tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20763014819690292532024-03-08T04:09:38.060-08:00Erin Williams WatercolorsErin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-58135960978386994992011-07-09T08:40:00.001-07:002011-07-09T08:40:30.182-07:00moved blog to new websiteHi, my blog is an integral part of my new website so please come on over-<br />
http://www.erinwilliamswatercolors.com/blog/Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-70965631073468786522011-06-27T17:21:00.000-07:002011-06-27T17:21:01.527-07:00Love is Shining Down on Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">May Gray is Away and June Gloom is gone and I'm in Love-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCqcgQhbClg/TgkYsfZfdpI/AAAAAAAABNA/7WlfuA2HwLQ/s1600/ptg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCqcgQhbClg/TgkYsfZfdpI/AAAAAAAABNA/7WlfuA2HwLQ/s640/ptg1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The only thing to do with this kind of exuberance and energetic joy is to paint my bright flowers-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5qQ_2GsIAwY/TgkZEufQhsI/AAAAAAAABNE/RzZWHDOSAsQ/s1600/ptg+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5qQ_2GsIAwY/TgkZEufQhsI/AAAAAAAABNE/RzZWHDOSAsQ/s640/ptg+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I admit it - I've been in a funk the last couple of months. the weather, the coming down from the high of India, the healthy move toward independence Casey and I needed in our relationship after that intense bonding during our trip, the confusion over the change in my yoga practice that felt dry here, plus health issues for both Casey and me. It's been a struggle but we made it through the dark, back in to the light, and Love is Shining down on Me now-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji6W2jrjKCY/TgkaVjLdJHI/AAAAAAAABNM/YfQ4PZubBpg/s1600/ptg+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji6W2jrjKCY/TgkaVjLdJHI/AAAAAAAABNM/YfQ4PZubBpg/s640/ptg+5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
Today i started this painting which is huge- 40 x 60. It will have peonies, tulips, godetia and a pair of nightingales. I also enjoyed a long summer walk on the beach with the dogs who frolicked in the ocean- they feel it too. The change in to summer, ahhhhhh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmPEx7N_WI4/TgkbSANJc5I/AAAAAAAABNQ/hKn23AFL8Kg/s1600/dress+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NmPEx7N_WI4/TgkbSANJc5I/AAAAAAAABNQ/hKn23AFL8Kg/s640/dress+4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Yesterday I wore one of my new dresses to the beach show. You can see some of my patterns and even order some yardage at <a href="http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/erinwilliams">spoonflower</a> which is an on-line shop and they print all kinds of beautiful fabrics.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxXrE8Lst2I/TgkcMN_wi8I/AAAAAAAABNY/ZY0TebmlC9g/s1600/dress+6+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AxXrE8Lst2I/TgkcMN_wi8I/AAAAAAAABNY/ZY0TebmlC9g/s640/dress+6+.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I had 3 dresses made from the same pattern- each a little different. This one has a double skirt and is made with the Helibore design.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7F9813EWIY/Tgkb9woLn-I/AAAAAAAABNU/GURH4BvSEEk/s1600/dress+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7F9813EWIY/Tgkb9woLn-I/AAAAAAAABNU/GURH4BvSEEk/s640/dress+7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I am so happy to have sundress weather and vibes in the air. This feeling I have is of falling in love and it's strong coming out of that flat period I just went through. I feel like I'm on the edge of something big and exciting and it's a magical feeling to know I am still peaking at this stage in the game. I don't know what's coming but it is something magnificent. I think it is pure joy of creativity~</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-77038093562225389862011-06-24T18:08:00.000-07:002011-06-24T18:08:01.853-07:00Apron, Pillows and Empty Walls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I had some pretty dresses and an apron made from ny own fabric designs by a sweet seamstress in Goleta named Eileen Ray and got them this week. F U N i took a few pics of the apron and will show The dresses as i wear them and get Casey to take pictures. I love to cook and I really needed an apron-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOzJyucve34/TgUt4NUWFQI/AAAAAAAABMk/2SkMhHLjcfg/s1600/IMG_1336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EOzJyucve34/TgUt4NUWFQI/AAAAAAAABMk/2SkMhHLjcfg/s640/IMG_1336.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
It has a V neck, pockets and a cute ruffle on the bottom- very femie<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHPJNCzNztk/TgUtrZeDByI/AAAAAAAABMc/B4k1K0vKqRA/s1600/IMG_1332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHPJNCzNztk/TgUtrZeDByI/AAAAAAAABMc/B4k1K0vKqRA/s640/IMG_1332.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
It's from my Poppies ans Sweet Peas collection- actually a painting I did about 15 years ago in Oregon where I grew those flowers in my garden. I dreamed about that garden last night><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4W1gipOTMW8/TgUty6cEPsI/AAAAAAAABMg/9UF0vBIYAjk/s1600/IMG_1334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4W1gipOTMW8/TgUty6cEPsI/AAAAAAAABMg/9UF0vBIYAjk/s640/IMG_1334.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Georgie loves it of course<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MI6siBFUEA/TgUt9AFqzEI/AAAAAAAABMo/IQxsuzbQFw0/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MI6siBFUEA/TgUt9AFqzEI/AAAAAAAABMo/IQxsuzbQFw0/s640/IMG_1340.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You know him. He likes to be included in my blog as much as possible. Hi Georgie~<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ppaNwSk7mKY/TgUtXTYhHLI/AAAAAAAABMM/8FsYMw8d0-M/s1600/IMG_1325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ppaNwSk7mKY/TgUtXTYhHLI/AAAAAAAABMM/8FsYMw8d0-M/s640/IMG_1325.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndeRhrnm4zs/TgUtbRC1-tI/AAAAAAAABMQ/V6B0uVx8tkc/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndeRhrnm4zs/TgUtbRC1-tI/AAAAAAAABMQ/V6B0uVx8tkc/s640/IMG_1326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Here are some pillows in the same fabric. My lovely licensing agent <a href="http://www.cciart.com/">Laurie</a> sent me these this week. I had sent her some fabric and she made them into pillow coverings for her booth at the Surtex trade show in NY last month and she was kind enough to gift them back to me. What goes around comes around.- she is a true gem, always advising me when I'm at a loss in the business of art.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tw6X1Mbn7YM/TgUtLH9eqDI/AAAAAAAABME/JTotU293EaQ/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tw6X1Mbn7YM/TgUtLH9eqDI/AAAAAAAABME/JTotU293EaQ/s640/IMG_1323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> These pillows are from my Fertile Rising collection with daffodils and pansies, also done from that same garden in oregon during that fertile period in my life, raising my adored young children and angora rabbits- BLISS<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkZLCE5RGW4/TgUtHHKGJ9I/AAAAAAAABMA/Fj4_rTu5nEE/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FkZLCE5RGW4/TgUtHHKGJ9I/AAAAAAAABMA/Fj4_rTu5nEE/s640/IMG_1322.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Love the look of all my designs mixed together- the tv covering is from my Heavenly Divine collection <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tw6X1Mbn7YM/TgUtLH9eqDI/AAAAAAAABME/JTotU293EaQ/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tw6X1Mbn7YM/TgUtLH9eqDI/AAAAAAAABME/JTotU293EaQ/s640/IMG_1323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tw6X1Mbn7YM/TgUtLH9eqDI/AAAAAAAABME/JTotU293EaQ/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>You will see all my pattern collections on my upcoming new web site with info on ordering fabric, hopefully pretty soon-<br />
In the meantime I was left with some bare walls this week-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QbaA_17-VA/TgUtgBMOOEI/AAAAAAAABMU/krR8O30Hyuw/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QbaA_17-VA/TgUtgBMOOEI/AAAAAAAABMU/krR8O30Hyuw/s640/IMG_1327.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Three of my large paintings found a new home at a lovely beachy place in Hope Ranch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkHq9OlHVwI/TgUygNUcHRI/AAAAAAAABM0/hKK0x0cIM8o/s1600/photo%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkHq9OlHVwI/TgUygNUcHRI/AAAAAAAABM0/hKK0x0cIM8o/s640/photo%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> They are happy here and bring the family much cheer~<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1qrecplLtg/TgUyjoQ6rGI/AAAAAAAABM4/U4mE8o4qqg4/s1600/photo%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1qrecplLtg/TgUyjoQ6rGI/AAAAAAAABM4/U4mE8o4qqg4/s640/photo%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> I changed out the glass to non- glare so it's not so reflective. they also replaced the plant on the table with blocks that read L O V E. It looks so warm and good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiE5dMUMp0w/TgUymnZuk9I/AAAAAAAABM8/ORENl4AZ_dY/s1600/photo%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CiE5dMUMp0w/TgUymnZuk9I/AAAAAAAABM8/ORENl4AZ_dY/s640/photo%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
This is the daughters bedroom- notice the 3 figures on the dresser she placed to look at the birds-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCIm5y2m6HI/TgUuC-SSX_I/AAAAAAAABMs/bPVKwKIKyAA/s1600/IMG_1341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCIm5y2m6HI/TgUuC-SSX_I/AAAAAAAABMs/bPVKwKIKyAA/s640/IMG_1341.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
So now it's time to paint more big ones- Yay. i got these peonies today at Trader Joes to start with and will shop for more flowers at our weekly trip to the farmers market in the morning. I am hungry to paint again as I've spent all week on more mundane chores such as mounting, coating and framing pieces.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoaGTJXsbkQ/TgUtl--r9-I/AAAAAAAABMY/GPYrrbTMDbg/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoaGTJXsbkQ/TgUtl--r9-I/AAAAAAAABMY/GPYrrbTMDbg/s640/IMG_1330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Like this one in the garage I poured resin on yesterday and is curing before I frame it. I have pieces of art in all stages of completion in various rooms in my house. I'm a little elf in the workshop doing what I love. makes me so happy~</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-34951945744938669732011-06-24T17:03:00.000-07:002011-06-24T17:03:20.038-07:00Apron, Pillows and Empty Walls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="file:///Users/erintheartist/Downloads/post-preview.html">file:///Users/erintheartist/Downloads/post-preview.html</a></div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-12743182248124806572011-06-13T09:05:00.000-07:002011-06-13T09:05:29.479-07:00Fun Stuff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEhxaGX1_2s/TfYwWBlJB8I/AAAAAAAABKI/d6ld3bp0TBs/s1600/IMG_1307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEhxaGX1_2s/TfYwWBlJB8I/AAAAAAAABKI/d6ld3bp0TBs/s640/IMG_1307.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got 3 dresses made with fabric from my art and wore this one to the beach show yesterday. more about this later. Georgie loves me in roses, my lover boy~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gklVGbZOXHU/TfYxPvQzgwI/AAAAAAAABKs/caE8b8XlIWI/s1600/IMG_1316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gklVGbZOXHU/TfYxPvQzgwI/AAAAAAAABKs/caE8b8XlIWI/s640/IMG_1316.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqgPKA-LDg8/TfYxb4UmyPI/AAAAAAAABK0/SOckE-_SIWM/s1600/IMG_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqgPKA-LDg8/TfYxb4UmyPI/AAAAAAAABK0/SOckE-_SIWM/s640/IMG_1318.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlzHjDflJiQ/TfYxWFETrwI/AAAAAAAABKw/zehQDJddesw/s1600/IMG_1317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RlzHjDflJiQ/TfYxWFETrwI/AAAAAAAABKw/zehQDJddesw/s640/IMG_1317.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was my set up yesterday. It's different every week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miUtca04zx8/TfYxiLZnxdI/AAAAAAAABK4/-YU0fq5BHHQ/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-miUtca04zx8/TfYxiLZnxdI/AAAAAAAABK4/-YU0fq5BHHQ/s640/IMG_1319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> This was a painting I cut up into 4, added words, mounted on a cradled wooden panel and coated in thick, glossy resin. A whole new look~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qyBTAaISxyg/TfYwc9zK0lI/AAAAAAAABKM/PxQZ7SlLkOA/s1600/IMG_1308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qyBTAaISxyg/TfYwc9zK0lI/AAAAAAAABKM/PxQZ7SlLkOA/s640/IMG_1308.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SUewvpByCc/TfYwj9JRkGI/AAAAAAAABKQ/VMZnKZwqeU0/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9SUewvpByCc/TfYwj9JRkGI/AAAAAAAABKQ/VMZnKZwqeU0/s640/IMG_1309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8wxZ4A3rUc/TfYwq5OjwII/AAAAAAAABKU/zzbIgJMi6UQ/s1600/IMG_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8wxZ4A3rUc/TfYwq5OjwII/AAAAAAAABKU/zzbIgJMi6UQ/s640/IMG_1310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfJZLBu2o64/TfYwxcGKpBI/AAAAAAAABKY/EkRTJCf0_sY/s1600/IMG_1311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfJZLBu2o64/TfYwxcGKpBI/AAAAAAAABKY/EkRTJCf0_sY/s640/IMG_1311.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Lots of oohs and ahhs over these~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">here are some close ups of my others, adding words-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmFWWmMQuJY/TfYxF-HwPRI/AAAAAAAABKk/WHfj2SywZKQ/s1600/IMG_1314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmFWWmMQuJY/TfYxF-HwPRI/AAAAAAAABKk/WHfj2SywZKQ/s640/IMG_1314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EF8-dMpic98/TfYxKwQWsfI/AAAAAAAABKo/X2lLI9b0LXY/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EF8-dMpic98/TfYxKwQWsfI/AAAAAAAABKo/X2lLI9b0LXY/s640/IMG_1315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuGARdBhGic/TfYxt8LEk3I/AAAAAAAABLA/UtzZuYm94uk/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuGARdBhGic/TfYxt8LEk3I/AAAAAAAABLA/UtzZuYm94uk/s640/IMG_1321.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what I wrote while sitting in my booth at the beach show yesterday-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I learned my bodily contentment from the nurturing energy surrounding me. Nature fills me with loving goodness in every moment. From this pleasurable serenity I radiate joy and emanate golden light which protects me from negative energy and magnetizes more joy to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my new mantra~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-16356642421039692372011-06-09T16:11:00.000-07:002011-06-09T16:11:18.831-07:00Taming the Inner Beast<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have a pretty fierce inner beast that can only be described as a restlessness of spirit. It is the legacy a sexual predator left behind in me when he abused me as a 5 year old girl, still in my formative years. The 3 incidents of molestation were so traumatic that I disassociated from my body, creating a split and vivid memories from the heightened experience of fear that have left an indelible impression on my very being. A lifetime of healing has helped me learn how to cope and thankfully I have learned tools to help me manage this beast (after some unhealthy responses like addiction) but I recognize he will always be a part of me. Basically when he takes over I lose my connection to my own divinity and grace. The quickest, most reliable way for me to reconnect to my goodness is to paint the beauty of nature-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3FZRccBaIc/TfFPfRJF_LI/AAAAAAAABJo/E8CJGhWEhrw/s1600/IMG_1298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3FZRccBaIc/TfFPfRJF_LI/AAAAAAAABJo/E8CJGhWEhrw/s640/IMG_1298.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
In this regard drawing and painting has been a survival technique and one that I established early on in life, as a child~<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-na15KQI46iI/TfFPYaC1C4I/AAAAAAAABJk/d7eCvJ-jY3g/s1600/IMG_1297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-na15KQI46iI/TfFPYaC1C4I/AAAAAAAABJk/d7eCvJ-jY3g/s640/IMG_1297.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Art has been my true, loving partner through a lifetime of changing relationships<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lvKx0OcmaDo/TfFPlt0tHiI/AAAAAAAABJs/IiD4VRjilgk/s1600/IMG_1299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lvKx0OcmaDo/TfFPlt0tHiI/AAAAAAAABJs/IiD4VRjilgk/s640/IMG_1299.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Nothing calms my spirit quite like painting Mother Nature's beautiful blossoms. I become one with them and I once again feel beautiful and whole~<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ng1-myDhg8/TfFPyr_2NKI/AAAAAAAABJ0/0ZTv--OXpLQ/s1600/IMG_1301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0ng1-myDhg8/TfFPyr_2NKI/AAAAAAAABJ0/0ZTv--OXpLQ/s640/IMG_1301.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It is a magical transportation to another realm and I lose all sense of self~<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hFQ0-XLJYM/TfFQRASyJyI/AAAAAAAABKA/zbHOhKztKdM/s1600/IMG_1304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hFQ0-XLJYM/TfFQRASyJyI/AAAAAAAABKA/zbHOhKztKdM/s640/IMG_1304.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
It's as if divinity has flooded my being and I become a channel for Her Love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmFVFvg_BC4/TfFQJiL_ttI/AAAAAAAABJ8/nK-8Qsq_bAg/s1600/IMG_1303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmFVFvg_BC4/TfFQJiL_ttI/AAAAAAAABJ8/nK-8Qsq_bAg/s640/IMG_1303.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
It brings me great Peace and is the blessing from the beast who never leaves entirely but is tamed for the time being. <br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-14433945031311536232011-06-06T17:16:00.000-07:002011-06-06T17:16:18.695-07:00New Bed for Indian Elephant Quilt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko7ve-8pi84/Te1pcEGYaxI/AAAAAAAABJI/HnMChCAuxbo/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko7ve-8pi84/Te1pcEGYaxI/AAAAAAAABJI/HnMChCAuxbo/s640/IMG_1290.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Casey and i bought this patchwork quilt at a shop in India and it goes in our bedroom perfectly with the colors and elephant theme. We have a collection of elephants on the dresser. The quilt is pieced together from old antique jeweled dresses and is absolutely exquisite.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VoCSOkNcvJU/Te1pjJVTu8I/AAAAAAAABJM/s35NpF95EWo/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VoCSOkNcvJU/Te1pjJVTu8I/AAAAAAAABJM/s35NpF95EWo/s640/IMG_1291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
only thing is we didn't realize til we brought it home that it was absolutely filthy and those antique dresses had never been washed<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGWmzhDjO7A/Te1pu4Hm0gI/AAAAAAAABJQ/ESuO5f5vubY/s1600/IMG_1292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uGWmzhDjO7A/Te1pu4Hm0gI/AAAAAAAABJQ/ESuO5f5vubY/s640/IMG_1292.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
i think it was being held together by loose stitching and mostly dirt<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TgRaVyP76k/Te1p3wKjThI/AAAAAAAABJU/ZOU4FX4rrYU/s1600/IMG_1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TgRaVyP76k/Te1p3wKjThI/AAAAAAAABJU/ZOU4FX4rrYU/s640/IMG_1293.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
these pictures were taken before i washed it in the tub. it took 6 rinsing to get it clean. the water was black and full of sand. So Indian~<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cizJMvFMGao/Te1qBQ5RxyI/AAAAAAAABJY/3LGWrekFTus/s1600/IMG_1294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cizJMvFMGao/Te1qBQ5RxyI/AAAAAAAABJY/3LGWrekFTus/s640/IMG_1294.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
of course about half the stitching came apart so that is my evening meditation for awhile to stitch it back together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTxo0KOfBx4/Te1qK2e5AvI/AAAAAAAABJc/xrab7roEWMo/s1600/IMG_1295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTxo0KOfBx4/Te1qK2e5AvI/AAAAAAAABJc/xrab7roEWMo/s640/IMG_1295.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
i'm actually enjoying the handwork, it's so visually delightful and easy to sew. We decided it's too fragile to keep on the bed so we'll hang it on the wall above the bed and will be a fabulous headboard.<br />
<br />
In the meantime our old bed was giving me a back ache so sweet Casey splurged on a new beauty rest which is really super firm underneath a soft memory foam- it is heavenly. I look forward to bedtime even more than I used to and anyone who knows me well knows how much I value my sleep.<br />
I think this elephant quilt on my beauty rest bed has been giving me unusually vivid dreams. I've been recording my dreams in a journal for 30 years and they have never been this fantastic- am loving it!<br />
Sweet dreams everyone~<br />
<br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-19280041300752749852011-06-04T10:46:00.000-07:002011-06-04T10:46:21.214-07:00Adding Words<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXgggy1E8tk/TepuocyLvFI/AAAAAAAABJA/hEJMHu-sRQw/s1600/A+495258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tXgggy1E8tk/TepuocyLvFI/AAAAAAAABJA/hEJMHu-sRQw/s320/A+495258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've started to add words and phrases to my work. it's been helping me internalize my own personal growth on a deeper level and connect me, and hopefully the viewer, more to my art. so far, i've had a good response. i only have 2 to share here but have created more which i will share later. Love......<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4jAHtYcJ8E/TepvYkhhMCI/AAAAAAAABJE/WIJexPolZiU/s1600/A+495264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4jAHtYcJ8E/TepvYkhhMCI/AAAAAAAABJE/WIJexPolZiU/s320/A+495264.jpg" width="250" /></a></div></div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-83801362819082121012011-05-31T08:20:00.000-07:002011-05-31T08:20:13.451-07:00Art Festival Fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yesterday was a fun memorial day. the idamorri (street chalk painting) festival was happening up in front of the Santa Barbara Mission and it's a big deal around here. it's the thing to do on Memorial Day in Santa Barbara- lots of people come out to enjoy the art, music, food and beautiful surroundings. in conjunction with this is the 3 day SCAPE show (Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment) just a few steps away in a beautful wooded creekside area and it's a fundraiser for Phoenix House (mentally disabled people). I had 3 pieces in this juried show and got 1st place for floral/still-life for this painting-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZGT7jLwqmE/TeUEbtZpr1I/AAAAAAAABI4/FQ1BGcg4L_U/s1600/Song+Bird+Melody.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZGT7jLwqmE/TeUEbtZpr1I/AAAAAAAABI4/FQ1BGcg4L_U/s640/Song+Bird+Melody.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
and i sold this piece-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6GbnAjl8o6c/TeUF9ErcxpI/AAAAAAAABI8/tZ7QlI-dTKM/s1600/Charmed+Jewels+Sunflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6GbnAjl8o6c/TeUF9ErcxpI/AAAAAAAABI8/tZ7QlI-dTKM/s640/Charmed+Jewels+Sunflowers.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><br />
but the best part of the day was hanging out with my good friend <a href="http://www.lynnfogel.com/">lynn</a> sharing our deepest selves while taking in all the festivities and also connecting with the many Santa Barbara artists that i have come to know. it made me realize that in my 5 years here in Santa Barbara i have really become part of the community which i love so well and feel this is truly my home. what a fun day~</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-19297781976655492412011-05-28T09:51:00.000-07:002011-05-28T09:51:04.401-07:00A Portrait of India- Elephant Island- part 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzSn4rEM-cU/TeEZtiAhlyI/AAAAAAAABG8/ds77n-W4GRM/s1600/IMG_0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VzSn4rEM-cU/TeEZtiAhlyI/AAAAAAAABG8/ds77n-W4GRM/s640/IMG_0162.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this i after my experience in the temple which transformed me. somehow these first 2 pics got placed at the beginning rather than the end of the post where they should be. nonetheless, if you'd seen me the day before you would agree this experience literally lifted my spirits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kz9pIUshj5s/TeEZt_rexbI/AAAAAAAABHA/80d98ojS83c/s1600/IMG_0163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kz9pIUshj5s/TeEZt_rexbI/AAAAAAAABHA/80d98ojS83c/s640/IMG_0163.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is actually the very last photo taken in India- we both left on a very high note!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbF6FXPfWP8/TeEacyMCZdI/AAAAAAAABHE/rQ57DLV39pM/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbF6FXPfWP8/TeEacyMCZdI/AAAAAAAABHE/rQ57DLV39pM/s640/IMG_1237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boat ride out to island</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h0Bws60uzIg/TeEamNCgT7I/AAAAAAAABHM/wAFBTLxVCgM/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h0Bws60uzIg/TeEamNCgT7I/AAAAAAAABHM/wAFBTLxVCgM/s640/IMG_1239.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">greeted by monkeys</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8EwFDE9IXI/TeEar_nrcKI/AAAAAAAABHQ/oTn8-21zHbE/s1600/IMG_1240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8EwFDE9IXI/TeEar_nrcKI/AAAAAAAABHQ/oTn8-21zHbE/s640/IMG_1240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6YfMTCNAag/TeEawZqmH2I/AAAAAAAABHU/svc0hsPPatI/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I6YfMTCNAag/TeEawZqmH2I/AAAAAAAABHU/svc0hsPPatI/s640/IMG_1241.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRdkJIG02KA/TeEa1U2REoI/AAAAAAAABHY/YVofEQ6_uYE/s1600/IMG_1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VRdkJIG02KA/TeEa1U2REoI/AAAAAAAABHY/YVofEQ6_uYE/s640/IMG_1243.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KS4Tl_1Wuu4/TeEa7YmXpPI/AAAAAAAABHc/rckivwmjU-0/s1600/IMG_1247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KS4Tl_1Wuu4/TeEa7YmXpPI/AAAAAAAABHc/rckivwmjU-0/s640/IMG_1247.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5NYiU5Eh9c/TeEbAWwW80I/AAAAAAAABHg/NrBme5lnkD8/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5NYiU5Eh9c/TeEbAWwW80I/AAAAAAAABHg/NrBme5lnkD8/s640/IMG_1248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_Jdp09f4tY/TeEbGSTK__I/AAAAAAAABHk/K6PoMPr4Xl8/s1600/IMG_1253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_Jdp09f4tY/TeEbGSTK__I/AAAAAAAABHk/K6PoMPr4Xl8/s640/IMG_1253.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8Lu_wIZZpg/TeEbK1mSWHI/AAAAAAAABHo/vpgGpfCAelY/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m8Lu_wIZZpg/TeEbK1mSWHI/AAAAAAAABHo/vpgGpfCAelY/s640/IMG_1254.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shiva and parvati</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMWIydNWlx4/TeEbP-m0KgI/AAAAAAAABHs/NWH2aIqcIbI/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMWIydNWlx4/TeEbP-m0KgI/AAAAAAAABHs/NWH2aIqcIbI/s640/IMG_1255.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-357NMv1uRM8/TeEbV-9dumI/AAAAAAAABHw/MYGO-Hy53CY/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-357NMv1uRM8/TeEbV-9dumI/AAAAAAAABHw/MYGO-Hy53CY/s640/IMG_1256.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knernwuTBCI/TeEbbJCKxxI/AAAAAAAABH0/9bFTaEjrbBs/s1600/IMG_1258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knernwuTBCI/TeEbbJCKxxI/AAAAAAAABH0/9bFTaEjrbBs/s640/IMG_1258.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">triple god of shiva- creator, sustainer, destroyer of life</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHlDLotvW6E/TeEbgY0HOsI/AAAAAAAABH4/J1lgy7TilpU/s1600/IMG_1259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHlDLotvW6E/TeEbgY0HOsI/AAAAAAAABH4/J1lgy7TilpU/s640/IMG_1259.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6p6l6Yp24c/TeEbkjP069I/AAAAAAAABH8/wr40ORCYmN4/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6p6l6Yp24c/TeEbkjP069I/AAAAAAAABH8/wr40ORCYmN4/s640/IMG_1262.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14zDnzJnijM/TeEbpsfWTkI/AAAAAAAABIA/fWkthnhJwbs/s1600/IMG_1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14zDnzJnijM/TeEbpsfWTkI/AAAAAAAABIA/fWkthnhJwbs/s640/IMG_1263.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc20uW6lcVI/TeEbuVcB6II/AAAAAAAABIE/ntNWibYX250/s1600/IMG_1264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc20uW6lcVI/TeEbuVcB6II/AAAAAAAABIE/ntNWibYX250/s640/IMG_1264.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zSNjdG-LmKc/TeEb0ItCTlI/AAAAAAAABII/sf2lbB0E8So/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zSNjdG-LmKc/TeEb0ItCTlI/AAAAAAAABII/sf2lbB0E8So/s640/IMG_1266.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G21hXDzCiJY/TeEb43w-6jI/AAAAAAAABIM/G65efGRc-Sk/s1600/IMG_1267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G21hXDzCiJY/TeEb43w-6jI/AAAAAAAABIM/G65efGRc-Sk/s640/IMG_1267.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8P3U_LD2Rng/TeEcCnvsx1I/AAAAAAAABIU/n36WXKedOqw/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8P3U_LD2Rng/TeEcCnvsx1I/AAAAAAAABIU/n36WXKedOqw/s640/IMG_1269.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNRYczMaOZ4/TeEcOKKXsoI/AAAAAAAABIc/lrwIdLQsT8Y/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNRYczMaOZ4/TeEcOKKXsoI/AAAAAAAABIc/lrwIdLQsT8Y/s640/IMG_1271.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bwiWL1fU04U/TeEcXnn3JeI/AAAAAAAABIk/ovBfn9eIhPQ/s1600/IMG_1274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bwiWL1fU04U/TeEcXnn3JeI/AAAAAAAABIk/ovBfn9eIhPQ/s640/IMG_1274.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inner sanctum/shrine of shiva's lingam penetrating parvati's yoni- symbol that they pray too. i was frotunate enough to go into the shrine and chant aum's with several of the local people. what a vibration in my mind.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8MUvBnyALQ/TeEcchMsrdI/AAAAAAAABIo/fR_lsz_KSbM/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T8MUvBnyALQ/TeEcchMsrdI/AAAAAAAABIo/fR_lsz_KSbM/s640/IMG_1275.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-501hf2wAk3w/TeEcjZaKlmI/AAAAAAAABIs/Fx3YXRpdvuU/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-501hf2wAk3w/TeEcjZaKlmI/AAAAAAAABIs/Fx3YXRpdvuU/s640/IMG_1276.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mother and baby monkeys saying good bye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXPWcpROrB0/TeEcnndM30I/AAAAAAAABIw/ChKjKlkK4BM/s1600/IMG_1285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXPWcpROrB0/TeEcnndM30I/AAAAAAAABIw/ChKjKlkK4BM/s640/IMG_1285.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boatride back to mumbai</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCO52CczA1M/TeEcrHh-OlI/AAAAAAAABI0/ZFEw3EXi0OY/s1600/IMG_1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sCO52CczA1M/TeEcrHh-OlI/AAAAAAAABI0/ZFEw3EXi0OY/s640/IMG_1286.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">piano in our hotel lobby</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>our excursion to Elephant Island culminated my understanding of the hindu culture/religion/lifestyle because it was here that i had the most first hand experience of spiritual transformation that this path of enlightenment is all about. like i said in the previous post Mumbai (Bombay) is, to me, the worst situation of pain and suffering and horrid conditions of humanity i have ever witnessed. i was not in a position to photograph what i saw but you'll have to take my word for it. even Senegal, Africa which i visited 11 years ago didn't compare to the tragic conditions here. so when we set out to the island i was in a sorry state psychically. upon entering the temple at the top of the mountain on the island i was embraced by ancient gods and goddesses of love, goodness and protection. the temple is a series of rooms carved out of the rock and it's sheer size is incredible- the statues themselves are over 20 feet high, hundreds of years old and very detailed. being in this sacred space did something to my nervous system and i went from feeling all the horrors in life to all the joys in a matter of 20 minutes. i think what really did it for me was that i was brave enough (i'm sure i am one of the few white people to have the guts) to remove my shoes and climb the stone steps into 2 of the inner sanctums where they pray to shiva's lingam. for me it was about praying to the yoni of mother earth that shiva penetrates. i was in this space once by myself and the other with a group of indians. they were auming and i aumed right along with them and i GOT IT. i felt the vibration of the sound of the earth- the root chakra travel up my kundilini path to my mind and it did something big to my brain which immediately calmed my nervous system and bathed me with peace and light! in the shrine there was aromatic incense burning mixed with the sweet smell of jasmine that had been gifted as an offering. the combination of all the sense stimulation added to the experience.<br />
let me just end this portrait of India by telling you that when i went to Dakar, Senegal 11 years ago during the new millenium,after having studied african dance for 5 years, i had a spontaneous kundalini opening the very first night! i thought i was dying and that experience took my entire being and my whole life and shook the contents of everything in my world upside down. it ultimately led to my divorce among other major changes. after Africa and the deep spiritual experience of dancing with the people within the sacred context of the dance, i could no longer danc african back in Eugene- it had become empty, rote and meaningless out of context. it was then i changed my practice from african dance to a serios practice of yoga, though i'd been doing it lightly for 20 years. it was during this time i read about kundalini and realized what that incredibl/awful/beautiful/mind blowing 3rd eye opening of death had been. so, now after 11 years of purification and reinventing myself and my life i have culminated my kundalini experience with a completion through the immersion of the hindus- just as i did with the africans- it was the drumming and dancing and energy in the air that pulsated my being into that opening. in India, my living experience of yoga in the conext of the people has somehow completed my study of yoga. yes, i still practice and meditate on my own, just as i still dance african style on my own. but i'm done with american yoga classes.<br />
so now? guess what i have discovered- Tai Chi!!!!!! I LOVE TAI CHI! it is my new passion and obsession and addiction and i feel like it's building on what i've achieved in my body/mind/spirit wuth african dance and yoga. thinking that with tai chi and my growing interest in all things chinese will perhaps lead to a future trip to China.<br />
Thank you Mother India for all your lessons and beautiful gifts that i willa lways remember and cherish in the innermost chambers of my heart. NAMASTE~</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-60709144835141134192011-05-26T19:12:00.000-07:002011-05-26T19:12:26.240-07:00A Portrait of India- part 10 Mumbai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">India- the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly in contrasts so extreme it blows your mind. nowhere was this more evident than Mumbai, our last city on the tour. Mumbai was hard for me, very, very hard. from the moment we got off the plane i wanted to leave. i'm a country girl anyway and this city is more than just a city. there are miles and miles of slums and masses of humanity literally piled on top of each other in the filthy, stinking streets. i really didn't feel like i could last 2 days here and considered holing up in the hotel, rather than taking the excursion the 2nd day out to Elephant Island. at dinner the first night i asked our young waiter if he'd ever been out to the island and explained i was trying to decide whether to go or not. his eyes lit up and said "i've never been there but i've heard about it from friends and hope to go some day. if you don't go i will go in your place. you MUST go". okay, that made up my mind, especially since the hotel we were staying at which is one of the top rated in the world gave me the heebie jeebies for reasons i found out later that my intuition was picking up some very intense evil forces from the recent past which i can not reveal. <br />
i was so glad i took the boat ride out to the island with it's cave temple statues. the spritual high was so intense and helped me recover my mind and i got it about the extreme contrast of life in India. the unimaginable conditions of life over there are so overwhelmingly harsh that the only way they can mentally survive is to develop an unwavering faith and belief in spirit. i learned that they are able to detach from all the pain and suffering surrounding them by their belief in karma and people's states are karmic and who are we to judge. the day guide for elephant island told me of horrors- dowry murders still taking place all the time, the trains so crowded several people get killed by them everyday in Mumbai, the list goes on. yet, when we got out to Elephant Island and trekked up the steep stairs amidst vendors and incense and music and monkeys and went into the ancient cave temple with 20 foot high sculptures and i went into the shrine and aumed with the natives...... well, i walked out of there a different person. and the amazing part of it is how quickly i went from one extreme to the other. but the high of that experience gave me the strength to return back to the harsh city and carry on. so, in Mumbai i experienced the epitome of India and felt the important role that spirituality plays in the lives of the people- it is their survival.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jl80upxRtPE/Td8EwS_ODbI/AAAAAAAABFc/obI5pE1w1VE/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jl80upxRtPE/Td8EwS_ODbI/AAAAAAAABFc/obI5pE1w1VE/s640/IMG_1192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CVhubfjWYPA/Td8E1g9Y02I/AAAAAAAABFg/i7q5Utj1oJs/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CVhubfjWYPA/Td8E1g9Y02I/AAAAAAAABFg/i7q5Utj1oJs/s640/IMG_1193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIf2rCKJgRc/Td8E8-5zNII/AAAAAAAABFk/3jd7uA9bGkA/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIf2rCKJgRc/Td8E8-5zNII/AAAAAAAABFk/3jd7uA9bGkA/s640/IMG_1194.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW4zLG8puNk/Td8FC9WkpRI/AAAAAAAABFo/94w4Gi9jN5A/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW4zLG8puNk/Td8FC9WkpRI/AAAAAAAABFo/94w4Gi9jN5A/s640/IMG_1195.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlxJFzGp2sY/Td8FKGc2ByI/AAAAAAAABFs/Pao8QDEep4U/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WlxJFzGp2sY/Td8FKGc2ByI/AAAAAAAABFs/Pao8QDEep4U/s640/IMG_1196.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the laundry ghat. people rent these spaces to live and do laundry for their living.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StPxShRDyoY/Td8FS-LrKTI/AAAAAAAABFw/9s_w-SH43j8/s1600/IMG_1197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StPxShRDyoY/Td8FS-LrKTI/AAAAAAAABFw/9s_w-SH43j8/s640/IMG_1197.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pb012LgoaC8/Td8FgpYycBI/AAAAAAAABF4/aGOH3If2KBQ/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pb012LgoaC8/Td8FgpYycBI/AAAAAAAABF4/aGOH3If2KBQ/s640/IMG_1199.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFbMDlv3N5Y/Td8FoOTEI8I/AAAAAAAABF8/OBIks08ll0o/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AFbMDlv3N5Y/Td8FoOTEI8I/AAAAAAAABF8/OBIks08ll0o/s640/IMG_1200.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-vx65O_Fo0/Td8FwLkMpdI/AAAAAAAABGA/ABbjdmQ8r_Q/s1600/IMG_1201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-vx65O_Fo0/Td8FwLkMpdI/AAAAAAAABGA/ABbjdmQ8r_Q/s640/IMG_1201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1SgnPdfXK8/Td8F3xIsLwI/AAAAAAAABGE/TFRIlC81_gk/s1600/IMG_1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j1SgnPdfXK8/Td8F3xIsLwI/AAAAAAAABGE/TFRIlC81_gk/s640/IMG_1202.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71FUZL2FqlQ/Td8F_tst-_I/AAAAAAAABGI/Iakp0G2zRPQ/s1600/IMG_1203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71FUZL2FqlQ/Td8F_tst-_I/AAAAAAAABGI/Iakp0G2zRPQ/s640/IMG_1203.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jbfs8vt-rQs/Td8GEr2oJPI/AAAAAAAABGM/nzwRFgusBs0/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jbfs8vt-rQs/Td8GEr2oJPI/AAAAAAAABGM/nzwRFgusBs0/s640/IMG_1214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imZ5lGQYgcM/Td8GJYFEUSI/AAAAAAAABGQ/jS4wlfRMgn0/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-imZ5lGQYgcM/Td8GJYFEUSI/AAAAAAAABGQ/jS4wlfRMgn0/s640/IMG_1221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AEmpsQlI7k/Td8GPE0SD4I/AAAAAAAABGU/fuCoZQmGOKM/s1600/IMG_1222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AEmpsQlI7k/Td8GPE0SD4I/AAAAAAAABGU/fuCoZQmGOKM/s640/IMG_1222.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JHyq8X7pdk/Td8GV8ZzwjI/AAAAAAAABGY/MoFvBsuuIGU/s1600/IMG_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7JHyq8X7pdk/Td8GV8ZzwjI/AAAAAAAABGY/MoFvBsuuIGU/s640/IMG_1224.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here we are in the hotel- another world completely</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqC1iQrBr54/Td8GaAl0ABI/AAAAAAAABGc/VLFTBDNc7wY/s1600/IMG_1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqC1iQrBr54/Td8GaAl0ABI/AAAAAAAABGc/VLFTBDNc7wY/s640/IMG_1225.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbnxbCrraKQ/Td8GgO8DRcI/AAAAAAAABGg/MqUgpDd3GFQ/s1600/IMG_1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbnxbCrraKQ/Td8GgO8DRcI/AAAAAAAABGg/MqUgpDd3GFQ/s640/IMG_1226.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3nQN1oQQ4c/Td8GkzycPVI/AAAAAAAABGk/daB1FD3k9kA/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3nQN1oQQ4c/Td8GkzycPVI/AAAAAAAABGk/daB1FD3k9kA/s640/IMG_1227.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJd3ZTWJf3c/Td8Gouu_NmI/AAAAAAAABGo/2DDEorhlzaQ/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJd3ZTWJf3c/Td8Gouu_NmI/AAAAAAAABGo/2DDEorhlzaQ/s640/IMG_1229.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is our suite</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46BXDDPsbRA/Td8GsM0czLI/AAAAAAAABGs/dS9qn7I-820/s1600/IMG_1230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46BXDDPsbRA/Td8GsM0czLI/AAAAAAAABGs/dS9qn7I-820/s640/IMG_1230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPHfppJP69o/Td8GxOaWOaI/AAAAAAAABGw/6i1QO9vTuME/s1600/IMG_1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPHfppJP69o/Td8GxOaWOaI/AAAAAAAABGw/6i1QO9vTuME/s640/IMG_1231.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtPdzqgr1dk/Td8G0uZZvBI/AAAAAAAABG0/zWJTIj_bGuo/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FtPdzqgr1dk/Td8G0uZZvBI/AAAAAAAABG0/zWJTIj_bGuo/s640/IMG_1232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5TsfEpnHdY/Td8G4kl6iNI/AAAAAAAABG4/rb4yPUYUgoE/s1600/IMG_1233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5TsfEpnHdY/Td8G4kl6iNI/AAAAAAAABG4/rb4yPUYUgoE/s640/IMG_1233.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
i will show photos of amazing Elephant island in next post~</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-23987664686775912592011-05-20T10:31:00.000-07:002011-05-20T10:31:35.728-07:00A Portrait of India- part 9 Tropical Village Walk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fpfmgTM9KUI/TdagHlC1nvI/AAAAAAAABFA/6U19NS7ilXs/s1600/IMG_0159.MOV"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv18.nonxt5.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D117d9d0be69fd3a2%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1305932928%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D34E75118F16DA24E63F2C65526338D1C389075EF.B92B146D11D08BE307CEE46B0EB187F7720B3EAC%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv18.nonxt5.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D117d9d0be69fd3a2%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1305932928%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D34E75118F16DA24E63F2C65526338D1C389075EF.B92B146D11D08BE307CEE46B0EB187F7720B3EAC%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcZDDFJTQ0c/TdacT9k6ILI/AAAAAAAABD8/jlTBu73LHaU/s1600/IMG_1125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcZDDFJTQ0c/TdacT9k6ILI/AAAAAAAABD8/jlTBu73LHaU/s640/IMG_1125.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eH-7dUq6izY/TdaccZJNmPI/AAAAAAAABEA/GAN8TLlCrMc/s1600/IMG_1126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eH-7dUq6izY/TdaccZJNmPI/AAAAAAAABEA/GAN8TLlCrMc/s640/IMG_1126.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8r1Y8vdSonw/TdaciL5833I/AAAAAAAABEE/j2BC9hlm2vE/s1600/IMG_1127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8r1Y8vdSonw/TdaciL5833I/AAAAAAAABEE/j2BC9hlm2vE/s640/IMG_1127.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzqDte7q2KY/TdaconE9VuI/AAAAAAAABEI/nCNV0K231nY/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzqDte7q2KY/TdaconE9VuI/AAAAAAAABEI/nCNV0K231nY/s640/IMG_1128.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_blFEPt470/Tdade85IPBI/AAAAAAAABEM/TiYbUljHb5U/s1600/IMG_1135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_blFEPt470/Tdade85IPBI/AAAAAAAABEM/TiYbUljHb5U/s640/IMG_1135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDbj3ZHjr1I/TdadygvV5_I/AAAAAAAABEQ/25_FHC5SPzs/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dDbj3ZHjr1I/TdadygvV5_I/AAAAAAAABEQ/25_FHC5SPzs/s640/IMG_1138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJwCgnHnjnM/TdafGRNxYDI/AAAAAAAABEU/2XgnDIZx1LA/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YJwCgnHnjnM/TdafGRNxYDI/AAAAAAAABEU/2XgnDIZx1LA/s640/IMG_1152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNeSkH6w5UA/TdafacZCk2I/AAAAAAAABEY/bDy9OnL8a4Y/s1600/IMG_1154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNeSkH6w5UA/TdafacZCk2I/AAAAAAAABEY/bDy9OnL8a4Y/s640/IMG_1154.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkmanJXk4y4/TdafnoNqR9I/AAAAAAAABEc/arjdyW9Kt50/s1600/IMG_1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkmanJXk4y4/TdafnoNqR9I/AAAAAAAABEc/arjdyW9Kt50/s640/IMG_1156.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ThnBRD54kg/TdafvLZxRWI/AAAAAAAABEg/kZ-zM_PVilY/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ThnBRD54kg/TdafvLZxRWI/AAAAAAAABEg/kZ-zM_PVilY/s640/IMG_1157.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZUH9nZWZ3Q/TdagBvzP7KI/AAAAAAAABEk/jqZd1SOVIZI/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rZUH9nZWZ3Q/TdagBvzP7KI/AAAAAAAABEk/jqZd1SOVIZI/s640/IMG_1163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pXqrRJwETOk/TdagG-YNkLI/AAAAAAAABEo/H7Q5YDXfRaY/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pXqrRJwETOk/TdagG-YNkLI/AAAAAAAABEo/H7Q5YDXfRaY/s640/IMG_0156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fpfmgTM9KUI/TdagHlC1nvI/AAAAAAAABFA/6U19NS7ilXs/s1600/IMG_0159.MOV"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv18.nonxt5.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D117d9d0be69fd3a2%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1305932928%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D34E75118F16DA24E63F2C65526338D1C389075EF.B92B146D11D08BE307CEE46B0EB187F7720B3EAC%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv18.nonxt5.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D117d9d0be69fd3a2%26itag%3D18%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1305932928%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D34E75118F16DA24E63F2C65526338D1C389075EF.B92B146D11D08BE307CEE46B0EB187F7720B3EAC%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fwe4W_M87GQ/Tdah5SBM34I/AAAAAAAABE4/BgLJxyEHSwA/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fwe4W_M87GQ/Tdah5SBM34I/AAAAAAAABE4/BgLJxyEHSwA/s640/IMG_1174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AmtIgO14SJA/TdaiArIQCII/AAAAAAAABFE/solQ2NLrsrU/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AmtIgO14SJA/TdaiArIQCII/AAAAAAAABFE/solQ2NLrsrU/s640/IMG_1175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1oQAo3SEHJo/TdaiIO7d4VI/AAAAAAAABFI/FHZ7yNDX7tg/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1oQAo3SEHJo/TdaiIO7d4VI/AAAAAAAABFI/FHZ7yNDX7tg/s640/IMG_1176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuwwolWtnjo/Tdak2bOZXzI/AAAAAAAABFQ/5NUBH4j1wOU/s1600/IMG_1172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuwwolWtnjo/Tdak2bOZXzI/AAAAAAAABFQ/5NUBH4j1wOU/s640/IMG_1172.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>well, sorry guys, only a small portion of my photos loaded. but you get the gist even though the shot of the magical 9 year old girl is missing. not sure why they won't load- does anyone else ever have that problem?<br />
next post will be the final one in this portrait of India as we say good bye from Mumbai (Bombay)~</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-62357908145504187432011-05-20T09:39:00.000-07:002011-05-20T09:39:56.070-07:00A Portrait of India- part 8 Lake Kumarakom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We stayed at an exotic resort in the southern tropics where we swam, ate all our meals by the water and indulged in several ayurvedic body treatments for which this area is renown-<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zc1Mso-EvX0/TdaKdHI7HyI/AAAAAAAABBY/I3CC_Ae722g/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zc1Mso-EvX0/TdaKdHI7HyI/AAAAAAAABBY/I3CC_Ae722g/s640/IMG_1098.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rose petals on the bed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcwHrLfcY9I/TdaKhQPhKhI/AAAAAAAABBc/Ue_llNdR6fU/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcwHrLfcY9I/TdaKhQPhKhI/AAAAAAAABBc/Ue_llNdR6fU/s640/IMG_1103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this pool just outside our room weaves through the entire sprawling property!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6LAWjGYRZE/TdaKltktnlI/AAAAAAAABBg/gOHwJQ6xy4s/s1600/IMG_1104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6LAWjGYRZE/TdaKltktnlI/AAAAAAAABBg/gOHwJQ6xy4s/s640/IMG_1104.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">good morning world~</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vC1sYVAm358/TdaKrp9ycjI/AAAAAAAABBk/TVmiGFRfx5E/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vC1sYVAm358/TdaKrp9ycjI/AAAAAAAABBk/TVmiGFRfx5E/s640/IMG_1106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EyMBwXdQEg/TdaKwK12puI/AAAAAAAABBo/Q-1RBX8BT-4/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EyMBwXdQEg/TdaKwK12puI/AAAAAAAABBo/Q-1RBX8BT-4/s640/IMG_1107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QYitcivAIE/TdaK0X9vsqI/AAAAAAAABBs/a6J5n-4hirY/s1600/IMG_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6QYitcivAIE/TdaK0X9vsqI/AAAAAAAABBs/a6J5n-4hirY/s640/IMG_1108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13xMBRZbkPo/TdaK6CUWNtI/AAAAAAAABBw/3xU9TjOxClg/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13xMBRZbkPo/TdaK6CUWNtI/AAAAAAAABBw/3xU9TjOxClg/s640/IMG_1111.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another pool for laps with lake in background- water water everywhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--tnYAkG94Ac/TdaLEZt6lQI/AAAAAAAABB0/lrZZBagl3o4/s1600/IMG_1112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--tnYAkG94Ac/TdaLEZt6lQI/AAAAAAAABB0/lrZZBagl3o4/s640/IMG_1112.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">canals running through all over</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ay7V3ZydY7I/TdaLLWRSTNI/AAAAAAAABB4/xZiW6EEtqwk/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ay7V3ZydY7I/TdaLLWRSTNI/AAAAAAAABB4/xZiW6EEtqwk/s640/IMG_1113.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">houseboat for leisure time</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4VsqsYfRmU/TdaLSXNC4HI/AAAAAAAABB8/3a-AJy0SUA8/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4VsqsYfRmU/TdaLSXNC4HI/AAAAAAAABB8/3a-AJy0SUA8/s640/IMG_1114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xb5sdympR0U/TdaLYFdcYkI/AAAAAAAABCA/MqJWpQPk-sM/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xb5sdympR0U/TdaLYFdcYkI/AAAAAAAABCA/MqJWpQPk-sM/s640/IMG_0143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAnXj4oG4kk/TdaLYp4oEhI/AAAAAAAABCE/JguLWs0xyTo/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAnXj4oG4kk/TdaLYp4oEhI/AAAAAAAABCE/JguLWs0xyTo/s640/IMG_0152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we had evening entertainment</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWtHmQkp0Qs/TdaLZZFTJfI/AAAAAAAABCI/QjaKdD5Ju54/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWtHmQkp0Qs/TdaLZZFTJfI/AAAAAAAABCI/QjaKdD5Ju54/s640/IMG_0153.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CEkPvumUqcM/TdaLe8Y7MGI/AAAAAAAABCM/3egSGexKv4U/s1600/IMG_1117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CEkPvumUqcM/TdaLe8Y7MGI/AAAAAAAABCM/3egSGexKv4U/s640/IMG_1117.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>casey and i walked through the village jungle where people live in colorful houses and the community is very close and very friendly and very educated. of course it was a holy day for them but it's always a holy day of some sort in India. today they were honoring Krishna who is the God for many of these folks. i connected with a special little 9 year old girl who invited me in to her house to meet her family and pray with her- she leads the daily morning and evening prayers. she was so intelligent and exquisite. i told her so and she said "diligent too" i said " you are going to go places in the world and she said "yes, australia". when i asked what she would do there she said "be a nurse". i truly believe she will fulfill her dream. she is toward the end of these photos~ i actually felt such a connection with her i went back bearing simple gifts- her favorite was a pen and pad of paper. these people are so grateful for the smallest of things and they take their leisurely time connecting with others- loved this way of being!<br />
<br />
oh darn, everytime i try to load a second batch of photos it doesn't worl. this post on southern kerala is turning into three. will piblish this and post photos of village walk soon.</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-45620240767131092872011-05-18T08:47:00.000-07:002011-05-18T08:47:18.466-07:00A Portrait of India- part 7 Kerala<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMWuFoOlHcg/TdPh1Q83NwI/AAAAAAAABAo/xXNSZGtQVt8/s1600/IMG_0141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMWuFoOlHcg/TdPh1Q83NwI/AAAAAAAABAo/xXNSZGtQVt8/s640/IMG_0141.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bOSZ2U8CIs/TdPh3sORnXI/AAAAAAAABAs/0WtuTv3wzQI/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bOSZ2U8CIs/TdPh3sORnXI/AAAAAAAABAs/0WtuTv3wzQI/s640/IMG_1084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m84NM4NBsEs/TdPh_NsoYMI/AAAAAAAABAw/rZP8nvv3-8A/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m84NM4NBsEs/TdPh_NsoYMI/AAAAAAAABAw/rZP8nvv3-8A/s640/IMG_1085.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">recycling center</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZS-gMCN05w/TdPiET8J6kI/AAAAAAAABA0/Wg8yIMNZtZM/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HZS-gMCN05w/TdPiET8J6kI/AAAAAAAABA0/Wg8yIMNZtZM/s640/IMG_1086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>From Udaipur we flew to the southern state of Kerala which is more educated and has a higher employment rate and very dense population. this is all a result of being part of the silk and spice trade route and also the tropical conditions make it easy to grow crops. we stayed in a hotel in the city of Cochin for 2 nights and watched a traditional kerala dance performance. also, i took a yoga class here from a 24 year old young man (my son's age) which blew me away. during my 3 week stay i was able to attend 5 different private yoga sessions with that many teachers and each one was different but what they all shared in common was an emphasis on pranayama (breath), mantra, inner smile,and feeling the vibration in the mind. one of my teachers said that we americans may be acrobatically adept but we are missing the spiritual element. after experiencing the level of spiritual resonance with these guys and in particular, my teacher in Cochin, i find i am no longer interested in attending classes here. i have developed my own practice based on a bit from each of my 5 indian teachers and am enjoying yoga more than ever in my 33 years of practice. what a gift these classes were.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PO6ujI_yWp8/TdPl2UWLBaI/AAAAAAAABA4/1am772GFVYo/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PO6ujI_yWp8/TdPl2UWLBaI/AAAAAAAABA4/1am772GFVYo/s640/IMG_1090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dam7v5e3pS8/TdPl4O8aHHI/AAAAAAAABA8/N0GbZlFzynI/s1600/IMG_1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dam7v5e3pS8/TdPl4O8aHHI/AAAAAAAABA8/N0GbZlFzynI/s640/IMG_1092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WtekddanhFg/TdPl9XE356I/AAAAAAAABBA/koVh1eAaVd0/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WtekddanhFg/TdPl9XE356I/AAAAAAAABBA/koVh1eAaVd0/s640/IMG_1093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6Tn0b69Un4/TdPmD8kAtdI/AAAAAAAABBE/EauSNpHxsUY/s1600/IMG_1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6Tn0b69Un4/TdPmD8kAtdI/AAAAAAAABBE/EauSNpHxsUY/s640/IMG_1094.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNy-flZOSww/TdPmJDgc12I/AAAAAAAABBI/SQivcgTe4gU/s1600/IMG_1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TNy-flZOSww/TdPmJDgc12I/AAAAAAAABBI/SQivcgTe4gU/s640/IMG_1097.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
from Cochin we took a bumpy bus ride to Kumararakom Lake resort . casey and i walked through the jungle village there and met some of the people.<br />
<br />
i am going to post this and continue with Kumaraakon in next post since photos won't load. see you soon.<br />
<br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-38415082256746053002011-05-11T14:39:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:21:58.309-07:00A Portrait of Indiia- Part 6, Udaipur- lake of exotic palaces and temples<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">as the busyness of modern american life overtakes the memories of my magical visit to India, the essence of Mother India stays with me, just like the remnants of her matrifocal culture lives on beneath the overlays of patriarchy there. She resides in the old relics of the yoni symbols, the earthy scents, holy elephants, the sheer feminine beauty,strength and sweetness of the women, the cycles of nature including birth and death that are more present, the ecstatic music and dance, the communal lifestyle, the sensuality of everyday life, not to mention the Divine Love and Bliss that totally permeates the atmosphere. after at least 300,000 years of of the original Goddess religion dominating human thought and feeling, patriarchy took over and there was a switch to honoring the sun- Father sky, God the father as a distant, remote creator who created life without birth. HA! i'm realizing my entire life i've imaged God to be a male energy because it's so deeply ingrained in our culture. something happened to me along the way in India that switched this for me. even though the hindus are basically patriarchal and worship shiva as the triple God, originally She was a triple Goddess and her essence is still palpable in this ancient land. i felt her within and without and her essence remains with me. humankind originally held the Goddess to be the lifeforce itself, not a human form at all. this can still be found today with the tantrics, though even there patriarchy has inserted himself. i believe sacred, holy energy is primarily feminine in nature- fertile, life giving, nurturing, cyclic, peaceful, gentle, loving, and concerned for for the welfare of all beings. this is what i've retained from Mother India. it is deeply profound and i'm still integrating this huge, life-changing orientation. on some level i've always held this as my center, especially in my art which is a vivid celebration of life- inherently of the Goddess. now i am more conscious of HER.<br />
<br />
from jaipur we flew to Udaipur, an old man made lake with many beautiful old palaces , temples and hotels, including our hotel- the Oberai, which was rated the top hotel in the World in both 2009-2010. i had to pinch myself to make sure this was for real. but before i show you pics of Udaipur, i forgot a few pics of the Oberai in Jaipur from the last post which wasn't too shabby either-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zZ2P8ygwaHI/TcsGrJvKyXI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/rzZk6bTCE44/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zZ2P8ygwaHI/TcsGrJvKyXI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/rzZk6bTCE44/s640/IMG_0919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lySH_xCd3rM/TcsGtMi5gFI/AAAAAAAAA7c/tLxuumsjuRk/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lySH_xCd3rM/TcsGtMi5gFI/AAAAAAAAA7c/tLxuumsjuRk/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOn36WxSv_I/TcsGzuYo85I/AAAAAAAAA7g/SYIcTaOUDfM/s1600/IMG_0922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cOn36WxSv_I/TcsGzuYo85I/AAAAAAAAA7g/SYIcTaOUDfM/s640/IMG_0922.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j0suqekJ_yM/TcsG5DbtlMI/AAAAAAAAA7k/L2ZS8VK0GWQ/s1600/IMG_0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j0suqekJ_yM/TcsG5DbtlMI/AAAAAAAAA7k/L2ZS8VK0GWQ/s640/IMG_0927.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOsXDfRCyZk/TcsG_rkYkhI/AAAAAAAAA7o/hkP7IaQf98I/s1600/IMG_0928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pOsXDfRCyZk/TcsG_rkYkhI/AAAAAAAAA7o/hkP7IaQf98I/s640/IMG_0928.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wqfbnvw-bPo/TcsHGQeqxBI/AAAAAAAAA7s/KHlZvEMPGbI/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wqfbnvw-bPo/TcsHGQeqxBI/AAAAAAAAA7s/KHlZvEMPGbI/s640/IMG_0930.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5NocBu2pS4/TcsHMEU6nOI/AAAAAAAAA7w/A4yVslHmOW0/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5NocBu2pS4/TcsHMEU6nOI/AAAAAAAAA7w/A4yVslHmOW0/s640/IMG_0931.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsQrW35yAao/TcsHVtX5MaI/AAAAAAAAA70/1fG2ayDNrQA/s1600/IMG_0932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gsQrW35yAao/TcsHVtX5MaI/AAAAAAAAA70/1fG2ayDNrQA/s640/IMG_0932.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>she's the gardener! can you believe that? all the gardeners are women and they all are dressed so beautifully~<br />
<br />
when we got to Udaipur we took a boat ride across the lake to our hotel and saw the outside of the palaces-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fHFXegRads/TcsJE5Y2PyI/AAAAAAAAA74/BWtdkkvVXx8/s1600/IMG_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fHFXegRads/TcsJE5Y2PyI/AAAAAAAAA74/BWtdkkvVXx8/s640/IMG_0937.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ck7IJvS7fu4/TcsJIJesT4I/AAAAAAAAA78/8rb_Is4ijno/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ck7IJvS7fu4/TcsJIJesT4I/AAAAAAAAA78/8rb_Is4ijno/s640/IMG_0938.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zW76WgIWe6A/TcsJM_GWeII/AAAAAAAAA8A/MOxb_HJ_cUM/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zW76WgIWe6A/TcsJM_GWeII/AAAAAAAAA8A/MOxb_HJ_cUM/s640/IMG_0940.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qF3ZXjuoG9Q/TcsJS-gXU4I/AAAAAAAAA8E/wpqybtwv9Js/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qF3ZXjuoG9Q/TcsJS-gXU4I/AAAAAAAAA8E/wpqybtwv9Js/s640/IMG_0941.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zlg4_oSh9-k/TcsJZCkNe3I/AAAAAAAAA8I/ZK0BTDHKfvg/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zlg4_oSh9-k/TcsJZCkNe3I/AAAAAAAAA8I/ZK0BTDHKfvg/s640/IMG_0944.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXx6tQyiXWw/TcsJj1fURZI/AAAAAAAAA8M/OBEZh3K83Ow/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXx6tQyiXWw/TcsJj1fURZI/AAAAAAAAA8M/OBEZh3K83Ow/s640/IMG_0946.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8VEGziGexg/TcsJ06FEurI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/aOstD8QalAg/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8VEGziGexg/TcsJ06FEurI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/aOstD8QalAg/s640/IMG_0954.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>then we reached our #1 rated hotel in the world-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDuVk3RDzNc/TcsL55MVwtI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/5jYKAETt6Y8/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDuVk3RDzNc/TcsL55MVwtI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/5jYKAETt6Y8/s640/IMG_0974.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoBr8whlgQQ/TcsMBYhYbzI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Dhz-G7-L_WY/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YoBr8whlgQQ/TcsMBYhYbzI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Dhz-G7-L_WY/s640/IMG_0977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl4bURI1zIk/TcsMFvVkHWI/AAAAAAAAA8g/4I1SN23gjU8/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl4bURI1zIk/TcsMFvVkHWI/AAAAAAAAA8g/4I1SN23gjU8/s640/IMG_0983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exWtIvPvh6A/TcsMKvIc0nI/AAAAAAAAA8k/TA6Hpu_E0qA/s1600/IMG_0984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-exWtIvPvh6A/TcsMKvIc0nI/AAAAAAAAA8k/TA6Hpu_E0qA/s640/IMG_0984.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCL4tBcZTNg/TcsMO72cJmI/AAAAAAAAA8o/9Y_42kDXaGg/s1600/IMG_0985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCL4tBcZTNg/TcsMO72cJmI/AAAAAAAAA8o/9Y_42kDXaGg/s640/IMG_0985.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30PRtQ8H3uk/TcsMXvXT__I/AAAAAAAAA8w/BcL3bmjOiCo/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30PRtQ8H3uk/TcsMXvXT__I/AAAAAAAAA8w/BcL3bmjOiCo/s640/IMG_0987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_eO2h_WA88/TcsMcsFVdsI/AAAAAAAAA80/svR6agaEJfo/s1600/IMG_0990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_eO2h_WA88/TcsMcsFVdsI/AAAAAAAAA80/svR6agaEJfo/s640/IMG_0990.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2jhOG4yLjU/TcsMgkymjqI/AAAAAAAAA84/FBcTUWy3FKE/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2jhOG4yLjU/TcsMgkymjqI/AAAAAAAAA84/FBcTUWy3FKE/s640/IMG_0991.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3VpO3dfO8L8/TcsMorumc0I/AAAAAAAAA9A/siKXIkddbPQ/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3VpO3dfO8L8/TcsMorumc0I/AAAAAAAAA9A/siKXIkddbPQ/s640/IMG_0993.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we women love to sing and dance sweetly and ecstatically~</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ2SHh3yxPI/TcsMt534i9I/AAAAAAAAA9E/KWbTYborNm0/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ2SHh3yxPI/TcsMt534i9I/AAAAAAAAA9E/KWbTYborNm0/s640/IMG_0994.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGHcDg44RfM/TcsMx9kY29I/AAAAAAAAA9I/KxiZUFAj5Jk/s1600/IMG_1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bGHcDg44RfM/TcsMx9kY29I/AAAAAAAAA9I/KxiZUFAj5Jk/s640/IMG_1080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">casey dozing in the window seat after a swim</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKqVHVbIHsk/TcsM2douJJI/AAAAAAAAA9M/OLa4CTmkLTg/s1600/IMG_1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JKqVHVbIHsk/TcsM2douJJI/AAAAAAAAA9M/OLa4CTmkLTg/s640/IMG_1081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>after another delicious indian savory, spicy dinner and a dreamy sleep, the next day was spent touring palaces and temples-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ow-rsaVWVH0/TcsVebuUHUI/AAAAAAAABAU/9IWtCHhbRsE/s1600/IMG_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ow-rsaVWVH0/TcsVebuUHUI/AAAAAAAABAU/9IWtCHhbRsE/s640/IMG_0135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqwHHm6ikTk/TcsVXuNaRtI/AAAAAAAABAQ/LvN1KmgnehE/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqwHHm6ikTk/TcsVXuNaRtI/AAAAAAAABAQ/LvN1KmgnehE/s640/IMG_1076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9IL0dEe1G00/TcsVM44uc_I/AAAAAAAABAM/vfnWmDabZPA/s1600/IMG_1074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9IL0dEe1G00/TcsVM44uc_I/AAAAAAAABAM/vfnWmDabZPA/s640/IMG_1074.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfpVhEMyCDo/TcsVHHqVI-I/AAAAAAAABAI/xF4MKpcKhXI/s1600/IMG_1073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kfpVhEMyCDo/TcsVHHqVI-I/AAAAAAAABAI/xF4MKpcKhXI/s640/IMG_1073.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RyMqJJvyPss/TcsVA4qjyfI/AAAAAAAABAE/_MLxTiTysA4/s1600/IMG_1072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RyMqJJvyPss/TcsVA4qjyfI/AAAAAAAABAE/_MLxTiTysA4/s640/IMG_1072.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgUkfd5ZDzA/TcsU0jUDnyI/AAAAAAAABAA/e3xYHPVUUF0/s1600/IMG_1070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bgUkfd5ZDzA/TcsU0jUDnyI/AAAAAAAABAA/e3xYHPVUUF0/s640/IMG_1070.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31P0zJm6rgE/TcsUvsYqNWI/AAAAAAAAA_8/-gsfd0VwirE/s1600/IMG_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31P0zJm6rgE/TcsUvsYqNWI/AAAAAAAAA_8/-gsfd0VwirE/s640/IMG_1069.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcYJvnUWRrk/TcsUgw21ZGI/AAAAAAAAA_4/c3yaNeyxjf8/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pcYJvnUWRrk/TcsUgw21ZGI/AAAAAAAAA_4/c3yaNeyxjf8/s640/IMG_1067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLXM0zKB_WI/TcsUQFU8GTI/AAAAAAAAA_w/z3tXsjYUsRQ/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLXM0zKB_WI/TcsUQFU8GTI/AAAAAAAAA_w/z3tXsjYUsRQ/s640/IMG_1060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zyewNzfyko/TcsUEkPSHmI/AAAAAAAAA_s/HjORsz579bM/s1600/IMG_1058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zyewNzfyko/TcsUEkPSHmI/AAAAAAAAA_s/HjORsz579bM/s640/IMG_1058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QLU5izua3L0/TcsT5u1luiI/AAAAAAAAA_o/acnoXlIFmmE/s1600/IMG_1055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QLU5izua3L0/TcsT5u1luiI/AAAAAAAAA_o/acnoXlIFmmE/s640/IMG_1055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWHA0p3aQbU/TcsTu9jgDeI/AAAAAAAAA_k/ohNkxMXq3d4/s1600/IMG_1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CWHA0p3aQbU/TcsTu9jgDeI/AAAAAAAAA_k/ohNkxMXq3d4/s640/IMG_1053.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUqGRFJGUD4/TcsTkmScoYI/AAAAAAAAA_c/H4zq0bY3s6g/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUqGRFJGUD4/TcsTkmScoYI/AAAAAAAAA_c/H4zq0bY3s6g/s640/IMG_1051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WZ3-tJbYVw/TcsTf8m9G3I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/p4pIJW0TLOk/s1600/IMG_1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8WZ3-tJbYVw/TcsTf8m9G3I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/p4pIJW0TLOk/s640/IMG_1050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tauWt0rsQk/TcsTPac5DsI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/fCTfRXPNH3Q/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2tauWt0rsQk/TcsTPac5DsI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/fCTfRXPNH3Q/s640/IMG_1047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TTfW0H-cFA/TcsS0R_dkNI/AAAAAAAAA_A/HlsN8i9RHaw/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9TTfW0H-cFA/TcsS0R_dkNI/AAAAAAAAA_A/HlsN8i9RHaw/s640/IMG_1041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOHEHoFsulY/TcsS_6yuTvI/AAAAAAAAA_E/ALl-trrogdI/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wOHEHoFsulY/TcsS_6yuTvI/AAAAAAAAA_E/ALl-trrogdI/s640/IMG_1044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sDQk7eHVGME/TcsTGa9qHWI/AAAAAAAAA_I/MLSIDpOYEVQ/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sDQk7eHVGME/TcsTGa9qHWI/AAAAAAAAA_I/MLSIDpOYEVQ/s640/IMG_1045.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLvb72pZrcY/TcsSvszpmhI/AAAAAAAAA-8/ZcZGcaWsDxQ/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pLvb72pZrcY/TcsSvszpmhI/AAAAAAAAA-8/ZcZGcaWsDxQ/s640/IMG_1040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7iRQ98NZBI/TcsShPW2OyI/AAAAAAAAA-4/SQy8q0ql9gc/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s7iRQ98NZBI/TcsShPW2OyI/AAAAAAAAA-4/SQy8q0ql9gc/s640/IMG_1038.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old goddess deity. the annointed bindi's are red as a symbol of sacred menstrual blood- power of life.<br />
elephants symbolize feminine strength and are everywhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdxMm2l_qlM/TcsSTcgvA1I/AAAAAAAAA-0/YyEjv8D7zG4/s1600/IMG_1036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdxMm2l_qlM/TcsSTcgvA1I/AAAAAAAAA-0/YyEjv8D7zG4/s640/IMG_1036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXeAf5Vlxkk/TcsSJZZdG0I/AAAAAAAAA-w/i1ywZwiajNY/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXeAf5Vlxkk/TcsSJZZdG0I/AAAAAAAAA-w/i1ywZwiajNY/s640/IMG_1035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TsS4O493Wo/TcsR-4e7bhI/AAAAAAAAA-s/mwnLTtnkCMM/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8TsS4O493Wo/TcsR-4e7bhI/AAAAAAAAA-s/mwnLTtnkCMM/s640/IMG_1033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgbloqvywMM/TcsR6Hf9IuI/AAAAAAAAA-o/r3IbovHQKi8/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pgbloqvywMM/TcsR6Hf9IuI/AAAAAAAAA-o/r3IbovHQKi8/s640/IMG_1032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yz5EA7emWJc/TcsRra-zrnI/AAAAAAAAA-g/sR8bXBf_bNk/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yz5EA7emWJc/TcsRra-zrnI/AAAAAAAAA-g/sR8bXBf_bNk/s640/IMG_1029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8wWFRvHmMc/TcsRmD5OCHI/AAAAAAAAA-c/gW34eC_Cjgw/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8wWFRvHmMc/TcsRmD5OCHI/AAAAAAAAA-c/gW34eC_Cjgw/s640/IMG_1028.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">men dominated women by turning them into sex slaves in their harems, keeping them hidden, turning them into property. women have been brain washed into believing this is so. still, they retain the ancient goddess ways within their confines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WkIes0iPvA/TcsRgcAMOFI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/ZducQttQEdA/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WkIes0iPvA/TcsRgcAMOFI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/ZducQttQEdA/s640/IMG_1026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4kPQms4f0o/TcsRZZ0h6HI/AAAAAAAAA-U/XoWArlCViys/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w4kPQms4f0o/TcsRZZ0h6HI/AAAAAAAAA-U/XoWArlCViys/s640/IMG_1025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLt8grKn7uY/TcsRMQQfX3I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/SamRLEuF67U/s1600/IMG_1023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qLt8grKn7uY/TcsRMQQfX3I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/SamRLEuF67U/s640/IMG_1023.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0dYHT2ZQXE/TcsRFGs_G7I/AAAAAAAAA-M/RLt-Og7Ekuk/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U0dYHT2ZQXE/TcsRFGs_G7I/AAAAAAAAA-M/RLt-Og7Ekuk/s640/IMG_1022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8Qn52fgyjU/TcsQ-gxZGII/AAAAAAAAA-I/yhz0uZPYpDs/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8Qn52fgyjU/TcsQ-gxZGII/AAAAAAAAA-I/yhz0uZPYpDs/s640/IMG_1021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1akuT1ct2g/TcsQyencvTI/AAAAAAAAA-A/dGlUzkAJZjY/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f1akuT1ct2g/TcsQyencvTI/AAAAAAAAA-A/dGlUzkAJZjY/s640/IMG_1019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these garlands of fragrant roses and jasmine were purchased outside the temple by women stringing flowers from their gardens- 25 cents each!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyozt3TtfCM/TcsQscu__wI/AAAAAAAAA98/cffzMcOj_UU/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyozt3TtfCM/TcsQscu__wI/AAAAAAAAA98/cffzMcOj_UU/s640/IMG_1018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gE4L9fd3BAE/TcsQiXFu6QI/AAAAAAAAA90/BK5aRi8G8ok/s1600/IMG_1016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gE4L9fd3BAE/TcsQiXFu6QI/AAAAAAAAA90/BK5aRi8G8ok/s640/IMG_1016.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the male God is wrathful</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVI9Wb85qMA/TcsQckK-kaI/AAAAAAAAA9w/xmS-OmUUQO4/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVI9Wb85qMA/TcsQckK-kaI/AAAAAAAAA9w/xmS-OmUUQO4/s640/IMG_1015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQ2RsJL9eeM/TcsQWPhsRHI/AAAAAAAAA9s/ZEFfY0siIyc/s1600/IMG_1014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQ2RsJL9eeM/TcsQWPhsRHI/AAAAAAAAA9s/ZEFfY0siIyc/s640/IMG_1014.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RphZyJe3tA8/TcsQOWiUuGI/AAAAAAAAA9o/_iPSfILDwyM/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RphZyJe3tA8/TcsQOWiUuGI/AAAAAAAAA9o/_iPSfILDwyM/s640/IMG_1013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">patriarchal sun god frowning on us. we are inherently good, not evil mister</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9E1C9X4ZA4o/TcsQJ4HTpuI/AAAAAAAAA9k/cZ5s7Hhj5OI/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9E1C9X4ZA4o/TcsQJ4HTpuI/AAAAAAAAA9k/cZ5s7Hhj5OI/s640/IMG_1009.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ma4E7EGXxs/TcsQDxkvfiI/AAAAAAAAA9g/TH_WkFw3sFI/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ma4E7EGXxs/TcsQDxkvfiI/AAAAAAAAA9g/TH_WkFw3sFI/s640/IMG_1007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8C6b3ib40K8/TcsQAWRLKdI/AAAAAAAAA9c/5eTgNT-oYM4/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8C6b3ib40K8/TcsQAWRLKdI/AAAAAAAAA9c/5eTgNT-oYM4/s640/IMG_1006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8wRjdVYh5U/TcsPxDuHaRI/AAAAAAAAA9U/wqpifbo8_4I/s1600/IMG_1003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8wRjdVYh5U/TcsPxDuHaRI/AAAAAAAAA9U/wqpifbo8_4I/s640/IMG_1003.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESVFR-oiPC4/TcsP2isc6PI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/-IiGH41C_2w/s1600/IMG_1004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESVFR-oiPC4/TcsP2isc6PI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/-IiGH41C_2w/s640/IMG_1004.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
i leave you with these last 2 women who are gardening and sweeping- tending Mother Earth after all these milleniums!<br />
<br />
next we will travel to the southern state of tropical Kerala to visit Cochin. may the Goddess be with us all in deeply felt love for ourselves, each other and for our earth and all its creatures~</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-36322189621266296312011-05-05T18:36:00.000-07:002011-05-05T18:36:53.170-07:00A Portrait of India- part 5 Jaipur~ city of gemstones and palaces<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When we got to Jaipur we took a bicycle rickshaw ride through the streets to feast at a fancy palace-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9j0gGDjmsZU/TcM8rM577sI/AAAAAAAAA5A/xF2yZWJe6Lw/s1600/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9j0gGDjmsZU/TcM8rM577sI/AAAAAAAAA5A/xF2yZWJe6Lw/s640/IMG_0843.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TM1t-visT4U/TcM8u8PB6oI/AAAAAAAAA5E/irmJ11iFCzs/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TM1t-visT4U/TcM8u8PB6oI/AAAAAAAAA5E/irmJ11iFCzs/s640/IMG_0844.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47pA6-elIjg/TcM87Cg8juI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/pFCCKUKJdS8/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47pA6-elIjg/TcM87Cg8juI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/pFCCKUKJdS8/s640/IMG_0847.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Shfvtd-vSkk/TcM9AMBLRtI/AAAAAAAAA5U/Mfcm3VqQkH8/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Shfvtd-vSkk/TcM9AMBLRtI/AAAAAAAAA5U/Mfcm3VqQkH8/s640/IMG_0848.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>we were greeted by camels, elephants, musicians and dancers all dressed up and welcoming us like royalty-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-Ut8Xamg2E/TcM-ZaUr_HI/AAAAAAAAA5c/l64nu4w_7eU/s1600/IMG_0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-Ut8Xamg2E/TcM-ZaUr_HI/AAAAAAAAA5c/l64nu4w_7eU/s640/IMG_0853.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPQR3tG6d3M/TcM-bTP60yI/AAAAAAAAA5g/JOHlQnkKCH0/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kPQR3tG6d3M/TcM-bTP60yI/AAAAAAAAA5g/JOHlQnkKCH0/s640/IMG_0856.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Pwy2wplUqo/TcM-gRw78VI/AAAAAAAAA5k/YwrcY4kJUyI/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Pwy2wplUqo/TcM-gRw78VI/AAAAAAAAA5k/YwrcY4kJUyI/s640/IMG_0859.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L629mNOmKO8/TcM-l7bvf4I/AAAAAAAAA5o/Rhjx5B1KY3M/s1600/IMG_0860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L629mNOmKO8/TcM-l7bvf4I/AAAAAAAAA5o/Rhjx5B1KY3M/s640/IMG_0860.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7W5OgRCrfg/TcM-pXOjLNI/AAAAAAAAA5s/fzoPw15KbH4/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j7W5OgRCrfg/TcM-pXOjLNI/AAAAAAAAA5s/fzoPw15KbH4/s640/IMG_0863.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_WH_VJdEQU/TcM-sRC82mI/AAAAAAAAA5w/4TB30vQnv-o/s1600/IMG_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R_WH_VJdEQU/TcM-sRC82mI/AAAAAAAAA5w/4TB30vQnv-o/s640/IMG_0865.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PddMHdaGXU/TcM-v08NmzI/AAAAAAAAA50/cHe_9n9X0GY/s1600/IMG_0866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7PddMHdaGXU/TcM-v08NmzI/AAAAAAAAA50/cHe_9n9X0GY/s640/IMG_0866.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMHN5TOyJd8/TcM-5adUJAI/AAAAAAAAA54/n-XUiBaZJ9E/s1600/IMG_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMHN5TOyJd8/TcM-5adUJAI/AAAAAAAAA54/n-XUiBaZJ9E/s640/IMG_0869.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5T7yuT4ACk/TcM_Csjk7GI/AAAAAAAAA58/n7bAHAKWPKs/s1600/IMG_0873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5T7yuT4ACk/TcM_Csjk7GI/AAAAAAAAA58/n7bAHAKWPKs/s640/IMG_0873.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmZmdSr9QMY/TcM_HhSPOKI/AAAAAAAAA6A/OCLnBscYZjk/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmZmdSr9QMY/TcM_HhSPOKI/AAAAAAAAA6A/OCLnBscYZjk/s640/IMG_0874.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
as we dined on the savory spicey food a pair of musicians played ever so sweetly-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ucpJnDl8qnI/TcM_6Y3m5SI/AAAAAAAAA6E/kAHC2jgHllU/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ucpJnDl8qnI/TcM_6Y3m5SI/AAAAAAAAA6E/kAHC2jgHllU/s640/IMG_0878.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
this young tabala player and i had a little spiritual attraction going on. he told me i was beautiful- gush~<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2uWxfgIgjmc/TcNAiQsS_lI/AAAAAAAAA6I/VcPdSOyxcoE/s1600/IMG_0877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2uWxfgIgjmc/TcNAiQsS_lI/AAAAAAAAA6I/VcPdSOyxcoE/s640/IMG_0877.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>he's beautiful too, don't you think so?<br />
<br />
the next day we feasted some more at lunch at another palace-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAY8GsEXfm4/TcNBMERV7CI/AAAAAAAAA6M/F5n6_Y1NTHo/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAY8GsEXfm4/TcNBMERV7CI/AAAAAAAAA6M/F5n6_Y1NTHo/s640/IMG_0906.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjVW8H0pF0s/TcNBNT9IXTI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/KGUOiWB5HUI/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjVW8H0pF0s/TcNBNT9IXTI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/KGUOiWB5HUI/s640/IMG_0907.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>it was one of the best meals of my life and i enjoyed every bite. here are palace scenes from the various palaces we visited throughout the day-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ju2ZpZrAW7w/TcNCX-87QAI/AAAAAAAAA6U/2aCOe9ZQ82g/s1600/IMG_0825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ju2ZpZrAW7w/TcNCX-87QAI/AAAAAAAAA6U/2aCOe9ZQ82g/s640/IMG_0825.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ7IRFLhk0c/TcNClsrv3SI/AAAAAAAAA6c/ngXpzgd2nMM/s1600/IMG_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QZ7IRFLhk0c/TcNClsrv3SI/AAAAAAAAA6c/ngXpzgd2nMM/s640/IMG_0827.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOxCmk4ibt4/TcNCz0vd1XI/AAAAAAAAA6g/t8zvAbWPS-g/s1600/IMG_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOxCmk4ibt4/TcNCz0vd1XI/AAAAAAAAA6g/t8zvAbWPS-g/s640/IMG_0829.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-00fGKG-FDSE/TcNDKupq-0I/AAAAAAAAA6o/xsY6pWSRl3U/s1600/IMG_0835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-00fGKG-FDSE/TcNDKupq-0I/AAAAAAAAA6o/xsY6pWSRl3U/s640/IMG_0835.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xCfMzPqndtk/TcNEmwuc92I/AAAAAAAAA6s/YalITAc97FU/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xCfMzPqndtk/TcNEmwuc92I/AAAAAAAAA6s/YalITAc97FU/s640/IMG_0883.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAwRy9BTtTY/TcNErfZlPVI/AAAAAAAAA6w/LLz-LngqiE0/s1600/IMG_0884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IAwRy9BTtTY/TcNErfZlPVI/AAAAAAAAA6w/LLz-LngqiE0/s640/IMG_0884.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYS7mcas5CY/TcNE9jzKPZI/AAAAAAAAA60/NkRL-uyxGS4/s1600/IMG_0887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYS7mcas5CY/TcNE9jzKPZI/AAAAAAAAA60/NkRL-uyxGS4/s640/IMG_0887.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrG4hXxMg4o/TcNFOTFPsyI/AAAAAAAAA68/DVoPQcFwswY/s1600/IMG_0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrG4hXxMg4o/TcNFOTFPsyI/AAAAAAAAA68/DVoPQcFwswY/s640/IMG_0890.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SrI2vW1Siyc/TcNFYQ8QysI/AAAAAAAAA7A/WMiu02HAsU0/s1600/IMG_0908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SrI2vW1Siyc/TcNFYQ8QysI/AAAAAAAAA7A/WMiu02HAsU0/s640/IMG_0908.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OueJYmbU9F0/TcNFdT1dg-I/AAAAAAAAA7E/ikodzDadFDE/s1600/IMG_0909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OueJYmbU9F0/TcNFdT1dg-I/AAAAAAAAA7E/ikodzDadFDE/s640/IMG_0909.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VI_soJg9uM4/TcNFh72_CII/AAAAAAAAA7I/acXmL1mokro/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VI_soJg9uM4/TcNFh72_CII/AAAAAAAAA7I/acXmL1mokro/s640/IMG_0910.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HqIVzqx5mk/TcNFmVA3GyI/AAAAAAAAA7M/84tYv2Yguvg/s1600/IMG_0911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HqIVzqx5mk/TcNFmVA3GyI/AAAAAAAAA7M/84tYv2Yguvg/s640/IMG_0911.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<br />
we also did a little shopping. in Varanasi i had gotten a vedic astrology reading done, (Casey too). one of the things he told me was that i should wear rubies as my healing gemstone- they heighten spiritual joy and love, YES! Jaipur, being the gemstone capital of India, if not the world, was the perfect place to shop for these and look what casey bought for me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ygJtciCX6I/TcNNPdkzD9I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/OJJmXLWmlGU/s1600/IMG_0914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ygJtciCX6I/TcNNPdkzD9I/AAAAAAAAA7Q/OJJmXLWmlGU/s640/IMG_0914.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>i'm feeling the divine love and joy alright.<br />
Casey's a very romantic guy-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rc53TGQ2Oo/TcNPdrDWZoI/AAAAAAAAA7U/NMVccH16MVE/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1rc53TGQ2Oo/TcNPdrDWZoI/AAAAAAAAA7U/NMVccH16MVE/s640/IMG_0918.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
i think i'll keep him!<br />
see you next time in Udapair- more palaces, this time on a lake where hollywood and bollywoods hang out and where several James Bond movies were filmed. Don't you agree India is a land of much contrast?</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-9564433869872347162011-05-05T07:49:00.000-07:002011-05-05T12:58:02.874-07:00A Portrait of India- part 4, - a country drive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
From the elegant palace of the Taj Mahal we journeyed by bus through the arid farm land of Rhajastan to Jaipur in the central west of India. We passed people farming the land along the way- people living in the same way that they have for thousands of years, people who have no incidence of bi-polar illness while in our industrialized nation it keeps growing along with our isolation, technology and separation from nature. here are some scenes from that land-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6wL5-CWDeA/TcIBB0G_DUI/AAAAAAAAA2g/GNyaFUILrp8/s1600/IMG_0781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T6wL5-CWDeA/TcIBB0G_DUI/AAAAAAAAA2g/GNyaFUILrp8/s640/IMG_0781.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcgwF1D3dxw/TcIBCdtvYII/AAAAAAAAA2k/FU1-7WEEeZY/s1600/IMG_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OcgwF1D3dxw/TcIBCdtvYII/AAAAAAAAA2k/FU1-7WEEeZY/s640/IMG_0782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSSCV-NGKiM/TcIBC51SXTI/AAAAAAAAA2o/T530jtlP_4Q/s1600/IMG_0783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSSCV-NGKiM/TcIBC51SXTI/AAAAAAAAA2o/T530jtlP_4Q/s640/IMG_0783.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9IkZyf7-zA/TcIBDpHhRRI/AAAAAAAAA2s/vVBJPVZzi68/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9IkZyf7-zA/TcIBDpHhRRI/AAAAAAAAA2s/vVBJPVZzi68/s640/IMG_0784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NTa44nKvog/TcIBEO7LM3I/AAAAAAAAA2w/1Px9kaTM9No/s1600/IMG_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NTa44nKvog/TcIBEO7LM3I/AAAAAAAAA2w/1Px9kaTM9No/s640/IMG_0786.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brick baking</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgZMvoGPoNI/TcIBEvrQYoI/AAAAAAAAA20/X7WYIIETrD8/s1600/IMG_0787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZgZMvoGPoNI/TcIBEvrQYoI/AAAAAAAAA20/X7WYIIETrD8/s640/IMG_0787.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQEusTgCSuc/TcIBRFFfpRI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Rfq3fYMQvIw/s1600/IMG_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQEusTgCSuc/TcIBRFFfpRI/AAAAAAAAA3A/Rfq3fYMQvIw/s640/IMG_0795.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xffKFFMOJXQ/TcIBV9bLlTI/AAAAAAAAA3E/Hipwd1jiZjI/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xffKFFMOJXQ/TcIBV9bLlTI/AAAAAAAAA3E/Hipwd1jiZjI/s640/IMG_0796.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqkOYsHoo14/TcIBcV6y7HI/AAAAAAAAA3I/5HtZSe7OuoM/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YqkOYsHoo14/TcIBcV6y7HI/AAAAAAAAA3I/5HtZSe7OuoM/s640/IMG_0797.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJRss-h03vU/TcIBh7IiMDI/AAAAAAAAA3M/1DF6AiNNJFg/s1600/IMG_0798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AJRss-h03vU/TcIBh7IiMDI/AAAAAAAAA3M/1DF6AiNNJFg/s640/IMG_0798.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3-mK3d2UDc/TcIBr7f3TsI/AAAAAAAAA3U/fMdZBSmgkZw/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M3-mK3d2UDc/TcIBr7f3TsI/AAAAAAAAA3U/fMdZBSmgkZw/s640/IMG_0800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMSy8Ojv6u0/TcIBwdfxyPI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/E8Du-SEdAiQ/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMSy8Ojv6u0/TcIBwdfxyPI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/E8Du-SEdAiQ/s640/IMG_0801.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kDM2xYDSQ5M/TcIB1H5VHDI/AAAAAAAAA3c/OeXY896H9aQ/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kDM2xYDSQ5M/TcIB1H5VHDI/AAAAAAAAA3c/OeXY896H9aQ/s640/IMG_0802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
we stopped to visit a roadside sculptor studio-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_RNJ0X9Bec/TcK0CmnCLfI/AAAAAAAAA3k/ze0D4f5SyBU/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_RNJ0X9Bec/TcK0CmnCLfI/AAAAAAAAA3k/ze0D4f5SyBU/s640/IMG_0804.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH89PotDZn4/TcK0OlAjl6I/AAAAAAAAA3s/CvzXxxAV77Q/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pH89PotDZn4/TcK0OlAjl6I/AAAAAAAAA3s/CvzXxxAV77Q/s640/IMG_0806.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IXcKgtfm-0/TcK0VDjAFOI/AAAAAAAAA3w/nhz8h8FWZHQ/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9IXcKgtfm-0/TcK0VDjAFOI/AAAAAAAAA3w/nhz8h8FWZHQ/s640/IMG_0807.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VVwMftWV7c/TcK0ausE6SI/AAAAAAAAA30/JZPNKXwJXLI/s1600/IMG_0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VVwMftWV7c/TcK0ausE6SI/AAAAAAAAA30/JZPNKXwJXLI/s640/IMG_0808.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLT8UYoF208/TcK0g5eUogI/AAAAAAAAA34/oAkq_RkIsm8/s1600/IMG_0809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLT8UYoF208/TcK0g5eUogI/AAAAAAAAA34/oAkq_RkIsm8/s640/IMG_0809.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFSHkQCxltc/TcK0mz0ydAI/AAAAAAAAA38/zO2tIXSMXZk/s1600/IMG_0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFSHkQCxltc/TcK0mz0ydAI/AAAAAAAAA38/zO2tIXSMXZk/s640/IMG_0810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R4gRPhB6iJw/TcK0vo0koJI/AAAAAAAAA4I/9Y9xeRc0rEw/s1600/IMG_0104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R4gRPhB6iJw/TcK0vo0koJI/AAAAAAAAA4I/9Y9xeRc0rEw/s640/IMG_0104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
when we got to Jaipur there were plenty of children waiting for my handouts-<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DR14lA8ZPN8/TcK1mwUnoeI/AAAAAAAAA4M/-9gitl5RqEM/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DR14lA8ZPN8/TcK1mwUnoeI/AAAAAAAAA4M/-9gitl5RqEM/s640/IMG_0109.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Indian man is Abi- our guide for this tour (of Tauck Tours). he was the best and set such a great tone for the trip. His nickname is Cha Cha which means kind uncle who takes care of everything- this he truly did!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwERWSVv5mP-5Uln1YKJ5X7z2PWr14UIfq9VDstWInqIEg62Pa-88eSkX9QM0qt6O4jgeeNWs5ZqNhvB_DyZA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">here are s</div><br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-61946710177741945072011-04-30T13:57:00.000-07:002011-04-30T13:57:57.591-07:00A Portrait of India- journey to the Taj Mahal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>From lovely, idyllic Khajaraho, we journeyed by bus for 4 hours through the pretty countryside of central India to make a stop at the Orchha palace and temple ruins, then on to catch a train (OMG) to Agra- home of the Taj Mahal. while driving we passed this sacred elephant named Chandra, meaning frangipani flower, which grow everywhere and which i happened to have in my hair that day from my morning walk earlier- we were able to get off the bus to say hello- boy did i feel in sync with her, another flower girl!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y17dkX0lCwA/TbwyLwpExlI/AAAAAAAAAyM/fROS48A5jq0/s1600/IMG_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y17dkX0lCwA/TbwyLwpExlI/AAAAAAAAAyM/fROS48A5jq0/s640/IMG_0691.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
we also took a pit stop at a small wheat growing farm village and were able to visit some of the people-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUnSh9DaXoc/TbwzelABLGI/AAAAAAAAAyU/m5dGVo7WkHs/s1600/IMG_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUnSh9DaXoc/TbwzelABLGI/AAAAAAAAAyU/m5dGVo7WkHs/s640/IMG_0693.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvVFfYz5RMk/TbwzhbENbqI/AAAAAAAAAyY/bQ7NFkQOu2Y/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvVFfYz5RMk/TbwzhbENbqI/AAAAAAAAAyY/bQ7NFkQOu2Y/s640/IMG_0694.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the indian children are the sweetest- i wanted to take them all home with me, just delightful</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iBO-2BOufI/TbwzkCKA0GI/AAAAAAAAAyc/-ZwC15vbs20/s1600/IMG_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7iBO-2BOufI/TbwzkCKA0GI/AAAAAAAAAyc/-ZwC15vbs20/s640/IMG_0695.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-inUxapiP6nU/TbwzoI5LwTI/AAAAAAAAAyg/eFaCeJ7SJH0/s1600/IMG_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-inUxapiP6nU/TbwzoI5LwTI/AAAAAAAAAyg/eFaCeJ7SJH0/s640/IMG_0697.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZfTN7DbLdQ/TbwzrxR8gcI/AAAAAAAAAyk/rIQnBQqdSdY/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FZfTN7DbLdQ/TbwzrxR8gcI/AAAAAAAAAyk/rIQnBQqdSdY/s640/IMG_0698.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this girl with the pet parakeet seemed to have the most clout in the village, a very prized possession</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KdqZUOGT24Y/TbwzwiezeVI/AAAAAAAAAyo/p8fjWmNYZJc/s1600/IMG_0699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KdqZUOGT24Y/TbwzwiezeVI/AAAAAAAAAyo/p8fjWmNYZJc/s640/IMG_0699.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6uKtrh-pfQ/Tbwz2NZqvjI/AAAAAAAAAys/im4zTJnW_Ao/s1600/IMG_0700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6uKtrh-pfQ/Tbwz2NZqvjI/AAAAAAAAAys/im4zTJnW_Ao/s640/IMG_0700.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qFpFA9eUOQ/Tbwz9035_sI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Uat-BZvgUsw/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qFpFA9eUOQ/Tbwz9035_sI/AAAAAAAAAyw/Uat-BZvgUsw/s640/IMG_0701.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">most people go barefoot in the small villages and goats are everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jjes2tIODWQ/Tbw0CscRhpI/AAAAAAAAAy0/_5FW-G8GtHo/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jjes2tIODWQ/Tbw0CscRhpI/AAAAAAAAAy0/_5FW-G8GtHo/s640/IMG_0702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTDJGaBF_YA/Tbw0HD8UhtI/AAAAAAAAAy4/Wq26Vq1t95I/s1600/IMG_0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTDJGaBF_YA/Tbw0HD8UhtI/AAAAAAAAAy4/Wq26Vq1t95I/s640/IMG_0703.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giScwEmlxjE/Tbw0KipUXwI/AAAAAAAAAy8/iKg6xNlTX-Q/s1600/IMG_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-giScwEmlxjE/Tbw0KipUXwI/AAAAAAAAAy8/iKg6xNlTX-Q/s640/IMG_0704.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g-sp3iKlxL8/Tbw0UHbhLLI/AAAAAAAAAzE/-eh2B4zwxbw/s1600/IMG_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g-sp3iKlxL8/Tbw0UHbhLLI/AAAAAAAAAzE/-eh2B4zwxbw/s640/IMG_0706.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i used to raise nubian goats like this and weaned my own kids on to the milk. you can see the wheat filed and lake in the background and the farmers working</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yaoGw5Aj8iE/Tbw0aoQwOzI/AAAAAAAAAzI/INl1BV5Ro6o/s1600/IMG_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yaoGw5Aj8iE/Tbw0aoQwOzI/AAAAAAAAAzI/INl1BV5Ro6o/s640/IMG_0707.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they were bummed because it wasn't a very good harvest this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGe8pjZDQuU/Tbw0eQkHJxI/AAAAAAAAAzM/JyUAPNW8e0g/s1600/IMG_0708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pGe8pjZDQuU/Tbw0eQkHJxI/AAAAAAAAAzM/JyUAPNW8e0g/s640/IMG_0708.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FSPgB0OwWU/Tbw0kKmm4KI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/g2zHnnVKy2A/s1600/IMG_0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FSPgB0OwWU/Tbw0kKmm4KI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/g2zHnnVKy2A/s640/IMG_0709.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efE7TTwVRJY/Tbw0vEjjHQI/AAAAAAAAAzY/6-XOfZ5bZvs/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efE7TTwVRJY/Tbw0vEjjHQI/AAAAAAAAAzY/6-XOfZ5bZvs/s640/IMG_0711.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">selling garlic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpolMBw77tM/Tbw0z94sLtI/AAAAAAAAAzc/1Jss-c7j3Xc/s1600/IMG_0712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpolMBw77tM/Tbw0z94sLtI/AAAAAAAAAzc/1Jss-c7j3Xc/s640/IMG_0712.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the children work too</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i45taKwBRFo/Tbw04j7T5hI/AAAAAAAAAzg/SucaxW0QuUg/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i45taKwBRFo/Tbw04j7T5hI/AAAAAAAAAzg/SucaxW0QuUg/s640/IMG_0713.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">women hanging out at the village well</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjGMS6NGFzs/Tbw0-CLEviI/AAAAAAAAAzk/R1zUP7Nz4TQ/s1600/IMG_0714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjGMS6NGFzs/Tbw0-CLEviI/AAAAAAAAAzk/R1zUP7Nz4TQ/s640/IMG_0714.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">now we leave the small village and pass through some larger towns-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4B79_LSRBOc/Tbw4WxwlZhI/AAAAAAAAAzo/f8Su398rbo8/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4B79_LSRBOc/Tbw4WxwlZhI/AAAAAAAAAzo/f8Su398rbo8/s640/IMG_0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> visit another palace-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z74p8z97G6Q/Tbw4Zcsd4oI/AAAAAAAAA0A/3CkcP8qsDv4/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z74p8z97G6Q/Tbw4Zcsd4oI/AAAAAAAAA0A/3CkcP8qsDv4/s640/IMG_0078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5gaAtcsXnw/Tbw4ZmORJPI/AAAAAAAAA0E/iwZ2PpiTzPc/s1600/IMG_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n5gaAtcsXnw/Tbw4ZmORJPI/AAAAAAAAA0E/iwZ2PpiTzPc/s640/IMG_0081.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and one of the biggest adventures of my life, wait for our train in the station- this was mind blowing. the numbers of humans squeezed onto the trains was incomprehensible- luckily we rode first class which was like normal coach in the U.S.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVI_PEx9sSM/Tbw4aju8cgI/AAAAAAAAA0M/nUliWZiGqI0/s1600/IMG_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVI_PEx9sSM/Tbw4aju8cgI/AAAAAAAAA0M/nUliWZiGqI0/s640/IMG_0084.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i had a hard time holding it together here</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1F59f16j1U4/Tbw4bFJEh3I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/94vgYW7Ew50/s1600/IMG_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1F59f16j1U4/Tbw4bFJEh3I/AAAAAAAAA0Q/94vgYW7Ew50/s640/IMG_0085.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">children doing acrobatics to earn money<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgs9XmHobaw/Tbw4bUzMSxI/AAAAAAAAA0U/jB-DSzmO_Bg/s1600/IMG_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgs9XmHobaw/Tbw4bUzMSxI/AAAAAAAAA0U/jB-DSzmO_Bg/s640/IMG_0088.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old men begging for money</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5gdZxpXDRo/Tbw4b6wN4zI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/UHv-PU1NBkw/s1600/IMG_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5gdZxpXDRo/Tbw4b6wN4zI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/UHv-PU1NBkw/s640/IMG_0089.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">once again, making it the gorgeous Taj Mahal saved my mental day-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lXGlNUox2KI/Tbw-glyLVhI/AAAAAAAAA1E/1JFsNkwI8gE/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lXGlNUox2KI/Tbw-glyLVhI/AAAAAAAAA1E/1JFsNkwI8gE/s640/IMG_0746.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> it is such a romantic, beautiful place- a memorial to love<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_Sj_04dgMc/Tbw8QnajQfI/AAAAAAAAA0k/tSwFAY4KpLU/s1600/IMG_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_Sj_04dgMc/Tbw8QnajQfI/AAAAAAAAA0k/tSwFAY4KpLU/s640/IMG_0092.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2EdeWpXn4M/Tbxzos-bq1I/AAAAAAAAA1M/1Hh7AdNrQz0/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y2EdeWpXn4M/Tbxzos-bq1I/AAAAAAAAA1M/1Hh7AdNrQz0/s640/IMG_0733.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pei9PhVuHdo/TbxzphEWW_I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/Rq4za9KbqDA/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pei9PhVuHdo/TbxzphEWW_I/AAAAAAAAA1Q/Rq4za9KbqDA/s640/IMG_0736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DNL-iU5uOZc/TbxzsLl_oPI/AAAAAAAAA1U/bLJUSFJ6awE/s1600/IMG_0738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DNL-iU5uOZc/TbxzsLl_oPI/AAAAAAAAA1U/bLJUSFJ6awE/s640/IMG_0738.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fM0EA60F2aA/TbxzvrvhTiI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/fWpTEocsUB0/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fM0EA60F2aA/TbxzvrvhTiI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/fWpTEocsUB0/s640/IMG_0739.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm_uuJVl9JA/Tbxz3Smdv0I/AAAAAAAAA1g/1ie4au3OZRY/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bm_uuJVl9JA/Tbxz3Smdv0I/AAAAAAAAA1g/1ie4au3OZRY/s640/IMG_0752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5ZvcJVEpNA/Tbxz6CjWa8I/AAAAAAAAA1k/Z7bULT_9pGo/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H5ZvcJVEpNA/Tbxz6CjWa8I/AAAAAAAAA1k/Z7bULT_9pGo/s640/IMG_0761.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail of inlaid semi-precious stone including carnelian and jade</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVNjR8_scAQ/Tbxz9nDb-GI/AAAAAAAAA1o/ImkiqpvdAFU/s1600/IMG_0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVNjR8_scAQ/Tbxz9nDb-GI/AAAAAAAAA1o/ImkiqpvdAFU/s640/IMG_0766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>a visit to the white marble palace of love lifted my spirits. the hotel wasn't too shabby either-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFnxQZgLfaQ/Tbx1HZR8NsI/AAAAAAAAA1s/_KVt0KPvRs8/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dFnxQZgLfaQ/Tbx1HZR8NsI/AAAAAAAAA1s/_KVt0KPvRs8/s640/IMG_0768.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77fMrr2AnFw/Tbx1I18-qlI/AAAAAAAAA1w/lv557_QXSBs/s1600/IMG_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77fMrr2AnFw/Tbx1I18-qlI/AAAAAAAAA1w/lv557_QXSBs/s640/IMG_0769.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFfmxxRcxnI/Tbx1MbL6jPI/AAAAAAAAA10/X0m15QdiAZs/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFfmxxRcxnI/Tbx1MbL6jPI/AAAAAAAAA10/X0m15QdiAZs/s640/IMG_0770.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lu1-WyFx-bE/Tbx1RO1IYsI/AAAAAAAAA14/Ee3N8Dkfw3g/s1600/IMG_0771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lu1-WyFx-bE/Tbx1RO1IYsI/AAAAAAAAA14/Ee3N8Dkfw3g/s640/IMG_0771.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdPou0wvOYs/Tbx1TwIMr9I/AAAAAAAAA18/eo6LwClYGkc/s1600/IMG_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdPou0wvOYs/Tbx1TwIMr9I/AAAAAAAAA18/eo6LwClYGkc/s640/IMG_0772.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fo6rm9JTLPE/Tbx1W99CUqI/AAAAAAAAA2A/PQTn18QIImM/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fo6rm9JTLPE/Tbx1W99CUqI/AAAAAAAAA2A/PQTn18QIImM/s640/IMG_0773.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iuYp8NNRi0/Tbx1YdoPhtI/AAAAAAAAA2I/PSE50GezNY8/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9iuYp8NNRi0/Tbx1YdoPhtI/AAAAAAAAA2I/PSE50GezNY8/s640/IMG_0775.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of taj mahal from our room in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGzxa3EhB8Q/Tbx1ZVqV67I/AAAAAAAAA2M/pFJ2viOe7bU/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGzxa3EhB8Q/Tbx1ZVqV67I/AAAAAAAAA2M/pFJ2viOe7bU/s640/IMG_0776.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uphHgInOXjs/Tbx1aaRqk6I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/x1ma0F4rxXg/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uphHgInOXjs/Tbx1aaRqk6I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/x1ma0F4rxXg/s640/IMG_0777.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-zJzi0SfxY/Tbx1bMZwSPI/AAAAAAAAA2U/Wcn-19M7PE0/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-zJzi0SfxY/Tbx1bMZwSPI/AAAAAAAAA2U/Wcn-19M7PE0/s640/IMG_0778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>this was my favorite hotel of all the luxury ones we stayed at. after our visit to the Taj i took a spa day- napping, swimming, and a couple of ayurvedic massages including the warm oil dripping on the 3rd eye continuously for an hour. a delicious indian dinner, a long sleep in the cozy bed with my sweetie and i was ready for the next city- Jaipur, the gem palace city. see you next stop~</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-63023945443935439122011-04-28T19:09:00.000-07:002011-04-28T19:09:31.613-07:00A Portrait of India- Part 3 Khajuraho's erotic temples<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">From Varanasi and the ganges river we flew to Khajuraho in central india- a mellow paradise literally meaning the land of palm trees. the peaceful serenity and quiet, clean grounds of this area were a welcome oasis from the chaos of Varanasi. the unfortunate part is that i'd used up my batteries on all those pics on the Ganges, but the blessing is that relieved of any pressure to photograph, i was free to revel in the elevated sheer beauty of one of my VERY FAVORITE places on earth. here are some pics that casey took with his iphone. can you tell i'm in my element? i sure felt that way.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQfVMtzSH4c/TboQFn6ZdBI/AAAAAAAAAxU/ZGdGRQzZC2U/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQfVMtzSH4c/TboQFn6ZdBI/AAAAAAAAAxU/ZGdGRQzZC2U/s640/IMG_0048.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N61yXAN-MQ0/TboQF7f5gGI/AAAAAAAAAxY/0WTJ6vkJK1k/s1600/IMG_0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N61yXAN-MQ0/TboQF7f5gGI/AAAAAAAAAxY/0WTJ6vkJK1k/s640/IMG_0049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMhcC0NnXoY/TboQGUqSaiI/AAAAAAAAAxc/pIdztfT-658/s1600/IMG_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMhcC0NnXoY/TboQGUqSaiI/AAAAAAAAAxc/pIdztfT-658/s640/IMG_0050.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH5VS6m8lkg/TboQG_om_cI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ruhzxcIIC80/s1600/IMG_0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WH5VS6m8lkg/TboQG_om_cI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ruhzxcIIC80/s640/IMG_0051.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZDORJunsNU/TboQHWtURkI/AAAAAAAAAxk/1_mzGemNLbc/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZDORJunsNU/TboQHWtURkI/AAAAAAAAAxk/1_mzGemNLbc/s640/IMG_0052.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hw-kXApARTk/TboQH8QAP8I/AAAAAAAAAxs/FeoMLhV4imE/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hw-kXApARTk/TboQH8QAP8I/AAAAAAAAAxs/FeoMLhV4imE/s640/IMG_0054.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJGqVrllerg/TboQICTTm6I/AAAAAAAAAxw/lMU10gBEl_I/s1600/IMG_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJGqVrllerg/TboQICTTm6I/AAAAAAAAAxw/lMU10gBEl_I/s640/IMG_0055.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> i guess his pics are mostly of us and i wish i could show you photos of the temples but there are lots of images online. these temples were built over the span of 200 years from 950- 1150 AD by the people of the Jain religion- one of the oldest religions in existence dating back to 900 BC. these elaborate sculpted sandstone temples of which 25 of 80 remain, were built by the Chandella dynasty using tongue and groove type of construction in which gravity pieces everything together and no mortar at all. the hundreds and hundreds of highly detailed sculptures of realistic everyday people depict very explicit erotica and are absolutely mesmerizing and amazing and sometimes even funny. the original tantra yogis.<br />
i felt such a familarity and affinity with this place that i became certain i came from this tribe of people. the guide pointed out how the women are depicted as educated- reading and writing love letters, athletes doing archery and were equal citizens to the men. it was only after the moguls came from the mideast with their harems and wanting to keep them hidden away that women in India became second class citizens. this overtaking of the moguls moved the Jain based people to the north (aryans) so i very well may be of this descent since my roots go back to Great Britain as far as i know, which isn't very far in the scheme of things.<br />
of course this experience of feeling this connection got me curious about the Jain's who we saw some of in India and who have the most beautiful, elegant fancy temples in the land. i did a little reading and am happy to learn more about these good people. even though they are a small minority in India they have had a great influence on both hinduism and buddhism and Ghandi himself was greatly influenced by them. their vegetarian diet and extreme non-violence can be witnessed in the cross over to hindu life.<br />
"Jainism prescibes pacifism and a path of non-violence towards all living beings. Its philosophy and practice emphasize the necessity of self-effort to move the soul towards divine consciousness and liberation. Any soul that has conquered its own inner enemies and achieved the state of supreme being is called Jina (victor)."<br />
they believe that every living being has a soul and is potentially divine and therefor to be kind to all living beings. every soul is the architect of its own life. there is no supreme divine creator,owner, preserver or destroyer. the universe is self-regulated and every soul has the potential to achieve divine consciousness through its own efforts.<br />
this approach to spirituality really resonates with me and being a vegetarian most of my life since i was 14 of course i identify with their path of non harm to all beings.<br />
although they believe in non- attachment to material objects, the owning of them itself is okay. it's our attachment that causes the problems. in fact, Jains are the wealthiest Indians. get this- though they form only 0.42% of the population of India, their contribution to the country by way of income tax is an astounding 24% of the tax collected. They are also the most literate community and preserve the oldest libraries.<br />
another cool thing about them (i could go on and on) is that they are totally non- judgemental and are completely accepting of other peoples religion- it's part of their their need to be kind. these are the NICE people- all about peace and love to the extreme. i am so happy to know the Jains are still thriving after all these centuries and being run out by those nasty violent moguls and that they have come out on top. Long live the Jains of the Khajuraho Love Temples!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5KeX7AMoMg/TbodHi1QGMI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Hbt66nngXAI/s1600/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A5KeX7AMoMg/TbodHi1QGMI/AAAAAAAAAyA/Hbt66nngXAI/s640/IMG_0060.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our hotel had a lovely shrine for morning meditation and you can see the top of one of the temples in the background- so close. lovely exotic bird life too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1mJ3nFtyC4/TbodIBL2SlI/AAAAAAAAAyE/U_EewvaDF9E/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1mJ3nFtyC4/TbodIBL2SlI/AAAAAAAAAyE/U_EewvaDF9E/s640/IMG_0061.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i wish we could have stayed here longer. it's the one place in India i'd love to go back to</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-25735399614299242722011-04-26T09:25:00.000-07:002011-04-26T09:25:51.218-07:00A Portrait of India- The Ganges River<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDw9KE94lHo/TbbV_C8_fPI/AAAAAAAAArY/I9WsgroFfqw/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDw9KE94lHo/TbbV_C8_fPI/AAAAAAAAArY/I9WsgroFfqw/s640/IMG_0597.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here are the girls selling flowers for the river rituals</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPyfcmwFL-o/TbbXRRB29mI/AAAAAAAAArc/RI41RrGuQrc/s1600/IMG_0598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPyfcmwFL-o/TbbXRRB29mI/AAAAAAAAArc/RI41RrGuQrc/s640/IMG_0598.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we took an evening boat ride along the ganges</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q27yiOnquYo/TbbXdGxw9dI/AAAAAAAAArw/Y2JGPXIVJno/s1600/IMG_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q27yiOnquYo/TbbXdGxw9dI/AAAAAAAAArw/Y2JGPXIVJno/s640/IMG_0603.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Actq4o6ryro/TbbXrA2996I/AAAAAAAAAsA/9R4bCjQ-e2M/s1600/IMG_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Actq4o6ryro/TbbXrA2996I/AAAAAAAAAsA/9R4bCjQ-e2M/s640/IMG_0610.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pUOgMs6rSE/TbbXuDX5auI/AAAAAAAAAsE/FSDYvL_z4B8/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pUOgMs6rSE/TbbXuDX5auI/AAAAAAAAAsE/FSDYvL_z4B8/s640/IMG_0611.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zh_gOsDbnik/TbbX0DsZCGI/AAAAAAAAAsM/2r7wxPT_CVQ/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zh_gOsDbnik/TbbX0DsZCGI/AAAAAAAAAsM/2r7wxPT_CVQ/s640/IMG_0615.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd_LJuI5Rwk/TbbX5_FmluI/AAAAAAAAAsU/1gHwC6_QHJE/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fd_LJuI5Rwk/TbbX5_FmluI/AAAAAAAAAsU/1gHwC6_QHJE/s640/IMG_0617.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these fires are the cremation of bodies along the river. they carrry the bodies down on stretchers wrapped in fabric and the "untouchables" who have been born into the caste of cremating for a living, burn bodies 24/7 averaging 6 per hour. <br />
there were 4 bodies being burned here and this was as close as i was allowed to photograph.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENLsieS2ubg/TbbYCdsT1JI/AAAAAAAAAsg/7L5PzoKqa8o/s1600/IMG_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ENLsieS2ubg/TbbYCdsT1JI/AAAAAAAAAsg/7L5PzoKqa8o/s640/IMG_0622.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lighting the 5 candles for the girls who touched my spirit</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns3YSch7oNI/TbbYEKvbg5I/AAAAAAAAAsk/Wur2Z3R20us/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns3YSch7oNI/TbbYEKvbg5I/AAAAAAAAAsk/Wur2Z3R20us/s640/IMG_0623.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and releasing them into the Ganges with wishes for goodness for all us girls<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnkWM5s4UoE/TbbdFg22fNI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/39_JwFL6GwI/s1600/IMG_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnkWM5s4UoE/TbbdFg22fNI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/39_JwFL6GwI/s640/IMG_0619.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nightly ritual of putting the river to sleep</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OtjxbDu0SY/TbbdG9cNVGI/AAAAAAAAAtU/rfP4Yi1IYQI/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OtjxbDu0SY/TbbdG9cNVGI/AAAAAAAAAtU/rfP4Yi1IYQI/s640/IMG_0621.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the whole village celebrates every night while the bhramin priests (upper caste) lead the rituals</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Po9p5urHrrI/TbbdJN-1hnI/AAAAAAAAAtY/PfXXZuyDv8U/s1600/IMG_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Po9p5urHrrI/TbbdJN-1hnI/AAAAAAAAAtY/PfXXZuyDv8U/s640/IMG_0626.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these were some of the children who waited for me to return from the boat in hopes of more money and hounded me to the bus</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bk3icJERmk0/TbbdM71c6hI/AAAAAAAAAtc/-B85rhWnPVo/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bk3icJERmk0/TbbdM71c6hI/AAAAAAAAAtc/-B85rhWnPVo/s640/IMG_0627.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the community elder shooing them away</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> we came back the next day and made our way to the main yoga ghat<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQY3Lc2E95k/TbbdWB39BDI/AAAAAAAAAto/LU3OKIEHK10/s1600/IMG_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQY3Lc2E95k/TbbdWB39BDI/AAAAAAAAAto/LU3OKIEHK10/s640/IMG_0631.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPV7aM1ZRDY/TbbdZ8R8LZI/AAAAAAAAAts/v6pyG_V9Fm8/s1600/IMG_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XPV7aM1ZRDY/TbbdZ8R8LZI/AAAAAAAAAts/v6pyG_V9Fm8/s640/IMG_0633.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJriJSRH78M/TbbdddG5OvI/AAAAAAAAAtw/4cWSDcUqPDI/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJriJSRH78M/TbbdddG5OvI/AAAAAAAAAtw/4cWSDcUqPDI/s640/IMG_0635.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3utcZICZv6A/TbbdgikSYFI/AAAAAAAAAt0/mHag2GH5BBc/s1600/IMG_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3utcZICZv6A/TbbdgikSYFI/AAAAAAAAAt0/mHag2GH5BBc/s640/IMG_0636.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTwOrP5Zibk/Tbbdj9vaOnI/AAAAAAAAAt4/WkXkbbTEJQI/s1600/IMG_0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iTwOrP5Zibk/Tbbdj9vaOnI/AAAAAAAAAt4/WkXkbbTEJQI/s640/IMG_0637.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aR6Ixz-Pcco/TbbdmjODC-I/AAAAAAAAAt8/5DXb7r9qlDg/s1600/IMG_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aR6Ixz-Pcco/TbbdmjODC-I/AAAAAAAAAt8/5DXb7r9qlDg/s640/IMG_0638.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv12CEGFJNw/Tbbdp7gbS1I/AAAAAAAAAuA/eqVCeN-KdCg/s1600/IMG_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nv12CEGFJNw/Tbbdp7gbS1I/AAAAAAAAAuA/eqVCeN-KdCg/s640/IMG_0639.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ5N3mQDs9U/Tbbds98_7rI/AAAAAAAAAuE/NFD8lkJ0yLY/s1600/IMG_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ5N3mQDs9U/Tbbds98_7rI/AAAAAAAAAuE/NFD8lkJ0yLY/s640/IMG_0640.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRbA1pjWvAU/Tbbdv_bHKUI/AAAAAAAAAuI/Tr3MMmJFRqQ/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRbA1pjWvAU/Tbbdv_bHKUI/AAAAAAAAAuI/Tr3MMmJFRqQ/s640/IMG_0641.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>we wanted to see how people start their day at sunrise along the Ganges river<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tr5kSxNvWWQ/Tbbhkkt_fiI/AAAAAAAAAuM/vqzCHBZi77g/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tr5kSxNvWWQ/Tbbhkkt_fiI/AAAAAAAAAuM/vqzCHBZi77g/s640/IMG_0643.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wIGw9EO8LDw/TbbhqHa6vKI/AAAAAAAAAuU/Q16_tVewAgw/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wIGw9EO8LDw/TbbhqHa6vKI/AAAAAAAAAuU/Q16_tVewAgw/s640/IMG_0645.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSbk289dSeU/TbbhtzdpxmI/AAAAAAAAAuY/RiQZD3BDZM8/s1600/IMG_0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSbk289dSeU/TbbhtzdpxmI/AAAAAAAAAuY/RiQZD3BDZM8/s640/IMG_0646.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ik22dJUJVw/Tbbhx4vcRBI/AAAAAAAAAuc/mC11YKffU4o/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ik22dJUJVw/Tbbhx4vcRBI/AAAAAAAAAuc/mC11YKffU4o/s640/IMG_0647.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFtC9HlEwQo/Tbbh2LNIHNI/AAAAAAAAAug/JxQAbg18gzU/s1600/IMG_0648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RFtC9HlEwQo/Tbbh2LNIHNI/AAAAAAAAAug/JxQAbg18gzU/s640/IMG_0648.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omWHq2JmeBE/Tbbh5spF1DI/AAAAAAAAAuk/gGU8b0cgrQo/s1600/IMG_0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omWHq2JmeBE/Tbbh5spF1DI/AAAAAAAAAuk/gGU8b0cgrQo/s640/IMG_0649.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKYFyeex2rU/Tbbh9i22MwI/AAAAAAAAAuo/BG9kCxpM8vw/s1600/IMG_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QKYFyeex2rU/Tbbh9i22MwI/AAAAAAAAAuo/BG9kCxpM8vw/s640/IMG_0650.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P23Nm7VNqbU/TbbiHJwKbrI/AAAAAAAAAuw/wSzxj0ZUPIw/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P23Nm7VNqbU/TbbiHJwKbrI/AAAAAAAAAuw/wSzxj0ZUPIw/s640/IMG_0652.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rWN3xZgj2-0/TbbiNBEc8SI/AAAAAAAAAu0/2yNVhJ--n_8/s1600/IMG_0653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rWN3xZgj2-0/TbbiNBEc8SI/AAAAAAAAAu0/2yNVhJ--n_8/s640/IMG_0653.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW6mWjIr7z8/TbbiRb0L8FI/AAAAAAAAAu4/cWNszlqCgfw/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW6mWjIr7z8/TbbiRb0L8FI/AAAAAAAAAu4/cWNszlqCgfw/s640/IMG_0654.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bathing ghat for men</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr3cQ1DK0Mo/TbbiVSUYj2I/AAAAAAAAAu8/YIQK1ZL64r8/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr3cQ1DK0Mo/TbbiVSUYj2I/AAAAAAAAAu8/YIQK1ZL64r8/s640/IMG_0655.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYqeRx-M_i0/TbbiePz5jXI/AAAAAAAAAvE/rV0Ueh9y7fM/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYqeRx-M_i0/TbbiePz5jXI/AAAAAAAAAvE/rV0Ueh9y7fM/s640/IMG_0657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they seem to have a large area for their bathing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MpY29iAVSHE/TbbiiKh-m_I/AAAAAAAAAvI/bHNvPftxnVc/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MpY29iAVSHE/TbbiiKh-m_I/AAAAAAAAAvI/bHNvPftxnVc/s640/IMG_0658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2WsD9cBQqE/Tbbiy9zkd8I/AAAAAAAAAvY/PzAvV8l6oC4/s1600/IMG_0663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a2WsD9cBQqE/Tbbiy9zkd8I/AAAAAAAAAvY/PzAvV8l6oC4/s640/IMG_0663.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the laundry area</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e68_xr4_nds/Tbbi3EmiGPI/AAAAAAAAAvc/EaDJo0KTnaQ/s1600/IMG_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e68_xr4_nds/Tbbi3EmiGPI/AAAAAAAAAvc/EaDJo0KTnaQ/s640/IMG_0664.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is the bathing ghat for women- much smaller and they keep their clothes on because of modesty. notice that some husbands are joining them but a wife would never go to the men's ghat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PPG-ekyn3g/Tbbi7pPeLiI/AAAAAAAAAvg/DNOAeBEtzRw/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PPG-ekyn3g/Tbbi7pPeLiI/AAAAAAAAAvg/DNOAeBEtzRw/s640/IMG_0665.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the women have no place to go to the bathroom either while the men go anywhere openly. one of the women guides told me they get up at 2:30 a.m. to go in privacy but who knows where?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MehGs0xnxGg/Tbbi-PK6DnI/AAAAAAAAAvk/dktmLGFCZtE/s1600/IMG_0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MehGs0xnxGg/Tbbi-PK6DnI/AAAAAAAAAvk/dktmLGFCZtE/s640/IMG_0666.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boat selling souveniers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLaOtsgXRJw/TbbjCfkUA6I/AAAAAAAAAvo/QJbUeqF-lrA/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mLaOtsgXRJw/TbbjCfkUA6I/AAAAAAAAAvo/QJbUeqF-lrA/s640/IMG_0667.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ok68MzSWuSo/TbbjL79OT5I/AAAAAAAAAvw/PMCjJAidem8/s1600/IMG_0669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ok68MzSWuSo/TbbjL79OT5I/AAAAAAAAAvw/PMCjJAidem8/s640/IMG_0669.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the water is filthy and they are laundering, bathing, swimming, drinking, praying and releasing cremated bodies into the same body of water. it is sacred and pure to them</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sC4TJp5Uyqs/TbbjQtbDQcI/AAAAAAAAAv0/vGotfeK4jsE/s1600/IMG_0670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sC4TJp5Uyqs/TbbjQtbDQcI/AAAAAAAAAv0/vGotfeK4jsE/s640/IMG_0670.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKB7hGfpoQ8/TbbjVg2wsfI/AAAAAAAAAv4/4KUVjxxhzyc/s1600/IMG_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oKB7hGfpoQ8/TbbjVg2wsfI/AAAAAAAAAv4/4KUVjxxhzyc/s640/IMG_0671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3_Ult5rzWM/TbbjbwEQiII/AAAAAAAAAv8/tFPp6g85ihE/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3_Ult5rzWM/TbbjbwEQiII/AAAAAAAAAv8/tFPp6g85ihE/s640/IMG_0672.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TpjKxCvLVAs/TbbjhN_8toI/AAAAAAAAAwA/9wog2wCjlbs/s1600/IMG_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TpjKxCvLVAs/TbbjhN_8toI/AAAAAAAAAwA/9wog2wCjlbs/s640/IMG_0673.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">morning bathing, prayer ritual puts them in the right head space to face the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DBNMfhKbbiQ/TbbjlY-1vxI/AAAAAAAAAwE/H6x2oZvZNJ0/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DBNMfhKbbiQ/TbbjlY-1vxI/AAAAAAAAAwE/H6x2oZvZNJ0/s640/IMG_0674.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">young monks- soon to be brahmin priests.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BdrMiMN7Rg/Tbbjr_zkp4I/AAAAAAAAAwI/peRQlCYgH8o/s1600/IMG_0675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1BdrMiMN7Rg/Tbbjr_zkp4I/AAAAAAAAAwI/peRQlCYgH8o/s640/IMG_0675.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i've never seen such a collection of colorful buildings, and so ancient</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWWMBjs3x0c/Tbbj1tWPWPI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/8jSzRdVgAeM/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FWWMBjs3x0c/Tbbj1tWPWPI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/8jSzRdVgAeM/s640/IMG_0677.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMRV17GpoeU/Tbbj5r2pC7I/AAAAAAAAAwU/63ogEX6hikY/s1600/IMG_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMRV17GpoeU/Tbbj5r2pC7I/AAAAAAAAAwU/63ogEX6hikY/s640/IMG_0678.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is their god Shiva, the destroyer in the trinity of gods. the bump in the middle is his lingam penetrating the yoni of the goddess. this act of intercourse represents the union of male/female and is the root of yoga and their who;e belief system and way of life. it's no wonder they have such a population problem. to them sex is religion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oC_NhU3i2JU/TbbkB6SA0BI/AAAAAAAAAwc/New7BsLLdkI/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oC_NhU3i2JU/TbbkB6SA0BI/AAAAAAAAAwc/New7BsLLdkI/s640/IMG_0680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yb7zDF1QTMs/TbbkGwBQH-I/AAAAAAAAAwg/EtjRLT8AfOM/s1600/IMG_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yb7zDF1QTMs/TbbkGwBQH-I/AAAAAAAAAwg/EtjRLT8AfOM/s640/IMG_0681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coconuts symbolize the ego- a hard nut to crack but if you can do so there is sweet meat to be savored on the inside. they often gift these to lord shiva</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0x-ONfs33Xc/TbbkHf8oOLI/AAAAAAAAAwk/IrnsQ7Rxj04/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0x-ONfs33Xc/TbbkHf8oOLI/AAAAAAAAAwk/IrnsQ7Rxj04/s640/IMG_0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9D4LGKtwgso/TbbkIF6uVRI/AAAAAAAAAws/WLb0PTzvdc0/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9D4LGKtwgso/TbbkIF6uVRI/AAAAAAAAAws/WLb0PTzvdc0/s640/IMG_0026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here are the girls i bought the flowers from</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUgmhd1cYRo/TbbkIk2zILI/AAAAAAAAAww/8VJwgkJNNrc/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YUgmhd1cYRo/TbbkIk2zILI/AAAAAAAAAww/8VJwgkJNNrc/s640/IMG_0032.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NreGnQCLf8M/TbbkJDkyY3I/AAAAAAAAAw0/CaCRy-t3Xok/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NreGnQCLf8M/TbbkJDkyY3I/AAAAAAAAAw0/CaCRy-t3Xok/s640/IMG_0033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYwwCdiKY_w/TbbkKLb5GKI/AAAAAAAAAw8/jH33K2ZB0UI/s1600/IMG_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYwwCdiKY_w/TbbkKLb5GKI/AAAAAAAAAw8/jH33K2ZB0UI/s640/IMG_0035.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">of course i got caught up in any chance to pray with the people</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6_J9Cm4qc4/TbbkKheTSSI/AAAAAAAAAxA/7SzabGjvjIg/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6_J9Cm4qc4/TbbkKheTSSI/AAAAAAAAAxA/7SzabGjvjIg/s640/IMG_0036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dL3N0rbb7co/TbbkMQmYVNI/AAAAAAAAAxM/5DRjIZo9dkU/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dL3N0rbb7co/TbbkMQmYVNI/AAAAAAAAAxM/5DRjIZo9dkU/s640/IMG_0039.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">monkeys on the houses</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> this was our baptism into thr real India. join me next time for a visit to my very favorite place- khajuraho, the elaborate erotic temples of the original tantric yogis and yoginis built 1300 years ago when women were still honored and revered in India<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-7134162260135302912011-04-26T07:20:00.000-07:002011-04-26T07:20:05.544-07:00A Portrait of India- Part 2 Varanasi, Mecca for hindus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">From Delhi we flew to the spiritual capital Varanasi, the oldest living city in the entire world and the most densely populated, which has welcomed pilgrims since the 6th century b.c. words, photos and even videos can not describe the quality of what that feels like. it was like going back in time 2000 years ago except with the addition of motorized vehicles and wall to wall people. i realized these people never have a moment of silence or privacy/space from others during their entire lives- it's no wonder they are so expert at going within to meditate into stillness and finding peace by dunking in the water of the Ganges. interestingly enough, i recently read that there is virtually no bipolar disorder in India. you would think the overcrowded conditions would result in mental illness but it turns out that an over focus on material gain causes mental illness while human connection and divine purpose prevents it. but there are different problems here. on our visit to the birthplace of Buddhism where Buddha gave his first speech after his moment of enlightenment under the tree, there was a 5 year old girl holding a starving baby, begging outside the museum. it was a haunting image that will never leave me- like one you see in those adds for aid relief in which the scrawny body of the baby has a huge head and big eyes of suffering. it jolted me to my core and i was literally shaking from the sight.<br />
from the museum we headed to the banks of the Ganges on which Varansi sits. this is the mecca for Hindus- they are all dying to die there because they will go more directly to the paradise of their afterworld. as we rode through the streets to make our way to the river this is what we saw-<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iV2uDwt-bTc/TbbAlyJDJCI/AAAAAAAAAqk/9TFgSwz8dQE/s1600/IMG_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iV2uDwt-bTc/TbbAlyJDJCI/AAAAAAAAAqk/9TFgSwz8dQE/s640/IMG_0562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PvVbjS7IYk/TbbAoLOzNaI/AAAAAAAAAqo/AVLwL7Vzs6c/s1600/IMG_0573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PvVbjS7IYk/TbbAoLOzNaI/AAAAAAAAAqo/AVLwL7Vzs6c/s640/IMG_0573.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YE2w48ZUkO8/TbbAr0EKV8I/AAAAAAAAAqs/mRq7nuyjxKI/s1600/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YE2w48ZUkO8/TbbAr0EKV8I/AAAAAAAAAqs/mRq7nuyjxKI/s640/IMG_0574.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4my2v9LvPaU/TbbAuyCgpJI/AAAAAAAAAqw/hsB9HtgLCKw/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4my2v9LvPaU/TbbAuyCgpJI/AAAAAAAAAqw/hsB9HtgLCKw/s640/IMG_0576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd3libM76Yc/TbbAzH3TkHI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Yk6xTmoE_ek/s1600/IMG_0580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yd3libM76Yc/TbbAzH3TkHI/AAAAAAAAAq0/Yk6xTmoE_ek/s640/IMG_0580.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGn77ztW9A8/TbbA28dzA7I/AAAAAAAAAq4/fast7L6FSnI/s1600/IMG_0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zGn77ztW9A8/TbbA28dzA7I/AAAAAAAAAq4/fast7L6FSnI/s640/IMG_0582.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
it is a sea of humanity on utter chaos, yet they all seem to have a direction and purpose in the midst of the noise, dust and confusion<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmsoNnmBmuo/TbbCKE1i09I/AAAAAAAAAq8/BxcELxFL8gw/s1600/IMG_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmsoNnmBmuo/TbbCKE1i09I/AAAAAAAAAq8/BxcELxFL8gw/s640/IMG_0584.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFMh5B_oYo4/TbbCL-rML6I/AAAAAAAAArA/DD7MHWpCpOg/s1600/IMG_0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFMh5B_oYo4/TbbCL-rML6I/AAAAAAAAArA/DD7MHWpCpOg/s640/IMG_0587.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9lvsS9RZFuk/TbbCPtskoEI/AAAAAAAAArE/uNf0ZAkV5tU/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9lvsS9RZFuk/TbbCPtskoEI/AAAAAAAAArE/uNf0ZAkV5tU/s640/IMG_0588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yIwJkOvrRJo/TbbCS6p0S2I/AAAAAAAAArI/A0tsPO8UnVQ/s1600/IMG_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yIwJkOvrRJo/TbbCS6p0S2I/AAAAAAAAArI/A0tsPO8UnVQ/s640/IMG_0594.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjxeCswypIE/TbbCWkxdP5I/AAAAAAAAArQ/jK6E98gISdc/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kjxeCswypIE/TbbCWkxdP5I/AAAAAAAAArQ/jK6E98gISdc/s640/IMG_0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CC7yEUnFvDU/TbbCXKyVE8I/AAAAAAAAArU/z1L-WWNECVo/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CC7yEUnFvDU/TbbCXKyVE8I/AAAAAAAAArU/z1L-WWNECVo/s640/IMG_0016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as we made our way to the banks of the ganges for our sunset riverboat paddle i was greeted by a swarm of girls selling little paper bowls filled with candles and marigolds used for sending your wishes into the river. up until now i had only come across boy hawkers and beggars who are politely aggressive, if that makes any sense. of course i had done my part to support them, buying their trinkets and handing out money and candy. but, seeing these young girls touched me in such a deep way because mostly for this trip the theme of the role of women kept coming up for me. so, even though the little candles only sell for 10 rupees each (25 cents) i bought 5 for 500 rupees ($12.50) from the oldest girl in the pink dress, knowing the mothers were right there sitting on the steps and would use the money for family expenses. well, i'm sure none of those girls had ever seen that kind of money but i wanted them to feel empowered. by the time we returned from the boat ride an hour later, word had spread through the area and it felt like every kid in Varanasi was there waiting for me to get off the boat and hounding me for more. it was a challenge to make it back to the bus and an elder man was shooing them away from the bus- you'll see this in a pic. when we got to our point on the river i lit my 5 candles, one for each girl, and made a wish that they come to know some of the goodness i have and that i come to know some of the goodness they have. the divine joy of these people is palpably intense and was catchy. here are pics of the ganges experience. there are various ghats along the river, steps leading down to the water for different everyday functions- bathing, laundry, praying, cremation and ritual~</div>i'm having a problem loading Ganges photos so i will publish this and follow up with a new post~<br />
sorry for the technical difficulties. it got messed up from a video that wouldn't load.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-55114150428758052482011-04-25T17:06:00.000-07:002011-04-25T17:06:03.245-07:00A Portrait of India- Part 2- Varanasi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwDX-a_lqtglVxgD-W0waj515zyA9WOz525TLmGBjS9vOrUZ0m5PjNwAdAlYs-r036G32eWDsCV4ikVF36ehw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
take a ride through the chaos of the sea of humanity that is Varanasi, the oldest, living, most densely populated city on the planet as we make our way to the banks of the Ganges River<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzz8P941BQbWDcRo8keUqS4xeXAZ2w3scS1pNdQ1uPTVlSbm6W_RWumdkUsk6iV5u_JtrQZyS4OEcnFP5PB' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-47273301096449239452011-04-22T07:08:00.000-07:002011-04-22T07:08:50.187-07:00A Portrait of India- Part 1 Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">please indulge me in reliving my 3 week india tour which casey gifted me as our honeymoon trip for our spiritual marriage, by sharing some photos as i try to process and integrate this amazing experience. as you will see india is a land of paradoxes and extreme contrasts. we stayed in the top hotels in the world which lie in the midst of utter poverty. but, i must say the word that i came home with from that land is SMILE, for they are truly the smiling people even in the harshest of conditions.<br />
we began our journey in Delhi, the capital and a very urban city. we stayed at the fancy Oberoi hotel and here are some pics of the hotel. i am mostly going to let the pictures do the talking~<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVqj_SVfD_c/TbF1_lHDnPI/AAAAAAAAAnk/B1QUMbkkYU8/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVqj_SVfD_c/TbF1_lHDnPI/AAAAAAAAAnk/B1QUMbkkYU8/s640/IMG_0481.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these are lotus flowers floating in the reflection pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJqZ9JeLScs/TbF2BNc3v5I/AAAAAAAAAno/j3Dt_ZX0SYI/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJqZ9JeLScs/TbF2BNc3v5I/AAAAAAAAAno/j3Dt_ZX0SYI/s640/IMG_0483.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0yTXb54XH8/TbF2bU1RYvI/AAAAAAAAAns/P0yoPlBC1yg/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0yTXb54XH8/TbF2bU1RYvI/AAAAAAAAAns/P0yoPlBC1yg/s640/IMG_0484.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eP0g7-n6L9M/TbF2c0IQR4I/AAAAAAAAAnw/mOaddWZWAx4/s1600/IMG_0486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eP0g7-n6L9M/TbF2c0IQR4I/AAAAAAAAAnw/mOaddWZWAx4/s640/IMG_0486.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there are bowls of water with rose petals everywhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbnL0VjcHVg/TbF2fx4CGSI/AAAAAAAAAn0/MjCZaMg4R2k/s1600/IMG_0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbnL0VjcHVg/TbF2fx4CGSI/AAAAAAAAAn0/MjCZaMg4R2k/s640/IMG_0487.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8rNyEIuSLo/TbF2i_RqTcI/AAAAAAAAAn4/C61MQootMj4/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z8rNyEIuSLo/TbF2i_RqTcI/AAAAAAAAAn4/C61MQootMj4/s640/IMG_0488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXzRN6kiQis/TbF2nBpkcPI/AAAAAAAAAn8/2_n-EcweVwo/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DXzRN6kiQis/TbF2nBpkcPI/AAAAAAAAAn8/2_n-EcweVwo/s640/IMG_0489.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">life size screen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DoGWXOOS3xM/TbF3ItlNgCI/AAAAAAAAAoA/qJeTIQtI2Rs/s1600/IMG_0493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DoGWXOOS3xM/TbF3ItlNgCI/AAAAAAAAAoA/qJeTIQtI2Rs/s640/IMG_0493.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">decadent dining</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaI8mcMgrBs/TbF3KF2E3uI/AAAAAAAAAoE/by6WnTJJrAA/s1600/IMG_0495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yaI8mcMgrBs/TbF3KF2E3uI/AAAAAAAAAoE/by6WnTJJrAA/s640/IMG_0495.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uSRM5NDOCFk/TbF3mV2KcFI/AAAAAAAAAoM/JhA_OSBvlnU/s1600/IMG_0434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uSRM5NDOCFk/TbF3mV2KcFI/AAAAAAAAAoM/JhA_OSBvlnU/s640/IMG_0434.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is me swimming in the pool below our room- we did a lot of swimming on this trip in some really nice pools</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8xoayNv-uM/TbF3plK6pTI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/6wK5uJ8F2jE/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8xoayNv-uM/TbF3plK6pTI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/6wK5uJ8F2jE/s640/IMG_0435.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from our room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy36mi77dls/TbF3sYQ_CDI/AAAAAAAAAoU/2OxiYSCVg08/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy36mi77dls/TbF3sYQ_CDI/AAAAAAAAAoU/2OxiYSCVg08/s640/IMG_0436.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can you see the marigold leis on the headboard- flower fragrances at every turn, even in our sleep</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--y3tzfzJStI/TbF3wNgb_xI/AAAAAAAAAoY/H9HJDjYjBxM/s1600/IMG_0438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--y3tzfzJStI/TbF3wNgb_xI/AAAAAAAAAoY/H9HJDjYjBxM/s640/IMG_0438.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">casey gave me some great laughs</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
here are some scenes of delhi-<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpxUoB57QgM/TbF584-fBOI/AAAAAAAAAoc/uIQ7_16xI-4/s1600/IMG_0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpxUoB57QgM/TbF584-fBOI/AAAAAAAAAoc/uIQ7_16xI-4/s640/IMG_0537.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beautiful semi precious stone inlay on one of the marble temples</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMgBYJ2FTUg/TbF5-E9ZtOI/AAAAAAAAAog/Bbv47EebvEs/s1600/IMG_0538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMgBYJ2FTUg/TbF5-E9ZtOI/AAAAAAAAAog/Bbv47EebvEs/s640/IMG_0538.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jmAKSqpP7A/TbF6GDM2-7I/AAAAAAAAAoo/9AivvpN8Hsw/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jmAKSqpP7A/TbF6GDM2-7I/AAAAAAAAAoo/9AivvpN8Hsw/s640/IMG_0542.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the men all hang together- a lot of sitting around "thinking" time for them</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ty-OPXnkD8/TbF6K8UyrsI/AAAAAAAAAos/gBYVIUJ_7UA/s1600/IMG_0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_ty-OPXnkD8/TbF6K8UyrsI/AAAAAAAAAos/gBYVIUJ_7UA/s640/IMG_0543.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the women are so colorful and close. notice them holding hands. the men hold hands as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgLByIiP_z0/TbF6PIYD9hI/AAAAAAAAAow/rqw-aC2zwws/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgLByIiP_z0/TbF6PIYD9hI/AAAAAAAAAow/rqw-aC2zwws/s640/IMG_0545.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arm in arm- these girls are wearing the modern version of the saris</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yi6ebhENNw/TbF6Tc_BmPI/AAAAAAAAAo0/0rs6TurNBK8/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yi6ebhENNw/TbF6Tc_BmPI/AAAAAAAAAo0/0rs6TurNBK8/s640/IMG_0554.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entire families, babies and all on small motorcycles. notice the men are the only ones wearing helmets- this drove me crazy. most of the women ride side saddle</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ls-Q-56Ic8/TbF8TDdnMlI/AAAAAAAAAo4/EOoTseY0F_k/s1600/IMG_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ls-Q-56Ic8/TbF8TDdnMlI/AAAAAAAAAo4/EOoTseY0F_k/s640/IMG_0503.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i bought this bag my first day for $5- it held everything i needed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Oy13qTdylc/TbF8WPbxcmI/AAAAAAAAAo8/p0Z1jPitiP0/s1600/IMG_0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Oy13qTdylc/TbF8WPbxcmI/AAAAAAAAAo8/p0Z1jPitiP0/s640/IMG_0506.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pilgrims visiting a memorial to Ghandi</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ9EVR8wyeQ/TbF8ZkkUSWI/AAAAAAAAApA/ITxUZV90SIs/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ9EVR8wyeQ/TbF8ZkkUSWI/AAAAAAAAApA/ITxUZV90SIs/s640/IMG_0509.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghandi's memorial- they keep a fire burning 24/7- this man is circling the memorial with incense. those gold flowers are marigolds which are used in rituals everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSOdw4IgvgU/TbF8c8kZGNI/AAAAAAAAApE/iWQ77L9KGJw/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSOdw4IgvgU/TbF8c8kZGNI/AAAAAAAAApE/iWQ77L9KGJw/s640/IMG_0510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the everyday every moment greeting is namaste- this has a subtle effect on spirit when you do it all day</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fr_DlAPWAAU/TbF8glBdlHI/AAAAAAAAApI/C0qTU2a4Obg/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fr_DlAPWAAU/TbF8glBdlHI/AAAAAAAAApI/C0qTU2a4Obg/s640/IMG_0512.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and other inspiring reminders</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6lymhF2gy8/TbF8kE8qYzI/AAAAAAAAApM/DXKwwXLKrpI/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6lymhF2gy8/TbF8kE8qYzI/AAAAAAAAApM/DXKwwXLKrpI/s640/IMG_0518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the tight traffic was intense</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnOmVSdNnGg/TbF8nuvr9hI/AAAAAAAAApQ/zfvF06XFvdY/s1600/IMG_0525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xnOmVSdNnGg/TbF8nuvr9hI/AAAAAAAAApQ/zfvF06XFvdY/s640/IMG_0525.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">casey in front of the red fort</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6eRRcneljI/TbF8sZ59LTI/AAAAAAAAApU/9WKlBc39_HM/s1600/IMG_0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r6eRRcneljI/TbF8sZ59LTI/AAAAAAAAApU/9WKlBc39_HM/s640/IMG_0526.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ancient painting on a building using plant pigments</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1fkgS-QPPQ/TbF8w_hUNhI/AAAAAAAAApY/mDGUoFFBjmE/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o1fkgS-QPPQ/TbF8w_hUNhI/AAAAAAAAApY/mDGUoFFBjmE/s640/IMG_0528.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W6c9Mf8tEs0/TbF8z9p1MsI/AAAAAAAAApc/WgjDKwpPNAQ/s1600/IMG_0539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W6c9Mf8tEs0/TbF8z9p1MsI/AAAAAAAAApc/WgjDKwpPNAQ/s640/IMG_0539.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing palaces everywhere. so many i lost track</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0Rjlbq-mLI/TbF-fI4TSxI/AAAAAAAAApg/pHSymzpi4b4/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0Rjlbq-mLI/TbF-fI4TSxI/AAAAAAAAApg/pHSymzpi4b4/s640/IMG_0555.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">little children are on their own to beg in the streets and their bosses or parents are always hidden close by. this was very very hard. i brought bags of candy which i doled out whenever possible</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--x44O9SmkZM/TbF_mobHdCI/AAAAAAAAApo/Fapumgv2Ers/s1600/IMG_0454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--x44O9SmkZM/TbF_mobHdCI/AAAAAAAAApo/Fapumgv2Ers/s640/IMG_0454.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the arch of india</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GEjdnVA3NYY/TbF_pwK5OZI/AAAAAAAAAps/VmVU9okOLJw/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GEjdnVA3NYY/TbF_pwK5OZI/AAAAAAAAAps/VmVU9okOLJw/s640/IMG_0463.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the crowds and traffic are hard to capture here</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ-LD9YkLxc/TbF_uaFl9rI/AAAAAAAAApw/QggNtJavAOI/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ-LD9YkLxc/TbF_uaFl9rI/AAAAAAAAApw/QggNtJavAOI/s640/IMG_0464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKEDgvryOQY/TbF_xx_m81I/AAAAAAAAAp0/mbF_suzq81w/s1600/IMG_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MKEDgvryOQY/TbF_xx_m81I/AAAAAAAAAp0/mbF_suzq81w/s640/IMG_0470.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">here are some shots of the qulb minar victory tower- another ancient site</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvO90Yvo6fs/TbF_5TCflrI/AAAAAAAAAp4/CTfD-kzXUQA/s1600/IMG_0471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvO90Yvo6fs/TbF_5TCflrI/AAAAAAAAAp4/CTfD-kzXUQA/s640/IMG_0471.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zqKW53rPIE/TbGAAWRhT4I/AAAAAAAAAp8/7q5qf4hcoiY/s1600/IMG_0472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zqKW53rPIE/TbGAAWRhT4I/AAAAAAAAAp8/7q5qf4hcoiY/s640/IMG_0472.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MKBLnXfpXo/TbGAD0W0vgI/AAAAAAAAAqA/f_Tiq-nlYmo/s1600/IMG_0473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MKBLnXfpXo/TbGAD0W0vgI/AAAAAAAAAqA/f_Tiq-nlYmo/s640/IMG_0473.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aihhmo8ejXg/TbGAIkelKQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/JsxXDXjXWCg/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aihhmo8ejXg/TbGAIkelKQI/AAAAAAAAAqE/JsxXDXjXWCg/s640/IMG_0475.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loved all the detailed carving</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TpLsC8wLoDk/TbGARsLYS0I/AAAAAAAAAqM/apHw3ytc2Xw/s1600/IMG_0478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TpLsC8wLoDk/TbGARsLYS0I/AAAAAAAAAqM/apHw3ytc2Xw/s640/IMG_0478.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_gMg1UYzoo/TbGAak6AqhI/AAAAAAAAAqU/Vf0hHhf1oW8/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8_gMg1UYzoo/TbGAak6AqhI/AAAAAAAAAqU/Vf0hHhf1oW8/s640/IMG_0480.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3m-5PKWFW6k/TbGG1P0azHI/AAAAAAAAAqc/LSuz22aK5VI/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3m-5PKWFW6k/TbGG1P0azHI/AAAAAAAAAqc/LSuz22aK5VI/s640/IMG_0451.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the women are for the most part the laborers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2z57H9zpKoY/TbGG3wby9PI/AAAAAAAAAqg/z3CgFHwNXyo/s1600/IMG_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2z57H9zpKoY/TbGG3wby9PI/AAAAAAAAAqg/z3CgFHwNXyo/s640/IMG_0469.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yet they stick together and have their private respites</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxr7VyF0IVA/TbGGzugV-fI/AAAAAAAAAqY/vBnSQKbxMC4/s1600/IMG_0446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oxr7VyF0IVA/TbGGzugV-fI/AAAAAAAAAqY/vBnSQKbxMC4/s640/IMG_0446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my initial sense of india was one of being embraced by the goddess and it was a deeply romantic feeling which infused my bond with casey with a high joy.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
little did i know that these initial couple of days were very tame in comparison to what lay ahead. for next we went to Varanasi, the mecca of india on the ganges river, the oldest living city in the world and the most densely populated. that will be next in these series of posts. thanks for touring with me<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-14387483075442042512011-03-28T12:58:00.000-07:002011-03-28T12:58:03.795-07:00My Pride and Joy<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">last week my daughter hillary and her boyfriend scott were here for a few days over spring break~</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EphvL4rYJFo/TZDSiP51s0I/AAAAAAAAAlw/IpaExhWBHGQ/s1600/IMG_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EphvL4rYJFo/TZDSiP51s0I/AAAAAAAAAlw/IpaExhWBHGQ/s640/IMG_0368.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">you may have read about my son , stew, who is my hero in an earlier post. well, this girl is my pride and joy. hillary came out of the womb smiling, content and confident and aside from a few rebellious teenage years, she has been a totally delightful spirit in my life. (even the teenage years were somewhat interesting in their sheer drama and honest expression of feelings). she rolls with the punches, goes with the flow, and really stays in the present moment very much in her body. the only issue i think she might have is that with all her gifts and talents it might be hard to settle on one path. she's good at whatever she applies herself to. no matter, things have always come very easily to her and i'll tell you her little secret that i learned from her and continually practice- she FEELS her contentment and from that state of relaxed bodily gratitude, all good things are magnetized back to her. she doesn't stress or worry or fret. she has faith and trust in the universe and that confidence really pays off. the universe comes through for her every time, usually in shining colors.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> scott is an example of how she magnetized greatness to her. he is equally delightful and a guy to be admired in many ways- kindness, intelligence, sociability are all strong gifts of his. oh and did i mention how responsible he is? (excellent job steve and lu) you can imagine how good it feels to know your daughter has such a wonderful boyfriend. everyone should be so lucky to have their kind of relationship- they really bring out the best in each other. she had just given him this haircut the night before they arrived. i didn't realize how totally handsome he is!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqouzcdoSZ0/TZDUCSFofZI/AAAAAAAAAl4/M8EfMr9JneI/s1600/IMG_0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqouzcdoSZ0/TZDUCSFofZI/AAAAAAAAAl4/M8EfMr9JneI/s640/IMG_0382.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> we had cold, rainy weather the whole time they were here but who cares when you're in love and as playful as these two. we went to the museum of natural history~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LHSFN8S1sU/TZDUstrcDkI/AAAAAAAAAl8/_BYpvVhXeys/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LHSFN8S1sU/TZDUstrcDkI/AAAAAAAAAl8/_BYpvVhXeys/s640/IMG_0385.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">they are very good at entertaining themselves together</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aagVSFHVukE/TZDVE9Qh9_I/AAAAAAAAAmA/FlUajIw5P-Y/s1600/IMG_0386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aagVSFHVukE/TZDVE9Qh9_I/AAAAAAAAAmA/FlUajIw5P-Y/s640/IMG_0386.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> too cute~</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nMCEe9gLAk0/TZDVzxkw0RI/AAAAAAAAAmI/NxCFUECw9_c/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nMCEe9gLAk0/TZDVzxkw0RI/AAAAAAAAAmI/NxCFUECw9_c/s640/IMG_0389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">another day we went to the sea center out on the wharf. they both love animals and science~</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVNxpvJ-Ctw/TZDWkDlKDLI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/EjJKVKB2NYM/s1600/IMG_0392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVNxpvJ-Ctw/TZDWkDlKDLI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/EjJKVKB2NYM/s640/IMG_0392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpwWdzcr8VA/TZDW1Xe1PtI/AAAAAAAAAmU/dWLJJx0IgUs/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpwWdzcr8VA/TZDW1Xe1PtI/AAAAAAAAAmU/dWLJJx0IgUs/s640/IMG_0395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">i think this sunflower star was their favorite- cheerful like them</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GG35Zhfp6MM/TZDYL4eoPqI/AAAAAAAAAmc/bvSU9UD1Mnw/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GG35Zhfp6MM/TZDYL4eoPqI/AAAAAAAAAmc/bvSU9UD1Mnw/s640/IMG_0398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">there were two intertwined kind of like they are~</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gm2h0m20bNk/TZDZ0TYnaXI/AAAAAAAAAmk/dXMPFvOG_lY/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gm2h0m20bNk/TZDZ0TYnaXI/AAAAAAAAAmk/dXMPFvOG_lY/s640/IMG_0404.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">they are so nurturing of one another~ don't you think all couples should exchange foot massages?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvjmOWI89Zk/TZDa4mkjKDI/AAAAAAAAAmw/ayE6mW8OJaQ/s1600/IMG_0410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvjmOWI89Zk/TZDa4mkjKDI/AAAAAAAAAmw/ayE6mW8OJaQ/s640/IMG_0410.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">they support each other in their school work too. i love that. here they are getting next terms schedules in order so they'll be prepared when they get back. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I30t8L6YWHg/TZDbw9i00gI/AAAAAAAAAm4/V6VkC9C_Hq0/s1600/IMG_0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I30t8L6YWHg/TZDbw9i00gI/AAAAAAAAAm4/V6VkC9C_Hq0/s640/IMG_0412.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> everything they do becomes a fun exchange. our dogs loved having them around because they are so much like playful puppies. here's our black lab, kosmo. hillary has her own black lab, dart who is 7 days younger than kosmo. she's raised him as a puppy since she was 11 years old. scott has an adorable cat named augustine and he and dart are like best buds, they cuddle together like their owners.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hrDBnm8owQ/TZDdEd8iRJI/AAAAAAAAAm8/GVN54a0MnoI/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3hrDBnm8owQ/TZDdEd8iRJI/AAAAAAAAAm8/GVN54a0MnoI/s640/IMG_0414.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> we went whale watching their last day here and followed two young juveniles, swimming and playing together, very much like these two magnificent human beings do so much of the time. enjoy these whale shots hillary took~</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcVpKCnCJKc/TZDd3NOb6bI/AAAAAAAAAnA/lPEEwt2A9F0/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcVpKCnCJKc/TZDd3NOb6bI/AAAAAAAAAnA/lPEEwt2A9F0/s640/IMG_0419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t-zCeyyb7S4/TZDd69StGhI/AAAAAAAAAnE/7TzgrmxC7Zg/s1600/IMG_0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t-zCeyyb7S4/TZDd69StGhI/AAAAAAAAAnE/7TzgrmxC7Zg/s640/IMG_0420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9CRlW9BN1w/TZDeAbNH3dI/AAAAAAAAAnI/cirJq00C4AA/s1600/IMG_0421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9CRlW9BN1w/TZDeAbNH3dI/AAAAAAAAAnI/cirJq00C4AA/s640/IMG_0421.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnNhJjSyidE/TZDeD1BsaGI/AAAAAAAAAnM/A3kCSiROhAA/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qnNhJjSyidE/TZDeD1BsaGI/AAAAAAAAAnM/A3kCSiROhAA/s640/IMG_0423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCN84XPSavc/TZDekExgzoI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/U9vs3aU6Y8E/s1600/IMG_0425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCN84XPSavc/TZDekExgzoI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/U9vs3aU6Y8E/s640/IMG_0425.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">they have really good, open communication~</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHKerbC-LOE/TZDfAXeam6I/AAAAAAAAAnU/Uf_QxbW9_ns/s1600/IMG_0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHKerbC-LOE/TZDfAXeam6I/AAAAAAAAAnU/Uf_QxbW9_ns/s640/IMG_0428.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">and have mastered the art of relaxation together~</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2QiJpYy2Cio/TZDgBlrfajI/AAAAAAAAAnc/L5yOAH92o3E/s1600/IMG_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2QiJpYy2Cio/TZDgBlrfajI/AAAAAAAAAnc/L5yOAH92o3E/s640/IMG_0431.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">here they are watching dolphins from the hot tub. when hillary was a little girl, the dolphin was her totem and she wanted to be a dolphin trainer when she grew up. scott is a zoology major and wants to go into animal behavior. they really are two peas in a pod and their energy sparkled fairy dust all around while they were here, leaving a serene magic in the air that i am still savoring. i am entirely blessed to be the mother of this girl and now i feel she and scott have been blessed with each other. this makes me very happy indeed!</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">i can hardly wait to have them back and next time we will enjoy our more typical beautiful santa barbara weather.</span>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2076301481969029253.post-8403255127322578882011-03-15T09:09:00.000-07:002011-03-15T09:09:19.246-07:00Taking Flight in to Blue Skies<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">as the unthinkable tragedy rages on in japan, i feel increasingly angst ridden and helpless. sometimes in situations like this the only thing for me to do is turn to the positive- to my art. i have been in such a mode of taking flight like a bird in a clear blue sky- soaring carefree, light</span>, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">soaring above the harshness of this world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">last week i sold 2 of my bird paintings to a lovely jazz singer from the bay area. she'd seen my work at the beach show and liked this one very much-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GqYCX6Hny4c/TX-KFv3INJI/AAAAAAAAAlk/9B8novE2m_c/s1600/Calling+-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GqYCX6Hny4c/TX-KFv3INJI/AAAAAAAAAlk/9B8novE2m_c/s640/Calling+-web.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">it's titled "Calling" and i think it spoke to her as a singer since the bird is doing just that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">she went home and looked at my web site and saw this one which i shared in an earlier post but hadn't framed yet so hadn't displayed it at the beach-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MwoQqk62mYc/TX-Kvi1WX6I/AAAAAAAAAlo/3_wy0GkHO9c/s1600/Blubirds+of+Happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MwoQqk62mYc/TX-Kvi1WX6I/AAAAAAAAAlo/3_wy0GkHO9c/s640/Blubirds+of+Happiness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">she decided to also buy "Bluebirds of Happiness" to go with it on her large living room walls. luckily since i hadn't framed it yet i can frame it to match the other. they make a beautiful set and they couldn't have gone to a nicer home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">it turned out there were many synchronicities in our exchange, one being that she'd just learned to sing a jazz standard a couple weeks earlier (the time we met) about bluebirds of happiness that she'll be performing in her band. she sent me the lyrics and said she will always think about it when she looks at the painting:</span><br />
<br />
<div>Blue skies shining on me, nothing but blue skies do I see. </div><div>Bluebirds singing their song, nothing but bluebirds all day long.</div><div>Never saw the sun shining so bright</div><div>Never saw things going so right</div><div>Noticing the days hurrying by</div><div>When you're in love my, how they fly</div><div>Blue days all of them gone, nothing but blue skies from now on! </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">i am visualizing bluebirds singing their songs in blue skies over japan today. it's the one thing i can do, at least to keep me calm.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">in other bird news, i was invited to the juried Flora and Fauna show at the Carpinteria Valley Art Center at 855 Linden Ave in Carp as the poster artist- </span> </div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.artscarp.org/">here</a> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">is the link to the announcement for which they chose this painting-</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L6TppOSyqAo/TX-NYmzUbrI/AAAAAAAAAls/R5o4v2gtZgQ/s1600/Gentle+Memories-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L6TppOSyqAo/TX-NYmzUbrI/AAAAAAAAAls/R5o4v2gtZgQ/s640/Gentle+Memories-web.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">it's large- 26 x 43 and i feel very honored to have it as the centerpiece of the show. i feel compelled to inhabit the world of birds and think i will be painting them for some time to come. i am currently working on another large one 32 x 40 of a variety of songbirds in a garden of spring flowers. i look forward to sharing it with you and perhaps i will see some of you at the reception this saturday afternoon in carpinteria (where, believe it or not i also had family in the past- my father's uncle and his famous artist wife, maggie howe, who had her enamel on copper shown in the smithsonian).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> peace and well being for all~</span></div>Erin Williams Watercolorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00734957927064844238noreply@blogger.com0