One of the greatest days: This is how we wash the elephants

Now filed under one of my favorite travel memories, the day we bathed and rode the freshly scrubbed elephants in the South of India. I know I'm anthropomorphizing, but just look how happy this elephant is!

We arrived at the river early in the morning, just before the elephants and were invited to join their handlers in the water to help bathe them (the elephants, not the handlers!). Using just a cut piece of coconut husk, we had a blast splashing the elephants and scrubbing them down.

We got to ride the big one later that morning.

On the water: Cochin

Beautiful Things: Wayanad

lotus

matriarch

prayer room

tea plantation

More Nandi Hills...

Working Hard, or Hardly Working?

I don't have any actual pictures of us working, only photos of the cafes where we were working at (surveying market demand/ preferences for coffee). So I guess there's really no proof that I did anything of importance in India. You're just going to have to trust me then.

"Welcome to City Xerox, how may I assist you?"

"Um, we would like to make some copies."

"Ok, I can take care of that for you. Can I help you with any of your mobile servicing needs today?"

"No, we won't be requiring any servicing today."

"We also have STD's available, can I offer you a STD?"

"Really, just the copies will be fine. Thanks."

The Road to Nandi Hills

Outside of Bangalore, there is a 900-and-some year old temple on top of a hill. This area is called Nandi Hills. We went there.

Ganesha came along for the ride.

We saw cows. And monkeys. And rickshaws.

The monkeys were cute.

Please sir, may I have some more? Bangalore.

Well, since you asked so nicely...

Dried fruits, betel nut (pan, pronounced "pa-an"), ginger, herbs and such...Some good, some yuck, all exotic and interesting to say the least. I wish I had photos of the food, such wonderful food. Indian cuisine is both intriguing and mysterious, yet warm and comforting; A so-spicy-it's-painful, your-mouth-will-thank-you experience. Mmmm, coconut chutney, baked yogurt, lentils, chickpeas, masala dosa, and naan, and chapatti, and the paneer, mmm, the paneer...

Around Bangalore

Bangalore, a booming, vibrant city to the south of India. And as I just learned, one of the world's largest call centers. Next time you call Customer Service, chances are you're talking to someone here.

Auto-rickshaws are everywhere...

Travelling in Style

Nearly two days of travel later, we arrive in Mumbai.

After a traditional greeting, we enjoy complimentary champagne and chocolates,

I check out a bit of Indian TV (or rather, Star World, CNN, BBC, etc., etc....),

and enjoy Himalayan water (remembering to save some for brushing teeth, of course!).

Tao Tuesday

(Photo: Bangalore, India)

This is one of my favorite chapters from the Tao, reminding me that good and bad go hand in hand. The rough times will eventually pass, and their existence make the happier times that much sweeter. Good times are fleeting as well, so enjoy them in the moment. Be present. Be here now.

Two:

"Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness.
All can know good as good only because there is evil.

Therefore having and not having arise together.
Difficult and easy complement each other.
Long and short contrast each other;
High and low rest upon each other;
Voice and sound harmonize each other;
Front and back follow one another.

Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.
The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,
Creating, yet not possessing,
Working, yet not taking credit.
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever."

[Lao Tsu]

Panorama-lama

Today I discovered the magic of photostitch software, with some very cool results. Take a look (click on each to view larger):

1. Taj Mahal, Agra, India

2. Fort Agra, Agra, India

3. Fun at Lodi Gardens, New Delhi, India

4. Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, Hawaii