Well it was quite a day yesterday

 We are mostly feeling well- a few coughs, some cramps, lots of imodium...............
Our day started with breakfast of eggs, toast,a cereal dish,fresh strawberries and a smoothy. Picked up by Gaurav at 8 am .This morning we had a security guard at the entrance to the pol- really just local colour but a charmer none the less.
first on the agenda was a struggle through the morning rushhour traffic.- You have no idea of the scope ,volume and noise of the cars,autorickshaws,motor cycles,horns and PEOPLE. All were eager to get to work.All we were doing was driving through the city to a village 30km away tovisit a stepwell that had been constructed in 1498. Stone carvings that surrounded you depicted life,animals,vegetation as you climbed down 74 metres to the cooling level of the water. Joining uson our journey down were several classes of very young children from a local English school. Many photos and a chance to talk to the teachers and some of the students. We were all charmed.
As soon as the young students left we were surrounded by senior students 15-18 again from an English school- more questions,answers and pictures. On the climb back up we took even more pictures. On the way out flute music filled the air so let's see... a charming young girl was just sitting playing while a friend watched. Her English was excellent as was her smile.
We piled back into the van and a short drive to Swaminarayan Temple the site of a seige in 2002. 33 killed and 72 injured.Thakfully our visit was peaceful as we toured the pink sandstone temple-6,000 tons of it imported from Rajastan. Golden idols and calming atmosphere for our visit.
Back in the car for the highlight of our day- lunch at Gaurav's home with Neha and Gaurav's mom. A 'simple' meal was to be prepared- Not so delicious, many courses all lovingly served by Neha,Gaurav and Lati, A tour of the house followed a s we looked at gaurav's collection of vehicles- 3 motor cycles, scooter casr and the van.No wonder he works hard.
While we were resting and digesting Neha and Mrs Parmar dressed Judy in a sari! Huge number of pictures taken of a beaming Judy and Neha.That is what makes memories.
Again back in the car for a drive to  finish up  the Natural Dye workshop with Ruby. Ruby is an artist who paints with natural dyes in a style reminiscent of Picasso. I will post images in another note.
Back in the car to a dye supply store that Harriet and Bridget found exciting and profitable for their grwing stash collections.
A large mall was just across the street  that advertised a food court so off we darted- We held hands like a good Kindergarten class as we ran through the volumnes of cars etc. I guess we thought kill one -best kill all.
Back across the street and back to the hotel
So how long did this day take- just few blinks of an eye and +14 hours!
Tea and conversation as we relived the day, took more photos for the blog and then exhausted off we went to bed.
Kite day will be quieter for us since we have no Gaurav for Friday and Saturday.
Not sure  if the group is ready to do the autorickshaw route or not! We will talk after they get up.
Take care of each other.

Adalaj Step-well

Check out thecarving beside Gaurav

Marilyn and the flute player

Russ, Neha and Rosalind

Judy and her dressers- Neha and Mrs Parmar

Mrs Parmar, Gaurav and Neha

Rosaalind and Ruby at the dye workshop

The group surfaces

The group in India
Judy says :
 Just when I think I cannot be surprised--I am!
and I can cross the road !
Harriet says:
 Quick and dirty- I am having fun!
What!  cross the road !!!

Rosalind says:
I don`t know when I have met such a bunch
Hold my hand we have to cross the road
Bridget says:
Every thing that you have heard about India is true.
Cross the road no problem-
Marilyn says:
Russ and Gaurav are leading us a merry chase in Ahmedabad
Can I ride in the front seat?
Joan says:
India is exciting and so am I.
Ok what is next?

Judy

Joan

Bridget

Rosalind

Marilyn

Harriet

Jan 12

A cold has hit a couple of the group and general nausea so 2 opted to miss the day’s activities which included the historic city walk It was great to have a guided tour in this area 50inr each 2 hours.

We went back to Arts Reverie to check on our patients who slept all morn had toast and then slept all afternoon. Hard heartedly  the rest of us headed back out in the traffic to discover more to see. Off to the Kite Festival grounds. no large kites when we were there but interesting never the less Very hot in the sun so we went back to the hotel stopping on the way at a mall for spices and a few outfits of course.

Our supper plan was to go to The House of MG and the Agasie rooftop restaurant for a gourmet meal that was advertised as our welcome meal. Again sadly we were down 2 members but we managed to convince Gaurav to invite his charming wife Neha to join us. What a charmer she is with a smile to kill for! Gracefully she served some of the meal for us. We started out in one area of the restaurant for ‘starters’ of soup and a delicious rice cake dish. After some time we were ushered into the outside rooftop court yard for a tali supper of many small unending dishes. We were blessed to have Neha and Gaurav explain the meal protocol and the dishes to us. Delicious with candle lights and faint street noises- how faint – well not very. Over the conversations it was decided that we would have dinner at Gaura and Neha’s home on Thursday evening. This was an unexpected treat to be anticipated by the group.

Another great day.but feel badly that 2 didn’t feel up to the adventure. Hopefully they will recover enough to join us on the next adventure.

Take care of each other

Calico Museum and market place today!

Jan 11,2011

Another great day in Ahmedabad. Of course we were up early because our poor North American bodies still think that they are dealing with the snow and cold. The temperature changes from morning til early afternoon. There is sometimes a difference of 20 + degrees – yesterday the afternoon temperature was +31- So how cold was it at home?

After a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast. Rice and some kind of noodle to sprinkle on top we were off to the Calico Museum. The drive through the hectic traffic was a piece of cake for Gaurav- not so for the front seat passenger- I finally resorted to getting my sleep mask for the ‘shotgun’ rider to see if that eased the view- no luck .It is not Gaurav who we don’t trust. It is all the rest of the drivers.

Calico Museum houses a huge collection of materials from the past in India’s history. You are herded through various chambers listen to a speech delivered by Nadia who is very passionate about ‘her ’ collection. Enter the gallery and lights go on listen and lights go off next gallery- well worth the trip. During our tour Nadia slipped me card to an art book store so off we went- the group found lots.

After lunch we were off to the marketplace. We only scratched the surface of this huge multi block area. Shops are about 12 feet wide and are grouped together – a street of belts followed by a street of purses, street of dress lengths. Several made purchases- you will have to wait to see who .An afternoon snooze was in order for some. Gaurav and Ii went out to a mall for cookies, water

Entrance to Calico Museum

Look at what a bought

Lunch at Gopi

Going into the Kite Festival Grounds

Me and my new friends who got stickers

Gauravès picture of kites in action

Up over the river

Supper in the hotel and lots of conversation. Early bed.

and we are off !!!!!!!!!!

THE GROUP HAS LANDED!

As you noted in the last posting I was anxious for company. Well guess what! The group arrived on time from the flights and were eager and ready to begin. Our drive in the morning from the airport was calm and quiet as we got to know each other a bit more. We stopped at the Hotel Goodnight that Marilyn had stayed in to pick her up and then off next door to The House of MG for breakfast and more conversation before heading to Arts Reverie so the group could unpack and freshen. Gaurav and I went off in search of bottles of water.

I discovered that the market place was within relatively close walking distance and so plan c was formed. BACK TO THE HOTEL Change of plans was approved and off we walked to discover the real shopping in India. We hardly scratched the surface when it was time to get ready for Gandhi’s ashram visit. After a chaotic trip in Sunday morning traffic nearby restaurant with a great meal and the calm of the ashram were appreciated.

 Most of the comments on the trip were centred around Gaurav’s defensive driving skills- Indy racers know nothing. About 2 hours reading and resting in the shade- the temperature had risen to +30 by this time and the energy was being drained from the group so it  was back to Arts Reverie and snoozes by most then another meal by ‘the boys’- rice, dhal ,salad, chapatti and a huge fruit bowl. Never to not experiencing the culture of India the meal became a vocabulary lesson and a pronunciation guide to simple fare. ‘ther boyts’ are great.

Much laughter at supper surround the day-the giddiness of the group showed but the laughter was a good release for all.

Many pleasant memories were started today.

So this is India !

Gaurav juggles the luggage

Mariln takes Gaurav for a ride

A mustache to be proud of-

Spinning demo at Gandhi's

Take care of each other.

sign up as a follower please

I know that you are lurking out there.935 readings so far but few comments. Thanks to the followers shown but I know more are possible. After all why would I be doing this at 3:53 am? Don't want to join?send me an email!

 Going back to bed and see if I can sleep through the train whistles and calls to prayers,

Take care of each other

so why the script?

Who knows how or why that started.
As I was saying full meal =180 rupees -1 rupee = .02 Cdn
Great variety and all you can eat ! they did not ask if you wanted or needed more they just filled the dishes. May be taking the 'girls' there. Ladies, women, group pick one don`t want to offend.]
Parking is an issue near the hotel so after lunch Gaurav dropped me at the entrance to the ' pol '= neighbourhood while he looked for a safe place to leave his new van after about 30 minutes he appeared,had some water and off we went to discover the neighbourhood-Walked a distance when what should we see but 2 naked priests strolling the road.lots smiles from the normally shy ladies,giggles from the kids and smiles from the men.Gaurav made us change sides of the road to avoid being seen as part of the group with the men. They entered a temple shortly after we risked life and limb crossing the road.
We found a mall- more like Bargain shop on 3 floors bought some shampoo Tired out back to hotel for a rest before dinner because I will be meeting Gaurav at 5:30 to go to the airport to get the rest of the gang and then the work fun starts.
Take care of each other