The Pictorial Reality Of Missing Kids Worldwide -PLZ SHARE

Posted on February 23, 2015 by annetbell

Shaun is so committed to keeping this before the public. It is a tragic story and the perpetrators need to be outed, arrested , and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

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An Orphaned Baby: To an Impotent Dad

Posted on February 23, 2015 by annetbell

What an inspiration and call for “potent” fathers for their children!

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333 Slaves Rescued in Second Largest Operation in IJM History

Posted on February 23, 2015 by annetbell

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International Justice Mission is doing such wonderful work all over the world, but of late  they have been especially successful in India.  The new government has been very open  inviting IJM  to  join Indian  attorneys, social workers, and the police.   The slave owners are being  prosecuted to the fullest extinct of the law. The atmosphere of no punishment for these despicable unspeakable atrocities is over.  The rule of impunity is being stopped in its tracks.  These slave owners , all over the world,  are being caught, tried, and jailed. Justice is prevailing!

 

I hope you will take a little time to look at these images, see  the faces, hear the stories and learn of this amazing work IJM is doing.  When I am at home in New York, I am in a prayer group on Tuesdays to pray for this work. There are Christians, and non  Christians as well as larger International  businesses who  are supporting the work to eradicate slavery during  our  lifetime!

 

333 Slaves Rescued in Second Largest Operation in IJM History.

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I would love to hear your comments.  Are you surprised at the amount of slavery in  the world today? 

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Speaking Truth to Power

Posted on February 22, 2015 by annetbell

I have had this video for a while, but want to post it now. I read in the last couple of days that 65%  of the American public want troops on the ground. to fight Isiis.  These are  difficult revelations by this young  soldier that should give us all pause about this decision.  My own journey to see and understand these things has been rocky.  I have seen, read, and hopefully understand things that before I either knew nothing about or ignored. Thanks to Shaun, Ian and Ed for their teaching. . . .helping my blind eyes, have sight.  I no longer want to be a “Sheeple” and just blindly follow without hearing  all sides.  Repeatedly, we have had leaders who lead with an agenda which may or may not be the best for the country. The election in 2016  is so important for educated voters to vote!   Read the wise words from James Madison below.

 

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Please respond , either agree or disagree! 

 

 

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Sarkhez Roza

Posted on February 20, 2015 by annetbell

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Amdavad has long been an  economic and cultural center and is known for her hospitality and the spirit of enterprise of her people.   Another important  aspect of Amdavad is the architecture of glory and worship  with Gandhi Ashram, numerous Mosques, and Hindu and Jain Temples.

The second site we visited with our trusty rickshaw driver /guide Selim was  Sarkhez Roza.  We spent several hours there. This is the only Mosque we visited last time that do not permit women into the hall of  prayer.  They may pray from the colonnade area or meet in the cleansing tank area.

We had such a laugh as we sat the Queen’s Palace watching some kids play cricket.   A man asked Selim if we were all one family!   We got such a kick out of that. . . . 10 children  including odd twins. . . Royd whose parents came from China, and Jawan whose family is from the Dominican Republic !

I was talking to some women and their children and asked if I could take a picture.  The  reply was “No,”  I just mention this in case some of you are not aware  that  many if not most Muslim believers don’t like to be photographed because it causes a human image.  They use no figures in decoration only shapes and flowers due to their respect and honor for Allah.

If you are interested and have the time, I am including the post I wrote two years ago.  It is ever so fun to revisit the old friends from 2013 first time in India tour !sarkhej-roza-img-2 The Mosque for men only.

 

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Women are able to pray in  the colonnade or on the side where the cleansing pool is.

 

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The tomb and the  courtyard gathering space.

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The professor, professing!

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This is the queen’s palace that overlooked the huge lake which is dry until monsoon. This is where we were sitting watching Cricket.

 This Is Incredible India! 

 

https://talesalongtheway.com/2013/07/15/sarkhej-roza/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities in the World 2014

Posted on February 20, 2015 by annetbell

These are  beautiful images for your eyes today.  Now,  I want to plan trips to Australia and Brazil !

This is the Incredible World Where  We Live!

What do you think of the list?   Anyone have additions or  corrections?  I am just realizing that New York City was left off the list.  On my personal list, Venice is first, New York is second, then Prague and Paris.  The rest I  agree with but  not sure of the order. To make a list of  10, I guess I would leave off Sidney  after adding New York City.  The architect thinks I am crazy to have New York in second with all the other competition, but I love New York and think of it always as “The City!” 

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On the Road with Royd in Rajasthan

Posted on February 18, 2015 by annetbell

On our Rajasthan trip, Royd road shotgun in the bus so as to be able to take some of his amazing images. And he has been so gracious to give me his images of people and  some architecture, too. Yesterday he gave me quite a few pictures  that I want to share  with you , my India  interesting friends.

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Walking is the usual transportation, so when there is a chance to ride, everyone piles on !

 

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The nights and early mornings were much cooler than we expected. These women have warm camel shawls.

 

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Men use the shawls to try to keep the cold air away from their thin bodies.

 

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There are some major roads that are quite good, but at the moment not very well traveled. The infamous Indian  road  bumps keep the speed much lower than is necessary on a road like this !

IMG_1584  I can’t see for sure if these women have on flip-flops or are barefooted.

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Always ready with a wave and a smile!

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Crossing the road here isn’t bad because of the lack of serious traffic.  But crossing in the cities is treacherous.  Stop lights are a “suggestion” dbell says and totally ignored unless there is a police presence in the larger intersessions. The rickshaws do U-turns and go the wrong way along with the bikes and motor bikes. It is absolutely necessary to look carefully both ways as you cross the street to  avoid an accident.  Pedestrians have little if no rights it seems. . . . few crosswalks. . . . no right of way!

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Musician playing for tips  outside one of the forts.  Don’t you love the turbans?

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No matter how poor, the women of India wear bright and vivid saris!

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I am wondering how far she has to walk and carry her load  as a beast of burden?

 

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Thanks again Royd!

   I would love to hear from my readers. . . 

This Is Incredible India !

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Fort at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. . . . . and Connections. . . .

Posted on February 18, 2015 by annetbell

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Jaisalmer Fort is one of the largest fortifications in the world. It is listed as a World Heritage Sites  and is located in the heart of the ancient city of Jailsalmer. It was built  nearly a thousand years ago in 1156 AD where the whole population of the city lived within the walls of the fort. It stands among the rocks and sand of the desert and  was the site of many battles  during Medieval times. During the day, the fort’s color is beige lion color but changes to honey gold shimmer as the sun sets. The name given to it during Medieval times was Golden Fort .

This site had  a major role in ancient  trade route to Persia, Arabia, Egypt and Africa.

Today this fort is inhabited by 4,000 residents who depend mostly on tourists to shop and eat during their visit to  the fort.  600_jaisalmer_004

 

Here is a shopping area  image by http://www.india.travesphoto.com in the heart of the Golden Fort.

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Royd photogrphing, Jaisalmer, August photography Royd, Matt photographing Royd and August, then Dbell photographing them all !

Jaislamer still is strategically significant  as seen during India/Pakistani wars in 1965 and 1971.  The Pakistani border is just across the desert and Jaisalmer is the last Indian city before the border.

Surprisingly and sadly there are new threats to the ancient fort and not huge Medieval armies. The threat is two fold.  There are 500-600 thousand tourists who visit each year because it it  one of Rajasthan’s most popular sites.  There is  an increase of people living inside the fort with plumbing and water needs. There is an usual fact about its  construction  on soft sand foundation which allows water seepage which  damaging to  the stability of the whole structure. The success of the old fort is also its nemesis.

We had about two hours to wander “aimlessly” through the windy, narrow streets often no wider than a pathway. It wasn’t long before I had this thought that I had been here before and of course I hadn’t. But being an association learner who compares and contrasts ideeas, places,  and people in my search for  understanding, I thought how similar the Golden Fort was to both Venice and the hill towns of Tuscany. Venice happens to be my favorite place in the world, my world, anyway, because of its  mystery, beauty,  and uniqueness. I never thought I would find a place that was similar but here it was.  The vendors selling from small shops and displaying wares on blankets along the  narrow winding streets opening to piazzas or other narrow streets all were similar.  So I have uploaded some images from Google Public Domain that I hope will give you a glimpse of what I discovered !

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The Golden Fort. . .

 

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Venice. . .

 

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Siena. . . .Tuscany

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Venice. . .

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Women in the Golden Fort  visiting with their neighbors . . . . . .

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The Golden Fort and Golden City of Jaisalmer as the sun sets!   (From Wikepedia)

 

Oh, I have been so blessed to visit so many fascinating places and meet so many amazing people.  Dbell is always chiding me when I complain about this or that. . . .  mostly  about his relentless touring!  He says, “Architecture has been very, very good to you !”  And of course he is right!

I  would  love to hear from my readers. . . . 

images from Wikipedia, Google imges from Public Domain and India travel photo

Posted in Architecture, India, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

What This Tree Has Seen. . . . . . .

Posted on February 17, 2015 by annetbell
The students' first Banyan Tree at Adalaj Vav and they couldn't resist climbing !

The students’ first Banyan Tree at Adalaj Vav and they couldn’t resist climbing !

Left to right: Cassie, Matt, August, and Jennifer

I am including my former posts on this Banyan Tree and Adalaj Vav.  This is one of my favorite sties on the outskirts of Amdavad and part of the filming that the last group was involved  for the TV show.

 

https://talesalongtheway.com/2013/06/11/the-banyan-tree/

https://talesalongtheway.com/2013/10/11/how-was-adalaj-ni-vav-built-500-years-ago/

 

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Thanks to Royd for the images!

Have any of my readers seen a Banyan Tree or a step well?   Water is more precious than gold in India!

 

This Is Incredible India!

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Monday Music, “Falling Slowly” from “Once”, the film

Posted on February 16, 2015 by annetbell

This is not a current film. but was out in 2007 and I thought a good contrast to “50 Shades of Grey) which was just released.  “Once ”  touched me on several levels.  The music  is a haunting and a  painful song of  longing.   The story is set in Dublin, a city that  has experienced much pain over time. It is a love song and a love story, but not a romantic story of boy meets girl and they fall into bed together.  It is not about inflecting pain on someone in the name of love, but it  is the tale of touching someone’s life and heart with love that wants the best for the other person even if that is not being able to  be with them.  Touching the other person’s heart in a quiet, loving, gentle, “I want what is best for you , ” kind of a way. . . .selflessly putting the other’s needs first. I am convinced that people come into our lives when we  need them almost as  guardian angels to love and guide us with encouragement  through and over hard times in our lives for a day or a lifetime all along the way.  Most often we are unable to repay  the kindness and love they give us, but we can pass that love on to another needy soul!

DO  JUSTLY            LOVE MERCY         WALK HUMBLY

 

 

Your thoughts are much appreciated. . . . . 

 

 

 

Posted in film, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments