9i/s1600-h/q23.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAovtnAeeatbA_FlLfCaGpkcJ3PKc4LDNt0j8McusHbRA7bLXPrSJCXPcFnEfK9yVCf_dOKI3LX_avpttMNnpDonHYP8GeTCYKDI6IU7vnYoDGRs3qQ19PVJyH3KtEcWJUi7MtY8VK-9i/s320/q23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301312536634418" border="0" /></a><br />This is a sculpture of Mia that Joe did in the dunes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNLn-5R4auDEtrT3Og2ZyFScM7yH5P4oF6LuzuN26RaZAJ9PWz-dUzeMos3sYixPVfmYKNT34R8c6jGI5ceBU-w_Wvn61xTWrpI-tcxakL0JZksHv_4VmKyru3O_wIxj0PQ8ospMBOk1p/s1600-h/q25.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNLn-5R4auDEtrT3Og2ZyFScM7yH5P4oF6LuzuN26RaZAJ9PWz-dUzeMos3sYixPVfmYKNT34R8c6jGI5ceBU-w_Wvn61xTWrpI-tcxakL0JZksHv_4VmKyru3O_wIxj0PQ8ospMBOk1p/s320/q25.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301313128101682" border="0" /></a><br />Three friends grit their teeth as the 100<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">th</span> child who has followed our camel tracks into the dunes says, "Hey! Pepsi? Chips? You are AMERICAN! You eat 2 or 3!"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQbJ_bgf6gQtFyIo9NaMfA3x2iJqcREcDyEhyHDY63aca7LEzoRuH3nye5uvVZcHMpOYrBAIkBVXNfPzGtXfGupCuLFGesngUzMN-XpEQjPqd7XwzPHjC3-Yl_2ohtGhXQ-oLdmbw_Hyc/s1600-h/q26.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQbJ_bgf6gQtFyIo9NaMfA3x2iJqcREcDyEhyHDY63aca7LEzoRuH3nye5uvVZcHMpOYrBAIkBVXNfPzGtXfGupCuLFGesngUzMN-XpEQjPqd7XwzPHjC3-Yl_2ohtGhXQ-oLdmbw_Hyc/s320/q26.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301317310451794" border="0" /></a><br />To whom it may concern,<br />My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">COMEX</span> brand lock recently ceased opening while locked on my bag. The only thing I was able to gain access to was my REVLON brand nail clippers, which made quick work of your lock. Thanks for your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">commitment</span> to excellence.<br />Joe<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMd0tkpmpPD-uaC7_k3oyPF4ySvghyphenhyphencQeLRzDmjos9nMLfSvoSkM7Uuo7JtDKjN5mo4kGeRSt3QN3mg-S2u-vkXT0U-4dmhyphenhyphenhoGrz6bSv_edn5nwmHml0sMyeTAAh_OA4e1GULNTCsOAu/s1600-h/q27.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMd0tkpmpPD-uaC7_k3oyPF4ySvghyphenhyphencQeLRzDmjos9nMLfSvoSkM7Uuo7JtDKjN5mo4kGeRSt3QN3mg-S2u-vkXT0U-4dmhyphenhyphenhoGrz6bSv_edn5nwmHml0sMyeTAAh_OA4e1GULNTCsOAu/s320/q27.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231301316899905506" border="0" /></a><br />Mia relaxes and watches American TV in our swanky, all stone, palace-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">style</span> room.</div>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-41783122470661280082008-08-05T23:59:00.002-07:002008-08-07T06:47:43.974-07:00Trek through Ledakh<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-QNvrv6pyJDoCKaTXN5PkAw_Yh_cv4t-5ZWWK07IlDbq1fL7Q9btvUB_kqnb-qrw1tvMojQxCFOklK3_I6nbp_ZnEqNFHrcduBwPCG7E4DWt6lip1_ciC882C6JtLLGOzk4m0qiRa_zx/s1600-h/e1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231331058400868338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-QNvrv6pyJDoCKaTXN5PkAw_Yh_cv4t-5ZWWK07IlDbq1fL7Q9btvUB_kqnb-qrw1tvMojQxCFOklK3_I6nbp_ZnEqNFHrcduBwPCG7E4DWt6lip1_ciC882C6JtLLGOzk4m0qiRa_zx/s320/e1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Our trek begins. Mia sets out across the barren wasteland of Ledakh.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-QNvrv6pyJDoCKaTXN5PkAw_Yh_cv4t-5ZWWK07IlDbq1fL7Q9btvUB_kqnb-qrw1tvMojQxCFOklK3_I6nbp_ZnEqNFHrcduBwPCG7E4DWt6lip1_ciC882C6JtLLGOzk4m0qiRa_zx/s1600-h/e1.JPG"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDnOtwGUWKx3mjs-tkD7cwEIds0zQIJq3HPWMPtMqVNm0uXXjESRb7z3EHnjSmcY1n6cFaLkU2NzoCWd1mvmwbd9sStBgXVuumwX23XJwQfLdfN4S_fHzna8QVJ5e-gtOXgSOxJ-O1YSF/s1600-h/e26.JPG"></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATW2-GiZz8fO4ZWcBqXyeCf5qrHqs_k9abidFKyvsfkqJ1lFRwKPEQcaq_8TTJYeeJz10-qjjHJztEuffTPZdIlFj1zlX7t35aXYUXgYHi0iWWGYnwLFQiv0wooUWv8LP9v7q082wtK6Y/s1600-h/e26.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231331641562738594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATW2-GiZz8fO4ZWcBqXyeCf5qrHqs_k9abidFKyvsfkqJ1lFRwKPEQcaq_8TTJYeeJz10-qjjHJztEuffTPZdIlFj1zlX7t35aXYUXgYHi0iWWGYnwLFQiv0wooUWv8LP9v7q082wtK6Y/s320/e26.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Joe tries to take a shortcut but with only minimal luck.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYieQK-murbncryb34ntfNXx3-IuDXn03Fq3dUH_vtyGy3OjK2dYg6mVcS8aPjp4aS9vz8G7bKK9nrC3U8szxJtcuh_M2X3ldyAsHqAK5anImjnP7ZDidcIinoY1F04jgJhYxxONCVVeN/s1600-h/e2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231331058888373826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYieQK-murbncryb34ntfNXx3-IuDXn03Fq3dUH_vtyGy3OjK2dYg6mVcS8aPjp4aS9vz8G7bKK9nrC3U8szxJtcuh_M2X3ldyAsHqAK5anImjnP7ZDidcIinoY1F04jgJhYxxONCVVeN/s320/e2.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Crossing a broken bridge.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke5KE32ZXpOvbMXc_DyyPoeo8BYZSDsREvpoSt8QXdKJUrdOeERerB9eIj8woVoCNHQfmDWucBBGwV9r5Ya4ZJQBbZdbzG8X_5KSol0ZGGmLzVEaGkn0LTxxPK1iCtsvr31yd2hacGvqs/s1600-h/e3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231329464873054818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke5KE32ZXpOvbMXc_DyyPoeo8BYZSDsREvpoSt8QXdKJUrdOeERerB9eIj8woVoCNHQfmDWucBBGwV9r5Ya4ZJQBbZdbzG8X_5KSol0ZGGmLzVEaGkn0LTxxPK1iCtsvr31yd2hacGvqs/s320/e3.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Joe shows off one of the many ways to wear the Cambodian krama. Pictured here: the scarf.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWfLX97zIkqQYpwkkziQ0n6ur7yhcgyPy8y-QF2MKpxOHk9q1IkwP2of18-rLT4rNvdrdZTVfbmuoBLX0ELwnHzmVFzNx1tGMlzyaKcRKI0D-8zY9WCgjxX9eDzv9Xxyg_xcbs4w5Ba6F/s1600-h/e4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231329463121038370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWfLX97zIkqQYpwkkziQ0n6ur7yhcgyPy8y-QF2MKpxOHk9q1IkwP2of18-rLT4rNvdrdZTVfbmuoBLX0ELwnHzmVFzNx1tGMlzyaKcRKI0D-8zY9WCgjxX9eDzv9Xxyg_xcbs4w5Ba6F/s320/e4.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Mountain village.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YG9zqcG2ulU9hIBYYfwnJkyMMzYL4avNDBOp-mh77SSpxSMK7rakf_gdncCwSmSPXVkC74b6rbkdKsi1gcjTjJ-ZJ5dzv148kjHNeBC_e1GynMZUrulkIdHNI0AsPkz3UOnbjvPlKJ8b/s1600-h/e5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231329464291567810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YG9zqcG2ulU9hIBYYfwnJkyMMzYL4avNDBOp-mh77SSpxSMK7rakf_gdncCwSmSPXVkC74b6rbkdKsi1gcjTjJ-ZJ5dzv148kjHNeBC_e1GynMZUrulkIdHNI0AsPkz3UOnbjvPlKJ8b/s320/e5.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Mia admires a shelf full of brass pots. When she strolls over to touch them her hand is slapped away.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXhlYObyW9y0h-I7VNWzIL2vX7L697QXA6oAselhhBYshKeEKJ_yd4a0gy-jtDG_acQi3HfwR1RkqOYx7zKYSgqWU3QEsF3FmbYByZdVnTUQqEcG6JnygYn3lr4WCE29OVVWnzCLFpkPp/s1600-h/e8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328694973106434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXhlYObyW9y0h-I7VNWzIL2vX7L697QXA6oAselhhBYshKeEKJ_yd4a0gy-jtDG_acQi3HfwR1RkqOYx7zKYSgqWU3QEsF3FmbYByZdVnTUQqEcG6JnygYn3lr4WCE29OVVWnzCLFpkPp/s320/e8.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These pots are not for guests. Please return to your seat and drink your tea from your Donald Duck sippy-cup.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKOMGq5t6hNJplBSh9svqLL8QUtbKvyEmqjRL1wOO-c9bil-ibljg_nYotetV-ZocYP2-ifKo523LEr5o0h_J5cUjOJdMGIbOsceyP5Rb6-XEx05lPBQMygMbn5cALNogqlOsxCEz0SDt/s1600-h/e7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231329467845298370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKOMGq5t6hNJplBSh9svqLL8QUtbKvyEmqjRL1wOO-c9bil-ibljg_nYotetV-ZocYP2-ifKo523LEr5o0h_J5cUjOJdMGIbOsceyP5Rb6-XEx05lPBQMygMbn5cALNogqlOsxCEz0SDt/s320/e7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A little boy poses on his doorstep. His toes wriggle in his own pee.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyuz-MTB2UCZ95GPRmxpFz2FJwORegIIMpASzKSG-uXf9LBLao7EleNovEhyphenhypheneoJResJY5W9ZWCCMHpqU6bDb5TlqyTvGfWhxAWgvdEJY2Or3hPjdRXbSFxb5rHGPJrNGYwVVVnxMKgY00/s1600-h/e9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328700781572562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyuz-MTB2UCZ95GPRmxpFz2FJwORegIIMpASzKSG-uXf9LBLao7EleNovEhyphenhypheneoJResJY5W9ZWCCMHpqU6bDb5TlqyTvGfWhxAWgvdEJY2Or3hPjdRXbSFxb5rHGPJrNGYwVVVnxMKgY00/s320/e9.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>SNOT BALLOON! WHEEEEEEE!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwATsKcZh6O2bE7aJm-oxr4YRX8WaITyTxS0fzreh20n4vFEr8DaJFuhXT4eDMMsaOmg3Oxzx4IHwKsq_MMdCzAk6AC2nT12fRdRSYxBPvwGzhJTZmvo4diW3vwb4Khu-fCAir4bGOnqIw/s1600-h/e10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328702463119634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwATsKcZh6O2bE7aJm-oxr4YRX8WaITyTxS0fzreh20n4vFEr8DaJFuhXT4eDMMsaOmg3Oxzx4IHwKsq_MMdCzAk6AC2nT12fRdRSYxBPvwGzhJTZmvo4diW3vwb4Khu-fCAir4bGOnqIw/s320/e10.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Paper-mached sheep skulls rot on a gate. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktAWx2ucwcw97vLx_f46INN3LfTuRXxJYbYw9cZD_SkCmJ8_uMhlpGNZTxNbImHRYbiXDY_0uamjqd3g8hVCTU61uQFW6WXLYPDQx3HsurFgyxljVRKxaOt3-6uVTTL4czye60P8UxGnG/s1600-h/e11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328700116307586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktAWx2ucwcw97vLx_f46INN3LfTuRXxJYbYw9cZD_SkCmJ8_uMhlpGNZTxNbImHRYbiXDY_0uamjqd3g8hVCTU61uQFW6WXLYPDQx3HsurFgyxljVRKxaOt3-6uVTTL4czye60P8UxGnG/s320/e11.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />An old man spins a prayer wheel. Most of the men who are too old to work spend their days praying and focusing, hoping to secure a higher reincarnation in the next life.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd8zgAOjdy6qNnxhWO9avNwfWxlSuaMzvZtvbn_zuhBEgZBbuWccFHkNa5iwPP8Ic6_ai4p5zh25piPRy6Ke7W61_6oFyH0vbQNKJRzYD6XBGopIWm0o1gjS28vJKGfA1eV2xVY6stIpJ/s1600-h/e12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328210814379682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd8zgAOjdy6qNnxhWO9avNwfWxlSuaMzvZtvbn_zuhBEgZBbuWccFHkNa5iwPP8Ic6_ai4p5zh25piPRy6Ke7W61_6oFyH0vbQNKJRzYD6XBGopIWm0o1gjS28vJKGfA1eV2xVY6stIpJ/s320/e12.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Balls of yarn wait for the long winter months when nobody can leave the house and sewing is the only pass-time.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4M3zSsR8RLfVxkfMzNMkT6bF9bA8w3UOlRrPeT1LinX0BPptl3iiifkv2BjjUxq6z5Xzyt7qK3wv0PRZkPXIgPZL7EvrbYjlQw6i7KJCiMILHIt-lpXWWORh5I2xtxfO1RHRgL20VXVI/s1600-h/e13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328210675530322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4M3zSsR8RLfVxkfMzNMkT6bF9bA8w3UOlRrPeT1LinX0BPptl3iiifkv2BjjUxq6z5Xzyt7qK3wv0PRZkPXIgPZL7EvrbYjlQw6i7KJCiMILHIt-lpXWWORh5I2xtxfO1RHRgL20VXVI/s320/e13.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Isabelle.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7RepnxmlbsshU5v1f3iV4S0UmnXWWwW9ZcLjzizZnWFSSD2t7LSzmLdV7P9ayEi64jxM1BZScoZ7vDaLgV1fRq9Swl8T6LqMmsXY-qFkejCkQ8oy-Nzr77SGM2N5OT-NbhOaGNTZubpg/s1600-h/e14.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328211752640658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7RepnxmlbsshU5v1f3iV4S0UmnXWWwW9ZcLjzizZnWFSSD2t7LSzmLdV7P9ayEi64jxM1BZScoZ7vDaLgV1fRq9Swl8T6LqMmsXY-qFkejCkQ8oy-Nzr77SGM2N5OT-NbhOaGNTZubpg/s320/e14.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>A devil child.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt9iY0hwMarsb6TS-43CYXb9KJSiumxYaDQ_aam8FSGudloYvv39VsnNIKO0hPUy85tGCjvjrCeBjGatEmX5h1Hug7SpDNW-02yeb7sRhpKrUNkgyvEjyj1WMieevesjImck2NvAoipDv/s1600-h/e15.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328211368821362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWt9iY0hwMarsb6TS-43CYXb9KJSiumxYaDQ_aam8FSGudloYvv39VsnNIKO0hPUy85tGCjvjrCeBjGatEmX5h1Hug7SpDNW-02yeb7sRhpKrUNkgyvEjyj1WMieevesjImck2NvAoipDv/s320/e15.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Mia points to where a herd of sheep is not. The herd of sheep is down beneath her in the ravine.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvs5Wn3zj_fuM9eIQlvRu4rV56iTS_i3WPk6T1HdsHrHtsn8uSCg6LMn5Sz5qWGe2ldLS6Xb9AMJERRHcAr3U4rVH8PhkvLAclWsF4ww6Sxivg_NweY52UtsmnFvuB0ZdL3reEjek3kXaf/s1600-h/e16.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231328211030984882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvs5Wn3zj_fuM9eIQlvRu4rV56iTS_i3WPk6T1HdsHrHtsn8uSCg6LMn5Sz5qWGe2ldLS6Xb9AMJERRHcAr3U4rVH8PhkvLAclWsF4ww6Sxivg_NweY52UtsmnFvuB0ZdL3reEjek3kXaf/s320/e16.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe pets a donkey. He loves animals.<br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxufUMtqJfcfbKBZySWL9K_FXDnPgZqEJzLJaA1UdXTfa2p3xP-3lch1En_nq-kIOQlMqFMnhD6EjQNu4vAg-NMABrNm6wh4QySADvFBV45OZtkDBhz3vMxbPBZGAV8jBDD631OU7lS2v/s1600-h/e17.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231327030417775954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxufUMtqJfcfbKBZySWL9K_FXDnPgZqEJzLJaA1UdXTfa2p3xP-3lch1En_nq-kIOQlMqFMnhD6EjQNu4vAg-NMABrNm6wh4QySADvFBV45OZtkDBhz3vMxbPBZGAV8jBDD631OU7lS2v/s320/e17.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Donkey.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI0B1ZE7P_f7I4zXHLcfa7lYifJpn2uMXcdgNgIloaIPhsXKRdbJy5mzde0Vnu5coZpL33YAQ0mOAvMzhHFT-FIqM_kEnpXJKwJaML3fZLjBPQARX8EpNlwrSOjgxjqbdfaWQuLSzJ7Jj/s1600-h/e18.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231327033987928754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI0B1ZE7P_f7I4zXHLcfa7lYifJpn2uMXcdgNgIloaIPhsXKRdbJy5mzde0Vnu5coZpL33YAQ0mOAvMzhHFT-FIqM_kEnpXJKwJaML3fZLjBPQARX8EpNlwrSOjgxjqbdfaWQuLSzJ7Jj/s320/e18.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Mia points the way for Stephane. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyHv3zuDmUanlRcCBPn4hYkMwJps4_GQyUMGVnt4_CJOJfUdt9mZm5X4bGBXeL6Hdv4Qz58GAliYdzl70peZX45bArpp53gOdPTVQ4s1IaNBSGa18WYiM1t2f9Csixgl0A0G1rNKtm4cV/s1600-h/e19.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231327035746928770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyHv3zuDmUanlRcCBPn4hYkMwJps4_GQyUMGVnt4_CJOJfUdt9mZm5X4bGBXeL6Hdv4Qz58GAliYdzl70peZX45bArpp53gOdPTVQ4s1IaNBSGa18WYiM1t2f9Csixgl0A0G1rNKtm4cV/s320/e19.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Joe, at 16000 feet, is too tire to stand up straight for his photo.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i0xERExqPZ0s9aOO1F5Rzv0tQWZ25Z1mgLExm0Oh_JJpcdmXDEYu73sLuWSzjfTL_bAZ1Nx3RWWZBnHghzacPJN8M39CTJn68qwBESL0jqVLgwQTxpMY_cuOuZU7VTuaONjz-99k_GdC/s1600-h/e20.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231327034888368850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9i0xERExqPZ0s9aOO1F5Rzv0tQWZ25Z1mgLExm0Oh_JJpcdmXDEYu73sLuWSzjfTL_bAZ1Nx3RWWZBnHghzacPJN8M39CTJn68qwBESL0jqVLgwQTxpMY_cuOuZU7VTuaONjz-99k_GdC/s320/e20.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>The top of the world.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbjhAcOUfujeEf0XYfjvSE6VFD_40-OCPVG7sbteaCogtWLaw5RLirH9Q5KVJD2rDPVgwxS9w86pBeNUMhCTXgUt1rJf9mVZutJy9Yr837063Kk2SNGGL2i91nZHAcwWGHyMPk2823zKw/s1600-h/e21.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231327032058405618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbjhAcOUfujeEf0XYfjvSE6VFD_40-OCPVG7sbteaCogtWLaw5RLirH9Q5KVJD2rDPVgwxS9w86pBeNUMhCTXgUt1rJf9mVZutJy9Yr837063Kk2SNGGL2i91nZHAcwWGHyMPk2823zKw/s320/e21.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Edible berries decorate a landscape that is hauntingly Arizonan.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1FyXEbjLX7QGERcDhPdptYWyJVUtVfQXVUAu7TIroyDp55AP-nDOmPr87uAlEmcKf48ZHV8mLzIYN2zYfD7YMs18r6hUIpWe1wOra6zXDZST4697J4MW2oWSpdDedITBoQxTHloOqM5a/s1600-h/e22.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231326517800578322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit1FyXEbjLX7QGERcDhPdptYWyJVUtVfQXVUAu7TIroyDp55AP-nDOmPr87uAlEmcKf48ZHV8mLzIYN2zYfD7YMs18r6hUIpWe1wOra6zXDZST4697J4MW2oWSpdDedITBoQxTHloOqM5a/s320/e22.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>Joe, back in thick air, strikes a pose.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67rEGAg42x_5UUBRAbd3RyDMwJPIZxuhsp11j-k61zUpSN5G9Ed-FEaInWp8EzVWCu4p4t0xgDQxNujQZBLJSTKXqJMixIACzsMm18PmAvKt2j7GvFQ-jPohyuvlli1joHliCFUJA1OPF/s1600-h/e23.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231326518953696402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi67rEGAg42x_5UUBRAbd3RyDMwJPIZxuhsp11j-k61zUpSN5G9Ed-FEaInWp8EzVWCu4p4t0xgDQxNujQZBLJSTKXqJMixIACzsMm18PmAvKt2j7GvFQ-jPohyuvlli1joHliCFUJA1OPF/s320/e23.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>YEEEEESSSS. Huuuurrryy to the hhhhhouse. Wheeeen we get there you can pooooooop in the yaaaaard.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEjoFElRat0wC-WodfZHG1qeOwDozj-EpCqVuFkAab-5MMmxANWRszlUBJkdB2T2afACfIoNaD3UczfsspxDnQ02gM_81lGc4eehAR8EviuTkWUlB1uIg2MtSRC9gxMQi-lo8sNWTb89P/s1600-h/e24.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231326521017674594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEjoFElRat0wC-WodfZHG1qeOwDozj-EpCqVuFkAab-5MMmxANWRszlUBJkdB2T2afACfIoNaD3UczfsspxDnQ02gM_81lGc4eehAR8EviuTkWUlB1uIg2MtSRC9gxMQi-lo8sNWTb89P/s320/e24.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Stephane and Isabelle haul themselves across a raging river in a man powered cable car.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhxX2IqFCWRfIrUW2E6pCOF1cqBpjpMsPHtJaJRa3ZF346guPTErgFmYuoOSfE7zOo7tJUCZ5lGrtwA6ORBMFwBZN6M7XuOe-bGQGQnvifepk5gB6jkEUqmR6RyjT4opf7Sui7ZzrL7oR/s1600-h/e25.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231326526932436450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhxX2IqFCWRfIrUW2E6pCOF1cqBpjpMsPHtJaJRa3ZF346guPTErgFmYuoOSfE7zOo7tJUCZ5lGrtwA6ORBMFwBZN6M7XuOe-bGQGQnvifepk5gB6jkEUqmR6RyjT4opf7Sui7ZzrL7oR/s320/e25.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_nfE3gnvjl7x_siuQR76oEZHZWittev_Jn3ZGVQMmPvJ5Tz0CrCegpKMBX2SQpbIY5h25yxJRKx0SLzOBWZU8PUOWBeyIOEAYrCN6UsBT_-JosrDfyUoXc0EvyClWd9FZEwIQ0llmuIP/s1600-h/e26.JPG"></a>Then they stroll in a valley of apricot trees.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-37829879994146557562008-08-05T23:36:00.000-07:002008-08-07T06:49:15.011-07:00The Himalayan Mountains<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA4xsprupuRfxs2aOxbka1dL9bLAeszybGjwWymJ_P1FfTlSTbqp5RuT3WH5LbDj5yztmWfSWpM5UKEXgqYA3IFXu8DEbO50RUpx22knjVnGjM6UxKMQUNUkESqwEo5MXjK_w3Db1WVML/s1600-h/w1.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT2x98SALtkOBbxs_8zeBMPWZUWstw-fgyrr7RGB4v0h3k8ZOwAfVQig-M3_y98xGye_4p8nh3OZSM4VRrr4ZOn-K_4P9V7p9KKygnbPZQ5iL3QiWsOYtJnXfZH8OzxTKwX_ayV4AInri/s1600-h/w3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325794290585266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT2x98SALtkOBbxs_8zeBMPWZUWstw-fgyrr7RGB4v0h3k8ZOwAfVQig-M3_y98xGye_4p8nh3OZSM4VRrr4ZOn-K_4P9V7p9KKygnbPZQ5iL3QiWsOYtJnXfZH8OzxTKwX_ayV4AInri/s320/w3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Men work to make asphalt roads through the Himalayas using only a soup can tied to a stick and an oil fire.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_4E6dCbBRyOUJcjQTY2aGLVk5cJgUUr48wlgXAInFQROc9WLti-aREKlU4rsTdhY4UbCJ9B7I6KrozVpDWAlsmCtp9q_PimDzs1VWL8vt13040BeA6UorbyTgaz05H7nw2VlW7hIXza9/s1600-h/w2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325788499751954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_4E6dCbBRyOUJcjQTY2aGLVk5cJgUUr48wlgXAInFQROc9WLti-aREKlU4rsTdhY4UbCJ9B7I6KrozVpDWAlsmCtp9q_PimDzs1VWL8vt13040BeA6UorbyTgaz05H7nw2VlW7hIXza9/s320/w2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A mountain <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">butcher</span> sits in a screened in shop with sheep heads piled around his feet.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DrL6rzWj_5-MCMgLTmMjAb0lFBxReYJQFBDWegLvnlZoAzp55QizbnXOaxkrcUo3RLb4DVHB062QYiq8wZYa_3u7Z5Ac6FnjVrszd1gxmyVAuZEWpTbALunC9BGp1PvutvbbJhz1ogbc/s1600-h/w4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325791855176578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DrL6rzWj_5-MCMgLTmMjAb0lFBxReYJQFBDWegLvnlZoAzp55QizbnXOaxkrcUo3RLb4DVHB062QYiq8wZYa_3u7Z5Ac6FnjVrszd1gxmyVAuZEWpTbALunC9BGp1PvutvbbJhz1ogbc/s320/w4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Clean, clean air. You can see forever here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqySNACkWEGY97NpXjN1SmyZwOjiY7m1BXuQPI5CIS75IBRyr4m-QAFwkuAy1KScT-r52hfCIMYJUsQ6D87qoQ5-Wk01J69uor8WepBVxHbSGWN5isskhGFRSs_YQTNMxBh8kZ7-cWovH/s1600-h/w6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325549063289810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqySNACkWEGY97NpXjN1SmyZwOjiY7m1BXuQPI5CIS75IBRyr4m-QAFwkuAy1KScT-r52hfCIMYJUsQ6D87qoQ5-Wk01J69uor8WepBVxHbSGWN5isskhGFRSs_YQTNMxBh8kZ7-cWovH/s320/w6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />An ancient Tibetan <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">monastery</span> silhouetted against the setting sun.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v3e8xnp5VVbEvlrFJ1ywoOsB-crrpvQJ20ggWRxCcNBbTg6cbcLMj9dc2vkQDhDLn9svANuysXTEmuvWmeuisUB7bUPBgdY2t3kl6F4A4MHAJcX8nKRBw7UTVYAuhHYdxeaaZ_pgSF0h/s1600-h/w7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325546500009026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v3e8xnp5VVbEvlrFJ1ywoOsB-crrpvQJ20ggWRxCcNBbTg6cbcLMj9dc2vkQDhDLn9svANuysXTEmuvWmeuisUB7bUPBgdY2t3kl6F4A4MHAJcX8nKRBw7UTVYAuhHYdxeaaZ_pgSF0h/s320/w7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A view.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoX2Sj-zHLXNRpmplhmJ-a1tmgxHXMb4cPsMPcGy_hYDQMfWLg2eleSx4Lw-ZX3h5gi3VywumIfhbambSAT64CBTKp12p7xOgyvbMXYmkTVw6l4YUI-BKPne1s6F-vq9DdkmsaAqjek9WV/s1600-h/w8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325553269728866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoX2Sj-zHLXNRpmplhmJ-a1tmgxHXMb4cPsMPcGy_hYDQMfWLg2eleSx4Lw-ZX3h5gi3VywumIfhbambSAT64CBTKp12p7xOgyvbMXYmkTVw6l4YUI-BKPne1s6F-vq9DdkmsaAqjek9WV/s320/w8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A mosque.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn76G9Bp0W-MTpcKvI4_pm2l0yv1aHFqJSNSjly-eLSIxQysqXrJ3DbLXcXA5bbxN4KVEsWIan-au-Y7iTXlrfVmItu44JWXEv6tKRH8WH_rIqKHEN4XvqiqGSY6XQC9pTUl9JB1ocW3l/s1600-h/w9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325553265436562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn76G9Bp0W-MTpcKvI4_pm2l0yv1aHFqJSNSjly-eLSIxQysqXrJ3DbLXcXA5bbxN4KVEsWIan-au-Y7iTXlrfVmItu44JWXEv6tKRH8WH_rIqKHEN4XvqiqGSY6XQC9pTUl9JB1ocW3l/s320/w9.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>The desert town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Leh</span> as seen from the palace. I feel that being high up only makes it more scary when <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">intruders</span> attack. It just gives you longer to panic.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzttCG29AtF_6qssVtW0ROUrWk7lYlAc10sFdAaZO2dkJNd7kSeofkEG10X5zUKjdfAECEj_0I7x41GQ2QvNDZXV9NUUFb6zmi5IcOhdKSB_qMjBUT_wpSjmd8azmp8En5d4IYucNaFut/s1600-h/w10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325167302436642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzttCG29AtF_6qssVtW0ROUrWk7lYlAc10sFdAaZO2dkJNd7kSeofkEG10X5zUKjdfAECEj_0I7x41GQ2QvNDZXV9NUUFb6zmi5IcOhdKSB_qMjBUT_wpSjmd8azmp8En5d4IYucNaFut/s320/w10.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mia glances back over her shoulder as we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">descend</span> into the depths of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">crumbling</span> palace.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuKw2CCk1Ghzh1Exid_0hjCcPj7_V2hTIofy0cnPWO5T5Iqu8v5th8EDQMPolgxbxYv7N7_CgcRikFs_piMUDQXHX5UKa-ldKvnSi8Ef7ObpAXVb8nDW5sgT_txUQ37LjHTKcdPVqf9Zi/s1600-h/w11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325164640736402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuKw2CCk1Ghzh1Exid_0hjCcPj7_V2hTIofy0cnPWO5T5Iqu8v5th8EDQMPolgxbxYv7N7_CgcRikFs_piMUDQXHX5UKa-ldKvnSi8Ef7ObpAXVb8nDW5sgT_txUQ37LjHTKcdPVqf9Zi/s320/w11.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A man studies ancient scriptures in a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">monastery</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQuXbPlHlPTcVGp5FDAuCr89hPwiqzCm3Io4l-mwRLtUv2IQkdo6fhMKgToyxBnvV3F8eEekg1gBVtEunVui6iA2RFN-G9A6oPxCtWiV3KgrFDFKiOmB3FCFTlhIkqaw1duVRdo2nx_ZP/s1600-h/w12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325167183438946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQuXbPlHlPTcVGp5FDAuCr89hPwiqzCm3Io4l-mwRLtUv2IQkdo6fhMKgToyxBnvV3F8eEekg1gBVtEunVui6iA2RFN-G9A6oPxCtWiV3KgrFDFKiOmB3FCFTlhIkqaw1duVRdo2nx_ZP/s320/w12.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mia checks the old library for something to read. She gives up when she realises the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">aren't</span> any manuscripts with a drawing of Fabio on the cover.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6tWipt5DXKewTpwi97AibWys2UWXRhw-VCQ3pdOwxuXqHvvAIEVHCUxv8x1_fBUyh0yQr22GW352Zh9cAnT2TKwgUhlER0HDoo3JhbOAyuasquNo9iHTRebHZiJSwkbYzoKjUHqYojBu/s1600-h/w13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325169034364802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo6tWipt5DXKewTpwi97AibWys2UWXRhw-VCQ3pdOwxuXqHvvAIEVHCUxv8x1_fBUyh0yQr22GW352Zh9cAnT2TKwgUhlER0HDoo3JhbOAyuasquNo9iHTRebHZiJSwkbYzoKjUHqYojBu/s320/w13.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe tries to jump onto a ladder without looking.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgEl3hmLJOa7DgxejwvG-U5DBPYqmIJ7FilmKTyxmwh3oqIJm3Jve2qSdY8wT550G6jiENdd05HsH0Vm3tJBe4fog6Di-JuYdy5NYq9yQQF7ACPBBk4JnS2gC7iW6XXM3F9d0IT7P99Ez/s1600-h/w14.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231325170325151570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLgEl3hmLJOa7DgxejwvG-U5DBPYqmIJ7FilmKTyxmwh3oqIJm3Jve2qSdY8wT550G6jiENdd05HsH0Vm3tJBe4fog6Di-JuYdy5NYq9yQQF7ACPBBk4JnS2gC7iW6XXM3F9d0IT7P99Ez/s320/w14.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Prayer flags with their other end <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">tethered</span> to heaven. Joe climbed up them and stole a golden goose from god.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbUiTBXXH5PNvlZ7y-kJsP8FEpc0GCwa3gceEmwBcECgM3TMaKxJS2yn7o5UFxUOifKYZPL9crIhpKdZpNDmrJh0BSQq0N1-Gb62RAtKzsmIVdBCBcPTRM6_f22lsPouoFcNWtI2RWmnD/s1600-h/w15.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231324605839726434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbUiTBXXH5PNvlZ7y-kJsP8FEpc0GCwa3gceEmwBcECgM3TMaKxJS2yn7o5UFxUOifKYZPL9crIhpKdZpNDmrJh0BSQq0N1-Gb62RAtKzsmIVdBCBcPTRM6_f22lsPouoFcNWtI2RWmnD/s320/w15.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the final picture of Joe not looking anorexic. Shortly after this was taken he lost everything on the trek.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8kDqhQWcs717a1HZM541EjhvU3_IaZbW8EkVMcl2Y9d_8BqK97lSNgEnze0pNKhg_3hzgvZFJ2YXfzjsJoiut0JboUCvrI3HspSDGRwnYIHvEJHP9u1g-5yEZmdkC-23JPROmBjFxv9K/s1600-h/w16.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231324607761056194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8kDqhQWcs717a1HZM541EjhvU3_IaZbW8EkVMcl2Y9d_8BqK97lSNgEnze0pNKhg_3hzgvZFJ2YXfzjsJoiut0JboUCvrI3HspSDGRwnYIHvEJHP9u1g-5yEZmdkC-23JPROmBjFxv9K/s320/w16.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mia waits patiently to see if a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">humongous</span> statue of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Buddha</span> will wink at her.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLueOAMw2Jt95DiWk2dRn8LER4YffZWu2i1VXXcoTbfgZnHgxrc8rHglmfz3NFdL_1z-XjXb-NvJoHom9dOVTJ1ymvVqKznGPcNb_6TFds8IMZV2p-G-KCcCqmo0ECqJvGE_U0husRf8n/s1600-h/w17.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231324606055143906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLueOAMw2Jt95DiWk2dRn8LER4YffZWu2i1VXXcoTbfgZnHgxrc8rHglmfz3NFdL_1z-XjXb-NvJoHom9dOVTJ1ymvVqKznGPcNb_6TFds8IMZV2p-G-KCcCqmo0ECqJvGE_U0husRf8n/s320/w17.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Joe on his PULSAR brand motorbike.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQItxIj2A2skg_jvrWixdFaIXiWNxvYJXa0AQJl9Hj-9_627LePZf1Jc0iGpCKZWKONnhMifPgy9FofL-q6tsqCbMbVP5dU3lkQ7nZBwvDg14k9yPZRLM8tWwoO-A_eeLT_E2m1Yz5Rm1-/s1600-h/w18.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231324609633004018" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQItxIj2A2skg_jvrWixdFaIXiWNxvYJXa0AQJl9Hj-9_627LePZf1Jc0iGpCKZWKONnhMifPgy9FofL-q6tsqCbMbVP5dU3lkQ7nZBwvDg14k9yPZRLM8tWwoO-A_eeLT_E2m1Yz5Rm1-/s320/w18.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Joe and Mia out on a countryside cruise.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasyBbzNhakcolrP7j8VOJ2ENHN_-IopLv7AJIdmn1sfwz7Rs4yP-WofT_4k2-pxyJR3mt0l80Lx96Y_R7a26X_6V6sGeFLttS_ukOkOCatR-FLtqrwdLQcs5bIFqfnZeaRkYQRZse6sTz/s1600-h/w19.JPG"></a></div>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-39897222977554674212008-07-29T00:53:00.000-07:002008-07-29T08:26:15.625-07:00Trekking at 16000 feetWe just got back from a 6 day trek through the Himalayas. More than anything I would like to post pictures, but the guy in the internet cafe is watching me closely. He has posted a big sign above my computer that says in friendly bubble letters, 'PICTURE UPLOADING' and then beneath it in very serious, wanted poster letters, 'IS NOT ALLOWED'. I'll just have to try to make pictures in your brains using words until we get out of this town.<br /><br />First off, Leh, where we now are, is geographically connected to Tibet rather than India. This means we have all the traditional Tibetan surroundings and faces without the intense persecution and political imprisoning that goes along with modern day Tibet. 1000 year old, 6 story castles stand on every hilltop, in various states of disrepair and use. The landscape is more or less barren. Rocks and dirt lay at the foot of towering mountains of dirt and rocks. The landscape is the monstrous lower jaw of the earth, unbrushed, brown, jagged teeth rising up to scrape the sky, with only the occasional piece of spinach wedged in the cracks. The towns here are reminiscent of photos you have seen of the middle east. Brown, boxy mud huts that echo the early morning wails of muezzins (why there are muezzins here I don't know as the people are predominantly Buddhist). The air is clear and the sun is warm.<br /><br />So, our trek.<br /> <br />We started out with a pocket full of homestay vouchers, a topographical map, one French Canadian with a sprained ankle, one other French Canadian, and a gallon of water each. The water is necessary as much for thirst quenching as for mental health. Hiking through endless mounds of dirt can cause panic if you don't have the weight of all that water bearing down on your shoulders to remind you that you wont shortly die of thirst. The sun bakes down with that high altitude intensity that quickly chars flesh but goes easily unnoticed in the comparatively cool, thin mountain air. I tied my red and white checkered scarf around my head, Arabian style, threw on a pair of over sized sunglasses that nod to the 70's, and rubbed down with coconut scented sunscreen. Early morning, we all started walking.<br /><br />Mia and I held the lead the entire way. We like to do that thing where we are the American team competing with other groups (that don't know they are involved) in small Amazing Race type competitions. In this race we were up against our own French Canadian friends, a group of pack horses, their accompanying campers, and some overweight French trekkers. This kept our pace rapid. The horses were the worst to be close to, as they all have bells on which cut up the otherwise peaceful chirping sounds of mountain penguins and yellow beavers.<br /><br />The trail starts over dunes of rock and eventually works its way into a cleft between two mountains, where the mighty Indus river has eroded a deep, almost Grand Canyon-like gorge. With a commanding lead, Mia and I were free to converse in peace most of the way. Only once we were interrupted by the carrying voices of rafters far below, who were making up for their dull, 2 mile per hour, non whitewater rafting trip flop by yelling, "WHOOOOOO! EX-TREME!" as loud as they could. After a good 7 hours of trekking the canyon opened up into a lush green valley. The surrounding hills were dotted with wild mountain goats and the grass below was crowded with assorted livestock grazing alongside wild asses. Anyone who gets sick of straining their eyes to look at the distant mountain goats can get a close and personal look at them over the doorway of almost any home, where their lopped and rotting heads hang in various forms of decay or preservation. It is a local tradition leftover from the pre-Buddhist religious practices. This wasn't nearly as creepy as the tangle of rope and rabbit heads that hung like an otherworldly spiderweb above the door of one house we stayed at.<br /><br />The houses, for the most part, were amazing. Built of adobe brick, stone and logs, they stood two to three stories tall and were surrounded by ruins of older homes which are now used to house livestock. Our vouchers provided us with a room for the night, a bucket of boiled water in which to bathe, breakfast and dinner. Our rooms contained mattresses on the floor and little tiny tables that were about a foot high. Because these people are still very tiny (I swear some would need to be on tiptoes to clear 4 feet) the doors are only 4 -5 feet tall and the ceiling in some were not much higher, leaving me to feel a bit like Alice in wonderland after eating the mushroom. I actually once hit my neck on the ceiling after standing up from the toilet. My NECK!<br /><br />Every home has a main room that serves as the living room and kitchen. The women collect copper teapots and silver cereal bowls as a form of BLING. It is their jewelry. Some of the houses had dozens of giant, elaborate tea kettles and hundreds of silver pots and bowls, proudly displayed along the walls on fine wooden shelves. We, however, were made to eat out of plastic Whinney the Pooh cups and Mickey Mouse plates that they kept in a Walmart rack in the corner. We were left only able to gaze in wonder at the shiny serving utensils,. Forced to imagine how it must feel to gently scrape a spoon along their polished surfaces to retrieve that final bite of rice and daal.<br /><br />The children. The children. The horrible things we have seen. The three stories below will chill you to the bone.<br /><br />Child one. 4 years old. He started out aloof, not even paying attention to us. When he finally did notice us the second day he just stared quietly for a moment and then broke into sudden, uncontrollable laughter for the rest of breakfast. Then he led Mia out to the front porch so she could watch him pee on it. We retired to our room for some packing and gathering of thoughts before setting out on our next leg of the journey. He arrived shortly after with a long, orange balloon which he repeatedly inflated and released. The room was filled with the sounds of gleeful shrieks, the "Screeeeee-PHHBBBBBth!" of the deflating balloon and the thick whooshing burbles of large quantities of snot being forced from his nose when the pressure in the balloon would trump that of his own lungs, and it would deflate forcefully into his skull. I didn't mind this nearly as much as Mia did, but when Stephane stopped by he pointed out that the balloon itself also contained a good half cup of snot at which point I escorted the young man from the room while unsuccessfully stifling my gag reflex.<br /><br />Child two. The four of us were playing cards in our room on a lazy afternoon when the hiss of escaping aerosol turned our heads. A young man of 5 was emptying a large can of deodorant onto the glass of our closed bedroom window. We ignored it. Then the sound stopped. Seconds later it started again. An opaque cloud of white gas was now billowing in through a crack in the wooden door. Our tiny room instantly became a powder fresh gas chamber. I remember Stephane leaping to his feet yelling, "HEY!" I remember all of us pushing and shoving toward the door, toward breathable air. I remember the sounds of the screams of the little brother, on whom the blame was pawned by the older, evil one for this wicked deed while we stood outside our room with the windows all propped open. The older brother returned 10 minutes later with a steak knife and a balloon. (Where are these kids getting these balloons?) We watched nervously as he slashed widely at the balloon, which seemed to have an un-natural and unnerving attraction to the ground. Was this too filled with snot? I remained leaning casually against the adobe wall of the balcony, but covered my eyes and genitals in case the knife should come loose from his flailing hand. When he grew bored of this game he pinned the balloon down and murdered it. When he looked up, I took notice of the fact that he seemed to have burped cottage cheese out onto his chin. His eyes glistened with caged animal intensity. Isabelle correctly pointed out that he no longer had a balloon and was now just a kid with a knife so we quickly made our way back into the room and locked the door. But the WINDOW! He was against it, pressing it open with one hand to allow his knife hand easy entrance. It swung like a tiny flesh and steel pendulum, scraping against the walls and glass with a rhythm that was anything but soothing. We returned to our card game, huddled in a small group in the corner. With time everyone forgot about him. Only I saw when he returned an hour later. When he quietly pushed open the window. When he reached his hand through. When he opened it with a certain ghoulish grace, and onto our bedroom floor fell a single... long... rusty... screw.<br /><br />Child three. This one can't be blamed. His grandmother was senile. He too peed on the porch, though this time Isabelle played the audience. Later we sat out in the front yard, enjoying the occasional shooting star and picking out constellations. He crept from the shadows into the eerie, electric glow of the porch light and crouched down pantsless. Diarrhea. We could hear it over the chirp of the crickets. We tried to ignore it but then another figure emerged from the shadows. His grandmother. A wrinkled shadow of a person herself, even during the day, she now took on a particularly creepy air. She clasped her hands before her chest, hovering over him on a raised portion of the yard. Her ancient, gravelly voice oozed out into the hot night air like thick, sour syrup. "Yessssssss. Yesssssssss," she moaned. "Crab walk while you pooooooop all over the froooont yaaard." The little boy obeyed. She rubbed her large, dry hands together, creating the sound of rustling leaves. "HUuhhhhhh, Huhhhhhh." Her breathing was heavy. Pooping and crabwalking. "Huuuhhhhhh." It was gross.<br /><br />Crossing the pass, 16000 feet.<br /><br />This was hard. There is not nearly enough air up this high. Not only did our breathing become labored on the 45 degree incline but the air became brutally cold and was compounded by intense winds whipping through the pass. It was a strange feeling to look down at my once mighty legs, legs that were strong and smooth like adolescent birch trees, legs that could dance me around a room like Micheal Jackson or kick furiously into the air while I laid on my back on the floor and pretended I was an astronaut, and see them almost unable to move. At 15000 feet my steps were shortened to about a foot at a time. By the time we reached the pass I was lucky to be pushing ahead in 6 inch intervals. They just wouldn't move. The only exception to this came when we took a rest break. After two minutes of sitting the fatigue became a distant memory. Like a schoolboy with a paper sack full of Lunchables and Oreos I would spring up and race along with a 3 foot gait and a bounce in my step. Wow, was I crazy to be going so slow before?! I feel wonderful! This hike is UHHHHHHH! UHHHHHHHH! Huge, sucking breaths replaced all thought as my body tried to deliver enough oxygen to my brain and carelessly overworked muscles.<br /><br />We made it to the top, over, and down the other side. Picture a photo of Stephane, Isabelle, Mia and I huddled together with nothing but snow capped peaks stretched out behind us as far as the eye can see. We are bundled in every piece of clothing we had to stave off the cold. We are grinning from ear to ear.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-42572491176222472782008-07-18T00:51:00.000-07:002008-07-19T05:43:36.887-07:00Over the Himalayas(By Joe)<br />We are now in Leh. We were in Manali. Here is our story. Manali was nestled in the lush green valleys of the Southern Himalayas, but breathtaking scenery and cheap pot drew tourists by the thousands. It can be hard to really feel as though you are experiencing something cultural when you crouch down to take a picture of a elderly local and the same photo is being taken by an obese western lady who is breathing all hard and 4 guys from a Japanese break dancing competition in full Adidas gear. The magic is just... gone. I'm no longer Indiana Jones. I'm just the tourist who chose to take a shower today and not dress in a way that would make Ralph Lauren roll in his grave. We needed to move on.<br /><br />The Lonely Planet guide describes Leh as a remote, high altitude destination in the Himalayas. It says that it's geographical location has spared it from the Hindu/Muslim turmoil and it remains a sleepy, Buddhist town butted up against cliff side palaces. It is a two day jeep ride through some of the world's highest mountain passes (17000 feet) and dangerous cliff side roads. It also has an airport, which we should have taken into consideration. We booked our jeep from Manali to Leh and, deciding to rip the trip off like a bandaid, went for the 1 day, 20 hour ride. It left at 2 am from one of Manali's 30 or so 'German Bakeries' and was scheduled to arrive in Leh some time after 10pm the following night. Stephane (one of our travel companions) booked two extra seats in the jeep so that there would only be 8 passengers instead of 10. But still... Awesome! A real adventure!<br /><br />We slogged down through streets of cow diarrhea to the bakery in the middle of the night. The first thing we saw was the entire population of Israel (and a one Irish guy) eating cakes and smoking pot on the front steps of the bakery and a whole fleet of jeeps and minibuses. Israeli tour companies must really be pushing the Himalayas because even the computer keyboards here are in Hebrew. We climbed into our jeep feeling a bit less original and headed down into the main part of town to change drivers and pick up the four people who were going in the back. Turns out they were 3 locals and a French guy.<br /><br />As they were loading into the jeep two tourists who were passengers in another jeep began freaking out at their driver. "This was supposed to be a TOURIST jeep! There are locals getting in! They are loading MERCHANDISE on the roof! MERCHANDISE!" They came over to our Jeep. "Look! THEY have MORE ROOM!" We pointed out that we paid for extra seats so that we would only have 3 people across our little bench seat instead of 4. "Yes, but they put MERCHANDISE on our ROOF!" They returned to yelling at their driver.<br /><br />Our jeep, fully loaded, took to the road. It took to it FAST. Often, in small transport vehicles here, I find the drivers have a death wish but this one took the cake. 3 am and we are whipping around switchbacks in dense fog, in the rain, 2000 feet up a cliff, in an overfilled, lifted jeep that has all of our heavy packs on the roof. We were going so fast that the tires were squealing around the corners. At one point the fog got so thick that we could barely see the lights of the car we were tailgating to overtake, and we had to slow down. The rest of the time the fog was not that thick, so he kept it balls to the wall. Our driver seemed uninterested in his own road handling, and always kept one hand free to switch out Hindi cassette tapes and constantly adjust his hair in the dark.<br /><br />The locals in the back provided at least some distraction from the fact that we were probably going to die. They smelled BAD. The guy directly behind me had the worst breath I have ever inhaled. I could have farted directly into his mouth and it would have smelled better. Then there was an enormous oaf of a man who knew all the Hindi songs and decided to sing along at 4am. This would have been fine if he wasn't tone deaf and if he wasn't mostly trying to mimic the female vocals. I should cut him some slack though, he did a nice job of echoing some of the singers during pauses in the vocals. When he got too hoarse to sing anymore he resorted to drumming along to the beats on the back of our seat. At one point the guy behind me discovered he would be more comfortable if he reached over the seat and slid his arm between me and the chair. After a while I found the best way to counter this was to press my spine hard enough against his elbow that he put it back on his own side. I repeated this process many, many times.<br /><br />Sleep in this situation is almost impossible. Because we were going over huge bumps and around sharp corners at 80 KPH gravity didn't really have any direction. Any time I got comfortable against the door we would whip around a corner, my pillow would go flying and then we would bounce/swerve back, whiplashing me into the door, hard. If I rested my head on my hand the next large bump would bring me down into my palm with the force of a dragon punch. The only option was for Mia and I to take turns laying our heads in each other's laps. This worked well except we only got about 15 minutes at a time before the worst dead leg imaginable would set in. It would start as just a nagging numbness, but when you sat back up you'd have a solid minute of overwhelming pins and needles. Intense. These short naps could only be used in emergencies.<br /><br />Also our driver ran over two dogs.<br /><br />And what were the upsides of all this? The thrill and the views. I ran out a fully charged camera battery just during the daylight portion of the drive. The air is so clean that there is no difference in clarity from the mountain right in front of you to the most distant snow capped peaks. Monoliths of stone rise up from the valley floors, cradling ancient glaciers from which waterfalls drop thousands of feet. Clouds roll off the blackened peaks like billows of smoke, making them look as though they are smouldering after a devastating fire. The valleys are a rich green, and strewn with black horses and yellow beavers. The sky, hidden away from pollution and dust, almost glows with a warm, deep blue. A constant variety of pearly white clouds parades across the scenery, winding between the peaks or clinging to them for dear life.<br /><br />All along the road, repairs are being done and new construction is being completed. Not unlike lower India, the work is still all being done by hand. Crews of men in dust blackened clothes flatten dirt with archaic shovels while others follow behind with tiny hand brooms for the final smoothing. Asphalt is heated over open fires and carried by hand in what appeared to be woks. The asphalt is sporadic at best and even in the places it does exist it is bumpy and crumbling. All along the way signs warn to slow down. "This is a mountain way, not a runway", "I may be curvy, but take it slow", or my favorite, "Don't gossip, let him drive." The last one is really just more about how men are better drivers and women are always talk, talk talking. The government here doesn't mince words.<br /><br />Our driver had us into Leh before sunset. I shook his hand and said energetically, "Good work! New world record!" He smiled. We beat every other jeep there by hours I'm sure.<br /><br />And what is the payoff for all this? It ends at the scenic trip. As soon as the jeep stopped a million touts crowded the windows selling guesthouses and taxi services. We stepped out into a landscape that is so similar to southern Arizona it could be Tucson, right down to the white people. I don't think we have seen a local human being here yet, and our morning walk turned into yet another stroll past tourist trinket shops, guest houses, and 'German Bakeries'. Well, I'm off to have a slice of warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream while I watch reruns of Friends.<br /><br />Love, Indiana Jones.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-57888394190869706882008-07-16T06:23:00.001-07:002008-12-08T17:19:43.832-08:00Animal Sacrifice!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEd9-LyOHApK55RPhCOOU93e9Nrq-R2qaR0iIQP5yOVlXaCNrcSreCXzB6Hvk5pgyJs8NJtbLaYJ2G87RWDC32oxaFB7OszvUHaoAGL5mzSkskJJZE_cnUDBMov8UuDmJrs04XNAkBDyv2/s1600-h/e1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223607136032328738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEd9-LyOHApK55RPhCOOU93e9Nrq-R2qaR0iIQP5yOVlXaCNrcSreCXzB6Hvk5pgyJs8NJtbLaYJ2G87RWDC32oxaFB7OszvUHaoAGL5mzSkskJJZE_cnUDBMov8UuDmJrs04XNAkBDyv2/s320/e1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Women begin to gather under the shade of animal skulls to witness... a SACRIFICE!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfg56FHw7uxLtrfxfaMKGMbc3ABcfYDmYPut1Mut80oYh1RE_Oxh8jLsDt5vsRfTOWryrFg88AiivD97a-AyZZy9TZGJ-zKMLFr4WGW6tXnxIvnJuRZiDzufuar6m2oD3uDWjkVXqHm6Z/s1600-h/e10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223602266864237522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfg56FHw7uxLtrfxfaMKGMbc3ABcfYDmYPut1Mut80oYh1RE_Oxh8jLsDt5vsRfTOWryrFg88AiivD97a-AyZZy9TZGJ-zKMLFr4WGW6tXnxIvnJuRZiDzufuar6m2oD3uDWjkVXqHm6Z/s320/e10.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A musician waits with his instruments before the ceremony.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxjtwWWOJAmtPtKoW7U5uOsfE160vmMedA8gWARsY80tl-yCHk1NF3ljHuOMVjtHF4YAiBDUAPo_iVCgsz-z7sd3FyqTTkes6ESLxtbE-1SVzCSZ3gslVdm7RWXotxNfXW2HgfwOFFeH-/s1600-h/e2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223607137621743586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxjtwWWOJAmtPtKoW7U5uOsfE160vmMedA8gWARsY80tl-yCHk1NF3ljHuOMVjtHF4YAiBDUAPo_iVCgsz-z7sd3FyqTTkes6ESLxtbE-1SVzCSZ3gslVdm7RWXotxNfXW2HgfwOFFeH-/s320/e2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Esmarelda and Mildred have stopped talking ever since Mildred said she cooked a moister Christmas goose.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-a1EOCtREyfc6VFDHueGbVEJHdLpPC5RUgxQWro6gX4ZB8t3LKq4kL4L6O6h_wKpxvJEHM24Qx2I6EaE4xViN3dAZjxBcBnrvTLTqT9jo_js0_WBJV5roFMZQXUYtAitTjRQP42WEijm/s1600-h/e3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223607141327798098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-a1EOCtREyfc6VFDHueGbVEJHdLpPC5RUgxQWro6gX4ZB8t3LKq4kL4L6O6h_wKpxvJEHM24Qx2I6EaE4xViN3dAZjxBcBnrvTLTqT9jo_js0_WBJV5roFMZQXUYtAitTjRQP42WEijm/s320/e3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Who let that white guy into my perfect shot?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5qgow89QV8omRSucF7M_6kNXu5ozsHDP1b1KewfqgiF5efi4dqcSCVkrzJVbWRnvqbU1cpks4TLfKfFrHPkKP6A4YltzAOVSwZwz_FdWRdbeeW7tzFBNQ_HMLqXd7HLzJSK_PDNcz2OH/s1600-h/e4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223607148926376098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5qgow89QV8omRSucF7M_6kNXu5ozsHDP1b1KewfqgiF5efi4dqcSCVkrzJVbWRnvqbU1cpks4TLfKfFrHPkKP6A4YltzAOVSwZwz_FdWRdbeeW7tzFBNQ_HMLqXd7HLzJSK_PDNcz2OH/s320/e4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In a trance, the head of the ceremony slashes at his tongue and body with a ceremonial dagger as he dances through the crowd. Spectators begin to scream and shake violently.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYgLXow-PArCN1CjjjSRnwnXSPzjbLc4G28UWiLu4GHLHD78YwLJSTsGNxRJuh3Tt3Gr0qUWGPH3jQpBD_YgOK08BwrfIcWvtFtpqra6lbRqsCN27mazIsw-pFWTcLBTrwa3q3uMVENiK/s1600-h/e5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223607146920033170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYgLXow-PArCN1CjjjSRnwnXSPzjbLc4G28UWiLu4GHLHD78YwLJSTsGNxRJuh3Tt3Gr0qUWGPH3jQpBD_YgOK08BwrfIcWvtFtpqra6lbRqsCN27mazIsw-pFWTcLBTrwa3q3uMVENiK/s320/e5.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The women pile onto boulders to watch. They are unable to compete with the press of all the men who crowd around the center.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0i2_UVu7orKYEblsSSqR9cQuva7C87arfaYOOddhJSXahUfqhc-IxrFItVBn4pv0pwfCNCLh5dgLiQrLp2qUNJEcqIoFlqrRTVV-e7CC2BzeDTek0-OkFW5l3u2Bq1IL6hmMuRuag1LG/s1600-h/e5.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-yGFNmPRUmUsjZFb8w61rIg_bcaJ4HRXkqMqCa2cTdxWMCesk6fiPnvnx8cnH1cAtFc7-I8XI2vpkj0rmtK68YT1-yZF9czQ4wxrh2Rswl9J0EKH34P70BQN-jclIuGquCXCrWtMahTl/s1600-h/e7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223602269988139970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-yGFNmPRUmUsjZFb8w61rIg_bcaJ4HRXkqMqCa2cTdxWMCesk6fiPnvnx8cnH1cAtFc7-I8XI2vpkj0rmtK68YT1-yZF9czQ4wxrh2Rswl9J0EKH34P70BQN-jclIuGquCXCrWtMahTl/s320/e7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The screams are terrifying now. They compete with the blaring of the horns and the pounding of the drums. An ox is led into the center. The crowd crushes in.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWZCEOkVTfP8FxpsVqznpAUG-J8u1-JadkGhOgOnSmk4pNOl5tUb2UGigYYW16H1vD2_BzCXRGZ7k1_CjWz9gkNNLV__NMugv8dhsJqr58NZRpl0ZDmZLjfmqhhYLKhXnLaEleHT1SGpX/s1600-h/e8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223602267739216786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWZCEOkVTfP8FxpsVqznpAUG-J8u1-JadkGhOgOnSmk4pNOl5tUb2UGigYYW16H1vD2_BzCXRGZ7k1_CjWz9gkNNLV__NMugv8dhsJqr58NZRpl0ZDmZLjfmqhhYLKhXnLaEleHT1SGpX/s320/e8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />When the ceremony is finished the ox (and a good two dozen other animals) lay headless around the temple.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQQXnwICVDal5Hkyy7QPrm-Z_2LodeQkxO3MYBqEFqqgsoMJcpioyoG91F8z8_wN61TYYggzHdnEvTavrd_nAFz3-hUZjtT6yQZB6Ay-S2wz-m2I9xfis4dYpIWBS0Sz7GQ0FzqqtPOiA/s1600-h/e9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223602272293249362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQQXnwICVDal5Hkyy7QPrm-Z_2LodeQkxO3MYBqEFqqgsoMJcpioyoG91F8z8_wN61TYYggzHdnEvTavrd_nAFz3-hUZjtT6yQZB6Ay-S2wz-m2I9xfis4dYpIWBS0Sz7GQ0FzqqtPOiA/s320/e9.JPG" border="0" /></a> Now people press in to get a chance to dot their own heads with the fresh blood of the animals.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-69299190809521107172008-07-16T06:04:00.001-07:002008-12-08T17:19:48.323-08:00Manali: The ankle of the himalayas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurR_E8y6DP-u6y5F2Jt2KfWG9wn5pJDlkBlLDDOPbWZ9VDyKMF5s-i_Txd7c1HWrBT-TYQsSedBdBD3x65itFMXo8M8SPiU8lcgR26PvGR07cituiVcBqdh2upO9oc6DuGRLtEJolSJyK/s1600-h/w2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223600257718918274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurR_E8y6DP-u6y5F2Jt2KfWG9wn5pJDlkBlLDDOPbWZ9VDyKMF5s-i_Txd7c1HWrBT-TYQsSedBdBD3x65itFMXo8M8SPiU8lcgR26PvGR07cituiVcBqdh2upO9oc6DuGRLtEJolSJyK/s320/w2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe sulks by a tree after Mia says he has to 'walk himself' because everyone else is too tired to carry him anymore.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMeQsAYSXLNyPd2edLsgSYlNxEJHl-4HFmrk1SHO6frZ_-X2eeFjjvHcmojo6-tdfuuJhiecMiz68Iu76NAZEl7KZhsbTd29ElJdNXn4o3AUcpV9RxFqGxmxnyAsLWciuSt4vu38CiNCm/s1600-h/w1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223600264468408258" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMeQsAYSXLNyPd2edLsgSYlNxEJHl-4HFmrk1SHO6frZ_-X2eeFjjvHcmojo6-tdfuuJhiecMiz68Iu76NAZEl7KZhsbTd29ElJdNXn4o3AUcpV9RxFqGxmxnyAsLWciuSt4vu38CiNCm/s320/w1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A typical Manali home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwgk6NVEIf5Oxyr2As4_cCM73CLcOdtBpjcztDFuEe_tDprNb8wyx9JrAcxkI89ooORgTG_0FcCUq-oILbgkWc4O7QYXMCnFUfkJwdAZsvQmDa19bTp95V_nsvwQELRH7RpcvEuk5axfV/s1600-h/w3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223599406960169666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwgk6NVEIf5Oxyr2As4_cCM73CLcOdtBpjcztDFuEe_tDprNb8wyx9JrAcxkI89ooORgTG_0FcCUq-oILbgkWc4O7QYXMCnFUfkJwdAZsvQmDa19bTp95V_nsvwQELRH7RpcvEuk5axfV/s320/w3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mia and Isabelle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhS080dWGYDWz4-0rTTUHxQZo1ajFgZoxxZZnZOe9hV7-CN4dutma-fCKG5OutTM_nCnsfeZkZ4vFGDlC7aP1ogt1-Zxs1AgucFoi_FjNY3Gd9DohHQ1wGgTIIdchftC10RzgvR8xyWEl/s1600-h/w4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223599417479605058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhS080dWGYDWz4-0rTTUHxQZo1ajFgZoxxZZnZOe9hV7-CN4dutma-fCKG5OutTM_nCnsfeZkZ4vFGDlC7aP1ogt1-Zxs1AgucFoi_FjNY3Gd9DohHQ1wGgTIIdchftC10RzgvR8xyWEl/s320/w4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is where we would live if the land of Whinnie the Pooh was real.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hQWYK9TV64cah878aNqfperdmyWySqwld8g7mdh8Vg2SyWtxGxbvwxrHOsxZm-5RtM9_HwDIzTjNCslZ8l2IrhPfwtRnM9TIcTGGZMfDy8zs_UuTC7dM7czPHBr_K6ljzmA5Fx42-uyX/s1600-h/w5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223599416991596386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hQWYK9TV64cah878aNqfperdmyWySqwld8g7mdh8Vg2SyWtxGxbvwxrHOsxZm-5RtM9_HwDIzTjNCslZ8l2IrhPfwtRnM9TIcTGGZMfDy8zs_UuTC7dM7czPHBr_K6ljzmA5Fx42-uyX/s320/w5.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Isabelle crests a hill.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsS4uGQ1V17dUFC1pPcTScQiliIxxdWGUJ6qZu8Ks6fSlurKvBISCE32nwUefzVAV3kYLmfLq5QggiHyFVSkyHUVoNivT_1Z5EKJm49OoiYwBnkeUlHuyvALlRGt-IHsTZL0hEFWxKgjtc/s1600-h/w6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223599422247666114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsS4uGQ1V17dUFC1pPcTScQiliIxxdWGUJ6qZu8Ks6fSlurKvBISCE32nwUefzVAV3kYLmfLq5QggiHyFVSkyHUVoNivT_1Z5EKJm49OoiYwBnkeUlHuyvALlRGt-IHsTZL0hEFWxKgjtc/s320/w6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mia relaxes after a hike in a lush meadow overlooking the 'knees of the Himalayas'<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqy9zkidHwfldzp9p2_rB6tB3aK7NxGmtHwfwd_0dlTnTc5-pXE0ecUNzCa4aELdeXa9BKdAHiknK1Ewp9q2hGyTwTUPx8SpXb6E4fLk8BkfBWsdyloTvTo9ni6gHk054RYpIddNdzOZx/s1600-h/w7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223599420297753490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqy9zkidHwfldzp9p2_rB6tB3aK7NxGmtHwfwd_0dlTnTc5-pXE0ecUNzCa4aELdeXa9BKdAHiknK1Ewp9q2hGyTwTUPx8SpXb6E4fLk8BkfBWsdyloTvTo9ni6gHk054RYpIddNdzOZx/s320/w7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is Marijuana. It is almost as dense here as the hoards of hippies that crowd the town to smoke it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebwTpRpE_hF37sZvNVRN_WJV2D_ZQGJ8rfWV21qIiOtzfuBOAb67E9_CVYS9eQswISbnkgFaeQO1NF6dqrV6GDmFE6SsocbJQjkwRpLOgDMgFwRylB2jIHW2sCdSvUXMyz5dTWUW4l1nf/s1600-h/w8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223598522090325922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebwTpRpE_hF37sZvNVRN_WJV2D_ZQGJ8rfWV21qIiOtzfuBOAb67E9_CVYS9eQswISbnkgFaeQO1NF6dqrV6GDmFE6SsocbJQjkwRpLOgDMgFwRylB2jIHW2sCdSvUXMyz5dTWUW4l1nf/s320/w8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A little man in his smartest evening vest.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3q_yoBLLRSql_8XVq4Mvr-LIB87t3S9gQh5KqSDJF-PhyFkgHWrWzhFSG5X1zb2Mn5E4BHHVYgcfQ8n7ZsSb8HJXPgABFaj8zcZ7tITJkjHKIP6MTDXpquUKOIYMR1HuguILI5PqBRppw/s1600-h/w9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223598527199496162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3q_yoBLLRSql_8XVq4Mvr-LIB87t3S9gQh5KqSDJF-PhyFkgHWrWzhFSG5X1zb2Mn5E4BHHVYgcfQ8n7ZsSb8HJXPgABFaj8zcZ7tITJkjHKIP6MTDXpquUKOIYMR1HuguILI5PqBRppw/s320/w9.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Two ladies have a good laugh over whose husband collected a bigger pile of firewood in one hour. Gertrude's husband is the winner, again.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-SA7dhJkT_05tgEMzk_4Rt3wNWl6-EqzDROhXqDqaNjS_RY-ripwvUDUlH8htbmr86REIvZ5-MhSY2cLTBio6OJLNse_yNTpGzlL9EENY19LA5DYQqM0rgHC3zcVPB4pN9JfvONX7BJ4/s1600-h/w10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223598527606242146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-SA7dhJkT_05tgEMzk_4Rt3wNWl6-EqzDROhXqDqaNjS_RY-ripwvUDUlH8htbmr86REIvZ5-MhSY2cLTBio6OJLNse_yNTpGzlL9EENY19LA5DYQqM0rgHC3zcVPB4pN9JfvONX7BJ4/s320/w10.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A group of local youths draw an elderly crowd of volleyball lovers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7QW2NpC3K0i2WRBuDDdiDq17ycTZ_vwJAfLgXH5jpcR6EWJH0O5e2mSMlRL5Dj5kmxw0guZLCB21cK-u5SYiawwFRPSSm-n3vzqhX9Qc7sOZSAvPEBq1FvnSVPBTD_tmHgNn9-rYVh29/s1600-h/w11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223598532210696450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7QW2NpC3K0i2WRBuDDdiDq17ycTZ_vwJAfLgXH5jpcR6EWJH0O5e2mSMlRL5Dj5kmxw0guZLCB21cK-u5SYiawwFRPSSm-n3vzqhX9Qc7sOZSAvPEBq1FvnSVPBTD_tmHgNn9-rYVh29/s320/w11.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Two women have a tiff over who is holding the larger woven basket. Agatha is the winner. It's an upset!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQjgkO238w1Ff6FT93f1maHccn-zqwGGbzQ1FKAN6x9ptUUhT9zPRyBbBjGB8sgsIVTznQyevmnz0iS0MTsKGSY6zqYNxnNxGn2XSDGX7XyjcGlFE4am-OrZKfmdjv8GYSZtp2z21ttTX/s1600-h/w12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223598533160263314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQjgkO238w1Ff6FT93f1maHccn-zqwGGbzQ1FKAN6x9ptUUhT9zPRyBbBjGB8sgsIVTznQyevmnz0iS0MTsKGSY6zqYNxnNxGn2XSDGX7XyjcGlFE4am-OrZKfmdjv8GYSZtp2z21ttTX/s320/w12.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Distracted by idle gossip, a woman loses her whole load of apples to a sneak cow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRiD34EgwqR1T9OTnTRcbNEBqngco-o9dUNqShAEhqEHQYPGdHeQ9hikpNw-yaOASuQChUE3exGXJP17AdlTSiha5g-n4qw4Vu_1LHwON94dM-OyioyL0YK8VLjAyb4gCY_T57yVVYtZv/s1600-h/w13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597968482891442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRiD34EgwqR1T9OTnTRcbNEBqngco-o9dUNqShAEhqEHQYPGdHeQ9hikpNw-yaOASuQChUE3exGXJP17AdlTSiha5g-n4qw4Vu_1LHwON94dM-OyioyL0YK8VLjAyb4gCY_T57yVVYtZv/s320/w13.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Check out these socks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JQ0SaA-x0GWWordaMXwyFPdME14hkNqT_ceDQ3vpO_wsL6wDf0M3T6RK7bZ9T_WohLbv4l2mnCS6nesRje70On8ORlTWnZT4fRIf4Sffi4e418M43OFKMP3Mg6fll7AAlaKwZT6HYeHn/s1600-h/w14.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597975560570978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JQ0SaA-x0GWWordaMXwyFPdME14hkNqT_ceDQ3vpO_wsL6wDf0M3T6RK7bZ9T_WohLbv4l2mnCS6nesRje70On8ORlTWnZT4fRIf4Sffi4e418M43OFKMP3Mg6fll7AAlaKwZT6HYeHn/s320/w14.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tiny legs protrude from what will soon be the contents of the biggest doobie EVER!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLjfotM2vzMmbFdMikgp_CmAlEEPPNRfPjb0VNJ6IgPfgNduIMQwetqFOdOHMZUKzK4KqZ0bCzR1mh0k7Wj-RlSxyQhPhBIOYlGozIQoBHRsLoeEZOkgqd2O4HzRXJuuWZQUzlzcGZrvu/s1600-h/w15.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597975155600978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLjfotM2vzMmbFdMikgp_CmAlEEPPNRfPjb0VNJ6IgPfgNduIMQwetqFOdOHMZUKzK4KqZ0bCzR1mh0k7Wj-RlSxyQhPhBIOYlGozIQoBHRsLoeEZOkgqd2O4HzRXJuuWZQUzlzcGZrvu/s320/w15.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mooooooo.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcz62VVhgHo7jLvumquZ7SX7uu6DSAG8c1Md8EVMm2vP8VMmDFUbIgeVmb1RAw6cUy720Fd-ZpQ_e_BLdXbi6aQ180EC_q4X2LUfTuSj6wJmLfgOzlXT6KAd-vUvzxWbIZJlwq7BexN_J/s1600-h/w16.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597978524250098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcz62VVhgHo7jLvumquZ7SX7uu6DSAG8c1Md8EVMm2vP8VMmDFUbIgeVmb1RAw6cUy720Fd-ZpQ_e_BLdXbi6aQ180EC_q4X2LUfTuSj6wJmLfgOzlXT6KAd-vUvzxWbIZJlwq7BexN_J/s320/w16.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Two local shepherds.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHonbZ2DaHe6zXQedF1H3cK1FhZsIrYH6uScfczkAStzgq1Q1bP4XaiUT0ZXYENV85KPWINeMLKoJ6v3LU2iLAykJZrpCoEUfp63FaZh7qHufkfgojiG7vvg9PylDamVNEOiQTjsR_O86p/s1600-h/w17.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597987321992450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHonbZ2DaHe6zXQedF1H3cK1FhZsIrYH6uScfczkAStzgq1Q1bP4XaiUT0ZXYENV85KPWINeMLKoJ6v3LU2iLAykJZrpCoEUfp63FaZh7qHufkfgojiG7vvg9PylDamVNEOiQTjsR_O86p/s320/w17.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mia looking fit on yet another hike into the mountains.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f8l21346ufLRnbyIciet2vG-vhwlKFOr4XAjofJBVw-tBMwD3nbJcEKTOo7JbZ-zv47N2Y8y1Qne4xiUubWszirkp3rzNNXYfMr4DPgvUv_KVC0GWPCgYJFPQfNLuZkAz-YMd4W4sr2u/s1600-h/w18.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597290074500450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f8l21346ufLRnbyIciet2vG-vhwlKFOr4XAjofJBVw-tBMwD3nbJcEKTOo7JbZ-zv47N2Y8y1Qne4xiUubWszirkp3rzNNXYfMr4DPgvUv_KVC0GWPCgYJFPQfNLuZkAz-YMd4W4sr2u/s320/w18.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh, THIIIIIS is what it feels like to be a beaver.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVL6D85-iEOmhIR5dGDqUwu3rObnm36OLfUBEh_N1jlZiknK-rOWK-hBZjeAq_KzAhG3OZw002wv4pxVtuGaLIfrM0fLJDxnEJI1zuURISrMZCeGnCwtDvUMjXkwdTU9DChM9BEGAFSY_/s1600-h/w19.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597294793952802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVL6D85-iEOmhIR5dGDqUwu3rObnm36OLfUBEh_N1jlZiknK-rOWK-hBZjeAq_KzAhG3OZw002wv4pxVtuGaLIfrM0fLJDxnEJI1zuURISrMZCeGnCwtDvUMjXkwdTU9DChM9BEGAFSY_/s320/w19.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Zorbing. A person is strapped into a giant inflatable ball and rolled down a grassy ski slope. It... is... AWESOME!!! (kind of) Ask Joe for details.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAFuvCsk55GIQsIwWPq2fIeRGhCiO4DDpsOWPH_6dcIDk5wR-PMDwuyTboUCb2WdUy4ykBzVSUdqtdxqE7FqYtN0HPG3Fzv2x9H86QhauqFCDmbsrIo_49u9KlXhZ6wWOhOFHczTtJH52/s1600-h/w20.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597300244391554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAFuvCsk55GIQsIwWPq2fIeRGhCiO4DDpsOWPH_6dcIDk5wR-PMDwuyTboUCb2WdUy4ykBzVSUdqtdxqE7FqYtN0HPG3Fzv2x9H86QhauqFCDmbsrIo_49u9KlXhZ6wWOhOFHczTtJH52/s320/w20.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A mighty man on his valiant steed. Joe steered this horse all by himself*.<br /><br />*With a little help from the man standing next to him and Mia.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qu9rcDVeEm7CPOsjPBTMAvSeLf2Cvk1YNLyJO5Q6BnqUiBi2EYESXs1e4sbL2BVWJxmht6MSWk4py_5RqqbUoPv87L868N92OVwws9qYk_2Tp3WJO1Qb7aKHV2NRGnM59SJmzPhoSlwn/s1600-h/w21.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597305684444626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qu9rcDVeEm7CPOsjPBTMAvSeLf2Cvk1YNLyJO5Q6BnqUiBi2EYESXs1e4sbL2BVWJxmht6MSWk4py_5RqqbUoPv87L868N92OVwws9qYk_2Tp3WJO1Qb7aKHV2NRGnM59SJmzPhoSlwn/s320/w21.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our bus passes a truck on a deadly mountain road.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaf3IqZ630hBqWreshvUvmf8yYwMtn9-Rm0RPiU9qNY-rmd6NiSX4OKTOnZWfr0m5PmyE7DGCWR9Ur2cSBmBiCqRSBiVLyv2WExKjDTPtsxSzG1r3YaxceGh_bvZZbFUuCfgbABq0faJS/s1600-h/w22.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223597307972892818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaf3IqZ630hBqWreshvUvmf8yYwMtn9-Rm0RPiU9qNY-rmd6NiSX4OKTOnZWfr0m5PmyE7DGCWR9Ur2cSBmBiCqRSBiVLyv2WExKjDTPtsxSzG1r3YaxceGh_bvZZbFUuCfgbABq0faJS/s320/w22.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A street performing girl tight rope walks on a wheel for spare change.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-33108235682745425952008-07-16T05:53:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:19:50.006-08:00McLeod Gange: Home of the Dali Lama<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQwVN3COV0aMnMr3lcRnB_Ii_HOFIruk-vDujZq4QooK4xhc9ZIyd2s4Neo-G6Lh4kd2aqBUy0vj8_4RoVanGFTVdmSQ-me3V1ymZddBGlAfZt4iJh3JE1ShPjM8DJqLsLnX_ZKaBECM1/s1600-h/q1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223596197856531810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQwVN3COV0aMnMr3lcRnB_Ii_HOFIruk-vDujZq4QooK4xhc9ZIyd2s4Neo-G6Lh4kd2aqBUy0vj8_4RoVanGFTVdmSQ-me3V1ymZddBGlAfZt4iJh3JE1ShPjM8DJqLsLnX_ZKaBECM1/s320/q1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />An umbrella repairman rakes in the cash in one of the rainiest towns in the world.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1ExyLPNwKUT6Lwg9YpKLx4aqyBxwl9oL4xyrYEHTfPS5842BI7jULwvaVjPj4-TxfPOr4UfYNpGOhC_S2KvWwSUpxB8CJV7Q8YA8TWUKIIW8WTsXMpXL3oRIoGzIukkGT2_6_eLm-WO9/s1600-h/q2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223596197731201762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1ExyLPNwKUT6Lwg9YpKLx4aqyBxwl9oL4xyrYEHTfPS5842BI7jULwvaVjPj4-TxfPOr4UfYNpGOhC_S2KvWwSUpxB8CJV7Q8YA8TWUKIIW8WTsXMpXL3oRIoGzIukkGT2_6_eLm-WO9/s320/q2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Looking out a lonely window at homes of the displaced Tibetan government.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF3DASVdNls7OxJHRrjrW0v_VxuN-8JpG1DHhaV3j7efWYt57HcvqBpS3bHAbK9hVAT1T_aV8H8ZM86Uzy0SrVIHQpNkmSo_SUm-ZRp6h4h_oUqaQJ1fv6jKnYXDHMgNuZOc9LfBN1xAv/s1600-h/q3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223596201665745490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF3DASVdNls7OxJHRrjrW0v_VxuN-8JpG1DHhaV3j7efWYt57HcvqBpS3bHAbK9hVAT1T_aV8H8ZM86Uzy0SrVIHQpNkmSo_SUm-ZRp6h4h_oUqaQJ1fv6jKnYXDHMgNuZOc9LfBN1xAv/s320/q3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Old people.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Hj8R0FQ5pBubYhR0413xqHA_-mLqEgtpAAuTDMu8yySyoUJvJfPl0EdVjxQGfQEVcIkp_Dws3LtGxMOUlkZt8FhTEeaWn2xoe765ifp2skWaIbO2mhP7XdyfvdyPsLSM58w54UJEsaE2/s1600-h/q4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223596198144662306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Hj8R0FQ5pBubYhR0413xqHA_-mLqEgtpAAuTDMu8yySyoUJvJfPl0EdVjxQGfQEVcIkp_Dws3LtGxMOUlkZt8FhTEeaWn2xoe765ifp2skWaIbO2mhP7XdyfvdyPsLSM58w54UJEsaE2/s320/q4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mia and Joe REALLY enjoyed the first half of this mango. Then... ROOOAAAAAA!!! India 2008.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlRsZMGZZgBkWkz69RVuG5vjg0Kl_SySskD08hzKb0xKpGP6Vtx8irJ8mIz-tJSSbl_x8nnCY1eoPk155remn4zeUmYGY_iU8URB5dnNUO5ZcvYxiHL28aDCjsW3wno_kL5-ydWOFDHKT/s1600-h/q5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223595544867388962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlRsZMGZZgBkWkz69RVuG5vjg0Kl_SySskD08hzKb0xKpGP6Vtx8irJ8mIz-tJSSbl_x8nnCY1eoPk155remn4zeUmYGY_iU8URB5dnNUO5ZcvYxiHL28aDCjsW3wno_kL5-ydWOFDHKT/s320/q5.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />A misty town square in the mountains. Then.... ROOOOAAAAA!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p> </p><p> </p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClJ98PB9R-wQFm1gcbpYH9BTjhnmS9t1sIEkc5BsiCjuOLh806WACahOw4tEjbe-miqZ0ck6sb17t8JKO7IaR0ZN-QgaxnF_QoilTsroC2fkgmF852HCO_3wwQ98wJ5TLK0K94lnv96Wy/s1600-h/q6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223595552945697586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClJ98PB9R-wQFm1gcbpYH9BTjhnmS9t1sIEkc5BsiCjuOLh806WACahOw4tEjbe-miqZ0ck6sb17t8JKO7IaR0ZN-QgaxnF_QoilTsroC2fkgmF852HCO_3wwQ98wJ5TLK0K94lnv96Wy/s320/q6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The view from out hotel balcony.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1F5h-ooXEiHndCQn2IVDc5BzrWYpiocgnDdvuLIfOhmwXysJ-27s9fcAPv0M76yTpStPc15pXpg8p2Qk5gY9ILeJK6XdzYiJWtiDNd-_lEX67JucVysr64prIflEhNCbaStV7GblNqiJ/s1600-h/q7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223595550005879938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1F5h-ooXEiHndCQn2IVDc5BzrWYpiocgnDdvuLIfOhmwXysJ-27s9fcAPv0M76yTpStPc15pXpg8p2Qk5gY9ILeJK6XdzYiJWtiDNd-_lEX67JucVysr64prIflEhNCbaStV7GblNqiJ/s320/q7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hey, who unleashed those animals* at the public pool?<br /><br /><br /><br />*animals: hairy men in speedos. Not the sheep being stalked by men with corncobs and umbrellas.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_6zVVX1FNcPYleX5kZboYlUSmYLWM7t0ARRTdyJLUTsjTqOfKBX1kHaqMFoWnYSP4RUDBKIuLVoKx3s3Qhv9AtISt-rTyaUextEff4jcIrLSm8svVmQz5mr-jNvROA1yEm7dRAbO_lQa/s1600-h/q8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223595554523401362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_6zVVX1FNcPYleX5kZboYlUSmYLWM7t0ARRTdyJLUTsjTqOfKBX1kHaqMFoWnYSP4RUDBKIuLVoKx3s3Qhv9AtISt-rTyaUextEff4jcIrLSm8svVmQz5mr-jNvROA1yEm7dRAbO_lQa/s320/q8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A lovely Himalayan waterfall.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMa3Ee5J8D9LVuedvrVTsTADpOTA9hzld5x3xnzVe0Wz7kJ1bLkG8ZpTUnkgt6g4FUlssozS5ELbL7l8_0Dl9NHtyU2D3p_pqpH-KHbNmSGQdZU_h6rM5PNCEO3lMQNKRuQp7DAYaKbMfH/s1600-h/q9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223595559116034578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMa3Ee5J8D9LVuedvrVTsTADpOTA9hzld5x3xnzVe0Wz7kJ1bLkG8ZpTUnkgt6g4FUlssozS5ELbL7l8_0Dl9NHtyU2D3p_pqpH-KHbNmSGQdZU_h6rM5PNCEO3lMQNKRuQp7DAYaKbMfH/s320/q9.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This one goes out to those of you who complain we don't have enough 'couples' shots on the blog.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMA557DhbYFiIRbRy-xvtaP4N1yMIi1Y9WuGt0k54Oiv6MLn70yN0ucM5CWEzktPXs4Qx3ck_6ptYTN21nQHPgYcEArLiX4QuVI8DAkYRYswHVwoJCjEq_vinnp3cqDdDjAr3hOC78Pmh/s1600-h/q10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223594901709317762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMA557DhbYFiIRbRy-xvtaP4N1yMIi1Y9WuGt0k54Oiv6MLn70yN0ucM5CWEzktPXs4Qx3ck_6ptYTN21nQHPgYcEArLiX4QuVI8DAkYRYswHVwoJCjEq_vinnp3cqDdDjAr3hOC78Pmh/s320/q10.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Tibetan prayer flags provide shade for grazing sheep.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Nfs7alFQBSHFy2bCipJngIZi0leBM2imBhRhcrLY3JFUo5rOVZ9YYGik9gW97flibkA8fbC352IhpbobsQGLk-zYcALLrEvlQDftizJ0p2A2TkiqEH8l6xJkxg7XaBJnTWUbneJuqcmr/s1600-h/q11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223594908745060626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Nfs7alFQBSHFy2bCipJngIZi0leBM2imBhRhcrLY3JFUo5rOVZ9YYGik9gW97flibkA8fbC352IhpbobsQGLk-zYcALLrEvlQDftizJ0p2A2TkiqEH8l6xJkxg7XaBJnTWUbneJuqcmr/s320/q11.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is where we meditated for 12 hours a day during our silent retreat. It's better than meditating in a cave.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Oh8nPK_7PbhuZmuasFOjv2dVKuHshBIcD95lz3gH55O7BzNyv3OOvrgssBMHgrSjIxizbQajGkWMpHa1Jmzr9n6P6M8WSk2MP0utg6ZpfiO7oQ5Q_HqNPVezR_y0Qkve6c1dv1xV2KaV/s1600-h/q12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223594911754481106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Oh8nPK_7PbhuZmuasFOjv2dVKuHshBIcD95lz3gH55O7BzNyv3OOvrgssBMHgrSjIxizbQajGkWMpHa1Jmzr9n6P6M8WSk2MP0utg6ZpfiO7oQ5Q_HqNPVezR_y0Qkve6c1dv1xV2KaV/s320/q12.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mia walks down a mountain into the fog. What lies around the corner? A fog monster? No. More peaceful scenery.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIKoy0vNqg5D0ScoackFAbhixQBduZ86vHlRUrw2vqcCCWBdMc7fvG1cbVk6C6xWxaAokNFPyLzo7nJhT2UOq4nkvjgs94Nizet5N4U-8uSMmx85FqeAAdfRFcVpu3OOtM-R1jToMLiua/s1600-h/q13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223594912536484994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIKoy0vNqg5D0ScoackFAbhixQBduZ86vHlRUrw2vqcCCWBdMc7fvG1cbVk6C6xWxaAokNFPyLzo7nJhT2UOq4nkvjgs94Nizet5N4U-8uSMmx85FqeAAdfRFcVpu3OOtM-R1jToMLiua/s320/q13.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Out on our balcony in the damp, chill air.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-61014798173565118122008-07-05T09:56:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:19:52.567-08:00The Golden Temple and BRAINS!<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfXuy4RHsacytQqJov52cMRZm4a9GsEWM0uiGp1hLB0u351uZGjgk6r7zqWPxc4Yzia4ceMYGCjKmKHlUL6eOJJkZFbmiPI_o-HDkB5jXtJvhqdXIfjiGTJQ8Bqz1IedUdgj6pioAOmcz/s1600-h/k3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219576937223000082" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfXuy4RHsacytQqJov52cMRZm4a9GsEWM0uiGp1hLB0u351uZGjgk6r7zqWPxc4Yzia4ceMYGCjKmKHlUL6eOJJkZFbmiPI_o-HDkB5jXtJvhqdXIfjiGTJQ8Bqz1IedUdgj6pioAOmcz/s320/k3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Norf!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0agZVcUQ513t_gJoxafJEPPYhWZbLsilZ3oGCfPEo_2c1NYZmmwf4MKzQMSEvfuN53PPhbUIQFUPk8qN8oEE0nzGsL-R7akoW8sOM1zPQqhvfYIGRR7oAWsMTEAU3K2SQlK-UIkrJ601K/s1600-h/k1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219576053134310658" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0agZVcUQ513t_gJoxafJEPPYhWZbLsilZ3oGCfPEo_2c1NYZmmwf4MKzQMSEvfuN53PPhbUIQFUPk8qN8oEE0nzGsL-R7akoW8sOM1zPQqhvfYIGRR7oAWsMTEAU3K2SQlK-UIkrJ601K/s320/k1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This Labyrinth was secretly built by a man hiding just outside the city of Chandigarh. He would sneak bits of construction materials and rubbish out of the city and assemble his maze in the jungle far from prying eyes. After many years he was discovered, and the government gave him a staff of 70 people to continue his work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfvAiRhZKF1edo0s0XmoQaBKWhGnvhnSq4C52d52Ke-Q6h2xPbXDVAFKojEzoI9E5-d5tHcpzAv469EbEUysO1GTlLfgBVK53SWmPtPiUVW1gDlU_5dskcTGeDyPA9YsT-iCsV6PQqt9F/s1600-h/k2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219576059215930210" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfvAiRhZKF1edo0s0XmoQaBKWhGnvhnSq4C52d52Ke-Q6h2xPbXDVAFKojEzoI9E5-d5tHcpzAv469EbEUysO1GTlLfgBVK53SWmPtPiUVW1gDlU_5dskcTGeDyPA9YsT-iCsV6PQqt9F/s320/k2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Stepping into this maze is like entering your favorite fairy tale. Small villages, waterfalls, steps to nowhere, tiny doors to other mazes... it has everything.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuOs3FJuZOMFlHaM9GckEAn5TaqwFSU1QoAwr_sVPEy-IdL6ZdK4PYdW7XmJ33yNZ_jY-2B413-6AwNYj6nu_bGXtFwZXJfkC0M2C1SdjI3JjJ_e73FYWtr82K12LmqOtemaxqhipF0rA/s1600-h/k4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575778279647522" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuOs3FJuZOMFlHaM9GckEAn5TaqwFSU1QoAwr_sVPEy-IdL6ZdK4PYdW7XmJ33yNZ_jY-2B413-6AwNYj6nu_bGXtFwZXJfkC0M2C1SdjI3JjJ_e73FYWtr82K12LmqOtemaxqhipF0rA/s320/k4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It even has THIS! Come on guys, there are enough open swings that you don't need to share! The worst part it that the young man in red was the one pumping for height while the man in blue yelled, "Har-Der! Har-Der!"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P1dn_YIdPwMVA4gjFjn5Fs-IFUEZ2GMAUpXF4eLwvWNf9Tw9Q6zMucAXqmzwcDYyx6ToW-zLKJTdaDvABd6Y8QMUy8nzYxAolG_hV6C_FX-92oQ5n7fwGZymJCFeiP0sSucUy75ZqPJp/s1600-h/k5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575778215631986" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P1dn_YIdPwMVA4gjFjn5Fs-IFUEZ2GMAUpXF4eLwvWNf9Tw9Q6zMucAXqmzwcDYyx6ToW-zLKJTdaDvABd6Y8QMUy8nzYxAolG_hV6C_FX-92oQ5n7fwGZymJCFeiP0sSucUy75ZqPJp/s320/k5.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Hoards of stone people and animals watch you as you wind your way along the stone paths.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFum-PAtxsALck8XgZ359xlXZcOgmy-1pk4KI6lzVW4GiWRu7wwVgGdZz3JNQU5zGVB31Xr_8A82fxq_kAgIr3jtfkHVQS0-KlV9lPDxZAw8cIRa6s9qUF12uq-OOt-ZoY3EkxpKHhSNBQ/s1600-h/k6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575782003124802" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFum-PAtxsALck8XgZ359xlXZcOgmy-1pk4KI6lzVW4GiWRu7wwVgGdZz3JNQU5zGVB31Xr_8A82fxq_kAgIr3jtfkHVQS0-KlV9lPDxZAw8cIRa6s9qUF12uq-OOt-ZoY3EkxpKHhSNBQ/s320/k6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Who's hungry for BRAIN?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYHaTrDzpBw3mFnaWWkgd7zJC9Gcdg822iCba03VXL5MjgDO4VUHUteoOnW6HgBkYHXI9tohS95C0nnQbOmk3-VxfTGc-uMncJoe3bAYFVHcMN70kQIVmNyHDyeHuftuCAercTaWnRotP/s1600-h/k7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575783288324946" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYHaTrDzpBw3mFnaWWkgd7zJC9Gcdg822iCba03VXL5MjgDO4VUHUteoOnW6HgBkYHXI9tohS95C0nnQbOmk3-VxfTGc-uMncJoe3bAYFVHcMN70kQIVmNyHDyeHuftuCAercTaWnRotP/s320/k7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />ROOAAAAA! Time for another round of Cipro.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaonPAeFaXd4-V9O-R-8xLyWDpVQWIeHy4LFt6wX8ei-OaZKHXgi7naK8Xgt5_42-EaNc-LH-xzjlk_c3HIL9gYFQz4hBz_0OMNq-RWYenJ0K_8mZefohyphenhyphenpxXU4xNomlFBquqY5hgm_yQ/s1600-h/k8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575783266061810" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaonPAeFaXd4-V9O-R-8xLyWDpVQWIeHy4LFt6wX8ei-OaZKHXgi7naK8Xgt5_42-EaNc-LH-xzjlk_c3HIL9gYFQz4hBz_0OMNq-RWYenJ0K_8mZefohyphenhyphenpxXU4xNomlFBquqY5hgm_yQ/s320/k8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The most holy site for the Seik religion, the Golden Temple. The Seiks are an imposing bunch. They strap themselves with swords and daggers and tower over you in their bright turbans. They all sport beards as thick as the trunk of a tree. They are also quick to give a hearty handshake and a smile.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX8M-BvcpTZWZCChB1bGVPSqpnaeX1Rus-5i11hqVP1p3nRO_RPvIUJajRKwRaMhJpPa96J6ShiVsGOq7Qc-EmZlXGmswZCj2MDDxPLsZROBLPFYRWo_I58C4b4rNiEaecvom4EfJTKnq/s1600-h/k9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575519497109474" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX8M-BvcpTZWZCChB1bGVPSqpnaeX1Rus-5i11hqVP1p3nRO_RPvIUJajRKwRaMhJpPa96J6ShiVsGOq7Qc-EmZlXGmswZCj2MDDxPLsZROBLPFYRWo_I58C4b4rNiEaecvom4EfJTKnq/s320/k9.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Or a frown.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINJ-OPuas01u1LUNI7-bZfoSNBzhUiDLk1pTBam6UM74zJ0EoyzUW1XV0gqJrhOHYXCSkWKAvE9-cFs-U_sGs35jYTwggbfCEl6G7gNbq1l6v_k_o4SChz0Hb2liv7msBemLYu99BkMHg/s1600-h/k12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575527611245378" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINJ-OPuas01u1LUNI7-bZfoSNBzhUiDLk1pTBam6UM74zJ0EoyzUW1XV0gqJrhOHYXCSkWKAvE9-cFs-U_sGs35jYTwggbfCEl6G7gNbq1l6v_k_o4SChz0Hb2liv7msBemLYu99BkMHg/s320/k12.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />...or saw you in half alive.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_dy4-ugSDtTF7pUOGRGvmpZqGlBoX55TbrwTbmB4zky3SPhL9J93QlIVwo6qYbg7g8IdqJIqXKfcDCQZvSiaB0X1Vae0_KUARpXHdfpVA_ZlvkgEEom7fcgo4_rPLreaYdIpWweaZ3u5/s1600-h/k10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575524394431762" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_dy4-ugSDtTF7pUOGRGvmpZqGlBoX55TbrwTbmB4zky3SPhL9J93QlIVwo6qYbg7g8IdqJIqXKfcDCQZvSiaB0X1Vae0_KUARpXHdfpVA_ZlvkgEEom7fcgo4_rPLreaYdIpWweaZ3u5/s320/k10.JPG" border="0" /></a>Mia, Stephan and Isabelle try to placate Joe with a smile. Why have they stopped washing my floor!?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aZbjGUJIzF8jtVp0l6eMrZNyGGwtET2qbo1TFrGJ0GntXG_cjvMTMShwn0V9XZiIdPEginLN2fJ1t8ZxgB7n-lEByCOMhWsAv60DKnw5HTwYSGntaB_NT-GdiS406SEasJxpaVqeZb92/s1600-h/k11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575523971352018" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aZbjGUJIzF8jtVp0l6eMrZNyGGwtET2qbo1TFrGJ0GntXG_cjvMTMShwn0V9XZiIdPEginLN2fJ1t8ZxgB7n-lEByCOMhWsAv60DKnw5HTwYSGntaB_NT-GdiS406SEasJxpaVqeZb92/s320/k11.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A man does some touch-ups in the Seik Museum. This museum was pretty much just hundreds of painting of horrible ways to die. (see one example above). Others included boiled alive, crushed between two spiky wheels, de-skulled and left to die from a dried out brain, beaten and decorated with a garland of your own baby's limbs and head, etc.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7YzvYnGckUgXUIOFX0QtyhcpDMoHkBPVGE_XEeD_i_xO5M-zB6hbhTinOPGOIa58MOlUYURaX-WoycNqQxLUCuurHP4mVhqrD2wN0nQ-kS1zszlDinEIXmO51zqjHyLJQpQMXBrP6feo/s1600-h/k13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575525255893218" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7YzvYnGckUgXUIOFX0QtyhcpDMoHkBPVGE_XEeD_i_xO5M-zB6hbhTinOPGOIa58MOlUYURaX-WoycNqQxLUCuurHP4mVhqrD2wN0nQ-kS1zszlDinEIXmO51zqjHyLJQpQMXBrP6feo/s320/k13.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was agreed that this gentleman looked a lot like Joe.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwXD0Vlp5xMx1_XSMQeKwzJdmi6Ex0EY0LB5ASowoOH2lnyVepH0Beicy_pKVpRjop-lsGh4e8afoRSuDtUX_ENNQWTi_9_KB8M8e00OUNb7ucL3J144P2kYyNtYOLyohpyfOTKAbvU2o/s1600-h/k14.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575277977868738" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwXD0Vlp5xMx1_XSMQeKwzJdmi6Ex0EY0LB5ASowoOH2lnyVepH0Beicy_pKVpRjop-lsGh4e8afoRSuDtUX_ENNQWTi_9_KB8M8e00OUNb7ucL3J144P2kYyNtYOLyohpyfOTKAbvU2o/s320/k14.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And this is the artist who makes it all possible. He has been working for the museum painting portraits and historical paintings for over 25 years. His portraits were photo-realistic. Truly incredible. In the background you can make out a painting of two young boys being bricked into a wall alive.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXU4gxtOhgQKIB8WOx-LOcYC3rLMndYnhVjJXT-cRfS8u0a1V8t-S8ojKoT9sfdMaBhX6zC4tW4bDEmpKUM5P-861katHj2OQQSy1hLVoV0Oi7XDTrDjEIsigbCRmo804eKSolgKU0k01G/s1600-h/k15.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575275741141586" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXU4gxtOhgQKIB8WOx-LOcYC3rLMndYnhVjJXT-cRfS8u0a1V8t-S8ojKoT9sfdMaBhX6zC4tW4bDEmpKUM5P-861katHj2OQQSy1hLVoV0Oi7XDTrDjEIsigbCRmo804eKSolgKU0k01G/s320/k15.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Every night at sundown the the India - Pakistan border breaks into pandemonium as the two nations most jingoistic patriots drive 3o kilometers to crowd the fences and scream at each other. It is a pep rally style affair. Both sides blast their own national music over loud speakers that would put a Slayer concert to shame. They dance in the streets, chant at each other, wave national flags, and then the Military comes out to really get things wild. Here, an Indian soldier preps himself for a showdown.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejIu5MyfCwMuczAFh5mca1YOjVaEQZoH_DX76haZjEABuHdcIuzm0SXYG21zbXz8WkiP_LZpMwUl64AcoB7sMmrOxa0Pm0JfcpuUsZKzFaZDuQRXsrqg-LDCSHW6nEjc0KHofM5HDZPXM/s1600-h/k16.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575280536965986" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejIu5MyfCwMuczAFh5mca1YOjVaEQZoH_DX76haZjEABuHdcIuzm0SXYG21zbXz8WkiP_LZpMwUl64AcoB7sMmrOxa0Pm0JfcpuUsZKzFaZDuQRXsrqg-LDCSHW6nEjc0KHofM5HDZPXM/s320/k16.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />When the soldiers are in place a 20 minute ceremony commences as both sides try to one up each other with yells, marches and high kicks that repeatedly bring soldiers shoes close to their own ears. A military man from each side starts off by having a 'who can yell into a microphone the longest without taking a breath' contest and then each man marches at the border to meet his rival where they both KICK, KICK, turn, KICK KICK! Repeat. Everyone goes WILD!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H4JJDqMXrnT-RqcfKPNKvuFTQN_qx2kBNTYcutqdXrKP8UUdIRGu7bc8MRrecMdIu1A3yMndtc8v5JPiEWp5C6LOpr25_FoN111Occ9yaf8atYuEvmmk_meieQwyYXHMLPQUbq_QBys8/s1600-h/k17.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575281953047298" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H4JJDqMXrnT-RqcfKPNKvuFTQN_qx2kBNTYcutqdXrKP8UUdIRGu7bc8MRrecMdIu1A3yMndtc8v5JPiEWp5C6LOpr25_FoN111Occ9yaf8atYuEvmmk_meieQwyYXHMLPQUbq_QBys8/s320/k17.JPG" border="0" /></a>Is this really the best way for two nations to act even as their other soldiers are dying in the north because of hotly contested borders?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I8zCYXMzioJkuB92VS8TcJy2lXI2a6G1xPqrB4ghaaHkNC6j5vG8lyL-i4nTI9LiJbvFabOO7246iI8vbhfr55xCMWt0rp8kJtSoH81pBEnXuAV9DcOKDmH5DTZI2HZvAZIZObnpSCOL/s1600-h/k18.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219575280657251554" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I8zCYXMzioJkuB92VS8TcJy2lXI2a6G1xPqrB4ghaaHkNC6j5vG8lyL-i4nTI9LiJbvFabOO7246iI8vbhfr55xCMWt0rp8kJtSoH81pBEnXuAV9DcOKDmH5DTZI2HZvAZIZObnpSCOL/s320/k18.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So long, Stink-dia! We are off to the Himalayas, where the streets are a little cleaner and the air is a little cooler.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-86894634840799302802008-07-05T09:43:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:19:54.704-08:00More indian cities<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeGUkwmQW2sV8lQXRujnufeg_2VsJBeL5_ISzNQwFfbjNTUraJ7noPcJudko8mVDv94GuLyCvuGkG0G1VBZqDlJX_C6t1Awia5Aa35MIBRiljHolgBw4sYasXHPb7yerGtfxeQ92POdbd/s1600-h/J1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219573152536684866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeGUkwmQW2sV8lQXRujnufeg_2VsJBeL5_ISzNQwFfbjNTUraJ7noPcJudko8mVDv94GuLyCvuGkG0G1VBZqDlJX_C6t1Awia5Aa35MIBRiljHolgBw4sYasXHPb7yerGtfxeQ92POdbd/s320/J1.JPG" border="0" /></a>I know you have already seen a lot of pictures of cows in streets. Here is another one.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_-iw7_TFKVMC-Svl_6udxYzuGHhf3ByhO2mChJv2HLnawfYt9hckpZeHx0IJcceJcGOgXJwGzWBa3ydeb5IR0J1ZhEHSEDE6jruSG3L_u99YV2VCLVcoFyKY3G4XNpdnDcLdfQ7-qbgO/s1600-h/j2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219573157157220722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_-iw7_TFKVMC-Svl_6udxYzuGHhf3ByhO2mChJv2HLnawfYt9hckpZeHx0IJcceJcGOgXJwGzWBa3ydeb5IR0J1ZhEHSEDE6jruSG3L_u99YV2VCLVcoFyKY3G4XNpdnDcLdfQ7-qbgO/s320/j2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />When I first pulled the blankets back and saw these sheets I was all, "Awwuh! Nasty!" but then I figured that they were stained this way on purpose to conceal REAL barf stains. Or these sheets were just very, VERY barfed on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0dhiFoLs8WU0p0duAv_8nM-TR94slCwq0nenV7cWTtcQYE5H4vgprtGD9_3na71s-UqD_u9_MJJ8uIUdfIrpSFYElwdZgc03421ZudoZ7n51CqcVhxNPOzLf4EwEWu771sX4pM6-eXPd/s1600-h/j3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219573155523976082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0dhiFoLs8WU0p0duAv_8nM-TR94slCwq0nenV7cWTtcQYE5H4vgprtGD9_3na71s-UqD_u9_MJJ8uIUdfIrpSFYElwdZgc03421ZudoZ7n51CqcVhxNPOzLf4EwEWu771sX4pM6-eXPd/s320/j3.JPG" border="0" /></a> A midnight festival that Joe had no choice but to scope out as it was keeping him up from 3 blocks away.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XiTpCXLC_lN1LpGnkB_chhOL1nH5AcAU0S58vvKzjletyyZiYysTxmqnF-wLh0ttb3bfdBygzI9FK3pmnA6JRd3lMSLks6tvDdSFIVjEqwWtRNp0SLg5aQiDJcVUkqKXgMPqd59tbAaK/s1600-h/j4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219573155954151762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XiTpCXLC_lN1LpGnkB_chhOL1nH5AcAU0S58vvKzjletyyZiYysTxmqnF-wLh0ttb3bfdBygzI9FK3pmnA6JRd3lMSLks6tvDdSFIVjEqwWtRNp0SLg5aQiDJcVUkqKXgMPqd59tbAaK/s320/j4.JPG" border="0" /></a> A man at the festival sits still to blend in with all the statues... and then.. "ZAAA!"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-8Qu5Ailddv3Ovo-ikCbML3OT9lGpRdbaeSMPBV8Uq91pVUbDoS5kaRzGeSd2l9sge6RuqfyvUWLwE5GDlMTQW28L9HviI18TIKGJxK-FP9BWNtTpnEaiVcjphbTVIekPPfD_Vkys3MH/s1600-h/j5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219572672520864034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-8Qu5Ailddv3Ovo-ikCbML3OT9lGpRdbaeSMPBV8Uq91pVUbDoS5kaRzGeSd2l9sge6RuqfyvUWLwE5GDlMTQW28L9HviI18TIKGJxK-FP9BWNtTpnEaiVcjphbTVIekPPfD_Vkys3MH/s320/j5.JPG" border="0" /></a> Thought this massive steel Krishna in his chariot are impressive, the real story here is in the man in all white who managed to tail us for a good part of the afternoon. Joe caught on to him quick. The man was a bad spy. Always staying about 30 feet away and acting like he was looking at something else. At one point we passed a hawker who offered Joe a book which Joe examined and passed on. The spy then stopped the hawker and bought the book Joe had examined. We then flipped the game on him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2Nzz7Fu6FfYjs6p7P2mM5VCANZ4wi13xvK5zsdQQcj63doQIVSG4uS_fSm458IW_6Pb5aL-iN0dqx0XtKLxkdmzLuQOqnT6jWMPcoUllo0WG3XVArImPKUebTQ4tHssgKdl_E4beIfFW/s1600-h/j6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219572675638665474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2Nzz7Fu6FfYjs6p7P2mM5VCANZ4wi13xvK5zsdQQcj63doQIVSG4uS_fSm458IW_6Pb5aL-iN0dqx0XtKLxkdmzLuQOqnT6jWMPcoUllo0WG3XVArImPKUebTQ4tHssgKdl_E4beIfFW/s320/j6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Who's spying on who now, Creepy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcmshllkESafkcWbUlxpY3joUuWVAn7R1I8rh9W2hV1xIJpy6PBJKpbh_DZS6jOvDHb15cymwGAKy3R6q1eRmL-cx1peR4fTsaomQC30-uD0u6WoVXx914-sTDCpaNtRRXO6qkb-BM3uF/s1600-h/j7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219572678884851330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcmshllkESafkcWbUlxpY3joUuWVAn7R1I8rh9W2hV1xIJpy6PBJKpbh_DZS6jOvDHb15cymwGAKy3R6q1eRmL-cx1peR4fTsaomQC30-uD0u6WoVXx914-sTDCpaNtRRXO6qkb-BM3uF/s320/j7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The 'Bed of Arrows' may sound like a comfortable way to be laid down on a battlefield, but it turns out it is pretty painful. They say this gentleman stayed alive for six months after they stuck him to the ground.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9REG873PfxhSaHgVzZR4pwMFmLRl_alrve9qDS1ETniIXL-loxw4AUBkx2UOpm7AZ77yKCXcb7KAk7Z-uaal64-deauH_wi8jNTY-KyR72cfjEwpz7VmXexKRM2XuFoMbEyACRmZdHBhg/s1600-h/j8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219572684852633682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9REG873PfxhSaHgVzZR4pwMFmLRl_alrve9qDS1ETniIXL-loxw4AUBkx2UOpm7AZ77yKCXcb7KAk7Z-uaal64-deauH_wi8jNTY-KyR72cfjEwpz7VmXexKRM2XuFoMbEyACRmZdHBhg/s320/j8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />An Indian monsoon blows into town.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70Xh9r1QWCznQyT79GQK-Vx7lAaaK6fUiCuZc9oNAX0jnJAK8FDKtaer-abyu4tlRDtm4T4hXfwAoAuG1TtPQ5SUMkLO6yeIzh0gngpRXevpv5-hetK58SgIekWSgJIeFL4fh2rHXN9R6/s1600-h/j9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219572685880565858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70Xh9r1QWCznQyT79GQK-Vx7lAaaK6fUiCuZc9oNAX0jnJAK8FDKtaer-abyu4tlRDtm4T4hXfwAoAuG1TtPQ5SUMkLO6yeIzh0gngpRXevpv5-hetK58SgIekWSgJIeFL4fh2rHXN9R6/s320/j9.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />An old man storks past a banyan tree said to be an off shoot of one planted by Krishna. (Tree not pictured.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKDncaO6GgmnP6w1kPG5jQ15gpZP9i8H7hxx1odjKe0seb5omBpfDiNf2MdWEYZzeXbkqyfvDJ4EUjJ9tNRRQia2ZQPww8_E6unXboJnNmFvHT1-b0zIsd9d5G9d0Fpq20k4LaeTQYHof/s1600-h/j10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219571960258627154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKDncaO6GgmnP6w1kPG5jQ15gpZP9i8H7hxx1odjKe0seb5omBpfDiNf2MdWEYZzeXbkqyfvDJ4EUjJ9tNRRQia2ZQPww8_E6unXboJnNmFvHT1-b0zIsd9d5G9d0Fpq20k4LaeTQYHof/s320/j10.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mia, Isabelle, Stephan and Ringo cross a busy highway while Joe almost gets hit by a car trying to take a sweet picture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgbmSYfItLwrOUz6PSvn-V3-WQ0htOkZhr8s09RsX_v30I0A_nKmQfoLAt3K-TAxOvNoRKpamv3prWEFlcJDtGlKqdlH2XFeTlMsjKT4u0RvGdVY3o5Vo3A8l5TOCFuBlmfNFN4EOQD-Z/s1600-h/j11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219571967417430242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgbmSYfItLwrOUz6PSvn-V3-WQ0htOkZhr8s09RsX_v30I0A_nKmQfoLAt3K-TAxOvNoRKpamv3prWEFlcJDtGlKqdlH2XFeTlMsjKT4u0RvGdVY3o5Vo3A8l5TOCFuBlmfNFN4EOQD-Z/s320/j11.JPG" border="0" /></a> This was the final step in a very long line of steps on a promotional poster.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6L0Uk9grhcIY2jJaqVlkj4drahpoX11qDKuffOyzR3t8D3JmiChWJisZyMRedUp7IRQLdsPf5Z-0FF-zX1M_JuBqSOiLMTvw1n0uVhdzB-MyA8b1fyZPfihdyDGpqbvAwOvoUfI645FE/s1600-h/j12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219571968616214434" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6L0Uk9grhcIY2jJaqVlkj4drahpoX11qDKuffOyzR3t8D3JmiChWJisZyMRedUp7IRQLdsPf5Z-0FF-zX1M_JuBqSOiLMTvw1n0uVhdzB-MyA8b1fyZPfihdyDGpqbvAwOvoUfI645FE/s320/j12.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe gets one step closer to being a Seik at "The House of Turbans"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZXMFsIZThgxG4_ZLHOtbg5RaACB4lMnJQs06RFcRHk0niPQ59RQwwdVdFgYUHztUnNgsEHYmqQskvOrIA0lfVR2lsjZNT5PcIEz0xg1FANx3MhyshAhyOWfprQwJ25nHTc_i0VA09evM/s1600-h/j13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219571976886597218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZXMFsIZThgxG4_ZLHOtbg5RaACB4lMnJQs06RFcRHk0niPQ59RQwwdVdFgYUHztUnNgsEHYmqQskvOrIA0lfVR2lsjZNT5PcIEz0xg1FANx3MhyshAhyOWfprQwJ25nHTc_i0VA09evM/s320/j13.JPG" border="0" /></a> Toomhara Style accha hai!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBb2Phx5qN9kXM4nuwoxYtgMajfwXqPGlJdK2NF873RV9xeVE7OjKNaU_3TLagbxEbVmiAYRNbuLfjcoewk-lowsLBlMBsZuT7ZTMLls0nCBvC3gsqTIlUmu05uuLpODD74gkvCFShSCO/s1600-h/j14.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219571974831692098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBb2Phx5qN9kXM4nuwoxYtgMajfwXqPGlJdK2NF873RV9xeVE7OjKNaU_3TLagbxEbVmiAYRNbuLfjcoewk-lowsLBlMBsZuT7ZTMLls0nCBvC3gsqTIlUmu05uuLpODD74gkvCFShSCO/s320/j14.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Stephan kickin it Punjabi on a vinyl couch in the back seat of a hired ride.<br /></div>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-59506777919079881012008-06-17T08:10:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:19:56.360-08:00Indian SafariAfter only 4 hours of sleep we awoke early in the morning to venture out into the Indian wilderness. We were in search of tigers, elephants, and whatever else we could find. We wanted that perfect photo. The one worh a thousand words. The photo of something that people back home had never seen. This... is our story....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpybYHCfoqC5BiOVY8L5BeA-zqoMogQEJ-EsqdMrYMZf2QeziQXvSNBeISJwmdV_DPJSyOF6o0dMPaXFHfh5KqzgigcMwaigOKTra7ZWjBYUGTz_CFTWh8Zpp-ZvPcBkd5xE0Za9EcmWz/s1600-h/Safari+-+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpybYHCfoqC5BiOVY8L5BeA-zqoMogQEJ-EsqdMrYMZf2QeziQXvSNBeISJwmdV_DPJSyOF6o0dMPaXFHfh5KqzgigcMwaigOKTra7ZWjBYUGTz_CFTWh8Zpp-ZvPcBkd5xE0Za9EcmWz/s320/Safari+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212872524578116178" border="0" /></a>5:00 am. Joe and Mia sleep on the couch in the hotel lobby while they wait for the jeep to arrive. The hotel manager is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">angry</span> about losing his spot on the couch (where he was sleeping) and awakens them to say, "If you just want to sleep, you should go back to your room."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMx1S1aKy0-wVbaTNzebu0iHXLKfLuFXUuiQi_6RMA6gwEJTKlk5jM5kc9K6dGnLwZcMJFPMSDrHk7G45gSZv8qTuUo9Ed-G054xf72JOCxEUa7ueV5KEfD6fbEh5srTUHPAPRr3UGHU-V/s1600-h/Safari+-+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMx1S1aKy0-wVbaTNzebu0iHXLKfLuFXUuiQi_6RMA6gwEJTKlk5jM5kc9K6dGnLwZcMJFPMSDrHk7G45gSZv8qTuUo9Ed-G054xf72JOCxEUa7ueV5KEfD6fbEh5srTUHPAPRr3UGHU-V/s320/Safari+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212872214559894946" border="0" /></a>6:00 am. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">journey</span> begins!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Lu7RKRhTcMQcoLnQB80Yx84n4wKeVTKQHBNWfcaJ5L3Y4i4UOnC02hxzXZ39tvj5NGgK9jRnenpoXWOAf-kcLiVgq4iC1AMrvtMzXBM9YuQKVCA05I9wGV666wjRTFUo6OQujqZlD7Lc/s1600-h/Safari+-+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Lu7RKRhTcMQcoLnQB80Yx84n4wKeVTKQHBNWfcaJ5L3Y4i4UOnC02hxzXZ39tvj5NGgK9jRnenpoXWOAf-kcLiVgq4iC1AMrvtMzXBM9YuQKVCA05I9wGV666wjRTFUo6OQujqZlD7Lc/s320/Safari+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212872407793286658" border="0" /></a><br />6:30am. The first animal we spot is the mysterious and majestic Blue Cow. It looked like a horse cow to me. A blue horse cow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NmOIcniSX9K_6yM5GIPpqbiFJsoeckkN8kgwJfeqSu-4cJ3B-3C4QVDoCZ7JEycZwGH9kH4MROXiKYcuAJ2wQdkoJGpIfgJbdpculqWBdxhYSJAQ8WZtFfd_bdGoMmvLGYgHKkH6mTC9/s1600-h/Safari+-+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NmOIcniSX9K_6yM5GIPpqbiFJsoeckkN8kgwJfeqSu-4cJ3B-3C4QVDoCZ7JEycZwGH9kH4MROXiKYcuAJ2wQdkoJGpIfgJbdpculqWBdxhYSJAQ8WZtFfd_bdGoMmvLGYgHKkH6mTC9/s320/Safari+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212873135006790002" border="0" /></a>Mia! Look at this Blue Horse Cow! Oh.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKsTIJHvReuzO65FaKf7Xlt4dIJmfN25uZ2XrCy8c3U69BAk2WS3CR9RijwawyASz1vxbi5bX_n2F3U6pO0HWTNJGFwSMHbKrU7pCR6avJUsd0G2Ch62IwmbOP66XMrX01gOlJeddgq8L/s1600-h/Safari+-+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKsTIJHvReuzO65FaKf7Xlt4dIJmfN25uZ2XrCy8c3U69BAk2WS3CR9RijwawyASz1vxbi5bX_n2F3U6pO0HWTNJGFwSMHbKrU7pCR6avJUsd0G2Ch62IwmbOP66XMrX01gOlJeddgq8L/s320/Safari+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212871785679469970" border="0" /></a>7:00 am. Next we spot what was described to us as "the female Blue Cow." It is not blue. I could not tell if it was female from my vantage point, but I trusted our guide . I trusted him to not only provide me with accurate information about fauna, but to save my life should one of the fauna attack!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEhlWsKkZ-6x6lNxDKrAMRk7OOuK3uHorX7FI3Hb2WXRoF2hrcT5D8SsrIubOSvw12kYOlbX7d8nUUiyQAmw3u1M-LVahj6j3dToUuJcfOYvvA0ntulctpt0P4NF7BF_eX9v1eaqBGnMR/s1600-h/Safari+-+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEhlWsKkZ-6x6lNxDKrAMRk7OOuK3uHorX7FI3Hb2WXRoF2hrcT5D8SsrIubOSvw12kYOlbX7d8nUUiyQAmw3u1M-LVahj6j3dToUuJcfOYvvA0ntulctpt0P4NF7BF_eX9v1eaqBGnMR/s320/Safari+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212871603492669250" border="0" /></a><br />7:45 am. Joe goes for a pleasant stroll through the flood planes and steps over large chunks of wild elephant evidence while scouting for more animals.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_6gsovYs8VMMEoymDFkDWLE-7PX0xb39d0_Tlek6NcZTQ1dA-3-pePll-VCrLEngX8UtsFBcNOWnxUSpLLqnWn7LKtu0m3VK6UHe2X2PN7uhpNftlATwN4d0T8KOfMwjEEzVftHPyYDr/s1600-h/Safari+-+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_6gsovYs8VMMEoymDFkDWLE-7PX0xb39d0_Tlek6NcZTQ1dA-3-pePll-VCrLEngX8UtsFBcNOWnxUSpLLqnWn7LKtu0m3VK6UHe2X2PN7uhpNftlATwN4d0T8KOfMwjEEzVftHPyYDr/s320/Safari+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212871404376051538" border="0" /></a>Joe sees.... A wild peacock! They are everywhere!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX56-cMl_NRqLG7HIRvQx1a9OPG34DC120zi5JKFfOSbaKINojgj6aSVjlmiMdE_wxHT58tj8TwzI711G-EKl_pw5EZsvFwloB4DoB2DDkKVinFQapT6v0cFfhI8YcJwm5yXpPZKTpcj49/s1600-h/Safari+-+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX56-cMl_NRqLG7HIRvQx1a9OPG34DC120zi5JKFfOSbaKINojgj6aSVjlmiMdE_wxHT58tj8TwzI711G-EKl_pw5EZsvFwloB4DoB2DDkKVinFQapT6v0cFfhI8YcJwm5yXpPZKTpcj49/s320/Safari+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212871022658298402" border="0" /></a><br />Mia come out and look at this wild Peacock! Mia?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOtG9c2Ztn72wNeZjbVSN9nDxJwykpwe2Z6tUh5HOkSwr-xyQSp-7-YLpLnCecMzZ-owCdbQN8Z888qhGGtgs4dMJGdUcPkF9exwQ8vVGzvLjvTCK0sxrXM4_THrsuFVJeFtd3dJRK0-N/s1600-h/Safari+-+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOtG9c2Ztn72wNeZjbVSN9nDxJwykpwe2Z6tUh5HOkSwr-xyQSp-7-YLpLnCecMzZ-owCdbQN8Z888qhGGtgs4dMJGdUcPkF9exwQ8vVGzvLjvTCK0sxrXM4_THrsuFVJeFtd3dJRK0-N/s320/Safari+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212870088005431490" border="0" /></a><br />8:30 am. We press on through the misty jungles despite increasing rain and darkening <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">skies</span>. We can't stop yet. We still need that perfect shot. Something powerful, beautiful and original.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0gz2f-MFGVNeFCshcbSwhVmN-e_DaAFoua0GsDZc0CNzBpmmlzDE76f8j3awPBwhDqQOe-D0WxH60gyi5V-GFQIOVxbVA7B8v6tIHJGNhg4MPUy3nCTroQzqXC_8Pj7s2TSJBFzefkZX/s1600-h/Safari+-+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0gz2f-MFGVNeFCshcbSwhVmN-e_DaAFoua0GsDZc0CNzBpmmlzDE76f8j3awPBwhDqQOe-D0WxH60gyi5V-GFQIOVxbVA7B8v6tIHJGNhg4MPUy3nCTroQzqXC_8Pj7s2TSJBFzefkZX/s320/Safari+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212869957601582834" border="0" /></a>9:45 am. Mia finally wakes up and says, "That safari was boring."(true story). The group hikes up into a blind and scans the land. There there! Over in those bushes! Hand me the camera!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEx1DUbZewmuTITO5BlqF9BGg6qDK8mPvxK_vVBn0kljJ6dcjI0yI79uAIC8B89z8Mr2-7Stw-mT70lwT4jZHmPli9f0rilpxlAtQVNn3Gu_xulrI56keFTxTNDwODxHfOYbsYOINtQiv/s1600-h/Safari+-+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEx1DUbZewmuTITO5BlqF9BGg6qDK8mPvxK_vVBn0kljJ6dcjI0yI79uAIC8B89z8Mr2-7Stw-mT70lwT4jZHmPli9f0rilpxlAtQVNn3Gu_xulrI56keFTxTNDwODxHfOYbsYOINtQiv/s320/Safari+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212869738665307330" border="0" /></a>Finally we see something worth photographing. The safari is a success!Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-33286852785108052232008-06-17T05:03:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:20:00.928-08:00Haridwar - Holy city on the Ganges<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoEP7AyDNdYpXvwDgdUCOsmUbQ88E2Gu7sk61VzQDV3H0t2r7OpAmqDHiUKs2vDW9Bl7BSJjMiRV8j-OCQPj9JVActxyb9iRkSs23V7Ur7LSCNlpEF9LqMJMSiAhixlLASsdAcke2N9JE/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoEP7AyDNdYpXvwDgdUCOsmUbQ88E2Gu7sk61VzQDV3H0t2r7OpAmqDHiUKs2vDW9Bl7BSJjMiRV8j-OCQPj9JVActxyb9iRkSs23V7Ur7LSCNlpEF9LqMJMSiAhixlLASsdAcke2N9JE/s320/blogjoe+-+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212823154160457970" border="0" /></a>A guru type surveys his land. The land... is called India.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqrenkgD-nhj2b9p-YbyBMmRXovO8L-0LFSsn671CZSWqktIJQn_2-pl6uOaCs5odtLL9embP09KJXND4L2LOuV5_DhtZLScYW_gkEaebK0v_TbPOwI_Tm-LFojBRzWckvflJGmWnWy6w/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqrenkgD-nhj2b9p-YbyBMmRXovO8L-0LFSsn671CZSWqktIJQn_2-pl6uOaCs5odtLL9embP09KJXND4L2LOuV5_DhtZLScYW_gkEaebK0v_TbPOwI_Tm-LFojBRzWckvflJGmWnWy6w/s320/blogjoe+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212823164678076114" border="0" /></a><br />The monsoons have started early here because of global warming. The streets all flood and anyone unlucky enough to have to travel takes their life in their hands. Though the water isn't that deep the government opens all the manholes to help with the flooding. If you don't know where they are you can fall in or drive your motorcycle/ bicycle into one and die. This is not a joke. We saw one motorcycle go over and people die every time it rains.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhg5z6cA4Na9vv0UqourJawonmyi8RngYxJCDbaQIRKArFgjv4WBjey9kzIdyKkddtw27Rtf935KgSgNjNYRnzazY6SP4F2BiR_OzVv332b_I21P1k7ndoM2OosNvkY2kFCFvf63WioXZ/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhg5z6cA4Na9vv0UqourJawonmyi8RngYxJCDbaQIRKArFgjv4WBjey9kzIdyKkddtw27Rtf935KgSgNjNYRnzazY6SP4F2BiR_OzVv332b_I21P1k7ndoM2OosNvkY2kFCFvf63WioXZ/s320/blogjoe+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212823173701451618" border="0" /></a><br />A sign at a highway rest stop.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq1_NH1TaTOJ00ncC1z9dBa384RZKWsNjcd-uvPFa2NHpSDdxmglyglTB0A2ade3yLcUtTa2eAd8Uu7dTDdhzrCAlh94-SHPa8yS2SIm0DmwqrvEjb9gO5P27p1Tp369F3zqVlU0uQe8R/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq1_NH1TaTOJ00ncC1z9dBa384RZKWsNjcd-uvPFa2NHpSDdxmglyglTB0A2ade3yLcUtTa2eAd8Uu7dTDdhzrCAlh94-SHPa8yS2SIm0DmwqrvEjb9gO5P27p1Tp369F3zqVlU0uQe8R/s320/blogjoe+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212823173145583298" border="0" /></a><br />A farmer takes a moment to proudly pose with his grain during a freeway traffic jam.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hlqBxXI53CFhZW2ifiNdkRi9O8EQjNCZZOTibcUvjRXO8sbRB07PScr2ut6HeIFVORAjkkI7C4pKX-ne_V2-pYV5qT0MjoPdwhNp1ySw18NNGEh707HNCiWlsIBIRJ-j4t-Iin9geMF0/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hlqBxXI53CFhZW2ifiNdkRi9O8EQjNCZZOTibcUvjRXO8sbRB07PScr2ut6HeIFVORAjkkI7C4pKX-ne_V2-pYV5qT0MjoPdwhNp1ySw18NNGEh707HNCiWlsIBIRJ-j4t-Iin9geMF0/s320/blogjoe+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212822591797998690" border="0" /></a><br />If you decorated your cattle car like this in America it might be considered tacky or unique, but here it just blends in.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh5GsDitJXc9Dp5cppofla-jeo6roHGpe3r7pAjOP4DSDivGy74RhZw7n5JcJUUQEZ-Ql0m1ZMiDDOu258dJrA9tH5Sk1H7vNSY9AJn9uQXtVXj-9DlBYjelwuNfmeGhSkUIGI8CAuzCs/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFh5GsDitJXc9Dp5cppofla-jeo6roHGpe3r7pAjOP4DSDivGy74RhZw7n5JcJUUQEZ-Ql0m1ZMiDDOu258dJrA9tH5Sk1H7vNSY9AJn9uQXtVXj-9DlBYjelwuNfmeGhSkUIGI8CAuzCs/s320/blogjoe+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212822601111196738" border="0" /></a><br />Joe, Mia and Marla on a bridge over the holy Ganges river. It is expected that any time a person dies in India their family brings their ashes to this river and deposits them in the water.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZRBfxFnw_rQDbeawUM_Vjvukkx_oY5w8QW8gT3BeNDalrMsl59pLoNToT5xeOwxfsT3amZGfbKOn-RzpBB_vuwa2jFp1e-gazgsmQ3SNhbSPi5nsvK5Mi4CqKw81G3TxO3vHT4aqVUPS/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZRBfxFnw_rQDbeawUM_Vjvukkx_oY5w8QW8gT3BeNDalrMsl59pLoNToT5xeOwxfsT3amZGfbKOn-RzpBB_vuwa2jFp1e-gazgsmQ3SNhbSPi5nsvK5Mi4CqKw81G3TxO3vHT4aqVUPS/s320/blogjoe+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212822607092251698" border="0" /></a><br />Children play in a poop filled park. The smell here was atrocious. I could barely keep from throwing up. I kept breathing through my nose though because I didn't want any of that smell in my mouth. The smells here can switch instantly from the worst smell to the best in only a matter of feet, which makes you notice them all the more.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k0BU5dR31knYY23_NWc2oed750Kfjm8BwwFVfif9rarNw3t6x-05RnAt3zsuQSETCOJcmj4UlP12ex69ZtWzzQ8FFyi9ktW0bqbtq2whRF9XXf5kUlPfxNOFu_IRoBQ7eEiSfSJjAALl/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k0BU5dR31knYY23_NWc2oed750Kfjm8BwwFVfif9rarNw3t6x-05RnAt3zsuQSETCOJcmj4UlP12ex69ZtWzzQ8FFyi9ktW0bqbtq2whRF9XXf5kUlPfxNOFu_IRoBQ7eEiSfSJjAALl/s320/blogjoe+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212822612384152322" border="0" /></a>Tent homes set up along the river.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6q1pfieV5ln2y5k0N0NHRC1JAMh0tuq_Z9WGsdw0uVojqD04y3D4cRcTS4mcPsBjlv1eZVuRDQQJAQTvI0tAzQx6LHm-Kg_v6jPaIucFb9wPG98Q2_aKvMQBvIAqOL0kIVVb-RUAdNZY/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6q1pfieV5ln2y5k0N0NHRC1JAMh0tuq_Z9WGsdw0uVojqD04y3D4cRcTS4mcPsBjlv1eZVuRDQQJAQTvI0tAzQx6LHm-Kg_v6jPaIucFb9wPG98Q2_aKvMQBvIAqOL0kIVVb-RUAdNZY/s320/blogjoe+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212822628874863106" border="0" /></a><br />Two teens race each other into the river.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkF31BxEz0_Ho8WyLKWCbyI8URbZpkGlEykAm5XcjmHABKNNimf1KIxU5HNwsB8Ah0iYUC3IuhgF50tYN3eAzdD-G7LsGk6xMzZx1D9W2GbTsyfgCKo3ttDH4KPCZCGfT_A2IIefsBMvK/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkF31BxEz0_Ho8WyLKWCbyI8URbZpkGlEykAm5XcjmHABKNNimf1KIxU5HNwsB8Ah0iYUC3IuhgF50tYN3eAzdD-G7LsGk6xMzZx1D9W2GbTsyfgCKo3ttDH4KPCZCGfT_A2IIefsBMvK/s320/blogjoe+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821640328844690" border="0" /></a><br />An Indian man sits down for a rest. Everywhere you look in Haridwar this type of man can be found. The style is the same but they run the full range of personality types: from giving off an aura of being truly enlightened to giving off the smell of being completely stoned.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNlp3E8HpMySzJ4TtuJe3wA0_k6iRlGFpZNGCoqK42-hlnxdDSsVNEgkjDZsBFwoO1D_nvx2nNfN96gbszjfHdvt5Phs86FundNmFPGQ5vpdlQ90Abr14K6aBpIGNMeF0LR7m5Zmvn_pK/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNlp3E8HpMySzJ4TtuJe3wA0_k6iRlGFpZNGCoqK42-hlnxdDSsVNEgkjDZsBFwoO1D_nvx2nNfN96gbszjfHdvt5Phs86FundNmFPGQ5vpdlQ90Abr14K6aBpIGNMeF0LR7m5Zmvn_pK/s320/blogjoe+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821642999703154" border="0" /></a><br />Women crowd around a cart full of mangos.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooDPJTRb4oPV0SngFCGgOC9mZZqqcpVg6jd-CzrUwIKWs8nT25WfP3WRJyEvE66PbPER8TErcTHC_mxJIBAgut_DjqAhImghKkyznhuhSQTHUUVh5DhfrKJa6Cw2_8yBws6Awxy8-4BM9/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooDPJTRb4oPV0SngFCGgOC9mZZqqcpVg6jd-CzrUwIKWs8nT25WfP3WRJyEvE66PbPER8TErcTHC_mxJIBAgut_DjqAhImghKkyznhuhSQTHUUVh5DhfrKJa6Cw2_8yBws6Awxy8-4BM9/s320/blogjoe+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821647005023666" border="0" /></a><br />Joe strips down to jump into the Ganges. They say anyone who fully submerges in the holy river will have of their sins washed away. You trade the cleanliness of your body for the cleanliness of your soul. I got a tiny bit of the water in my mouth and it tasted like icecream.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpaYWtSONutLZIn_MtohI0XmPyl_knhZNzwCAOUaE4fsRg7521lDPzNR6uctZ5nfeKhXxkaNkTAo1BAAQq-e8xPM5_HCPtYwonvG31RGp6Sx8p0fFg4edg-FsN2ngvf0PfnPHqT7mtS_P/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpaYWtSONutLZIn_MtohI0XmPyl_knhZNzwCAOUaE4fsRg7521lDPzNR6uctZ5nfeKhXxkaNkTAo1BAAQq-e8xPM5_HCPtYwonvG31RGp6Sx8p0fFg4edg-FsN2ngvf0PfnPHqT7mtS_P/s320/blogjoe+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821646725168178" border="0" /></a><br />Joe and his friend Naresh pose after a swim in the Ganges. Joe felt under dressed without a denim vest and denim capri pants on.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYvFJGMKQtU88eMC35VsDjjLKimh2RqGFJ5piREhpxq3tSauTyHyo6wyfauLGCf4n2O6Nqs4hNLkHDDHY_IiERBJj7IV7tGTGs6jm37TDjYt3EiNxdja2uyvC8cvLsHjcLeO46TcrOD2-/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYvFJGMKQtU88eMC35VsDjjLKimh2RqGFJ5piREhpxq3tSauTyHyo6wyfauLGCf4n2O6Nqs4hNLkHDDHY_IiERBJj7IV7tGTGs6jm37TDjYt3EiNxdja2uyvC8cvLsHjcLeO46TcrOD2-/s320/blogjoe+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821654063662450" border="0" /></a><br />Joe gathers a crowd on the banks of the Ganges. Perhaps he should release a Joe Pagac calendar here. It may be a big hit.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_eFdt4bLsBlbX3UA7lN6ENAK5pTQPQE1yobO5K8q7HVKoDIDarPPkvBYqtTrVMOmU7fGxyKCSK26BIoHhxQblXjrfAzrYjJuVdD252carNi-NpDTPeydUhT-FOrFtY3TqA1KpWsAttqY/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_eFdt4bLsBlbX3UA7lN6ENAK5pTQPQE1yobO5K8q7HVKoDIDarPPkvBYqtTrVMOmU7fGxyKCSK26BIoHhxQblXjrfAzrYjJuVdD252carNi-NpDTPeydUhT-FOrFtY3TqA1KpWsAttqY/s320/blogjoe+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821009959443698" border="0" /></a><br />Joe is getting used to being held by skantily clothed, little brown men now. It doesn't even phase him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZYSKTEFAFKPE7l5jc0gyv67Vrmf1DcrrXAGxan2uDq2tOVBKTAtfsZYm_GWJ1R3-fPGyRq8DRgC-k5MnPnEypHVv3dK7ikPx-wiLIHG8KL_6lOvXmGTGjuHDwYFdFj2N6-ulOs_ZIuFo/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZYSKTEFAFKPE7l5jc0gyv67Vrmf1DcrrXAGxan2uDq2tOVBKTAtfsZYm_GWJ1R3-fPGyRq8DRgC-k5MnPnEypHVv3dK7ikPx-wiLIHG8KL_6lOvXmGTGjuHDwYFdFj2N6-ulOs_ZIuFo/s320/blogjoe+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821014315405250" border="0" /></a><br />A tiny shrine set up in the street.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYctaxWnlFOEfMcAVO68DJb_c7JCZ0dbtDC2dk9uZ5KuZKVb_oVYv9pbj2aSD8XFRuH_os25vnEWMHTh9fINa-CgGl6F8EmOfWC2eTwntqwyV_ewKQEvHJifmdm5ag-AVefW6X05T0jtYs/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYctaxWnlFOEfMcAVO68DJb_c7JCZ0dbtDC2dk9uZ5KuZKVb_oVYv9pbj2aSD8XFRuH_os25vnEWMHTh9fINa-CgGl6F8EmOfWC2eTwntqwyV_ewKQEvHJifmdm5ag-AVefW6X05T0jtYs/s320/blogjoe+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821025263180258" border="0" /></a><br />Everything is so colorful in India that it is hard to concentrate on anything you are looking at.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw3pRV7wt5iuDh0p8vaDvwfIOxJ0spKdJgihvr2HWXRl9C-Tdi6zfNuOE_K4dR8LXLvNtiP0drfP5b4dqU1sWcSgstdygYQ3s2bHAIMUh0BpLae4s5QTc7cKC7I5pcx_p7g04Wt8qdkzq/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw3pRV7wt5iuDh0p8vaDvwfIOxJ0spKdJgihvr2HWXRl9C-Tdi6zfNuOE_K4dR8LXLvNtiP0drfP5b4dqU1sWcSgstdygYQ3s2bHAIMUh0BpLae4s5QTc7cKC7I5pcx_p7g04Wt8qdkzq/s320/blogjoe+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821031899324866" border="0" /></a><br />These ladies made me wait to take their photo until they all had their sticks in their hands.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUIsqBI63wJ1k0i_XbbWY4xlZcxIuAoUmpul0kzUyDm0NS_0GVk01FyM3pT9C8KFj3WoQuZCfNBY-Z83oRvskcinxc2inTlT0aV-SnpTbqTn8h1x8HwIUxIExWAOHE75FE8mtAUz6lsdg/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuUIsqBI63wJ1k0i_XbbWY4xlZcxIuAoUmpul0kzUyDm0NS_0GVk01FyM3pT9C8KFj3WoQuZCfNBY-Z83oRvskcinxc2inTlT0aV-SnpTbqTn8h1x8HwIUxIExWAOHE75FE8mtAUz6lsdg/s320/blogjoe+-+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212821039441983554" border="0" /></a>A starving man lays dying in the street. No joke here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro9n3-hTrY0YvJHOk7MDKE2iakp2P2Rc6xb4eypcC07I23bEj4EWfZI149gtWbkhcgUxfTcwSLiMIMEYZDBUFtC6hxKSsX8rOKT1wY4E5R_IkkbjjlhBYDfM2Ye4pxXqEPHB2JT56xITH/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro9n3-hTrY0YvJHOk7MDKE2iakp2P2Rc6xb4eypcC07I23bEj4EWfZI149gtWbkhcgUxfTcwSLiMIMEYZDBUFtC6hxKSsX8rOKT1wY4E5R_IkkbjjlhBYDfM2Ye4pxXqEPHB2JT56xITH/s320/blogjoe+-+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212820407258665666" border="0" /></a>Mia, Isabelle and Cecile pose with a group of locals. In the west we say, "Smile!" In India they say, "HEY! Look serious!"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMx5m1FolxlfK6J25x6OhAhYMOn6LTYIgVmMphZL91CuKUSodPbf4tVX2JdroYQbqe-vD_flaYWfju-8SXK8btMooyTOAQyKGgj_-yh_Q2YNhr4BUtHF-Uh0uu_ZXbny1Vx14UW8nRjfH/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMx5m1FolxlfK6J25x6OhAhYMOn6LTYIgVmMphZL91CuKUSodPbf4tVX2JdroYQbqe-vD_flaYWfju-8SXK8btMooyTOAQyKGgj_-yh_Q2YNhr4BUtHF-Uh0uu_ZXbny1Vx14UW8nRjfH/s320/blogjoe+-+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212820405390596498" border="0" /></a>Surplus wrappers for candy and cola are sold as blankets and raincoats for the very poor. It makes it so hard to walk around without getting hungry. It can be uncomfortable to find one's self saying, "Hmmmm, I haven't had Double Stuffed Oreos in a while..." as a rain soaked, mostly naked man walks by wearing a sheet of the wrappers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieN5Sg-KOl3ts6e_GxLhERd9K1K54-MlcfxUA2pVo0_ft1uqHaI5H6p16GsI4JJtXloDIz6_HQj4eimvea3Ipb9tzXmMmmQQCj1ofCfirVxmGwPRGrRB9FQFZEZkvU4-p6DMmKe2h68rT3/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieN5Sg-KOl3ts6e_GxLhERd9K1K54-MlcfxUA2pVo0_ft1uqHaI5H6p16GsI4JJtXloDIz6_HQj4eimvea3Ipb9tzXmMmmQQCj1ofCfirVxmGwPRGrRB9FQFZEZkvU4-p6DMmKe2h68rT3/s320/blogjoe+-+23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212820416914282818" border="0" /></a>Skittles. Taste the rainbow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WgCHM92Df-2o-DPzYCpzGoD37XORTrnKgIxhLVK70WA1rHdv9tnCMZcen2Eel_QQJZHrXfhz1G3mE3LzWZet-l2lgej_14I_qYzykCywjUNyb4HkzBG4b4Kzp3W3WpKpDg13M9r615Bi/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WgCHM92Df-2o-DPzYCpzGoD37XORTrnKgIxhLVK70WA1rHdv9tnCMZcen2Eel_QQJZHrXfhz1G3mE3LzWZet-l2lgej_14I_qYzykCywjUNyb4HkzBG4b4Kzp3W3WpKpDg13M9r615Bi/s320/blogjoe+-+22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212820411037935202" border="0" /></a><br />A motley crew of temple-goers marches past. Check out the sunglasses on the guy in the back.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2uwaDk2q0b8DLgH1yH4wM5nrv5SFii4q1Xe7BS48vX_U6qPRZwb17nhqGSBjsP21IjcGUFqWJA71t_lCwOlcn3dCTwsrrHxivInI4rP4xj4iJcAW0GS9mSMCYYYeNjdREmlTmMJnwmP6/s1600-h/blogjoe+-+24.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2uwaDk2q0b8DLgH1yH4wM5nrv5SFii4q1Xe7BS48vX_U6qPRZwb17nhqGSBjsP21IjcGUFqWJA71t_lCwOlcn3dCTwsrrHxivInI4rP4xj4iJcAW0GS9mSMCYYYeNjdREmlTmMJnwmP6/s320/blogjoe+-+24.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212820414386881058" border="0" /></a><br />Our driver pulls the land cruiser over and blocks 3 lanes of highway traffic so he can stand in the street and enjoy a fresh roasted cob of corn.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-10588901452593482372008-05-21T05:10:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:20:04.251-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieewo6x2zrdFQezj7IjJHcOa070S_uNumQjJQP11Bk-gVBUXUynqmsAqdE4yVE1H1V2Fe-0CA1zZalQBFfATeedCuleyerK_8Wz0VLRJQ0E8YXlt33HhUynbvj3sLpBrNG62_ylNU16IOZ/s1600-h/Joe+-+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieewo6x2zrdFQezj7IjJHcOa070S_uNumQjJQP11Bk-gVBUXUynqmsAqdE4yVE1H1V2Fe-0CA1zZalQBFfATeedCuleyerK_8Wz0VLRJQ0E8YXlt33HhUynbvj3sLpBrNG62_ylNU16IOZ/s320/Joe+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202807391906517538" border="0" /></a>This is a baby Joe stole. You can tell she isn't happy about the situation.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8E2IvJrtjhjVuQf8ImAUmaLrTP9feGNGwvJJGMmlAV5IgJj8c2z0J6jr5_M0mMjqWUUtCXnMZD0QXLj4YIdPM0GKjUYx8i4F_cGKYzb8MaST0qKe9HsHEtqU_1uc-RiQuFp3HmnZckgp/s1600-h/Joe+-+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8E2IvJrtjhjVuQf8ImAUmaLrTP9feGNGwvJJGMmlAV5IgJj8c2z0J6jr5_M0mMjqWUUtCXnMZD0QXLj4YIdPM0GKjUYx8i4F_cGKYzb8MaST0qKe9HsHEtqU_1uc-RiQuFp3HmnZckgp/s320/Joe+-+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202807387611550226" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not sure what this ad is for, since they read left to right here just like in America, but I suspect I would be happier as the man in the 'Before' picture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotMPZDnDA6LBkLAmHp-jxAA0iE7R84n_fMbrLEJSxm9Hgp4-WTPlQPEAA7_7q6EnG-An14wW7L0VIr4MVqOLbfUGN4Np8Sx9iHRnGIsBISLbsle4Z9FPp0_Rax276e6aLqgpH5Ishu0TX/s1600-h/Joe+-+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotMPZDnDA6LBkLAmHp-jxAA0iE7R84n_fMbrLEJSxm9Hgp4-WTPlQPEAA7_7q6EnG-An14wW7L0VIr4MVqOLbfUGN4Np8Sx9iHRnGIsBISLbsle4Z9FPp0_Rax276e6aLqgpH5Ishu0TX/s320/Joe+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202807396201484850" border="0" /></a>These are some kids I don't know.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptROaPNHFtqFq_Hu1GjhjJa90TgKkdwEWTW9yjcCJnclRtbRnYJp-kkWkWUoePAhR16yXXMsx1-gWrS3eVLrobusUfRIRSxcmjNfrTRBd4bC1wuzoLu3s1Va472DC6LqQCpAsSVYTBo-x/s1600-h/Joe+-+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptROaPNHFtqFq_Hu1GjhjJa90TgKkdwEWTW9yjcCJnclRtbRnYJp-kkWkWUoePAhR16yXXMsx1-gWrS3eVLrobusUfRIRSxcmjNfrTRBd4bC1wuzoLu3s1Va472DC6LqQCpAsSVYTBo-x/s320/Joe+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202807396201484866" border="0" /></a><br />Anou and Mia, the respective bosses of Project Why and Joe, have some morning conversation at Mata Ji's house before school.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ex2b8dxh0FQ6sJ4SFtVFPQIRnzp2onhK4g3zptI1op7ty_ry1asE0rnVOSLTeyl7frfhow7CnD9COSQBCFOx7ouFrC2k19GBAhYC8-ialswzKzH8uMLMygrs3GLGu7SpRRJVq3kF0gLR/s1600-h/Joe+-+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ex2b8dxh0FQ6sJ4SFtVFPQIRnzp2onhK4g3zptI1op7ty_ry1asE0rnVOSLTeyl7frfhow7CnD9COSQBCFOx7ouFrC2k19GBAhYC8-ialswzKzH8uMLMygrs3GLGu7SpRRJVq3kF0gLR/s320/Joe+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202806558682862018" border="0" /></a><br />One thing the next generation of Indians lacks is optimism.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG5iZc0fjx0HhOq34nm0DZMwKIDv-TMeDWnQ7FqRab67SohWwJZx1SCiVPOGcBEBPgASNUe6stwG7L2HlLunYgCx-qL0rM42VUbkBxEoYvvLU6uYU45vySoR3SvbEYVFQiuRH4YSBtYAR/s1600-h/Joe+-+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG5iZc0fjx0HhOq34nm0DZMwKIDv-TMeDWnQ7FqRab67SohWwJZx1SCiVPOGcBEBPgASNUe6stwG7L2HlLunYgCx-qL0rM42VUbkBxEoYvvLU6uYU45vySoR3SvbEYVFQiuRH4YSBtYAR/s320/Joe+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202806562977829330" border="0" /></a><br />Two lazy elephanteirs practice their men's calendar poses during their lunch break. Just one of the strange things you can see from the balcony of our school.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRvADibp9nUYOrP6Z_ecdWdH8XtfJUESnpmUisZNTVzEzQudX-2SdoFBGCpxJbI-qptHUGt0UcRtAkKkFhXyG-VHyEIeJ2v8JJd9b_CTQtktlSL_0NDOKkTSj5WE7c-IWWbvlatKXKET9/s1600-h/Joe+-+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRvADibp9nUYOrP6Z_ecdWdH8XtfJUESnpmUisZNTVzEzQudX-2SdoFBGCpxJbI-qptHUGt0UcRtAkKkFhXyG-VHyEIeJ2v8JJd9b_CTQtktlSL_0NDOKkTSj5WE7c-IWWbvlatKXKET9/s320/Joe+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202806562977829346" border="0" /></a><br />Chandah helps Mia get dressed for a wedding while Anou lounges on Shamika's bed and conversates.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdp69s7TKoK7ZhOQ5zI4LUwmxGuFk8FHDj0xbY3VTpNAjHAnc1facXS_tKqpDFyPNFalfyB0CfYAlFX45V5wYlQ4_9iXe_dxwFgTfqYyZrFOttwe9aaT6lVOTdfkbg_99q89ngYtYjZGKn/s1600-h/Joe+-+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdp69s7TKoK7ZhOQ5zI4LUwmxGuFk8FHDj0xbY3VTpNAjHAnc1facXS_tKqpDFyPNFalfyB0CfYAlFX45V5wYlQ4_9iXe_dxwFgTfqYyZrFOttwe9aaT6lVOTdfkbg_99q89ngYtYjZGKn/s320/Joe+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202806567272796658" border="0" /></a><br />Joe drives it like he stole it. Indian Taxi. Beep beep.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomezDo8zV7DujbAK_MwC0yEDGfDI-dclUZbEccXXzJFqjoUcdEKQUkVH6RkC6BiW-MVd6Sm2hVyapp5pmDHC-vAzvkgddAZSziFtWrVpdco-xtfDFFbNPYmy8wrG87YF1MLpEJ64D26GG/s1600-h/Joe+-+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomezDo8zV7DujbAK_MwC0yEDGfDI-dclUZbEccXXzJFqjoUcdEKQUkVH6RkC6BiW-MVd6Sm2hVyapp5pmDHC-vAzvkgddAZSziFtWrVpdco-xtfDFFbNPYmy8wrG87YF1MLpEJ64D26GG/s320/Joe+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202806571567763970" border="0" /></a>This is like that New York building that is so famous, but it is in Delhi.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlIrOH3FMEA1r1aHLm8vXL7a-II9NR5K8eJb0kY3aCsN0xEtauYCEOSQSMM_ZLUoZhVj-WTmy-tDhKctnfQGuAhEV3x1TQgG-mLjZXr8vt1vjdvZOwCr4QYzbOX1wUE5P7EMjHT-ZPuuQ/s1600-h/Joe+-+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlIrOH3FMEA1r1aHLm8vXL7a-II9NR5K8eJb0kY3aCsN0xEtauYCEOSQSMM_ZLUoZhVj-WTmy-tDhKctnfQGuAhEV3x1TQgG-mLjZXr8vt1vjdvZOwCr4QYzbOX1wUE5P7EMjHT-ZPuuQ/s320/Joe+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202805948797505938" border="0" /></a><br />Mia marvels at how a cow can get so large when all it eats are bits of tinfoil and burlap sacks off the street.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnFgut1ToXWRXSY-X_3oApWDT0W5IHtepQ4Rf9734QDtsiD9kyjrPsvrgCaRPzGyisG-GVO3hIqYaCd1RlYFEqWlG1V6czhq_rTVctEShTeanH302PHetODiDTHFL5nlB2cIXLOjxXHei/s1600-h/Joe+-+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnFgut1ToXWRXSY-X_3oApWDT0W5IHtepQ4Rf9734QDtsiD9kyjrPsvrgCaRPzGyisG-GVO3hIqYaCd1RlYFEqWlG1V6czhq_rTVctEShTeanH302PHetODiDTHFL5nlB2cIXLOjxXHei/s320/Joe+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202805948797505954" border="0" /></a><br />The dot on Mia's forehead is sandalwood. The dot in her hair is bird poop.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-ZXSWIZr2FlEAW039n-EB-zckfS6tkeoFzsVG5Z1Qny41HUxWv1f_KRDJSZHjmbt_KLCU7S4ZAMOI2bN0WsKuUpSvGUfMZ_IupNCztC0nX2RZ68sMBnNPPog8Bj5bVmsOB9yVvujZ-kZ/s1600-h/Joe+-+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-ZXSWIZr2FlEAW039n-EB-zckfS6tkeoFzsVG5Z1Qny41HUxWv1f_KRDJSZHjmbt_KLCU7S4ZAMOI2bN0WsKuUpSvGUfMZ_IupNCztC0nX2RZ68sMBnNPPog8Bj5bVmsOB9yVvujZ-kZ/s320/Joe+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202805953092473266" border="0" /></a><br />Joe has a very serious conversation with Munna, a child in the special section. Munna acts extremely serious when he talks and uses all sorts of adult gestures and facial expressions, but all he is saying is "Cucumbers, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Cabbage" over and over in Hindi.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqzlRWqiBTje9DMY0hO5UtXMPnf8FEDfo1h8r26LzHeM9gC7TGRKXzBpQMPxozh72r4ny-eVKWJQ_vu7RLoPAguWy3OXbhztayHBT1VmOeo9YSfZK-0z1JWfngA_foe3QqCq2x4lWZ6nJ/s1600-h/Joe+-+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqzlRWqiBTje9DMY0hO5UtXMPnf8FEDfo1h8r26LzHeM9gC7TGRKXzBpQMPxozh72r4ny-eVKWJQ_vu7RLoPAguWy3OXbhztayHBT1VmOeo9YSfZK-0z1JWfngA_foe3QqCq2x4lWZ6nJ/s320/Joe+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803943047778594" border="0" /></a><br />Here he has a whole conversation on a cell phone (piece of wood) using the same two words as above. The call started out friendly but it ended in an argument during which Munna angrily hung up the phone and stormed off.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjW2JKZybzNYSDAImmG1cnrEZkUGSgxUSUWI1sumFTnWHaEFhByItCzsgzyj11_UHlrZP_QyYS8fa8zvo_iiJ7DjnnEuWex18GYN610gSFmbu2g7lEtNZT5OGj_tQ8rt0x4vuq6znXl5G/s1600-h/Joe+-+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjW2JKZybzNYSDAImmG1cnrEZkUGSgxUSUWI1sumFTnWHaEFhByItCzsgzyj11_UHlrZP_QyYS8fa8zvo_iiJ7DjnnEuWex18GYN610gSFmbu2g7lEtNZT5OGj_tQ8rt0x4vuq6znXl5G/s320/Joe+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803947342745906" border="0" /></a><br />Mia shows off some of the vegetables she diced up for a spicy dish she was preparing. Delicious!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUncDwmaWd19l-QGVkTlathF5b7qQ4FVNxgYMgQZvfjOaO0FkKC9twp4TsQ5vpnhvbTRdhsgIBSGMxZr8E-fLnNGB_WKww7Mw1TBBgviDjwgXQA2EoZpTKB0237OhVew06XExr_XsVi1q/s1600-h/Joe+-+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUncDwmaWd19l-QGVkTlathF5b7qQ4FVNxgYMgQZvfjOaO0FkKC9twp4TsQ5vpnhvbTRdhsgIBSGMxZr8E-fLnNGB_WKww7Mw1TBBgviDjwgXQA2EoZpTKB0237OhVew06XExr_XsVi1q/s320/Joe+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803947342745922" border="0" /></a><br />Joe makes Mia take a break from teaching to take photos of him pretending to teach Carin. "Yes, very good, a conjunction is.... like a... ummm... Mia could you come here and help Carin?"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c_fHdheiEo8TLEnXY9nh-Yb-uX4zJL_egjkN7m1aFco-YfNbSgI90w7xr8iUNofuO5zyDz2WpqvCILaQE3CBc8yWR28SoyqGKZ_gTW3tIsXFgaJRqUHZU9MakB6fed2Fv5knfG1A-vyA/s1600-h/Joe+-+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c_fHdheiEo8TLEnXY9nh-Yb-uX4zJL_egjkN7m1aFco-YfNbSgI90w7xr8iUNofuO5zyDz2WpqvCILaQE3CBc8yWR28SoyqGKZ_gTW3tIsXFgaJRqUHZU9MakB6fed2Fv5knfG1A-vyA/s320/Joe+-+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803951637713234" border="0" /></a><br />This man is making pan. It is like a chewing tobacco and he mixes in all the different spices you want right there on the spot. The spit from it is red and every surface below waist level is covered in red spit splatters in Delhi.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71pLHpCwtjY7FMAf1R6IDwUQ_x5iLHPHky1EKQtFD2fUuY8i3ISOjPXqz029U6020ZMArlzXs-C_G5u6h9WxF-w9ApHUZw0GiD-f2iisw2zdrksKErHwlvRo66GKoua8IQZck4lwgA9Vj/s1600-h/Joe+-+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi71pLHpCwtjY7FMAf1R6IDwUQ_x5iLHPHky1EKQtFD2fUuY8i3ISOjPXqz029U6020ZMArlzXs-C_G5u6h9WxF-w9ApHUZw0GiD-f2iisw2zdrksKErHwlvRo66GKoua8IQZck4lwgA9Vj/s320/Joe+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803955932680546" border="0" /></a><br />This is a mosque in Old Delhi. The tower in the background is where I took the next picture from.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMXM_75ejLtNlr0DCf1G6xMvUsItSaB2mvsZGi6blOXqkv53mEsfSohX67-slIsp4bNwOlPzqUsSWzCAKHwadEBHNP1lDAnELE2GysO-BvjwRYKlX7cNkRG48qF8ISiIWUFUunhUe6nBk/s1600-h/Joe+-+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMXM_75ejLtNlr0DCf1G6xMvUsItSaB2mvsZGi6blOXqkv53mEsfSohX67-slIsp4bNwOlPzqUsSWzCAKHwadEBHNP1lDAnELE2GysO-BvjwRYKlX7cNkRG48qF8ISiIWUFUunhUe6nBk/s320/Joe+-+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803200018436306" border="0" /></a><br />While I was taking this picture everyone else in the tower was taking pictures of Mia and I with their camera phones. Not many white people make it here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2eA6w2yXZg32Lf0ftl0_Rw9F5C3yI2MIwU7VXDr8Xc82WLfGd9g7YYwih8rQabiVAXV-Y0nDg4yoZ0mi53QHocODVAi8VFrB-TwYXaNCq7KFZJO75GLSVSL1SKhnH1_zF0Z_5c4CaAhx/s1600-h/Joe+-+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2eA6w2yXZg32Lf0ftl0_Rw9F5C3yI2MIwU7VXDr8Xc82WLfGd9g7YYwih8rQabiVAXV-Y0nDg4yoZ0mi53QHocODVAi8VFrB-TwYXaNCq7KFZJO75GLSVSL1SKhnH1_zF0Z_5c4CaAhx/s320/Joe+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202805944502538626" border="0" /></a><br />There are many different places to buy your meat in Delhi. Some of them are more sanitary than others. See below....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz8lNM_ORxjQ_a4P-LE3-zNalCOKnG_jOBX5XoafDd1tQWPep32nnQ3lFcb7EKWOy-JH4mBLF9kwG89uSxh_TQlvy31Q8ybQkDC6oDIXY0kvuNkN2rO-HIhVaCRZcHZIhLGn-AzS65pCO/s1600-h/Joe+-+21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz8lNM_ORxjQ_a4P-LE3-zNalCOKnG_jOBX5XoafDd1tQWPep32nnQ3lFcb7EKWOy-JH4mBLF9kwG89uSxh_TQlvy31Q8ybQkDC6oDIXY0kvuNkN2rO-HIhVaCRZcHZIhLGn-AzS65pCO/s320/Joe+-+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803212903338226" border="0" /></a><br />Mmmmmm. Goat heads.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNXbOJKWhNnGOut4mm0W34YlOSyo2o74RI21H9eHRTzOU0pJ3CrOTrsB1tnswFb692mV3UVBsr-DXjDb46lgE9t6DsYUKOZwvPXjAytOj7i5qoEEJcQN93-CM2KsG4ZxZRu5uXtrfgXh4/s1600-h/Joe+-+23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNXbOJKWhNnGOut4mm0W34YlOSyo2o74RI21H9eHRTzOU0pJ3CrOTrsB1tnswFb692mV3UVBsr-DXjDb46lgE9t6DsYUKOZwvPXjAytOj7i5qoEEJcQN93-CM2KsG4ZxZRu5uXtrfgXh4/s320/Joe+-+23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803221493272850" border="0" /></a><br />Mia and I were invited into a 'hospital' that was in a Hindu temple complex. Then we got in there and started walking around and noticed it was a BIRD HOSPITAL! For ASIAN BIRDS that were SICK! I wonder what they had? Was it... the FLU!!!! YAHHHHHHH! We got out of there FAST! (and washed our hands.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZRDorW0BoIi4N52AvMXPBUnWKjtzM-N4Lx6_a9s0CalWyvHOaCK-A0pcLxFI7kCtfduuGwRLj6Uh2xvfRArYaReQ9N97APzQ0PkNqAyQFW8o9WTwKUJ1NYgzw5oVooSpUpA7noi5ojE-/s1600-h/Joe+-+22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZRDorW0BoIi4N52AvMXPBUnWKjtzM-N4Lx6_a9s0CalWyvHOaCK-A0pcLxFI7kCtfduuGwRLj6Uh2xvfRArYaReQ9N97APzQ0PkNqAyQFW8o9WTwKUJ1NYgzw5oVooSpUpA7noi5ojE-/s320/Joe+-+22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803217198305538" border="0" /></a><br />...also what were they DOING in this bird hospital anyway? (Pictured at left: A bird hospital mural)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_og4sbQV-CL6ioIXLHgaWi40TuUVow1mUiBZnlgnQvjyha_LDCpLyQJ3CQoUB5Rgovz_kUOQYvMma-r7Hax1AEcLxEgvxlY8MJ2C8Ryq_ov2vynTOFcuRW3V5ILR0oSBvEvjY58smvVE/s1600-h/Joe+-+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_og4sbQV-CL6ioIXLHgaWi40TuUVow1mUiBZnlgnQvjyha_LDCpLyQJ3CQoUB5Rgovz_kUOQYvMma-r7Hax1AEcLxEgvxlY8MJ2C8Ryq_ov2vynTOFcuRW3V5ILR0oSBvEvjY58smvVE/s320/Joe+-+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202803208608370914" border="0" /></a><br />Asian Birds.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-39098013990464381682008-05-18T22:12:00.001-07:002008-12-08T17:20:06.883-08:00Wedding Photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRUS5oVO265Tubo72HStAwXkbnAdgG_tNJv92MxF4lbrY5vU6DOVCIS7b0kPGbHZzzuKiIeWIkNbHLXPfwtGkkcgfnh-_tJBDNyHgVlCgAkyMDfOQze6I_ejJzUeSF4IVDgbM-iakSDTG/s1600-h/Weddings+-+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRUS5oVO265Tubo72HStAwXkbnAdgG_tNJv92MxF4lbrY5vU6DOVCIS7b0kPGbHZzzuKiIeWIkNbHLXPfwtGkkcgfnh-_tJBDNyHgVlCgAkyMDfOQze6I_ejJzUeSF4IVDgbM-iakSDTG/s320/Weddings+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201956799403348162" border="0" /></a><br />These two broke the rules and cracked some smiles for their photo shoot. However, I heard they had both remained <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">celibate</span> prior to their wedding, so that may give a clue to the twinkle in their eyes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG6-E994eCmrn2jCsl3FC2NOfioCac2qD0_PhleAHkp78G5fbtoddgmCb4vaBx6VWeLbmmbjC3uqAD5QFjj801hL3TXGq1ltsCTc9NNz5gf1Feh6oAhK_tEV6RPHuhqVvUOvNwTe0xP_f/s1600-h/Weddings+-+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRG6-E994eCmrn2jCsl3FC2NOfioCac2qD0_PhleAHkp78G5fbtoddgmCb4vaBx6VWeLbmmbjC3uqAD5QFjj801hL3TXGq1ltsCTc9NNz5gf1Feh6oAhK_tEV6RPHuhqVvUOvNwTe0xP_f/s320/Weddings+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201955528093028530" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ahhhhh</span>, that's more like it. Stone faced and serious. Traditional. It can be hard to keep a straight face when 50 Cent is screaming in your ears about a fully loaded clip.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheZ6mrc-HQDlxzC26EN4AgJIaG64Di8paAhLcB1Szz8bR1pjesnOvoM7dbd2B_4pMNJpgzg1WL-9qhLheDEJIWaaSSiaLxItRIeoIFt_2QRMln57bWUznJgQaw_yvYTgEwjfDHUswY5HI/s1600-h/wedding2+-+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheZ6mrc-HQDlxzC26EN4AgJIaG64Di8paAhLcB1Szz8bR1pjesnOvoM7dbd2B_4pMNJpgzg1WL-9qhLheDEJIWaaSSiaLxItRIeoIFt_2QRMln57bWUznJgQaw_yvYTgEwjfDHUswY5HI/s320/wedding2+-+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201955240330219634" border="0" /></a>Mia bumps and grinds with a woman on the dance floor. This is taking place at the same time as, and ten feet away from, the photo above. Mia had to dance with a girl because all the guys were too busy showing off their sweet moves to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">each other</span> to be bothered with women. (Joe included.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLu9wyrxVRpxOPhrUjPQFLLzTeaqX3iBamiqOQIcbSGqVjliJ4XRUs-iV6RyqUuD2a-mcnAEdKFVs4PaZgsYvlNFT9tMwZtvdIktCf3q06fUdXuZjCn3viRXMzhm6nhSJEj6Mhpyx8KiLU/s1600-h/Weddings+-+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLu9wyrxVRpxOPhrUjPQFLLzTeaqX3iBamiqOQIcbSGqVjliJ4XRUs-iV6RyqUuD2a-mcnAEdKFVs4PaZgsYvlNFT9tMwZtvdIktCf3q06fUdXuZjCn3viRXMzhm6nhSJEj6Mhpyx8KiLU/s320/Weddings+-+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201955244625186946" border="0" /></a>All the women in their saris before our second wedding. From left to right... Rani, Mata <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ji</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kirin</span>, Devi, Coco, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Shamika</span> and Mia.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKViRo5me1MwdAusfC46oEGT0mb4T4z-fjh93ilEX35SJNL2C93lHr6EZ1rADcc4ZS3QigJcgmI_I25ayf4ifDWUkSNo1ZeRTu9cuKciufuNU3RvKz47-LuHYGL8hZBjgBvLWVYYo72aT/s1600-h/Weddings+-+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKViRo5me1MwdAusfC46oEGT0mb4T4z-fjh93ilEX35SJNL2C93lHr6EZ1rADcc4ZS3QigJcgmI_I25ayf4ifDWUkSNo1ZeRTu9cuKciufuNU3RvKz47-LuHYGL8hZBjgBvLWVYYo72aT/s320/Weddings+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201955244625186962" border="0" /></a><br />The entry to a wedding is spectacular. It's amazing what a little fabric and some accent lighting can do to really spruce up a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">filthy</span> alley.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIB4KJaLkBKgKzzxMJOwVilNd0sHFOn5GJe8CjVUjNVbyniCazhdih0WtOyOQkTWS5TmefJRAgWk334fCqmriKmbS_8CCDgKLp5QzPWwbvNvpZuiA7vrSCKYfFi5L3X0Lq4MvXfLZ0sN4/s1600-h/Weddings+-+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIB4KJaLkBKgKzzxMJOwVilNd0sHFOn5GJe8CjVUjNVbyniCazhdih0WtOyOQkTWS5TmefJRAgWk334fCqmriKmbS_8CCDgKLp5QzPWwbvNvpZuiA7vrSCKYfFi5L3X0Lq4MvXfLZ0sN4/s320/Weddings+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201955248920154274" border="0" /></a><br />While everyone else enjoys meals and dancing at the wedding the groom makes his way through the dark streets on a white steed. If he wants a few extra bucks he will pick up a passenger and act as a luxury taxi service.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk2ywUSctBtFFWnLxQBdmPEBtRjWxmPGQSJaHYlhrPUMXk3B4npwJYc0waeXkYXMNHwUTwnjJ-inrTNSpw33UOEbDi-Fg3VyW0BHnoBp2x_BVAH543Rbx6jMJI0-C3CX6ZwJvDQegfyVO/s1600-h/Weddings+-+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk2ywUSctBtFFWnLxQBdmPEBtRjWxmPGQSJaHYlhrPUMXk3B4npwJYc0waeXkYXMNHwUTwnjJ-inrTNSpw33UOEbDi-Fg3VyW0BHnoBp2x_BVAH543Rbx6jMJI0-C3CX6ZwJvDQegfyVO/s320/Weddings+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954557430419474" border="0" /></a><br />This is Raj. He's a good guy. He co-signed on my motorcycle for me without me even asking. He also found old photos of me on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">internet</span> and loaded them into his cell phone. Then he used them to show everyone that he knew me. We look the same <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">height</span> but he is actually standing on a chair in this photo. Raj's brother, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Narish,</span> got me my own bottle of Coca Cola at the soda stand because I was an honored guest. Everyone else just got a glass. They are all so friendly here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MDEL_KmWstzkViHftSB9crWV9VZ-fdcvKNAqT8KiX5IW74PNWAvhSVSTAVFksE_vbHP7lQDni90yw0d-s95sSkvGOuUkljQfsoOY9cf2dR-dfUEmpPOvlaMBseKJ0BXxdjTxaazUTlpB/s1600-h/Weddings+-+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MDEL_KmWstzkViHftSB9crWV9VZ-fdcvKNAqT8KiX5IW74PNWAvhSVSTAVFksE_vbHP7lQDni90yw0d-s95sSkvGOuUkljQfsoOY9cf2dR-dfUEmpPOvlaMBseKJ0BXxdjTxaazUTlpB/s320/Weddings+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954561725386786" border="0" /></a><br />Mia and Rani gossip about who will be next to get married. "I hope it's ME!" they each say before making giggle noises and lightly swatting each other.<br />(It is more likely they were talking about something serious. Something cultural which could be applied both <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">locally</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">globally</span>.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg663Sc28hLTX6ZjHixthp6SJSqjwPaw_FVsTE2WMiAuxXEjAOsh7hJ64F0S8mPD2SZG_Xm-Li3C5gzXYbO7PyZifZRVynM0-btyWurUK1wPCErVZSy-NRrrQaqVlh36sP2y_lSMqAnmMAD/s1600-h/Weddings+-+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg663Sc28hLTX6ZjHixthp6SJSqjwPaw_FVsTE2WMiAuxXEjAOsh7hJ64F0S8mPD2SZG_Xm-Li3C5gzXYbO7PyZifZRVynM0-btyWurUK1wPCErVZSy-NRrrQaqVlh36sP2y_lSMqAnmMAD/s320/Weddings+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954566020354098" border="0" /></a>The young lady in this picture is hogging down on her 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span> ice cream for the night. She just learned that she can get her way if she shrieks at the top of her lungs and drops to the floor like a wet noodle. The baby does that too.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbonGjLZK365wxEOq2NvNT3E1_rAHduVN9mWySWLnOew9OYlQoV5P-VT-LedryDCE6034xK15o1wb30K9mgBQCdZaeLD0Ypecp6_BYfOQsHfM-_rnpYDwsxGY6rH840049KJ1X9RFr-gK/s1600-h/Weddings+-+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbonGjLZK365wxEOq2NvNT3E1_rAHduVN9mWySWLnOew9OYlQoV5P-VT-LedryDCE6034xK15o1wb30K9mgBQCdZaeLD0Ypecp6_BYfOQsHfM-_rnpYDwsxGY6rH840049KJ1X9RFr-gK/s320/Weddings+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954566020354114" border="0" /></a><br />This groom talked on his cell phone for the whole wedding prior to his bride arriving. "Hello, Alicia? Yeah so guess what... I'm getting married <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">tonightWHHAAATTT</span>!!! Yeah... yeah... so I wont be coming over later... yeah... look I gotta go.... gotta make some more calls. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ok</span>, PEACE!"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUflVN_dJewk_u1PepbIKfqQO1R3wjV0GbOlusDxMoFnQ-s6SwSRDWMkeecVgWBv-pINvPVE69K5dwEgz4OUYyH66LACpPMfe92vUoCw51Cg8gv2JEToM0SXtLLl47Dit0WGpWwQwbv-U5/s1600-h/Weddings+-+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUflVN_dJewk_u1PepbIKfqQO1R3wjV0GbOlusDxMoFnQ-s6SwSRDWMkeecVgWBv-pINvPVE69K5dwEgz4OUYyH66LACpPMfe92vUoCw51Cg8gv2JEToM0SXtLLl47Dit0WGpWwQwbv-U5/s320/Weddings+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954566020354130" border="0" /></a>Here comes he bride. None of that sappy organ music in India. Just the non-stop pounding of massive drums as she is escorted to her throne by all the women in her family.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEi8hSqGPdyRBL2O-VDlNv2gXHdpChrhyphenhyphen39kxxSx60J-qfiJJtrFzNVEL-QoMFEjgp0h8q0lpqF-UBUUXU6SJR-cRPQD0dBj9g-_E0G2lAEGC9JxbF-cUSMnQvQWUl23lBPChKHQSapDI/s1600-h/Weddings+-+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEi8hSqGPdyRBL2O-VDlNv2gXHdpChrhyphenhyphen39kxxSx60J-qfiJJtrFzNVEL-QoMFEjgp0h8q0lpqF-UBUUXU6SJR-cRPQD0dBj9g-_E0G2lAEGC9JxbF-cUSMnQvQWUl23lBPChKHQSapDI/s320/Weddings+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954024854474690" border="0" /></a><br />Mia acts the princess as everyone gets ready to go at Mata <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Ji's</span> house.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9goW-ir_lbLdcRROekZmZBvjUbuniUhoCWf9Cy7ZgM5V2ZGBG42ma_bK23XuDZxq4BkdXuaBG1Pj8yF-q4tttt0GgF-b-J6_v9tl5RchhTOOMNdCmRH1tyS9yCtYzHJfI21YEs8vrfsb/s1600-h/Weddings+-+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9goW-ir_lbLdcRROekZmZBvjUbuniUhoCWf9Cy7ZgM5V2ZGBG42ma_bK23XuDZxq4BkdXuaBG1Pj8yF-q4tttt0GgF-b-J6_v9tl5RchhTOOMNdCmRH1tyS9yCtYzHJfI21YEs8vrfsb/s320/Weddings+-+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954029149442002" border="0" /></a><br />Mata <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Ji</span> poses in her finest dress and jewels. She then accidentally put on two different shoes. When she noticed at the wedding she took them off and put them in her purse, choosing to go barefoot rather than have someone notice her lack of observational skills.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAZXcmAahQZw7Bov-DYAVjedphfo9mtKarBeq9utYYQthnSF4O4iuXtKyeFfKGRBIr5Vm56CR2zbo_NV5rQCzVZyDRFZohhac7iqbO8I1Djzac-p04LP9n64O5h86IMioBIBmC64wHwXT/s1600-h/Weddings+-+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAZXcmAahQZw7Bov-DYAVjedphfo9mtKarBeq9utYYQthnSF4O4iuXtKyeFfKGRBIr5Vm56CR2zbo_NV5rQCzVZyDRFZohhac7iqbO8I1Djzac-p04LP9n64O5h86IMioBIBmC64wHwXT/s320/Weddings+-+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954029149442018" border="0" /></a><br />Joe enjoys a fruity, pink drink. No <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">alcohol</span> is served at the weddings. They keep everyone happy by providing those tiny umbrellas that seem so hard to find nowadays.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuJq3r9Vid2DBdRmturk4g75eTqSgbv2jp1K1OH343noBu85IhZdVcU0tozKYQtAJb_b__piOQZ3KBOubaCN87fPud2wWn4hyt_X33hWUzZO-jEYmRbVO2GhLoJ1_L-KeeD838Xcx2rtX/s1600-h/Weddings+-+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuJq3r9Vid2DBdRmturk4g75eTqSgbv2jp1K1OH343noBu85IhZdVcU0tozKYQtAJb_b__piOQZ3KBOubaCN87fPud2wWn4hyt_X33hWUzZO-jEYmRbVO2GhLoJ1_L-KeeD838Xcx2rtX/s320/Weddings+-+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954033444409330" border="0" /></a><br />Another groom rides in on his horse. It all seems serious until you look just to the side of him....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDr0rowidOJWlAvsD88NubBvZ-LYbHdj2ABAyIhP50bpZNcGYe9ovv_j52Cpw-O4ytIDgDQ1-OnfcJwfgOwHBewZsQ4zHdi4wO1nVEst8qUGMvCgincMRidrNvfV5fleVLnxydkDgtWsM/s1600-h/Weddings+-+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDr0rowidOJWlAvsD88NubBvZ-LYbHdj2ABAyIhP50bpZNcGYe9ovv_j52Cpw-O4ytIDgDQ1-OnfcJwfgOwHBewZsQ4zHdi4wO1nVEst8qUGMvCgincMRidrNvfV5fleVLnxydkDgtWsM/s320/Weddings+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201954033444409346" border="0" /></a><br />......<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">WHOOOOOOOOO</span>!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXKfROuYXG-0l2UN5b5ja-6uWmbW2LTPEKkZeZ-CruI2HhPZlLlUFwCFv_4tJiQOQslzrQWs3TtBhDX8oqBlv45ZSCRW561fbb59yOikiI1JBg1A8z7m_phbz4coqTcKWukZqN9cBuBWq/s1600-h/Weddings+-+16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXKfROuYXG-0l2UN5b5ja-6uWmbW2LTPEKkZeZ-CruI2HhPZlLlUFwCFv_4tJiQOQslzrQWs3TtBhDX8oqBlv45ZSCRW561fbb59yOikiI1JBg1A8z7m_phbz4coqTcKWukZqN9cBuBWq/s320/Weddings+-+16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201953204515721074" border="0" /></a><br />Look at all the twinkle lights in the trees and the colors on the fresh fruit stand! Beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWffgx96msRKFsAnfp-EtYJ2D-nCr8oDJMrVDZg-lQERcfhcC5WTl9r_-dYlEmsDgU3crzj4qYP8yetjtNak_qusIStT4y1dfP14Te3E_vcsOmjFczUs-fBA9VK5Wf5FCZS6WLXxqg9ek/s1600-h/Weddings+-+17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWffgx96msRKFsAnfp-EtYJ2D-nCr8oDJMrVDZg-lQERcfhcC5WTl9r_-dYlEmsDgU3crzj4qYP8yetjtNak_qusIStT4y1dfP14Te3E_vcsOmjFczUs-fBA9VK5Wf5FCZS6WLXxqg9ek/s320/Weddings+-+17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201953213105655682" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">MMmmmmmmm</span>. Delicious!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0UJQKwc6PleaC8l8haTuWZEdVcP3v6F8yDvSB8VDR2FkfcTZJt4zJAU9udldnR-PZDjCbQPZwWaT7emhySvPWnJZgMAYgtlyPuIr4_-xzDf7I4Qh5C1uI05pcgVfHFKe51f1HWwhp_ul/s1600-h/Weddings+-+19.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0UJQKwc6PleaC8l8haTuWZEdVcP3v6F8yDvSB8VDR2FkfcTZJt4zJAU9udldnR-PZDjCbQPZwWaT7emhySvPWnJZgMAYgtlyPuIr4_-xzDf7I4Qh5C1uI05pcgVfHFKe51f1HWwhp_ul/s320/Weddings+-+19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201953217400623010" border="0" /></a>These kids were all smiles until the camera came out. More importantly, look at the JUMPING CASTLE directly behind us! It's right between the buffet and the thrones! These people know how to throw a party.<br />(Also important is the shirt on the young boy in yellow. It said, "It's all about CASH in the BANK!" in big silver letters all over it. Come on man, it's a wedding.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwUJWlW_rfoiIsfSVQfYQElX9zdtqEULSHkQMWl9LBjN2CfYiJAsikOremlOO02ZGRoeo7H5246wb4Ujc9eXhC5Ei1U6doQjkCoaG9VWhiO5kGi5hqgWF2NPq0X-rH9FINmUFJQ9kBFdq/s1600-h/Weddings+-+20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwUJWlW_rfoiIsfSVQfYQElX9zdtqEULSHkQMWl9LBjN2CfYiJAsikOremlOO02ZGRoeo7H5246wb4Ujc9eXhC5Ei1U6doQjkCoaG9VWhiO5kGi5hqgWF2NPq0X-rH9FINmUFJQ9kBFdq/s320/Weddings+-+20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201953217400623026" border="0" /></a>Another wedding well done.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-34003851635175929272008-05-13T04:54:00.000-07:002008-05-18T23:32:18.217-07:00Indian Weddings(By Joe)<br /><br />(Some of you may have read part of this in an email, but I assure you it has now been enhanced with less redundancy, better descriptions, better grammar, better phrasing and less redundancy.)<br /><br />We have now been to a number of weddings here in India. It was just wedding season so for 3 weeks in a row we were at a different wedding every Sunday. Mia got dolled up in very fancy saris for each one. The family we are staying with loaned her the finest silks, jewels and stick-on dots to make sure she was the prettiest girl at the ball. She was a picture of elegance. Truly stunning. I, however, attended each wedding in my same faded, button up black shirt, jeans, brown belt and black sneakers that have been my dress outfit for the past 8 months. It also makes up my daily school outfit here. (Or it did until I got a bunch of custom tailored clothes made <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cuz</span> I'm a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">baller</span>.)<br /><br />Walking into a wedding is not unlike walking into a circus tent with prisms held over your eyes. Red and white striped fabric hangs everywhere and is embellished with rainbow fabrics and flowers of every description. The reception starts before the couple is even arrives and everything takes place in the same room or outdoor courtyard. A dance floor and DJ stand that rivals the hottest night club setup pounds Hindi top 40 hits into the very bones of of the wedding attendees. Laser lights and disco balls create a euro club ambiance that might seem tacky were it not for the 100's of Indians in jewels, suits and saris gyrating, shaking it and getting generally sweaty on the dance floor. The first few hours are reserved for the guests to snack, dance and socialize. Then, around 10:00, the groom comes into range. He rides atop a white horse behind a full marching band, and is escorted through the darkened city streets by men carrying huge, electronic candelabras. His best men dance in and out of the procession, whooping and hollering, pumping fists, playing air guitars, and pelvic-thrusting against anything and anyone that gets in their way.<br /><br />When the groom arrives at the main gate to the wedding he dismounts, and is escorted in to sit on a raised throne high above the crowds. He remains stern and serious trough the whole ordeal. It is considered very inappropriate for him to so much as crack a smile. After another hour or so, his wife to be is led in by her female friends and family. They walk slowly and she looks as though she is going to cry. I'm told this is also tradition but the effect is similar to watching a woman being led to the gallows. Young men dance around her, pounding huge drums as she is slowly shuffled to her her own throne beside the groom's. I don't really know what happens after that because it is about that time that we usually have to go home and go to bed.<br /><br />At these weddings Mia and I end up being treated as celebrities. Everyone wants their photo taken with us, including the bride and groom. Those who don't want to actually talk to us simply walk up and blatantly take photos of us with their camera phones without asking. Now I know how it feels to be all these Asians you see photos of on our blog. The host at one wedding kept coming up and shaking our hands and saying, "Good? Wedding good?"<br />"Yes," we would say, "Very good. It's beautiful!"<br />Then he would stand there looking very flustered, clearly having so much more to say, but not having the English words to say them in. "All good?"<br />"Yes. Very good."<br />The conversation was repeated many times.<br /><br />The celebrity status became a problem at one of the weddings as I have already related to a few of you. Everyone kept coming up to us to shake our hands, invite us to dance and to get to know who were were. Then at one point in the night a drunk gentleman approached me and started shaking my hand and saying how excited he was to meet me. He began speaking in Hindi and I asked the people I was with to translate. To my surprise they pulled me away from him and told me not to talk to him because he was drunk. Later in the night the man came up to me again and started talking and I began chatting with him. He popped a cigarette in his mouth an offered one to me. I accepted it. He lit it for me and I started smoking, aping him perfectly to facilitate bonding. (This was great for me because in Malaysia I had a middle aged Indian friend and we would hang out and smoke while we talked away the hours. It was like old times.) The man was very friendly.<br /><br />Then the friends we arrived with came back and started pulling him away again and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Drunky</span> stared yelling at them. I assume he was saying something along the lines of, "Why does everyone ELSE get to talk to the white guy and I keep getting shut down!" Someone punched someone and the next thing I knew there was a huge fistfight. He just wanted to talk to me and they wouldn't let him. Everyone in the <span id="st" name="st" class="st">wedding</span> was rushing around screaming and punching. People who only seconds before had been sipping tea from dainty cups and nibbling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">h'ourderves</span> were now emitting high pitched, guttural howls through clenched teeth. Their faces angled toward the ceiling, their eyes rolled back in their heads with rage. Their hands clawing and tearing at my new friends face, clothes and hair. I scanned the room for Mia. We made eye contact and I gave her the same look I gave my sister once when I noticed she had just witnessed me cause a large car accident.<br /><br />Seconds later we were being shuttled out the door by the people we came with. They were yelling at me over what sounded like a stamped of an assortment of world's noisier animals, "That's why you don't talk to a person who drinks! Also, you don't smoke!" However, it seemed to me that the man was not trying to cause any problems. He just didn't like that everyone else got to shake my hand and talk to me and he didn't. I feel the moral may be, "That's why it's better to make quick small talk with the drunk guy and then move on to the next guest," which was my plan. Anyway, our friends said not to feel bad because in India 90 percent of the weddings blow up into fights and then everyone just returns to partying. I said that in America 90 percent of people at a <span id="st" name="st" class="st">wedding</span> reception are drunk, so it isn't as big a deal to talk to someone who has been drinking. Learning a new culture takes time.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-31873237571158667872008-04-29T06:53:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:20:08.728-08:00Another day in class<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqzBctAViar0u3tmwUL01KHNocLMYccW_F-F0bY9Xuc8bamSimjNQBI5j_ZEyWes89626V5yyRwq-N-gijgWzxwYsM0CIrlWwnZ5VYH_NPMMPrrq079uTRNAkJMAA-IaUGmfboaCknAIy/s1600-h/India+-+48.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqzBctAViar0u3tmwUL01KHNocLMYccW_F-F0bY9Xuc8bamSimjNQBI5j_ZEyWes89626V5yyRwq-N-gijgWzxwYsM0CIrlWwnZ5VYH_NPMMPrrq079uTRNAkJMAA-IaUGmfboaCknAIy/s320/India+-+48.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194667421808991074" border="0" /></a><br />Joe demands that his students respect him. Rinky and Sahida are two of the deaf students we work with in the morning.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRdY_11esgla5mud0BiheZu-47gAYZR2mspUN4-X_Wqb2vaVkPeLfnvpYclpwZtLfscxIGRni12m84U6B8QI3FufjfKOh6-11S2dX4DefUpNOiUQTHLqr3q28qUQfBYghFD6ThctQkL6e/s1600-h/India+-+49.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRdY_11esgla5mud0BiheZu-47gAYZR2mspUN4-X_Wqb2vaVkPeLfnvpYclpwZtLfscxIGRni12m84U6B8QI3FufjfKOh6-11S2dX4DefUpNOiUQTHLqr3q28qUQfBYghFD6ThctQkL6e/s320/India+-+49.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194667426103958386" border="0" /></a><br />This is Day One of Joe and Rinky's mural. Rinky is also an artist an works as a beautician in the afternoons.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTDj_z_DcvJtlzcJVXyqFRhpvsDChcPGXcYlajoMpxY3ISvd-3BOLfPh3_FSlQAzebrSN09BisvJ28MoSUNHLmUh2kJiDp_oPmjigag5jVVVsLHB6FwuZaq0JvMYvu-5is0mvYkWC6s8v/s1600-h/India+-+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTDj_z_DcvJtlzcJVXyqFRhpvsDChcPGXcYlajoMpxY3ISvd-3BOLfPh3_FSlQAzebrSN09BisvJ28MoSUNHLmUh2kJiDp_oPmjigag5jVVVsLHB6FwuZaq0JvMYvu-5is0mvYkWC6s8v/s320/India+-+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194667430398925698" border="0" /></a>One of the classes in the slums. They can really pack in the peanuts.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Pe1gva6929CsvAsyOsX9xnE1-YuzXP0yYRM0ds-y33B6LS8b-pC8pWmIdHD5KI-wUPugiQku3KRshJy3JTlWJKsqYFdSpGGvZWMly4EfL6iSd8Rgy6hp1dDV7DkOEE3sv2pJ7_VCZkHu/s1600-h/India+-+55.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Pe1gva6929CsvAsyOsX9xnE1-YuzXP0yYRM0ds-y33B6LS8b-pC8pWmIdHD5KI-wUPugiQku3KRshJy3JTlWJKsqYFdSpGGvZWMly4EfL6iSd8Rgy6hp1dDV7DkOEE3sv2pJ7_VCZkHu/s320/India+-+55.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194666657304812306" border="0" /></a><br />The title of this educational poster is "Digestive System". Every day hundreds of children choke in India because of posters like these. I tried to cross the title out with a marker but my marker died.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUAJXXWHLS0EIA21NNbr02bKdHB1gOLQu5EvTij97aKjkycAO0odimWUEoLvGWFZe3IkgzGyIG-8MbaShhIkln4OkZgeMJmyPRD7UFaQR0SHYIQT-46M_nWR3vq50Kd0W4sN7EI54lVvN/s1600-h/India+-+54.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUAJXXWHLS0EIA21NNbr02bKdHB1gOLQu5EvTij97aKjkycAO0odimWUEoLvGWFZe3IkgzGyIG-8MbaShhIkln4OkZgeMJmyPRD7UFaQR0SHYIQT-46M_nWR3vq50Kd0W4sN7EI54lVvN/s320/India+-+54.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194666665894746914" border="0" /></a><br />We teach afternoon English in one of those rooms like you see in National Geographic. Thrilling!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccuAtE22M0s7yR5x3yCr5OnAiY8VFBJprGurz9wWlLcjAdDjQKwqEyhtFFrF7DPj49gZcw9sv0IAw1lwWFINej8CvZDP6wmMJOtJ4ldkUTnDdcoE8uU6hWs3SzXgwKiix8QsL_ewSEGIN/s1600-h/India+-+53.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhccuAtE22M0s7yR5x3yCr5OnAiY8VFBJprGurz9wWlLcjAdDjQKwqEyhtFFrF7DPj49gZcw9sv0IAw1lwWFINej8CvZDP6wmMJOtJ4ldkUTnDdcoE8uU6hWs3SzXgwKiix8QsL_ewSEGIN/s320/India+-+53.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194666674484681522" border="0" /></a><br />Joe teaches multiplication to three of the girls while the other two work with Mia on addition.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot3guhVchLB3vEcokavFStgpeixy79n25JDZWIq49kivVcRbRWQibkkSMa1LsGwuwVQuGyObv5JRc5JSwsP94rchm3XT8iqcazbeg3We2AVi91E_3qK4OLXYXlvbNETxDnQKyTdTOjxk7/s1600-h/India+-+52.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot3guhVchLB3vEcokavFStgpeixy79n25JDZWIq49kivVcRbRWQibkkSMa1LsGwuwVQuGyObv5JRc5JSwsP94rchm3XT8iqcazbeg3We2AVi91E_3qK4OLXYXlvbNETxDnQKyTdTOjxk7/s320/India+-+52.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194666678779648834" border="0" /></a><br />Pooja says, "Thanks for teaching me math, Mia. You are a great teacher!" You can't hear it though because she says it in sign.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOwI4kqc41Oiya5B3E33kPjR2tGG09UHqjlUtxGzDP1oF3ZNbjX-4HNSgSAAH20DMos3Sk7Nfr7z_egQQFcIN7C5j77fnGmLRk9FaHqpg30szNTGAcJoikX-fsbAOCssM1aN7JWu2W5yW/s1600-h/India+-+51.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOwI4kqc41Oiya5B3E33kPjR2tGG09UHqjlUtxGzDP1oF3ZNbjX-4HNSgSAAH20DMos3Sk7Nfr7z_egQQFcIN7C5j77fnGmLRk9FaHqpg30szNTGAcJoikX-fsbAOCssM1aN7JWu2W5yW/s320/India+-+51.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194666687369583442" border="0" /></a>Joe always teaches with a grin instead of an ear twist or a karate chop. The girls have thanked him for that repeatedly. However, they are more than willing to slap each other around for anything from a sassy comment to a wrong math answer.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygxTNTAUuNSs1DI0PPqNQcAQMn9tevde5LqFHHiwzzyTJKFyShlXFO3dmBgFwWiRkG60YqMav_woF1tPz0iqClHRFkObsprSDJSzmeYFfbj-vNUxr_9gjDK2MVubZZtadnAwqiBy5X6NU/s1600-h/India+-+63.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygxTNTAUuNSs1DI0PPqNQcAQMn9tevde5LqFHHiwzzyTJKFyShlXFO3dmBgFwWiRkG60YqMav_woF1tPz0iqClHRFkObsprSDJSzmeYFfbj-vNUxr_9gjDK2MVubZZtadnAwqiBy5X6NU/s320/India+-+63.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194665772541549250" border="0" /></a><br />Deeponker helps Joe get the anatomy just right on a nudie drawing instead of either of them paying attention during English conversation class.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhPeMNNvkOD3EZSF8fKrXvndnoJWX-xTdNOH1Zn4RrFH3S0r2VJEhvbxKuhoLPjoJUn42VmQvnSN3JU_PVWIe6Ha5ZQNCGUubUb2iI_6sa3uLQ3R_pjU1kaB_zsWPdm1zSfYFTdteLwI7/s1600-h/India+-+62.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZhPeMNNvkOD3EZSF8fKrXvndnoJWX-xTdNOH1Zn4RrFH3S0r2VJEhvbxKuhoLPjoJUn42VmQvnSN3JU_PVWIe6Ha5ZQNCGUubUb2iI_6sa3uLQ3R_pjU1kaB_zsWPdm1zSfYFTdteLwI7/s320/India+-+62.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194665785426451154" border="0" /></a><br />Chandan concentrates on a question written for him by Mia.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk9kDp78pUoRSphNKS7t3BENiYwd0drN8kjO9SUkNJso8y0cKwZpU-i8PQZZcXxwOkWSxRXPkUR69Xwsi9GKALx8fYHESfcltbG0cvrDgzHV8fOC_IikZxYxWeNcSsqC_ilATu8n-uxAm/s1600-h/India+-+60.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk9kDp78pUoRSphNKS7t3BENiYwd0drN8kjO9SUkNJso8y0cKwZpU-i8PQZZcXxwOkWSxRXPkUR69Xwsi9GKALx8fYHESfcltbG0cvrDgzHV8fOC_IikZxYxWeNcSsqC_ilATu8n-uxAm/s320/India+-+60.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194665785426451170" border="0" /></a><br />Mia uses a drawing done by Joe and Deeponker to explain some things to Sanjay.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn5_QIa6DSf7RfvWeKF-4v1HvY3W9FB6TVpeST5NmE1d4OyrJOAzYzStP41Bcs46apNPRuv_kCtVwNVIC9J4EMWCR63-r5biQGPXkniF5E5waLxX7fHBw4ii3XVuzAAbG32EWneHGBQ8t/s1600-h/India+-+59.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn5_QIa6DSf7RfvWeKF-4v1HvY3W9FB6TVpeST5NmE1d4OyrJOAzYzStP41Bcs46apNPRuv_kCtVwNVIC9J4EMWCR63-r5biQGPXkniF5E5waLxX7fHBw4ii3XVuzAAbG32EWneHGBQ8t/s320/India+-+59.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194665789721418482" border="0" /></a><br />Everyone in our morning class loves to watch everyone else work and then give them a good neener-neener if they screw up. Preeti, Pooja and Mia all hold their breath and ready their insults while Sahida works on a timed multiplication problem.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gzo0hn_9tBUUkSeeeOxBlwnw2czALikuW4K9OX_LCpJ_6RlcRdH9G_c6cqKpAqaO4t6ZF0EBSTywxJgqOIDGNb27tnOP-zwUUcodQd01WUvfjffmW_zpkvh2QFaZ-ustrXaKG63tZHkd/s1600-h/India+-+57.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gzo0hn_9tBUUkSeeeOxBlwnw2czALikuW4K9OX_LCpJ_6RlcRdH9G_c6cqKpAqaO4t6ZF0EBSTywxJgqOIDGNb27tnOP-zwUUcodQd01WUvfjffmW_zpkvh2QFaZ-ustrXaKG63tZHkd/s320/India+-+57.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194665798311353090" border="0" /></a><br />Mia rests her feet after another long day of teaching.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-27558845389080856212008-04-29T05:40:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:20:10.809-08:00A glimpse of India<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKI3HzzvfJKwX8KcxEX4BRMXZxiKdLWRdBAklB72aATVGyhIH49r_NYhvhl4SW5D4H9MDwCaWcJqP9WfnEaqHla7ktVY4Nd0gPoGZFpovSEP_FnSYeGGSbAkc3ZTCpLrgWzf6p8GKgeF3/s1600-h/India+-+07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKI3HzzvfJKwX8KcxEX4BRMXZxiKdLWRdBAklB72aATVGyhIH49r_NYhvhl4SW5D4H9MDwCaWcJqP9WfnEaqHla7ktVY4Nd0gPoGZFpovSEP_FnSYeGGSbAkc3ZTCpLrgWzf6p8GKgeF3/s320/India+-+07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194653381560900258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It is scary going into other countries and looking around at the children, knowing one day you very well may have to face them on the battlefield. India is going to be a tough country to beat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3lgxk9j7LXoWVIdLhOBnYoRaMAxRCyGZDpgz3IN31Wk22Jyxi2w1sWLi9HGR_u8ygrcAsTCq4MEzNwv1_7XmQIYtB18W2thu3XLHf9p_8zuM0zAnsPo8sRdJhelTNCvGkIi6zvsYfUVL/s1600-h/India+-+21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3lgxk9j7LXoWVIdLhOBnYoRaMAxRCyGZDpgz3IN31Wk22Jyxi2w1sWLi9HGR_u8ygrcAsTCq4MEzNwv1_7XmQIYtB18W2thu3XLHf9p_8zuM0zAnsPo8sRdJhelTNCvGkIi6zvsYfUVL/s320/India+-+21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194653385855867570" border="0" /></a><br />Cows are everywhere. They stand in road medians, eat garbage off the sidewalks, and generally act like they own the place. It is perfectly acceptable to give them a good pat as you pass them on the street.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBVY3Mr5xHYWMHW3Xt2xjuqvIij5whMnc21CqfPKW2cgmhskUNOFTcHLoVDaON1mUIJd9jXXMueh0ND5ObMF6I94hUrj_X0UX1fsbeYA1acwqrz5tbroiQVKwJKvrB_op4DGPArIKy9ba/s1600-h/India+-+18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBVY3Mr5xHYWMHW3Xt2xjuqvIij5whMnc21CqfPKW2cgmhskUNOFTcHLoVDaON1mUIJd9jXXMueh0ND5ObMF6I94hUrj_X0UX1fsbeYA1acwqrz5tbroiQVKwJKvrB_op4DGPArIKy9ba/s320/India+-+18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194651861142477410" border="0" /></a><br />A boy proudly displays a chicken in the slums.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnUeqvWne6KWcGor3b05PPpHsD9A7Leh-JY1jNZLNO4lzZKjmxA_F_aeF7CS6N4diRceGNFJ0bdYDgfg4FW72J_ecTNedywCsA-EQJXK-ElhUMb06la7vuOnczWgn2y0uGoP7Lke6cPb4/s1600-h/India+-+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnUeqvWne6KWcGor3b05PPpHsD9A7Leh-JY1jNZLNO4lzZKjmxA_F_aeF7CS6N4diRceGNFJ0bdYDgfg4FW72J_ecTNedywCsA-EQJXK-ElhUMb06la7vuOnczWgn2y0uGoP7Lke6cPb4/s320/India+-+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194651874027379346" border="0" /></a><br />Joe steals people's laundry to sell on the streets. He is like the opposite of Santa.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqoODFQqlt9LEHBwQYy2KVEn6sC2uzBkpSraWM_rkitmnmvoUVBdwyxssSe2qn0G42jrj9NgzaFDhT0ntvqr42Bxd5__JRAtvrl2eSHzjqbpaHfLtySEp6yHLhAirJ01F9SS6flk4eLef/s1600-h/India+-+22.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqoODFQqlt9LEHBwQYy2KVEn6sC2uzBkpSraWM_rkitmnmvoUVBdwyxssSe2qn0G42jrj9NgzaFDhT0ntvqr42Bxd5__JRAtvrl2eSHzjqbpaHfLtySEp6yHLhAirJ01F9SS6flk4eLef/s320/India+-+22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194651234077252098" border="0" /></a><br />This is Joe number 'do'. He looks and acts very similarly to Joe number 2 in Tucson. 'Do' means two here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcATsGdJlJGCjRZTpKAXM4xaP2KDR6yM9f3z4hL9GsYmgTtdWSnHGINJRU-wozNQvcRRCLtETxSWq7iC2EkkdkHg2ZF_ERTM50ZZeykxxgywB1FpRMkBdcJD77J6CsZcfHOYrOzSrvSFm3/s1600-h/India+-+23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcATsGdJlJGCjRZTpKAXM4xaP2KDR6yM9f3z4hL9GsYmgTtdWSnHGINJRU-wozNQvcRRCLtETxSWq7iC2EkkdkHg2ZF_ERTM50ZZeykxxgywB1FpRMkBdcJD77J6CsZcfHOYrOzSrvSFm3/s320/India+-+23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194651234077252114" border="0" /></a>This is the Indian equivalent of eyebrow waxing. The hair is ripped from your body by rapidly spinning thread. Mia put herself up for display while this beautician taught her class this age old art. Her assistant gouged Mia's eye because Mia was squirming.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7C6l05WBD6xxYPWq7VnG-4VM0holMSIBzHxTkckNr5RNEafQddQSOOq2-Se06JV9iUsEU-6fWO1UqmG9Z-qlmaTQAmbeuoJ4Ky4UDt8VBXLcZuZg8yuNzX-0G9RBxj_EHfwTik2UjFz_/s1600-h/India+-+25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7C6l05WBD6xxYPWq7VnG-4VM0holMSIBzHxTkckNr5RNEafQddQSOOq2-Se06JV9iUsEU-6fWO1UqmG9Z-qlmaTQAmbeuoJ4Ky4UDt8VBXLcZuZg8yuNzX-0G9RBxj_EHfwTik2UjFz_/s320/India+-+25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194651238372219426" border="0" /></a><br />Boys run over from a mid-afternoon game of cricket to say hello. Mostly everyone here carries around a cricket bat all the time because an impromptu game can break out anywhere.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfTJ4NalvBajIzp10Fe9VGP8dpIzA0u9H7e0z2kIAO6YQxXqOuYYHcUGbo9EwMWRL-gc7bSR1s9V1-3v3VpFLLUcpkxBfkIdv9kpiuTz2SGaEG-WfdLa-xVpnULrIG_7vf9UKZ6jtvZ7_/s1600-h/India+-+58.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfTJ4NalvBajIzp10Fe9VGP8dpIzA0u9H7e0z2kIAO6YQxXqOuYYHcUGbo9EwMWRL-gc7bSR1s9V1-3v3VpFLLUcpkxBfkIdv9kpiuTz2SGaEG-WfdLa-xVpnULrIG_7vf9UKZ6jtvZ7_/s320/India+-+58.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194651246962154050" border="0" /></a><br />Mia pulls a Vanna White in our bedroom. It's a few steps up from our other bedrooms this trip. The room actually changes itself to match your outfit!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxVXJI9jMP_CqlGru-fPRX7ZoDRDhU15hvFpmafszLPgigV16TrK0QtcY7rt800GKTa_deut-ZXxhvGiWO6JUXF4HMEHUbjDqc_LWj7gvL57AVr6usWqW-_xS3RYQkpvVBtLc0UbEERWm/s1600-h/India+-+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxVXJI9jMP_CqlGru-fPRX7ZoDRDhU15hvFpmafszLPgigV16TrK0QtcY7rt800GKTa_deut-ZXxhvGiWO6JUXF4HMEHUbjDqc_LWj7gvL57AVr6usWqW-_xS3RYQkpvVBtLc0UbEERWm/s320/India+-+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194650456688171442" border="0" /></a><br />This powder is used to make the dots or 'bindis' on people's foreheads. I use it to make clouds of red dust into which I disappear at the end of my street magic show.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND3ZGxI3eQoORE9LckrbiCfbth9Ml2YrDLiMrOGq1sYbFbsZ5S9TY5tXg1lVIQ1lV5_2Ll6u18cPQQgpyqrdAhV9OU3TYSBW1i7dO00Pc-yPtaR5g4gRaSXX-ovkirDYk1X46PhDB3rsy/s1600-h/India+-+09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhND3ZGxI3eQoORE9LckrbiCfbth9Ml2YrDLiMrOGq1sYbFbsZ5S9TY5tXg1lVIQ1lV5_2Ll6u18cPQQgpyqrdAhV9OU3TYSBW1i7dO00Pc-yPtaR5g4gRaSXX-ovkirDYk1X46PhDB3rsy/s320/India+-+09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194650460983138754" border="0" /></a><br />This is a view through a door.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq46SJYZ34yOLxiEAlEqd7mCXZ5oN9g4sQOrHveakO6Coc9hrzOHnEhImsYhKGy_IFcA8_wjuDZUqMGKYszTYchBEcqjCSXcvPBVdzaIENbliFZpl_xJ8wzdAUCqX9gVJ-awUGT9kTDj4/s1600-h/India+-+05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq46SJYZ34yOLxiEAlEqd7mCXZ5oN9g4sQOrHveakO6Coc9hrzOHnEhImsYhKGy_IFcA8_wjuDZUqMGKYszTYchBEcqjCSXcvPBVdzaIENbliFZpl_xJ8wzdAUCqX9gVJ-awUGT9kTDj4/s320/India+-+05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194649275572164994" border="0" /></a><br />Our first day out in Delhi. There are so many things here!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVnV3CC4ogNcEcMtYcAVFbrg4YrfMfjve3RnL5azNAyDqYDI6i9yS29emzGJi49nVcGSAkpuqvrvsVa69TXKed2wJUe4tKifT61dKZY7hYkKmF-J3QW2mJuOoaYgVLwP-Cvxa_zZ9641h/s1600-h/India+-+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVnV3CC4ogNcEcMtYcAVFbrg4YrfMfjve3RnL5azNAyDqYDI6i9yS29emzGJi49nVcGSAkpuqvrvsVa69TXKed2wJUe4tKifT61dKZY7hYkKmF-J3QW2mJuOoaYgVLwP-Cvxa_zZ9641h/s320/India+-+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194650469573073362" border="0" /></a><br />This little girl LOOOOVED to touch Mia's leg while Mia was trying to teach.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOY_3Bl94VGJiC3bY69HZ06iRbph45DlFbvlz7Bra8ESX47eejFdEMSXBdzt82GcZCurTmtStsH_mzgV8ynumWPUgO_S6Ejex5ZfEDlDqoR8jxk87N05FkLw7bl8Xfn7QXuYUOcTJuhrL/s1600-h/India+-+04.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOY_3Bl94VGJiC3bY69HZ06iRbph45DlFbvlz7Bra8ESX47eejFdEMSXBdzt82GcZCurTmtStsH_mzgV8ynumWPUgO_S6Ejex5ZfEDlDqoR8jxk87N05FkLw7bl8Xfn7QXuYUOcTJuhrL/s320/India+-+04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194649275572164978" border="0" /></a><br />A street side fruit stand.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Baha'i Lotus Temple.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNyQ31CGDWkhX0XYJgAc8m1acM_3JIhhUlhVwHGHL8mlOp4R9Xg5eFsX3ekyyiPOho449Ha_bb4R6sQJTYlb-yo7rbDtIT4gWeRy8XaKV0qPp2vMocUfj42kEth9ALg8mZMQ4Ke2PPnoc/s1600-h/India+-+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNyQ31CGDWkhX0XYJgAc8m1acM_3JIhhUlhVwHGHL8mlOp4R9Xg5eFsX3ekyyiPOho449Ha_bb4R6sQJTYlb-yo7rbDtIT4gWeRy8XaKV0qPp2vMocUfj42kEth9ALg8mZMQ4Ke2PPnoc/s320/India+-+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194649275572165010" border="0" /></a>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-2903997310469276402008-04-26T07:12:00.000-07:002008-04-26T07:16:26.813-07:00Delhi(by Mia)<br /><br /> Joe and I are still in Delhi and still absolutely LOVING it. It's crowded and dirty and hot and colorful and chaotic and crazy and I think the most all-around fascinating place we've been so far. There are just people doing things everywhere you look. A barber shop that is just a chair by the side of the road and a mirror nailed to a wall, and a guy standing there shaving another guy- right alongside the 4-lane highway!! Or the Indian equivalent; they don't really do "lanes" here. And inches from this barber shop is a juice stand, one guy with about a thousand pieces of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fruit</span> and a blender, potential customers trying to push through the herd of passing holy cattle that has decided to graze on discarded mango peels right in front of the stand. Every business here has a sign that looks like it was constructed from discarded scrap metal and painted by a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">kindergarten</span> class, and then shot with a few dozen times with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bebe</span> gun. Next to the juice shop are a couple teenagers stirring a huge vat of boiling milk over some hot coals and burning garbage. Women are lining up with their pots and pails and pans in which they'll take their milk home and boil it again, just to be safe. Weaving through the cars and rickshaws and motorbikes and pedestrians is an old man on a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bicycle</span> pulling a wooden cart of various rubbish, calling out what sounds like "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">BARAAAYA</span>!" in a kind of sing-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">songy</span> chant. He buys and sells anything and everything people no longer want, and goes through the crying out this same appeal, a kind of super-convenient traveling garage-sale.<br /><br /> The slums are wild, picturesque in a kind of fascinatingly horrible way. All the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ramshackle</span> houses are painted different colors, vibrant teals and yellows and deep deep reds. Once you enter the slums the passageways are barely wide enough for two people to pass each other, yet residents of course have their goats and chickens and everything in there, crowding the lanes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">narrow</span> lanes, already flowing with human waste and garbage. Yet it's oddly beautiful too. Even in the slums, women dress in ornately decorated saris, covered in tiny mirrors and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">rhinestones</span> and jewels, layers of flowing pants under skirts under shawls and silky decorative scarves. We pass shrines everywhere we go, little pockets of sanctity carved out of walls or tucked into corners. Miniature images of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">deities</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">portraits</span> of saints, where businessmen will put down their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">briefcases</span> and pause to pour yogurt over the head of a goddess and light a candle in prayer. And there's so much more. I could go on and on.<br /><br /> We're living with the founder of a nonprofit that does outreach to kids in the slums, providing them with classes and tutoring and food and clothes and sometimes scholarships too. Joe and I are teaching a conversational English class to the teachers and math/English/speech class (depending on the student) to a group of disabled girls. From what we've gathered, the public schools here basically have no infrastructure to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">accommodate</span> students with disabilities, so they're either not permitted to attend, or they're allowed into class but aren't given any special help, so they quickly fall way way behind. Our students have a huge range of problems and are at all different levels in their formal education, so we have to create different lesson plans for each student every day. Today I was teaching very basic addition to a deaf 10 year old and learning disabled 19 year old, while Joe worked on multiplication with 2 deaf teenagers and an 11 year old girl who's lost the use of her legs as a result of polio. Joe's also working on a mural in one of the schools with a very talented deaf girl who's dubbed herself his apprentice, as well as starting up general art classes with another volunteer.<br /><br /> P-WHY runs a women's center as well, a home for women who have had to leave their families (usually because of spousal abuse) as well as a vocational school for women in the slums. I had the girls in the beauty class do my eyebrows the other day. They use a piece of string, twisted in the middle around a finger and held with one end in the hand and the other between the teeth of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">beautician</span>. She then uses her thumb to gouge the eye of her client (in this case, me) to keep the skin taut, while quickly tightening the twists in the string and in one quick motion -- ripping out the eyebrow hair by the root. It's painful but very effective.<br /><br /> The house we're staying in is amazing. The founder of the organization and her husband have spent a lot of their lives abroad, as have their kids. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Anou</span> is beautiful and well-traveled and politically active and spiritual in a new age, yoga, businesswoman/advocate kind of way. And her husband <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Ranjin</span> is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">quintessential</span> Indian Colonial British <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">gentleman</span>, with his scotch and cigars and love of Elvis <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Presley</span> music. He'll gather us all into the "drawing room" or whatever after dinner and play old rock and roll and quiz us on who sings this and who sings that, and then scold Joe and me for not knowing our own cultural heritage. And they have servants. I know Joe wrote about this is the last blog, but WOW! It's just so, well... foreign to us. Even now I can hear a faint voice in a far away hallway calling out, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Deepak</span>?! Chanda?!" Joe just bought a used motorcycle, and he and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Deepak</span> spent yesterday afternoon cleaning and polishing it (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Deepak's</span> idea), two very excited boys with new toy. They're making big plans for when Joe's good enough to carry passenger's- how they'll go down to the milk shop together and back. Watch out Delhi!Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-59092926227300507462008-04-15T04:01:00.000-07:002008-04-15T04:18:35.137-07:00Welcome to India<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Hey Everyone,</span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></span><br /> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> We are now in (New) Delhi, India. We arrived on the 4th of April after a great few months just hanging out in Malaysia (which I still need to write about, hopefully soon). We have hooked up with an NGO here called "project WHY?" Don't ask me what it means because I don't know.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> Our initial introduction to India was great. No hassles at the airport and a great hotel for a great price on our first night here. We got such a good nights sleep. We woke up in a neighborhood in central Delhi where the narrow streets are filled with poop and mud and trash and cows wandering around eating the mixture of poop, mud and trash and motorbikes and tractors are swerving around hoards of colorfully dressed people who all dress like they are straight out of the 70's. The 3 -4 storey buildings that lined the roads each have their own individual architectural style. Wonderful.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br />After our single night stay in a touristy little area we got in touch with the project creator named Anou and set up a plan to meet her at her house. On the way we met a man named Romeo who was very helpful and even offered to let us just rent a room in his home for the three months we are here. We went to check it out but found it was too crowded. That seems to be a problem here in India. I have never seen so many people in one place before. On a 30 minute walk back and forth from Anou's to Subway (yes, the American sandwich chain) I estimated that I saw 3,000 human beings. That's too many. How can I possibly get to know all these people and memorize their names.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> We are now staying in the home of the project creator as I mentioned. It is a 3 story mansion in the Chirag Enclave which is, from what I gather visually, a very wealthy neighborhood. We are staying on the second floor in our own spacious room with satellite cable, an attached bath and a king sized bed. The home has a styling that makes it seem like it was left over from British occupation, though it was build much more recently. It has high ceilings, many sitting and music rooms and multiple marble stairways so you never feel like, "Ugg, THIS stairway again!" The decor is sort of Old Fashioned World Traveller. Many paintings and photos of Prague, a hall full of African relics, another hall fill of Indian portraits. In the music room there is a giant tiger skin rug tacked to the wall next to a black and white photo of the tiger laying dead in the grass near the proud hunters.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> Anou's husband Ranjin recently quit his job to pursue his life's dream. Can you guess what it is? That's right! He wants to open his own air cargo shipping business. Don't worry, I didn't guess it either. However, as of yet he has not opened it so he can be seen coming and going throughout the day in an assortment of different outfits suited to his activities. A fancy smoking jacket, a golf outfit, a Quality Lubricants polo and slacks. I was confused by the Venetian gondola paddler outfit but felt it better not to ask in case the real answer was less exciting than my own imagined answer. He often sits in the music room and plays the piano. The music washes through the old house and drapes everything in a sort of forgotten era feeling. He is a great piano player. Mia threw me under the bus and said that I also play piano so he spent an afternoon trying to get me to play, but I only know like a third of one song and I can only play it with the notes taped on the keys so eventually he gave up.<br /><br />We also have 4 full time servants in the house who clean our room, cook for us, do our laundry, and will perform any other task you may need. Do you need some tea? Just yell, "TEA!" at the top of your lungs. Same with, "TOAST!" If they don't have the ting you want in the house it will be there within ten minutes. If it is something more complicated just yell the name of the servant who best suits your needs. If you don't feel like getting up off your bed to plug in your laptop with the dying battery yell, "DE-PAK!" Depak will arrive shortly and plug it in. Don't feel like dressing yourself? "CHO-PRA!" She get the job done.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Andy, the recently self appointed volunteer coordinator, took Mia and I out on our second day here to the Baha''i Lotus temple near the house. It was a very impressive temple when we first toured it... but then we went to the visitor center on our way out and watched a movie on how they built it. This thing is like 150 feet tall and looks like a giant marble lotus flower rising from the ground, totally hollow in the center, surrounded by pools of water. Turns out they built the whole thing using tools like a stone tied to a stick and just a plain stick with no stone at all. The movie of it under construction looked like a 70's film about the building of the great pyramids or something. Wowza!</span>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-57576176491675357552008-04-04T03:40:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:20:11.420-08:00Petting tigers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmyc0oSFiNn7CzE_8FKAWjlab-_pMyRYCJlNYJWhS4Rkt_cHJCFAD9tG3dH-ZlVxr9S_HXsHVc3qFPDON_RWO4gK-3TMoXsEqHGXOgQ5wXTxFSTpr2STxwuL5LsiJJ6enu9QyWzkmNZ5L/s1600-h/T1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185338488393796786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmyc0oSFiNn7CzE_8FKAWjlab-_pMyRYCJlNYJWhS4Rkt_cHJCFAD9tG3dH-ZlVxr9S_HXsHVc3qFPDON_RWO4gK-3TMoXsEqHGXOgQ5wXTxFSTpr2STxwuL5LsiJJ6enu9QyWzkmNZ5L/s320/T1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Hey, I don't know why I didn't put these up earlier. Probably because I was too busy running through the streets at a full gallop yelling, "Did you all see that?! We just petted us some TIGER!!"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aERCL9hX8VtQovTvXmeudPfYriGlRcXgSALeWabics5MREGNLIh8AX_llgETBItelf7FZ86R7pWViRVOn8Xcba7PNGgF4RQwsunbPy4Fhg4nY8L5vSHM8vAuaiam8G2IALBonW4sNFaJ/s1600-h/T2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185338496983731394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aERCL9hX8VtQovTvXmeudPfYriGlRcXgSALeWabics5MREGNLIh8AX_llgETBItelf7FZ86R7pWViRVOn8Xcba7PNGgF4RQwsunbPy4Fhg4nY8L5vSHM8vAuaiam8G2IALBonW4sNFaJ/s320/T2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpFJcLaLZogL0xmKih0-eBdKmqPHEF-do-Vktd3SpV92CzQnjneVqyy28eDGmiAU5yCBD__rG6UpD_0b2NhjQBEvKnOpaKMTcCn0rIoVkq2durOxcVIzre8hsphMrhg0wATij_6svlF9t/s1600-h/T3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185338496983731410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpFJcLaLZogL0xmKih0-eBdKmqPHEF-do-Vktd3SpV92CzQnjneVqyy28eDGmiAU5yCBD__rG6UpD_0b2NhjQBEvKnOpaKMTcCn0rIoVkq2durOxcVIzre8hsphMrhg0wATij_6svlF9t/s320/T3.JPG" border="0" /></a>Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-82203964685788424472008-03-25T10:15:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:20:12.991-08:00People from KBC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_5d00d0Sy1qfdNBMpW-x2w3ZTLM8cxjd1oDHoMR1o9cAGEHLAdQMfQnmnWnKldgZzlPdDSdCllgNH8UXKSaUoA4MiuZqakgcyf34qZevJn214d3gm5aOTw2EAy5lbIfLXVhMQ6dqgEmq/s1600-h/b2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729693662940242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_5d00d0Sy1qfdNBMpW-x2w3ZTLM8cxjd1oDHoMR1o9cAGEHLAdQMfQnmnWnKldgZzlPdDSdCllgNH8UXKSaUoA4MiuZqakgcyf34qZevJn214d3gm5aOTw2EAy5lbIfLXVhMQ6dqgEmq/s320/b2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These two kids called me Uncle Joe and were pretty good fun. They were helpful individually but when you go them together they were nightmares. The tiny one wanted everything slower and safer and the bigger one wanted everything wilder and faster. "Push us FASTER Uncle Joe!" "no, please push us slower uncle joe, it is too dangerous..." "NO FASTER!"<br /><br />When they helped me with work together it turned into... "Uncle Joe, I'm going to put my hand in the bucket of paint and then put my hand in my mouth!" "Don't do that." "I'm going to put my head in the paint and then open my mouth and then swallow the paint!" "Please, don't do that."<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF03uCgJPUCaSQfgPxvu1Ec2z-s5UDHJfogrLzdN_DpQvRNgareGBkoIuddyQJyiqr20IjLY-ahkeVmcvYLBeaOmkAao4phh14n6Wb1rfXvdUVwlxKR6msZTzqD3318IfA60EAiU80cgQG/s1600-h/b4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729706547842162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF03uCgJPUCaSQfgPxvu1Ec2z-s5UDHJfogrLzdN_DpQvRNgareGBkoIuddyQJyiqr20IjLY-ahkeVmcvYLBeaOmkAao4phh14n6Wb1rfXvdUVwlxKR6msZTzqD3318IfA60EAiU80cgQG/s320/b4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is Napple (like apple). People have described him as a Malaysian Joe. He is a good guy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabDcjAQixCMtTApGJjsvmooMPm1ZhW8aGDmPVdPo31b5I37IUMM2MYXmbYAtZOC842oqR9-1kZgy_dXzKJ2r3HDPvIx1b-Xkp_7lRxOUtFMS9j-e78Ar30gN11q2S1ADyeOwdE-8MtHFl/s1600-h/b1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729813922024610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabDcjAQixCMtTApGJjsvmooMPm1ZhW8aGDmPVdPo31b5I37IUMM2MYXmbYAtZOC842oqR9-1kZgy_dXzKJ2r3HDPvIx1b-Xkp_7lRxOUtFMS9j-e78Ar30gN11q2S1ADyeOwdE-8MtHFl/s320/b1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Napple climbs down from a palm tree after cutting down all the coconuts with a pocket knife. He only did this when girls were around.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLQQ_Uu-ZhZ8s_LG-iDRKaVLZvvkM6wldI2PzjADQguin3R-6HWlDJ77w78mjBjPujeU0_ak2F3z02-qtdXtSV_hIucCuYuhHeGjDRe9jhbyLw-_5fW0PgFjw74l5d08t3tKyONCZ1H6b/s1600-h/b7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729332885687298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLQQ_Uu-ZhZ8s_LG-iDRKaVLZvvkM6wldI2PzjADQguin3R-6HWlDJ77w78mjBjPujeU0_ak2F3z02-qtdXtSV_hIucCuYuhHeGjDRe9jhbyLw-_5fW0PgFjw74l5d08t3tKyONCZ1H6b/s320/b7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Joe, Mia, Zack the boat driver, Hans the owner and Brent.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7PfLBREyoJl5wuwCY5H5PbclmHUj70QLJGrymkzd-OlL3g0nHBi59joqUKqyF1JbvusPt5HacGMe1WkLRxfG0edQXBAPbKKACqkOiTd8PxCEDz-lmJ7GOjFdF_3U4-Cw9YTTGK7lczcv/s1600-h/b3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729702252874850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7PfLBREyoJl5wuwCY5H5PbclmHUj70QLJGrymkzd-OlL3g0nHBi59joqUKqyF1JbvusPt5HacGMe1WkLRxfG0edQXBAPbKKACqkOiTd8PxCEDz-lmJ7GOjFdF_3U4-Cw9YTTGK7lczcv/s320/b3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />German people a weird, but they know how to have a great time. Marcus demonstrates how a German man applies sunscreen.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxv7AOeQKqB0ZM8LjfVl3OHiwOV6P8K5DGa_wXFIMjFlCCkFa7ORChlFv3jwOdkgDHmhxGUOauZL-dTkHtLJqQJgHZThjas1l7ceJLr4OEvUJnOzb5OIp1KllyAHiU3zrRAwu6lSPYoZ6/s1600-h/b5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729706547842178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxv7AOeQKqB0ZM8LjfVl3OHiwOV6P8K5DGa_wXFIMjFlCCkFa7ORChlFv3jwOdkgDHmhxGUOauZL-dTkHtLJqQJgHZThjas1l7ceJLr4OEvUJnOzb5OIp1KllyAHiU3zrRAwu6lSPYoZ6/s320/b5.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These are the same people as in the picture above, but in a different order. You wouldn't know it to look at him, but Zack owns a Chopper, 4 boats, a truck, a Mercedes, and a huge house where he stores a 700 piece T-shirt collection. He also travels every year to places like Europe.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOJrRl9TXR3f5djVPZ9ssEvSD_ZCmDogxX01LWQD2xahkesYBkSahGt8h3ULk-z7YK0GQLdtBjmQMVqUbp6rt1w9nmMtcGa_EozTeKN-OUqvmC1SyvX67OTrzzMnGOXcKnmtyDUNlZ4uX/s1600-h/b6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729706547842194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOJrRl9TXR3f5djVPZ9ssEvSD_ZCmDogxX01LWQD2xahkesYBkSahGt8h3ULk-z7YK0GQLdtBjmQMVqUbp6rt1w9nmMtcGa_EozTeKN-OUqvmC1SyvX67OTrzzMnGOXcKnmtyDUNlZ4uX/s320/b6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Jelle and Bruce pose in the doorway of the restaurant. Bruce is mostly Stephen Segal. A cook who knows how to kick ass. He shared a wall with us and snored like you wouldn't believe. He would snore so hard that he would inward scream in his sleep. "SnnnnnOOKKKK-aaaAAAAAA!!!... sssSSNNNNNOOKKKK-a-A-AAAAAAA!!!!" It was pretty funny.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa0YU0g95wOmZ09nCp3Ag9rm-nUvegbWFRBOtDHN6QYumD32jjd-83kWw27GYbzNoN3EWDkS4h4Cdy9inUzLD6sk29lwMbnROlvI8PMj2IVLNriZARLmP5ZcDhdV2twOTbO2xU1MZKwFM/s1600-h/b8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729337180654610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa0YU0g95wOmZ09nCp3Ag9rm-nUvegbWFRBOtDHN6QYumD32jjd-83kWw27GYbzNoN3EWDkS4h4Cdy9inUzLD6sk29lwMbnROlvI8PMj2IVLNriZARLmP5ZcDhdV2twOTbO2xU1MZKwFM/s320/b8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is Kayan. He is one of my favorite people, ever. Half Sri Lanken, half Northern European, with a voice like James Earl Jones, a love of 70's soul music and fast boats, he is extremely well informed about just about everything.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixntVYU8t28pgnmMtWEeRnhcy7TN0oxyXwRWDeGgUuyxFQrGf3jkYemd8B0B65ivUdNmaBdAOd2ewBIbi_xLP6i-xukY4DYJDfhT3-z1Cug05FwzFSjCaE6Nn2LD2wSEKte7wfYP734HKb/s1600-h/b9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729341475621922" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixntVYU8t28pgnmMtWEeRnhcy7TN0oxyXwRWDeGgUuyxFQrGf3jkYemd8B0B65ivUdNmaBdAOd2ewBIbi_xLP6i-xukY4DYJDfhT3-z1Cug05FwzFSjCaE6Nn2LD2wSEKte7wfYP734HKb/s320/b9.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The scuba crew on Kapas. Kaled is smiley here but when he plays volleyball he is stoic and serious. The guy can spike the ball so hard it rings like a bell.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIeNZCfSLhi-I5Q6F8XdZGaBu1tQbaH1HQvieI44qi6-O070m0PFsJ7FeaAMRjABlwHRTv6qLnRaag2wnzE1g5gC38xhRPI8Qss47XybOb9pp5v1R-sWJvUAUgFqYRcNGQakhiIqCTH10/s1600-h/b10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729345770589234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIeNZCfSLhi-I5Q6F8XdZGaBu1tQbaH1HQvieI44qi6-O070m0PFsJ7FeaAMRjABlwHRTv6qLnRaag2wnzE1g5gC38xhRPI8Qss47XybOb9pp5v1R-sWJvUAUgFqYRcNGQakhiIqCTH10/s320/b10.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mie (pronounced 'me') is the only paid member of staff at KBC. Much confusion was caused when people would say things like, "Why don't you and Mie go and finish up the sand moving project," and I would sit around waiting for them to be ready to help me for hours.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCQQoi5ExOuIBgV9RifMcx3kVLG6F_jDKfD9lZ-Mrg_a84-CG0PRhp9zBedL0A7HVf9l8uqfDroph9lC_mQX8X_1ZXtuINTKfkNiYEIQ8LoFyruNH1quXP5OrX7zTnM3cZiC-uvOfPZW-/s1600-h/b11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181729350065556546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCQQoi5ExOuIBgV9RifMcx3kVLG6F_jDKfD9lZ-Mrg_a84-CG0PRhp9zBedL0A7HVf9l8uqfDroph9lC_mQX8X_1ZXtuINTKfkNiYEIQ8LoFyruNH1quXP5OrX7zTnM3cZiC-uvOfPZW-/s320/b11.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Hans is the owner of KBC. A Dutchman. He played baseball for the junior national team in his home country and he doesn't let you forget it. Just in case there is a lull in his glory days of baseball stories he has a tattoo of the Major League logo to remind you he was once a serious ball player. Great guy.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-14057559026359934672008-03-25T09:48:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:20:14.880-08:00KBC: Not hard work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOddmErrfhX7lU2BeHUd6KgSNksKmnuwMpqPczQmLS5Kb01wJvckbV61GezZkWhyphenhyphenaUpnBu-RdvMzXz8eRCtcwuXZqwck2uqYPStFmLiuCKONF3FF_9D6xBPaDYwsN8lrm8DmMUgJJgsJf/s1600-h/K1.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEK2kL-pxChCkmh9I-YeAj3TcIXBCNp3EJDqc5Brin5tQ9f_AJnHSzJvNrnPX86t1SJ_m6op9Ww3LnPj321V6SuDcHif2SZQuSSXZVSbkKtNlD2PhVE8Xf1GVeLXHI7KpQO4Jct0UUq8j/s1600-h/k25.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722362153765682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEK2kL-pxChCkmh9I-YeAj3TcIXBCNp3EJDqc5Brin5tQ9f_AJnHSzJvNrnPX86t1SJ_m6op9Ww3LnPj321V6SuDcHif2SZQuSSXZVSbkKtNlD2PhVE8Xf1GVeLXHI7KpQO4Jct0UUq8j/s320/k25.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe sits on a table and stares directly into the sun in the KBC restaurant. This was not hard work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vz2rNReBgLvicWaND7-mGdFk-Hf28qEnY6zQVM-DYt8cOH9Q3A8ZEAnooxGOof3ENcnskTn8qpRnIN-7TIy5ltJavb9HUKrQytxF8zO4P_vapFTe-imxEK3qtnlsIFs3ghFQnTakM-rC/s1600-h/K12.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181723092298206178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vz2rNReBgLvicWaND7-mGdFk-Hf28qEnY6zQVM-DYt8cOH9Q3A8ZEAnooxGOof3ENcnskTn8qpRnIN-7TIy5ltJavb9HUKrQytxF8zO4P_vapFTe-imxEK3qtnlsIFs3ghFQnTakM-rC/s320/K12.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Brent provides a foreground for a photo of the KBC resort. Brent is travelling with us for two weeks. With the three of us on the island we comprised the largest group of Americans EVER to be on Kapas island at one time said one local who hadn't yet arrived on the island when Mia, Marla and Joe were there 3 weeks prior.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr1jm3j6DseOJt0SQsCpI3xDvSzc8fxoFxIWNFomqj1IURqDnpTH1XozviWD8THws43ZcXh8TCV39NUtHie4CM2Bt_aukf3BinvxYaZ6W_5WCmi-rnzE0K9SUBJpss-jcCujfNKN-2khO/s1600-h/K11.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181723088003238866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr1jm3j6DseOJt0SQsCpI3xDvSzc8fxoFxIWNFomqj1IURqDnpTH1XozviWD8THws43ZcXh8TCV39NUtHie4CM2Bt_aukf3BinvxYaZ6W_5WCmi-rnzE0K9SUBJpss-jcCujfNKN-2khO/s320/K11.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Kapas means 'cotton' in Maylay. The island got its name for the soft white sand that rings it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWPJAnVoO5rQJacBxeAs3lARbt2jkDr8T1ZZ2-J29Crv5v_fMNiOHwtduvYvGDBsu7IbmWhHaPsuzy9jmKfw5YW_jauNM601823Cq0iAkvLMH1Ikmj8IFASbn4sDvHvM_CeR_ka60mIS0/s1600-h/K8.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181723083708271554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWPJAnVoO5rQJacBxeAs3lARbt2jkDr8T1ZZ2-J29Crv5v_fMNiOHwtduvYvGDBsu7IbmWhHaPsuzy9jmKfw5YW_jauNM601823Cq0iAkvLMH1Ikmj8IFASbn4sDvHvM_CeR_ka60mIS0/s320/K8.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The backside of the island pre-end of the monsoons.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uo8KBkRLe-sqNAmJyQGSTs9T06f3JYUNhdU98M2VQM5mDCh9XybS2kxOm05wRfdQCHaq3rRvvcqyPpuOHCOqWuvvBdyq3voC4mhMjk49xuH5-DePlu7Qo_C-jNvP8RnXFLVLtILLlEBe/s1600-h/K14.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722752995789666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uo8KBkRLe-sqNAmJyQGSTs9T06f3JYUNhdU98M2VQM5mDCh9XybS2kxOm05wRfdQCHaq3rRvvcqyPpuOHCOqWuvvBdyq3voC4mhMjk49xuH5-DePlu7Qo_C-jNvP8RnXFLVLtILLlEBe/s320/K14.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />People play kick the ball to warm up for beach volleyball.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwJBU1OiyV3k4FMfccUcJ5NmcnIbILLmdDMgtzG8vjQHdIZaCVgwyZlyrJc2dVlLupsfNewlCxefq-0vfNfmlreLXeFu_6aMakpujlLnhR-SRkevQ9SZ3wI6EKXGIM6bTTwYzerw_TjPp/s1600-h/K16.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722757290756978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwJBU1OiyV3k4FMfccUcJ5NmcnIbILLmdDMgtzG8vjQHdIZaCVgwyZlyrJc2dVlLupsfNewlCxefq-0vfNfmlreLXeFu_6aMakpujlLnhR-SRkevQ9SZ3wI6EKXGIM6bTTwYzerw_TjPp/s320/K16.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Crystal blue waters may seem like they are tranquil, but these waters have dark motives. They lull a man into a false sense of calm and then they take what he cherishes most and pulls it under, never to be seen again. They took from me my favorite hat and Brent's favorite sandals. They have also taken the fair maidens of Scottish folk singers. Beware.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj9sMn09zvYs0OMwe8DC9-M2HMLR8JoXu5mTtJZtr45YwyvjK0queKoaefxl381Jn7jQg6zr3_YZig6w3HkmeNnM_iGlEnIZw7niVYSrb4bQ60uvd-IAhjI5BBEAy0f8aIUzuIS2rEWVz/s1600-h/K13.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181723096593173490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZj9sMn09zvYs0OMwe8DC9-M2HMLR8JoXu5mTtJZtr45YwyvjK0queKoaefxl381Jn7jQg6zr3_YZig6w3HkmeNnM_iGlEnIZw7niVYSrb4bQ60uvd-IAhjI5BBEAy0f8aIUzuIS2rEWVz/s320/K13.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Brent says, "Do I need to be in the foreground of EVERY picture you take?" The answer is yes. It adds perspective. Here, he is the foreground for a picture of Mia and Meltem hanging out on the beach in front of the KBC restaurant.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby8nmuxbXpMFSlg2tgGGQ72wlUAwnUdhswCql0QhLgrtOEW-l22Ov_0rQSrdwyfjCRVwC0zC9oArAnq7uBSamId04aoUIlJ7Cf2_AyYcaj6T4n2wIqix1BDZtradRlCjMKE1L2ewN9B83/s1600-h/k27.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722366448733010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgby8nmuxbXpMFSlg2tgGGQ72wlUAwnUdhswCql0QhLgrtOEW-l22Ov_0rQSrdwyfjCRVwC0zC9oArAnq7uBSamId04aoUIlJ7Cf2_AyYcaj6T4n2wIqix1BDZtradRlCjMKE1L2ewN9B83/s320/k27.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mia and Avril soak up the warmth of a beach bonfire.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoEfC39JJsXrzxfJdq9udNPg_lLbcPsWDjq7jWwDP78ZeK1pq9wss5_aUN4i0rW-6IT96we8UPscPz0kBqiOP3RC0gIdcSxvReECwG4cLQci47MGD6CGoe7cF8iBGCB6RRcdo54DQGMMJ/s1600-h/K17.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722757290756994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoEfC39JJsXrzxfJdq9udNPg_lLbcPsWDjq7jWwDP78ZeK1pq9wss5_aUN4i0rW-6IT96we8UPscPz0kBqiOP3RC0gIdcSxvReECwG4cLQci47MGD6CGoe7cF8iBGCB6RRcdo54DQGMMJ/s320/K17.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mia poses during a jungle trek to the far side of the island for cliff jumping and snorkeling.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DoBDp2Qo743entIxikXhazdQhmYC8mE922v3X6RzFy7xWuanZrpKYr_4rjx7eI6On69dGdr_Dg-F7Z40JBpnx8KG-HF_wQY3go0Iqdk5PKuF6hMSFxudjhQoN4cd051kwVgI6Qnz-Xhs/s1600-h/K18.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722761585724306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DoBDp2Qo743entIxikXhazdQhmYC8mE922v3X6RzFy7xWuanZrpKYr_4rjx7eI6On69dGdr_Dg-F7Z40JBpnx8KG-HF_wQY3go0Iqdk5PKuF6hMSFxudjhQoN4cd051kwVgI6Qnz-Xhs/s320/K18.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Brent gets a running start at the edge of a cliff. More of a careful, hobbling start because the rocks are extremely sharp and slippery.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN-9uTC0pMUSHILIQmPrjxDDZNAdujN4QJxZ3_XFyNDkN9RqGsm0Mb13OOo9hjpQaBbMuZLioQdb_L24ur1sM0sxiCb75irNCfOCrso7UOrmmmPjreJKHGQqy0kxPOXuYA2wqKQvJtidK/s1600-h/K19.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722765880691618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN-9uTC0pMUSHILIQmPrjxDDZNAdujN4QJxZ3_XFyNDkN9RqGsm0Mb13OOo9hjpQaBbMuZLioQdb_L24ur1sM0sxiCb75irNCfOCrso7UOrmmmPjreJKHGQqy0kxPOXuYA2wqKQvJtidK/s320/K19.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe and Brent hang out after cliff jumping.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbQzDCaRjMWNQ9ZLVTyD4PqxYJOR6GS7mDw4GKe2tYTtpXJ-Df2DtaapvWzp9gYTIzAYbEbXb_dwebSGRubbDcQvus8g9rObjKAaHb7cdirSkpjOHr8oCTwzpRRBV32voWXXelTVra52t/s1600-h/k23.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcAZYfNsTpvHqsdLIlhwnRC2CHXbXyauYgNhxcjLb6Mcol8BRvMm2luc2JBsElCEVd4duE0MV8EzBBX41EMdmfBEEldVnPiD-HZeATjj1RZ2LavErnNsvoDKRvZujN2y4TSaleNQK7Cbc/s1600-h/k24.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722357858798370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcAZYfNsTpvHqsdLIlhwnRC2CHXbXyauYgNhxcjLb6Mcol8BRvMm2luc2JBsElCEVd4duE0MV8EzBBX41EMdmfBEEldVnPiD-HZeATjj1RZ2LavErnNsvoDKRvZujN2y4TSaleNQK7Cbc/s320/k24.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is what Joe's feet look like from being barefoot for a month. Rugged and manly.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOTr73OCtWkUlC5rvbsIxVzyqcxbxJekindotKeNHgsH5_ez-5TcqMXqgPoagZFbOoxUloEOjc3-v4zprv6bSPjhcf5XkJuXorGoDLO04ZDUR89zOUenUPbOjSmd9ZYl6HXigJUlRPr7y/s1600-h/k26.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181722366448732994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOTr73OCtWkUlC5rvbsIxVzyqcxbxJekindotKeNHgsH5_ez-5TcqMXqgPoagZFbOoxUloEOjc3-v4zprv6bSPjhcf5XkJuXorGoDLO04ZDUR89zOUenUPbOjSmd9ZYl6HXigJUlRPr7y/s320/k26.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe and Brent cook Mexican food for 20 in the KBC kitchen as a thank you for all the staff and our favorite guests. Also because we love Mexican food.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-61839980555245998162008-03-25T09:12:00.000-07:002008-12-08T17:20:17.283-08:00KBC: Hard work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq2rK3BQRUpD6h4zYvEzu5psIxU8rgDT3QqqbQ75Ru06tTH5WEr2BkJ13Fh16JZk9ny7v_Bh1GDj2f8cs0sOsSCwwAT5HJGRTFTWD4T-X1oTrvPZCLDeSYXxvTwbWcQ8b7jvY33f1jHGs/s1600-h/K20.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181714880320735970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq2rK3BQRUpD6h4zYvEzu5psIxU8rgDT3QqqbQ75Ru06tTH5WEr2BkJ13Fh16JZk9ny7v_Bh1GDj2f8cs0sOsSCwwAT5HJGRTFTWD4T-X1oTrvPZCLDeSYXxvTwbWcQ8b7jvY33f1jHGs/s320/K20.JPG" border="0" /></a> We worked for room and board on KBC. Here are some pictures of us slaving away...<br /><br />Mia hangs laundry out to dry after washing them in a washing machine that fell apart in 1975. Joe helped fold. He didn't get the folds perfect.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1h9o2vf0LeMAAalXlnHIPppImsscTE6b7Jx-RFwhrmG-SUeAyV4sTuOUp-fS2RF_MUoLohFa1ZRo__YbLid86zwt2BuRxlclHtdv251akSEFU1g7cWGk0xgMyGvYjtjCAz4gT_4islkU/s1600-h/k23.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181714884615703282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1h9o2vf0LeMAAalXlnHIPppImsscTE6b7Jx-RFwhrmG-SUeAyV4sTuOUp-fS2RF_MUoLohFa1ZRo__YbLid86zwt2BuRxlclHtdv251akSEFU1g7cWGk0xgMyGvYjtjCAz4gT_4islkU/s320/k23.JPG" border="0" /></a> Joe was often referred to as "The Pirate" when he was in his work outfit, not because of his look, but because of his propensity to steal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfOoHhOPSOIpDsXuOObBCefNT4B1dPv9DNtWlaISrkPloHcugjk6bpyS0LwWb51wo-8is-SWa-AAyvmjGt1HmROOYu66YFpGqjSwZEi3D-Mhpg_dhmi4aoxbx_sEzAYZVWEeR011Rqu8/s1600-h/K12.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEMVYda-utuRAaZxi-TfNpasnrf1Unb9FQ0nWOCiAFrDr-drNTESFdA2-HWDqj2Zynmrr7EguOql_h83h2HUoifum2nAKgSOpi_hdOwu9eH5fDBS6QywRLRy4_uVfggtD7LKy0Peap1o/s1600-h/K1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713432916757090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEMVYda-utuRAaZxi-TfNpasnrf1Unb9FQ0nWOCiAFrDr-drNTESFdA2-HWDqj2Zynmrr7EguOql_h83h2HUoifum2nAKgSOpi_hdOwu9eH5fDBS6QywRLRy4_uVfggtD7LKy0Peap1o/s320/K1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is what our room looked like before we cleaned it up, ripped out the ceiling, kicked out a window, and moved in new furniture. In the ceiling was a snake (that fell on Joe), in the walls were gecko eggs, mice, roaches, centipedes and scorpions.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-H5ouOXP_gM8wvNzJKK_o0hnaWKUZSJPC7DCiYtv77HkUXC9NZ_66ik0zKXs7Bkb2R22BqW19AFXLtaoVg6Dm6n1MM8yWa1OWPGctG7aD400lynt58nKzJC256ZnB9L6GlmEFH7PC00/s1600-h/K2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713437211724418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-H5ouOXP_gM8wvNzJKK_o0hnaWKUZSJPC7DCiYtv77HkUXC9NZ_66ik0zKXs7Bkb2R22BqW19AFXLtaoVg6Dm6n1MM8yWa1OWPGctG7aD400lynt58nKzJC256ZnB9L6GlmEFH7PC00/s320/K2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />This is our room post renovation. We also added a pink mosquito net which really complimented the roofing tiles.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoUDCifAiWoNJVmJ3m2ine4PpxLXTmQW-PLPiqFnVplIhup9CGLTEMTRqnHMeXKHTKEJqxfAmPgTGKPKn2SDTrAx908GoMKK5OYQykQc4JoO-h9AQWbeS3uveJVcAAs7stxCPPIa8Wog/s1600-h/K15.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713437211724402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoUDCifAiWoNJVmJ3m2ine4PpxLXTmQW-PLPiqFnVplIhup9CGLTEMTRqnHMeXKHTKEJqxfAmPgTGKPKn2SDTrAx908GoMKK5OYQykQc4JoO-h9AQWbeS3uveJVcAAs7stxCPPIa8Wog/s320/K15.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe examines a giant stick bug he found while working. Every bug on the island is giant. It's like a Jurassic island.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz5hK9vci-GhSQlFfxnxwUNjwBkYJrqIhViZaEZIe9F9DHmuPnsjiYJWnuvCyowo7qraQAcwiq6esF7GVoe_x4l8yMLphEReYmP67K7KOOHVfHdjbVq7XcWm182ivn2CwxFl1wT7yIcI/s1600-h/K3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713441506691730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz5hK9vci-GhSQlFfxnxwUNjwBkYJrqIhViZaEZIe9F9DHmuPnsjiYJWnuvCyowo7qraQAcwiq6esF7GVoe_x4l8yMLphEReYmP67K7KOOHVfHdjbVq7XcWm182ivn2CwxFl1wT7yIcI/s320/K3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These are some of the chalets for guests. Joe replaced a few of their porches and floors.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5X_b39b4K9mw9mLzLAVThkaS9N8eorCJeBLJ_3MCXixBKOdpiLvb1Le7DSUYUxMT6bBS1tMGd7TdHPibb2aZvy_3HE1tjI7rWieDGJRgCNQrIol2CRcPBRqbg7eambbvle5pvIEny8M/s1600-h/K5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713209578457618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5X_b39b4K9mw9mLzLAVThkaS9N8eorCJeBLJ_3MCXixBKOdpiLvb1Le7DSUYUxMT6bBS1tMGd7TdHPibb2aZvy_3HE1tjI7rWieDGJRgCNQrIol2CRcPBRqbg7eambbvle5pvIEny8M/s320/K5.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is a candid shot Mia took of Joe sleeping in with Onan the cat. We nabbed her off the jetty in Marang right before we came and she quickly became a part of the family. It blows the mind how fast a mangy animal from the streets can become a lazy, spoiled princess. (Referring to Joe)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ0UdDIp5zvO03AeI9_gPsqszG-_wNw226U6X7-fANzbPeDfpJRTDSPNni4apuTnPgXC6EdQSpUhPw5gf7FbQO-pJq8UgBblf-mk4gxLuMpKbVavwlF0RApb0Z3R9eycq9y72aCg_XubY/s1600-h/K4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713454391593650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJ0UdDIp5zvO03AeI9_gPsqszG-_wNw226U6X7-fANzbPeDfpJRTDSPNni4apuTnPgXC6EdQSpUhPw5gf7FbQO-pJq8UgBblf-mk4gxLuMpKbVavwlF0RApb0Z3R9eycq9y72aCg_XubY/s320/K4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe repairs the foundation and porch of a chalet. There were no power tools so he only had his hands, a hammer, a saw, nails, and his wits.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA7K7eEkt6a4JOuaoguMvz9XPV-hvT4DOUXHzzDxH2LlrsT-qKaeYgpnuV6I3DRj8qIimwE33kztjZSef6Vckhu9Yc_EhKZ3zU5DA6U2miamv-AmrNiTrYIPwD9f0iqVSj_IMXzt7HWg/s1600-h/K7.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713213873424946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA7K7eEkt6a4JOuaoguMvz9XPV-hvT4DOUXHzzDxH2LlrsT-qKaeYgpnuV6I3DRj8qIimwE33kztjZSef6Vckhu9Yc_EhKZ3zU5DA6U2miamv-AmrNiTrYIPwD9f0iqVSj_IMXzt7HWg/s320/K7.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mia takes a break to rub Onan's belly. Onan takes a break from sleeping ALL DAY LONG to have her belly scratched. In her defence, she spent nights catching mice in our room and eating them noisily at the foot of our bed, which is exactly why we brought her to the island.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLE4LmY9isKqpEUhYfQGFqZEcz9lU_K1xMTO-YfQlYBldplvoh6Yb2lC_0ApM75dV0H_QTuv0hHLzs-WDIAdfYWbqsKG5hfc9W87TeZm5EsGzomdiIGJGpIPssSjoSWQK_JblvR4X9_XW/s1600-h/K22.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181714876025768658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLE4LmY9isKqpEUhYfQGFqZEcz9lU_K1xMTO-YfQlYBldplvoh6Yb2lC_0ApM75dV0H_QTuv0hHLzs-WDIAdfYWbqsKG5hfc9W87TeZm5EsGzomdiIGJGpIPssSjoSWQK_JblvR4X9_XW/s320/K22.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mia relaxes with a copy of "The Economist" while she waits for a load of laundry to finish.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh70T6-bHFaSp3OOIrYo1WqWaLpdEXZ1ndfqUzaPsfa1xBpfR3RLq_dI7w3nfnCjxsA2EWg8JByLNHqLHIH5aftYyb72gsbYZJ5-uL3vGd73CI5L0xa72ziHs8zm-Ra7sv1dUHqEaGGD4/s1600-h/K6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713209578457634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh70T6-bHFaSp3OOIrYo1WqWaLpdEXZ1ndfqUzaPsfa1xBpfR3RLq_dI7w3nfnCjxsA2EWg8JByLNHqLHIH5aftYyb72gsbYZJ5-uL3vGd73CI5L0xa72ziHs8zm-Ra7sv1dUHqEaGGD4/s320/K6.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Joe digs a hole in the sand. 'Move sand from here to there' was a common job for the day. It's fun for the first hour.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZC-8JfuM6J-mInanr91O9jlgdnnCO5KklCekZtrGx2Li0C7EHWtKWYVthvj_mn9iHl89L2APYy0Wv9oEy5T__OVdP_yAqr9xWR4AIMEJgz8WwVuRxEWSLMW4mT3vuMLGZ5IFLfPz4mSTY/s1600-h/K21.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181714893205637890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZC-8JfuM6J-mInanr91O9jlgdnnCO5KklCekZtrGx2Li0C7EHWtKWYVthvj_mn9iHl89L2APYy0Wv9oEy5T__OVdP_yAqr9xWR4AIMEJgz8WwVuRxEWSLMW4mT3vuMLGZ5IFLfPz4mSTY/s320/K21.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Joe and Kayan sort wood into usable wood and beach bonfire wood. Kayan stepped on a nail and then when he was joking about safety last he stepped on another nail. That was the end of his joking.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C6SJ7vuLOFOpyXcJWW1OELxWqNRliohTkbSUIIqjH8cXzm-aY99cjb7EkB3ZMJT7gVw9jclEEExTJYzuiRKIUS63U3TASCyB2i1Tdp2vpkJbTqfQ0YTBZ4w5SqYeJSzjqupVJwwE3H4/s1600-h/K10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181712986240158146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_C6SJ7vuLOFOpyXcJWW1OELxWqNRliohTkbSUIIqjH8cXzm-aY99cjb7EkB3ZMJT7gVw9jclEEExTJYzuiRKIUS63U3TASCyB2i1Tdp2vpkJbTqfQ0YTBZ4w5SqYeJSzjqupVJwwE3H4/s320/K10.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Mia poses with her outdoor sink. She spent many an hour here scrubbing dishes with only a blue and orange bird and a giant monitor lizard to keep her company.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7v6OefejR53EtWiXPaQd78QCnLRPUIvA4psnjqDa360RR8j92CshBKMJsJ6VwodliJqIF1km2CCZ0gyZIVHOn38CtEXQd7qgzbrvyPrXeQ9sdXzbs-hiAPm7q11ES_x-ASjkt6ryffo/s1600-h/K9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181713222463359570" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7v6OefejR53EtWiXPaQd78QCnLRPUIvA4psnjqDa360RR8j92CshBKMJsJ6VwodliJqIF1km2CCZ0gyZIVHOn38CtEXQd7qgzbrvyPrXeQ9sdXzbs-hiAPm7q11ES_x-ASjkt6ryffo/s320/K9.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Joe replaced all the pipes so that Mia's dishwater flowed into the first septic tank and then overflowed into the second tank, eliminating the need to transfer it with buckets and stopping it from running out under the restaurant. The tank was full of maggots the size of fingers and they we inexplicably drawn TOWARD hammers and chisels. Sick me out to the max.Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134882445280852704.post-35614816984069793432008-03-04T06:11:00.000-08:002008-03-24T06:19:00.426-07:00One Month Ago... Taman Negara(by Joe)<br />(This is now a month old, sorry for the late posting)<br />Hey everyone. It's been a while since I wrote. Most of the last month has been spent travelling with Mia's mother Marla, which has been wonderful. You can scroll down to her guest blogs that she posted to find out more. I would like to talk to you all about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Teman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Negara</span> now. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Teman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Negara</span> is a vast expanse of untouched <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">rain forest</span> nestled deep in the heart of peninsular <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Malaysia</span>. There are only two ways to get there. The first is by a three hour boat ride along a winding river whose banks are crawling with wild monkeys and deadly monitor lizards. The trees act as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">camouflage</span> for the still thriving <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">rhinoceros</span>, elephants and tigers which stalk each other through the night, each hoping to make a meal of the other. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sky's</span> above the river could theoretically fill with so many birds that the sun could be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">completely</span> choked out and it would become a virtual night time in the already dense jungle below. (This didn't happen, though I was able to see at least 4 of the 250 species of birds that live in the jungle during our trip (there were very few birds around)). <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">The</span> only other way to reach the jungle is by paved, divided highway.<br /><br />When we arrived at the small town that acts as a staging camp for those brave enough to enter the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Taman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Negara</span> wilderness we were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">briefed</span> on a number of possibe guided trips and then turned loose on our own. The town itself was nothing worth writing home about, so I wont. However, across the river there was a 5 star resort hidden amongst the trees and vines, so we chartered a boat and got us a fancy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">chalet</span>.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">The</span> buffet at the resort was amazing. It boasted of entrees from every corner of the world. Slow piano jazz covers of popular 90's songs competed for the affections of diners ears with the whining <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">buzz saw</span> of cicadas the size of a gorillas thumb. The cicadas, confused by the lights, would find themselves drawn inexplicably into the open air restaurant and thrust headfirst by their own instincts into anything bright around them. Lights, plates, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">shiny</span> reflections on the plastic straps of a french <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">woman's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Invizi</span>-bra. I caught one in my hand, exchanged a nod with an elderly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Englishman</span> who saw me do it, and the set it free.<br /><br />The grounds of the resort were well groomed and only small <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">remnants</span> of the jungle still remained. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">The</span> most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">noticeable</span> of which were the giant wild hogs which dotted the lawns and required a full time staff member to circulate with a shovel filling in the holes they made rooting for grubs. All the wood beams, decorative lights and clocks showing times all over the world couldn't mask the savageness of the place completely. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">One</span> morning I was waiting for some breakfast vouchers in the lobby of the hotel when a squirrel on the wall caught my eye. It was climbing from beam to beam, zigzagging its way up toward the vaulted ceiling. A gecko was also hanging out on the wall, two stories up. It was just relaxing there. Sleeping. The squirrel went out of its way to scamper over, reach up, grab the gecko in its hand, and fling it screaming toward the polished concrete floor. It landed belly down with a rubbery thud. Murdered for fun. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">That's</span> the way the jungle is. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Hardcore</span>.<br /><br />On our second day in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Teman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Negara</span>, after a night spent gorging ourselves on international cuisine, playing cards, drinking fine wine and sleeping in, we decided to venture out into the jungle without paying for a guide. We had a map and 3 fairly adept people. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">That's</span> really all you need. (When I had asked the nature guide the night before what animals he would show us on his jungle trek he had paused, looked <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">embarrassed</span> and then said, "Um, maybe cricket? Maybe spider?" Not worth 30 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">ringet</span> a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">piece</span>). The jungle was green and brown and humid. We made our way to the canopy walk.<br /><br />The canopy walk is a series of suspension bridges 75 feet in the air strung between ancient rainforest trees. After that we hiked to the top of a few hills that looked over the whole valley. Nice. we had been warned about leeches but for the first number of housrs we didn't see any. The leeches here are land leeches. The walk like inchworms along the ground and then when they sense an aproching victim they stand on their tail and stretch up into the air like a thin, glossy stick, allowing them to grab onto shoes even when your foot is passing over them. You can't feel them at all even though they pull 20 times the blood as a mosquito. I saw a couple of other hikes suddenly panic and start grabbing at their shoes while we were walking and so I checked my own. 3 leeches, sucking through my socks. Sneaky little bastards. Mia had them too. For some reason they left Marla completely alone even though she was wearing open sided shoes. For the rest of the hike we had to keep stopping to burn all the leeches off of us with lighters. Even standing still for 30 seconds the came inching in from all directions, tiny black lines radiating out from where we stood, like the black rays of some evil, shrinking sun. The wounds they open can be quite gnarly. By the time we got back one of my socks was half soaked with blood. No pain though. I have so much to write but this is a start. Next up, our one month adventure on Kapas Island. Cliff jumping, vine swinging, jungle treking, cat nabbing, beach bonfireing, Steven Segal look alikes and more!Joe and Miahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06066331033192529581noreply@blogger.com1