Out about in Delhi with the Sharmas

Ron Sharma, his mom and his dad took me all over the center of Delhi today and to Connaught Place, beginning at the India Gate.

Ron with very tall guard

Deepi, Ron, and me in front of the India Gate
The gate is a tribute to all fallen Indian soldiers.
Their names are carved into the walls of the gate.

After visiting the gate we enjoyed a delicious Northern  Indian lunch of Buttered Chicken, Naan and Yogurt with pineapple and vegetables.

Lunch ended with a refreshing "lemonade drink" of lemons, salt, sugar and sparkling water (this is to help with the heat). Soff was placed on the table as well. 

Soff is for your breath after your meal - anise seeds and rock salt.

Next, we visited several Emporiums located in this area. Each shop carried traditional items from one state in India. One had a wide collection of hand-painted paper mâché boxes and figures.

Ron arranged the beautiful hand painted elephants by size.

Not going to fit in my suitcase.

Breakfast

Breakfast in hotel dining room - Day 2

Buffet Breakfast is a real treat.

Today there was:
Sombhes with yogurt, coconut sauce and pickles; watermelon and mango; sautéed potato slices with an herb I have yet to identify; an omelet; hot tea.

What food on this plate do you recognize?

Day One

Short but great night's sleep.
Got a taxi for the afternoon to take me to the National Museum of Art.

View of traffic over the drivers's shoulder. I do not think there are any designated lanes.
Lots and lots of honking!

In the collection of Harappan Art found a possible art lesson and some ancient bowls with great designs painted on the sides.

Can you name the kinds of lines?

Bichrome Ware C. 3000 B.C.

Love these wonderful little bowls. Not a clue what they were used for.
Do you have any ideas?

Have arrived

Arrived last night about 1:30AM...so, this morning really.
Got through customs without any problems.
Outside in the terminal there was a sea of people holding up signs but...
NO ONE HAD MY NAME ON A CUTE WHITE SIGN.
Got a taxi. I Paid too much but by then it was 3:00 in the morning  and I just wanted to get a safe ride to the hotel.

Entrance to Grand Vikalp  Hotel

1. 
   

A short stop in Chicago

At Birmingham Airport ready to go!

Sunday morning my youngest daughter, Ebee, dropped me off at the Birmingham airport where I caught a plane to Chicago and met up with my middle daughter, Whitney.

She took the train downtown and met me on the Roosevelt Orange Line platform. From there she kindly carried my backpack for a few blocks in the South Loop where we stopped for some much-needed lunch before taking the bus up to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Whenever I'm on the bus in Chicago, I always think about how interesting the people are there. Do you think I will see more interesting people in India? 

At the MCA we checked out an new exhibit of contemporary artists who have been inspired by one of my favorite artists, Frida Kahlo. The exhibit was really interesting and while we were walking around looking at various paintings, photographs, and sculptures, I was surprised and delighted to find a familiar piece among the items on display. I said to myself, "My students would recognize that piece right away!!" What a lucky coincidence! 

I snapped a picture to show you (It was a good chance to practice with my new camera. Figuring out how to turn off the flash is always a bit tricky but it's so important to know how to do it so you don't get into trouble with the security guards!)

Attention MA Third Grade:
Can you name this artist or her home country?
(Hint: World Cup 2014)

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I was also blown away by these "fluffy" pillows
which look so comfortable but are actually as hard as rocks
--really, they're carved from marble! Can you believe it?

After visiting the museum, I practiced more for my trip by carrying my heavy backpack through the crowded streets of downtown Chicago. I waded through all the Fourth of July tourist traffic on the Magnificent Mile and made it to the subway station without falling over under the weight of my pack. Once I learned that I can use the waist strap to take the pressure off my shoulders, I was a much happier camper.  (**a special THANK YOU to Lydia Miller for lending me her dad's wonderful backpack for this trip**) 

Whitney's foster cat Winter loves the backpack too.

Where am I going?

Below is a map showing the specific locations of the trip.

Can you find these cities on the large map of India?

You will have to add Lumbini, Pokhara and Kathmandu.
They are not on the map of India because they are located in the country of Nepal.

Map of India

Below is a complete map of India
You can print it out and follow my trip.

I fly into New Delhi, the capital of India.

Can you find it on the map?