Vatsalya – Udayan Campus
November 3, 2011
Here are some images from my stay at the Udayan campus near Jaipur, Rajasthan. Vatsalya has been housing orphaned, abandoned and destitute children in its residential care program for ten years. For more information about Udayan and Vatsalya’s other programs please go to www.vatsalya.org.
Daily meditation – all faiths are welcomed and celebrated at Udayan
Puja ceremony during Diwali celebration with Jaimala and Hitesh
Opa-Ji and the boys
The new school
Working on the farm
Udayan’s official greeters
The solar oven
October 20-November 5: India
November 3, 2011
I will never forget the people of India – the extraordinary women, the strong, silent men and the beautiful children. Working with Vatsalya at the Udayan campus and in Jaipur was amazing. I will miss my starry nights under the Indian sky and the lovely meals with the children of Udayan. Making my way to Pushkar for the camel fair was an interesting diversion before leaving India on Saturday. I am sorry to miss the Mr Mustache competition tomorrow but it is time to move on.
I have to thank Jaimala & Hitesh Gupta with Vatsalya, Erin O’Brien from NYC, our trusty Indian driver Devender and of course the terrific kids who made the trip more rewarding and productive than I could have imagined. I will continue digging through images as I make my way on the bumpy road to Kathmandu.
For more information about Vatsalya or to make a donation, please contact Jaimala Gupta a jaimala@vatsalya.org.
ram ram~
Shyampura Village
November 2, 2011
We were honored to visit beautiful Shyampura Village where many of Anoothi’s families are from.
October 21-24: Dew Delhi/Agra Photos
October 23, 2011
The city of Delhi is an equally heartbreaking and joyous place to be. Constant smoke, car horns and armed military can be unsettling to the average westerner. It is difficult to navigate with its tangle of traffic and poorly marked streets but not impossible. In due course I was able to find my way to some of the city’s beautiful historic sites in Old Delhi. There is a gleaming new metro system built for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and there is other decent public transport available here. Once off course, a bicycle or auto rickshaw will get you to your destination cheaply, be it with a few new grey hairs.
I have been staying at Mala Bindra’s b&b in South Delhi for my first three days – it’s been a great place to start my great Indian adventure. Mala is an exceptional chef and prolific baker. The Bindra family has made me feel right at home here and the food has been the best. I capped off my stay with a quick trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort before leaving for Jaipur.
Mala’s magical kitchen
Red Fort
Old Delhi is amazing
My choice for public transport in Delhi
Taj Mahal
Agra Fort
October 20: Gracias, Obrigado, Grazas, Eskerrik asko, Merci, Gràcies and Thank you…
October 20, 2011
This week, I finally leave Spain after three extraordinary months – departing with a heavy heart and a very full belly. It’s difficult to sum up the trip in just a few words. The idiosyncrasies of the Spanish way of eating & sleeping were a challenge as well as the various dialects of Spanish we encountered. The Spanish bus system, perplexing yet efficient; the food, amazing; the vistas breathtaking. The people are lively, gracious and without a doubt, give the best directions in Europe. If not careful, you might get a personal escort to a bus and a homemade empanada.
I am thankful to have seen my Spanish family here and to do some much needed maintenance on the family house in Peñafiel. I also can’t thank David enough for all his companionship, hard work & patience over the course of the trip – I could not have asked for a better partner on this crazy, wonderful escapade. I would not have been able to do it without him. It is difficult to continue the final leg of the journey alone but I do so with much gratitude. I am traveling on to India to work with Vatsalya, an organization that provides a better life for children and rural women, then on to explore Nepal before returning to Seattle. Here is a summary of my favorite memories & pictures from the trip so far…
Portugal
Galicia
Peñafiel
The Pyrenees
The Picos de Europa and Pais Vasco
The Costa Brava
fin…
October 4-10: Sitges, Figueres, Cadaqués & Dali Photos
October 10, 2011
A few days in Sitges then Cadaqués on the Coast Brava was nice after all the running around we have been doing. We also stopped to see the Teatro-Museo Dali in Salvador Dali’s hometown of Figueres on our way. We completed our Dali tour by visiting Casa-museo Salvador Dali on Port Lligat – a real privilege seeing the space where he and Gala lived and worked for so many years.
The beautiful mermaid of Sitges
Teatro-Museo Dali, Figueres
Arriving in Cadaqués
Casa-museo Salvador Dali on Port Lligat in Cadaqués
Self portrait at the Dali house
The artist’s chair & easel – he preferred to paint sitting down
This oddly placed mirror in his bedroom was Dali’s way of being the first Spaniard to see the sun rise in the morning
The Dali house with Port Lligat
Typical Cadaqués
October 1-4: Barcelona Photos
October 6, 2011
Art for sale near the Ramblas
The Sardana dance at the cathedral
The police lining up against protesters
Distracted near the Museo Picasso
Used book fair on the Passeig de Gracia – more Picasso
The Spanish love of ham knows no bounds
Casa Batllo and Casa Milå on the Passeig de Gracia
La Sagrada Familia – the most beautiful construction site I have ever seen. This is my first visit since the nave has been completed, it is so full of light. They finally have a target completion date of 2026 – the centennial of Antoni Gaudi’s death.
Miscellaneous pictures from the last two weeks…
Lechazo at El Molino del Palacio in Peñafiel
El Castillo de Curiel near Peñafiel
“Puppy” by Jeff Koons at the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
Classic view of San Sebastian
Divers with their catch in the bay, San Sebastian
Cattle run through Laruns, France
Crepes at Fleur de Sel in Laruns
Sallent de Gållego in the Pyrenees
The town dog outside of the GR 11 Mountain Store in Torla. If you catch his eye, a tummy rub is expected.
Before…
After…
September 20-25: Madrid Photos
September 25, 2011
We just got to Madrid for the change of seasons. It’s still warm here but fall is in the air and the tourists are finally going away.
Memorial to 11-M at Atocha Station
Baby Jesus near the Plaza Mayor
Shrek el Musical in Tirso de Molina
Casa Patas in Lavapies – my first ever flamenco show at Casa Patas, literally “The House of Feet”. I was amazed at the passion and stamina of the performers.
September 11-20: Peñafiel Photos
September 24, 2011
El Castillo de Peñafiel was my playground as a kid
Las Cuevas
View from the top
