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In the mind of Calvin and Hobbes, they could easily fly anywhere they want to be. Imagine them riding this catapult and thrown into oblivion and beyond! One of the belief system in Cuba is to call on a witch … Continue reading
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When I was in Cuba, it seemed that I was always eating because the food is one constant when I travel. Needless to say, after dinner, I go for a walk. One night, we found a mother cat nursing it’s … Continue reading
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Yes, I am a smoker. When I tell people that I smoke, some of them are gracious enough to say that I don’t look and smell like a smoker. That is the kindest thing to say to a smoker. However, there … Continue reading
In Cuba, Che Guevara is bigger than life. The Cuban artistically erected a monument for him even though he is not Cuban. Che revolutionized Cuba. No doubt, he is their hero. “Silence is argument carried out by other means.” The … Continue reading
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I’m back from walking the land of Cuba. Home Sweet Home. So what did I miss in the blogging world? Do tell.
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Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore unsuitable. I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds or hugging the old black oak tree. I have … Continue reading
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And the world cannot be discovered by a journey of miles, no matter how long, but only by a spiritual journey, a journey of one inch, very arduous and humbling and joyful, by which we arrive at the ground at … Continue reading
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At the end of a long corridor, there was a door. It was open, a sign of invitation. Welcome and come in. No one was around but me. I hesitated to go further that maybe I was trespassing but I … Continue reading
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As we enter the Holy Sepulcher, there lies a slab of stone where Jesus’ dead body was laid. The Orthodox priests anoint the stone with rose scented oil, walking around it as they say their prayers and holding an incense … Continue reading
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Cows roam freely in India and I was so excited to see them all over that I must have taken more photos of the bovines than humans. They are such lovely gentle giants. India considers them sacred, respected, honored, revered and … Continue reading
He came, he saw, he conquer is the meaning of Veni, Vidi, Vici. This is the beginning of a love story about Taj Mahal.
It started when a prince, son of a Mughal emperor of India, Shah Jahan, the grandson of Akbar the Great went to a bazaar, saw a girl named Mumtaz Mahal and conquered her. It was love at first sight. She became his third wife and favorite. In return, she gave him fourteen children; however, she died giving birth. In her deathbed, he promised her that he will build the most impressive mausoleum over her grave and will never marry again.
Shah Jahan was heartbroken and devastated. The country was in mourning for two years. Subsequently, he undertook building a monument that took over 22 years, thousands of men and elephants to build this bigger than life structure to fulfill his promise to his beloved.
In every dynasty, there’s always a villain that is the Shah’s third son with Mahal named Aurangzeb.
Aurangzeb killed some of his families, took over the throne and banished his father to a tower in Red Fort at Agra. From the fort, Shah Jahan can only view from the distance where the love of his life lays. He died at the tower in Agra and was buried next to Mumtaz in Taj Mahal.
I can only imagine how hard it was for the Shah to be separated from his beloved.
What I find beautiful about Taj Mahal is the love story between the Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
These photos were taken from a shopping bag “Unhappily Married” and should explain the title.
Cows, boat and huge family: Only in India!
Black sheep and Kama Sūtra
Drinking beer is cheaper than being married
Check out their Facebook, it’s hilarious. Go ahead, it’s pure and clean.
Let me get this off my system.
If you are looking for Starbucks in India, good luck! You can only find the coffee shop in the Airport, departure area.
And if you are looking for a freshly brewed coffee, there is no such thing! Everything is instant coffee in India. The famous one is Nescafe or Folgers. Kate Crimmins are you rolling your eyes yet?
It was a problem, a very big problem for me. But hey, I am a pilgrim, this is not Club Med.
So, what is Indian Coffee? Pretty basic:
Oh, some make it frothy to give it an espresso look. There’s hardly any coffee in this cup but bubbles.
I was kicking myself to get a “caffeine kick” to it. There’s hardly any caffeine in an instant coffee. Drinking two or three cups of this first thing in the morning is my form of “flagellation” for seventeen days to wake me up. I survived.
The minute we arrived in Canada, we stopped over at my sister’s place and I asked for a real good brewed coffee, mug size.
Aaahhhh…. good to the last drop followed by a refill.
I am so glad to be home.
Banana ‘heart’ blossom
The heart of the matter
Love is like a banana
Or be like an Ape
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Gone, But Not Forgotten.”
There is no escaping the traffic. One has to learn to be an aggressive and defensive driver. It seems to be the louder and longer you blow your horn, drivers will allow you to converge.
Traffic in New Delhi, India
As I look out from the comfort of the bus, I asked Padre what is this area? “Is this the flea market.” The short response was that this is the slum area.
Slum area in New Delhi, India
On the other side of the coin, this is what most people prefer to see, an illusion of history past. This area did not bring any emotional sensation from me in comparison to the traffic and the slum area.
Taj Mahal, India
At the end of the day, our group, all 20 of us from Canada, Philippines and Austria gather for a meal to give thanks to India for opening their doors and converge with them.
Meal time prepared at a Catholic diocese
In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Converge.”
AC does not want me to think that he is still playing with stuff animal as I mentioned in this post. So he sent me more evidence that this is what he does in his one and wild precious life in Thailand.
To prove his point that he is not the baby but the Tiger. Note the long line up on the right of the monk. Many are experiencing this one and wild precious life.
Here kitty, kitty, kitty: BREAKFAST!
Photographs and Memories 