Pushkar

Pushkar is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India. Pushkar means born due to a flower. In Hindu mythology it is said that the gods released a swan with a lotus in its beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform a grand yagna. The place where the lotus fell was called Pushkar. It is situated 14 Km from Ajmer and is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage sites for devout Hindus.) It is often called "Tirth Raj" - the king of pilgrimage sites - and has in recent years become a popular destination for foreign tourists.
Pushkar lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake. It has five principal temples, many smaller temples and 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters. One of the primary temples is the 14th century temple dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. Very few temples to Lord Brahma exist anywhere in the world. Other temples of Brahma include those at Besakih in Bali, Bithoor in Uttar Pradesh, India, village asotra near balotra city of barmer district in rajasthan INDIA and Prambanan in Indonesia.

Pushkar is also famous for its annual Pushkar Camel Fair.

The natural environment of Pushkar and the sacred lake has become increasingly degraded in the last few decades. The problems stem mainly from overdevelopment of tourist facilities and the deforestation of the surrounding area[1]

Amber Fort

On my last day in Jaipur I visited the Amber Fort, just stunning.. we ventured out by local bus (packed in with about 100 other Indians on the bus). Took in the beauty and sun.

Amber Fort is located in Amber (Jaipur), which used to be the capital of the Kachhwaha clan, till Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727. The Amber Fort looks stunning, all-built in white marble and red sandstone. To add to its charm, Maotha Lake makes its foreground. The crystal mirror image of the Fort, on the still waters of the lake, seems to be a beautiful illusion. Amber Fort is usually pronounced as Amer Fort. In 1592, construction of the Fort was started by Raja Man Singh I. However, the Amber Fort took its present form during the reign of Raja Jai Singh I.

Happy Vasant Panchami

Happy Vasant Panchami
February 11, 2008


Monday was a day everyone wore yellow, or tried to, since most of the kids probably didn't have yellow to wear, wore the same clothes they always did, but the rest of India that could, wore yellow on Feb 11 to welcome the goddess of knowledge and music, and to announce the first day of sping (so they say).


We were welcomed and the children performed
You have to watch them sing - Doe a Deer a female deer...

Photos of the kids!!

Here are photos of the children of the school!!

Vihaan School

We volunteered at the Vihaan School that has just over 100 children attend. They are the children that live in one of the slums of Jaipur. They pay less than $1 a month to attend if they can even afford to pay that.

Their English skills improved in just the two weeks that I was there, it was great. They were all so cute.

Although as you can see I don't always hear there name (right) well I couldn't on this one, I only got a few down by the time that I left.

On my 2nd day there, I was put with the next group up, no one knows how old they are, they don't know their birthdays, so it is just a rough guess, but I would guess these guys are about 5 or 6.
They busted out in song for me, I have no idea what they were singing, but they were cute as ever.


They loved to yell out Mam, Mam, Mam, they knew they would get your attention that way. I will miss them.

Oh, and this is our donation to the school. It wasn't much, but we realized how valuable paper is, so all of us pitched in to get them a lot of reams of paper, everyone was so excited and the teachers believe that to be the next years supply of paper. They use front and back and front and back again until they can't use the piece of paper any longer.

Sunday

So, Bollywood!!!

We hit up the cinema one night!! To see Sunday!!!! It was all in Hindi, except for a few lines, which is common in India, they speak a bit of Hindiglish! We were pretty much able to follow the plot. SUNDAY!!!!!
Oh and this is the inside of the theater


Here is the trailor if you are dying to know about it!!


Anyway, the crowds/audience reaction was the funniest part about it. The girls ewwww and awwwwd when the actors (the hunky ones of course) came out.

The scenes were hilarious.

It was about date rape, but yet a comedy. At the end we understood why. It was definitely worth the $1.50 we spent to see the movie!!! I can now say I saw a Bollywood movie!!!

Our Daily drive to work

So as in the e-mail a while ago, I stated we started with driving into oncoming traffic before heading off for our drive. Here is a bit of video from our last day. I am bummed I didn't get any camels, but a few cows, and carts, etc.


Then at the end we arrive at the slum and there is a little bit of us starting to enter into the area on our walk in.

However, I also made a video driving in Agra when we were there to see the Taj Mahal.

Galta

So one Sunday afternoon we visted Galta to see the monkeys and whatever else Galta had to offer.


Located about 10 kms from Jaipur, Galta is a holy pilgrimage centre, having a temple dedicated to Sun God. This temple is only one of its kind in this part of the country. It was a great hike to a great view of the city.

Dotting the serene green landscape, beyond the gardens, is situated the astounding Sun Temple. The small Sun Temple, built by Diwan Kriparam on the top of the highest peak is visible from any spot in Jaipur. This old pilgrim centre stands amidst the low hills, guarding the city. To the east of Jaipur, the Galta Temple is 2.5 kms climb from Surajpol.

Morning Assembly

This is their morning prayer.



Although this video sounds a bit scattered, it was great to see the kids and their morning assembly

After the assembly there is a rush to get their bags and take off their shoes before entering the classroom

Carmel becomes Muslim

So, sometimes it is difficult to be a white person in another country, constantly being hassled, etc. Whenever you walk down the street the taxi's pull over thinking you need a ride, or someone is trying to sell you something, or a begger wants money. So Carmel (from Ireland) decided to try out being Muslim, contiplated getting the outfit and all so when she walked down the streets of Jaipur so wouldn't be hassled. The man was very happy to help her, people who walked by stopped to watch, or laugh. We were laughing. Here are a few photos and a video

Ok, so she didn't buy the Burka or become Muslim, but it would give you peace and quiet.

Yoga

So, how do I explain my Yoga expirience so far. It certainly isn't what you think. It's not a Yoga retreat to India.

At about 5:45pm we go downstairs to what is a doctors office by day. I believe a pediatrician. We move the desk, chairs and the scales, grab a tiny little broom made up of branches and sweep the floors. Mainly because only half the "office" is tiled and the other half is dirt with a few dirt piles.

Once we have our Yoga studio set, we lay our towels down on the tile floor and the Yoga teacher takes his place in the chair and instructs us to breath (sometimes on the deep breathing you can't help but smell the piles of dirt). There are no downward dogs or positions, there isn't bending and breathing. It is traditional Yoga, and we are either standing or sitting, mainly deep breathing, bending, holding positions (legs in air) etc. It is definitely great, just different from any other expirience I have ever had in Yoga. I have actually been a little sore from it. Try holding your leg in a 45 degree angle while laying on the floor for over a minute. Not easy.

Our 1st lesson we had five of us in the room. There are two boys from England (the Williams, both with the first name William) 19 years old. However after the first lesson they decided that Yoga was not for them, so they decided not to continue the classs. So there are three of us in the class.

Our second lesson we did the tree. I believe we just hold the posses longer. I tried to think of Yoga studios I have been in in the past instead of focusing on a dirt spot on the wall, but you make due. The walls were probably white when they were first painted, however, now they are a nice dirt color. When laying on our backs staring up at the ceiling, I see cob webs in the corner and the rusty little fan above us and the dirty white ceiling.

Last lesson we had to do outside


Here's our instructor

Other Random Things

Who knew carrots were red in India?



I still don't quite understand how the women can carry stufon their heads with such ease?



I love how this cow has a rag on his head.


Our little taxi in Agra!


I thought this cow had cool horns. They look almost like a heart.


Your local barber


My local internet cafe


Oh and what a brilliant idea to make socks already for your flip flops!!!

The group

This is the groups of volunteers I was with.
David, Will, Carmel, Mel, will

It was Carmel's birthday the Monday after I left.
Here is the group again.
Will, Mel, Will, Carmel, David & Sandie

Ash Wed

Yes Mom!! I made it to church!!

A woman that lives in the guest house just happen to invite me to church with her on Ash Wed. I had to miss a few things to go, but I thought if I was invited I should go, since it is Ash Wed, and always interesting going to church in other countries. The music wasn't all that great. The choir couldn't really sing on key, but it was still interesting, and they tried. Other than that, everything was in English and all the same, except just a few small things. I was one of very few white people there. I was actually surprised when I saw a few other white people.

It was only Day 4, so by her taking me out, I had the chance to see a different side of India than what I was seeing, and talk with her about experiences and things that I wouldn't have otherwise if I went out with the volunteers.

After mass we decided to go out for a bite to eat. We stopped into a little place on the side of the road. Not a place I think I would have picked out on my own, ate food that I wouldn't normally get if I ate at the guesthouse, and for the two of us to eat with yogurt (I believe it was a Lassi) was about 60 rupees, maybe about $1.50. That is incredible.

The meal was two fried breads (and I am sure they have a name) chic peas (sp??) and some other peppers that made my nose run. Then we headed home, walked for a bit, it was my first time seeing MI road a main street in Jaipur, the cinema (Raj) which I ended up going to later in the week. Then we took a bicycle rickshaw the rest of the way home.

Maria was a lovely woman that really showed the hospitality of India. I am lucky to have gotten to experience that.

The Food

Jaipur City Palace

Located in the capital of Rajasthan, the City Palace of Jaipur or the main palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The vast palace complex occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur. Originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of the Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, additions have been made to the palace complex by many of his successors.

The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings. It is home to several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.







These two were outside the palace

Another interesting thing, do you notice the man peeing in the background? This is something you get used to fairly quickly as the walls ARE the toilets for men and often you may see three in a row.

Wedding Crashers