Rajasthan in Northern India was a really awesome experience. I saw more in one month in one country than I see on multiple visits to several countries. Of course, Rajasthan is just one small slice of India, so for the last couple weeks I made my way South to Mumbai (Bombay) and then on to Goa …
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Wonderful People of India
One of the best things of India is its people. They are wonderful and amazingly nice. Everyone I met was helpful, friendly and just genuinely pleasant. I had people stop me on the street to chat, not looking for anything other than a conversation. An eye surgeon bought me a cup of coffee at the …
Weekly Photo: Indian Temple Sweeper
I watched this guy sweeping for quit some time, snapping a series of photos of him as he went about his business. He paid me little attention, but I was fixated on his ability to sweep so diligently while accomplishing very little. Of course, the light and colors, along with his sweeping in action, made …
Exploring Ajanta & Ellora Caves
The Ajanta Caves and the Ellora Caves are two separate sites with moments carved into caves. The Ajanta Caves are far more elaborate in their interior decoration, while the Ellora Caves is famous more for its temple carved entirely from stone (as opposed to the actual Ellora Caves which are less impressive than the Ajanta …
Desecrating Holy Sites in India
India has many holy places. I visited two of them. Pushkar, with its 52 ghats surrounding the holy waters of the lake in the center of the city, and Varanasi, with its hundreds of ghats lining the Ganges River. You are definitely not supposed to take photos of people praying at the ghats, and most …
Weekly Photo: The Pensive Man of India
The Pensive Man of India I took the photo in Jodhpur at the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum. The museum is considered one of the most famous in Rajasthan, though I found it rather unimpressive (except for the actual palace itself). Interestingly, it is an active residence of the decedents of Jodhpur royal family. Hundreds of people …
Rajasthan in Technicolor
Rajasthan is one of the most traveled areas of India, and with good reason. There are several beautiful and unique cities throughout Rajasthan. While the Taj Mahal is actually in the state of Uttar Predesh next to Rajasthan, and makes up one of the points of the Golden Triangle, the rest of the beauty is …
Awesome Indian Toilets
Men pee everywhere in India, and I mean everywhere. They will squat down on a busy street, whip out the wanger, and deftly piss into a corner or little culvert of streaming waste. Others simply lean against a wall, with one hand of course, and let it flow. Periodically there are “bathrooms” that are no …
Weekly Photo: Taj Mahal
I took over 150 photos of the Taj Mahal and many of them are pretty good, if I do say so myself. I have the Taj Mahal from every angle, from inside and out, from the mosque, and from the other buildings surrounding it. Nevertheless, the best photo remains the one taken when you enter …
Where’s the India I Was Warned About?
When I told people I was going to India, I received a lot of advice (which I actively solicited). I was also warned to prepare myself for India. India is filthy, India is a mess, and India is difficult to navigate. Exactly the opposite has occurred on my travels through India. I’ve been in India …