Where do you go?

In India, one of the curiosities was sanitation. There were many ditches with raw sewage and there are many houses that do not have indoor facilities. There are many modern homes and lots of modern hotels and office buildings. Many are definitely NOT what you would see in the U. S. (that doesn't make it bad, just different). Anyway, talking about going (you may wonder why I would talk about this but if you had experienced what I did, digestion-wise, going is often on the mind of visitors!). In the office building where I worked, there were bidets in the women's water closets. That was interesting. You figured out just how nice it was when you felt the tp!

When we went to Mysore, the restaurant where we ate had the unusual toilet you see at the right. For the many times I had to squat in the woods while camping, I was thankful because I had to do that with this contraption. The corrugated sides are where you place your feet, then you get situated, squat and go. They also provided a faucet and pitcher for any additional cleanup that might be required.


Speaking of going. Many people traveling on the road didn't think anything about pulling over, unzipping and letting it fly! Without trying to be discrete or worrying about gender. When you had to go, you go and it doesn't matter where.

I have quite a few NICE photos to post and will post over the next couple of days. I have moved their home to a place that allows for better description interface. Until then!

Elephant Man

You may know him as Poppy or you may know him as Uncle Harold but I BET you don’t know him as an elephant rider!!!



Yes!!! That’s him on the elephant!! We were at the King’s Palace in Mysore. They were preparing for the 15 day festival of Desera. This is a very big thing here in India. At Mysore, the last day of the festival, there is an “Elephant Rally”. At Mysore, the king used to ride the lead elephant. Now they have a statue of the king riding a HUGE bull elephant with long tusks. They have beautiful metal dressing on the elephant. The other elephants, including the one Poppy/Uncle Harold rode, follow along in a long procession like a parade. It’s called a rally.

While in Mysore, we went to another palace, Tipu Sultan’s summer palace. Many people come there to see the grounds where Indian history was made. There were tour buses near the entrance. One bus had been left open (door and windows). We saw lots of monkeys around the outside. Then we saw one monkey go inside!! It came out with an apple!! Then it went back inside but didn’t come out. Someone noticed people looking so they went and banged on the bus. SIX MONKEYS CAME OUT!!!! They were in there going through people’s bags looking for food!

Here’s a picture of two of them. One with an apple and one with a bag of chips:


More next time on elephants, thatch huts, and grand palaces!!

Even though I'm here, it''s still work

I am in India as part of my job. I am a technology trainer. After working with our team for less than 2 months, we prepared training materials for web-based and face-to-face classes and 4 of us are traveling in Asia, training.

It's very interesting just getting to work! The driving rules are a bit different with very few traffic signals. Sometimes there are traffic police directing traffic at intersections but that isn't very often. Take a look at the video: Driving India to see what it looks like from a bird's eye view then imagine being a passenger. Thankfully, the company provides a car with driver or I don't think I'd make it! This is a city of 7 million people and the roads are just not quite able to keep up with the demanding pace.

The fellow standing with my husband is the doorman at our hotel. Many of the employees wear the older uniforms and there are some really interesting ones. I'll try to get more and upload them to my snapfish account.

For those who wonder, yes, there are cows (not just Brahman) that wander the street. In the evening on my way from work, we usually pass cows that have been tied up for milking. I asked the driver who's cows they were and he said they were no one's in particular and that anyone is free to milk them.

There is a traffic circle with a 4 foot wall. A cow grazes there by standing in the road and eating off the top of the circle! It's an adventure getting around but I've not seen a wreck or been in one, yet!

This weekend we'll get to get out in the countryside for a bit and see things away from Bangalore.

Response to email questions

I get some great emails with questions about my trip. Rather than re-writing, I thought I'd cut and paste my responses to one of my emails. (More photos this evening).

How are things besides little sleep?

It is a beautiful country with very hospitable people. It's very quiet (as long as there aren't Americans around!!). I don't know if you've traveled in Mexico (away from the border) but it reminds me a lot of Mexico. Rich and well to do or very poor. It shows in the street maintenance, buildings and such which is very sad. The people in general are very kind and gentle.

Have you done any sightseeing?

We went shopping and sightseeing but our driver took us to places where he is paid in advance to take us. I am now armed with names and addresses of places that are better to go to and the driver will then be required to take us there. We toured the Bangalore Palace (very sadly in disrepair) and toured around the city. The state government is close to a state of colapse and there were buses and buses of protestors outside the congress. (That was cool - kind of exciting). While shopping we were invited to tea with the owners of the shop. It was very good. We will go to Mysore this weekend which is slower, more peaceful and more beautiful than Bangalore. Bangalore was not prepared for the HUGE growth. Mysore hasn't had that kind of growth so it still retains it's more pastoral feel.


How's the food?

The food is VERY good. I've been "educated" by the people that I've talked to on the subtlties of the regional foods. There's SO much to try and so little room in my pants!!!! I actually haven't eaten too much, though. Yesterday we only had one meal. It was very very good. It's nice to sit in a restaurant that doesn't attempt to rush you through your meal. You can really enjoy what you are eating. Today, we'll be going to MG (Mahattmah Ghandi Road) where there are even more varieties of restaurants and shops! I have an extra long day tomorrow due to the early morning live meeting so I'm taking this afternoon off to shop.

Out and about Bangalore

Today we went for a drive around the city. Bangalore is a very busy city (and the driver told us it was so slow due to everyone being off work!). I can't wait to see what it's like during the work week. The juxtaposition between the daily life of the poor and the high tech industry is amazing. The people are warm and hospitable. This will be short. Harold wants to go for a walk.

The picture is of the gardens and pool outside our window.

We're off to India

It looks like we have gotten approval to go. Harold and I will be in Bangalore staying in the Leela Palace (at right). This photo is from their website. I will try to post my own photos as well as comments about the trip. It won't be daily since I will be working but there should be a few entries before we return.

On the way back we will be staying in London for a few days. We've never been so we're excited about that, too.

Maps and directions

Asher brought up a good point when he mentioned maps and directions. SO, here goes. The major roads that go through Llano are Hwy 16, Hwy 29 and Hwy 71. If you are familiar with Austin you know about Hwy 71. Hwy 29 crosses Hwy 35 north of Austin through Georgetown. Hwy 16 runs down to I10 through Fredericksburg and Kerrville.

From Llano's crossroads, 16 and 29/71 take 29/71 west. Three miles out of town, 29 and 71 part ways. You need to take 71 northwest (the sign says Valley Spring & Brady). Eight miles from the split is CR 408 (just before getting into Valley Spring). Turn right.

The road goes around the side of the house at the intersection in an L shape (not visible on the map). Follow the road as it winds through some pretty cattle country, across dips, round curves, and across 2 cattle guards (which, for you city folk, are a series of metal bars in the road to keep the cows from getting out).

After the second cattle guard, there is a red dirt road to the right. Don't take it, take the next one - Valley Ranch Cir. (Yes, it's marked). From the house on the corner, go two down - you'll see the windmill, it's the only big one on our road. Pull through the gate and park in the gravel parking area or someplace north of the house. It's about 7 miles from the turn-off to our gate.


Here are some maps that might help:

Little House in the Hill Country

Spring has truly been Spring in the Hill Country. Lot's of rain and cool weather extended the wildflower season beyond the usual. Our pond is full and is looking really good. The windmill is now pumping enough water to keep the pond topped off. One of our favorite activities is to kayak around in the pond in the early morning or evening.

Nothing beats lazing around on a hammock. We have three. One has it's own stand. I'll see about finding a nice shady spot by the creek for the other two (but we have to use a weedeater to get there). There's usually a slight to brisk breeze blowing to fan you while you rock. Speaking of breeze, Jonah and Trenton have enjoyed flying the kites in the front "yard". We have 2 kites (and should have a couple more if we can find them!).

In the city, it's hard to imagine what they mean in the song, "the stars at night, are big and bright..." but here, they are beautiful. We have a telescope (need to read the manual) but even looking with the naked eye is beautiful. Night sky and night sounds make for a great nightcap.

The "big" town of Llano is the closest town (being defined, government, hospital, grocery store, hardware, restaurants and hotels). There are antiques shops, museums, the RIVER, parks and activities. There seems to be a festival going on nearly every week.

It's definitely a place where you can play hard or just kick back.