Memorable Mussoorie Moments

We are now in Agra, where it feels very cold this morning. The  temperature here is 3, and our Accuweather app tells us it is way up at 4 in Mussoorie! It's supposed to be warmer down here on the plains!!! 

We left Mussoorie on Monday afternoon, and we hope there will be a post soon about our travels since then, This post shares images of some of the wonderful times that we enjoyed together in Mussoorie. There are also pictures on this slide show of a side trip we took last Saturday.

There is a little more commentary than usual on this slide show.

Riding an Elephant and Shooting Tigers in Corbett Park

Our time with Aaron, Isaac and Annika has been way too full and busy for us to keep up with blog posts! The highlight of the past week was without doubt our trip to Jim Corbett National Park. This involved a drive of about 300 km in each direction, but Corbett was well worth the drive. We also learned that Aaron seems to have been born to drive in India! He handles the crazy traffic "like an experienced Indian", and he drives so safely that he never causes his passengers to feel at risk.

We stayed overnight inside Corbett, at a the 1928 vintage Bijrani forest rest house. We were up early for our 7:30 ride through the jungle on "Asha", a 40 year old female elephant. Sharif Khan, our mahout and guide, made every effort to track down a tiger for us, but there was none to be found. The ride itself through unspoiled north Indian jungle was more than worthwhile.

Since it was Christmas Eve, we had intended to return to Mussoorie immediately after our elephant ride. We had been looking forward to Lynn's Christmas dinner on the 25th. Instead, we decided to postpone the dinner until the 26th and stay a little longer in Corbett. We are very glad we changed our plans, and lined up an afternoon "jeep safari" with a driver named Sajid. He told us the chances of seeing a tiger were good, and he did not disappoint.

We were privileged to come within about 50 feet of a gorgeous female tiger and two of her two-year-old cubs. As you can see in the slide show, the mother posed beautifully to be shot by our cameras! So, here's the slide show of our memorable Christmas Eve visit to Corbett Park.

Riding an Elephant and Shooting Tigers in Corbett Park from paulhami

Drive to Moriana Top

Mussoorie, where we are based, lies along the top of the first ridge of the Himalayas. 'Moriana Top' is the local name for the point at the top of the next ridge. where a road crosses and descends to the Ganges River. The spot affords a magnificent view of the Great Himalayan Range. 

We took a drive to Moriana Top with Aaron, Isaac and Annika on Saturday. It was a picture perfect day, and the views could not have been better. The video embedded immediately below shows the breathtaking panorama we enjoyed at our destination. Below the video is a slide show of a most memorable day together.

At Home at Pine Point & Walking in Landour

It was more than exciting to bring Aaron, Isaac and Annika home to our little Pine Point apartment. Our home is suddenly full of life. The small flat is definitely full, but there still seems to be plenty of room. Fortunately, the weather has been dry, and the children have been making creative use of our gravel front yard.

On our first morning together in Mussoorie, there was high cloud in the sky, but the air was unusually clear. That afforded exceptional views in all directions. So, we decided to spend the day walking the Landour hillside. Landour is forested part of part of Mussoorie where we live. It's also where Aaron spent his earliest years.

The slideshow below shares our Landour walk, as well as a little of our time at home. As you'll see, our resident Landour monkeys featured prominently in our first day together in Mussoorie.

Walking in Landour from paulhami

Aaron, Isaac and Annika Arrive in India

It's good to dream! This week, a long held dream has at last become reality. Lynn and I traveled from Mussoorie to Delhi on Monday to meet our son Aaron, along with our grandchildren Isaac and Annika. We first brought Aaron to India when he was 5 months old. Mussoorie was his home for most of his first 10 years. Now Aaron is back for a visit--for the first time since 1990!

The Lufthansa flight landed early, shortly before midnight on Tuesday. All 3 travelers were extremely tired after flying almost non-stop from Vancouver. After part of a night's sleep at Kabli Hotel, the three weary travelers did well and seemed to enjoy themselves as we took the Delhi Metro to Janpath and Connaught Place for some exploration and shopping. 

We were up by 5:30 on Thursday morning to catch the Shatabdi Express from New Delhi Railway Station to Dehradun. And now at long last, Aaron is back in Mussoorie... The slideshow here shares some of our time together in Delhi as well as on the Shatabdi Express. Stay tuned for posts about Aaron's re-discovery of Mussoorie and environs...

Aaron, Isaac and Annika Arrive in India from paulhami

Beach Time in Goa

We said good bye to Anjali and Nathan at the airport in Goa on Sunday afternoon. They have a few more days in India, but we won't see them again until we are back in Canada next April. While we were together, we made some memories that we shall always cherish!

Our time together in Goa was extra special. We stayed on Agonda Beach in south Goa. It takes a while to get to Agonda, but it's definitely worth the drive. Even in 2014, Agonda isn't overly developed or crowded. The sun shone on us, the water was warm, and our time together passed altogether too quickly!

Here's a slide show that shares a few of the highlights of our Beach Time in Goa.

Beach Time in Goa from paulhami

More Mussoorie Time with Anjali and Nathan

Anjali and Nathan are in Calcutta now, and our little Pine Point flat feels slightly bigger again. We are delighted that we can join 'Anj and Nath' on Tuesday in Goa for a few more days together--on the beach this time. 

But first... here are a few images to share more of the special memories we created together before the adventurers left us on Wednesday. 

Landour with Anjali and Nathan

Landour is the Mussoorie community where we are based. It remains remarkably unchanged since the 1960's when I was a boy here, as scenic and alluring as ever. This is where we spent our Thursday with Anjali and Nathan, and this is the subject of the slide show embedded below. 

We set out before breakfast for an early morning walk along the "Eyebrow" path, and made our way slowly to the "top of the hill", where we were blessed with crystal clear views of Bandarpunch and Swagarohini. We stopped at Char Dukhan for a breakfast of paranthas and chocolate pancakes! Then it was down for a look-in at Aotearoa, where our family lived from 1988 to 1990.

We were welcomed warmly at Landour Community Hospital and given a tour of the facilities. This is where Anjali was born on October 12 in 1983. In her present capacity as a delivery nurse in British Columbia, Anjali seemed impressed with what LCH has to offer. 

Eventually, we wound up at Woodstock School, where Anjali attended kindergarten and grade 1, and where Lynn and I worked from 1981 to 1990. In the alumni office, Anjali found a significant record of her time as a student. There is a wonderful large picture of her in the 1990 yearbook. Judy Crider facilitated a brief tour of the school, and we joined her for lunch in the staff dining room.

Here are a few images of our "Landour Day".

Anjali and Nathan are Here!

Lynn and I worked in Mussoorie from 1981 to 1990. Our son Aaron was 5 months old when we arrived, and our daughter Anjali was born here in 1983. Until this week, neither of our children had been back to India since 1990. Anjali and her husband Nathan landed in Delhi in the early hours of Tuesday morning this week. Aaron will be coming in mid-December, along with his children Isaac and Annika. 

So, it was way beyond special for us to meet Anjali and Nathan at the airport in Delhi! We spent all of Tuesday in Delhi, resting up and doing a little exploration of some Delhi shops, with the help of Delhi's wonderful Metro system. 

Early on Wednesday morning, we caught the Shatabdi Express from New Delhi Station to Dehradun. Then it was up to Mussoorie in the Bolero. Thursday was spent in a leisurely walk through Mussoorie's bazaars. Although Anjali was only 7 when she left India, and she's been gone for 24 years, many of her memories are remarkably clear.

Here's a slide show with some images of our first three days together in India. A second post and slide show will appear here soon.

Reunion in Mussoorie -- Chandrashila Trip

Our reunion officially ended in great style with our special dinner at Rokeby Manor last Saturday evening. For seventeen of us, the memory-making continued for another three days on our "Chandrashila Trip". This post includes a slide show for each of the three days.

The Chandrashila trip involved long days in two hired Force Travellers. On Sunday, we journeyed out Tehri Road as far as Chamba, where we headed up through wonderful pine forest to the city of New Tehri. Then it was on toward Srinagar and Rudraprayag, eventually arriving at the welcoming and beautifully situated Ukhimath Rest House above the Mandikini River. 

Our first day was highlighted by a flat tire on each of  our mini-buses. Changing and then repairing the tires afforded us extra opportunity to enjoy each others' company in a leisurely fashion. Gordon demonstrated vast experience and considerable skill in helping the drivers with the tires.

Prayers were answered, and our second day dawned clear and cold. We got away from the rest house before 6:30, and made our way to the Chandrashila trail head at Chopta, situated at an elevation of 2680 metres (8793'). From Chopta, we headed up toward the Tungnath Temple. The distance isn't great, but it's very steep. Over three and a half kilometres to Tungnath, the elevation gain is fully 1000 metres to 3680 metres (12,073')! It's another 320 metres above the temple to the Chandrashila summit.

Sixteen of us made it to Tungnath, and seven got to the top of Chandrashila, despite a couple of treacherous icy patches on the trail above the temple. The wonderful thing about the Chandrashila hike is that the magnificent views start right at the beginning of the trail. So, even though it began to cloud over by the time we got to Tungnath and the Chanderashila summit, we all enjoyed some truly memorable Himalayan vistas.

Our tired bodies enjoyed another night of warm hospitality at the Ukhimath Rest House. The staff there went out of their way to accommodate us. It was great to be able to spend another night together, and the beautiful setting of the rest house was icing on the cake.

On our final day together, we returned to Mussoorie via Dehradun to ensure that four of us would not miss our train to Delhi. The return trip went well, with no punctures. There was a memorable stop in Srinagar that involved some impressive top spinning. Again, Gordon demonstrated great skill! We had one final meal together at the President Hotel in Dehradun before farewelling those proceeding to Delhi by train.

So... that's it for blogging about our Reunion in Mussoorie. There will be further posts here, but not about the reunion. Next week our daughter Anjali and her husband Nathan will be arriving from Canada for a visit, and doubtless there will be posts about some of the things we do together. Lynn and I are tremendously excited about this visit!!!

One final note: In our post about Day 6 and our dinner at Rokeby, we shared that Mrs. Kapadia joined us. She indicated that she had a wonderful time, and we certainly enjoyed connecting again with this remarkable woman. Sadly, while we were away at Chandrashila, Mrs. Kapadia's sister from Canada passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. She died in her sleep at Fern Oaks while on an extended visit with her sister Saroj. Our thoughts and prayers are with Saroj and her family as they grieve their loss.

Reunion in Mussoorie - Day 6 and More

We're back safely from Chandrashila after a memorable and successful three-day excursion. It will take a few days to sort through the plethora of images and get a post up about that. So as promised, this post is about Day 6 of our reunion. There are a few other pictures here as well.

Saturday, our Day 6, was a "free day", with only one scheduled event. That was our Rokeby Manor dinner, kindly paid for by the Woodstock Alumni Office. We had a wonderful time, but not exactly as planned. We were to have eaten around a bonfire up at Rokeby's "Highands". 

As it turned out, we were treated to one of Mussoorie's impressive thunderstorms late Saturday afternoon. So we gathered in Rokeby's wonderfully warm lounge and enjoyed dinner in Rokeby's delightful 'Emily's Restaurant'. The food was amazing, and the company even better. A special highlight of our Rokeby evening was that we were joined by Saroj Kapadia, and by Dan and Anne Lind. 

The first slide show below shares pictures of the time we enjoyed at Rokeby. The second slide show shares pictures taken by Gordon at Premla's place in Delhi as well as some shots taken on the train between Delhi and Dehradun. Finally, there are pictures of two of our number who I think deserve special mention .for their major contributions.

Reunion Day 6 Slides Reload from paulhami

Reunion in Mussoorie - Day 5

Our fifth day was a day of adventure. Almost everyone made their way to Everest House on the far side of Mussoorie for a picnic lunch. A few of us walked all the way there and then back to Library Bazaar, for a total of 19 km. Some availed of taxi services for all or part of the way. Cloud impaired the views we could have enjoyed, but spirits did not seem at all dampened.

While at Everest House, Gordon and Jon engaged in a traditional chesnut fight with some seasoned chessies found along the way by Harald. A video of this epic event is embedded below today's slide show. After visiting Everest House, Will and Kate, along with Bette and Gordie, proceeded to hike up Benog Tibba. They were rewarded with a leopard sighting, but the cat was moving too quickly to be captured by a camera.

There were other side trips--to Happy Valley, the Tibetan School, and GEMS school, but we all wound up together at the Imperial Square in Library Bazaar for another delicious meal. Taxis brought us all safely "home" by about 9 pm, when many stayed up to watch a Dan Terry video.

This evening will mark the formal end of our reunion with yet another feast around a bon fire at the 'Highlands' above Rokeby. We are delighted that Mrs. Kapadia will be joining us! I'm sorry to say that the Rokeby event will not be blogged here until sometime next week. That's because 17 of us will be setting out at 7:30 tomorrow morning for our three-day Chandrashilla Peak adventure. We're hoping for clear skies and magnificent views.

Sometime after returning to Mussoorie next Tuesday evening, I'll try to put up a post about Chandrashilla. In addition to that, I hope to share some images from Rokeby, as well as a few pre-reunion images taken at Premla's place and on the train between Delhi and Dehradun.

Reunion in Mussoorie -- Day 4 (Diwali)

It's Friday morning in Mussooerie, and the fourth day of our reunion is in the books. Yesterday was Diwali, and it was a welcome "free day" for us. Classmates scattered in many directions--Flag Hill, Happy Valley, "the bazaar", and to places unknown. I don't have images to share from these jaunts.

There was one scheduled reunion event, and that was a special Divali dinner at the posh Jaypee Residency Manor in Barlowganj. Some hiked all the way there and back. Others combined hiking and motoring. However we got there, it was a memorable event in a magnificent setting.

My slide show for today features our time  at Jaypee, but Lynn has shared a few images of people relaxing at Ivy Bank and of her walk through the bazaar en route to Jaypee. I'm posting this in haste, so please forgive any lapses, errors or omissions. I have to get ready for our all day trek to Everest House, followed by dinner this evening at the Imperial Square in Library Bazaar.

Reunion in Mussoorie - Day 4 (Diwali) from paulhami

Reunion in Mussoorie -- Day 3

Our third day in Mussoorie was another full one, and again it included plenty of walking. We began at Landour Community Hospital, where 6 among us were born, 2 of us gave birth to children, and where 16 of us have had occasion to be admitted! We were welcomed warmly by hospital administrator Mr. Vijayabhaskar, and given a great tour. We were impressed by the work being done by LCH, especially through its community health projects.

Following the hospital visit, we made our way to 'Char Dukan', where we enjoyed lunch of pakoras, omelettes, paranthas, and more. After lunch, there was a walk around the 'back chakar', highlighted by a moving visit to the grave of Judy and Dana's daughter Bonnie. We then made our way slowly to Sisters Bazaar, with a side trip to what was once the Fairview boarding where Ada lived during grades 1 and 3.

From Sisters Bazaar, it was on to Oakville, and then along the Eyebrow Path. Eventually, everyone arrived at Pennington, the home of Judy and Dana. The Crider hospitality was truly amazing. Afternoon tea was followed by a fabulous dinner, which most of us ate around the fire. For those who were felt a little cool outside, there was another fire burning in the wood stove inside.

It was another altogether memorable day. I've managed to keep the slide show to a paltry 100 slides this time, with contributions from Gordon and Lynn as well as from my own camera. Below the slide show, I've embedded a 20 second video clip to share the atmosphere around the Pennington fire, with the winterline in the background. There was singing around the fire at Pennington as well, so I captured some of it on two video clips that I've also included.

Reunion in Mussoorie -- Day 2

Day 2 of our reunion was a long and packed day! It's a good thing that we are in the digital era because I'm certain that several thousand photographs were shot. It has taken me longer than I would have liked to process and upload the images by Lynn and me that I've put into a LONG slide show.

This post recounts our "Woodstock Day". After walking from Ivy Bank and Doma's Inn to Woodstock, we assembled at the school gate for a rather lengthy and boisterous photo shoot. We moved from there to the Alumni Office, where we were welcomed warmly and the tone was again loudly enthusiastic. 

Following an extended visit at the Alumni Office, we began a tour of the school, with Judy (Smith) Crider as our guide. After her many years of distinguished service on Woodstock's staff, no one could have been better equipped for the task! Students are away this week for Quarter Break, so we had the run of the place. There was no need for hushed tones, and we were free to explore virtually anywhere we wished on campus without feeling as though we were intruding.

Our tour began in the Quad, and eventually proceeded up the ramp to the high school and the gym. After lunch in the staff dining room, we headed down to the dorms--Hostel, Ridgewood, Midlands, and finally Alter Ridge. For me, the visit to Karen's apartment there was the highlight of the day. Karen's hospitality was fabulous and her baking all tasted like some more!

Even better than the treats we enjoyed at Karen's place, was the opportunity to hear Karen share her passion for providing the middle school girls in her care with sensitive support to help them grow in character and to develop practical life skills. The girls on Karen's floor are truly blessed! At this time of life when many of us are becoming grandparents, Karen has found a new calling. She's making a huge difference in young lives. 

From Alter Ridge, we made our way out Tehri Road to Hannifl Center, where we learned of many ways that Hannifl Center is facilitating outdoor education and environmental studies for Woodstock students. It was heartening to learn that Hannifl's influence extends well beyond Woodstock. Among numerous examples, Hannifl Center hosts camping trips for less privileged children from Delhi schools. Finally, we enjoyed a excellent meal in the dining room at Hannifl.

It was long and full and wonderful day. The lengthy slide show embedded below is a labour of love primarily for classmates who are unable to be here, but even if you are not among that number you may enjoy looking in on us.

Woodstock's Class of 69 Mussoorie Reunion - Day 2 from paulhami

Reunion in Mussoorie

Woodstock School Campus

Woodstock School is an international college prep school in Mussoorie, a Himalayan community about 300 km north of Delhi in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. I (Paul) was a student at Woodstock from 1958 to 1968, when Woodstock's student body was made up primarily of North American missionaries' children. I am a proud member of Woodstock's graduating 'Class of 69', despite leaving Woodstock after grade 11 in 1968.

This week our class is holding its 45th year reunion back in Mussoorie. We've had regular, well attended and memorable reunions, but this is the first time in India. Especially for the sake of classmates who are unable to be here, I will attempt to document at least some highlights of each day's reunion activities here, and upload as soon as I can.

About 15 class members and spouses gathered in Delhi over the past few days, and there was a delightful dinner hosted there last evening by classmate Premla (Sagar) Sharma. Early this morning, those assembled in Delhi caught the Shatabdi Express and traveled together to Dehradun. Now there are more than 30 of us here in Mussoorie.

The slideshow for today begins at the Dehradun Railway Station, where the party from Delhi was met by Judy (Smith) Crider, Will & Kate Friesen, and Paul Hamilton.

Next was lunch at Dehradun's 'Black Pepper' restaurant, where we were joined by Harald Gruber and some of his extended family, including brother Wolf and sister Hanna.

After being delivered to Doma's Inn and Ivy Bank by a fleet of taxis, the Delhi party joined those already in Mussoorie for tea on the lawn at Ivy Bank. There was much informal connecting, as well as some organized sharing facilitated by Mary (Self) Skarsten, our class coordinator par excellence.

We enjoyed a  wonderful dinner in the Ivy Bank dining room, but picture taking didn't work very well there, so there's only one token shot.

Back in India -- Maiden Voyage of the Bolero

We are ever so grateful that we've been able to purchase a beautifully rugged four-wheel vehicle, designed in India for Indian roads. The Bolero is particularly well suited for the mountainous roads of Garhwal, where we hope to travel extensively over the next few months

To understate the case, driving conditions here are more challenging and unpredictable than those we experience on the roads of British Columbia! So, it was with trepidation that I ventured from the Bolero showroom into Dehradun traffic on Tuesday to begin the 35 km drive up to Mussoorie. Happily, motorcycle driving experience combined with the amazing handling qualities of the Bolero, meant that I was much more comfortable than I had anticipated.

Still, there was much need for some mountain driving practice under relatively relaxed conditions...

So on Thursday, along with good friends Will and Kate Friesen, we did a day trip that offered us the opportunity to savor the views from "Tingling Point", and to drive to within a kilometer of the temple and Forest Rest House in the deodar forest at Deosari. The latter was a popular hiking destination for us in the 60's, when all 16 miles had to be hiked on foot. Will and I were able to re-live some memories and share them with Kate and Lynn. Here's a slide show that documents our adventure on Thursday.

We're back in India again, but first...

We arrived in India exactly two weeks ago, and it is truly wonderful to be here again! This blog took a vacation during the six months that we spent back in Canada. So, before our first new "India post", which we intend to publish tomorrow, we want to share some visual highlights of our time in Canada. First, there is an extended slideshow that documents times spent with our children and grandchildren in BC. Then there's a short videos showing three generations of Hamiltons "zipping and swinging" at Camp Selah. Enjoy... and stay tuned. We've begun blogging again.

Summer family from paulhami

Pine Point -- Our Mussoorie Home

We're leaving Mussoorie today. How can it be that our six months in India is already over?!? We'll take the overnight "Mussoorie Express" to Delhi this evening, and we fly back to Canada from Delhi late Sunday night. 

It feels literally as though we are just settling in here. That's partly because it is less than two months since we moved into our Pine Point flat, the place we'll call home when we return each October. Our apartment is small, probably about 350 square feet altogether, but we think it's lovely, and we're sure looking forward to returning to it in October!

We've just begun to make Pine Point "home" and to put personal touches on it, but here's a slideshow that shows the apartment, inside and out. The slideshow also includes some of the wonderful views from our ftont yard. Below the slide show is a somewhat jerky panoramic video that also shares what we can see when we step outside.

Mother and Baby Langurs Visit Pine Point

On Saturday afternoon, Lynn asked me to get the camera because some beautiful langur babies had come to visit. There were probably at least 15 gray langurs in the group, but the camera couldn't stay away from the two mothers who were carrying young infants while they fed mostly on the fresh leaf buds of the banj oak trees that surround our Pine Point home. All of the photos in the slide show below were shot in or from our front yard. We hope you enjoy what we've shared here.

Views from Tingling Point

View from Tingling Point 

"Named after a Kenyan adventurer, Sardar 'Pinder' Singh Bhangra, who felt this tingling sensation as he came over the ridge to this breathtaking spot, which revealed such a spectacular view of the Bandarpunch Massif (6316 mtrs) and the Great Himalayan range. Inspite of having grown up in these hills, this awesome spot gave him a 'nervous reaction' unlike he had ever experienced in his life."

So reads the sign at this special spot atop the Nag Tibba ridge. "Tingling Point" is also called 'Morana' or 'Morana Top' by people who live nearby. In my youth, the top of the Nag Tibba ridge could only be reached after a strenuous hike on foot. Today, the ridge is crossed by the main motor route from the Uttarakhand state capital of Dehradun to Uttarkashi, a major centre on the banks of the Bhagirathi River.

I may not have tingled, but as I wasn't expecting it, the sudden spectacular view was literally breathtaking. The views were enhanced by the many blooming rhododendron trees in the area, and by the wonderful birdsong. I have embedded a slide show that shares some of the views from the ridge, as well as a variety of scenes along the road.

Below the slide show are two videos I shot at Morana Top. The first is a panorama, and the second shows the mules whose bells can be heard in the first video. For the record, the sacks on the mules' backs are full of potatoes.

Images of Kolkata - Calcutta

Our India adventure has been moving along at a great clip! Since our last post...

• We have visited Mumbai and Pune.
• In the part of Mumbai known as Thane, there was a wonderful extended visit with longtime friend Andi Eicher, and our first opportunity to meet his delightful family--Sheba, Asha and Enoch.
• While in Thane, we also made some very special new friends--Anshuman, Alankrita, and (newborn) Anindita Singh. It's a very small world because Anshuman hails from Adra.
• Another highlight in a different area of Mumbai was a visit to the classroom of former 3rd grade student Keya Banerjee. Keya is doing a fabulous job with her 44 fourth graders in one of the schools of the Bombay Municipal Corporation.
• In Pune, we were treated royally by Frene Irani. The hospitality in her lovely flat was second to none, and she made sure we saw why she loves her home town.
• Upon arrival back in Mussoorie, we have begun the process of moving into our third apartment. At last, we are in the place that we will call home every year when we come to India. It's a small flat, but it will make a lovely home indeed.
• We attended the wedding of GEMS kindergarten teacher Soni in Sainji village.
• In the process of trying to hang curtains in our new flat, Lynn fell and broke her left wrist. That resulted in surgery yesterday to install a titanium plate at Max Hospital in Dehradun... and that's where we are now. We've spent two nights in the hospital, where I am serving as Lynn's "attendant". We will be discharged and go home either this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Apart from a likely future post about our new flat, and maybe one about Soni's wedding, there won't be time to blog about what we've listed above. We do have four more sets of images from our visit to Kolkata to share here. 

Thousands of people from poor rural areas of India continue to flood into Kolkata in an effort to better their lives. Many of these folk create homes and establish businesses on city sidewalks. So, the first slideshow is entitled Living and Working on the Streets of Kolkata. The second set shows some of the Beautiful Faces we saw on Kolkata Streets. The third captures a few of the myriad ways of Moving People and Goods on Kolkata Streets. The final slide show is just a potpourri of Kolkata - Calcutta images.

Adra, Raghunathpur and Joychandi Pahar: 50 Year Old Memories Come Alive

This is another post with immediate family firmly in mind. A few other blog followers have also spent time in Adra and Raghunathpur and may especially appreciate the images. There are three slide shows. All images were taken last Friday during our visit to Adra and Raghunathpur. All were taken either by Lynn, or at least with her camera, because Paul had left the memory card for his camera in his computer in Kolkata!

T'he first slide show is of a walkabout in Adra--on both sides of the tracks. First there's the railway colony, which is remains a lovely place to live, little changed over the years. Then there's a walk along the Adra bazaar side of the tracks.

The second set of pictures starts on the 7 km ride from Adra to Raghunathpur, via the Joychandi rail crossing, by cycle rickshaw. Most of the photos in this long set are of the Raghunathpur mission compound. There has been considerable development on the compound over the years with the addition of a girls' boarding and Bengali medium school. The bungalow our family moved into in January of 1958, however, has hardly changed at all! Indeed, I remember much of the furniture!!! Since no one is currently living in the bungalow, we had free reign and enjoyed wonderful hospitality there.

Photos in the third show share our afternoon walk up to the relatively new temple on Joychandi Pahar. This outing was extra special because we were escorted by Assim Gope, his wife, two of his children, as well as a niece and nephew. Assim is the same age as Paul's brothers, and was a playmate on the compound when we lived in Raghunathpur. Assim's father Mangal was for many years the compound handyman. The street just outside what used to be the back gate of the compound is where Mangal's children have all built homes.

Adra Station

This post is dedicated to my twin brothers Ron and Don. As children, they loved everything about Indian Railways. There were a few things in this connection that seemed especially dear to their hearts, and the Adra Railway Station was one such source of joy.

Last week, while we were in Kolkata, we took an overnight train from Calcutta's Howrah Station to Adra on Thursday night--leaving Howrah at about 11 pm, and arriving in Adra right on time at about 5:30 in the morning. We made an extra effort to travell on one of the few remaining trains on Indian Railways that still offers "First Class" accommodation. We were delighted to score a coupe, or two-berth compartment. 

The slide show below is mostly a loving early morning look at the Adra Railway Station. There are a few late night shots taken in Howrah Station at the beginning.

Broadway Hotel - An Old Calcutta Gem in the Heart of Kolkata

We've just spent a week at the Broadway Hotel. It is situated in the very heart of downtown Kolkata, less than a 15 minute walk from just about everywhere. If one does need to venture a little further, the Chandni Chowk station of the efficient Kolkata Metro line is literally across the street. 

The Broadway was built in 1937, and offers numerous touches of old world charm and attentive service. This has added greatly to the enjoyment of a week in Kolkata that has gone by much too quickly. The hotel isn't air conditioned, and the hot water has to be carried into the bathrooms by bucket; but neither of these realities have been problematic. Ceilings are high with great old ceiling fans, and the bathrooms are clean and more than spacious enough for wonderful bucket baths! At just Rs. 875 (US$14) per night, the price hasn't been hard to take either.

Here's a slideshow that shares a little of our delightful Broadway experience, and what we consider a real "find" in the heart of Kolkata.

Calcutta the Beautiful!

 

Calcutta has become Kolkata, but it is still the same amazing city I called home as a boy. We're back for our first visit in many years, and I'm prouder than ever to be from Calcutta/Kolkata! Lynn and I arrived by train at Howrah Station on Monday morning, and we're staying in very the heart of the city at the Broadway Hotel.

I sometimes think Calcutta has suffered from an excess of bad publicity. It's true that too much of the city has always been crumbling. It's also true that it is never difficult to find vivid examples of gut wrenching poverty in this metropolis of nearly 5 million souls. But there are aspects of Kolkata that are highlighted less frequently. In this post, I want to share just a little of the architectural beauty and grandeur of Calcutta's downtown core.

After breakfast on Monday morning, and again yesterday morning, Lynn and I set out on walks from the Broadway. The slide show below includes only pictures taken on these two walks. The images illustrate the great architectural beauty of Kolkata, and these just scratch the surface of what might be shared. There's no Victoria Memorial, neither of the great bridges that span the Hooghly River, no Marble Palace, none of the temples, and only one of the churches. There is so very much more! All you see in the pictures here are buildings and streets that lie within a 15 minute walk of our hotel.

Snow Comes to Landour

Snow came to Landour on Saturday, and the initial beauty far outweighed the inconvenience that came along with it. Moving about it became challenging (impossible on the motorbike), and we were without electricity for more than 72 hours. The absence of power has made it difficult to share what we enjoyed. Here at last is a slideshow that shows a little of the beauty we enjoyed on Saturday evening and on Sunday.

Mothers are Beautiful!

 

It doesn't matter where one travels in the world, people are beautiful. This is obvious when it comes to the people of Garhwal, the part of the northern Indian state of Uttartakhand, where we are spending our winter. 

One of my most delightful experiences while helping out at GEMS has been the opportunity to support a special project by classes 5, 6, and 7. Each learner in these classes has interviewed his or her mother and written about her. This has been an extremely engaging assignment for the children, and they have done some amazing work. Eventually, the stories will be woven together to create a book that will be published. 

My small part in the "Mothers Project" has been to visit villages where the children live, and to photograph some of their mothers. In  the slideshow below, I've shared just a few images of some very beautiful people. The final slide is a striking image of Kunwar Chauhan and his mother. Kunwar, along with his wife Lori, founded GEMS a little over four years ago.

[If you are an email subscriber to this blog, and you can't see the slide show in your email, you need to click on the link that takes you to the actual blog. This is really just an email notification that we've put up another post.]

Colors and Flavors of New Delhi's Bhogal Market

 

We've just returned to Mussoorie after spending almost a week in Delhi. Once again, we stayed at the incomparable Hotel Kabli. In addition to its old world charm, great service and reasonable price (Rs. 999/night or US$15.99), Kabli's is situated in a corner of South Delhi that lies well off the beaten path followed by most foreign tourists. 

Kabli is on the edge of the Bhogal Market, a place where life is lived on the street, meaning that it offers a veritable feast for the senses. There's a wonderful cross section of India's diverse people groups in Bhogal. We saw Hindu temples, Muslim mosques, a Sikhi gurudwara, and a Christian church. Adding to Bhogal's character is a significant number of people who have been displaced from Afghanistan. We were also impressed by the warmth and friendliness that we encountered everywhere in Bhogal Market.

Here's a slideshow that offers a peak into life on the streets of Bhogal. 

Every Tuesday evening, Bhogal hosts a night market, when the normally busy streets fill to overflowing. The regular shops and street vendors continue as usual, but countless additional sidewalk stalls and stands are set up for the occasion. Here's a short video clip that gives some sense of the throngs of people that turn out to take advantage of the night market.