I hope everyone has enjoyed my blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. I will see everyone very soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Last Day
It is my last day in India and although I am sad that my holiday is over, I am looking forward to being back home. It's been an amazing journey, topped off by a party to celebrate my sister and her husband. You can see people wearing the traditional dress below, it's fun to wear fancy clothes and be part of the culture.
I hope everyone has enjoyed my blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. I will see everyone very soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
I hope everyone has enjoyed my blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. I will see everyone very soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
People and Food
I've talked a lot about the history of India, which is long and extraordinary, but I want to share some pictures of daily life here. These are from our day out in the city, eating and enjoying the people. 
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Mumbai
I'm sorry I'm just now posting again but with all the sightseeing and family dinners it's been a little hectic. The good news is that I am enjoying every minute of it, especially the home-cooked meals. Yummy!!!
Yesterday we went down to the "Gateway of India". This 26 meter (85 foot) archway was built to welcome the queen and king of England in 1911. This arch was also the same archway the English troops left through when India finally got their independence. Does anyone know what year India got their independence from England?
From this point we took a boat to Elephanta Island. This island is known for its caves and the 7th-century temples carved out of stone. Who carved these temples and made these amazing structures? No one knows, but whoever they were, they were true artists and left some of the most beautiful sculptures of its time. If you look closely at the pictures below you might recognize some of the "people" in the sculptures, these are some of the Hindu gods.
This island was also full of monkeys. In fact one monkey went up to a woman and scared her so bad that she dropped whatever she was eating. The monkey quickly grabbed the food and had a snack. These are very clever, and not so friendly, monkeys. I took video of the monkeys playing in the trees, but it's not letting me post it. I will have to share my videos when I get back:)
Tonight is the big party for my sister and her husband. I will be sure to take pictures so you can see the people, food and colorful decorations.
Stay tuned.....
Yesterday we went down to the "Gateway of India". This 26 meter (85 foot) archway was built to welcome the queen and king of England in 1911. This arch was also the same archway the English troops left through when India finally got their independence. Does anyone know what year India got their independence from England?
From this point we took a boat to Elephanta Island. This island is known for its caves and the 7th-century temples carved out of stone. Who carved these temples and made these amazing structures? No one knows, but whoever they were, they were true artists and left some of the most beautiful sculptures of its time. If you look closely at the pictures below you might recognize some of the "people" in the sculptures, these are some of the Hindu gods.
This island was also full of monkeys. In fact one monkey went up to a woman and scared her so bad that she dropped whatever she was eating. The monkey quickly grabbed the food and had a snack. These are very clever, and not so friendly, monkeys. I took video of the monkeys playing in the trees, but it's not letting me post it. I will have to share my videos when I get back:)
Tonight is the big party for my sister and her husband. I will be sure to take pictures so you can see the people, food and colorful decorations.
Stay tuned.....
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
First Day
Hello from the crazy city of Mumbai/Bombay. This city is filled with colorful people, multiple religions, lots of sand and sun, and great food. Today we visited a few Hindu temples, a "holy" bathing site and saw a lot of interesting people.
First, the history of this city is very interesting and has ties to the English, just like Jamestown. Mumbai was known as a major trading center for spices, gold and diamonds. Because of this, the English wanted to make sure they made money from these goods, remember how much they wanted to find gold and silver in the " New World". In the late 1500s the East Indian Company was formed in England and sent merchants over to Bombay to set up trade. This charter was the beginning of the English rule in India. Look at the photos below and see if you can spot the picture of the English architecture.
I also visited Hindu temples, Tuesday is a special day of prayer for this religion. Although I could not take pictures of the temple, we did visit a bathing area where people will walk down the steps and bathe in the holy water. If you look closely you might be able to see the Hindu priests.
I also saw school children on field trips, people working and shopping. Overall, it was a colorful and sunny day. In fact, it was 31 degrees Celsius. Can you figure out how many degrees Fahrenheit that is?
Stay tuned....
First, the history of this city is very interesting and has ties to the English, just like Jamestown. Mumbai was known as a major trading center for spices, gold and diamonds. Because of this, the English wanted to make sure they made money from these goods, remember how much they wanted to find gold and silver in the " New World". In the late 1500s the East Indian Company was formed in England and sent merchants over to Bombay to set up trade. This charter was the beginning of the English rule in India. Look at the photos below and see if you can spot the picture of the English architecture.
I also visited Hindu temples, Tuesday is a special day of prayer for this religion. Although I could not take pictures of the temple, we did visit a bathing area where people will walk down the steps and bathe in the holy water. If you look closely you might be able to see the Hindu priests.
I also saw school children on field trips, people working and shopping. Overall, it was a colorful and sunny day. In fact, it was 31 degrees Celsius. Can you figure out how many degrees Fahrenheit that is?
Stay tuned....
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year
Happy New Year from India. It's been an amazing start to 2012, and I hope it's been a good start for you too. Hopefully everyone enjoyed their holiday and are ready to start school again. Even though I'm not in the classroom, I'm learning about the history and culture of India every day. This information will be useful next year when we learn about ancient civilizations during history.
As I told you, Jaipur is known as the "Pink City" due to the fact that when the prince of Wales visited the city in 1876 the city was painted pink as a welcome. In India pink is known as the color of hospitality. Although the city is covered in "pink", I think it should be named after all of its amazing palaces and forts.
Historically Jaipur is a town of merchants, selling beautiful things such as jewelry with diamonds and other gems. That is part of the reason why this city's rulers were able to build such majestic palaces and forts, check out my pictures below. The gardens are also beautiful, and something the rulers took great pride in.
The founder of this city was Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He was very interested in science, astronomy and math. It was his creative ideas that let this city grow and be so successful. In the pictures below you will see me standing in front of the largest sundial in India, this was one of the many educational tools the ruler built to educate and help people in his city.
In this town you will see people riding elephants and camels. You will also see the monkeys checking out the markets, once again seeing if they can grab anything.
Now it is on to Mumbai. Here I will meet my brother-in-law's extended family, see more historical sites and see the "Hollywood" of India, they call it Bollywood.
Stay tuned....
As I told you, Jaipur is known as the "Pink City" due to the fact that when the prince of Wales visited the city in 1876 the city was painted pink as a welcome. In India pink is known as the color of hospitality. Although the city is covered in "pink", I think it should be named after all of its amazing palaces and forts.
Historically Jaipur is a town of merchants, selling beautiful things such as jewelry with diamonds and other gems. That is part of the reason why this city's rulers were able to build such majestic palaces and forts, check out my pictures below. The gardens are also beautiful, and something the rulers took great pride in.
The founder of this city was Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He was very interested in science, astronomy and math. It was his creative ideas that let this city grow and be so successful. In the pictures below you will see me standing in front of the largest sundial in India, this was one of the many educational tools the ruler built to educate and help people in his city.
In this town you will see people riding elephants and camels. You will also see the monkeys checking out the markets, once again seeing if they can grab anything.
Now it is on to Mumbai. Here I will meet my brother-in-law's extended family, see more historical sites and see the "Hollywood" of India, they call it Bollywood.
Stay tuned....
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Delhi
Before I leave this beautiful city, I will share more about my experiences here. There is too much to share in detail, so I will just highlight some of the best parts.
The other day I visited the Red Fort. This is a walled city-palace built in the 17th century to house the Moghul emperors and their "people". The fort is made out of red sandstone, that is what gives it its color. In the stone and marble you will find designs of flowers made out of jewels. Although some of the jewels are no longer there ( in fact the largest diamond in the world used to be here but the English took it and now you can see it in The Tower of London) with the gardens and fountains you can imagine how amazing it must have looked back then.
In the old city of Delhi you will find a market. Here you can buy anything from paper and books to scarves. You can also get food here such as flour, but how you get the flour is different. Here at the bazaar you bring your corn to the shop and the person in the shop grinds it into flour. We also saw some monkeys at the market, trying to see what they could grab. I have a video of this and hope to post it later this week.
Yesterday I went to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. This is a structure built in honor of one of the emperors wives. It is said that her dying wish was that her husband (Shah Jahan) build something spectacular as a symbol of their love. We don't know if this story is true, but if the Taj Mahal is a sign of love, it must have been beautiful. I've seen many pictures, but nothing prepares you for the sheer magnitude and beauty of this structure, along with the gardens and fountains.
I enjoyed this city and all its culture, but it is time to go to my next stop Jaipur "the Pink City".
Stay tuned.....
The other day I visited the Red Fort. This is a walled city-palace built in the 17th century to house the Moghul emperors and their "people". The fort is made out of red sandstone, that is what gives it its color. In the stone and marble you will find designs of flowers made out of jewels. Although some of the jewels are no longer there ( in fact the largest diamond in the world used to be here but the English took it and now you can see it in The Tower of London) with the gardens and fountains you can imagine how amazing it must have looked back then.
In the old city of Delhi you will find a market. Here you can buy anything from paper and books to scarves. You can also get food here such as flour, but how you get the flour is different. Here at the bazaar you bring your corn to the shop and the person in the shop grinds it into flour. We also saw some monkeys at the market, trying to see what they could grab. I have a video of this and hope to post it later this week.
Yesterday I went to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. This is a structure built in honor of one of the emperors wives. It is said that her dying wish was that her husband (Shah Jahan) build something spectacular as a symbol of their love. We don't know if this story is true, but if the Taj Mahal is a sign of love, it must have been beautiful. I've seen many pictures, but nothing prepares you for the sheer magnitude and beauty of this structure, along with the gardens and fountains.
I enjoyed this city and all its culture, but it is time to go to my next stop Jaipur "the Pink City".
Stay tuned.....
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Hello from India
After a 10 to 11 hour plane ride I arrived in Delhi, India around 2:30 pm on Christmas day. Even from the sky (over 10,000 feet in the air) I could see the beauty of this area, check out the Himalayan Mountains!
I started the first day with going to the Qutub Minar. This was the first mosque built in India, and they built it on the same site as a Hindu temple. If you look closely you might see some of the Hindu details (carvings of their gods) in the details of the tower.
The second day was filled with history. I visited tombs, which were built to bury some of the emperors, an old fort where an emperor fell to his death, the "White House" of the Indian world and ate some amazing vegetarian food. The best part about the food (besides everything tasting so amazing) is that I get to eat most of it with my hands. With so much good food and history, I'm sure to get a good nights sleep.
Tomorrow I go to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and then will visit the "Old City" of Delhi the following day. Stay tuned....
I started the first day with going to the Qutub Minar. This was the first mosque built in India, and they built it on the same site as a Hindu temple. If you look closely you might see some of the Hindu details (carvings of their gods) in the details of the tower.
The second day was filled with history. I visited tombs, which were built to bury some of the emperors, an old fort where an emperor fell to his death, the "White House" of the Indian world and ate some amazing vegetarian food. The best part about the food (besides everything tasting so amazing) is that I get to eat most of it with my hands. With so much good food and history, I'm sure to get a good nights sleep.
Tomorrow I go to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and then will visit the "Old City" of Delhi the following day. Stay tuned....
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