Take a moment, be thankful

Although NYC dodged Hurricane Irene, other parts of New York and the Northeast were not as lucky. I have spent some of my free time volunteering in these areas, particularly the Catskill Mountains, which have faced such intense ruin from Irene.

When speaking with friends and family about my recent volunteering so many are surprised that there is such great damage so close to NYC. This seems to be the trend; not many people are aware how disastrous Irene actually was to our neighboring areas. Although not everyone has time to participate in rebuilding these areas, it is important to be knowledgeable, compassionate and most important, thankful that our homes and family survived the storm.

I’ve always appreciated Buddha’s quote below, and I think it is perfectly fitting for this blog post…

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”

Emotionally moving videos of the wreckage:
http://wn.com/NY_Flood_Relief

Organization I volunteered with (they have the option to donate to the damaged areas):
http://hands.org/projects/project-catskills/



One of the many road-blocks I came to due to damaged roads and bridges


Another view of the damaged bridge


Debris falling down the side of the mountain


Road where the debris was shoveled to either side to prevent a blockage


Anytime it rains there is more damage as the roads aren't re-built or sustainable yet on their own


House completely torn from its foundation


House I worked on one day - we took all the wood out of the floor and walls since it was so badly damaged from the muck, mud and water


Another view of the main street in Prattsville


Debris piled up on the side of the road

Holy Love in Holy Pushkar

While in Jaipur we took a day trip to Pushkar, which is the Hindu holy city – much like how Jerusalem is to the Catholic religion. According to the Hindu mythology, the gods released a swan with a lotus flower in its beak and let it fall on Earth. The place where it landed was Pushkar.

It is a remarkable city and actually one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage places for Hindus). Pushkar is also one of the oldest cities in India. The city surrounds a beautiful holy lake and there are over 50 temples set along the shore of the lake. A holy bath in Pushkar Lake is said to be salvation giving.

We visited one of the 50 temples and the only one dedicated to the Lord Brahma, Brahma Temple, which is a very important pilgrimage site for Hindus. We weren’t allowed to bring cameras in, so I don’t have photos but there are some beautiful ones on this website: http://www.molon.de/galleries/India/Rajahstan/Pushkar/.

A young Hindu boy showed us around the Temple, telling us stories of the deities and pointing out areas of the city where the stories took place. We prayed, received items to sacrifice in Lake Pushkar and reflected upon the beautiful ways of the Hindu culture. When Missy and I went to the Lake to let our sacrifices float away, two Hindu priests took our hands and blessed us right outside a yoga center on the shore.

Pushkar is a small city, probably more like a village, with very little to offer in terms of materials. However, the village offers ample amounts of history, religion and spirituality.



One of the many temples






Streets of Pushkar


Temple where we were blessed


Our sacrifices/offerings


Holy Lake Pushkar

Heart and Soul, I fell in love with you Jaipur

I really didn’t know what to expect from the final leg of the Golden Triangle, “The Pink City” of Jaipur. But after spending several days, I have come to realize this city holds a special place in my heart and if I were to move to India, Jaipur would be the front-runner of where I would take up residence.

While staying in Jaipur, I felt like I was living on a movie set; cows and elephants wandering the streets, wagons filled with crops, sand filled the air, 110 degree sun pounding on us, children carrying fabrics, all buildings under four stories and looking like they were plucked from the countryside and not to mention the entire city surrounded by great walls and fortresses. It really was something else!

A big part of having such a wonderful time in Jaipur was because we had one of the best tour guides who knew all the ins and out of the city; the best culturally influential places, restaurants, brought us to the disco-techo, and helped us bargain at the markets. Bhati became more than our tour guide, he became a lifelong friend of ours that I hope to see again in the future.

Some of the places we saw in Jaipur: Amber Fort (we also got to see a night-light show at the fort!), Jaigarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, Gaitor Cenotaphs, Jai Mahal (was insanely amazing), City Palace, Albert Hall, Nahargarh Fort, Sheesh Mahal, Chokhi Dhani Village and the amazing markets, boutiques and hotels!



Jai Mahal


Jai Mahal


Albert Hall


Inside one of the shops - making saris, scarves, duvet covers, pillow covers, etc.


The women sorting


Missy trying on a Sari


On our way to the Chokhi Dhani Village. It was so dusty out we had to cover our mouths, even with the windows down the sand and dust just seep into the car.


Puppet show at Chokhi Dhani Village


More tricks




wow!


Our dinner at the village


Riding an elephant at the village!


Hotel the first few nights - pool


Lobby


Gated for our safety


Hallways


In my Sari hanging in the hotel


All hand-painted, gorgeous artwork and chandelier


Missy in the main entrance


So detailed and beautiful - did not miss a mark!


Our marble bathroom haha!


The ceilings


Amber Fort from afar


Amber Fort




Entrance to the palace inside Amber Fort


View of the moats and gardens below


Missy checking out the view




Gardens inside








Amber Fort Village


Amber Village


Hand-made tapestries. All the paint is made from local ingredients like paprika, curry, etc.


Cutting and polishing the stones and gems


Elephant ride!


Minutes later he started to go to the bathroom right next to us! eww!


Jaigarh Fort with Jai Mahal in the background


View


The world's largest cannon on wheels


Sheesh Mahal - The Palace of Mirrors


Ceilings




Friends at the Sheesh Mahal


Gaitor Cenotaphs




Thinking about the royalty from many centuries before that lie beneath me. What they must have witnessed in their day...


Different structure are dedicated to different kings


Missy!


My turn






Phenomenal - look at the detail!


Every little detail is manipulated to perfection


Peacock!


View of Jaipur City from Nahargarh Fort


Sunset at Nahargarh Fort. This was a great part of our day. We enjoyed a couple Kingfisher brews while checking out this amazing view and chatted with great company - we found our first group of American tourists since we had been in Jaipur!


Then we went to the light show at Amber Fort. What an amazing experience to watch across the moat, drinking more brews, chilling with locals and watching this historic fort light up the sky.


Our view of Amber Fort from the second hotel