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  • Wedding

    So Dar and I got invited to his co-workers' wedding reception over the weekend.  The funny thing about being a foreigner (although we really don't consider ourselves such after living here for almost 2 years) is that well, frankly, your the center of attention…

    Like all weddings, family members and friends like to record the action for posterity.  Dar and I always laugh at this given the amount of times over the years we have pulled out the video and pictures to peruse them ….. ONCE…. but hey, try telling the bride/groom/family that before or during the event….
    Anyway, this was an elaborate affair and the filming was full on – a very serious looking video camera on a boom (nice addition as the wires, camera etc didn't disturb the view of anyone) and TV's set up with a live broadcast in the downstairs dining area as well as upstairs where the bride and groom were greeting everyone…..and horror of horrors….there was a mobile camera as well – in the dining area!  REALLY, who wants to be filmed when they are shoving food in their gob.
    Needless to say, we were filmed quite a bit (you can imagine my dismay given my severe discomfort with being in front of the camera) including during our meal along with other diners.  The upside – and I might add a very welcome distraction – was the food was quite good.  Honestly, it didn't help that I had wrapped my own sari before leaving…yes, I know, silly girl… and noticed once we got there, I had forgotten an essential tuck so spent the evening trying to not only avoid the cameras but keep my clothes from trailing behind me….
    I did manage to take this picture of two younger guests who thought I was pretty interesting …. 
    Boys
    Boys

  • Bangkok Rocks!

    Darren and I spent a long weekend in Bangkok and it is such a great city…inexpensive, nice people, amazing food, great markets, a BEER garden – what more could you ask for from a mini break?

    Seriously, every day at the Chatuchak weekend market (think high quality flea market selling everything from noodles to shoes) and every night at the Suan Lum night market (Massive beer garden, huge amount of food stalls, inside a night market with everything you could want and more) would have been plenty of fun.  Sadly we were so distracted by the beer and food, we forgot about the traditional thai puppet show were suppose to attend….oops!
    But we refuse to be defined by our eating, drinking and shopping alone…….so we did more – ok, not a lot more, but a little.
    Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) and Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) were fantastically beautiful and the temple complexes literally dazzling given the amount of gold, mirror and tile work. The National museum was ok but honestly, my favorite part was the courtyards in between exhibit halls…oh, and the funeral procession room was quite cool.
    Anyone fancy a trip? it is only a 3 hr flight from our place!!!  We will go back anytime – this is definitely one of those cities that has everything and is just downright fun.
    Pho
    Pho

  • Why Bookstores In Bangalore Drive Me Crazy

    Bram Stoker should come AFTER Geoffery Chaucer……. oh, and this is just one shelf.

  • Glad I Had My Camera

    Caught this walking home from a nearby restaurant yesterday and loved how it came out…

  • Hogibitt Barthene Sir

    A good friend of ours has been a visiting professor at a Journalism College here.  The students put together a goodbye variety show that showcased their talents and was super sweet.

    Here are a few shots:

  • Have You Ever Wondered…


    where all the fluorescent spray paint went from the 1980's???

    Well, apart from some of it being diverted to Ethiopia and Mali for use decorating furniture (see 2/16/09 Blog post for more detail), it was sent HERE!!!  to decorate Ganesha's for Ganesha Chaturthi (the festival which honors the elephant god).
    I was out grocery shopping and took this pic….

  • Keggs

    Near Something
    Near Something
    Where to start???  
    These are the eggs we get here and after discussing the packaging with some friends, I thought it would make a funny post….
    1st – Near Organic Fresh Eggs…..where is near organic?  Close to a place called Pesticide Free?  Given their "location", I wonder what makes the yolks so bright?
    2nd – Look closely….one of the shells are tan….
    Bonus is that these are Guaranteed Against Bird Flu….Can you get your money back if you get it??
    Well, after trying an assortment of different eggs, these are the best….near perfect….

  • Maldives = Paradise

    Ok, so the trip home was a bit rough – not the flight, but leaving the family – but we quickly recovered with a panacea known as the Maldives…..

    This place was amazing.  Diving with Giant Manta Rays. Snorkeling with Whale Sharks.  Fantastic, Fun People…..it was an awesome week!  Special thanks to A.J., Caroline, Mikael, Mary S, Mike, Anna, and Alex for a fantastic week and amazing pics which are posted below
    However, this amazing place is succumbing to global warming (tsunamis) and ocean acidification (a separate issue from rising sea levels).  The government is looking to purchase land in other countries for the environmental refugees the rising sea levels will create.  Additionally, the coral reefs (some of the most amazing on earth) are suffering – the NRDC just put out a documentary on ocean acidification that is linked above…check it out.  

  • Train Ride

    I should start this by saying that I LOVE trains….so romantic and it always feels like an adventure to hop a train….with that in mind ( and frankly after looking into the price of rental cars) I took the train from San Jose to Chico. 

    Seriously, this is the way to travel (apart from the 4 hr wait because someone decided to jump in front of a train 2 miles from my station) – there was a full bar and cafe on the train, my seat folded out almost completely and the conductor woke me up 15 mins prior to my stop.  Beats air travel hands down if you don't need to be there in a hurry.

    The station in San Jose (Cahill Depot) dates from 1935s and is listed in the national register of historic places…it was restored in the mid 90's and is stunning.  There were some amazing murals inside the station and I hope the following photos do justice to the exterior.

  • Road to Mariposa

    Heading on the way to Mariposa to see our friends – Sue and Dale had offered there house for the weekend with Jess and Jen – I snapped these shots from the car. 

    What an awesome few days….way to short….but anytime with good friends is a good time.
    New and Old Power
    New and Old Power