Category Archives: Uncategorized

Albergo Sole, Roma

Posted on August 12, 2013 by annetbell

Just an ordinary hotel and restaurant in Roma, right?  No, this is the oldest continuous run albergo in  the Eternal City. Visitors have been housed here continuously since 1460 which is 30 years before Christopher Columbus discovered the New World. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

The Caste System

Posted on August 11, 2013 by annetbell

Today, I was going to post on death rituals or mummification and reincarnation but as I was doing research, I got interested in learning about caste systems in India and ancient Egypt.   I always feel  a tad tenuous speaking … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 93 Comments

Update on Uttarakhand, India & The Economist on the hazards of religious travel

Posted on August 10, 2013 by annetbell

Originally posted on Pilgrimage Portal:
I’ve been looking for updates on Uttarakhand in northern India, after the floods that claimed so many lives (11,000 missing, according to United Nations estimates, though that number may be revised).  The debate over urban…

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Word Press Family Awards

Posted on August 10, 2013 by annetbell

WordPress Family Award I was most honored to be nominated by two blogger friends within days  of each other for  this lovely WordPress Family Award. I decided to  thank them and nominate others all on one post.  First, I  heard from … Continue reading →

Posted in awards, India, Uncategorized | Tagged | 18 Comments

Faith Systems

Posted on August 9, 2013 by annetbell

Beliefs have always been an important in understanding  cultures from ancient times until today. This morning, I want to try and tell you about the ancient religions in India and Egypt and compare and contrast their belief systems. Both Hinduism … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Read And Write Like An Egyptian

Posted on August 8, 2013 by annetbell

Over 5000 years ago, ancient Egyptians wrote using a picture writing called hieroglyphics. The writers were called scribes. Not everyone had this training not even the Pharaoh and his family. There was a problem because Egyptians wrote down everything, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Cairo Museum

Posted on August 7, 2013 by annetbell

\ As a  response to one of my blogger friends, I am going to tell some tales from other places I have visited  along the way. There are more stories about India, but I thought I would take you to … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Train Travel

Posted on August 6, 2013 by annetbell

are a terrific experience. They run on time, unlike the ones in Italy, where I have traveled extensively as well as lived for 2 years.  Now, those who have seen the pictures of Indian trains completely covered with people will … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

The Sultan’s Langar

Posted on August 5, 2013 by annetbell

Sultan Ahmed Shah was a pious and generous ruler who founded Ahmedabad in 1411 as the capital city of Gujarat. He introduced the idea of a langar or community kitchen as he decreed that no on in his city should … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Bathing in Incredible India

Posted on August 4, 2013 by annetbell

We all arrived in India with toilet paper as there were many stories we had heard of the “lack there of”.  The hostel gave us three rolls..one for each month?   So one of our first shopping trips was to … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 47 Comments