Road Trip

I would include a map of the roads traveled but according to google most of them don't exist.  Last Monday, I drove exactly 200km in about 9 hours, which includes numerous photo opps, a discussion about Indian politics over chai, a small siesta in the shade of a tree, and lunch.  Sometimes the roads were as smooth as the autobahn - most of the time they were not.  I stretched 85 rupees (less than $1.50) as far as they could go - one bag of peanuts, 2 chais, one soda, one bottle of water, & one aloo/potato paratha. Overall it was a great day!

Always some flower in full bloom...

Rhododendrons

Some wild looking orange flower.

close up on the Wild Oranges

Most of the mile markers are not surrounded by beautiful flowers

 but whoever lives here takes the time and effort to maintain a little roadside oasis.

Ting Ling Point

The "adventurous Kenyan" described below is father to one of the students in CC dorm.  I would assume the rectangle of residue on the right side of the sign is the remnants of a political ad.  Such posters are ubiquitous with the Indian elections going on (I even saw a poster plastered on the side of a roadside shrine).

Ting Ling Point was the impetus to get out and ride.  Technically I passed it on during my first summer here - but I was young and in a bus, not yet cognizant of its significance.

And of course, the peak in the center is the one I sat atop of on the Bandarpunch Expedition.

Easter

This is a prerequisite for the post.  Please enjoy today's Spanish lesson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnMlYFzyong

Speaking from a protestant tradition, I do not always pay much attention to the movements of the Catholic Church.  In high school I was better aware of Catholic teaching and tradition while attending classes like Christian Non-Violence... and wasn't there one about sacraments and scriptures, and a few other religion classes at Holy Angels.

In response to an article in a recent google news feed, it seems like a good thing to see a photo of Pope Francis humbly washing and kissing an old man's feet.  The photo was taken during a visit to an old-folks home during Holy Week.  Among the men and women in the foot-washing line was a 75-year-old Muslim from Libya.  According to the article - read more on the story here - the Pope's actions garnered criticism from "ultra-traditionalist Catholics", presumably for interacting with a Muslim in this way, which also seems like a good thing.

Unless the Pope's highest priority is listening to his Public Relations Dude, this religious leader is sincerely leading through service.  And if my memory serves me, these actions seem to echo Catholic social teachings I learned about at Holy Angels.  I recall lessons and homilies highlighting the significance of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (a "mount"/hill in Galilee that I hope to see for myself come June!)  Considering the results of the most recent peace talks between Jewish and Palestinian leaders in Israel - read more on that story here - I hope more people can appreciate actions of interfaith like the Pope's foot-washing.




Nunca confíes en un millonario, citando el sermón de la montaña 
OR
Never trust a millionaire, quoting the sermon on the sermon on the mount - Arcade Fire



On a quasi-related note, the Arcade Fire line above came through my speakers while I was reading about Pope Francis.  It has always been a salient line to my ears and, I believe, a relevant critique of Christianity in the west.  Additionally, in the mid 20th Century, it was these verses from the Gospel of Matthew that prompted Gandhi to critique Christians and their ability/inability to live up to their savior's message.  In today's world, who would you trust quoting the sermon on the mount?

Sum14!

What are you doing this summer (Sum'14)?  I am excited about the stops on my travel itinerary preceding the Twin Cities: a few days in Istanbul and six days in Israel.  Like the seniors lounging in CC dorm last night while discussing their post-graduation travel plans - Bangkok, Goa, or maybe just Delhi - the opportunities to explore, to better understand and experience cultures certainly gives us all something to look forward to.

Consequently, this highly anticipated travel has influenced my reading list.  At the beginning of the month I was reading some sections from Karen Armstrong's book on fundamentalism within the three monotheistic faiths - Christianity, Islam, and Judaism - entitled Battle For God.  I soon realized this book did not have the information I was seeking to inform my travels.  The book simply caught my attention while sitting on my shelf.  It is a book I've briefly revisited a few times since I first encountered it on the reading list for a sociology course.  The Karen Armstrong book I recently picked up from the library is more relevant - A History of Jerusalem; One City, Three Faiths.  She is kind of my hero too.  I admire the way she seeks an understanding of religious traditions with, I think, an earnest humility - check out her TED talk on compassion (she's also pro-compassion, so we've got that).

So that book can provide some historical background for the Israel journey.  As for the Istanbul portion: I am looking into the novel Birds Without Wings, by Louis de Bernières.  After devouring two Orhan Pamuk books - Istanbul: Memories and the City & Snow this winter while on camel safari, I considered the Turkish author's most renowned novel - My Name is Red.  I decided to shelf that novel in order to appreciate Turkey from another author's perspective.  I've yet to begin that one.  But I would highly recommend Istanbul.  If you do read it, brace yourself for the story of life and culture in Istanbul, as told by a local native, whose perspective is blanketed in hüzün.  

Current Events: Ratan Tata has been chosen to receive the... what is it?  "the Knight Grand Cross" - one of the highest civilian honours - from the Queen.  This story caught my attention because it reminded me of another book I picked up in preparation for a train ride last January - Tata: the Evolution of a Corporate Brand.  To some degree, it is a +200-page advertisement for the Tata brand.  But half way through the quick read, it offers an interesting perspective on modern India, or more accurately, certain populations within India.  If Mad Men took place in the 21st Century, Season 4 Episode 5 would feature Donald Draper and the team reading this book to prepare for the Tata Nano sales-pitch.  Anyway, I anticipate finishing the second half of this book this fall while living in the US but pining for a sunny morning with a late breakfast at Anil's; coffee and a mixed paratha with dahi... what could be better?  Hmm... why not start tomorrow morning perfectly.   

Camels and Jaipur

My siblings and I were in Rajasthan last January.


Camel Safari a few hours outside Jaisalmer 

This is a photo of our trusty guide, Prakash, in his element.  In addition to the basic guide responsibilities, Prakash proved an excellent cook and singer.  I cannot recall the camel's name, but one of Prakash's camels was a champion race-camel.  Wow.

Emily and I froze our butts off all night, while sleeps-like-a-rock Derek, was apparently warm enough to get some rest.  Fortunately, we all warmed up once the sun returned.

My camel was faster than the rest of the slow-pokes.  Georgie, our new English friend, joined us too.  She is the most excited one.

 

After we ditched the camels, we headed to:

 Jaipur 

Jantar Mantar

  Hawa Mahal 

"Derek... I have to tell you something: thanks for carrying the backpack today.  For serious."

And apparently this is when Emily and Derek caught me being a coffee snob -

"These beans were totally ground yesterday!"