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.

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.

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.

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!

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.