Friday, February 11, 2011

It's been toooooo long....

Ok I am so sorry I have not posted in awhile..... I have been sooooo busy and loving every minute of it... So here is my attempt to fill you in on what has been going on since my last post....

Michelle and I have really started to explore this amazing city. We made it to Gandhi Smriti which is where Gandhi spent his final days. It was a fascinating museum and the top floor was all art exhibits made in Gandhi's honor. Needless to say we wondered around there for hours. We walked his last steps and got to see where he was shot..... It was moving and such an amazing sight to see.


hehe see I am literally in his last footsteps!!! please excuse my funky green socks.... 

We also got to go to a Soorya festival which was a music and dance performance. The Soorya festival is celebrated in south India so it was really cool to see!!


The band that performed... they were so awesome!!!


The dancers!! I loved them!!!

Then Michelle and I went to Jantar Mantar which is an observatory in downtown Delhi. There is also one in Jaipur which we will go see when we go out there in a few weeks! Can't wait


Although Michelle and I were constantly hassled here and it was the first time I have felt uncomfortable in the city... the observatory was still so worth seeing!

We have been trying to go out and find things to do at night... and ptl.... mama found a bar with some champagne.... 


It was worth the price... 550 rupee's a glass!! GGGGGOOOOLLLLYYYYY!!!

We went to the All Indian Fine Arts and Crafts society to see some local artwork... these were my favorite....


hahahaha how they see us Westerners.... 


and.... this is just amazing....

I also finally made it to India gate! It was huge and beautiful!!!



Michelle and I had an amazing weekend in Varanasi. I must say.... I never thought I would be ok with watching dead bodies being burned... but..... I was! Although I was expecting the trip to be more spiritual and insightful then it ended up being... I still had a blast... just slightly disappointed with how the city runs... BUT shopping and barganing in the streets was a blast! Got some great clothes!!!



This is the main cremation ghat. The smoke you see is a body burning. 



I got to light a candle for Gallie and say a prayer to him....


We also got to see all the amazing temples in Varanasi, the well that the God Vishnu is believed to have retrieved  his wife's earring and know the well is believed to bring knowledge if you drink out of it. We even got to take a yoga class in an ashram ran by a women... it was interesting to say the least.

Work is beyond amazing. I love my kids more and more each day. Kumkum's grandmother came up to me and told me that her granddaughter obviously loves me very much and she can tell how much I love her. She told me this in Hindi and it was translated for me. It made my day and made me feel like I was doing something right. 


My Kumkum!!!

I finally made it out to the Qutab Minar... It was sooooo amazing to see I had no clue the history behind the monument and the mosque and tombs surrounding it. It is probably one of my favorite things I have seen since living here. 


I also got to go to an arts and crafts fair... and a bunch of us rode some rides... it was... an interesting experience (sorry mom this is going to terrify you)


Kelsey and Eliza... on the ferris wheel!! hahahaha not the sturdest contraption!!!!!

Now this weekend... I will get to see the Ellora caves and the Ajanta caves! Can't wait!!

love to you all

xoxo








10 comments:

  1. Hilz- this looks amazing, the art, the pics, and the description of your experience inspires me. Keep up the great work! Love that pic of you laying the flower in the water. Miss and love you! Eliz

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  2. I am so happy you have a great camera. These pictures have been coming out really great and I'm getting to see stuff in India I'd probably never get to see otherwise. Keep having a good time and we'll be keeping Austin nice and warm for when yah get back.

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  3. So glad to hear that things are going so well! We all miss you! Come back soon!!

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  4. You are living it up!! I'm so happy for you!! Keep having the time of your life. We miss you. And can I just say, Kumkum is the cutest thing ALIVE!! <3 Love you.

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  5. We are enjoying keeping up with you,seeing the sights, and reading about your experiences. Keep it coming. Stay safe, and enjoy! We love you madly! :)

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  6. Hil - great posting. You really caught us up on everything. Thanks for taking the time to fill us in on all of your wonderful experiences. Just continue to have fun, and continue to be very careful. Oh, the little girl is too cute for words - and no, you cannot bring her home with you! Love and miss you sooooooooooooooo much.

    Ma / aka Gina / aka Shumone

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  7. Girlature aka Angel,

    Many thanks for sharing your time and experiences with us. I feel like we're also learning sooooo much about the places you visit and your work.

    Still, WE MISS & LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!

    Can't wait to Skype with you again.

    Love,

    Pops

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  8. AH all this sounds so amazing!! That little girl is too precious and you are too sweet! Keep having an amazing time! Love you!!

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  9. you go girl! look (and sounds) like you're having a blast, keep it up! love you!!!

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