Winter holidays part 3 - Shimla

Here are few shots from my stay in Shimla. Until the British arrived, there was nothing in Shimla except a sleepy forrest glade known as Syamala (name for Kali). When the Scottish civil servant Charles Kennedy build a summer house here in 1822, everything has changed. By 1864 Shimla has developed into the official summer capital of the Raj. Every summer, until 1939, the entire government of India stayed here in order to escape the heat in other parts of Bharat. Until 1966 Shimla was even briefly a capital of Punjab.

My fellow travellers - Sarah from Vrindavan, Micheal from Chicago and Louise from London, who both study Hindi with me in Jaipur. We are relaxing after visiting the Jakhu temple, which is dedicated to Hanuman. Monkeys are certainly present there and one has even bitten Micheal.

At the time of our stay, the local voting poll was going on. I stepped into the BJP rally, waved to the politicians and got an ashirvad in return. BJP won.

Views which daily soothed my "over-studied" mind!

Christ Church built between 1846 and 1857. Since it was Christmas time when I visited this beautiful town, members of the Christ Church community were busy entertainig tourists with Christmas carrols and food distribution (rice, subji, chapatties - in case you wandered!)

Shimla certainly feels like England!

Shimla hundred years ago.

Viceregal Lodge - an important historical spot, since it is here where the decision of the indian partition was made. Gandhi and Nehru were of course present in the meetings. Nowadays this beautiful building is used as the Indian Institute of Advanced Study and a museum. British emblems were removed and replaced with Indian national emblems.

Jaipur Literature Festival

Last week we celebrated in Jaipuir a Literature Festival. Event was great, hosted in Diggi Palace. Oxford and Penguin publishers had various book stalls, but certainly the best part of the festival were the interviews with various writers (ie. William Darlymple, who writes extensivelly about India), film producers and so on. Every evening was crowned by a live music performance. But, for me, the biggest highlight was Aamir Khan and Anoushka Shankar! I am crazy about Aamir, thus together with my friends we made sure we came to his talk. Here we are all excited: Beck, Emily, Zain, Jinet and his wife Melissa.

And here are some pictures of Aamir that I took myself (I posed to be a member of the press and was happily clicking away 1 meter from Aamir!).

Anoushka gave a great performance at the Central Park! Fest for the ears!

Winter Holidays part 2 - Kalka-Shimla Train

The highlight of travelling from Chandigarh to Shimla was a ride on a Toy Train that takes 6 hours to reach Shimla. This railway was built by the British in 1903 who needed a smart and reliable transport to get to their holiday destination and summer oasis without the heat. Shimla became the summer capital of the British Raj for many years. Obviously the Brits thought that they will be staying around in India for a while - they made a great effort to built the railway, which goes through 102 tunels, 889 bridges, 919 curves and moves through beautiful hillsides. Nowadays, happy indian honey-moon goers (usually from South India) and videshis like myself, enjoy the memories of the great British past.

Kalka train today and in 1903.

Winter Holidays - Chandigarh

Here is a glimpse of what I have been up to during my travels in December! I have travelled with Michael - friend from Chicago and 2 Londoners - Sarah and Louise. Michael and Louise study with me in Jaipur, Sarah is a good friend from Vrindavan.
First of all we went to Chandigarh. It is the present capital city of the States of both Punjab and Haryana is the first planned city of India. However, it does not belong to either of the States. It is a Union Territory, administered by the Government of India. The city is very modern and has derived its name from a temple on the slope of the Sivalik hill, Chandi Mandir (deity Chandi, goddess of power), and a fort or "garh" beyond the temple, called Chandigarh.

Michael 'borrows' a local rikshaw!

Chandigarh is a modern city - shopping in Levi's, Benetton is a daily routine for all the rich people who live there (and all people who live there are rich!). Perhaps this is the reason why noone wears indian type clothing in that city! Other amazing things - pavements and rubbish bins that people actually use! Overall, Chandigarh feels like an english town build in the 70-ties, such as Basildon, Crawley, Romford etc. If you have been to any of them, you know what I mean!

Makar Sankranti

Last week we celebrated in Jaipur Makar Sankranti festival. This day (Januray 14) marks the day of transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. On that day people take religious baths, go to the temples and give in charity. Here in Jaipur it is also known as the Kite Festival! Everyone flies kites and it is taken up with great seriousness!

Here I am having a go! My landlords took a great pleasure in teaching me the art of kite flying.
Zainji is happy!

And even the presiding Deities of Jaipur had fun flying kites too! Here is Lord Damodar's special darsan.

And Govindadev was enjoying flying kites with Radha, Lalita and Visakha also!

Jaipur Stroll

I love to walk around the Purana Seher (Old City) of Jaipur. There is nothing better than an aimless walk through the crowdy streets and gallies of the Pink City. Especially after studying Hindi at samsthan (institute) for 8 hours a day, when the brain starts having a consistency of a milkshake...

Well, the scenario is usual. You walk - they call you. Who? The shopkeepers. After all, I am the potential paisewali. I am white, so I must be rich. I am white, so I must be a tourist. But sorry guys, as much as I would like to please you, I don't need postcards, silver jelewry, fake gems, puppets, bangles and so on. I live here. Maybe if you have drain unplugging device, a cocroach spray or a toilet cleaning bleach - I may be interested. Otherwise, so sorry...

Two days ago, while on my walk I have passed a few shops where the dukhandars tried all what possible to stop me. I didn't, I carried on. But hey, finally I came accross a line of shops where no one was bothered with me. No one called. No one jumped out of the shop to stop me. What's going on? I have lost my celebrity status.

Perplexed I walked in to one shop to see why I was such an unimportant customer. After all, shop looked attractive and colorful. Well, soon enough I found out why I wasn't any good to contribute to a daily earning of the shopkeeper. All shops that I got ingnored by were selling all what's necessary for the anyesthi samskara - funeral and cremation. Well, I guess, once upon a time I will be a customer in such a shop, but at that time, probably it will be someone else buying gear there on my behalf...

Angrez!

Ever had a personality split or were confused about where you are from? Here in India I am constantly reminded of what I am: "Angrez!". This is what the crowd calls me. Put it simply, I am white, so I am Angrez. Angrez means English. Now, here is where my confusion comes: yes, I am white. But I am Polish. And I hold British Citizenship. And have an Indian Registration Certificate. So who am I?

When I am in Poland, people say that I have become English (whatever that may mean... no, I don't eat fish and chips!). When I am in England people say I am Polish. Or, the latest from the UK scene is - I am so indianized that I am Indian. And in India, I am Angrez.

Well, I guess after the British had to pack up and leave India in 1947, someone has to make up for their presence here. Thus, whether you like it or not, you are Angrez!

My Blog's Reading Level

Here is the result of a test under which I have subjected my blog!

Himalayas

Hi everyone! In case you don't see anything interesting here over next two weeks, it is because I am busy freezing in the Himalayas! After I come back to my homely rajasthani desert I will post something up for you to see and read about! Meantime Im making sure that I am dressed up properly, in my 6 layers of clothes and 3 pairs of socks!

My New Job!!!

Kancana Mayi's and Gaura Sakti's Wedding

For all those who were not so lucky to attend the wedding of my dear friends Kancana Mayi and Gaura Sakti, that took place in Vrindavan last week, here is the link where you can browse the whole gallery. Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41167955@N00/sets/72157603419121890/

Darsan

Here is a couple of darsans for your pleasure. Below is Lord Gopinath, dressed up for the night. As you can see, winter season is in full swing. The photo is from a few days ago, from a 5 minute darsan that occurs daily at 7.30pm.


And this is Lord Nrsimhadeva from an almost unnoticeable temple on the MI Road. MI Road is generally known in Jaipur as a place where you can get good gems, jelewry and plenty of shops that offer western style clothing such as Adidas, Benetton etc. So, if you are ever there shopping, don't forget to pop in for the darsan!

T-shirt Blues

Here are some T-shirts that are on sale in India, made by Tantra company. Basically Tantra makes pretty funky stuff. And with a good message.



This one is really me!

Bollywood Glitz-Blitz

Ever been to an Indian cinema? If not, here is what you must do upon your Bollywood- viewing adventure. In my process of becoming fully indianized, this is what I have learned from my fellow Bollywood enthusiasts, who sit with me in the cinema:

1) Come 15 minutes late. In this way, while trying to find your seat in the dark, you will block the view to those who came on time. And besides – you will miss all the adverts which are eager to get you to buy a variety of cockroach sprays and pimple creams.

2) While movie is on, make a lot of phone calls and speak on your mobile phone very loudly - in this way we all can enjoy your conversation too.

3) When your favourite heroin comes on the screen – whistle, when the hero is out – wave your dupatta in the air!

4) Argue with your friends at full voice.

5) If you saw the movie already, tell everyone what will happen next.

6) Leave 15 minutes before the movie finishes. Why wait, you figured out the story anyway!

7) If you visit the toilet on the way out, make sure to push in the queue.

8) And besides that – enjoy the movie, the Bollywood glitz!

Wah!

Red Lights Stop Begging Spot

Yesterday when I was standing on the red lights while driving my scooter, a couple of little kids came up begging. Usually I don't give anything in such situations - I am a tough nut to crack. But hey - what do I do when a kid is pulling out a plastic gun and pointing it at my head?!! Thanks God I was wearing a helmet!