Friday Fragments #266 - My First Visit to Friday Fragments - September 13, 2012

Well, this has certainly been a fragmented week for me.  Sometimes it is hard to 
keep focused, that's for sure.

My Sunday began at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Mumbai where I had splurged and
spent my last Hyatt points for an overnight stay in their Club Level.  Talk about 
luxury.  Just before leaving, I availed myself of a wonderful breakfast in the Club
Lounge, with great staff in attendance and an assortment of excellent food items.

The auto rickshaw ride back to my Branda West condo was much lengthier

than usual since Sunday was the beginning of the week long Bandra Fair,

taking place right beside my residence.  The streets were jammed with 

people buying all sorts of trinkets and, of course, street food ( which I

refrain from eating in India though it smells so tempting ).

All three of my cat housemates were waiting when I got home and, for some

reason, they have parked themselves outside my door all week.  They are

not allowed in my bedroom ( allegries ) but they seem to like my company

when I work at the computer with my door open, sitting there quietly.

Monday marked the beginning of a very special celebration in India, the birthday of the

Hindu god, Ganesha, who bears the head of an elehant.  Almost every home in this

country has his image displayed.  He is revered as the lord of success and the 

destroyer of evil and obstancles. He is also invoked at the start of travels and is

worshipped as the god of education, wisdom and wealth.

The festival to honor Ganesha last for ten days and, on the 11th day, his image

is paraded through the streets, then submerged in a body of water - a river, lake,

the sea - even just a bucket of water for the small images - a ritual sendoff as 

he journeys to home taking the troubles of mankind.  Ah, if only he could be

successful!!!

While monsoon season, I believe, is officially over, we have had several very 

heavy showers, making the Bandra fair goes most unhappy.

Fortunately, by nightful, it had ceased and I could see the lights of south 

Mumbai, across the Arabian Sea, from my window.

I am almost halfway through Barbara Kingsolver's, "Pigs in Heaven".  I ordered

it as soon as I'd finished the first book of the set, "The Bean Trees".  She is 

one of my favorite authors and I will be sad to see this book end.

I am halfway through this six month stay in India.  I miss my family and friends

( and the cooler temperatures ) in San Francisco but I am enjoying this, my

third lengthy stay in India.  October 3, I celebrate my 69th birthday ( how did

I ever get this old ).  I was in Jaipur last year and it was quite a special 

birthday, with three different cakes in three different locations.  No wonder I 

love India.

This is my first time to post in Friday Fragment but I am sure I'll be back.

Join in at:

Friday Fragments, #256

Getting Ready for Diwali - November 11, 2012

A couple of evenings ago, my friend, Ajay Shekhawat, of the Umaid Mahal Hotel,
took me out to see Jaipur's preparations for Diwali, celebrated by Indians in all
parts of the world.  Diwali, popularly known as "the festival of the lights", is a five
day celebration, very important in the Hindu world.  Families perform traditional
celebrations in their homes and small lamps are lit to signify the triumph of good
over evil.  To learn more about Diwali, go to:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali
or:   http://www.diwalifestival.org/.  Puja or offerings are made to the gods/
goddesses and gifts are exchanged among family or friends.

As we rode through the street of downtown Jaipur and to one of the busiest bazaars,
I was reminded of our own Christmas.  Of course, it was a few days before Diwali 
and all the lights were not yet up.  They don't start a month in advance as our
retailers do in the U. S. It was noisy and crowded, though, at 8PM and I was told 
that in two days, vehicular traffic would be impossible and everyone would be on
foot.

My night photography isn't the best but, at least, you'll get an idea.

We rode from Bani Park, where I live, into town, in an autorickshaw

Here the streets aren't so crowded but it all changes in a minute!

Jaipur is so much less crowded than Mumbai or Delhi

I'd like to go back and see what it looks like now, two days later!

Jaipur has some of the most beautiful architecture.

Ajay decides we should switch to a bicycle rickshaw so I can get

better shots

This is the brave soul who decides he can pull me!

Even though I've lost weight, Ajay has a tight squeeze fitting

next to me!

Most Indian business communities begin their financial

year on Dhanteras, the day the festival starts.

One's house is cleaned to make the goddess, Lakshmi, the

goddess of wealth, feel welcome

Now, it is very crowded in the streets and stores are busy.

This could be last minute Christmas shopping in the U. S.!

There are so many motorcycles parked, it's hard to get to the shops!

Rajasthan does have a helmet law - but the chin straps are
rarely fastened nor do second ( or 3rd passenger  ) 
seldom have one ) and children don't wear them!

This is the only cow I saw wandering in the downtown area.
From the looks of him, he doesn't find much to eat.

Ajay says oil and cotton are put in these little holders to

make Diwali lights....doesn't seem to safe around children!

People shop for new clothes for Diwali

I'm not sure if these guys were just waiting for their wives or what!


Happy Diwali to all!