TalesAlongTheWay

Dancing (Harlem Shake Style) at the Taj Mahal

Posted on August 22, 2013 by annetbell

Watch the video to the end! Is there any wonder we love these guys so much? Look at the confused expression on the faces of the Indians! lol

Namaste. . . .. This Is Incredible India with incredible students!

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged architecture, Gangnam Dancing, India, photographing, students, Taj Mahal, YouTube | 14 Comments

Egypt in Flames

Posted on August 21, 2013 by annetbell

Coptic Christians holding hands in solidarity and protection while Egyptian Muslims pray in the streets of Cairo.

One of my favorite memories ,when visiting Egypt years ago, was meeting some Coptic Christians in a 1000 year old farm village. We were there as guests of Moslin, whom we had met on the streets of Cairo. He was studying to be a travel guide at American University. This is an important position in a country that depends on tourism to survive economically. His English was perfect so conversation was easty. He told us that he was Muslim and in fact had been part of an elite military squad that had been the first to attack Israel through the Sinai in the war of 1967. I have to admit that was startling as I have always been pro-Israel and had never thought much about the attackers of Israel in other than a negative way. Now, here was someone who was kind and welcoming to us yet an enemy to my friends. It did give me pause, though my allegiance hasn’t changed, knowing the face of descent reveals how conflicting positions are real.

At the end of the day in the village, we went to a house for dinner. As we entered, I saw a picture on the wall of the Nativity scene of the birth of Christ and a crucifix under it. I smiled and tried to communicate with my body language that I , too , was a Christian. We were fed and made to feel very welcome, far away from home, by this man Moslin and this Christian family. Today, I have no idea whether they are safe or in harm’s way, but I do consider them all friends of mine and of each other. Egypt is burning and Coptic Christians are being killed, persecuted and their churches are being leveled by fire. The Coptic Church was started in Alexandria in 33 AD by John Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark. It is considered one of the oldest Christian communities. They have lived and worshiped in Egypt for over 2000 years as safe and productive citizens. Today they are being singled out by angry mobs. I have been thinking of these friends quite a lot lately and praying for their safety.

Yesterday, while looking at the pictures on the net of the horror in Egypt, I found this story from Canada Free Press which gave me hope. The headline was Images of Solidarity as Christians Join Hands to Protect Muslims as They pray During Cairo Protests.

And during Friday prayers, the faithful Muslims prayed in front of a Coptic Christian Church in an act of solidarity with the Christians.

Of course, the other pictures that are being sent from Egypt of the fires, anger and destruction of Christian Churches are the other side of the story.

In the Canada Free Press yesterday, there was an interview between a Coptic Christian and a Muslim together in the streets of Cairo:

“They, (the Muslim Brotherhood) want to make discord between us and they think we will fight each other because of what they are doing. Let them come now and see how we stand united. They don’t belong to any religion because they come to burn and destroy the house of God.”

The reply by a Muslim man: “My brother, we all know this , even if this was your own house, (instead of your church) we would all defend it. ”

Next, a tank arrived in answer to a 911 call for protection, the driver saw Muslims and Christians together. He raised his hand in victory and drove off to answer another call.

Namaste. . . . .. This is Egypt today!

images from Google Public domain

Posted in Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged anger, Cairo, Christians, courage, Egypt, faith, flames, Muslims, pray, respect | 16 Comments

Birds’ Weekend

Posted on August 20, 2013 by annetbell

Well, it was a birds’ weekend for the men in the family who rode all the way to Baltimore to see the Orioles win two games! This year’s team is very exciting and is winning enough to be contenders for their division. The player who is getting the most attention is Chris Davis, the first baseman. In this photo, he is hitting one of his 45 home runs this season.

He is projected to hit 59 home runs by the end of the season and is chasing the 61 home run record of Roger Maris. Maris was the first ever player to hit more than 60 home runs in one season in the year 1961. Chris Davis has 115 RBIs and a batting average of .301. Fans of the Birds have had little to cheer about over the last seasons, but Chris Davis has changed that. And unlike some other prominent players, there have been no scandals involving Davis.

The grandfather and the two grandsons, arriving at Camden Yards.

Happy fans with Birds’ hats, #1 fingers and orange shirts…time to cheer and eat . . . .

Hard to say goodbye after two winning games, home runs , peanuts, popcorn, and hot dogs. Yuck….and there is a 5 hour drive back to New York.

But great memories of a happy time . . . . . .

Go Birds. . . . .

Namaste. . . . . . .This is Baseball!

Posted in Uncategorized, USA | Tagged Baltimore, Baseball, family, home runs, Maryland, memories, Orioles | Leave a comment

A Very Wise Quote From Mother Teresa

Posted on August 20, 2013 by annetbell

Everyone can make a difference. . . . . . .

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Storm King Art Center

Posted on August 19, 2013 by annetbell

Storm King is internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s leading sculpture parks. It has welcomed visitors from all corners of the world for 50 years. The location is easily accessible , one hour north of New York City and nestled in 500 acres of the lower Hudson River Valley. The well designed, manicured landscape of hills, forests, valleys, and fields become the perfect English landscape garden for the elegantly sited 100 works of sculpture.

My architect invited our grandchildren and me to join him last week at Storm King. He was visiting with the design faculty team of second year to determine the site for a project in the fall. The park has a tram which has easy accessibility for on or off walking and seeing the pieces closeup. There are also bikes for rent and a cafe in the woods under a tent. There is a lovely book store and reasonable entry fees. This is a fun easy way to introduce energetic children to the wonder of art!

The proud, majestic ancient Ionic columns of Rome stand high on the hill, holding court over the contemporary sculpture of the present time.

This piece connects heaven and earth.

This vista lines three pieces with one lone tree.

A cheerful cherry piece. . . . . .

How is that done?

Giant stationary balls. . . . .

Standing on your head?

This sturdy stone wall produced by craftsmen from Britain who found and pieced the rocks together with no adhesive …..just rock puzzles that curve, and go on and on even vanish into the water to reappear on the other shore.

You can tell I like the row fence.

Richard Serra is a favorite with his amazing steel walls. Here the wall is emerging from the hill and we are emerging from the wall. Serra has curved steel walls at Dia Beacon Museum that the children marveled at how they could stay upright. When we were last in Rome, we had an enchanting evening in Trajan’s Market with twilight and candles strolling through pieces of Serra’s work. It is one of the always to be remembered experiences.

Ta Da. . . . Alice is the “queen on the mountain” on my favorite sculpture. It was created by Maya Lin and is a . . . . . .

a land sculpture! Ms. Ling is best known for powerful, minimal Viet Nam War Memorial in Washington , DC. That was a black marble wall slowing “moving ” into the ground with the names of the dead chiseled into the stone. I think that this land sculpture is perfect for the site, interactive as we all felt the need to climb at least one hill, and elegant in its simplicity. We did think the mowing might be a challenge! The energetic children slept well on the ride home, visions of sculpture dancing in their heads!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged contemporary, creativity, modern, New York, photography, sculpture, Storm King Art Center | 10 Comments

Namaste

Posted on August 16, 2013 by annetbell

I will be off-line for a few days! Have a lovely weekend!

Namaste. . . . .. . T I I I

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged India, inspiration, namaste, peace | 17 Comments

Jagannath Temple-Rath Yatra- Chariot Festival

Posted on August 15, 2013 by annetbell

jaganathji-mandir

From the break of dawn, a massive procession of devotees gather at the Jagannath Temple. Large chariots carry idols of Balaram, Kirshna and their sister Subhadra through the narrow windy streets of old Ahmedabad. Afterwards the idols are bathed in the Savarmati River. This festival is in memory of a journey Krishna made leaving his milkmaid friends behind.

Chief Minister Modi is present to join in the festival.

The temple elephants are bathed and painted to be ready to join in the procession.

The parade begins with prayers.

Musical bands, decorated elephants, gymnasts, acrobats and other colorful performers join in or lead the parade.

The idols are in their chariots being pulled to the river.

Everyone is guarded by these magnificent elephants!

From the word Jagannath and this festival, the Hindi word juggernaut became part of the English language to describe the huge powerful and overwhelming force needed to pull the chariots through the crowed streets.

Namaste. . . . . .This Is Incredible India

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged Ahmedabad, celebrations, elephants, faith, festival, Hinduism, history, India, Mr. Modi, photography, religion | 10 Comments

Hutheesing Temple – A Jain Derasar

Posted on August 14, 2013 by annetbell

hutheesing-jain-temple_5

Though Ahmedabad has more than 300 derasars ( Jain temples), this stands apart for its grandeur, craftsmanship, and elegance. Every surface of this large stone complex is covered by painstaking craftsmanship and details of elaborate sculptures of gods and goddesses, musicians and flowers. In the mid 19th century a terrible drought hit this region of the country and many of the skilled artisans came to the city looking for work. This temple provided a livelihood for the craftsmen for a two year period. The style is a combination of Ahmedabad and Jain architecture. The entrance portico resembles the traditional haveli or mansion. There were craftsman and women working to repair the intricate decoration on all the buildings the day we visited.

Just to the left as you enter is this colonnaded cloister containing 52 shires. The Jain practice is to detach from the world outside by circumventing the space three times before entering the main space.

This is the main temple which consist of the altar, a closed hall with side porches, a vestibule and a performance hall with three entrances. The morning, we visited there was a wedding taking place. Men were on one side and women and children on the other.

The roof was accessible by small stairs and each of those domes were to commemorate Mount Meru, at the holy source of the Ganges, and home of Shiva. This mountain is holy in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. In the large entrace courtyard, there is a place to leave shoes. All the temples in India require that shoes be removed. Several in the south, would allow sock feet , but some banned socks, too. When the temperature was well over 100 degrees, walking on the hot stones was quite painful.

This particular temple was designed and begun by Kesreesing Hutheesing one of the very generous and prominent trade merchants in the area. After his untimely death, his wife Harkunvar completed the work. Though she was of modest formal education, she showed a real talent and intelligence for business. Under her managerial skills, she completed this temple, built the Civil Hospital, and established the city’s first girls’ school. All this during the 19th Century when few girls were educated and fewer women were in charge of philanthropic projects.

This pillar of respect or manastambha which is reminiscent of a mosque minaret was built in 2003 to celebrated the 2500 birth anniversary of Mahavira the 24th and last tirthankar or “crossing maker” accredited with establishing the principals of Jainism.

As we left, we all were given a red thread tired around our wrist. We actually still have them on though they have stretched and have needed to be cut back. No one told us what it means, but we think it is a blessing or wish for good luck.

A man was passing out lovely decorated envelopes that Ahmedabad is known for with a new 10 rupee note! We said, we weren’t invited to the wedding. But he smiled and gave us one nonetheless! We kept that for a long time but finally used it for a rickshaw ride!

Examples of the elaborate envelopes made and sold in Ahmedabad.

Namaste. . . .T I I I

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged Ahmedabad, architecture, craftsmanship, decorated envelopes, faith, Hutteesing Temple, India, Jain Temple, philanthropy, religion, wedding | 8 Comments

A 15-Minute Concert

Posted on August 13, 2013 by annetbell

You can experience a music tradition that has been heard in Ahmedabad for nearly 600 years or the founding of the city. Past through the hustle and bustle of Manek Chowk, and just before The Kings’s Tomb, is an small inconspicuous room suspended over the entrance gate.

Here an unexpected surprise unfolds daily. Three ninth generation naubat musicians perform a fifteen minute concert on the Indian kettledrums, and the North Indian oboe.

This Persian tradition was started in Ahmedabad when Sultan Shaw established the city in 1411. The musicians announced the arrival and departure of the king, announced dignitaries, accompanied festivals, played at births, marriages, deaths and even announced the beginning of wars. The music was a time keeper for the people as the style of music changed with the time of the day. The last concert signaled the closing of the city’s twelve gates. Today, the musicians continue this tradition in honor and memory of the Sultan.

Posted in India, Uncategorized | Tagged 15 minute concert, Ahmedabad, history, India, music, Persian tradition, Sultan Shah, tradition | 4 Comments

Albergo Sole, Roma

Posted on August 12, 2013 by annetbell

vue-d-exterieur

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. And there is even more important history. This building is built in the ruins of the Theater of Pompey where Julius Caesear was reportedly assassinated in 44 BC. The name of the restaurant next door is a reference to that event. There are ruins of the famous theater seen in the basement.

It is special to us because we stayed here as a family for a semester with architecture students on our first trip to Roma. The location is in the heart or centro of the old city. Just down the street is the Campo de Fiori which is the most popular and beautiful of the old outdoor markets. Its name means Field of Flowers. This beautiful piazza was also a place of death for a philosopher Giordano Bruno who was burnt alive in 1600 for heresy against the church on the very spot marked now by his statue.

The church dome is St. Andrea della Valle where Puccini’s opera, Tosca, was set. We loved the bells ringing each and every afternoon. This is shot from the roof garden of the Albergo Sole.

This is from the roof looking down into the central garden filled with statues and plants and a table. This is were I held school for the children in the morning before taking field trips in the afternoon to all the ancient sites of Roma. What a wonderful way to live history!

Stairs going either up or down from the roof garden.

Just a few blocks is the Piazza Navona which is listed in the top 10 spots in Rome. I wanted you to notice the obliesk that was taken from the Egypt by the ancient Romans and now is on the top of the Bernini fountain. We were also excited to see the filming of “European Vacation” in this beautiful piazza.

It is also about a 10 minute walk to St. Peter’s Cathedral and about 20 minutes to the Coluseum, by foot. Our hotel bill on our first trip to Rome was $19.00 a night, but no more. Those were the good old days!

Namaste. . . . .This is Roma

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Albergo Sole, architecture, Campo de Fiori . Bruno, history, Italy, opera, Piazza Novona, Puccini, Rome, St. Andrea dell Vale, St. Peter's Cathedral, Tosca | 17 Comments