Las Vegas

Spent most of last week in Las Vegas...boy it's hot! Didn't really get to get out and see much. I've got to start getting to town the night before I actually begin working so I can get out and see some sights! Next time...

San Diego

Ok, I mostly finished packing last night but putting the final touches on the job, then gonna get ready so I can leave on time. San Diego is my first stop this week...I've never been there so I'm looking forward to the visit. I head to McAllen, TX on Tuesday, then come back home Friday. It's gonna be a busy week.

Philippines Trip

Wow, Manila is huge...at least the greater Metro Manila area...it make Atlanta look like a small village in comparison! Plus they have the biggest billboards I've ever seen! Some are 8 - 12 stories tall and some are much taller...like 20 stories high! They said in one of the bad typhoons, they all fell over and some hit and killed some people...doesn't sound so good, huh?

The people in the Philippines are so sweet, gracious and just plain nice. I spent most of my time in Manila but also was almost a week in Clark, where the US Air Force use to have a base...the place is gorgeous...it's very tropical and lush and you can see a dormant volcano in the distance and mountains in another direction. I did manage to go to Subic Bay one day, Ankush was kind enough to take me over and show me around...we even went jet skiing in the bay...was fun but I definitely wasn't dressed for that...had on jeans and a shirt and no change of clothes!!! They mostly dried out before we left. Next time I'm planning better. Oh well, we had a great time and that's what counts. Jackie said she would take me to one of the great beaches for a day and I found a place to rent a sea plane that will take you up to the volcano so you can get out and picnic for the day, then fly you back...that should be great fun.

Next trip is to San Diego, CA, and McAllen, TX at the end of the month...the week after is Las Vegas, then home a week and then Oklahoma City. Should be fun. I'll try and get some pictures up from those...

Didn't take that many pics in the Philippines but will post the ones I did shortly.

Update

I've been here a week now and pretty much all I've done is work. I'm going out to sightsee a bit today but need to get back early enough so I don't mess up my wake/sleep pattern. Have to go back to work tomorrow...it's Sunday morning here so I'm going down for breakfast in a bit, then take in a bit of the city. Won't have a personal escort this time...just a driver from the hotel.

In the Philippines

Wow, that was a long trip and I didn't sleep very well on the plane so took a nap today...it was tonight here but daytime back home. I just got back from breakfast and will go to work tonight (actually it will be tomorrow back home...Lord time can be confusing when you are half-way across the globe but working home day hours).

Anyway, no pictures yet but hope to take some soon.

I'm convinced my body doesn't like going this far from home...I've got jetlag bad! I only hope no taking a class and resting this first day will help me get over it quickly.

Today is the day

Almost ready...need to shower and get dressed, then I'm off. Not leaving snow this time but it is chilly. From what I understand, the Philippines will be hot.

Atlanta to Detriot to Japan to the Philippines...it's a long trip and add the time getting ready, driving to the airport, the layovers and it's well over 24 hours. I only hope the flight is smooth. The flight over to India was bumpy and I didn't sleep well. The flight home was great and I got some great sleep...of course I'd been up over 40 hours prior to leaving so I'm sure exhaustion helped! Which is why I'm glad I didn't get much sleep last night, that way I'll be sleepy for the trip! Right now I'm a bundle of nerves.

Going to the Philippines

I'm almost finished packing...need another hour, then hit the bed...I'll be up early tomorrow for the flight. I'm excited about the trip and I'll post pictures as soon as I hve some. Gonna miss home but I like traveling, seeing new things, trying new food and meeting new people.

One week is not long enough between trips. I've not gotten everything done that needed to be done but it's going to have to wait until I get back.

Getting ready for the next trip

Only a couple more days until I'm off to the Philippines. This will be a long one...three weeks. I hope I can get out to see some of the sights. I went shopping for a swim suit and was totally grossed out! I hate being fat! I've lost 30 lbs so far but I need to get another 48 lbs off this old body and get toned up...plus my psoriasis is flaired up so yuck, I'm disgusting. I'm going to purchase a swim suit anyway and maybe even use it while I'm there. The exercise will do me good.

I'll post pics when I take them...started packing today and I'm trying to lighten the load this time even though this trip is longer, I just have to learn to pack lighter.

Delhi

Street market in Delhi.

These 3 wheeled trucks are used all over India.

Dilli Haat - One of the vendors in the Heart of Delhi.

Dilli Haat - Down the avenue in the Heart of Delhi.

One of the set of government buildings.

India Gate.

Presidents House.

Honestly can't remember which one this is, just remember the dome is covered in gold.

Government building.

Supreme court complex.

One of the market vendors in Dilli Haat (Heart of Delhi).

I only had a few hours to sightsee and shop in Delhi but Monika showed me as much as she could in the short time. As I've said in other posts, I'm planning more time next trip to take in the sights.

I didn't realize I would like the food as much as I did..the food was great. Everyone was so nice and there are loads of sights to see so next time I'm going to take time to see more.

More from Hyderabad

Me outside the museum in Hyderabad.

Looking out from the Charminar at the street...Hyderabad, India.

Down on the street near the Charminar...thought I was going to get run over...pedestrians definitely do not have the right of way!

One of the state hospitals near the Charminar in Hyderabad.

Ok, I know I have this one in another post but I just love this scene.

I'm definitely planning on seeing a lot more next trip. I really hope I get to make the same trip next year.

Back from India

This is Mecca Masjid Mosque in Hyderabad near the Charminar in the heart of Hyderabad.

Inside the mosque.

Another view of the archway of the Charminar where you can see one of the gates.

This is the fountain inside the center of the Charminar.

You can see one of the 4 gates that surround the Charminar through the archway of the Charminar. This is considered the heart of Hyderabad.

This is one of 4 gates that surround the Charminar in Hyderabad. down below is a street market where they sell almost anything you can think of.

This is the scene inside the arches of the Charminar.

Wow, I thought I'd have time to blog while in India but between work, school and travel, no such luck. Hopefully the Philippines will be better. Not as much traveling from city to city and I'm not taking a class until I return.

Raheem, my guide to the city, took me to a mens and boys shop in the city so I could purchase Nicholas, my grandson, a traditional Indian outfit. The material is gorgeous and I hope he likes it. I'll post pictures when I get it to him. Unfortunately that won't be until after my trip to the Philippines.

India was wonderful, exciting, facinating and sometimes sad. The culture is very different from the US. The people were so nice and I did my best to be as nice right back. It wasn't hard to do.

I finally had a few hours to sightsee in Hyderabad and again in Delhi. All three cities were similar but different at the same time. I need time to digest the experience but will share more tomorrow. For now I'll add some pictures from the trip.

Hyderabad

Love this scene, especially the colorful clothes for sale hanging outside the shop.

Street scene near the Charminar.

Street market...everything is a whirlwind of activity.

Me in front of the Charminar.

The Charminar from a distance. Took this one from the mosque.

These are colorful doors leaning against a fence along the road by the lake.

I"ll write more later but I wanted to post the few pictures I've managed to take while here.

Update: Ok, I'm more awake now...these are pictures of Hyderabad. I only had part of one day for sightseeing so didn't get to see much but was fascinated by what I did see. There is a Budda in the middle of the lake near the hotel that is a favorite sightseeing spot but it was the middle of the day and very hot so we didn't go there. I did get to see it from a distance but it was too far to take pictures. I did go to the museum, the Charminar and several shopping areas. There was so much more to see but I'll have to take it in next time.

Reflections on Mumbai

Mumbai is on the coast, the Arabian Sea and the hotel overlooked the sea. It's just a shame I could not get out and enjoy it a bit but since I'm working nights, it's hard. As I said in the previous post, the traffic was insane with the drivers basically competing to get ahead of one another and honking horns every few seconds...it's very noisy. The buildings all looks old, even the ones that are fairly new. I don't know whether it's the pollution or the dust but all the buildings look dusty and dirty. The architecture is interesting though but the city looks in a perpetual state of upheaval, like the roads and buildings are being rebuild constantly...not all but most.

The city was busy and filled with people and bicycles, motorcycles, motorized rigshaws, taxis, cars, buses and trucks. There were shops everywhere...each one selling something different. Lori told me that when she first came to Mumbai they didn't have grocery stores like we do in the US but do have them now. Wal-Mart is even coming! Wally World is going to be everywhere. They do have Dominos pizza and lots of other American fast food places.

You can see the European influence. As much as India would like to distance itself from that part of its history, it's embedded in the culture now. English is almost as common as Hindi in Mumbai. I'm sure not everyone speaks English but lots of people do. Once again, my desire to have the ability to learn other languages hits me hard. I'm going to make it a goal to learn several over the next 5 - 10 years. I'll start with Spanish since it's a natural with all the Spanish speaking people in the US but definitely want to add Hindi, Chinese and perhaps Arabic. These will be the most challenging languages to learn but if I don't give it a try, how will I know I can't do it for real? I hate the fact I only know English.

The hotel in Mumbia was nice and the food was good. The staff was so very nice. I ate at the hotel several times and also had lunch from an Indian restaurant with the agency. All the food was good...but like what seems the rest of the world, they are in love with bell pepper! I surely wish I liked it and that it agreed with me...alas, I'm one of the few who can't stand bell pepper. I was not that impressed by the airport in Mumbai. It is in much need to repair and was very hot.

The poverty was very evident with homeless people sleeping everywhere and beggars on the street. Lori explained there is a type of beggar mafia in Mumbai. I'm not sure if it exist in other parts of the country, but there are mafia leaders who send poor people out to beg but the beggars don't actually get to keep very much of the money or goods they collect. Some of them allow doctors to cut off their legs or arms to help gain sympathy in their begging efforts. This is such a sad thing to hear about.

Well, that's all for this early morning (it's just after 6 am here in Hyderabad and while it's 7:32 am in Atlanta). Converting the time from zone to zone can be confusing and to add to the confusion, the US will begin daylight savings time which is not observed in India so that will mean the time will change by an hour...I think it will mean there will be 1 hr less difference but Lord knows I'm not that good at converting the time!

Good night dear blog and possible reader.

India

The flight was so long and bumpy that I did not sleep well but went to work the first day anyway since I had to stay up and figured that was the best bet. Well, I think I was wrong on that one. Yesterday and today I've been sick...feeling some better now but I think I should have taken it easy day one, then planned 1/2 day work the second day and a good full day on the third day. Well, live and learn. I did manage the extend my trip so I could build some rest days in. I couldn't help but rest since yesterday since I was sick.

I'm about to finish up some late homework assignments and then go to sleep for a bit. Gotta make arrangements for a car to take me to work. Next time I come here I'm going to plan better and build in the rest days.

The drivers in India are crazy...at least the ones in Mumbai and Hyderabad. They don't seem to obey the lane markings very well but surprisingly few accidents from what I've seen. Everyone is very nice and most speak English thankfully. I truly wish I had a nack for languages.

Well, gotta hit the books. I'll try and take a few pictures and post here soon.

Anticipation

Three days and counting until I leave. Vaccinations gotten, first aid kit purchased, in fact, I've got everything except insect replellent and pantyhose...I'll pick those up either today or tomorrow. I'll begin packing Friday. I'm excited!

It's really happening, I'm going to India!

I've booked the travel and should have my visa back by Feb 24, plenty of time before I leave Mar 1. I'm getting excited but there's plenty to do before I leave. I'll have a couple of days when I won't be working so hope to take in some sightseeing while I'm there.

India, here I come!

Great news, it's all coming together. I will complete my Visa package tomorrow, go get my photos and FedEx for next day 8 am delivery. The Visa will be back within 7 business days. I'll book travel tomorrow and leave sometime during the last week of February. Woohoo!

The blog look

Ok, I really have to figure out what I'm doing wrong that I can't get the code right when I try to import a new blog look or background....dang it, it just can't be that hard, can it? Going to have to find someone to show me what I'm doing wrong. I want this one to look more like a travel blog instead of the way it does...I can't stand the way it looks...and to think, I'm headed to India soon so I need thing updated ASAP!

Didn't get the Visa applied for today so will need to finish that up tomorrow. I'm going to apply for the 10 year one so I don't have to go through this again for a while...geez, what a hassle!

Traveler's notes - India

Well, the title of this one is a misnomer since I'm not currently traveling, but hey, I needed a first post, right? The traveling brick (more on that later) and I are headed to India at the end of the month for 2 weeks. This will be my first overseas adventure and I'm really looking forward to it. This blog will allow me to post notes on my travels as I venture to parts unknown...for me at least, and provide a sort of travel log of my experience. Pictures will be provided along the way and maybe I'll improve my photography skills while I'm at it. I'll be in several different cities in India and hope to create quite a scrapbook of the adventure.

Ok, I promised more on the traveling brick (TB). TB came from humble beginnings in an old wood framed house in rural Alabama...well, maybe not quite so rural but definitely not a city brick by any means. Among the places TB has been to date are Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia, but TB will begin International travel with me soon.

The picture is of TB, me, Patti and one of it's brother bricks when we visited Patti in Mobile, AL several years ago. TB has been itching with the travel bug for a while and can't wait to scratch that itch!

I'm listing the cities I know I will visit below and add more info as I travel in country.

~Hyderabad
~Mumbai or more commonly known as Bombay
~New Dehli
~Gurgaon


PLEASE NOTE: ~If you happen upon this blog and have been to India, please provide any suggestions on places to see, food to eat or avoid, and things to do.