Taj Mahal

Upon entrance to the Taj...
 
 
 
On either side of the Taj there are 2 identical mosques. The Taj is amazing study in symmetry
 

 
 
This is on the Taj. It may look like paint but it is stone. This is a painstaking handicraft whereby skilled workers cut tiny pieces of stone and then trace then on the marble.
 
 

 
 

A game

Indians are really good at playing the game: How much can you fit on.....
 
 
 

 
 
 

Where Indira Gandhi was killed - at her own home by her own bodyguards
 
 
Where Mahatama Gandhi was killed. Concrete footsteps symbolize his final steps
 
 

Delhi sightseeing

After living here 5 months, we finally went sightseeing within Delhi.

India Gate
 
The Muslim holiday Eid was the day after this photo was taken. During it thousands of goats are sacrificed. So all these goats we saw were slaughtered the next day. :(
 
This is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1947.
 
Doesn't this look fake?
 

Not pictured here is the Red Fort which is a staple of any Delhi sightseeing. That's because we were forbidden from seeing it other than a very quick driveby. We wanted to stop and walk around but our driver lied to our faces and told us we could not go inside even though we saw people inside. It was clear that he did not want to drive in the traffic. There is only so much you have the energy to argue in Delhi. He also wanted to drive us to another state the next day so he could get a free trip to visit his family. We did have the energy to fight that.

Visiting family in Mumbai

I had not seen my cousins in probably over 12 years I think so when I had a few hour to spare in Mumbai I took the chance. What I underestimated was the terrible Mumbai traffic. for a 1.5 visit I spent like 7 hours commuting WITHIN Mumbai. Sweet huh?

My cousin Swapnil, wife Leena and kids Kushal and Hethwi
 
 

Cousin Megha and Hitesh
 

Water, oh precious water

Frustration is setting in due to constant, and I mean CONSTANT, water problems. Today, once again, we had to cancel our maid because we have no water to clean with or cook with.

We are supposed to wake at 6 am each day and/or be home during 5-7 each day to turn on one of three switches which brings water to our tank on the terrace. If you turn the switches on outside these times, you risk putting air in the motor. We have done that several times now, because water doesn't always actually come in that narrow window. Sometimes, it comes when it wants to come.

We have a reserve tank in the basement too, which has a buzzer when it is filled. This is supposed to help give us water when our own tank on the terrace is empty. But on days like today, both tanks are empty.

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, the buzzer associated with one of tanks starts buzzing to let us know it is full. Even when we are not filling the tank. Has anyone been able to answer the question as to WHY this happens? No. Has anyone been able to answer the question as to why the water comes many times outside of the "normal" hours? No. Or why it sometimes does not come at all because the whole colony (yes, colony) is not receiving water for some reason. No.

No answers. Just questions. And no water.

One of many things you can get on the side of the road....

A shave.
 

 
What better way to get a bus out of the way than to push it. Ummm...yea. I have seen 1 tow truck in all of India in 4.5 months so it is not suprising that this is how to problem-solve.
 
 

Baroda

Visiting parents in Baroda

Jammin' on the harmonium - a mixture of an accordian and a mini-piano. Too bad for those who had to listen that I have no clue how to play.  



A Steeler fan even in India
 
My new sari
 
 

Baroda

Visiting parents in Baroda

Jammin' on the harmonium - a mixture of an accordian and a mini-piano. Too bad for those who had to listen that I have no clue how to play.  
A Steeler fan even in India
 
My new sari