Greetings Friends and Family!
India is more than I thought it would be! Sights, smells, colours, sounds...are extraordinary and breathtaking (sometimes literally!). I've taken over 500 digital photos so far to try and capture what we've been experiencing. I must admit we've been very busy on this tour so far. Father Creamer has booked various historical tours on a daily basis which have been mesmorizing and drenched in rich history and exquisite beauty. We've touched tombstones of great leaders, visited palaces and forts. These structures ooze with stories and delicate beauty. There is so much to share but the sand in my timer is running thin as we have to pay for a wireless internet connection wherever we stay and since there are 13 of us and one laptop it's been difficult to find time to write!! The weather is incredible - humidity is totally insane but I absolutely LOVE it! In some ways being here feels like 'home'...it's like I've walked these streets before and smelled these smells. The food and sounds, the energy of the street and the graciousness of the people is all that I imagined it would be and more.
The places we have been so far are Delhi, Agra (went to the Taj Mahal - magnificent!) and now I write to you from Jaipur. We leave for Delhi tomorrow and then fly to Darjeeling. I hope to find some prayer beads there!
Zach - haven't found any basketball gear yet!
Josh - still looking for comics for you!
Andrew - I saw some totally gross pickled animals in a museum today and thought of you!! They were all floating in liquid in jars.
I think of you DAILY and miss you much! I show your picture wherever I go and tell everyone how proud I am of you!
LOVE YOU and MISS YOU!
be safe and well and I hope to call you soon!
Namaste!
Mom/Carrie
Thursday, July 31, 2008
words from jeff n roley
Hello again.
On the road to Jaipur we first stopped at Fatepur Sikri (sp?) which is the city Akbar created to merge the religions of the world. A walled in compound that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated... let's just say it would be the greatest place ever for a game of hide n seek or for the more mature of the group - paintball, Roley says Yeahhhhhhh!!! The rest of the day was all about the drive and the sights on the road. I got to drive!!!!!!!! Roley says, crazzzzzzzy! This woke up the entire crew... with fear. Jaipur is known as the pink city, filled with mountains and marble. As a group we went to a textile shop. We all picked up some fine threads. Roley says yeahhhhh again! The night was long, the sleep was short, and we were back on the road again - a la willie nelson. We visited the Mayo College - the Eton of India. A prestigious school for grades 4-12. Reminded me of The Dead Poets Society except older and made of marble. The rain poured briefly, and the heat was still intense - I had to change my shirt and stand in front of a fan for relief. This afternoon we're heading to the market - TELL ME IF YOU WANT ME TO BUY YOU ANYTHING, SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE. We'll be back on the road again for an even longer drive to Delhi, as we complete the final phase of the golden triangle. I'll be sure to make note of all the roadside attractions - there are sooooooo many, and maybe even come up with another poem.
The remainder of the trip will be spent in Darjeeling and Kolkata. I can't wait to see the Loreto Day School. Roley can't wait to bust out his moves and have some fun dancing with the kids.
Bye for now.
On the road to Jaipur we first stopped at Fatepur Sikri (sp?) which is the city Akbar created to merge the religions of the world. A walled in compound that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated... let's just say it would be the greatest place ever for a game of hide n seek or for the more mature of the group - paintball, Roley says Yeahhhhhhh!!! The rest of the day was all about the drive and the sights on the road. I got to drive!!!!!!!! Roley says, crazzzzzzzy! This woke up the entire crew... with fear. Jaipur is known as the pink city, filled with mountains and marble. As a group we went to a textile shop. We all picked up some fine threads. Roley says yeahhhhh again! The night was long, the sleep was short, and we were back on the road again - a la willie nelson. We visited the Mayo College - the Eton of India. A prestigious school for grades 4-12. Reminded me of The Dead Poets Society except older and made of marble. The rain poured briefly, and the heat was still intense - I had to change my shirt and stand in front of a fan for relief. This afternoon we're heading to the market - TELL ME IF YOU WANT ME TO BUY YOU ANYTHING, SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE. We'll be back on the road again for an even longer drive to Delhi, as we complete the final phase of the golden triangle. I'll be sure to make note of all the roadside attractions - there are sooooooo many, and maybe even come up with another poem.
The remainder of the trip will be spent in Darjeeling and Kolkata. I can't wait to see the Loreto Day School. Roley can't wait to bust out his moves and have some fun dancing with the kids.
Bye for now.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Hey Family and Friends.
The ride to Agra through the countryside was amazing! I failed to close my eyes on the five hour ride, with the exception of some awkward, head bobbing, throat singing, sleep that gave me a short five-minute reprieve. We are seeing so much and soaking it all in with long breathes of awe. Next stop Jaipur...
I think the heat has broken up my thoughts into what may appear to be poetry :) Enjoy!
India is so full.
At first glance
The crowded streets
Appear to be
Only
Bikes and bodies
Carts and trucks
Dogs and debris
Camels and cows
Horns and brakes
Smog and smiles.
Women working VERY hard
Carrying
Bundles, bricks, babies, and
Men too
Talking, thinking,
Delegating, and deciding
Who will do what and
Which level of work.
Bodies, bodies, bodies, and so many more
Beautiful bodies,
But,
When listening to the heart
It is so much more.
Smells are rich
With
A human odour
So complex and
Impossible to separate,
The mixture of sounds that are in reality
Helpful horns
Voices calling and
Crying out
Drums beating
Birds singing.
The wind sighs
A long, deep breath of energy that
Stirs the soul and
Touches the heart.
India is so full and
So real that
One cannot deny the feelings that
Overwhelm the senses and
Force the mind to
Look deeper and
Search more for
A greater understanding.
The ride to Agra through the countryside was amazing! I failed to close my eyes on the five hour ride, with the exception of some awkward, head bobbing, throat singing, sleep that gave me a short five-minute reprieve. We are seeing so much and soaking it all in with long breathes of awe. Next stop Jaipur...
I think the heat has broken up my thoughts into what may appear to be poetry :) Enjoy!
India is so full.
At first glance
The crowded streets
Appear to be
Only
Bikes and bodies
Carts and trucks
Dogs and debris
Camels and cows
Horns and brakes
Smog and smiles.
Women working VERY hard
Carrying
Bundles, bricks, babies, and
Men too
Talking, thinking,
Delegating, and deciding
Who will do what and
Which level of work.
Bodies, bodies, bodies, and so many more
Beautiful bodies,
But,
When listening to the heart
It is so much more.
Smells are rich
With
A human odour
So complex and
Impossible to separate,
The mixture of sounds that are in reality
Helpful horns
Voices calling and
Crying out
Drums beating
Birds singing.
The wind sighs
A long, deep breath of energy that
Stirs the soul and
Touches the heart.
India is so full and
So real that
One cannot deny the feelings that
Overwhelm the senses and
Force the mind to
Look deeper and
Search more for
A greater understanding.
Monday, July 28, 2008
a post for CARRIE (who can't remember her password :)
Greetings Friends!
I am writing to you from Delhi – sitting on top of our hotel on a lovely rooftop patio, drinking Kingfisher beer with William and Jeff (a fellow student/traveller). Our flights were fantastic – smooth and uneventful. 3 students and ‘our’ guide met us at the Delhi airport. We arrived at the hotel at 3 am and finally fell asleep at 4!! Our first tour started at 2:00 on July 27th – Where have we been?...Gandhi’s memorial and place of assisination, moseleums of great moghul emperors, historical monuments built in memory of significant change-agents, brilliant mosques and sacred temples. The points of interests are all marked by the incredible chaos of Delhi life – people of all ages and status present on the street intermixed with the most dynamic and frightening traffic flow I’ve every witnessed (and I’ve been to Jamaica!). If the horn in your car doesn’t work or fails you in any way, you are essentially screwed!! My mind and heart and spirit continue to soar with gratitude at this most awesome experience. I wake expressing thankfulness to God for this pilgrimage of continued life and self-discovery. The sights and smells are breathtaking in beauty and density. The energy of life and living also invites me to walk slowly and gently with awareness and awe. Brilliant architecture and exquisite colour (saris of magnificent splendour) astound me! Agra awaits (we take off tomorrow – July 29th) where we will see the Taj Mahal and other Indian treasures!
Be well and safe in your days!
My love to you all,
Carrie
I am writing to you from Delhi – sitting on top of our hotel on a lovely rooftop patio, drinking Kingfisher beer with William and Jeff (a fellow student/traveller). Our flights were fantastic – smooth and uneventful. 3 students and ‘our’ guide met us at the Delhi airport. We arrived at the hotel at 3 am and finally fell asleep at 4!! Our first tour started at 2:00 on July 27th – Where have we been?...Gandhi’s memorial and place of assisination, moseleums of great moghul emperors, historical monuments built in memory of significant change-agents, brilliant mosques and sacred temples. The points of interests are all marked by the incredible chaos of Delhi life – people of all ages and status present on the street intermixed with the most dynamic and frightening traffic flow I’ve every witnessed (and I’ve been to Jamaica!). If the horn in your car doesn’t work or fails you in any way, you are essentially screwed!! My mind and heart and spirit continue to soar with gratitude at this most awesome experience. I wake expressing thankfulness to God for this pilgrimage of continued life and self-discovery. The sights and smells are breathtaking in beauty and density. The energy of life and living also invites me to walk slowly and gently with awareness and awe. Brilliant architecture and exquisite colour (saris of magnificent splendour) astound me! Agra awaits (we take off tomorrow – July 29th) where we will see the Taj Mahal and other Indian treasures!
Be well and safe in your days!
My love to you all,
Carrie
jeff's first blog ever
Wow! What an incredible experience, and it’s only been two days since arriving in Delhi. The flight was long, but well worth the trip.
Our group of Manitoba travellers is full of great personalities and I look forward to getting to know each of them over the next three weeks. It is clear that everyone is absorbing the culture, but in their own unique way. Some like to sit and quietly observe, while others like to jump around and are not afraid to share their enthusiasm with the rest of the world… both are a blessing. Some bodies are still adjusting to the food, time zone, heat and humidity, but hopefully with time, the healthy bodies will be restored and able to move at the anticipated pace. Unfortunately, this is a reality of traveling that cannot always be avoided. I can only hope and pray that I will not be knocked down myself, but if it happens, so be it. It is what is. I’ve always felt that you need to take chances to experience life.
I won’t go into detail right now of where we’ve been and what we've seen because there is simply too much to write in one sitting. Besides, there is a great educational link that provides a full description of the trip… Check it out.
http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/field_studies_india/index.php/Main_Page
Next stop, Agra and the very famous Taj Mahal. I’m looking forward to the five-hour bus ride through the countryside. My body could use a long snooze, but with the mind buzzing the way that it is, I don’t expect to sleep much on this trip. I guess I’ll catch up on my sleep in the peg.
Peace and love.
Jeff.
Our group of Manitoba travellers is full of great personalities and I look forward to getting to know each of them over the next three weeks. It is clear that everyone is absorbing the culture, but in their own unique way. Some like to sit and quietly observe, while others like to jump around and are not afraid to share their enthusiasm with the rest of the world… both are a blessing. Some bodies are still adjusting to the food, time zone, heat and humidity, but hopefully with time, the healthy bodies will be restored and able to move at the anticipated pace. Unfortunately, this is a reality of traveling that cannot always be avoided. I can only hope and pray that I will not be knocked down myself, but if it happens, so be it. It is what is. I’ve always felt that you need to take chances to experience life.
I won’t go into detail right now of where we’ve been and what we've seen because there is simply too much to write in one sitting. Besides, there is a great educational link that provides a full description of the trip… Check it out.
http://ltc.umanitoba.ca/field_studies_india/index.php/Main_Page
Next stop, Agra and the very famous Taj Mahal. I’m looking forward to the five-hour bus ride through the countryside. My body could use a long snooze, but with the mind buzzing the way that it is, I don’t expect to sleep much on this trip. I guess I’ll catch up on my sleep in the peg.
Peace and love.
Jeff.
July 28
Hot! Hot! Hot! A very long day. I wondered how we were going to see everything on the course list and now I know. By the last three stops we saw the scenery from the comfort of our cool vehicles. All beautiful and amazing. The day it all seemed like a blur, I’ll let pictures speak for us.
Sandra Krahn
What we saw in 40 C over 8 hours...
Old Delhi * the Jama Masjid (Universal Mosque)
* the Red Fort
* cycle rickshaws Chandni Chowk (Silver Street) and through the spice market, Gold/Silversmith market
* Emperor Humayun’s Tomb (16th century; model for later Mogul Monuments, including Taj Mahal)
Sandra Krahn
What we saw in 40 C over 8 hours...Old Delhi * the Jama Masjid (Universal Mosque)
* the Red Fort
* cycle rickshaws Chandni Chowk (Silver Street) and through the spice market, Gold/Silversmith market
* Emperor Humayun’s Tomb (16th century; model for later Mogul Monuments, including Taj Mahal) British Raj (Rule)
* Edwin Lutyen’s “New” city; symbol of British power and supremacy, India Gate (42 m high), Parliament House, Government Secretariats, and Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati)
* Edwin Lutyen’s “New” city; symbol of British power and supremacy, India Gate (42 m high), Parliament House, Government Secretariats, and Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati)
* Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial) on the bank of the Yamuna River; Gandhi Museum, Salt Protest Memorial* Qutab Minar (70 m victory tower of Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199); a UNESCO World Heritage Monument
Sunday, July 27, 2008
July 27
It rained which was nice because it cooled down considerably, even so I could feel sweat running down my back, but it wasn't unbearable. The tea is amazing! The food at the hotel is also very good, chicken curry with roti, wow.
We saw the Lotis temple yesterday, it was beautiful! We saw it lit up on the plane when we landed in Delhi. We also went to the Hindu "Disney land" and went on a 10 minute boat ride reminicent of "it's a small world", but was the history of India. They claimed to have discovered everyting from plastic surgery, to geometry, to space ships. The clothing that the women wear is so beatiful, the colors and the textures in the fabrics. India has a very rich culture.
Sandra Krahn
We saw the Lotis temple yesterday, it was beautiful! We saw it lit up on the plane when we landed in Delhi. We also went to the Hindu "Disney land" and went on a 10 minute boat ride reminicent of "it's a small world", but was the history of India. They claimed to have discovered everyting from plastic surgery, to geometry, to space ships. The clothing that the women wear is so beatiful, the colors and the textures in the fabrics. India has a very rich culture.
Sandra Krahn
Saturday, July 26, 2008
INDIA BLOG 1!!! From the eyes of Roley.
July 27, 2008
Hello everyone!!!
I finally have access to a computer after 3 days! Turns out the hotel did have computer; we just assumed it was out of service since it was all covered up and off -_-;;.
Anyways!! Things have gone well soo far on this trip!
Let me begin with the plane ride. To get here, I took a ride from Winnipeg to Toronto, then Belgium, the to delhi. In Toronto, didn’t see much… except that they charged like3 bucks for a bottle of diet pepsi (Father creamer, if you don’t know him already, Is a big fan of diet pepsi/coke =P). Nothing special really happened here except that we went around for a bit looking for a cibc bank which was near impossible to find). When we got back to the airport for our flight and boarded “jet air ways,” man was I in for a surprise! In econiomy, we had like people giving us free candy, all te movies we could watch (saw 21, vantage point, and this funny comedy from hong kong called “Playboy Cop” (don’t get any ideas!). When I got bored, or needed a break, the videogame system was available.. sweet!! The food was good too; except that being at the back of the plane left me with the left overs. But! I’m still a big fan of airplane food =). The flight attendedants were very courteous and always had as mile on my face…and the jazz music playing in the bg was awesome =). Oh an not to mention complementary alcoholic beverages… ;). My only concern were the seat, they weren’t really confortable… ughhhhh. Sleeping was sooo difficult!
When we got to Belgium, I was blown away by to things: the amount of people in line, and the ridiculous prices on the chocolates. I know Belgium chocolates is good BUT when a box can cost you 50+ euros (almost 100 dollars Canadian) I almost cried! Maybe I’d buy these chocolates… if they cured cancer or something =). But then again… they are chocolate… and I liiike chocolate XD.
The transfer from Belgium to dehli was really smoothe; no problems here!
Once in dehli, holy crap, I felt like I was in a sauna. Having visited te Philippines, iknow that it gets humid upon exiting the airplane… but this was just toomuch! It was like… walking into a lockerroom with no ventilation with the thermostats placed at a thousand, elevendy-billion! XD. Wow.
The people we met were super friendly, but this guy kept fllowing me and want to carry my luggage. I kept telling him that I was fine but he kep insisiting; I don’t think I look “that” weak =/. Hahaha. The ride in our jeep was just ridiculous… you have to drive tooo close to one another. If the road is 3 lanes wide, you can fit 8.
Upon finally arriving to he hotel (with barely any sleep btw) we ended u sleeping our first day through… we got up at like4 in the afternoon. We decided to walk around and these are a few things I noticed:
- crossing traffic is like playing frogger
- when they honk at you, its not because their mad, but because they want to pass you… or that your going to get hit.
- Christian (my 6’6’’ tall friend) is really, REALLY TALL
- Almost everyone here wears western clothing and especially dresshirts for the guys.
- Watch your pockets because you don’t know who watching
- Oh, and that the servers constanly ask Christian, father creamer and I if we wanted beer… not that I didn’t want any XD.hehehe.
After walking around, we went for supper at this Chinese restaurant… although I did not see a single Chinese person at all! I don’t know if it was the water or the the food, but mannnn did I have a bad stomach ache (THANKS FOR THE TOILET PAPER MILCAH!).
When we got back, we decided to get back to sleep… again… hahaha talk about jetlag. Who knows, maybe I’ll get taller by the end of this trip XD.
That concluded day 1, pretty much.
The next day consisted of more exploring!! Still jet lagged, Christian and I got up at 5 in the morning to go exploring! The city is absolutely quiet!! In about 1 and a half hours, however, the honking, the yelling would resume. After breakfast, father creamer taught Christian and I how to tak the metro… ohhh yeah, I getting pro =P. we took the metro all the way to what looked like st peters square, except you’d have to replace all the statues with brand names shops.. I swear… wowwwwww. One of the most interexting set ups I have seen! =).
While we were wondering around, people kept walking up to us, wanting to give us advice and just talking. This is what I learned
- they keep following you and show you places where to buy things because they get a cut of whatever you buy
- if you don’t go where to buy things, they’ll keep talking to you.. then charge you for all te info they shared!
Ohhh man, this kind of ruined part of the adventure… until Christian came up wit the bright idea aobut talking French! It happened thus:
… while we were walking, this guy was trying to bring us to emporiums where we could buy lots of souvenirs; after 15 mins (which, I m sure, is underchanging how long he wasw walking with us) he said, do you speak French. Christians eyes began to glow a mischievous yellow colour and a smirk crept up his face (note: this is exaggerating for the sake of making this interesting XD). At that point, Christian began to speak his French. This guy then started to speak French… which consisted of two phrases of hello, and comme ci comme ca. At this point, no more engish was spoken. The guy then asked what language I spoke.. chrstian, told them I spoke Russian…. O_O. hahhaa oh dear… and with that, the guy left! From that moment on. We’ve bbeen able to minimize our encounters by a lot =).
Once the guy left, we went to te templeof “Hanuman: the monkey god.” The tasxi said: you know how America has superman, and spiderman? Well.. we have hanuman!!” XD. That was awesome. But I digress, this temple is defintley one of the most reverent places I’ve been too. We had to first take off our shoes and walk up the stairs to get the inned atrium. To our left, this man was kissing each step as he walke dup the stair case. Inside people prayed infront of any god they felt would help them the most. What I thought was interesting were te bells infront of each god; apparently, the diea is being seen by the god sooo to insue it, wake the god up!! In one of the rooms was a “shrine for shiva” with a linga under it. People at all sides were pouring water on it or placing flowers all around. I really wanted to take a picture… but it felt sooo rude to do soo… I really do think prayer is energy; in this case, this placed was fully charged.
After leaving the temple and hours of walking around in the heat… we learned a very important lesson: stroes don’t open until 11! Christian and I were soo excited that we had to wait more than an hour before we could check out the deals. We decided to wait at mc donalds until the sotres opened and this was what I saw andt thought:
- the mc chicken looks like a mutated chicken nugget
- there were no bigmacs… unless you want to try the “maharaja mac” which isn’t that bad XD.
- Mc d’s is sooooooo upscaled over here!
And with that we went home… and returned to the mall (connaught place) around 7 pm XD.
The next day consisted of pretty much the same thing. Except that we went to church. This is how I can describe mass:
- they have fans like in fillip[ino churches but instead of having multiple fans, you replace them 3 with 1 gigantic, airplace blade.
- The music is similar to that of st. ignatious at some points
- The building was in the form of a basilica! Absolutely beautiful
- Everyone was very reverent and very serious.. I liked it =)
After church, chrsitian and I did some more shopping…lol a t this market the taxi deriver showed us markets beneath connaught place. Its crazy because he said when you haggle, you can get them to remove up to 75% of the asking value.. woowwwww.
When we got home, we went to the airport to pick up the remaining adventurers… were up until2 waiting… tiiiired -_-;;.
Welps! This all that came to my mind this morning, at 8:25 am. Today we’re heading off to the “hindu Disney land.” Oh man, Im sooo stoked!! Anyways, sorry for SUCH a long entry!! I ahd to make up for lost time! Take care everyone!!! Namaste! (hello and goodbye in hindi).
-roley
Hello everyone!!!
I finally have access to a computer after 3 days! Turns out the hotel did have computer; we just assumed it was out of service since it was all covered up and off -_-;;.
Anyways!! Things have gone well soo far on this trip!
Let me begin with the plane ride. To get here, I took a ride from Winnipeg to Toronto, then Belgium, the to delhi. In Toronto, didn’t see much… except that they charged like3 bucks for a bottle of diet pepsi (Father creamer, if you don’t know him already, Is a big fan of diet pepsi/coke =P). Nothing special really happened here except that we went around for a bit looking for a cibc bank which was near impossible to find). When we got back to the airport for our flight and boarded “jet air ways,” man was I in for a surprise! In econiomy, we had like people giving us free candy, all te movies we could watch (saw 21, vantage point, and this funny comedy from hong kong called “Playboy Cop” (don’t get any ideas!). When I got bored, or needed a break, the videogame system was available.. sweet!! The food was good too; except that being at the back of the plane left me with the left overs. But! I’m still a big fan of airplane food =). The flight attendedants were very courteous and always had as mile on my face…and the jazz music playing in the bg was awesome =). Oh an not to mention complementary alcoholic beverages… ;). My only concern were the seat, they weren’t really confortable… ughhhhh. Sleeping was sooo difficult!
When we got to Belgium, I was blown away by to things: the amount of people in line, and the ridiculous prices on the chocolates. I know Belgium chocolates is good BUT when a box can cost you 50+ euros (almost 100 dollars Canadian) I almost cried! Maybe I’d buy these chocolates… if they cured cancer or something =). But then again… they are chocolate… and I liiike chocolate XD.
The transfer from Belgium to dehli was really smoothe; no problems here!
Once in dehli, holy crap, I felt like I was in a sauna. Having visited te Philippines, iknow that it gets humid upon exiting the airplane… but this was just toomuch! It was like… walking into a lockerroom with no ventilation with the thermostats placed at a thousand, elevendy-billion! XD. Wow.
The people we met were super friendly, but this guy kept fllowing me and want to carry my luggage. I kept telling him that I was fine but he kep insisiting; I don’t think I look “that” weak =/. Hahaha. The ride in our jeep was just ridiculous… you have to drive tooo close to one another. If the road is 3 lanes wide, you can fit 8.
Upon finally arriving to he hotel (with barely any sleep btw) we ended u sleeping our first day through… we got up at like4 in the afternoon. We decided to walk around and these are a few things I noticed:
- crossing traffic is like playing frogger
- when they honk at you, its not because their mad, but because they want to pass you… or that your going to get hit.
- Christian (my 6’6’’ tall friend) is really, REALLY TALL
- Almost everyone here wears western clothing and especially dresshirts for the guys.
- Watch your pockets because you don’t know who watching
- Oh, and that the servers constanly ask Christian, father creamer and I if we wanted beer… not that I didn’t want any XD.hehehe.
After walking around, we went for supper at this Chinese restaurant… although I did not see a single Chinese person at all! I don’t know if it was the water or the the food, but mannnn did I have a bad stomach ache (THANKS FOR THE TOILET PAPER MILCAH!).
When we got back, we decided to get back to sleep… again… hahaha talk about jetlag. Who knows, maybe I’ll get taller by the end of this trip XD.
That concluded day 1, pretty much.
The next day consisted of more exploring!! Still jet lagged, Christian and I got up at 5 in the morning to go exploring! The city is absolutely quiet!! In about 1 and a half hours, however, the honking, the yelling would resume. After breakfast, father creamer taught Christian and I how to tak the metro… ohhh yeah, I getting pro =P. we took the metro all the way to what looked like st peters square, except you’d have to replace all the statues with brand names shops.. I swear… wowwwwww. One of the most interexting set ups I have seen! =).
While we were wondering around, people kept walking up to us, wanting to give us advice and just talking. This is what I learned
- they keep following you and show you places where to buy things because they get a cut of whatever you buy
- if you don’t go where to buy things, they’ll keep talking to you.. then charge you for all te info they shared!
Ohhh man, this kind of ruined part of the adventure… until Christian came up wit the bright idea aobut talking French! It happened thus:
… while we were walking, this guy was trying to bring us to emporiums where we could buy lots of souvenirs; after 15 mins (which, I m sure, is underchanging how long he wasw walking with us) he said, do you speak French. Christians eyes began to glow a mischievous yellow colour and a smirk crept up his face (note: this is exaggerating for the sake of making this interesting XD). At that point, Christian began to speak his French. This guy then started to speak French… which consisted of two phrases of hello, and comme ci comme ca. At this point, no more engish was spoken. The guy then asked what language I spoke.. chrstian, told them I spoke Russian…. O_O. hahhaa oh dear… and with that, the guy left! From that moment on. We’ve bbeen able to minimize our encounters by a lot =).
Once the guy left, we went to te templeof “Hanuman: the monkey god.” The tasxi said: you know how America has superman, and spiderman? Well.. we have hanuman!!” XD. That was awesome. But I digress, this temple is defintley one of the most reverent places I’ve been too. We had to first take off our shoes and walk up the stairs to get the inned atrium. To our left, this man was kissing each step as he walke dup the stair case. Inside people prayed infront of any god they felt would help them the most. What I thought was interesting were te bells infront of each god; apparently, the diea is being seen by the god sooo to insue it, wake the god up!! In one of the rooms was a “shrine for shiva” with a linga under it. People at all sides were pouring water on it or placing flowers all around. I really wanted to take a picture… but it felt sooo rude to do soo… I really do think prayer is energy; in this case, this placed was fully charged.
After leaving the temple and hours of walking around in the heat… we learned a very important lesson: stroes don’t open until 11! Christian and I were soo excited that we had to wait more than an hour before we could check out the deals. We decided to wait at mc donalds until the sotres opened and this was what I saw andt thought:
- the mc chicken looks like a mutated chicken nugget
- there were no bigmacs… unless you want to try the “maharaja mac” which isn’t that bad XD.
- Mc d’s is sooooooo upscaled over here!
And with that we went home… and returned to the mall (connaught place) around 7 pm XD.
The next day consisted of pretty much the same thing. Except that we went to church. This is how I can describe mass:
- they have fans like in fillip[ino churches but instead of having multiple fans, you replace them 3 with 1 gigantic, airplace blade.
- The music is similar to that of st. ignatious at some points
- The building was in the form of a basilica! Absolutely beautiful
- Everyone was very reverent and very serious.. I liked it =)
After church, chrsitian and I did some more shopping…lol a t this market the taxi deriver showed us markets beneath connaught place. Its crazy because he said when you haggle, you can get them to remove up to 75% of the asking value.. woowwwww.
When we got home, we went to the airport to pick up the remaining adventurers… were up until2 waiting… tiiiired -_-;;.
Welps! This all that came to my mind this morning, at 8:25 am. Today we’re heading off to the “hindu Disney land.” Oh man, Im sooo stoked!! Anyways, sorry for SUCH a long entry!! I ahd to make up for lost time! Take care everyone!!! Namaste! (hello and goodbye in hindi).
-roley
Monday, July 21, 2008
Roley Leyson Autobiography!
Hello!
School related information:
My name is Roley! I am currently a science student entering my third year of university. I intend on finishing my science degree this year in hopes of entering my target faculty: Education. My goal is to become a science/ fine arts teacher. I will also have a minor Catholic studies after I take this course. I also have dance experience sooooooo I could definitely teach some dance if given the opportunity!
In terms of which schools I attended, I went to Holy Ghost School for elementary and junior high; St. Paul’s High School for high school.
Family information:
I am the oldest child of three children (although not the tallest…). My brother is entering grade 12 while my sister is entering grade 8. What’s interesting is that I should be finishing my degree this year at the same time that my brother and sister graduate form there respective schools! Crazy eh!?
By the way, I can’t forget my parents!! They rock =).
Purpose for taking this trip:
I am doing this course for Catholic studies to fulfill the requirementsneeded for a Catholic studies minor. I really want to see the Fatipursikri (sp?) and the place that Akbar the great held his meetings/ debates with people of other religions. I find his story quite interesting and I look forward to learning more about this man. I also look forward to seeing how the school system runs over there. Because I intend of pursuing education, it only makes sense to try and learn from other teachers and become exposed to different methods of teaching. I cannot wait to see all the artwork over in India! I took an art history last year and was blown away by the massive temples made out of solid rock!!! Indian artwork is truly remarkable!
Extra information:
I am very right brained despite my science education orientation. For example, I love to dance! I am currently part of one of Winnipeg’s hiphop dance team: UN1TE. Dance is definitely one of my greatest passions… if you see a random asian guydancing at a bus stop there is a good chance you’re looking at me… sooo smile and wave! I also enjoy doing ballroom dance! Salsa and waltz are beautiful dances. I was trying to learn some contemporary but its hard… reagardless, I’m still going to keep at it!
Here’s a link to some of mydance teams videos!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL7pAzuKRwk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFJ5ZFm-Cpc&feature=related
I also LOVE ART and decided to return/ pursue my passion after my trip to italy! My goal used to be to enter medicine. Upon taking Father Creamer’s other travel study trip, my love for art grew and grew and I decided to change paths where I can still use all my science credits but, at the same time, take art! I am a big fan of baroque architecture and of Bernini, the sculptor. His theatrical approach to art appeals to me and definitely reflects a lot of my personality: I like an audience and making (errr maybe trying is a better word) things look ridiculously amazing. If you know something about the ennegram, I’m a 3!
here's some of my work!
I loooove music too. I used to play piano but stopped (school was getting to stressful and… hmm… lets say I’m not to fond of practising theory… hehehe). I love listening to how the melodies, the intertwining silence and sound, and the movements of the notes and how these affect my mood, my mindset, my energy levels… When I hear some music… ohhh man, I just have to start dancing!! That or just let the music move through me as I “feel” it.
Well this is all for now. Keep reading to learn more about me and my adventures!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Travel Study Outline
Field Studies India: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Darjeeling District, Kolkata
FACULTY OF ARTS: CATH 2100 (6 credits) or SWRK 4050 (6 credits) FACULTY OF EDUCATION: EDUA 5220 & 5230 (6 credits) INTERSESSION 2008
DATES: Classes: on July 15, 16, and 17, plus Three Weeks in India (arrive Sat, July 26; leave Kolkata for further travel or home on Sun, Aug 17, 2008)
OVERVIEW
Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur (“Golden Triangle”) will be our introduction to the incredible juxtaposition of histories and cultures that is India. “New” Delhi, Edwin Lutyens’ incredible sandstone and marble celebration of British power and the contrasting simple memorial at the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation, will be the foci of our study of modern India. Shah Jahan’s capital, old Delhi (along fabled Chandni Chowk, the call to prayer from the Jama Masjid mingles with the sights and sounds and smells of the spice market), and Agra’s Taj Mahal (exquisite ethereal tomb built for the love of his life), will draw us into Mughal India. As we stroll through the “Ghost City” of Fatehepur Sikri we will learn of the syncretic faith Akbar the Great cobbled together there and blended into the very architecture of the red sandstone buildings. Rajastan’s “pink city” of Jaipur, with its wondrous palaces and amazingly accurate Jantar Mantar Observatory will bring us into the world of the Rajput Maharajas.
During two weeks in North Bengal, activity will be centred, initially, in the town of Darjeeling. Nestled in the Himalayan foothills at an altitude of 7000 feet, the “Queen of the Hill Stations” is renowned for its scenery, tea gardens, hospitality, unique “Toy Train”, and incredible collection of schools. Our University’s Memorandum of Understanding with St. Joseph’s Jesuit College, gives us privileged access to the “hills”. We will come to know the remarkable people behind the 19th century imposing gothic school at North Point and the ecologically sustainable Bamboo School on a remote Tea Garden financed by former North Pointers. Behind the grey concrete exterior of Hayden Hall in the town’s bazaar, we will find a grassroots social service agency focussed on empowering women. At Jesu Ashram, we will interact with a caring staff of nurses and volunteers serving the poorest of the poor, including those with TB, Aids, and leprosy. In education, health care, and cooperative ventures of all kinds, we learn from grassroots animators as they work alongside India’s urban and rural poor in their daily struggles and efforts to control their own destinies.
At the end of an overnight train journey on the fabled Darjeeling Mail, we step out of Sealdah Station into Kolkata — Kipling’s “city of the dreadful night” as well as Dominique Lapierre’s “city of joy”. From Mother Teresa’s tomb and Home for the Dying at the Kali Temple, to life and death along the banks of the Hooghly River, Kolkata will challenge, amaze, and inspire, as no other place can. A major focus of our experience will be Loreto Day School, widely recognized in India as a model for equality-based educational change and the centre of a remarkable set of outreach programs. 300 “Rainbow” street children who call Loreto’s roof their home, scores of Barefoot Teachers, and 1100 students who become teachers themselves at age 10, offer educational and social programs that touch the lives of at least 250,000 of the poorest of the poor in Kolkata.
Everywhere, our senses, minds, and hearts will be overwhelmed! From Hindu pilgrims in their thousands along the roads to persistent beggars everywhere, from the chaotic and noisy traffic of Delhi and Kolkata to the quiet peace in a Jain Temple and the misty hill paths of Darjeeling, the timeless mystery, and incredible diversity of India awaits!
DESCRIPTION OF DAYS IN FIELD
WEEK ONE: “GOLDEN TRIANGLE”
Hotels:
Delhi July 26, 27, and 28 (Hotel Metro Heights); Agra July 29 (Howard Park Plaza);
Jaipur July 30 and 31 (Hotel Holiday Inn); Delhi August 1 (Hotel Metro Heights)Travel: by AC coach; Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Delhi
Old & New Delhi: Adjusting to realities of India while learning about
(a) Old Delhi (Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan’s Capitol)
* the Jama Masjid (Universal Mosque), said to be India’s largest; can accommodate 20,000 people for prayers
* the Red Fort, 17th century fortifications and palaces (we do not go inside as we will visit the better preserved Red Fort in Agra
* cycle rickshaws along the fabled Chandni Chowk (Silver Street) and through the spice market, Gold/Silversmith market etc.
* Sisganj Gurudwara (on the spot where the 9th Sikh guru was beheaded); introduction to Sikhism; visit to prayer hall and kitchen facilities preparing “langar”
* Emperor Humayun’s Tomb (16th century; model for later Mogul Monuments, including Taj Mahal)
(b) British Raj (Rule)
* Edwin Lutyen’s “New” city; symbol of British power and supremacy (700 million bricks, 100,000 cubic feet of marble), inaugurated in 1931 — Connaught Place, Raj Path, India Gate (42 m high), Parliament House, Government Secretariats, and Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhawan).
(c) Other
* Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial) on the bank of the Yamuna River; Gandhi Museum, Salt Protest Memorial
* Qutab Minar (70 m victory tower of Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199); a UNESCO World Heritage Monument
* Jantar Mantar (observatory built by the Rajput King Sawai Jai Singh II in 1724 (we will go inside the larger, better preserved, observatory in Jaipur!)
* world renowned “Lotus Temple” (Baha’i Faith)
* Hanuman (“Monkey”) Temple (Connaught Place)
* Sikh Gurdwara Bangla Sahib (18th century centre of pilgrimage; visited by thousands of people of different religions and castes every day)
* Lakshminarayan Temple; modern (1938) Hindu Temple, dedicated to Vishnu and Lakshmi
Agra & Fatehpur Sikri: Guided visits to two World Heritage Sites:
* 135 km south of Delhi — Mathura (where Krishna was born) and Vrindavana (where he spend his childhood) are 135km south of Delhi and among the most important places of pilgrimage for his devotees. There are 5,000 + temples in Vrindavana (if we don’t run into problems along the way, we will stop here)
* 10 km from Agra — Sikandra, red sandstone and white marble Mausoleum of Akbar the Great (blend of Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Christian Motifs and styles — much like the syncretic religious philosophy he developed).
(a) Agra
* Agra Fort
* drive through the, still recognizable, British Cantonment area (In India, a permanent military installation and supports; our “army base”)
* visit the Taj Mahal by Sunset, one of the “Wonders of the World”
(b) Fatehpur Sikri (“Ghost City”) former capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar (home of his experiment in universal religion); Mosque
Jaipur “Pink City” of the Maharajas (Rajputs) Observatory
* excursion to the Amber Fort (ascend the hill on an elephant).
* Jaipur city; including City Palace of the Jaipur Maharaja, the honey-comb designed Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and the amazingly accurate Jantar Mantar stone Observatory.
WEEK TWO: DARJEELING DISTRICT
August 2: Delhi - Bagdogra (9W 601, Dep. at 1010 – Arr. At 1405 Hours)We spend seven nights in the Darjeeling District (plains & hills) — Krishna Apartments, Darjeeling (convenient to North Point and Darjeeling town). One week of classes, excursions, and “hands on” experience (large Tibetan Buddhist presence in area; tribal peoples, various social service agencies, tea garden, etc.).
St. Joseph’s School, North Point (classes 3-12) — St. Joseph’s College — Tibetan Refugee Centre — Zoo & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute — Tea Industry & visit to Garden (Lalit Tirkey, S.J. and Mr. Harish Mukhia) — Hayden Hall with Fr. Patrick & Noreen Dunne — visit to Hemlata Memorial Society with Rita Ghosh — “Toy Train”[UNESCO World Heritage Monument] to Ghoom Loop, Gurka Memorial, etc. with Upendra Pradhan — EcoTourism with Dr. Milindo Chetraborty (Director of Centre for Studies in Rural Economy, Appropriate Technology and Environment (CREATE) at St. Joseph's College — Mr C. B. Rai, former Principal of St. Joseph’s College, and expert on political developments in the Hills (an “autonomous” region in December 2005) — Peace Pagoda — Observatory Hill and Mahakal Hindu Temple — Dali (Drukpa Kargyud) Monastery, home of the 12th Drukchen Rimpoche and 200 + Buddhist monks — Tiger Hill (8500 feet, to see the sun rise?) — Cricket Match (?) —
All Day Trips: 1. to Kalimpong to visit Gandhi Ashram (school for children of “forest dwellers” with innovative violin program), Homeopathic Clinic, and unusual “Bamboo School” at Mongpu tea garden 2. to Jesu Ashram (hospital for the destitute: TB patients, lepers, AIDS, etc.) in Matigara on the plains, School for children of the “rock breakers”, Gayaganga (oldest Jesuit mission on the plains (terai), St. Alphonsus School, Kurseong
New Jalpaiguri – Kolkata on Darjeeling Mail, overnight 2nd class sleeper to Kolkata (8:00 pm on August 9)
WEEK THREE: KOLKATA
Arriving at Sealdah Railway Station, walk over to Loreto day School Sealdah for breakfast and orientation to Kolkata by Sr. Cyril Mooney. Later to Hotel House 43 (home for 7 nights) in the heart of the “City of Joy.”
Visits to some/ or all of the following:
(a) Days of the Raj: Dalhousie Square & Writers Building (centre of British India administration until 1911), Victoria Memorial, Fort William, Ochterlony Monument (Shahid Minar, a 48 metre column tower), Raj Bhawan, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Maidan, St. James Church (consecrated, 1836) & “black hole” monument, Hooghley River, Howrah Bridge (busiest in world), Botanical Gardens (largest banyan tree), Marble Palace (1835 private mansion), Indian Museum, etc.
(b) Rabindranath Tagore’s birth place (Jorasako), Parsee Temple, Ramkrishna Mission International Headquarters, Jain Temple and neighbourhood of the potters, Dakshineswar Kali Temple Complex, Mother Teresa’s Home for the Destitute and Dying (Kali Temple), MC Mother House and Mother Teresa’s Tomb, Loreto Day School Sealdah, St. Xavier’s College & outreach, etc.
Sunday August 17, Kolkata–Delhi–Home Assistance at hotel and transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. Assistance and transfer to International airport to board flight for Toronto.
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