Thursday, April 25, 2013

The Arrival

What’s arrived you ask?  Well for sure my wife’s birthday arrived this week.  I think of the life I’ve had since she came into my life and realize that I can’t imagine life without her at all.  I now realize I’ve known Lovely for about half my life and the children …now two of them are teen agers…are also such amazing people.  My life has never been dull especially since leaving high school and entering the mission field at eighteen.  Still, as blessed as such things has made me I can say that experiencing these things with my family is for sure the richest blessing ever.  Now today something arrived…spring, spring feels as though it’s here at long last.  I see several days ahead in the high sixties…even some seventies!  I’m thrilled to see it!  Our walks now present us with sights such as Daffodils showing their amazing yellow petals and antelope battling to rule their harems.  Robins aren’t as plentiful as they some times are but they are here along with Western Meadow Larks who have the sweetest songs ever.  This is a very welcome arrival indeed! 

 

I’m nearly finished with my old picture display.  I have really enjoyed revisiting the days gone by.  Today we start with a picture overlooking the city of Mysore from the hill on which the Temple of the Bull rests025.  I always like going to higher elevations in tropical countries…the breeze absent from below is a welcome relief in these places!  Below the stifling sauna-like heat from the rains evaporation is about more then a mountain raised Western raised American can handle026 .  I love seeing sights like the last Maharajah’s palace because its history is older then I can even begin to imagine.  The view from the palace is really a sight to behold as well027.  Looking back I remember what It’s like to go to individual shops for everything whether that be fruit028or various vessels to be used for about everything under the hot Indian sun029.  It was a long way from hopping on over to Walmart to get it all done in one shot!  There wasn’t often much leisure time but when there was seeing some ancient place from the cart behind a horse was amazing030.  India abounds with temples both old and new031.  You can never tell what hidden spot might beckon your curious eyes from a grand archway032.  What palace, temple or Mosque will greet your glance around the next bend033?  Being with those that are not careful to respect local traditions can get one into trouble fast.  We had a very Hindu helper watching the children of the family I was with at the time.  They allowed the children to urinate on the Mosque grounds034.  The locals of course grew very angry.  It made me glad this was pre-9/11 because I was about as obviously American as you could ever be035.  This trip brought us to a cooler climate and new view which I really appreciated036.  One such view was of what they told me was the second largest dome in the world037…the first may have been on top of Pastor Samuel’s head…but I digress.  This shot of the Temple of the Bull shows the spectacular stone work that you can find in India038.  Rhajan was our driver and he could drive about anything he was allowed get inside039.  I have tried motor cycle in India traffic…it’s a harrowing thing!  I think I’ll let him drive me instead thank you very much!  Fresh fish is something that I learned to appreciate in India040.  Visiting the zoo and petting…yes, really petting the Rhinos was a thing I’ll never forget041…what do they feel like?  Concrete!  We also went on a tiger safari…what a magnificent animal042!  After that we would often cook up the catch of the day over a campfire043…I loved that!  Other times we would visit a family and have a far more formal dinner044.  I think I prefer the simpler dinners…I’m a Montanan after all.  Next we’ll see some more of my elephant trek pictures and some of the Golden Triangle.  Bless you all, may the rest of your week be mightily blessed!

16 comments:

  1. Hope she had a great Birthday !!! such great pics,i can only imagine how beautiful it is over there, just as i imagine Dubai is as well...such creative people when it comes to structure !!!

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    1. It was actually kind of a tough day...happens to the best of us. The good news is things got better quickly and for that we're all glad. India is a fascinating place...much to do and see...it's a sensory overload in fact. I still have strong emotions about it but I've mellowed some. Not all my times there were easy. I had some health issues alone that about did me in.

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  2. Hi Joe, I hope your wife had a wonderful birthday. What a lovely post and photos. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  3. It worked out to be nice thank you so much Linda. I'm delighted you stopped by!

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  4. Happy birthday to your wife Joe!! I love that picture of the rhinoceroses

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    1. Thank you my friend. I think it was a good thing they were busy eating or I'm not sure how cooperative they would have been!

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  5. SENSORY overload.. a very good word for it.. I mean wow everywhere you look something fascinating and different. I love the temples and the scenery..You have been very blessed to have visited such wonderful places in your life. Happy Birthday to Lovely.. Hope she has a wonderful one!! :-)

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    1. The amazing thing about India was even the food took my sense to places they've never been before...there's nowhere like it in the entire world for sure. Thanks for the birthday wishes my friend, bless you!

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  6. Hope your wife had a blessed birthday. I love to see the signs of spring also, daffs in the garden and blossoms starting to appear on the trees, wonderful

    God Bless - Nita

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    1. It was actually a better day after her birthday which can happen...I can testify of that. Spring seems upon us now which I'm certainly thankful for. It's not warm as it could certainly be in India but I'll take it none the less.

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  7. Joe did u know that the Royal Bengal is threatened with extinction
    I love ur fotoos. Is that one the Pondecherry gate?? Im doubting ..He and abt ur family..Ur a lucky man with a gorgious sweet wify and awesome kids.its always a pleasure to read abt the way u think abt ur family. Thumbs up. and Happy birthday for Lovely. Huggy

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  8. I did know that about the tiger and am not surprised one bit. The photo I do believe was here: http://www.thecolorsofindia.com/interesting-facts/culture/largest-dome-in-india.html. Thanks for the birthday wishes my friend!

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  9. I love seeing the pictures. Always have, always will. And a happy belated birthday to Love. Both children teenagers? Wait till your baby turns 13. You will feel ancient. :-). Of course, I speak from experience. I love seeing that young Joe in the pictures too. (That IS you I hope.)

    I have had to breathe wet air like that a few times and it is so so oppressive. I can't imagine that all of the time. I would have to sprout gills!

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  10. I'm about to the end of these archives again so I'm glad you've enjoyed them Carole. I hear you on the feeling old thing...my youngest is only seven at this point so I've some time yet ;) Yep, that's young me in the pics...you're right, I don't miss the humidity either...ugh.

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  11. What an amazing adventure that must have been. You have done so much traveling in exotic places in your life time already. Thanks for always sharing your wonderful journeys.

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    1. I am so grateful to Gid to have been able to see it all. I'm also very glad to share it my friend! Thank you!

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