tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2125749077120781612024-03-14T02:18:13.391-07:00Come What MayNancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.comBlogger515125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-63957565895035345172018-06-08T04:23:00.002-07:002018-06-29T10:40:20.839-07:00New York City - A Place Apart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our two months in New York City have been nothing short of fantastic. Everything about this place delights me. The people, the art, the architecture, the graffiti, the parks, the museums, the streetscapes, the gardens. NYC is a feast for the senses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joe has now graduated from his bread baking course at the International Culinary Center. He worked incredibly hard, got good grades, learned a ton and worked alongside the nicest classmates. I am so proud of him for following his dreams.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The icing on the New York cake was being close to our daughter Molly, son-in-law Jordan and darling 19 month old granddaughter Josephine in Boston. 'Grandma Greyhound' bused up to visit them every couple of weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot believe we’ll be back in Squamish tonight. It will feel surreal to be home after being on the road since the beginning of December! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I said to Joe that we will look back on this New York experience as one of the best times of our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This city’s energy is palpable. I feel it the minute my feet hit the pavement outside the apartment building’s door. There is something different happening all the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whether it’s a dad pushing a baby stroller down Avenue A wearing a full length floral skirt or a tall woman in traditional African dress smoking a fat cigar as she sashays down Broadway or a stooped elderly man defiantly pushing his oxygen tank and its tangle of tubes slowly down the middle of East 12th Street. I have loved it all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Another thing I have loved was having so much time to explore New York City on my own. I had a lot of hours to fill as Joe was gone for ten hours a day, five days a week. Each week gave me 50 hours to myself. I enjoyed every minute spending time with 'me'.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">“I would give the greatest sunset in the world for one sight of New York’s skyline.” – Ayn Rand</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bethesda Fountain, Central Park</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>An underpass in Central Park has the perfect acoustics for opera.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Overlooking 10th Avenue from the High Line.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>We were blessed to meet the kindest New Yorkers who had us over for barbecues, gave us tickets to off-Broadway plays, invited us to concerts, texted us tips and best of all became our friends. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>New York's botanical garden was an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I took the subway every single day. I'm quite proud of my transit skills. I never got lost and always arrived at my destination on time.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Our time in Boston was precious. This baby called us Ma'am and Pop-Pop. Works for me!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Mama Molly and her baby on Mother's Day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Big Mama Nanc and her baby on Mother's Day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I don't know what it is about posing for photos, but toddlers just seem to love it! Mother's Day 2018.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A couple of hipsters at a local Boston coffee shop.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>It was such a treat to see friends from home! Ashleigh and Rob were in NYC to celebrate their anniversary and we got together a couple of times for drinks, dinners and a play. We had so much fun. (Some might say too much fun.)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>One of our evenings with Rob and Ashleigh was spent at 'Beauty & Essex' on the Lower East Side. The front of the house looked like a pawn shop until you entered a back door which opened up to a beautiful restaurant. Not only that, but Britney was pouring free champagne in the women's restroom. A bathroom with a bar is my kind of toilet!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The calm courtyard of the Frick Collection.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwue0dWqknVtVeqTbq87-gTkE7fE4gwTNYm7CYjVan3n9UFMX1zg264Bt52vTS1IJke_4YKUCxLJtX4Uxad0RPgdyyV_BraQsVIrkqDRezuTatTG7H2Z-ygV6_P_uiiBbEbmjvqkpRKMEZ/s1600/P1280004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwue0dWqknVtVeqTbq87-gTkE7fE4gwTNYm7CYjVan3n9UFMX1zg264Bt52vTS1IJke_4YKUCxLJtX4Uxad0RPgdyyV_BraQsVIrkqDRezuTatTG7H2Z-ygV6_P_uiiBbEbmjvqkpRKMEZ/s640/P1280004.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Graffiti is everywhere.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyZ7vIMdhiFToQJF35xsMcbtooZyihak6XoIxwzjRBUgfp062GhwxsIWCs6YID7fYLfMBP9-P4qhc2Ef1SQcQk9kPoA0OVr96so9NLEs6j_hsKkKeQxBtW3Jt51sCwvejJcqtLFjdqWuH/s1600/P1280452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1383" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyZ7vIMdhiFToQJF35xsMcbtooZyihak6XoIxwzjRBUgfp062GhwxsIWCs6YID7fYLfMBP9-P4qhc2Ef1SQcQk9kPoA0OVr96so9NLEs6j_hsKkKeQxBtW3Jt51sCwvejJcqtLFjdqWuH/s640/P1280452.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There are beautiful community gardens in and around the East Village. It was such a treat when we'd discover the gates were unlocked and could go in for a bit of a wander. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEV0EKK1MfIZ0C1AksTNDuyvpzwYhDsW24dVEgiYj9WQBBrOgzMO43qHQNLQ4PQyT9eLGd2L1tOOQ27jOBSXlv5zYl6aexwN3jxj-IQTlQfO7L2Z4lo71vJ1dtUXKihiivW0FKjTp1GGl/s1600/P1280148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEV0EKK1MfIZ0C1AksTNDuyvpzwYhDsW24dVEgiYj9WQBBrOgzMO43qHQNLQ4PQyT9eLGd2L1tOOQ27jOBSXlv5zYl6aexwN3jxj-IQTlQfO7L2Z4lo71vJ1dtUXKihiivW0FKjTp1GGl/s640/P1280148.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Most evenings found us at the Spotted Owl Tavern for happy hour.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GAcGQoI_yU6Eu3BAXP03Mhq0HBdbIW635H2FtDebAVtxG5N2LZHlKPhoycex2sLnG5lZ0oe-mXUegE_-nc8vVNkOFRHBQViH9_UVh-It2nUdv0CPrdNeRC4Tauy7iywxhlK0H5mfKivV/s1600/P1280258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GAcGQoI_yU6Eu3BAXP03Mhq0HBdbIW635H2FtDebAVtxG5N2LZHlKPhoycex2sLnG5lZ0oe-mXUegE_-nc8vVNkOFRHBQViH9_UVh-It2nUdv0CPrdNeRC4Tauy7iywxhlK0H5mfKivV/s640/P1280258.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>It was a wet Loisaida Festival, but the rain did not dampen anyone's spirits.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kKf9Ur-szfCJza0KWryY4ZwdeGq_i_suYvm29iezFqvqVfv2An9fFtpiXphCGw6htDn4UpJBnUTPG0_TnFGqV_4hUksHIhRPg5sWbzRMbpwtgDXF28xCybMa_Qf6W3k7FQH5iyRAazAO/s1600/P1280409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kKf9Ur-szfCJza0KWryY4ZwdeGq_i_suYvm29iezFqvqVfv2An9fFtpiXphCGw6htDn4UpJBnUTPG0_TnFGqV_4hUksHIhRPg5sWbzRMbpwtgDXF28xCybMa_Qf6W3k7FQH5iyRAazAO/s640/P1280409.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There are a couple of times each summer when the setting sun lines up perfectly with New York City's grid of streets; 'Manhattanhenge'. Sadly, the sun went behind a bank of clouds just before it dipped below the horizon.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8ZTGOLuB-Fmig1V3hNNOVj05X-qktRdf4xEsBqz6bOJCtQ80_T1Ft6OaZR-7GQe2jTR-6FCN9Ldup2BASSogQJfOHdZtkxYgpNCF7FooO-TKNzbIKpeOTplJI1VhyphenhyphenosZDV2vAuxp5tJm/s1600/P1280416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL8ZTGOLuB-Fmig1V3hNNOVj05X-qktRdf4xEsBqz6bOJCtQ80_T1Ft6OaZR-7GQe2jTR-6FCN9Ldup2BASSogQJfOHdZtkxYgpNCF7FooO-TKNzbIKpeOTplJI1VhyphenhyphenosZDV2vAuxp5tJm/s640/P1280416.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Even though Manhattanhenge was a bust, we had a great time crowding into the middle of the intersection with all the folks to take photos.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyOKV3iksNftlwbvLilg57Ic_uwJ4Ta9bU-OlPHDuQyVls7ksziluHYPjwP9SmYEBl8ozQ6Xg39mXcq6xvCAce2O1NICTOrpXFfkZS9rQbMatFVFw8SqrdlRUsZT8fwwPhSNjBxieU-Tr/s1600/P1280504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyOKV3iksNftlwbvLilg57Ic_uwJ4Ta9bU-OlPHDuQyVls7ksziluHYPjwP9SmYEBl8ozQ6Xg39mXcq6xvCAce2O1NICTOrpXFfkZS9rQbMatFVFw8SqrdlRUsZT8fwwPhSNjBxieU-Tr/s640/P1280504.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Beating the heat in NYC.</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">“There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.” – Simone de Beauvoir</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj3CPmHqUW22AjqBB0SP-EBELv8VPMg1t5dPZJEWSg52AniPs8PjPNCr0UK-7QLUczejaEzcPRs2TKkZdWSgGW_7uprkdEAqADFAuhsSq8-9J-LdqzNGnADlABi_9pCrmEb1cxuMGMokZ/s1600/P1280518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj3CPmHqUW22AjqBB0SP-EBELv8VPMg1t5dPZJEWSg52AniPs8PjPNCr0UK-7QLUczejaEzcPRs2TKkZdWSgGW_7uprkdEAqADFAuhsSq8-9J-LdqzNGnADlABi_9pCrmEb1cxuMGMokZ/s640/P1280518.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Washington Square fountain turns into a swimming pool on hot summer days.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuccXcysm601LW5WEVJs_e_l4Qnb7jaRXUImvjAhQg67fZUJhA991aCoKXzUS-39RiyLq6hkh2TdaOb7f3yjpoTGpHI56kGugq_uW2ncPGslJHaPWN69SJErBh9pSKZiZE7UvolGVvCiom/s1600/39dbeb55-fddf-40c2-80f2-a3fb66392d21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="581" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuccXcysm601LW5WEVJs_e_l4Qnb7jaRXUImvjAhQg67fZUJhA991aCoKXzUS-39RiyLq6hkh2TdaOb7f3yjpoTGpHI56kGugq_uW2ncPGslJHaPWN69SJErBh9pSKZiZE7UvolGVvCiom/s640/39dbeb55-fddf-40c2-80f2-a3fb66392d21.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The finest bread bakers in all of New York City. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>(Photo credit: Javiera Montoya)</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeR-kmECqq6o3kudD5eInZd_Oxadf09MuhMsKWyVD8KMBcmN9eSuu8e6wgqEODrQXAJJ5IMX3z3wVMeEnCm5l7jqQnmK10o2dOVXOzRf2TVbn0CWyLjbaRLX-BDf1TkA3HZm67b10ywC9/s1600/IMG_2689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeR-kmECqq6o3kudD5eInZd_Oxadf09MuhMsKWyVD8KMBcmN9eSuu8e6wgqEODrQXAJJ5IMX3z3wVMeEnCm5l7jqQnmK10o2dOVXOzRf2TVbn0CWyLjbaRLX-BDf1TkA3HZm67b10ywC9/s640/IMG_2689.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>At the end of each school day, the students took home as much bread as they wanted. Joe stuffed as many baguettes into his backpack as he could. He soon discovered that his pack grew too heavy on his long walk back to the apartment every afternoon. To lighten his load, he gave his baguettes away to the people he met on the street. Joe named himself 'Bread Santa of East Village' and a new project was born. Joe figures Bread Santa gave away hundreds of baguettes over the course of 8 weeks.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgDRDcQGBh81Ri5CwpW5j-JbhG37pslN733bPSUzLbl9M-bRDIK2__dACNg3tLt9XzEhdc46FV49RNqK6bnMfs67WzhJCUzuv3ibWXTMwvCE-4T_pXi-oG7KuhNAu9QzOMfj-Awczvbpo/s1600/P1280171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1600" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgDRDcQGBh81Ri5CwpW5j-JbhG37pslN733bPSUzLbl9M-bRDIK2__dACNg3tLt9XzEhdc46FV49RNqK6bnMfs67WzhJCUzuv3ibWXTMwvCE-4T_pXi-oG7KuhNAu9QzOMfj-Awczvbpo/s640/P1280171.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bread Santa and the Ladies Liberty.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKz02MsSz6xmb3LL8psMQUwXZuwt1zyXuwYfMlFMtTKq9WJp_qwKmH0exEXkoNVuNb8J9hNle9l7qduHPz74jTOYRikWm1PikiyRLM23lSgtZftJ1aJKYp7NHJTTHhyCsh3F3r3gdmb7L/s1600/P1280494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKz02MsSz6xmb3LL8psMQUwXZuwt1zyXuwYfMlFMtTKq9WJp_qwKmH0exEXkoNVuNb8J9hNle9l7qduHPz74jTOYRikWm1PikiyRLM23lSgtZftJ1aJKYp7NHJTTHhyCsh3F3r3gdmb7L/s640/P1280494.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I was lucky enough to be Bread Santa's elf on a couple of occasions.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xqhbn3QGeLIyNIduEo4Mxf8fx19Kexbbnrt1PAwZdPimQSfKSGt6NFxUnVZ4NVBjE-zRYheIE3XZ2VDsZQlNJy1OjsRmLGBWZ8fu8uGPGcMQiR7XndB4EwdPdb6BeM9zifPgZ_nfqsRD/s1600/IMG_2573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xqhbn3QGeLIyNIduEo4Mxf8fx19Kexbbnrt1PAwZdPimQSfKSGt6NFxUnVZ4NVBjE-zRYheIE3XZ2VDsZQlNJy1OjsRmLGBWZ8fu8uGPGcMQiR7XndB4EwdPdb6BeM9zifPgZ_nfqsRD/s640/IMG_2573.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>These characters were happy to share a baguette in Tompkins Square Park.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvk4Wigb5wI-82-MZ-IehYSHimDiej49TExYm7PX6-Z0hUBN3CYsfyHQAggsc6LMDynI2AQoFQrYeovahPib9ur90A6kWQrSnpVJQyWNOVaA7WT5uL72kfrbhZH2BUIkbH0qQEq5UStYO/s1600/IMG_2748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvk4Wigb5wI-82-MZ-IehYSHimDiej49TExYm7PX6-Z0hUBN3CYsfyHQAggsc6LMDynI2AQoFQrYeovahPib9ur90A6kWQrSnpVJQyWNOVaA7WT5uL72kfrbhZH2BUIkbH0qQEq5UStYO/s640/IMG_2748.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Moe the butcher was one of Bread Santa's regular customers.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DhXMT0KAoFQvZaD8q2Wqip_MaD2oBBVMaGMrE4gFGprjJdya2y7-E6VIsENt__2EyeAB7KyQtmeUFvXnSNVxRps59EFLJ-HeDrNvw_wa3PJsjKjWnXkdoxyjuo3juhMkWwan7seubLHd/s1600/IMG_3177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DhXMT0KAoFQvZaD8q2Wqip_MaD2oBBVMaGMrE4gFGprjJdya2y7-E6VIsENt__2EyeAB7KyQtmeUFvXnSNVxRps59EFLJ-HeDrNvw_wa3PJsjKjWnXkdoxyjuo3juhMkWwan7seubLHd/s640/IMG_3177.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>These two were all smiles when they ran into Bread Santa on the street.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXhU-VrUiX3CriV_ahFBnPx7OVYPLuloh8KT7P21SlUQ-DnqFzMpWRefxAif8heF_M_oYEHmS-07Orz9prPB0qQwnmZxXFBOOROkCs6GTr9YUtpjYaFNjasIR9mDlMub9IiTrZ_hawYhQ/s1600/33096388_1650273205008606_2166440632917164032_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="845" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXhU-VrUiX3CriV_ahFBnPx7OVYPLuloh8KT7P21SlUQ-DnqFzMpWRefxAif8heF_M_oYEHmS-07Orz9prPB0qQwnmZxXFBOOROkCs6GTr9YUtpjYaFNjasIR9mDlMub9IiTrZ_hawYhQ/s640/33096388_1650273205008606_2166440632917164032_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Everyone seemed genuinely grateful for Bread Santa's generosity.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>This woman couldn't stop giggling when she learned Bread Santa's story.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bread Santa's biggest fan? His granddaughter of course!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Carnegie Hall was the location for the International Culinary Center's graduation ceremony.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The ICC graduates and their guests filled the Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Joe receiving the coveted ICC wooden spoon.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Joe and his classmates were all smiles after walking across the Carnegie Hall stage.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Joe and his baking instructor Chef Johnson Wu.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>It wasn't until after the graduation ceremony was over that I realized I didn't get anyone to take a photo of us. So we did what we always do and took one ourselves.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to everyone who made these past two months in New York so memorable, especially the city herself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We both wish we were staying longer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot wait until we return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>“As for New York City, it is a place apart. There is not its match in any other country in the world.” – Pearl S. Buck</i></span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-69995915416335124742018-05-08T05:22:00.000-07:002018-06-04T09:24:49.594-07:00NYC - Third Time's The Charm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The old</span><span style="font-size: large;"> saying goes, "Third time's the charm." And in this case it certainly is true. This is our third time in New York City (the other two times being in 2011 and 2012 for short visits during Spring Break) and this experience is exceeding all of our expectations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i>We are currently living in NYC for a total of two months while Joe studies to be a baker at the International Culinary Institute in SoHo. We arrived at the beginning of April and will stay until the beginning of June.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i>Joe says he has never worked so hard in his life. He returns to the apartment absolutely exhausted every afternoon. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are staying in the East Village and love living in this neighbourhood. The energy in this city is palpable. It is so <i>alive</i>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While Joe is at school I am left to my own devices. I am either traipsing all over NYC with my camera in hand or travelling up to Boston to visit with my eldest daughter and her family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A wall in SoHo.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Flatiron building.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There is nothing I like more than bagels, lox and cream cheese.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Katz's Deli in the Lower East Side.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sheep Meadow in Central Park.</i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>David Bowie art installation in the Bleeker Street Subway Station. (I also went to the 'David Bowie Is' exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. It was amazing!)</i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Highline.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LJc4-5ldpg6yzzrvEfKTTxML_-TibBaMrw_DjKj3R2CyGLr0wlSdGrj_V76gRdZvRNZKZPwIFC7jejeBU9Wn_lgpQsk-tCJuiOUFxFVv6xwrjtQ2oOPl_2N1fNqbhpob1hpb7Mvkdxxl/s1600/P1270143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LJc4-5ldpg6yzzrvEfKTTxML_-TibBaMrw_DjKj3R2CyGLr0wlSdGrj_V76gRdZvRNZKZPwIFC7jejeBU9Wn_lgpQsk-tCJuiOUFxFVv6xwrjtQ2oOPl_2N1fNqbhpob1hpb7Mvkdxxl/s640/P1270143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Grand Central Station</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Brooklyn Bridge</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83Kan7rJmlurLBOHezyn3_QoJ1BMrnUWSKvQp6o8QjQw1_D6aRYiB3WYMKL5W4gT3KMwrftjyOy446l5oIjFaU_e94w0T4YmJrO3moA0uwpb3AVsH2diJzcabPxD-CMmy3IID2QqeEuTP/s1600/P1270273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83Kan7rJmlurLBOHezyn3_QoJ1BMrnUWSKvQp6o8QjQw1_D6aRYiB3WYMKL5W4gT3KMwrftjyOy446l5oIjFaU_e94w0T4YmJrO3moA0uwpb3AVsH2diJzcabPxD-CMmy3IID2QqeEuTP/s640/P1270273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>NYC from the Manhattan Bridge.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVzwURRCfsNVsBextqotvLAZWvj-5zrxBOMR0_xqX5pqRJITIhiyimTXDGRzgZaU6kyH0uwR8xXLjhAiyarDWEvTrxUqgt_VTlyLMgTU1NflAOCtKGWGoErydLFhBqcm5xLP8rZk_rCnU/s1600/P1270316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVzwURRCfsNVsBextqotvLAZWvj-5zrxBOMR0_xqX5pqRJITIhiyimTXDGRzgZaU6kyH0uwR8xXLjhAiyarDWEvTrxUqgt_VTlyLMgTU1NflAOCtKGWGoErydLFhBqcm5xLP8rZk_rCnU/s640/P1270316.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Spring took her own sweet time to arrive in NYC. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tompkins Square Park.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth2GVN5KnY8PSOc2p8Fm7YoCnstunm1k462oBmv-SYAWF5SL0VjYNL4xjLGTcw5rkE0TcT_B9f5Rl3oWGsI-IeEvNUC5b_yuiOOH_WStAwEbyKtreHqVfkhg-QuXwzxoB39R1A1oRKNkP/s1600/P1270357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth2GVN5KnY8PSOc2p8Fm7YoCnstunm1k462oBmv-SYAWF5SL0VjYNL4xjLGTcw5rkE0TcT_B9f5Rl3oWGsI-IeEvNUC5b_yuiOOH_WStAwEbyKtreHqVfkhg-QuXwzxoB39R1A1oRKNkP/s640/P1270357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Metropolitan Museum of Art</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1p9v0YceqlcN78O1zfM7KyT38SyYLoXxfWW6rSncWmfAYtpcYJgovLQSy_6T9tuRzCHNYnNOwchlgEF8gqgOO8j3nwcIi1qvs7jo4bo6Uy6vMy3edZemwePKxhFuaQ6usKq-27so_80o/s1600/P1270412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1p9v0YceqlcN78O1zfM7KyT38SyYLoXxfWW6rSncWmfAYtpcYJgovLQSy_6T9tuRzCHNYnNOwchlgEF8gqgOO8j3nwcIi1qvs7jo4bo6Uy6vMy3edZemwePKxhFuaQ6usKq-27so_80o/s640/P1270412.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Metropolitan Museum of Art.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUNQEBcCwJfFRw6Kdv9i1_TXnryYzRrKIgK8BeUa_MqZadkpxJz2LCIW-4bH3jn4IZv2TMdccMRlI-jXOiX184yO9Aq_VBeGLzuKEIeOLJERr4rkrxbfM0aT_FP3emFbuO6TCnle1sqS6/s1600/31959001_1635525016483425_2045366003059130368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUNQEBcCwJfFRw6Kdv9i1_TXnryYzRrKIgK8BeUa_MqZadkpxJz2LCIW-4bH3jn4IZv2TMdccMRlI-jXOiX184yO9Aq_VBeGLzuKEIeOLJERr4rkrxbfM0aT_FP3emFbuO6TCnle1sqS6/s640/31959001_1635525016483425_2045366003059130368_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>We met a couple of self-proclaimed hustlers in Harlem one afternoon. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Fried chicken and waffles. Best dinner ever.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Central Park</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuwXUd-LDjs7jI4FfoxcsSQZPmdoST0c7-HlFKyHXx-KEOHsM_gkE_9tft1sBFhm21D5I8tjLw9LC4VyOyswC06RbjOnwV_akwA2MY7HtBCVcjBMVA5r7JaVzlgsEOblhS-s-N0Iq_Ktz/s1600/P1270442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuwXUd-LDjs7jI4FfoxcsSQZPmdoST0c7-HlFKyHXx-KEOHsM_gkE_9tft1sBFhm21D5I8tjLw9LC4VyOyswC06RbjOnwV_akwA2MY7HtBCVcjBMVA5r7JaVzlgsEOblhS-s-N0Iq_Ktz/s640/P1270442.jpg" width="568" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Central Park</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgblh59Lok05ngAXB0BinT4N7SwcLaXX0yUZTu1NXCp-PWYlw8P3xirg2MG095DKlIpFrAnFmVNmeMMtU-RIwB9fLXOjkaRiywJG98qVWpU7zc2PdONqGHFKZgCVNGrco8wUStD84GnSOC/s1600/P1270231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgblh59Lok05ngAXB0BinT4N7SwcLaXX0yUZTu1NXCp-PWYlw8P3xirg2MG095DKlIpFrAnFmVNmeMMtU-RIwB9fLXOjkaRiywJG98qVWpU7zc2PdONqGHFKZgCVNGrco8wUStD84GnSOC/s640/P1270231.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>DUMBO - Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEHmImuuuNL6NNl1UcYMEi5nKNgwjNGOfIHpC5m0Q0NhJUEjKY0Vih-NMM5Z1S3KXoxHyXJsn875JW4CQYn4sWzmO3MaB7-Uw7XszRaPq5prOWimjVb8FYzt3L2p_gd5FtST7bMZZyDP4/s1600/P1270255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEHmImuuuNL6NNl1UcYMEi5nKNgwjNGOfIHpC5m0Q0NhJUEjKY0Vih-NMM5Z1S3KXoxHyXJsn875JW4CQYn4sWzmO3MaB7-Uw7XszRaPq5prOWimjVb8FYzt3L2p_gd5FtST7bMZZyDP4/s640/P1270255.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The view of Manhattan from Brooklyn.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38QrXRuHqGOeqKMGNrFJ8Gc3y-3fMelzyelkvipJEhuIp5lpwSFIYbzatqF-nzDzjQMOxDqj6m4BArEzUg42w-x-1Xo_pW5kiDH85XYm7a7qiHyWJ8bSmLA9RIt1pRhiAyOWTCcaPQNi4/s1600/P1270268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38QrXRuHqGOeqKMGNrFJ8Gc3y-3fMelzyelkvipJEhuIp5lpwSFIYbzatqF-nzDzjQMOxDqj6m4BArEzUg42w-x-1Xo_pW5kiDH85XYm7a7qiHyWJ8bSmLA9RIt1pRhiAyOWTCcaPQNi4/s640/P1270268.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>NYC</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31MQpPEF-1p4a9eSt6Gqp7FKSH7N7zJqS7cDGNHySgLUi6Bu0FKED8tRfBkNALgKDgkuXG0-_gyYzz72GegElPAix7M-2BCLHYFVNdL-nS4QKZS1Epd_1x0RAhKcdUW-liXvKMACKPgf9/s1600/P1270500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31MQpPEF-1p4a9eSt6Gqp7FKSH7N7zJqS7cDGNHySgLUi6Bu0FKED8tRfBkNALgKDgkuXG0-_gyYzz72GegElPAix7M-2BCLHYFVNdL-nS4QKZS1Epd_1x0RAhKcdUW-liXvKMACKPgf9/s640/P1270500.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Coney Island</i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Coney Island</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQRjOZp6pZLsWBR5rSE1Qh0frbCwKeGNLByJk3qcuhaURmsd16pK-vv5lc9cvQkj5NnxX1326uDAsZsbWp5Kf_C1SXcZ9fI9UYVfR_5hxXgWWjNnCImaO0SVXhnyVqlsEA-WVtpF3R4q9/s1600/P1270002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQRjOZp6pZLsWBR5rSE1Qh0frbCwKeGNLByJk3qcuhaURmsd16pK-vv5lc9cvQkj5NnxX1326uDAsZsbWp5Kf_C1SXcZ9fI9UYVfR_5hxXgWWjNnCImaO0SVXhnyVqlsEA-WVtpF3R4q9/s640/P1270002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Josephine and Grandma sharing a laugh in Boston.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A three generation selfie at the playground.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Early morning fun with Elmo and Daddy.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A rather chilly picnic in Central Park with some of Joe's classmates and their families.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>No matter where you walk in this city, you will stumble upon art. A small sample of 'Neighbors' by photographer John Raymond Mireles.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>We had the good fortune to see our friends' band Betty in concert.</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The 'Oculus' building at the 9/11 memorial site.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Reading Room at New York Public Library.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The opening reception of Meryl Meisler's photographs of the Lower East Side in the 70s and 80s. (And no, we don't know Meryl. We just read about the event in the NY Times and showed up!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>'We Come In Peace' by Huma Bhaba on the Met's rooftop terrace.</i></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM4Ei1V5uWnjkwhrT1xl_66Eez9VSF5GZEoI-Nx6v9fjz-dFsArvlgDP7WsxIR55liFHKEMXRqg8CyTR7y8EIwILbDYBZ1OT8aLPUej__C_uAw5_qEFFCnXQ109HDymg5XHq2k4U6cfEL/s1600/P1270811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1129" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM4Ei1V5uWnjkwhrT1xl_66Eez9VSF5GZEoI-Nx6v9fjz-dFsArvlgDP7WsxIR55liFHKEMXRqg8CyTR7y8EIwILbDYBZ1OT8aLPUej__C_uAw5_qEFFCnXQ109HDymg5XHq2k4U6cfEL/s640/P1270811.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #262626; font-family: savoyroman, georgia, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination' exhibit at the Cloisters was just that. Heavenly.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have now been in New York City for a month and I have loved every minute of it. This place is like no other. It is exciting and interesting and creative. Each day offers a new experience. I can't wait to wake up in the morning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel so free while I am walking. I am anonymous here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't wait to see what the next month brings.</span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-66975664979079327692018-03-26T05:57:00.000-07:002018-03-26T05:57:52.462-07:00Beach Bums On Koh Chang<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PLZ59BD_WtF6dTVdzo7RiMTNUjpscxlUahBN5p1lT6xVsTvZUQQMs-dTqJvopzQtMbX7vLRwP59_xdaQHS-OQO-9KkH33SvOnFrbCoyYZSZITFWwmTHhZsdKfVlv74p_BmA3T_K9Xfd3/s1600/P1260625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PLZ59BD_WtF6dTVdzo7RiMTNUjpscxlUahBN5p1lT6xVsTvZUQQMs-dTqJvopzQtMbX7vLRwP59_xdaQHS-OQO-9KkH33SvOnFrbCoyYZSZITFWwmTHhZsdKfVlv74p_BmA3T_K9Xfd3/s640/P1260625.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Seventeen days on Koh Chang has been the perfect antidote for our exhilarating yet exhausting month in India.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was everything we needed it to be. Quiet. Unassuming. Peaceful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wore only 3 things: my swimsuit, a sarong, and my nightie. FOR SEVENTEEN DAYS! No underwear necessary. Pure bliss.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We spent the first ten days on the west coast of the island on Kai Bae Beach. I think we slept straight through the first seventy-two hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was the laziest bum known to man. Our conversations went something like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joe: "Wanna rent some kayaks this morning?" Me: "Nope."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joe: "Wanna hire a boat to take us to that little island for the day?" Me: "Uh-uh."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joe: "How about a walk along the beach? Go to a waterfall?" Me: "Nah. Maybe another day."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have never been so tired and unmotivated in my life! All I wanted to do was bob in the ocean, lounge on the sand, read my novel, eat Western food, nap in my deck chair, drink Thai beer and sleep in a comfy bed. And that is all I did.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The view from our room.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HWjtUWebo0KQ1HYq18V0y1UaBQw5tZSSoYzxyo3pxGJCPvjbWjUc5ah8Zsft0cTwOBVbIl4J3ZPw8ACb6sOlVitls9xK6FVX60cRHlj-38ERDKUKsUxsjAHzkRU69xFMAzIlaZVOm7Br/s1600/P1260553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HWjtUWebo0KQ1HYq18V0y1UaBQw5tZSSoYzxyo3pxGJCPvjbWjUc5ah8Zsft0cTwOBVbIl4J3ZPw8ACb6sOlVitls9xK6FVX60cRHlj-38ERDKUKsUxsjAHzkRU69xFMAzIlaZVOm7Br/s640/P1260553.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>These have been our positions for the past seventeen days.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sadly, there is an elephant farm nearby. Every day four babies are trotted down to the beach to give rides to the tourists. I inwardly cheer when I see the baby elephants suddenly dip their shoulder or abruptly sit down in the water and dump their riders into the ocean.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I cannot get enough of the sea and the sky. The colours are always changing.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Joe waits for this monk to walk by every morning at 6:30am to offer him fruit and rice.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>'Downtown' Kai Bae Beach. It is dotted with mom 'n pop restaurants, motorbikes rentals, fruit stands and variety stores selling everything from water wings to gasoline. To hail a taxi, you just stand on the side of the road, wave down a white truck, negotiate a price with the driver, then hop in the back and hang on for dear life until you get to your destination!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>And speaking of gasoline, it is sold in old whiskey bottles at the side of the road in the blistering heat.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Again, I cannot get enough of the colours of sea and the sky.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>On the bus headed to the Koh Chang ferry, we met our new Italian friend Licia. We saw each other twice during our time on the island. Once for lunch at our resort, the other for dinner at an Italian restaurant. We are hoping to see each other again, either in Vancouver or Milan!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>One more sea and sky photo looking out onto the Gulf of Thailand. The warmest ocean water I have ever swum in.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second half of our time on Koh Chang was spent on the east coast of the island. It was very remote and quiet. Most of the time we were saying, "Where is everybody?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our routine didn't change much from before. Nap, eat, drink, read and swim were our marching orders.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7eE06lZjp2BW9jCm3ngJIvCTlrsviVz4LKKCrDm21qhY-SPZbZ_B6epd_B-EoO2MS7r0AIBf2kQy3mOmkN8Jzle82aPhXPpqHolgycFLsKWsZ612hMJAf-XyUWTWIxLvahOV3N5rN8RU/s1600/P1260655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7eE06lZjp2BW9jCm3ngJIvCTlrsviVz4LKKCrDm21qhY-SPZbZ_B6epd_B-EoO2MS7r0AIBf2kQy3mOmkN8Jzle82aPhXPpqHolgycFLsKWsZ612hMJAf-XyUWTWIxLvahOV3N5rN8RU/s640/P1260655.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Joe rented us a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. It came with a spiffy rooftop terrace!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>We had our own paddling pool up on the roof. We spent our mornings up there with coffee.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The pool was situated on the ocean. Every day, we lazed in those chairs and looked out to the Gulf of Trat and the hills of Cambodia beyond. Most days we had the place to ourselves.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Toward the end of our stay, thunderstorms rolled in every afternoon. Joe got caught in one while bringing me my beloved mango smoothie.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXW4BBiHfLi8oz9pO5wPoneP5-p4fJq7XaHJk_0gQBGglAEqjviWolpPZcG8TlkjpTFKZIXCojbCfyb5YFAQ4ckFx2DNVE7mFWaASxouf7jntkMsWtzJXis7MM2hmBUbxUWE-EDcOk1EB/s1600/P1260709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXW4BBiHfLi8oz9pO5wPoneP5-p4fJq7XaHJk_0gQBGglAEqjviWolpPZcG8TlkjpTFKZIXCojbCfyb5YFAQ4ckFx2DNVE7mFWaASxouf7jntkMsWtzJXis7MM2hmBUbxUWE-EDcOk1EB/s640/P1260709.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sunrise over the resort.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Nobody here but us chickens!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQMmvWkNzZn3JVcWZZ_nX_cc0IXWHDS7SETJ8mqKuCES0PbM1TpEjjvRMRyfoKBxWhMZ8Uh9Pi7EVR0Bl3tNkCjnBBmYQCi7W1M0IGiA7v5xN8sN84F1eVrJTDqPWQXzgoNDS9GzTKSG9/s1600/P1260730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQMmvWkNzZn3JVcWZZ_nX_cc0IXWHDS7SETJ8mqKuCES0PbM1TpEjjvRMRyfoKBxWhMZ8Uh9Pi7EVR0Bl3tNkCjnBBmYQCi7W1M0IGiA7v5xN8sN84F1eVrJTDqPWQXzgoNDS9GzTKSG9/s640/P1260730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Again, Joe would ask me if I wanted to go paddle-boarding or kayaking. The answer always remained the same. A big, emphatic NO!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The colours of the sea and sky before a thunderstorm were beautiful.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I finally did something that required sitting up! I sat on the swing for a quick photo.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxU6nND8f94tFwrjcXKsjoved6UkG6l5Pfr8pJ4j8wUy0BbXoz0fygjMcLFpwhEDpE0x3-azZqt9dWLGp0XK55LLhJ06p1rZuT4-XyCEAgcT32NcQak9bve7evZ_cjTCcI2owAOOA3HOS/s1600/P1260753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxU6nND8f94tFwrjcXKsjoved6UkG6l5Pfr8pJ4j8wUy0BbXoz0fygjMcLFpwhEDpE0x3-azZqt9dWLGp0XK55LLhJ06p1rZuT4-XyCEAgcT32NcQak9bve7evZ_cjTCcI2owAOOA3HOS/s640/P1260753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>We're tanned. We're rested. Time to leave.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now it is time to think about heading home. We have two more nights on Koh Chang, a couple more nights in Bangkok before we fly to Vancouver at the end of March. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot believe we've been travelling for 16 weeks. The time has zoomed by. It is going to take me a while to fully process all that I've seen and done since the beginning of December. This trip certainly has been one for the books!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next time you hear from me I'll be back in North America, back in Canada, back in my sweet little town of Squamish, B.C.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It'll be nice to be home.</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-24346805122696972312018-03-08T23:57:00.004-08:002018-04-11T18:30:34.091-07:00"Anything Is Possible In India, Ma'am."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9FOXq-szd4gUIdC5qaR3j1JAth40hyphenhyphenIa-amgEaVPEqlqN19in04LXZbrQu1rzXU2S_Whf-3DNZ2_UtuPJnfMqss67Iveov06rQDpkLheTdJzk0T457rxCo21Q5hu08ARDKYsQof0sCE2/s640/P1250624.JPG" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whenever I asked Subhash a question during our travels he always answered, "Anything is possible in India, ma'am." </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And of course he was right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Anything and everything is possible in India.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs45lj_gAAjVeIxkgKL5UKa6aEw1CvcbcG1MQdVm_z9jEuXfyvuDDTGiXnevDHqbQ1pBO_EkOLbLjnqteNCbo7sEtyIIWJbKNBQeNWo_utIRbBG6Wvfu_kFNwN-JjFAPvuHNXvgY9Q11y/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAs45lj_gAAjVeIxkgKL5UKa6aEw1CvcbcG1MQdVm_z9jEuXfyvuDDTGiXnevDHqbQ1pBO_EkOLbLjnqteNCbo7sEtyIIWJbKNBQeNWo_utIRbBG6Wvfu_kFNwN-JjFAPvuHNXvgY9Q11y/s640/IMG_0918.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">India is a country of contrasts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYwOAcipZEdhExDmw19tWgVmsBoOn73KnW1dcyy-7W2g37O-zl0k2Kh406YuwzVhIk88OzjSscFbaTYX34QNwewgNyNZ4pqEUGSM_YjdhmU7A4BfbOiLzt5pEftvAUwyskucDHZYun9-g/s1600/P1260123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYwOAcipZEdhExDmw19tWgVmsBoOn73KnW1dcyy-7W2g37O-zl0k2Kh406YuwzVhIk88OzjSscFbaTYX34QNwewgNyNZ4pqEUGSM_YjdhmU7A4BfbOiLzt5pEftvAUwyskucDHZYun9-g/s640/P1260123.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is at once beautiful and chaotic, spiritual and noisy, friendly and polluted, joyful and corrupt and deeply profound.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48wS358Ch_8K38M1vitwRlCv3JexTgBVIxfMPR7WpA06I0oK7FKmvLzoiKsC4b93B-hJ4DLHkdpCfDJ1CQKorE1otmAZ3xpNM3Fu3IDutFO0QF57SAEgWKJSX-UcmX6DlvHIIpxD-BZcj/s1600/P1230969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48wS358Ch_8K38M1vitwRlCv3JexTgBVIxfMPR7WpA06I0oK7FKmvLzoiKsC4b93B-hJ4DLHkdpCfDJ1CQKorE1otmAZ3xpNM3Fu3IDutFO0QF57SAEgWKJSX-UcmX6DlvHIIpxD-BZcj/s640/P1230969.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">India exceeded all of my expectations.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm_YxdZ3WLTMyrHXZPZpWCbK0sOwCxtNmn1SoGluyhlOqF8l5wlYujq83Y0Mdvl8PXtlpP17cYk7Z_e5hska4MV3lTUZX1A_JhzQvvnJeG2HJYf_82yUb9gSr5HeMjN36QLUm_opWrdxv/s1600/P1240160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm_YxdZ3WLTMyrHXZPZpWCbK0sOwCxtNmn1SoGluyhlOqF8l5wlYujq83Y0Mdvl8PXtlpP17cYk7Z_e5hska4MV3lTUZX1A_JhzQvvnJeG2HJYf_82yUb9gSr5HeMjN36QLUm_opWrdxv/s640/P1240160.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time after time, India broke my heart and sewed it back up again. She is a master surgeon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlHDfQqVr8gEKPrS9FdJXfGaghTlHCCd2v0NXW7XFAneRIvUhcuF52b097tkUp0cwxX5VHIe6whvUTKSFplJcZRCPQ5shSoShM0eDvLtsffiO4NvR-Dz_z3Zc4L13RIb1Kn-nTqoZ30MR/s1600/P1240481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="795" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlHDfQqVr8gEKPrS9FdJXfGaghTlHCCd2v0NXW7XFAneRIvUhcuF52b097tkUp0cwxX5VHIe6whvUTKSFplJcZRCPQ5shSoShM0eDvLtsffiO4NvR-Dz_z3Zc4L13RIb1Kn-nTqoZ30MR/s640/P1240481.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For every picture I had the good fortune to capture, there were thousands of photo opportunities I missed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those elusive shots, the ones that got away, will be forever burned into my memory.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w4wrHgD87N2vZwSMGEruNaRCxYWos6N6Ro06afVtzcDS4Yl0WBm6s8utp2Xyd1P0Zh9xzo-b83TtGOE5JecosVLIdHPWGC00XLYiTob-8CQCihI4A3ejw2eMKwRqxGmsicUOEqkFWsGc/s1600/P1240551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7w4wrHgD87N2vZwSMGEruNaRCxYWos6N6Ro06afVtzcDS4Yl0WBm6s8utp2Xyd1P0Zh9xzo-b83TtGOE5JecosVLIdHPWGC00XLYiTob-8CQCihI4A3ejw2eMKwRqxGmsicUOEqkFWsGc/s640/P1240551.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There was always something compelling to see in India, both heart-warming and heart-wrenching.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3emsUMOuIj1qA761YPDq_ub8LgJHNLuI2XaUupnkHa2otIhJAZykx7Kyf5r9kH5XunGrc5SwVBs5ZTiAZvt4a8grhBsNk3i9YFfVklaF4BkWxfKwfTNVfeqdFx6ovQHBZ9jh8vTFZ8B_/s1600/P1250258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3emsUMOuIj1qA761YPDq_ub8LgJHNLuI2XaUupnkHa2otIhJAZykx7Kyf5r9kH5XunGrc5SwVBs5ZTiAZvt4a8grhBsNk3i9YFfVklaF4BkWxfKwfTNVfeqdFx6ovQHBZ9jh8vTFZ8B_/s640/P1250258.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I met the friendliest people of my life in India.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">They were hospitable beyond measure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whatever they had, they willingly shared.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mUHdRB-MlxP1LkBHJNuHzndq0myl-63OhGyaL-cQlUF7RKYNG-mflx_-cF1TWbSYluraR0I1mznKf5cyaVOJ9D1cJMXp6yzZy2yT6tS39MLIJSmxTQBYhSt-rEiXWu1DQUQl2iCeia5W/s1600/P1250378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mUHdRB-MlxP1LkBHJNuHzndq0myl-63OhGyaL-cQlUF7RKYNG-mflx_-cF1TWbSYluraR0I1mznKf5cyaVOJ9D1cJMXp6yzZy2yT6tS39MLIJSmxTQBYhSt-rEiXWu1DQUQl2iCeia5W/s640/P1250378.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Try as I might, I cannot adequately describe India.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Words fail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Photos do not do it justice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a country one must experience for oneself.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVg7Qpx6sf-8BUh89QXZkDgr5htzyPUG2dh3S4QYYyV_arNMzvS1KGzI0ZJs3bQHz_1RRKztbv5oHuhIddDFM-rXraRCb6c64KZOYEPPTH613YNWUy_5tUoBCIiv6UCnAMxPP06Nsc5A3/s1600/P1250593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVg7Qpx6sf-8BUh89QXZkDgr5htzyPUG2dh3S4QYYyV_arNMzvS1KGzI0ZJs3bQHz_1RRKztbv5oHuhIddDFM-rXraRCb6c64KZOYEPPTH613YNWUy_5tUoBCIiv6UCnAMxPP06Nsc5A3/s640/P1250593.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have yet to process all that I have seen, heard and felt.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnId89VQOO7d5d9Q4dYgJ9H_MW8gegfjRnjegA6bF3tFCMlpWuxN_KnairuEoeh5CtS0TAUQ5RxP4w83ExMSHljXmSjv__RZy1ysTaz2J_ex7Lxy5aLcTDVZ17ItEjQB-_cP13OkmbMEa/s1600/P1260360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnId89VQOO7d5d9Q4dYgJ9H_MW8gegfjRnjegA6bF3tFCMlpWuxN_KnairuEoeh5CtS0TAUQ5RxP4w83ExMSHljXmSjv__RZy1ysTaz2J_ex7Lxy5aLcTDVZ17ItEjQB-_cP13OkmbMEa/s640/P1260360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My month in this country was life-changing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_79Xvzp5HtiGPG-KMXMWomQe4W2NiF51pyqOFYBGshpV36PGMmlXcUDmJxaaWG_kp-V26BUzc0NmsfjFar-itPwfhH9eIJFwANOpTpX_1rfugjegdx-NdYTLMQ6XxbYhNy5erfRXTC74/s1600/P1250348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_79Xvzp5HtiGPG-KMXMWomQe4W2NiF51pyqOFYBGshpV36PGMmlXcUDmJxaaWG_kp-V26BUzc0NmsfjFar-itPwfhH9eIJFwANOpTpX_1rfugjegdx-NdYTLMQ6XxbYhNy5erfRXTC74/s640/P1250348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot wait to return.</span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-83950673834257616642018-03-07T08:03:00.001-08:002018-04-11T18:35:18.746-07:00On The Road To Rishikesh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquNYSGu3cGu-m6iHyNPvzqVAaHcsiu1Y9KdpwzMJBi9CeiTWJgLHdShUxQQtHQyyeugOf-jZdyJL6bvRRezvd8ku_NohUQR3dQUrFYZOBBnG2qDZz7IwPaq3znlPTGEyhkkzU_ccT8RQB/s1600/IMG_1784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquNYSGu3cGu-m6iHyNPvzqVAaHcsiu1Y9KdpwzMJBi9CeiTWJgLHdShUxQQtHQyyeugOf-jZdyJL6bvRRezvd8ku_NohUQR3dQUrFYZOBBnG2qDZz7IwPaq3znlPTGEyhkkzU_ccT8RQB/s640/IMG_1784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our final Indian road trip was to Rishikesh, a holy place of ashrams, yoga and meditation. On the banks of the River Ganges in the foothills of the Himalayas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But before we got to Rishikesh, we had a couple of stops to make on the way. Subhash had arranged two visits with his wife's family.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdka_wThgMja7wvq01zLUvQNlLR9Cdj8owfF1N6J0Z5Q_mkNxnQ6HfMu44m7SkY-nXTMYW599PNeVVXZ3RlJzwkpraqTR4gXJhNh8PIEdqgMY8jCuVSuBLQUK5UcEKum0g6DhNDEOXoav/s1600/P1260269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="1600" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdka_wThgMja7wvq01zLUvQNlLR9Cdj8owfF1N6J0Z5Q_mkNxnQ6HfMu44m7SkY-nXTMYW599PNeVVXZ3RlJzwkpraqTR4gXJhNh8PIEdqgMY8jCuVSuBLQUK5UcEKum0g6DhNDEOXoav/s640/P1260269.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our first stop was with Subhash's wife's aunt and her family. This little guy would not look at us for love nor money. He cried when he peeked through his fingers. "He's never seen a white person," they told us. He probably thought we were ghosts.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpys5aFJvMS9_1LA9IOY42gWfg-VICznyeiM4DAOCRfcOk8rwq28wlBzPMCKhkbm6g2DqGI92pflzvUkg9aR_DIl5PgKqI5QGIV-fvU1CEmqHwL4Tn9KtL0gOz_kFC_7nGToUAM6jbIhWY/s1600/P1260320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpys5aFJvMS9_1LA9IOY42gWfg-VICznyeiM4DAOCRfcOk8rwq28wlBzPMCKhkbm6g2DqGI92pflzvUkg9aR_DIl5PgKqI5QGIV-fvU1CEmqHwL4Tn9KtL0gOz_kFC_7nGToUAM6jbIhWY/s640/P1260320.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> We posed for many, many photographs. The little boy standing in front of me (green sweater and tan pants) was so cute. It is a Hindu custom to touch the feet of an elder when greeting them. He came into the room where we were sitting and immediately approached us to touch our feet. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">He made me swoon.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxo0Mo08jFDjUAOtJ2sEVWlsK-msCAJHq-45chLYmRBbZ7Unm8xAyGpOnz3XL7aA8L6EyvjkhhExt7Zl-ysVVDYSvVW-ymcI_DtlIi0HaPaaLeYymK2OZRtWYacFzAES2eMbzgS5qTYmb/s1600/P1260315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxo0Mo08jFDjUAOtJ2sEVWlsK-msCAJHq-45chLYmRBbZ7Unm8xAyGpOnz3XL7aA8L6EyvjkhhExt7Zl-ysVVDYSvVW-ymcI_DtlIi0HaPaaLeYymK2OZRtWYacFzAES2eMbzgS5qTYmb/s640/P1260315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">No visit is complete without food. After these snacks came samosas and sweets. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">And pots and pots of masala chai, of course.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklsr9EyiaVfxKsbJH2TRZYxI1_xjcpI9LbxEsFGvY3KbzIQhMuEMa_feNniFBL_OKJg23bxXcTbYFOtIFqIQSMuo5VsJXePB7IHHWGcGWUmPMoSmSxIDo4-89_F_syDUXtoadQ7V03DDe/s1600/P1260314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklsr9EyiaVfxKsbJH2TRZYxI1_xjcpI9LbxEsFGvY3KbzIQhMuEMa_feNniFBL_OKJg23bxXcTbYFOtIFqIQSMuo5VsJXePB7IHHWGcGWUmPMoSmSxIDo4-89_F_syDUXtoadQ7V03DDe/s640/P1260314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Indian rooftops.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sTaxDqOctyx9JLJ2UHGGy6cI-sH5NlHTAPc8uNcnduukXOOgVMzFmAi9b9N9DK1kVctma0q-Uo4wBE1kUEEKpr1TMpfSQCu4FbBpEV48mu9sG5C9VKhs8k4uyHI2tQ_KEJ2ZWY5Zquf-/s1600/P1260312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sTaxDqOctyx9JLJ2UHGGy6cI-sH5NlHTAPc8uNcnduukXOOgVMzFmAi9b9N9DK1kVctma0q-Uo4wBE1kUEEKpr1TMpfSQCu4FbBpEV48mu9sG5C9VKhs8k4uyHI2tQ_KEJ2ZWY5Zquf-/s640/P1260312.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Word travelled fast that foreigners were in the neighbourhood. These guys came down the lane to check us out. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our next stop was to visit Subhash's mother- and sister-in-law. Again there was lots of food, lots of photos, lots of laughter and lots of trying to communicate in our respective languages.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN0WORmNIKRFrqt8D-7sHfPcm_TVpnAtw_kL8as0VPF1acsDmWod03aHBQijjZ_3PwHzaMIR2cZZPW0lnPcrBJbMTlGJCmlPyvUxpVZ_Mhw95eto0ZWIEmo1PZJ0vMyr-u0p5_xjmAK-5/s1600/P1260283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1390" data-original-width="1600" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN0WORmNIKRFrqt8D-7sHfPcm_TVpnAtw_kL8as0VPF1acsDmWod03aHBQijjZ_3PwHzaMIR2cZZPW0lnPcrBJbMTlGJCmlPyvUxpVZ_Mhw95eto0ZWIEmo1PZJ0vMyr-u0p5_xjmAK-5/s640/P1260283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe and I with Subhash's mother-in-law and sister-in-law.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SlqTK6xcmZZ-vM2KrkHczutmDrTyxSirWaAG1wxW2rZ6OOBW6D2WYZDPCR9fYIvRwshG3fiA3lH7FUATZstBV7NvwZzLwd1Sg9uE92O1gtFVgbYDjDOlnPAKV176NukROnB5Gnhvhqa3/s1600/P1260296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SlqTK6xcmZZ-vM2KrkHczutmDrTyxSirWaAG1wxW2rZ6OOBW6D2WYZDPCR9fYIvRwshG3fiA3lH7FUATZstBV7NvwZzLwd1Sg9uE92O1gtFVgbYDjDOlnPAKV176NukROnB5Gnhvhqa3/s640/P1260296.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The whole family, plus a few extras thrown in for good measure.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNYTd6TZCthpvt4_vvwbGVogPLq_woLXCzmZ-EDc9oESmbiYX7VSIwMC8iXu5R5BTulQrnDNMEgTU8cQwh8wYLvlG3sHbN1UOtJkK2EeEPHCHHqyd5pHx4IClOel2H0W88oTluCPveJEz/s1600/P1260282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNYTd6TZCthpvt4_vvwbGVogPLq_woLXCzmZ-EDc9oESmbiYX7VSIwMC8iXu5R5BTulQrnDNMEgTU8cQwh8wYLvlG3sHbN1UOtJkK2EeEPHCHHqyd5pHx4IClOel2H0W88oTluCPveJEz/s640/P1260282.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Through an open door, I saw the neighbourhood children creeping closer and closer to take a peek at us. I left the house and posed for a photo with them.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64_Sa5tm0J9E0h4YCUYNGLlWfFkxcgWLMJE55pgCmmnnyBcoEcG1WZ2AI0KZ640Uv9_wRxWLd3vc1hm_lz1WyMwZypNJ-M3lNGQUNfD3PRVvKE50HDbHfQyoH22a04TtISh3O9brpnl3-/s1600/P1260277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64_Sa5tm0J9E0h4YCUYNGLlWfFkxcgWLMJE55pgCmmnnyBcoEcG1WZ2AI0KZ640Uv9_wRxWLd3vc1hm_lz1WyMwZypNJ-M3lNGQUNfD3PRVvKE50HDbHfQyoH22a04TtISh3O9brpnl3-/s640/P1260277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">All doggies love to go for rides.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhgoMv1HQGG1i787zvaSmchqopTwBltcRim938FJSR1sv0iAazmDTFoMl40GD_wC_CmF4664LrmyIR9HzxXqW3LF8_L7lyViwKf-1ajh75LiL_lFn_acRCI-2Uj3v_ssetPwqdphGo1Be/s1600/IMG_1755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1329" data-original-width="1600" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhgoMv1HQGG1i787zvaSmchqopTwBltcRim938FJSR1sv0iAazmDTFoMl40GD_wC_CmF4664LrmyIR9HzxXqW3LF8_L7lyViwKf-1ajh75LiL_lFn_acRCI-2Uj3v_ssetPwqdphGo1Be/s640/IMG_1755.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">When our visit ended, our entourage personally escorted us out to the street and to our awaiting car.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vcz2ffSJ0j4ZmxbpjqwHWGWFVYvtMvpWytJklK5IZWVTiiag7jFkpzNmDZy84LKzbezToelMCtKzITbFQmYEY1M1Y1E4Yqyh725gQyHJfvF_bIEn5xw3tobCUcOnoka1Dx-AmnOq_6Yt/s1600/P1260374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vcz2ffSJ0j4ZmxbpjqwHWGWFVYvtMvpWytJklK5IZWVTiiag7jFkpzNmDZy84LKzbezToelMCtKzITbFQmYEY1M1Y1E4Yqyh725gQyHJfvF_bIEn5xw3tobCUcOnoka1Dx-AmnOq_6Yt/s640/P1260374.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived in Tapovan, on the outskirts of Rishikesh later that afternoon.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPYZahbfByvpuPal7qaqBFXSQwKoIw8Xyqet9ygMW938LRePEVYNWDyNJ7fgSuyM4QSUDxk8EwHmngz-u5999LcCbbTb1TOEI_Q6v5buvxYwx5eCxncNRWvkU2Cg1JUxXX4j9NgfUTkE2/s1600/P1260358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPYZahbfByvpuPal7qaqBFXSQwKoIw8Xyqet9ygMW938LRePEVYNWDyNJ7fgSuyM4QSUDxk8EwHmngz-u5999LcCbbTb1TOEI_Q6v5buvxYwx5eCxncNRWvkU2Cg1JUxXX4j9NgfUTkE2/s640/P1260358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Early one morning we went for a peaceful walk through the town, over the bridges and along the banks of the Ganges.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7zgogzCgt2yXObcDOLsMdDpMqj57WXCuisma_p_yFvbWSwP6zvV4sSRQiHq_laHGPFexMJxe3HPlKUHeTFtmCQ4GbrWs2FbSkzINPKG44MmJb0UvBigDQDh-m7vZFRRaP8DV0BJ-a7uO/s1600/P1260330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7zgogzCgt2yXObcDOLsMdDpMqj57WXCuisma_p_yFvbWSwP6zvV4sSRQiHq_laHGPFexMJxe3HPlKUHeTFtmCQ4GbrWs2FbSkzINPKG44MmJb0UvBigDQDh-m7vZFRRaP8DV0BJ-a7uO/s640/P1260330.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">It was a tad windy on the bridge deck that morning!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26eqkEMvhZWXehXDcR_yTysuPxT-zqAZXbtZNYLy9P6PC8RMkSy2QcUmEdLRz_JgmltBPRzNfIzbid1Q-wzenDys4sF_w0SKSvKbPEuEmdXba3gIHKU6trW4npc0TLpzqbQTT3gJ3Ba3H/s1600/P1260398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26eqkEMvhZWXehXDcR_yTysuPxT-zqAZXbtZNYLy9P6PC8RMkSy2QcUmEdLRz_JgmltBPRzNfIzbid1Q-wzenDys4sF_w0SKSvKbPEuEmdXba3gIHKU6trW4npc0TLpzqbQTT3gJ3Ba3H/s640/P1260398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Many people come to Rishikesh for outdoor adventures.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SjtJyqhlfvRQpNScYZNuPPcoiQSQAertoBqELNMMMf2b66LfGTd6h9UAiwxa4XHtHVv0ql7YaLir0LDBTnfJoIN_7ZId7jO06ZYlayHDRoJKBh3ngSoG0iCecdrluyLuUuf3kU2laENh/s1600/P1260449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SjtJyqhlfvRQpNScYZNuPPcoiQSQAertoBqELNMMMf2b66LfGTd6h9UAiwxa4XHtHVv0ql7YaLir0LDBTnfJoIN_7ZId7jO06ZYlayHDRoJKBh3ngSoG0iCecdrluyLuUuf3kU2laENh/s640/P1260449.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We took a drive into the mountains one afternoon to visit the Neelkanth temple.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Mwr5zee_qt1Zyz7UhHYzu-BKbH6roKRpkNmWiWTIWQ2KNGu5REJ7wLV8W4GoMsn27v95B5QE063RUvhXFxNmQVxLD81g18Noj5iPPmo5mxJYBnKrL62Hd4Une3hbGs8PwqyVO-llmET-/s1600/P1260426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Mwr5zee_qt1Zyz7UhHYzu-BKbH6roKRpkNmWiWTIWQ2KNGu5REJ7wLV8W4GoMsn27v95B5QE063RUvhXFxNmQVxLD81g18Noj5iPPmo5mxJYBnKrL62Hd4Une3hbGs8PwqyVO-llmET-/s640/P1260426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Garlands of marigolds hung from electrical wires.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO9nMktTyja67rwigBxFR8nqA32ePBQfVoi5l5qCVTaTNP_VceLH4VkGphyN4nxGLobXxTXWe0l1BekEbmqnUx5Zc_zMQCkawyhD52XEU5CxHsQRCiSpMan24xAp58iZDTfb3q2B0COK9/s1600/P1260423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO9nMktTyja67rwigBxFR8nqA32ePBQfVoi5l5qCVTaTNP_VceLH4VkGphyN4nxGLobXxTXWe0l1BekEbmqnUx5Zc_zMQCkawyhD52XEU5CxHsQRCiSpMan24xAp58iZDTfb3q2B0COK9/s640/P1260423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe and Subhash lit some incense outside the temple.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlJ3b3ar7cZtqWWlftOhoawmz4wyWc50hk-TjnJ4mFUZXs7L4vHI9RgrSsVqglZ75aWis56Rxr0AKLYMF1e9RqKt8B9j8OUYD9LJKk6ckFVvfFRWAaOhXfj8GB8FX3C6LdPIaztIq8CH4/s1600/P1260389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlJ3b3ar7cZtqWWlftOhoawmz4wyWc50hk-TjnJ4mFUZXs7L4vHI9RgrSsVqglZ75aWis56Rxr0AKLYMF1e9RqKt8B9j8OUYD9LJKk6ckFVvfFRWAaOhXfj8GB8FX3C6LdPIaztIq8CH4/s640/P1260389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">A busy bridge over the Ganges!</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzOjqJ_AHLaxJ9cvJnP9r1-aIJzM-hhjyhTfLlqoGlXrV7EzfXsQ7nKt0U7y-0KhTH9lGImpV1zmp2o0Gn8lkbdgw_ehP2_65lAukACRlL-zQuo_jN7EDlKXyeHXKF6vUz-IhwiM3Gc7G/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzOjqJ_AHLaxJ9cvJnP9r1-aIJzM-hhjyhTfLlqoGlXrV7EzfXsQ7nKt0U7y-0KhTH9lGImpV1zmp2o0Gn8lkbdgw_ehP2_65lAukACRlL-zQuo_jN7EDlKXyeHXKF6vUz-IhwiM3Gc7G/s640/IMG_1791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>I met this fun-loving group of Indians while crossing the bridge one afternoon. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Handshakes all around!</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XwnY6G04gk6sff7Nb3epaBKn72T1CrOCDpR4oUXoaKG1kNLX4qoekxXXvmArF5CvDQTky9puD2Uo57lLhvo-845andX-3hyphenhyphen4aTVekz_uculhdF4b4j3bfTzI5kLbT1EVJljX8AvR0HPc/s1600/P1260333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XwnY6G04gk6sff7Nb3epaBKn72T1CrOCDpR4oUXoaKG1kNLX4qoekxXXvmArF5CvDQTky9puD2Uo57lLhvo-845andX-3hyphenhyphen4aTVekz_uculhdF4b4j3bfTzI5kLbT1EVJljX8AvR0HPc/s640/P1260333.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">It is not a dog's life in India.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Photo op.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsbYlQuySafkDnngDnoNI79lu_HPMpeCUXSMOhx9waV1ZGH5D0pAmoCE3nY_-Uw3Ypdh6VHqN-D5O9dcm9X3Xf29JWh7ia05R-bktK2LGbc_NwUqso9k3vx9IdSqKLTd0dPx6DxePzoC1/s1600/IMG_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsbYlQuySafkDnngDnoNI79lu_HPMpeCUXSMOhx9waV1ZGH5D0pAmoCE3nY_-Uw3Ypdh6VHqN-D5O9dcm9X3Xf29JWh7ia05R-bktK2LGbc_NwUqso9k3vx9IdSqKLTd0dPx6DxePzoC1/s640/IMG_1829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">One night we went to a popular restaurant in 'downtown' Rishikesh. The streets were very congested with all manner of animals and vehicles. Subhash squeezed his car next to the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. The parking attendant called out, "No parking! No parking! I will call the police!" Joe slipped the man 50 rupees and all of a sudden his demeanor changed. "Please sir, park here!" Joe was pretty proud of his first bribe!</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Subhash and Joe bathed in the holy waters of the sacred Ganges River.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe doing his best Tin-Tin impersonation.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now we head back to Delhi for our final two nights in India. We plan to do some last minute shopping and spend more time with Subhash's family before we fly to Thailand. We are looking forward to some rest and relaxation on the beaches of Koh Chang.</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-71111396293332844162018-03-05T04:52:00.000-08:002018-04-11T18:38:37.480-07:00Holi, Festival of Colour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The one thing that Joe wanted to do while we were in India is to attend the Holi Festival. Our friend Subhash made that happen for us in spades.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Subhash suggested we drive to the city of Vrindavan, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. It is where Holi began. Scores of people from all over India and the world descend on this little town to celebrate the special holiday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Holi is a Hindu festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, a day to play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The night before Holi, we went out onto the street for a 'practice run'. It was a good idea to get a glimpse of what we were getting ourselves into the next day. Let me tell you, it did not prepare us at all!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Children love to play Holi.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Pyres were built all over town. The night before Holi, a priest blesses the pyre before the bonfire is lit. This ritual symbolizes burning the devil.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The bonfires were huge.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This cow didn't seem too concerned about the fire.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">People even built small bonfires inside their homes!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">After we played Holi on the street for a bit, we went for dinner at a restaurant where this little girl couldn't help but add more colour to my face.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were planning to meet Subhash at 10:00am Holi morning but he called at 9:30am saying, "Things are starting to happen on the street. I think we should go out now."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And so we did.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe was so excited for the festivities to begin! His white outfit didn't last long.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Everyone was in a happy mood on Holi!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Subhash.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe and a new friend.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">So many people wanted a selfie with the foreigners.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Dancing in the streets.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">No matter what happens on the street, food must still be prepared for the hungry revellers.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Faces of Holi.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Another component of Holi is water play. People had super soakers and water guns while others were spraying hoses from rooftops. In a matter of minutes the roads became slippery and muddy. Since we'd been on the streets for two hours and the crowds were growing, we decided to walk back to our hotel and get cleaned up.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Later that evening, we went to the Chandrodaya Mandir Temple. Again, everyone was in a good mood for Holi.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">There was a party goin' on inside the temple! Live music, dancing, singing and all around merriment.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">These women asked me to join their dance.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">It was another fantastic day with the one-and-only Subhash Chand!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">P.S. It is now three days post-Holi and Joe is still sporting a yellow 'do.</span></i><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-67787692923212062892018-03-03T06:47:00.000-08:002018-04-11T18:42:28.639-07:00The Golden Temple, Pakistani Border and the Best Family In All Of India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">The morning after our Intrepid Travels tour ended, our wonderful friend-guide-driver Subhash picked us up and whisked us away to northern India.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were off to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar and to witness the Wagah Ceremony at the Pakistani border.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our way north, Subhash noticed a Sikh wedding reception happening. "Would you like to stop in and see it?" he asked. "Sure!" we replied. The security guard gave us permission to enter. We were approached by a big burly man who introduced himself as a friend of the groom. We became his guests. We later learned he was a very important police inspector in the district.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The next thing we knew, we were drinking whiskey with the police inspector in his SUV. At his insistence, we had three strong drinks in very quick succession.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Those drinks gave Joe the liquid courage to get up and dance with the inspector in front of 500 wedding guests. The banghra dancers seemed to really enjoy Joe's performance. We bid our adieus after their dance and continued on to our destination of Amritsar and the Golden Temple.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Golden Temple was a beautiful and tranquil place to be. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Try as he might, Joe could not convince these guards to let him hold a spear. (He also tries to convince every tuk-tuk driver to let him drive. Or at least honk the horn. He is unsuccessful on all accounts.)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Many people bathe in the holy waters that surround the Golden Temple.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Every Sikh temple has a kitchen and serves food free of charge. The Golden Temple feeds 100,000 people per day! We joined in for lunch. Sitting cross-legged on the floor and bending over to eat with one's right hand was not so easy for me. But I did it!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Even though the Golden Temple was packed with worshippers, it had a peaceful and serene energy.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The line-up was huge to enter the Golden Temple so we took a pass. We'll pop in next time!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed our time there so much during the day, we returned in the evening.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN-JjJnYI63kS6xWvu19ragGNhHtW3rfdvunUqZPX8sm9klwq1QQ7zh1sCwwB32ysmjZUIgOEUPRomL2QXZTZ_Qmou_1eIpF5MyEn-x9PfUaK5ttEhFjdxwThZ1YBL_yDk_Dq0-yFEYE/s1600/P1250999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN-JjJnYI63kS6xWvu19ragGNhHtW3rfdvunUqZPX8sm9klwq1QQ7zh1sCwwB32ysmjZUIgOEUPRomL2QXZTZ_Qmou_1eIpF5MyEn-x9PfUaK5ttEhFjdxwThZ1YBL_yDk_Dq0-yFEYE/s640/P1250999.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The next day we visited the memorial Jallianwalla Bagh, a leafy park where 1,650 rounds were fired by the British Army into a crowd protesting the Rowlatt Act in 1919. Thousands were massacred.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWohj2VamVmbl9weD712c8Gfv2xnAAl38y6NMiRIQynhoeSf8oC2sQuTWH2u3EJB2oPyz0bOFvtIfY77DFKVKY32x3gZSusVHQy1uZtixZaXLI5FDhrT1UID5zwb50J9PNsLSLu95D0pw/s1600/P1260010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWohj2VamVmbl9weD712c8Gfv2xnAAl38y6NMiRIQynhoeSf8oC2sQuTWH2u3EJB2oPyz0bOFvtIfY77DFKVKY32x3gZSusVHQy1uZtixZaXLI5FDhrT1UID5zwb50J9PNsLSLu95D0pw/s640/P1260010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>These Amritsari men asked for their photo to be taken.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5Ry10nY9Hqr1RUhGiScwrh2AKBbJnExPhTMg27OqYRB9XbspsQ-8mC2ZReNzg6_vyPM89CGNKU2UXqQYyLLZgXmJWzr8G3eYSzJh70Ab9wLz23_BYm-uYxNtyr1i4sOSINz_PGdGDEM/s1600/P1260020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5Ry10nY9Hqr1RUhGiScwrh2AKBbJnExPhTMg27OqYRB9XbspsQ-8mC2ZReNzg6_vyPM89CGNKU2UXqQYyLLZgXmJWzr8G3eYSzJh70Ab9wLz23_BYm-uYxNtyr1i4sOSINz_PGdGDEM/s640/P1260020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Selling sugar cane juice on the streets of Amritsar. Now that is what I call a juicer!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>A local tea stall in Amritsar.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZUDpy8pA0hNfArmyi0g3UVydK013ZHkkmHkSsLBK72Ga6WR-kBfD_nPS5Jj6k7Tzxk0FIoUkHg3Ek7FUUuukrgxwUIyGwpjpZlUTtiyFEp3ay0IdXbSqTPZFck8dNz1nlzPFo0ESjvY/s1600/P1260077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZUDpy8pA0hNfArmyi0g3UVydK013ZHkkmHkSsLBK72Ga6WR-kBfD_nPS5Jj6k7Tzxk0FIoUkHg3Ek7FUUuukrgxwUIyGwpjpZlUTtiyFEp3ay0IdXbSqTPZFck8dNz1nlzPFo0ESjvY/s640/P1260077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>This man is pulling naan out of the restaurant's tandoor oven. Guess who wants to build an oven at our house?</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNP52Mq1sA0fCfvOU_qHGGZjMP_duwehf5O_q2OtaPhgVVFVoV1BxbjcYztpxdAJCCCOYmhGAmYUJmr_p0yIypGebaOGXq_7nn_vmUpNKUEOg40mWFcGk0Wq_Z8lppq8ah1BQOMFoRqk/s1600/P1260086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNP52Mq1sA0fCfvOU_qHGGZjMP_duwehf5O_q2OtaPhgVVFVoV1BxbjcYztpxdAJCCCOYmhGAmYUJmr_p0yIypGebaOGXq_7nn_vmUpNKUEOg40mWFcGk0Wq_Z8lppq8ah1BQOMFoRqk/s640/P1260086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Subhash introduced us to 'kadai milk', a hot milk drink topped with cardamom. DELICIOUS!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next day we drove north to the Pakistani border to witness the 'Beat And Retreat' ceremony.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi8ruMJe7ZIgta7eEPj_HKT9VtD-D8txXU98qQAhV1fQLZVhA1plQh_nJPMFcJYL5z4Ulyc76kQBLHKhRVvlk6wfAgmFx7w7oduyh7ggEUH20uggiifk3Lg60jcc4ky-XLEi72mRGziI/s1600/P1260093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="1600" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi8ruMJe7ZIgta7eEPj_HKT9VtD-D8txXU98qQAhV1fQLZVhA1plQh_nJPMFcJYL5z4Ulyc76kQBLHKhRVvlk6wfAgmFx7w7oduyh7ggEUH20uggiifk3Lg60jcc4ky-XLEi72mRGziI/s640/P1260093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived at the border early so we thought we'd pull off the highway and find a place for some masala chai. Subhash asked a man standing in a nearby field if it was okay to park there. The man said, "Of course." We got to talking and told him we were from Canada. Guess what? He lived for several years in Ontario! He insisted we follow him to his house to meet his wife and son. We spent an extremely pleasant hour drinking tea and eating biscuits in his 250 year old castle!! Turns out he is the 7th generation of an Attari family of land-owners and businessmen. After our visit, he insisted on escorting us to the border and park in one his many lots for free. His parting words were, "I love Canada and Canadians." Well, Harpreet, we love Indians!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Waiting for the Beat and Retreat Ceremony at the Pakistani border.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRj8xWhRNhENxGN8ZP33S9c4ac901OfiFVLfAb3qf-aViFA_baPmFlL51wGW-P32qmdAg5tssgRUMaWkYNkyQTn8UMn8D_Alrv8wL_NhDDgs39TY1h9_xNJh2W1piRNs4wPKP1Y2OQDC8/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRj8xWhRNhENxGN8ZP33S9c4ac901OfiFVLfAb3qf-aViFA_baPmFlL51wGW-P32qmdAg5tssgRUMaWkYNkyQTn8UMn8D_Alrv8wL_NhDDgs39TY1h9_xNJh2W1piRNs4wPKP1Y2OQDC8/s640/IMG_1529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">So much pomp!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next morning we left Amristsar bright and early for a long day of driving. We made a few stops along the way. Once we got to Delhi, Subhash generously invited us to stay overnight with his family. We gladly accepted his kind offer. We really wanted to meet his family!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWjz7yWJc2HlR41p8YtBklG5vwe92-YHBZD6s1nVXItH8JxE4vC4fazxt0r1hFVZtj7nTmZ0WBBBh8r6sT3WyaMR8mI1d-liLnjYFGRumqDF4cEHiGQ5BiLB3lc9tahtKJWyGSzm9qnQ/s1600/P1260126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWjz7yWJc2HlR41p8YtBklG5vwe92-YHBZD6s1nVXItH8JxE4vC4fazxt0r1hFVZtj7nTmZ0WBBBh8r6sT3WyaMR8mI1d-liLnjYFGRumqDF4cEHiGQ5BiLB3lc9tahtKJWyGSzm9qnQ/s640/P1260126.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Punjabi breakast at a 'dhaba' (a highway canteen).</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-R9bNkBguZD6bGycarh7V0B5cFynm5VRMbAvdBf6laEivZyExS8jhSV8z-SlSDPsJcSp2Qit7oAnie0w4J5PfnblpbVGpLSejoYd_Kq30YPRg6LKrdF29Yjmg99W5eayWgId0a8t3rDc/s1600/IMG_1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-R9bNkBguZD6bGycarh7V0B5cFynm5VRMbAvdBf6laEivZyExS8jhSV8z-SlSDPsJcSp2Qit7oAnie0w4J5PfnblpbVGpLSejoYd_Kq30YPRg6LKrdF29Yjmg99W5eayWgId0a8t3rDc/s640/IMG_1553.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>We stopped for tea in the afternoon and met some sheep.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3aapVruBI5ZSn0xr-CTrtq9DpXPgd3iTi7kHlJVBOOY0ot_7s6BR1DXjUs9tNVZVw0Bj5UTR_AZswNv4WSwTr0iIijJFo80IuMPFbw1nUnDVSlysDKTdnybLhDglppLT1cNF71DN70A/s1600/P1260137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3aapVruBI5ZSn0xr-CTrtq9DpXPgd3iTi7kHlJVBOOY0ot_7s6BR1DXjUs9tNVZVw0Bj5UTR_AZswNv4WSwTr0iIijJFo80IuMPFbw1nUnDVSlysDKTdnybLhDglppLT1cNF71DN70A/s640/P1260137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Cow patties drying in the sun.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LuUQfyQQtNRZlLXVbGlaPGr0pRvJHHsDrZJdUO4Y-hcqPbmBDZ7hN1T5TTeZVj9YKjUxW25yYPoVl5B37F9eOPhpBw2OIT2KTJZpguA20wEVf8itdyz8cUHrDH0yYWS4Y6AilXhnJJ8/s1600/IMG_1563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LuUQfyQQtNRZlLXVbGlaPGr0pRvJHHsDrZJdUO4Y-hcqPbmBDZ7hN1T5TTeZVj9YKjUxW25yYPoVl5B37F9eOPhpBw2OIT2KTJZpguA20wEVf8itdyz8cUHrDH0yYWS4Y6AilXhnJJ8/s640/IMG_1563.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The orange seller asked for a photo when we stopped to buy fruit at the side of the highway.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMCn3xXaGLe_mIANnCyU1aI_IoODj8X48QgCpGX3abX6o_eIq6QeBnmqdN87Z-Y5dkyaUC2F20mfHh1Y1oY2AFphzkl-gNk98AYXkfT1fXt4VL4fYQ2nd1AanrfRBz3rbbAp9WBBcFUs/s1600/P1260156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMCn3xXaGLe_mIANnCyU1aI_IoODj8X48QgCpGX3abX6o_eIq6QeBnmqdN87Z-Y5dkyaUC2F20mfHh1Y1oY2AFphzkl-gNk98AYXkfT1fXt4VL4fYQ2nd1AanrfRBz3rbbAp9WBBcFUs/s640/P1260156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Here is the best family in all of India. Subhash's family welcomed Joe and I into their home with open arms and loving hearts. His wife Anju cooked us a fabulous dinner, his mother Angoori was sweet and his children Shivani, </i><i>Deepanshu and </i><i>Jatin were incredibly polite, kind and attentive to our every need.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL8RvRpFuUyqN3B7jaZJn9X-TexIK5RUZNf3PeGxafCBKle_r9PJpdIC24IJ3h4S4WDX1BySIGTzH6lOHsR8IqP_XZGV5n-IjVLILafKCAnQ3kp0z75pY0fam44Dahx9ET_cMIGbJ9WM/s1600/P1260145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL8RvRpFuUyqN3B7jaZJn9X-TexIK5RUZNf3PeGxafCBKle_r9PJpdIC24IJ3h4S4WDX1BySIGTzH6lOHsR8IqP_XZGV5n-IjVLILafKCAnQ3kp0z75pY0fam44Dahx9ET_cMIGbJ9WM/s640/P1260145.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The upstairs neighbours invited us for tea in the afternoon and then for breakfast the next morning!</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">All too soon it was time to say good-bye to the best family in all of India. I think the cow was even sad to see us go.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After plenty of hugs and kisses all around, we hopped into Subhash's car and headed for Vrindavan to spend a couple of days celebrating the festival of Holi. </span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-82748811892168144842018-03-01T03:34:00.000-08:002018-06-25T20:41:34.730-07:00Pushkar And Camels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBbu1hyMcn_kqugZoOdewsx4lvVPbYYbcVm8oj3tFZzoowexMmWOM0qQVmUTOE8aINEGbjrmTKY66fkEGahIIzZ6cZ2L8_5AGOWdz5YgeAcq1U-JJRKWmObj5KeouF0XldHrApOC9sUA/s1600/IMG_1268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBbu1hyMcn_kqugZoOdewsx4lvVPbYYbcVm8oj3tFZzoowexMmWOM0qQVmUTOE8aINEGbjrmTKY66fkEGahIIzZ6cZ2L8_5AGOWdz5YgeAcq1U-JJRKWmObj5KeouF0XldHrApOC9sUA/s640/IMG_1268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city of Pushkar was the final stop on our Intrepid Travels tour. We wandered the market in the afternoon and went for a camel ride out into the desert during the evening.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A stop at a tea stall is the first thing we do when arriving in any Indian city.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Feeding the holy cows.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We feel like celebrities here in India! We have been stopped by countless locals wanting a photo with the foreigners. We are only happy to oblige.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">"Anybody home?"</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Receiving a blessing from a Hindu priest at the entrance of a temple.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">In the evening we went for a camel ride out into the Pushkar Desert. My honourable steed "Raju'.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Raju's handler Nareet. He was so kind and patient, even catching me when I almost fell out of the saddle trying to dismount.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Ride 'em cowboy! (Photo credit: Malcolm Beard.)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Just call me the 'Camel Whisperer'. Check out Joe's dismount in the background. Let me tell you, it is not easy. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">(Photo credit: Lisa Beard.)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">After the camel ride, Joe and I danced.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thali, my newest favourite way to eat Indian food. And the best part? Unlimited re-fills on everything!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Intrepid Travels tour group met for one final dinner together. We ate a family's house for some delicious home-cooking.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We then took a train back to Delhi to sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bright and early the following morning, our friend-guide-driver Subhash Chand picked Joe and I up and whisked us away to Amritsar to see the Golden Temple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We will be with Subhash until we fly to Bangkok on March 8th. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us!</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-45747621161195761432018-02-25T05:41:00.002-08:002018-06-25T20:43:29.562-07:00Udaipur, Venice of the East<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Udaipur is known as the 'Venice of the East', the 'City of Lakes' and the 'Kashmir of Rajasthan' for good reason. The city is almost 500 years old and surrounds five beautiful lakes.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The incredible city of Udaipur.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A nice lunch spot on Lake Pichola.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBE1k8Jq64BOwEpuL-Gogg6So8eqfgh9MLwdcoH6uP8HNwaKOHbdXQudrk-x7r0ukN9LhNwXGCt9ewXegNAYsGc2173aqfZutDC-_yJ_lmU-CCtk3KqF_7y4iiLx76KGMUeaxBufWd5c/s1600/P1250581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBE1k8Jq64BOwEpuL-Gogg6So8eqfgh9MLwdcoH6uP8HNwaKOHbdXQudrk-x7r0ukN9LhNwXGCt9ewXegNAYsGc2173aqfZutDC-_yJ_lmU-CCtk3KqF_7y4iiLx76KGMUeaxBufWd5c/s640/P1250581.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Laundry in the lane.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRRrpiByZAm4BpopnkCoFbK_hUzWo6CHzDEi26h_JoaIOWf4oV3Pz6bYoEjYCjxnbx0e-A13hyGcuGvXL-BS2kY3Lynt6td4MlaEt_YgK28aadq0XruquzgFAPhXye1dymk8zzmATL6U/s1600/P1250639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRRrpiByZAm4BpopnkCoFbK_hUzWo6CHzDEi26h_JoaIOWf4oV3Pz6bYoEjYCjxnbx0e-A13hyGcuGvXL-BS2kY3Lynt6td4MlaEt_YgK28aadq0XruquzgFAPhXye1dymk8zzmATL6U/s640/P1250639.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Laundry at the lake.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBEoYUxtktHArp1X_pCYh4msbL2t1sWWUd4NwMZK1mf9ZvsrZxMwifUWnwOQ6yF6fkhXM7qlsZBUSIX2IngxJvYriuIgSaFxVcgEb74S_UgoQZWbbryl0_hOlurviiIeBTXOq6mGCy-0/s1600/P1250591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBEoYUxtktHArp1X_pCYh4msbL2t1sWWUd4NwMZK1mf9ZvsrZxMwifUWnwOQ6yF6fkhXM7qlsZBUSIX2IngxJvYriuIgSaFxVcgEb74S_UgoQZWbbryl0_hOlurviiIeBTXOq6mGCy-0/s640/P1250591.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Udaipur street art.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3OQNQESnE7Yj2xKW-DbizvYHFveOYyyFNllHAMDrxlXthp2HvOPhIZEaY9_aGaccb9RCm_pFapeV4a4vUjn_V_K97m7mEwaltE2D62Cc_DWm9kh2SpnfWWCRSNGYTADlcV-yias0IW4/s1600/P1250643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF3OQNQESnE7Yj2xKW-DbizvYHFveOYyyFNllHAMDrxlXthp2HvOPhIZEaY9_aGaccb9RCm_pFapeV4a4vUjn_V_K97m7mEwaltE2D62Cc_DWm9kh2SpnfWWCRSNGYTADlcV-yias0IW4/s640/P1250643.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Lal Ghat.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf7qLzWrnNgbo1bQYd28BR1KqRsHqVV6r4ZZrKPjkiFSenhxq7Vj6aJP5cNIOwA1vmIbnmF1Y9WO5nochICcE0qAWyVAP1_DXgVz4DtYo5fLE08k1WAwZ4rH1FdvW1dOkRCNOBFE7ST0/s1600/P1250605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgf7qLzWrnNgbo1bQYd28BR1KqRsHqVV6r4ZZrKPjkiFSenhxq7Vj6aJP5cNIOwA1vmIbnmF1Y9WO5nochICcE0qAWyVAP1_DXgVz4DtYo5fLE08k1WAwZ4rH1FdvW1dOkRCNOBFE7ST0/s640/P1250605.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I can see why it's called the 'Venice of the East'.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfunxepk-w7UYC1ot23B85xUWfjN32f2dCmz8_-9BaOvydlalgF3UUBqlyLUEdZMPsR8ImWzkA_TIBst_6VWvzxmp6ykivvlHzKNXwk_dmo_oxKF3Cr5mAaQlwqsletSy_LYNKZJVJdU/s1600/P1250751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfunxepk-w7UYC1ot23B85xUWfjN32f2dCmz8_-9BaOvydlalgF3UUBqlyLUEdZMPsR8ImWzkA_TIBst_6VWvzxmp6ykivvlHzKNXwk_dmo_oxKF3Cr5mAaQlwqsletSy_LYNKZJVJdU/s640/P1250751.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Whenever I walked past this woman, she would pat the stone seat beside her and say, "Sit. Sit." I'd sit, she'd smile, we'd have a quick conversation in our respective languages, then hug and say good-bye.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-qhWo2HY4JUvWdANAcwAkoFz8FGIMArmvGw1pPnMrOizLIUbzvhBRjJd-MovXYe5pmYIMRBbSC1-dI3ucmr3ne-qB_3RtlEmq9B5NuimQ3GLMT1F9S9puA04XjofSEjbzfBROibP3i8/s1600/P1250647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-qhWo2HY4JUvWdANAcwAkoFz8FGIMArmvGw1pPnMrOizLIUbzvhBRjJd-MovXYe5pmYIMRBbSC1-dI3ucmr3ne-qB_3RtlEmq9B5NuimQ3GLMT1F9S9puA04XjofSEjbzfBROibP3i8/s640/P1250647.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">City Palace.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPTTOjbxm4xuWhEZPbYASV6eZE5MmwF2lsANTQ7oNY_Geowa0Evtva2UWhlni0yI6bmGZXasGqJez4JC7_9twyNbMs51HC-X1nzSKXMg-AG38ya6GOPsLal6M-Qfc8Hktv7LdB8YE4CM/s1600/P1250702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPTTOjbxm4xuWhEZPbYASV6eZE5MmwF2lsANTQ7oNY_Geowa0Evtva2UWhlni0yI6bmGZXasGqJez4JC7_9twyNbMs51HC-X1nzSKXMg-AG38ya6GOPsLal6M-Qfc8Hktv7LdB8YE4CM/s640/P1250702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Treed courtyard in the City Palace.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwq2p_4bo7UDsG7iN6N4ZaTpHvGM5ft5xtoOLvKJnev8pn5s1qJzGgz3IWbn3_jdeSYRitd3oxy7x8pQZrSLfN3chOtsj4ZY_2rvFGNwjvRsoj0uTUtazKnQ1FJJYqiUYJByHqXCzz5M/s1600/P1250711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwq2p_4bo7UDsG7iN6N4ZaTpHvGM5ft5xtoOLvKJnev8pn5s1qJzGgz3IWbn3_jdeSYRitd3oxy7x8pQZrSLfN3chOtsj4ZY_2rvFGNwjvRsoj0uTUtazKnQ1FJJYqiUYJByHqXCzz5M/s640/P1250711.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The King's love nest in the City Palace.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyoebtvq0bLiw8ThF9syHJ7DtW9XfQTU6QVEUGKtjnjxG3n7fOlhpfp6btpQp9VUsjCgHQ3lyrP7Sweuqd23Qxm-JQVxkYsmkYd3cBZNLclqh3i31mYaq63Be3CP58PVnRbpwGaP0AAE/s1600/P1250755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyoebtvq0bLiw8ThF9syHJ7DtW9XfQTU6QVEUGKtjnjxG3n7fOlhpfp6btpQp9VUsjCgHQ3lyrP7Sweuqd23Qxm-JQVxkYsmkYd3cBZNLclqh3i31mYaq63Be3CP58PVnRbpwGaP0AAE/s640/P1250755.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Every time we'd pass this guy he'd start singing 'Frere Jacques' in a big booming voice.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26KdJSc8hukXQL9ZYmzCbsG0fbAYp8xx7FXRyFYCi2m3WAkFFKWzO5NmmtPRwcOodo3NxkHKTwSGCTX7TEsNofPwEp-teBGza_-QiYgM5NRou46vGfIH5ptyfH9ciXIij5XRKtamuMsQ/s1600/P1250757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26KdJSc8hukXQL9ZYmzCbsG0fbAYp8xx7FXRyFYCi2m3WAkFFKWzO5NmmtPRwcOodo3NxkHKTwSGCTX7TEsNofPwEp-teBGza_-QiYgM5NRou46vGfIH5ptyfH9ciXIij5XRKtamuMsQ/s640/P1250757.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">You can find cows pretty much everywhere in this country.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Udaipur is a beautiful city, rich in history and of course lovely people.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next stop...Pushkar!</span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-20082552820883552018-02-23T16:50:00.000-08:002018-06-25T20:48:38.663-07:00Bijapur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfClIoYqjY0_0bclZrYAYCugCs7Ge-44_2EDpQRgsIIplwCupdnT6jLYdqN5-mRBhAOGopbrHipW8E3o5uiykUp4aCXB1FAS_i9BgO4fBlWDD6HM4v6WJFl9iiHD3zclYlfHj1Z1XKDs/s1600/P1250332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfClIoYqjY0_0bclZrYAYCugCs7Ge-44_2EDpQRgsIIplwCupdnT6jLYdqN5-mRBhAOGopbrHipW8E3o5uiykUp4aCXB1FAS_i9BgO4fBlWDD6HM4v6WJFl9iiHD3zclYlfHj1Z1XKDs/s640/P1250332.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1154674804"></span><span id="goog_1154674805"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We left the town of Bundi and climbed aboard a local train bound for Bijapur. We sat with a young family and enjoyed our morning with them. The father spoke English quite well and was interested to know where we were from. Everyone is excited when they hear the word Canada. "Very cold!" "So far away!" they say.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZVW8rOKmnUVP4UW290snmYSl64BkygSuYmIXsVKUloj7vq1HRdpkXjjRsc_yeaDqc39hAP6UsxCTiQ0iwEb6lMtB27BsBEmQPu3KSsF146J8QrX65zsvqDsHbI4Saz1mxaZU427Vh4Q/s1600/P1250310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZVW8rOKmnUVP4UW290snmYSl64BkygSuYmIXsVKUloj7vq1HRdpkXjjRsc_yeaDqc39hAP6UsxCTiQ0iwEb6lMtB27BsBEmQPu3KSsF146J8QrX65zsvqDsHbI4Saz1mxaZU427Vh4Q/s640/P1250310.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Mops and Pops on the train to Bijapur.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN02hc4UvvVBYzZZmcVb1f1Cwc4cVg49HbbunK2pvHICsZqYk5lYdp9yxRQ496c3Q-FOeLrYAVh4VpAUoQ2-dfvDZqg36RjPWJmJ9d_em8OD2m1PnshWkkXSsID58II0xAJ-lwmtpq8zg/s1600/P1250313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN02hc4UvvVBYzZZmcVb1f1Cwc4cVg49HbbunK2pvHICsZqYk5lYdp9yxRQ496c3Q-FOeLrYAVh4VpAUoQ2-dfvDZqg36RjPWJmJ9d_em8OD2m1PnshWkkXSsID58II0xAJ-lwmtpq8zg/s640/P1250313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We bought some snacks to tide us over on our train journey. When I had finished eating, I began to crumple up the newspaper with the remaining crispy bits inside. With a smile, the father of the family motioned for me to give him the balled up newspaper. I handed it to him and he unceremoniously threw it out the window! LOL.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdg9G884ZNpbzQWdMxnjf-Y3jsKaqd7WFolpEMRB6afofCdd9X25MtxXVQS2nwQ9WTMfruLUv3o-yd2kSTLXR9dkG1muKn2HZkXzzqwt5mO7FkJ6REpk-g4Cz_3fqYsj2kF-GMSczW3s/s1600/P1250318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdg9G884ZNpbzQWdMxnjf-Y3jsKaqd7WFolpEMRB6afofCdd9X25MtxXVQS2nwQ9WTMfruLUv3o-yd2kSTLXR9dkG1muKn2HZkXzzqwt5mO7FkJ6REpk-g4Cz_3fqYsj2kF-GMSczW3s/s640/P1250318.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A young one watching the world go by.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoXD7D17682C6RyDhwy2qx4W05FMsqmyChV9ygo9QIp_HkdE1vG6itiLfzOqz4TQ40ZMS8MFiJZp5GB-1ydkT-8670WtE9IB9ZX7dgDIz8CoMb577ZfhJ2ohT4eFFpFdy1WbtNskQuZc/s1600/P1250327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoXD7D17682C6RyDhwy2qx4W05FMsqmyChV9ygo9QIp_HkdE1vG6itiLfzOqz4TQ40ZMS8MFiJZp5GB-1ydkT-8670WtE9IB9ZX7dgDIz8CoMb577ZfhJ2ohT4eFFpFdy1WbtNskQuZc/s640/P1250327.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">An old one watching the world go by.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXqUT3Co7ysgyijYIT38qT6pWYowurrDJWD0QM38NcUyOlQnBiMcFm8vzsD8gGxP4fWJ-LIhyGMMFx5TPFt_7FnvcN5S3MDacjsKYxePqthKM8ebhRD_RaHqnm_FsGCcVIPERq-rdZ6Y/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXqUT3Co7ysgyijYIT38qT6pWYowurrDJWD0QM38NcUyOlQnBiMcFm8vzsD8gGxP4fWJ-LIhyGMMFx5TPFt_7FnvcN5S3MDacjsKYxePqthKM8ebhRD_RaHqnm_FsGCcVIPERq-rdZ6Y/s640/IMG_1172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">How many people can you fit in a tuk-tuk? LOTS!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">16th century Castle Bijaipur. Our home for the night.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcqsBY0th86EoblVlN_DAQYwpjTmdl-iZMMGWhZmaMx_cMx-Y9_LWdsmu3WpYSoEDvw9O4dcdmrkKmSo8ioN7iqgSMczDksyIVLwjLafTnatgD96hrgU-TEgvwnFDcpGv6lqQpvWbWFI/s1600/P1250368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcqsBY0th86EoblVlN_DAQYwpjTmdl-iZMMGWhZmaMx_cMx-Y9_LWdsmu3WpYSoEDvw9O4dcdmrkKmSo8ioN7iqgSMczDksyIVLwjLafTnatgD96hrgU-TEgvwnFDcpGv6lqQpvWbWFI/s640/P1250368.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The ca</i><i>stle grounds were kept beautifully.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX6-pO4VDk3nVfSA4mv83pi86Q2Z_n2sCTzC7YaYrC9RWswNvWpeuWn0PS8tkLjJbvt6F1kNE7rBYInHAJfS7pFkmBBtMPnBy5ZIsdvMIG1J7NDcKmr23bKLx_G35kLmlF7wUWfnX7ao/s1600/P1250373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX6-pO4VDk3nVfSA4mv83pi86Q2Z_n2sCTzC7YaYrC9RWswNvWpeuWn0PS8tkLjJbvt6F1kNE7rBYInHAJfS7pFkmBBtMPnBy5ZIsdvMIG1J7NDcKmr23bKLx_G35kLmlF7wUWfnX7ao/s640/P1250373.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Flowers were everywhere.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIe4d9hRPntCj-YFNDhVXlK1aPPEdUcI-pl4ndFA5lcJ0x6HRdfaP0Wi55Rhdv4rvlS14qFWX1R0RbS37DJUeXJuxSEaEa8nMp4wJ87IMnYSY7AnZAgbZxjit9J3gMtsxABIiZPbSbsQ/s1600/P1250435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIe4d9hRPntCj-YFNDhVXlK1aPPEdUcI-pl4ndFA5lcJ0x6HRdfaP0Wi55Rhdv4rvlS14qFWX1R0RbS37DJUeXJuxSEaEa8nMp4wJ87IMnYSY7AnZAgbZxjit9J3gMtsxABIiZPbSbsQ/s640/P1250435.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Castle Bijaipur.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXIHTqCFmU56p5TUexKADcBQCECgBTRkNI29Ml9947xEnKDAK8_ojnko-JnDTkF5o9lo4D518cjtjujPu6-Su4RTOzTpnMsEL8KQU5T6V7L_EzNqEK0crQSVLX2jEdO_CSr5ryOySH6k/s1600/P1250431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXIHTqCFmU56p5TUexKADcBQCECgBTRkNI29Ml9947xEnKDAK8_ojnko-JnDTkF5o9lo4D518cjtjujPu6-Su4RTOzTpnMsEL8KQU5T6V7L_EzNqEK0crQSVLX2jEdO_CSr5ryOySH6k/s640/P1250431.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Some of our tour group did yoga here one morning.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW5TsblvpOhUeU5e82p_IQ-kYWBXls8T1JCT627s05nI1rdx_TUGW6ivgYnY8FDbaEXdE_00zIGdZpl8xtUeNqqFa8zgk7GAFVLLeNnv8AWlS25b2jVetyXZpQBEJFW6AE1oI-gGDnCE/s1600/P1250358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1031" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnW5TsblvpOhUeU5e82p_IQ-kYWBXls8T1JCT627s05nI1rdx_TUGW6ivgYnY8FDbaEXdE_00zIGdZpl8xtUeNqqFa8zgk7GAFVLLeNnv8AWlS25b2jVetyXZpQBEJFW6AE1oI-gGDnCE/s640/P1250358.JPG" width="462" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Chillin' by the pool. (Photo credit: </i><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Nataša Vukoman)</i></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The owner's grandson in the castle's garden.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNamEJz20SDhYvSFYS7XOJHk_VmPxANoSz_AKXrF428eWseWlZJIELSx32amnnCNWEtTBqZUp_6zjKL9eIUtPlXZ2Z9SmxQYQdmUHUFRTv4VZ3gqYi1TLY1mbxXhRntLVZI9PwspkOSn0/s1600/P1250388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNamEJz20SDhYvSFYS7XOJHk_VmPxANoSz_AKXrF428eWseWlZJIELSx32amnnCNWEtTBqZUp_6zjKL9eIUtPlXZ2Z9SmxQYQdmUHUFRTv4VZ3gqYi1TLY1mbxXhRntLVZI9PwspkOSn0/s640/P1250388.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I loved the village walks. Everyone smiles and says hello. Everybody wanted their photo taken.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefgpArGZkOEDcPlhujcr3KAKx60l9Xne28TXwG1rxqTlhh5FhJVgmcjofIfK85xLbNvfaoS4vyVlQvvgvJ3GKyziPpUmfH5C4rumFhKQi2wqoxQRRGoN5Uypbue3euFzKyo_0KAzN0SE/s1600/P1250394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefgpArGZkOEDcPlhujcr3KAKx60l9Xne28TXwG1rxqTlhh5FhJVgmcjofIfK85xLbNvfaoS4vyVlQvvgvJ3GKyziPpUmfH5C4rumFhKQi2wqoxQRRGoN5Uypbue3euFzKyo_0KAzN0SE/s640/P1250394.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Indian women can carry anything on their heads.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCDuUC11ZV-rnVjDpVm9W9HJBinwV0tDFqFymM15xn248Da4_7Nu5JqXTzjO8teh9At2SQGaSuQVetR600vIOIN-KU4YPbcJ3eMhQ1S_dNRj8MsewDb2n8_1Qila3DLdezbYfKAitI84/s1600/P1250411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCDuUC11ZV-rnVjDpVm9W9HJBinwV0tDFqFymM15xn248Da4_7Nu5JqXTzjO8teh9At2SQGaSuQVetR600vIOIN-KU4YPbcJ3eMhQ1S_dNRj8MsewDb2n8_1Qila3DLdezbYfKAitI84/s640/P1250411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Even the cows pose for photos.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLYcBdE4xnciJuhN2lVf-lsok9RchATSRWWSrQZKXaTbgcm2pTxtSpM8Y3Lc0OG87KGhiSpyqalllAsXbFNTw-R3B7uRHPpVQn6rlL8pfQGjxzkZL0FXIq-D1VbP9DaPs_0FDTyF2oKY/s1600/P1250448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLYcBdE4xnciJuhN2lVf-lsok9RchATSRWWSrQZKXaTbgcm2pTxtSpM8Y3Lc0OG87KGhiSpyqalllAsXbFNTw-R3B7uRHPpVQn6rlL8pfQGjxzkZL0FXIq-D1VbP9DaPs_0FDTyF2oKY/s640/P1250448.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Opium poppy fields.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1UMJ1ioFTEsuXaS8tmHQ-GQToXp-IbFPj_wen95Oa7R_tnCf8PBL5ZjCOtEu-RRQNJaGres621cB20uknEE3CxpNRnhgHaXBHwvxUl8tjt5sp2nrp_TwzxbhsNm8FOo99ETdCRLKv9o/s1600/P1250464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1UMJ1ioFTEsuXaS8tmHQ-GQToXp-IbFPj_wen95Oa7R_tnCf8PBL5ZjCOtEu-RRQNJaGres621cB20uknEE3CxpNRnhgHaXBHwvxUl8tjt5sp2nrp_TwzxbhsNm8FOo99ETdCRLKv9o/s640/P1250464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Shhhhh...someone's sleeping.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzik4Xeh4cX4WNJwy5nN1L6ae-ijCks__UWcV6FvaTEfPY9nyAo5JahWuxnSLN-Kl7pBUKaTauWvsBk_jHOALA-nojiqEnvWoUopnwiPnjQZVkdCTbghabw48kfJ0L3-LpexvELREO_mM/s1600/P1250468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzik4Xeh4cX4WNJwy5nN1L6ae-ijCks__UWcV6FvaTEfPY9nyAo5JahWuxnSLN-Kl7pBUKaTauWvsBk_jHOALA-nojiqEnvWoUopnwiPnjQZVkdCTbghabw48kfJ0L3-LpexvELREO_mM/s640/P1250468.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This young mother shyly asked me for a photograph.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN93JntDptRf80SWkQnEmxOLoCWr0RU36gQ3Gb2FH7WVFRhH30kP1o2MdwzfM89WmydmfW1yrKXr5Tnl0AvASTlHYHBUWkpq60ieNK8ijBo6OZTCqB4cRBDv3S98Fk09BUjmzecZvw1Qk/s1600/P1250460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN93JntDptRf80SWkQnEmxOLoCWr0RU36gQ3Gb2FH7WVFRhH30kP1o2MdwzfM89WmydmfW1yrKXr5Tnl0AvASTlHYHBUWkpq60ieNK8ijBo6OZTCqB4cRBDv3S98Fk09BUjmzecZvw1Qk/s640/P1250460.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Dried cow patties are a major source of fuel.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYZxC860bkkZDFZb13fIo-hyxRpONOtNDIHuFlsdnaY-1MRCGd3BC9wxDqr2hEngYUExWQSqkX35DRqsWGvZJk7jnM0ScmNOrJMPctYs4efGw4RaKbo3qlLMIFnxHYIWHLLFmp_l7jb8/s1600/IMG_1130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYZxC860bkkZDFZb13fIo-hyxRpONOtNDIHuFlsdnaY-1MRCGd3BC9wxDqr2hEngYUExWQSqkX35DRqsWGvZJk7jnM0ScmNOrJMPctYs4efGw4RaKbo3qlLMIFnxHYIWHLLFmp_l7jb8/s640/IMG_1130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Feet.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A teacher with her students.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NcX8l1SstWZVxjMhfvtZdPgIU7S-2TtRmltqXzYvDdLaKVeMoV2LoNbuZVGG9Z15X30GSbkHjFNO9vU3IB7tMe_9Pby0t_vdpujFQOzNs9MPVkhVu7eedvIzEPOmaPKeAstIuTYV45Q/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NcX8l1SstWZVxjMhfvtZdPgIU7S-2TtRmltqXzYvDdLaKVeMoV2LoNbuZVGG9Z15X30GSbkHjFNO9vU3IB7tMe_9Pby0t_vdpujFQOzNs9MPVkhVu7eedvIzEPOmaPKeAstIuTYV45Q/s640/IMG_4002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i>Many of you know how much I love sleeping outdoors. It is my favourite place to catch some shut-eye. Imagine my delight when I learned we were going 'glamping' at Pangarh Lake Resort. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>(Photo credit: </i><i style="text-align: left;">Nataša Vukoman)</i><i style="text-align: left;"> </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDiAA7hHU8LvERfR6olbe0Tj_ElJ-XZa1eXYV66Lbh-CLNS0q2SRpiod_6JueKjVUGLGv0eVI-C26SKN5syWPrbJc3EHo_asX24TfHXQ_5ysx5f208dJkTxTnWxkbwPmPUVKEAmmL4aY/s1600/P1250500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDiAA7hHU8LvERfR6olbe0Tj_ElJ-XZa1eXYV66Lbh-CLNS0q2SRpiod_6JueKjVUGLGv0eVI-C26SKN5syWPrbJc3EHo_asX24TfHXQ_5ysx5f208dJkTxTnWxkbwPmPUVKEAmmL4aY/s640/P1250500.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Heaven.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Wheat fields surrounded Pangarh Lake.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">No matter where we are in India, the minute we step out onto any road, the village children come running. "Photo! Photo!" they call.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WZ2r0cAqu6DgkahqfMK2-SnuU_40h7Ie4_Arkkp7LgSt0gW_DIsKPRBGRGTn7s2MrB40h_asnevutGSkgSDmbqbSyHqPEGyqcJQBGg59MsZdHKaUPjTIj7oSrwmFAk_nqpdE6hodExM/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WZ2r0cAqu6DgkahqfMK2-SnuU_40h7Ie4_Arkkp7LgSt0gW_DIsKPRBGRGTn7s2MrB40h_asnevutGSkgSDmbqbSyHqPEGyqcJQBGg59MsZdHKaUPjTIj7oSrwmFAk_nqpdE6hodExM/s640/IMG_0634.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I took a bunch of photos and showed them. Who doesn't like looking at images of themselves? </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">(Photo Credit: Alexander Bons.)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our evening stroll also included a herd of goats.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Not only was this woman a goatherd, but she was also carrying a huge bundle of saplings on her head while holding a kid. And then she stopped and kindly let me take a photo of her!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sunrise on Pangarh Lake. I swear, India has the best sunrises and sunsets.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A pretty nice place to wait for breakfast to be served.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our two nights in Bijapur passed all too quickly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our final morning, we jumped into taxis and roared off in the direction of Udaipur. This city is often called 'The Venice of India'. Can't wait!</span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-18017014206600375402018-02-21T09:16:00.002-08:002018-06-25T20:52:08.785-07:00The Blue City of Bundi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zC7AfR6EVXDYz-Xf3J0O4Jb4tiiTP6OKrQxUmU18M2cEK7LKdhAsU2bSOMxvQYWCWM8CEKY5wMMEQSI07JKqPLYt05TaCrnPl1EP7S4tBxpc0WWn1HHWVNYo2n2pSZDEDY0bso88tyA/s1600/P1250214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zC7AfR6EVXDYz-Xf3J0O4Jb4tiiTP6OKrQxUmU18M2cEK7LKdhAsU2bSOMxvQYWCWM8CEKY5wMMEQSI07JKqPLYt05TaCrnPl1EP7S4tBxpc0WWn1HHWVNYo2n2pSZDEDY0bso88tyA/s640/P1250214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Before we travelled to the blue city of Bundi, our tour group went on a safari in Ranthambore National Park to look for the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. We piled into a huge jeep and drove off into the Indian countryside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After an hour of bumping over dirt roads, our guide got a call saying there had been a tiger sighting. Every jeep in the park drove at top speed and converged at the same spot. We all waited with baited breath until we heard cries of, "There it is!" Of course I couldn't see the tiger in the forest, no matter how hard someone tried to point it out to me. But I did see it when it began to move! There was a flash of orange and then it was gone. What an exciting moment!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MflG8n1PX8erbzyxY5RwaGMpBtK08KGs116nogfbmRm5Nb0Ms0XIhg7Hyv3OgDyAdbl7ULWaqtJjncJZNQiVOe3FNwbzukAHxqCnE__Yle_lP3r1P0nMhcJL_mNBTuVGfxVRvFNDM9k/s1600/DSC_0800+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1187" data-original-width="1150" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MflG8n1PX8erbzyxY5RwaGMpBtK08KGs116nogfbmRm5Nb0Ms0XIhg7Hyv3OgDyAdbl7ULWaqtJjncJZNQiVOe3FNwbzukAHxqCnE__Yle_lP3r1P0nMhcJL_mNBTuVGfxVRvFNDM9k/s640/DSC_0800+2.JPG" width="620" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The tiger's head. (Photo credit: Sandra Chapman)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The tiger's body. (Photo credit: Sandra Chapman)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next day we set off toward Bundi. But first we made an impromptu stop along the way.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I took this photo out of our bus window. I noticed a girl sitting on a wall. Our tour guide noticed her too and instructed the bus driver to pull over to the side of the highway. We all piled out as our guide ran across the highway to see if we could pay the family a visit. The answer was an enthusiastic yes!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This smiling face greeted us on the other side of the wall. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The next thing we knew, all the neighbours came running to get in on the action.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The grandmother invited all thirteen of us into her small living quarters to show us how she made butter.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The neighbours couldn't believe that we all crammed into the house and they had to see it for themselves.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our tour leader (in blue and white) chatted with the women and children while tea was made. Two of the girls asked to be taken to Canada with us.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe hung out with the men.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxATbeVHnJtfp82J5-ZJkH1fYT_RssVBD-7spQp0MnDdnLoLuokAILnKcvzmhp6QvjbJOwpc1FKfaKoSzGgpwXHEP2XGCDSev2xR2yVoAKM17oJ6KCcKYCGMICe2RWWUbA8I8TooOROOw/s1600/P1250179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1600" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxATbeVHnJtfp82J5-ZJkH1fYT_RssVBD-7spQp0MnDdnLoLuokAILnKcvzmhp6QvjbJOwpc1FKfaKoSzGgpwXHEP2XGCDSev2xR2yVoAKM17oJ6KCcKYCGMICe2RWWUbA8I8TooOROOw/s640/P1250179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_505357948"></span><span id="goog_505357949"></span>All too soon it was time to say good-bye and be on our way to Bundi.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived at our lovely hotel, dropped our bags and headed out for the afternoon's activities.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlo6cWkFH2h8FUlBshjtjQ-yr1WzUWqfM2Jr7qGxMrrLlrxaJOlOfi5PJT6_dd_t6hNqjcUFsaX-sBJ71DXQVdBCgALHPHMzwUZ8_BE3XXNSyGeVbGu-L_lzKbXHYGT5vI_XnhDK9iU4/s1600/IMG_1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlo6cWkFH2h8FUlBshjtjQ-yr1WzUWqfM2Jr7qGxMrrLlrxaJOlOfi5PJT6_dd_t6hNqjcUFsaX-sBJ71DXQVdBCgALHPHMzwUZ8_BE3XXNSyGeVbGu-L_lzKbXHYGT5vI_XnhDK9iU4/s640/IMG_1135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We went to see Bundi's step-well.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The steps reminded us of an M.C. Escher print.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Some of the women in our tour group had henna designs applied to their hands.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAhVSTUuy4kozCaCuEWO2wY7tO69mF7skXeMPfTsADA0kvbmCC3GtR3oAjs2T95KeNihSTb5RaZrdPeYNJPf0GzCbE9Rna3CpamxMoyytOLACOc_csPK5HslQ2mVdhOVZUpn7e54hgp8/s1600/IMG_1133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCAhVSTUuy4kozCaCuEWO2wY7tO69mF7skXeMPfTsADA0kvbmCC3GtR3oAjs2T95KeNihSTb5RaZrdPeYNJPf0GzCbE9Rna3CpamxMoyytOLACOc_csPK5HslQ2mVdhOVZUpn7e54hgp8/s640/IMG_1133.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Gorgeous artistry.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuEyJpi0pW63v_mJ8haFJauHVYssiDBJ1GUUlhEHxgn989vGAz0nGQ96ivEQ-xYwaxkZLY9QlTPuc3DIr__uUeU2mREba8EAC_Vk_wAJ9IpvzV3RF-oONHOc7oDRWjhkadjCrmDPRfcU/s1600/P1250226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuEyJpi0pW63v_mJ8haFJauHVYssiDBJ1GUUlhEHxgn989vGAz0nGQ96ivEQ-xYwaxkZLY9QlTPuc3DIr__uUeU2mREba8EAC_Vk_wAJ9IpvzV3RF-oONHOc7oDRWjhkadjCrmDPRfcU/s640/P1250226.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Then it was off to visit Bundi Palace, an ancient and crumbling castle overlooking the town.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIENdJvoCXWnzu_z5DiaBmDv7xyITaon8RJKm5htMXnFYknEWWsoBLIGunimeYRwcE8XUEbj3vrwP_u5eruZYbcGj9f8kdKCTw9YvvfQEkqs2mI2wtg-3-wOwm2egX2QxwAmyCneF138k/s1600/P1250252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIENdJvoCXWnzu_z5DiaBmDv7xyITaon8RJKm5htMXnFYknEWWsoBLIGunimeYRwcE8XUEbj3vrwP_u5eruZYbcGj9f8kdKCTw9YvvfQEkqs2mI2wtg-3-wOwm2egX2QxwAmyCneF138k/s640/P1250252.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">'Peep-holes' were used by the royal women, who were hidden behind stone screens.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClnP2aTJR5FnkbP_GnWnlUK0x5f2TSrf3Q41RqKF583zF1X0TwxFcOgId7O_1BKggs7KrpsbPUtyHsuujU9mfuqPruHZevzu2rIKF30qxl6msoAx-QTTD7k1cZe3UZCD2XMXRsbIwhCk/s1600/P1250231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClnP2aTJR5FnkbP_GnWnlUK0x5f2TSrf3Q41RqKF583zF1X0TwxFcOgId7O_1BKggs7KrpsbPUtyHsuujU9mfuqPruHZevzu2rIKF30qxl6msoAx-QTTD7k1cZe3UZCD2XMXRsbIwhCk/s640/P1250231.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful bougainvillaea graced the palace grounds.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNbIgO3rvYlmvMBYMpmI0zqDa6-4u3YyUi4lsHVbpq5Wp3jYLZavH3fCL3ei2oiKDBc7DDTLAru8gWdRJ8qYw2mSaG1tkYaBRJ1kaEyb02EWp6yg9uNaqfUj720lVzghqHFTXNdSs0xg/s1600/P1250259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNbIgO3rvYlmvMBYMpmI0zqDa6-4u3YyUi4lsHVbpq5Wp3jYLZavH3fCL3ei2oiKDBc7DDTLAru8gWdRJ8qYw2mSaG1tkYaBRJ1kaEyb02EWp6yg9uNaqfUj720lVzghqHFTXNdSs0xg/s640/P1250259.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Ceiling detail.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05BXRUacMtevwBaMI7e48zNrbqnrq3Gl0vXDT2ByBnXtA4oR0WdYsDVCOOtEgD98-4Fk-AbWBEXSF8T6BbLD4oZx5ARu21vtWKs7erdRRmiXaceg8MEODh9FKQdmtGagw3m-YPSVkUHU/s1600/P1250269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05BXRUacMtevwBaMI7e48zNrbqnrq3Gl0vXDT2ByBnXtA4oR0WdYsDVCOOtEgD98-4Fk-AbWBEXSF8T6BbLD4oZx5ARu21vtWKs7erdRRmiXaceg8MEODh9FKQdmtGagw3m-YPSVkUHU/s640/P1250269.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>One of the many murals in the Bundi palace.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi825AGNrCKn-XvEuhgVe9635sD4FVrvOcq55M4TjM-t9aZvmltFrim5Ng5A4P-prHFTBsCMQE1h0Xd2GgzJcyCE6cZbukQ5qxtFW35D5LNBPKYA6GNXkLEyQoETY4zLR_kzSqkU-6s1M/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi825AGNrCKn-XvEuhgVe9635sD4FVrvOcq55M4TjM-t9aZvmltFrim5Ng5A4P-prHFTBsCMQE1h0Xd2GgzJcyCE6cZbukQ5qxtFW35D5LNBPKYA6GNXkLEyQoETY4zLR_kzSqkU-6s1M/s640/IMG_1147.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> On our walk back to the hotel, we came across this cow in the middle of traffic. Vehicles just swerved around it. (I swear I have seen thousands of cows since arriving in India thirteen days ago!)</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a whirlwind of activity this past week. We have seen and done so much in a very short amount of time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next stop, Bijaipur!</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-32435231099627958592018-02-18T08:26:00.002-08:002018-06-25T20:56:14.765-07:00Jaipur, the Pink City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2no6dG_ZL65dNcR1Vd30a8EVhFCG94Y2uAzuHQpWra0grjbCPIoOdZsXC1xBqTMQncyQUTRA6nJ6No63cObucVW6xKGHlEsrnWhFg16bEvWdAbR6hkIi2SBdNzQuliHKIKC6SpxCbFIM/s1600/P1240979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2no6dG_ZL65dNcR1Vd30a8EVhFCG94Y2uAzuHQpWra0grjbCPIoOdZsXC1xBqTMQncyQUTRA6nJ6No63cObucVW6xKGHlEsrnWhFg16bEvWdAbR6hkIi2SBdNzQuliHKIKC6SpxCbFIM/s640/P1240979.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After begrudgingly leaving beautiful Fort Madhogarh, we enjoyed a day of bus travel through the Indian countryside, stopping along the way to admire the many sights of Rajasthan.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVgnaSR5BjlJJqKkGsyKWikz4sOXKv66xDdTIcwcagcw1kpW7HIrHSar58HHQP6-lLUaWyT9DNh56nK7i1r_dEksLYwW8DCdsUnH3YWAYr6OhQGBYp1M_BtzVGx50q1_mOab70de5-0E/s1600/1-dsc04418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="683" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVgnaSR5BjlJJqKkGsyKWikz4sOXKv66xDdTIcwcagcw1kpW7HIrHSar58HHQP6-lLUaWyT9DNh56nK7i1r_dEksLYwW8DCdsUnH3YWAYr6OhQGBYp1M_BtzVGx50q1_mOab70de5-0E/s640/1-dsc04418.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Jal Mahel, the Water Palace, on Man Sagar Lake.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnZ6chS4q3R9mhWmARYj-psFjq5PRig2xf2czLs9Rr4gnhjZvD5UHsGHZl9VAbpfk1Livzgk_9MF7C_K4I3H_4NW3Bg3VWbanrbs4OaVm-mnYaSQX0-YUIZfGRYHu8gb2UpavttjVX6c/s1600/P1240681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnZ6chS4q3R9mhWmARYj-psFjq5PRig2xf2czLs9Rr4gnhjZvD5UHsGHZl9VAbpfk1Livzgk_9MF7C_K4I3H_4NW3Bg3VWbanrbs4OaVm-mnYaSQX0-YUIZfGRYHu8gb2UpavttjVX6c/s640/P1240681.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We stopped at the estate where the movie "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' was filmed.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Having a cuppa on the terrace of 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The 'Intrepid Travels' gang at the Amber Fort.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpnavXE8t2S5ELSk-EUJGuWxkDfD7f6MrvUPOlkVkf81D3oPUPUmmqDF3oYPc962Eom2R9jKkbaZ2l5FSlMWT_2oKG7fLUqtcJlyigQngBie67BaimGmfh0I-kPjH8lp5GEgwOHvJIx8/s1600/P1240721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpnavXE8t2S5ELSk-EUJGuWxkDfD7f6MrvUPOlkVkf81D3oPUPUmmqDF3oYPc962Eom2R9jKkbaZ2l5FSlMWT_2oKG7fLUqtcJlyigQngBie67BaimGmfh0I-kPjH8lp5GEgwOHvJIx8/s640/P1240721.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I offered a silent apology to every elephant I saw for having to live an unnatural life carrying people up and down the hill of the Amber Fort.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After a full day of sight-seeing, we arrived in Jaipur. We enjoyed two glorious days in the Pink City.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our digs in Jaipur.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our guide had friends getting married in Jaipur and invited our tour group to join in the festivities. We attended two ceremonies over two nights. These ceremonies were for the groom and his family.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGfHFk4_e1xOGlbw5xpkwX5_9-8g0l3OUOX5anCw_3NaFkUjKFIMJzLltlVLIcV0quniaQqyiocBoW9FuLTJ9PH6-KHLyWbXMn7XWSvVuzonvYcwZkA7_MPhjCFRa1IhXT-h68k03ujA/s1600/28169620_1555600864475841_1485540565_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1486" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGfHFk4_e1xOGlbw5xpkwX5_9-8g0l3OUOX5anCw_3NaFkUjKFIMJzLltlVLIcV0quniaQqyiocBoW9FuLTJ9PH6-KHLyWbXMn7XWSvVuzonvYcwZkA7_MPhjCFRa1IhXT-h68k03ujA/s640/28169620_1555600864475841_1485540565_o.jpg" width="594" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Me and the father of the bride. Thank goodness I had the foresight to buy a sari in Delhi for this auspicious occasion!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The groom and his youngest brother had to sit for HOURS during the first night's festivities.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The women and men were segregated for most of the first night. The women danced for each other with such graceful movements.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Heading out for the second night of wedding festivities.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK8D48p_06ct6b0VumwS4IClxm6roDukzBKA_JMYqJIAA_bVp9-LnNmVfuAW147Arq7lpOfr-9m_IqYWf0Mffza172Ry0guyDHcLbEjpVvKukQxpWcFZqHLM53X_ECvo7Ui13LJKLpKw/s1600/P1250016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK8D48p_06ct6b0VumwS4IClxm6roDukzBKA_JMYqJIAA_bVp9-LnNmVfuAW147Arq7lpOfr-9m_IqYWf0Mffza172Ry0guyDHcLbEjpVvKukQxpWcFZqHLM53X_ECvo7Ui13LJKLpKw/s640/P1250016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The groom and his youngest brother rode a horse out into the street for a procession with the men.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Me and ten of my newest BFFs.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilH4uGOTWLj3uDJ4TfoK-MWh3IcLhTZRr6emmqsu0la0mCfr8-GWynz2-MHRngOuLld0w-DhQKTNR_bgYm8wYVoPux1eQbxWr_RcPXQsNLMLHZQhhUXEBrD1ppzSsr6pKhxxSqzzYyYmg/s1600/P1240800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilH4uGOTWLj3uDJ4TfoK-MWh3IcLhTZRr6emmqsu0la0mCfr8-GWynz2-MHRngOuLld0w-DhQKTNR_bgYm8wYVoPux1eQbxWr_RcPXQsNLMLHZQhhUXEBrD1ppzSsr6pKhxxSqzzYyYmg/s640/P1240800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Early the next morning, I was up at 4:30am and taken out to the country for a hot air balloon ride. Here they are filling the first balloon up with hot air.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We have lift-off!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PlPnbbBrDhRw0Huw-WUUUMJ6_DN5eRbnIokcxM6oourl4OeHtGK7LuIMyAR93h6MHA3Yz9qvNqhZA8uYX8WKUVKH0p-U81Qb2dw62174chTH0CpyS59w6togiNWzS11UtA40IFV9Xlk/s1600/P1240846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PlPnbbBrDhRw0Huw-WUUUMJ6_DN5eRbnIokcxM6oourl4OeHtGK7LuIMyAR93h6MHA3Yz9qvNqhZA8uYX8WKUVKH0p-U81Qb2dw62174chTH0CpyS59w6togiNWzS11UtA40IFV9Xlk/s640/P1240846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Watching the sun rise from a hot air balloon was magical.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOEbWMER2q-p5s0X4cLnUXD7DP2q9lEzpDXRJAJjlMFUGXzL-YvrnO6cNuqrrsZjsE6pnrajDaVeR3rH9Ju4GlujJZdWoS0sHBi_vhYjTdncu7zZDUu0V9bFO9FTDG0pUTRydzl8DHDo/s1600/P1240840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOEbWMER2q-p5s0X4cLnUXD7DP2q9lEzpDXRJAJjlMFUGXzL-YvrnO6cNuqrrsZjsE6pnrajDaVeR3rH9Ju4GlujJZdWoS0sHBi_vhYjTdncu7zZDUu0V9bFO9FTDG0pUTRydzl8DHDo/s640/P1240840.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">My neighbour next to me in the basket offered to take this photo of me.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Looking straight down.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDeZ0eqpXEo8rwfLhXY3opyu8WwpPpD-ADcz8TY0KEVmE5aUNyy9X_SGjVYdyBpvDhKA3lmmkrTf52SpBtKbRyNIpnATWwhwaSWi9y_n2m91DDQ2v4l2Ub1yzyznJJ0mwZforn-ZE__U/s1600/P1240864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDeZ0eqpXEo8rwfLhXY3opyu8WwpPpD-ADcz8TY0KEVmE5aUNyy9X_SGjVYdyBpvDhKA3lmmkrTf52SpBtKbRyNIpnATWwhwaSWi9y_n2m91DDQ2v4l2Ub1yzyznJJ0mwZforn-ZE__U/s640/P1240864.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>As we floated over their heads, farming families came out to wave.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistdJKeYeXUeKtT4IW2tj1kIGSbGgLMkdAwmiAfbco_1-B3PZGP5gSZYlzwJtENHdSpZHTUpXn646wyFnt5ooPSDvQFjWBpfTCY2UIgcu22AQtKpC_nNvUQM9TR25vN6BRVjJOKLq7Y5U/s1600/P1240880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistdJKeYeXUeKtT4IW2tj1kIGSbGgLMkdAwmiAfbco_1-B3PZGP5gSZYlzwJtENHdSpZHTUpXn646wyFnt5ooPSDvQFjWBpfTCY2UIgcu22AQtKpC_nNvUQM9TR25vN6BRVjJOKLq7Y5U/s640/P1240880.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The beautiful patchwork quilt of farms on the outskirts of Jaipur.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Coming in for a landing.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>One morning we went to a Hindu temple.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Riding down the busy highway.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Many families live on the sidewalks of Jaipur.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Palace of the Wind.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">After a busy two days in Jaipur, it was nice to relax in the garden around the fire pit. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next stop...Ranthambore National Park to look for the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger!</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-87027327273803550612018-02-16T09:01:00.001-08:002018-06-25T20:59:47.787-07:00Taj Mahal and Fort Madhogarh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhDpIbkjnsVURcdK5xUBxNtsNJ41Dc6FxjCUzLRBxNqCrJ1q5AViZjXsf2kHXptUWiI2wy4FJKSZA-6eucnFW3edmOtrKj7vpCk889QWWZIF7zGtpvsAzOF6E9gvMJnrDAuaFXzOaES8/s1600/P1240422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1554" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhDpIbkjnsVURcdK5xUBxNtsNJ41Dc6FxjCUzLRBxNqCrJ1q5AViZjXsf2kHXptUWiI2wy4FJKSZA-6eucnFW3edmOtrKj7vpCk889QWWZIF7zGtpvsAzOF6E9gvMJnrDAuaFXzOaES8/s640/P1240422.jpg" width="620" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have met our Intrepid Travels tour group and they are lovely! We are 8 Aussies, 2 Brits and us 2 Canucks, plus our Indian guide. Everyone is friendly and outgoing and helpful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We took the train from Delhi to Agra.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, the jewel in Agra's crown is the Taj Mahal. I have seen photos of the Taj Mahal all my life and nothing prepared me for its overwhelming beauty and grandeur. What a magnificent monument dedicated to love! I could have sat on a stone bench and stared at it all day long.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Heading out of Delhi, an extremely polluted city, on our way to Agra by train.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Taj Mahal is massive!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Lovin' the Taj.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After exploring the Taj Mahal for a few hours, we headed to our hotel for the night. Little did we know we'd be staying in a 17th century fort! Fort Madhogarh was built in 1620 and was converted into a heritage hotel in 2000. And the best part? We had the entire place to ourselves!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Fort Madhogarh, our digs for the night.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Getting ready for lunch in the courtyard.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The 'Intrepid Travels' gang at lunch.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch, we wandered down the hill into the village of Bassi. Our tour leader told us that the villagers, both young and old, would want their photos taken. How right she was! And how much fun I had being with the locals for an hour or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Selfies with the children!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>What a handsome young man.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>A happy group of children coming home from school.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>BFFs.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The elders of Bassi.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">On our village walkabout, we stopped at a workshop where women wove 'homespun' on ancient looms. The noise from those looms was deafening!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS8eOIxqoAw8MGh9Vg1BATWkN4zOqlU8P5UBpPFUuoppFeCfVXo5yHYBJQwJnWXKlFsBYQfg3jPphUcsgvLNC7Of5ysZQ5KSB1EUvza00qKAVONJydtDMsyHq3BL9MFgSiHoZez5MnuI/s1600/P1240508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBS8eOIxqoAw8MGh9Vg1BATWkN4zOqlU8P5UBpPFUuoppFeCfVXo5yHYBJQwJnWXKlFsBYQfg3jPphUcsgvLNC7Of5ysZQ5KSB1EUvza00qKAVONJydtDMsyHq3BL9MFgSiHoZez5MnuI/s640/P1240508.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We stopped in a village tea stall for a delicious cup of masala chai.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">After our village walk, we returned to the fort for happy hour.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmzOSrXDDs37XC6QQ_ZOa4sVgH3i8R3PuTITkLbSCICURYwL67214oNWCGvbQqvyjQ4JC-OaFp6PfnyW0snUL5KFWw9AqDW7KDE8DNOtF_0vO1cizgvF-MyXApuSFNoAsBmK9WihwZEA/s1600/P1240600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmzOSrXDDs37XC6QQ_ZOa4sVgH3i8R3PuTITkLbSCICURYwL67214oNWCGvbQqvyjQ4JC-OaFp6PfnyW0snUL5KFWw9AqDW7KDE8DNOtF_0vO1cizgvF-MyXApuSFNoAsBmK9WihwZEA/s640/P1240600.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> While enjoying our drinks on the terrace, we watched the sun set over the village of Bassi.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>We dressed for dinner that night. Women wore saris and men in turbans.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">To keep warm after dinner, we sat around a fire. It gets chilly in northern India at night!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhj21jQj9zTbq1X2gb1_8DxHuKIkmUkeeP4Gfb9CL_yW4ZBfDsoNA0xJk6vZkbzbgDB149nJJjDABQzxF7HMDZTfcQtjkR9xDKN59rP-EeTWcP25eYH0RXkQIu-zkiVNVvTslGC2TDQs/s1600/P1240447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhj21jQj9zTbq1X2gb1_8DxHuKIkmUkeeP4Gfb9CL_yW4ZBfDsoNA0xJk6vZkbzbgDB149nJJjDABQzxF7HMDZTfcQtjkR9xDKN59rP-EeTWcP25eYH0RXkQIu-zkiVNVvTslGC2TDQs/s640/P1240447.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our bed. Sleep tight!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSFtvqDcHyKq2queWb-CFqQYp3G8nDHhZ8WcfC0XkmWKrjEqDa-Q1gJyLF134ONuXn1xc6L5mODjmYm9VqG7G_rsBoKXh5ZYy_7UMkVDfkP-PYwvkd_KBJQvTASOYw6MJ_eu6nIpKPzU/s1600/P1240646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSFtvqDcHyKq2queWb-CFqQYp3G8nDHhZ8WcfC0XkmWKrjEqDa-Q1gJyLF134ONuXn1xc6L5mODjmYm9VqG7G_rsBoKXh5ZYy_7UMkVDfkP-PYwvkd_KBJQvTASOYw6MJ_eu6nIpKPzU/s640/P1240646.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> W<i>e woke up the next morning to watch the sun rise over the village of Bassi.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtjEJtVWPbQq6YcCIFKakWCRlbEUoiGhPFq5IX9zXrRjpnETOGct3VNkC09I18UTSKQxGd4nRonnLhLybHWTAquc4Zr2CSM9vYmSM0OJb8_q-lCLnJ0Xm7dscUUSw4IkXoS3VwJq3QNE/s1600/P1240666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtjEJtVWPbQq6YcCIFKakWCRlbEUoiGhPFq5IX9zXrRjpnETOGct3VNkC09I18UTSKQxGd4nRonnLhLybHWTAquc4Zr2CSM9vYmSM0OJb8_q-lCLnJ0Xm7dscUUSw4IkXoS3VwJq3QNE/s640/P1240666.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">What a spot to eat our breakfast!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I loved our time at the Taj Mahal and Fort Madhogarh. I especially enjoyed my interactions with the people in the village. Such warmth, such friendliness, such smiles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We head to the city of Jaipur next!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't believe we've been gone for ten weeks. Ten down, six to go.</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-51849583347497014772018-02-12T06:59:00.001-08:002018-06-27T07:07:36.479-07:00Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAGbHjAlVBkBFD56F5UDzw8mVkK7vSwcu8FgvHiWqgBG26mhHWSFEuuvjuKuuGyN1WnWi_hSTeFl0DxBDQB9CFloBazm82bc8CNgWvLYcoCjPSxDynxQMJnulmXDmOMdhyphenhyphenV7oA2Z9aGg/s1600/P1240135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAGbHjAlVBkBFD56F5UDzw8mVkK7vSwcu8FgvHiWqgBG26mhHWSFEuuvjuKuuGyN1WnWi_hSTeFl0DxBDQB9CFloBazm82bc8CNgWvLYcoCjPSxDynxQMJnulmXDmOMdhyphenhyphenV7oA2Z9aGg/s640/P1240135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived in Delhi four nights ago after a sleepless overnight flight from Ho Chi Minh City. We arrived cross-eyed from exhaustion and grumpy from lack of food. We checked into our hotel room and slept hard for six hours. We woke up refreshed and ready to tackle Delhi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Except we weren't ready. We're never going be ready. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This city is complex and foreign and mysterious. We don't know how it works. It is impossible for us to navigate it on our own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Delhi is ancient and noisy and beautiful and crowded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My tender hearts struggles when ragged children come up to our taxi window to beg, when I see a family of five spending the day on a traffic island, the children naked. My heart hurts for the mangy stray dogs that wander the streets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And yet my heart swells when I see the beauty, the resiliency, the work ethic and the kindness of its people. The food, the monuments, the places of worship for Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam are absolutely wonderful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a spirituality here that permeates everything. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7ThRLJEvb3Y2QP1erev_XPumyEI4af-LXVBf1KoejMJQNgpgdydMFctPOHVo3yR92NPH1tmbcA55x4gMOBlM5mE2vfOhpNs7nlT8FzQflqxNmFWdoZ_XtosoXrz4VbRS5sZ_kGwV9xo/s1600/P1230939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7ThRLJEvb3Y2QP1erev_XPumyEI4af-LXVBf1KoejMJQNgpgdydMFctPOHVo3yR92NPH1tmbcA55x4gMOBlM5mE2vfOhpNs7nlT8FzQflqxNmFWdoZ_XtosoXrz4VbRS5sZ_kGwV9xo/s640/P1230939.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Where else can you walk down a city street and have a cavalcade of cows walk past you? One bumped into Joe and a man called out, "Welcome to India!"</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLvJEA0861tCiaciil7FtHita1v2Px8TRCcz26Sv4y-gdfi-Jv1j0zHgpiM_E3MeEx-yN0N986cWhmKRt_pAesSzhEpfMeq-gbbYF1-UHmJW7opVa1aICmNx5-EkN11Kq_wsV-vcmLAA/s1600/P1230927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLvJEA0861tCiaciil7FtHita1v2Px8TRCcz26Sv4y-gdfi-Jv1j0zHgpiM_E3MeEx-yN0N986cWhmKRt_pAesSzhEpfMeq-gbbYF1-UHmJW7opVa1aICmNx5-EkN11Kq_wsV-vcmLAA/s640/P1230927.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our first meal in Dehli.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVD-tfaeFpaRc4eu49IqvyJyLOuVnG_wCoieB20byLz41bo0FY3gyDmIRyy9yk5KK8s_mY1-GIpGRMIzuwOruRg9v5bT3Khsk8SKLx_RjdSifOqcgu2sqd6xFOPeNaRXLzdvUerhfqvQ/s1600/P1230959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVD-tfaeFpaRc4eu49IqvyJyLOuVnG_wCoieB20byLz41bo0FY3gyDmIRyy9yk5KK8s_mY1-GIpGRMIzuwOruRg9v5bT3Khsk8SKLx_RjdSifOqcgu2sqd6xFOPeNaRXLzdvUerhfqvQ/s640/P1230959.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Delhi street scene.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijni-7IHZ-xCHaaJ61IAGPq5o1k_5jMU3m8nNs9Tv76zeSB_z6dIeHA0-Ifh8r9VM_6LkzSs1MW4YGjfMHSMfygOy0d9SeeEsM8pbEcUanJJkkCncI5xQisa8YiVxFLNXgTDRu_6K2yt0/s1600/P1230972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijni-7IHZ-xCHaaJ61IAGPq5o1k_5jMU3m8nNs9Tv76zeSB_z6dIeHA0-Ifh8r9VM_6LkzSs1MW4YGjfMHSMfygOy0d9SeeEsM8pbEcUanJJkkCncI5xQisa8YiVxFLNXgTDRu_6K2yt0/s640/P1230972.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Getting ready to open up for business.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZlEYtsaZnb5L3r67iUD_D64zADCRuqBqmSUr4xzP6KYW06ENDskT2SmrGPxqWeyUoG5Wr0kiwsTa4d7Qwi06JUY10GsqQLon8zDZk3tBTs9lpeq_5JsTM-gzNXZfDg6FBdeuIpbSV5I/s1600/P1240092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1600" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZlEYtsaZnb5L3r67iUD_D64zADCRuqBqmSUr4xzP6KYW06ENDskT2SmrGPxqWeyUoG5Wr0kiwsTa4d7Qwi06JUY10GsqQLon8zDZk3tBTs9lpeq_5JsTM-gzNXZfDg6FBdeuIpbSV5I/s640/P1240092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Through recommendations from friends, we met Subhash Chand, Delhi's best tour guide. We spent 9 hours together which seemed to go by in minutes. Subhash is humble, friendly, kind and knowledgeable. If you are ever in Delhi, please hire him. You will have the most wonderful day.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrCfYdPwiwHCTlK0zEjSYxjm2xTsH-BIGlTXaJWcyB_pKXdMfATZyK2acOCizjVKc0mNNVqAufa73Olgtd84ABqIAt784mg8d9ZKb3aUkACyF1JaiC1-sO761QirEWF7BSZqd4tzHyFs/s1600/P1230993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrCfYdPwiwHCTlK0zEjSYxjm2xTsH-BIGlTXaJWcyB_pKXdMfATZyK2acOCizjVKc0mNNVqAufa73Olgtd84ABqIAt784mg8d9ZKb3aUkACyF1JaiC1-sO761QirEWF7BSZqd4tzHyFs/s640/P1230993.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Red Fort.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfcoigYWiymv-YYu4C1izWynFiXVuU2FSc-dnD4Mnsb1HSw7S7UCz-bjnQ9MgqwbCkoLHCUgK6qrEpaQqwD1CqH3QBewyBx_vbbaPr9_2FABeR-Au-jmT851B6fnI2UVkOJ_kIL8r-rs/s1600/IMG_0890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfcoigYWiymv-YYu4C1izWynFiXVuU2FSc-dnD4Mnsb1HSw7S7UCz-bjnQ9MgqwbCkoLHCUgK6qrEpaQqwD1CqH3QBewyBx_vbbaPr9_2FABeR-Au-jmT851B6fnI2UVkOJ_kIL8r-rs/s640/IMG_0890.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The streets of Old Delhi.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQPVV6lWdZYhplUo8OynF83uq_Py4BX-1NJbksnhiZtm9KAZFCiAUbOOG1DsWrRDRGczlhEgOKNJURAEEwXrFukhlWVBe6TakNcMhCndN6O760YRpfe5sJWIo9KwRrrIBeob9bZo7oV8/s1600/P1240045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQPVV6lWdZYhplUo8OynF83uq_Py4BX-1NJbksnhiZtm9KAZFCiAUbOOG1DsWrRDRGczlhEgOKNJURAEEwXrFukhlWVBe6TakNcMhCndN6O760YRpfe5sJWIo9KwRrrIBeob9bZo7oV8/s640/P1240045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Ginger seller.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO23fF8lGCoRqpVlyjMEElxS6gsA3_c_JIFxmubPDDaRwDCod58iLqfH9bAWXStd5Ie1mU6ghOePEZ9Fg4t38blYPcqZL5qd0wWJPkOgPfrW5HwuoT1thKM6_MqNtHWOdz6NLGbZl6oM/s1600/P1240058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO23fF8lGCoRqpVlyjMEElxS6gsA3_c_JIFxmubPDDaRwDCod58iLqfH9bAWXStd5Ie1mU6ghOePEZ9Fg4t38blYPcqZL5qd0wWJPkOgPfrW5HwuoT1thKM6_MqNtHWOdz6NLGbZl6oM/s640/P1240058.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Being welcomed to Delhi.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLULTYK7xPr5xyLK5b2JkSxrIhytrPBBYySokORboeoEfdZlnnT85G-d1FnG_oVV3XNapvwTU7z-w37FLqq6hWFtM2fNCxaTh3DDIrSBvkEkFDkb2zSP6_0UAolup8MuFVamcFjKfl5kI/s1600/P1240017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1375" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLULTYK7xPr5xyLK5b2JkSxrIhytrPBBYySokORboeoEfdZlnnT85G-d1FnG_oVV3XNapvwTU7z-w37FLqq6hWFtM2fNCxaTh3DDIrSBvkEkFDkb2zSP6_0UAolup8MuFVamcFjKfl5kI/s640/P1240017.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Bicycle rickshaw driver.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTZz0piLN4Tme28IsT5Qt7Gyh1OTp4cKdH1bR0tX189-ood0-cQN8TqaV_-lPQuSIrKFhEGhWfhNc9-_kfkO28dXrtGoU09uQj-3Q1nvQJHlew1fbuEqJGQ1e-j9doqxWVlFJn_8u0iI/s1600/P1240047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTZz0piLN4Tme28IsT5Qt7Gyh1OTp4cKdH1bR0tX189-ood0-cQN8TqaV_-lPQuSIrKFhEGhWfhNc9-_kfkO28dXrtGoU09uQj-3Q1nvQJHlew1fbuEqJGQ1e-j9doqxWVlFJn_8u0iI/s640/P1240047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Spice market.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjic8MMS6s7SUOvzyKhJOO3QSYW8k_F8ji1JLLp2ZvDMfHA_ctNBlhwMjJohwhsZEbVLRoZZKKud1AU2rIhXk9rAfL3qo51jwVutbT_W6H5dqiM4nsi_ejw8iXnwQC20hoS9-3I4JcIVQc/s1600/P1240056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1600" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjic8MMS6s7SUOvzyKhJOO3QSYW8k_F8ji1JLLp2ZvDMfHA_ctNBlhwMjJohwhsZEbVLRoZZKKud1AU2rIhXk9rAfL3qo51jwVutbT_W6H5dqiM4nsi_ejw8iXnwQC20hoS9-3I4JcIVQc/s640/P1240056.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Selling flower petals in the market.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-cmfaGJnPN1RjzFHTr6vJfmbRV2g7OTtkjzj4nZckdEbwKqRkQXqsx3Zs3h9j62PIMPKUPiE1RWscx65gHAG01lCgOyiANr1qLnWLVII14MkuFWOGxvd7us9uKcAGKiMsCX7YZWlMxo/s1600/P1240091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="1600" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-cmfaGJnPN1RjzFHTr6vJfmbRV2g7OTtkjzj4nZckdEbwKqRkQXqsx3Zs3h9j62PIMPKUPiE1RWscx65gHAG01lCgOyiANr1qLnWLVII14MkuFWOGxvd7us9uKcAGKiMsCX7YZWlMxo/s640/P1240091.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">On the steps of the Friday Mosque.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh429gvUWuFOD3-T266Wqoeb8_exGNNz3Fr-qtVFGuO4o-e4dQZuwDlUG_3xZ_-iAYvsWw92lJHSI5PXQApgEhR3261OZhsMto_dnuGqDNq3Vmey4NxeEm7pkReg0cLuSwKG61EzTnM6ZM/s1600/P1240287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh429gvUWuFOD3-T266Wqoeb8_exGNNz3Fr-qtVFGuO4o-e4dQZuwDlUG_3xZ_-iAYvsWw92lJHSI5PXQApgEhR3261OZhsMto_dnuGqDNq3Vmey4NxeEm7pkReg0cLuSwKG61EzTnM6ZM/s640/P1240287.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Qutub Minar, a 16th century minaret.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovAeW41MMLiZvijv2__-8zMTNvb9bd9V1z8BAQabypACwbhrFwrnBjz9N3MalWPfh32cfGOGZYjxynAaQNpPL0VpBOy7DTJUd4RBR5Q1NMA11Eel8sif207iZtfBK9Riqm6pX2vbKN3w/s1600/IMG_0921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovAeW41MMLiZvijv2__-8zMTNvb9bd9V1z8BAQabypACwbhrFwrnBjz9N3MalWPfh32cfGOGZYjxynAaQNpPL0VpBOy7DTJUd4RBR5Q1NMA11Eel8sif207iZtfBK9Riqm6pX2vbKN3w/s640/IMG_0921.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Qutub Minar details.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJDDxYRweFEtmnh0payQHUjLvVKZXuvbabGuCL1pkLic4vOE5k7_NFGqrjvpKCmnffqn1zcYXu56Icy4Eu4WKPkaMM1gY8Vu4747aq1b9aK_hWtwNeWdr1FWAolK2f4SteIef7Qvji4o/s1600/P1240230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJDDxYRweFEtmnh0payQHUjLvVKZXuvbabGuCL1pkLic4vOE5k7_NFGqrjvpKCmnffqn1zcYXu56Icy4Eu4WKPkaMM1gY8Vu4747aq1b9aK_hWtwNeWdr1FWAolK2f4SteIef7Qvji4o/s640/P1240230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Frying jelabi on the street.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUL-mQkulmtd93wNS6jIJbWlwdeG6PRNcR2i6gjSlKiIo5LfIvehlPX7Pc_8TNygQSSUbA4Lo3CT5cjBQalWp8nd-j-NmQE3pcMwNzUMXskyNp7vrIZ-pWjtyT-QCLxAOiSj0Xn_nbgEI/s1600/P1240120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUL-mQkulmtd93wNS6jIJbWlwdeG6PRNcR2i6gjSlKiIo5LfIvehlPX7Pc_8TNygQSSUbA4Lo3CT5cjBQalWp8nd-j-NmQE3pcMwNzUMXskyNp7vrIZ-pWjtyT-QCLxAOiSj0Xn_nbgEI/s640/P1240120.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><i>Isa Khan Niyazi's Tomb.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_qNEX_BOhN2_8_SvefUny2zZ_vxzzve3Wh1TuPQOW4ZQPz29ljstvIJV5g9RDxkJNfycKeiQxAnnXSM1rdu2Kka0JGDml8Fw0oFg9pkmUEITOycL8MjCcn-Ti0RZ96e3jJt3qTxan7c/s1600/P1240144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_qNEX_BOhN2_8_SvefUny2zZ_vxzzve3Wh1TuPQOW4ZQPz29ljstvIJV5g9RDxkJNfycKeiQxAnnXSM1rdu2Kka0JGDml8Fw0oFg9pkmUEITOycL8MjCcn-Ti0RZ96e3jJt3qTxan7c/s640/P1240144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Humayun's Tomb.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBjW3yNS0uEyTzzTmUAHjsVie56uSPuWp58mpVUWJGR2K6HMIgIZF1EIP07Zck3lsxNFDqPnyke9cW6AngcSNhEJ7gfb3UIb3SiAebkrqNc6nQuuT1PREOdIM9kJZkzkBneldkqXmhzI/s1600/IMG_0943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBjW3yNS0uEyTzzTmUAHjsVie56uSPuWp58mpVUWJGR2K6HMIgIZF1EIP07Zck3lsxNFDqPnyke9cW6AngcSNhEJ7gfb3UIb3SiAebkrqNc6nQuuT1PREOdIM9kJZkzkBneldkqXmhzI/s640/IMG_0943.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Agrasen ki Baoli, an ancient well built the 1300s.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo_0p9NwrDr7d_GTUHraSGipH7pHX-lOf_o0jkGFuOFNHCVLtzCfDe-aJb_76j2VbsPGEgmOMgG-WSc2rNsXHbfSme69O8eipD9XHi6Jv5MPZ9E-16Cozu-rnKv-yF33rENrQyrLehsI/s1600/P1240199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo_0p9NwrDr7d_GTUHraSGipH7pHX-lOf_o0jkGFuOFNHCVLtzCfDe-aJb_76j2VbsPGEgmOMgG-WSc2rNsXHbfSme69O8eipD9XHi6Jv5MPZ9E-16Cozu-rnKv-yF33rENrQyrLehsI/s640/P1240199.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Making chai at a tea stall.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwTSJi_wT0tJDboWF381zkeiAtqqzKeT5Mi6ZdwFC-xdTy0oXdFHdxb0dfuOzg_ObAXo4ihfCzB0OGP2zV7Kv3AE6GGHH6tBv63AnOdH0YIqOJlTwA_RlvdZUZ_hLVzEkaesC0gi_v78/s1600/P1240219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwTSJi_wT0tJDboWF381zkeiAtqqzKeT5Mi6ZdwFC-xdTy0oXdFHdxb0dfuOzg_ObAXo4ihfCzB0OGP2zV7Kv3AE6GGHH6tBv63AnOdH0YIqOJlTwA_RlvdZUZ_hLVzEkaesC0gi_v78/s640/P1240219.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> At the <span style="text-align: left;">Jama Masjid Mosque.</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4Neq5_7NWQixepEFi9EUX6xaqmya2Qsc_e_ZHXJx1Jyz95pz8dvJ9w0n5Bb6ut4iIwrl_i_D4P9Bx1qjjERezpFx3hLdNnzo4zeKqR-wNgOwX79ikL-1OuGslSOWRyOpaQ9ljh6I4Uc/s1600/P1240238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4Neq5_7NWQixepEFi9EUX6xaqmya2Qsc_e_ZHXJx1Jyz95pz8dvJ9w0n5Bb6ut4iIwrl_i_D4P9Bx1qjjERezpFx3hLdNnzo4zeKqR-wNgOwX79ikL-1OuGslSOWRyOpaQ9ljh6I4Uc/s640/P1240238.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Loads are heavy in this country.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSLqFvfhZBFps-DwhP9pertlfLGbi-S5tPCiINYFhlUkD7ZU5fG02HAL-c-BcId5WTPhp0guitRlGnYp-XIpLZ11QpG0sf91HsYC8GNKIMNDQfn53ifAJS3zdfKkfQaGSSKSky0v33r8/s1600/P1240237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1141" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSLqFvfhZBFps-DwhP9pertlfLGbi-S5tPCiINYFhlUkD7ZU5fG02HAL-c-BcId5WTPhp0guitRlGnYp-XIpLZ11QpG0sf91HsYC8GNKIMNDQfn53ifAJS3zdfKkfQaGSSKSky0v33r8/s640/P1240237.JPG" width="456" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Many lives are lived on the streets.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKzpuc583nCrcmxrugX-SaRD-wIYgBbmFvx5XyDG9vjB8eBHpG_WtxMv3ZXVeE7wWzN9ShT3ly7otSL2PCWoY_WNOR3YbfsaNXEE5_5aNwMryUk0sV9cT8wCJ1NCSIpfVUbEnd4oKsj8/s1600/P1240244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1600" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKzpuc583nCrcmxrugX-SaRD-wIYgBbmFvx5XyDG9vjB8eBHpG_WtxMv3ZXVeE7wWzN9ShT3ly7otSL2PCWoY_WNOR3YbfsaNXEE5_5aNwMryUk0sV9cT8wCJ1NCSIpfVUbEnd4oKsj8/s640/P1240244.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>It can be exhausting in the gurdwara.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGGCJiZlr3SjwmHWOrp51uywho-Yg7be2yxCI9rQM-H1snGlpauapWhBeUL4wj8M0kuSmK_YSMjv_ZNnuMSuSiciH9HOqBQcdz_RochCpf0tVVj-HYROgCxlrkyZpBm5hqYYI9Xqz8NA/s1600/P1240272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGGCJiZlr3SjwmHWOrp51uywho-Yg7be2yxCI9rQM-H1snGlpauapWhBeUL4wj8M0kuSmK_YSMjv_ZNnuMSuSiciH9HOqBQcdz_RochCpf0tVVj-HYROgCxlrkyZpBm5hqYYI9Xqz8NA/s640/P1240272.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Apartments above the spice market.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20OUjChQ9GQGFrBIG56Y_Uymk_ZWTpp_2SNx6WjG_QVHGvknE2lmpjoC2xsrCZybtF5X8LkWInB8UA23Rgiaz5I3laKz7FjpqZHp_1UYST8hziqCIUaV3dXMxgfhgCsYrb1Gob-w3x5Y/s1600/P1240246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20OUjChQ9GQGFrBIG56Y_Uymk_ZWTpp_2SNx6WjG_QVHGvknE2lmpjoC2xsrCZybtF5X8LkWInB8UA23Rgiaz5I3laKz7FjpqZHp_1UYST8hziqCIUaV3dXMxgfhgCsYrb1Gob-w3x5Y/s640/P1240246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Dadi and Dada (Grandma and Grandpa) in the gurdwara.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everything here is so new to us. Everything is different. It is a puzzle. And that is exactly what we love about travelling. We find it all very exciting even when it's challenging.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have now met our tour group from 'Intrepid Travels'. We set out for Agra in the morning. We'll be travelling around Rajasthan in Northern India for the next two weeks.</span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-32871008706771595002018-02-07T05:37:00.000-08:002018-06-27T07:07:50.940-07:00Ho Chi Minh City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvUjL6SE5o1bBwaOS-OBwfIuWoObG15QBujpw6M_r8p0o4cetrERlOgoRkwmf2CPRPOclrJE6CMWCXOaSk7SBRif2V2SwHyU7yfgzbFZzmzWn0Q6n4Yz85mHQq_hJ__1ut8YegVXDjMc/s1600/6755674-3x2-700x467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvUjL6SE5o1bBwaOS-OBwfIuWoObG15QBujpw6M_r8p0o4cetrERlOgoRkwmf2CPRPOclrJE6CMWCXOaSk7SBRif2V2SwHyU7yfgzbFZzmzWn0Q6n4Yz85mHQq_hJ__1ut8YegVXDjMc/s640/6755674-3x2-700x467.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ho Chi Minh City. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Saigon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A metropolitan area of 12,000,000 people. TWELVE MILLION PEOPLE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That is one third of the entire population of Canada. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ho Chi Minh City is the most densely populated city I've ever been in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some days, just walking these streets makes me want to run into a sound-proof booth and slam the door! The noise is DEAFENING! The traffic is CRAZY! The horns are CONSTANT. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Motorbikes drive on the sidewalks. Pedestrians are forced to walk in the streets. Most days I can hardly wait to return to our room, rip out my hearing aids and lay down on my bed to rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This city is exhausting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And yet exhilarating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've eaten excellent food. We've walked for miles. And once again, we've met the friendliest people on earth. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuuKc9QI2f99QLiufV9jEsQcNam4V0TMuwPZiFmPTqWTs9RqG4iJ0KdVhTkUAgDXzSST3cae5kfSVCooHAXbeerUc9GXk5PbiApSpAaFBWvGMQcb9wuValauAGjI9es9tPeiNphpPeQQ/s1600/P1230762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuuKc9QI2f99QLiufV9jEsQcNam4V0TMuwPZiFmPTqWTs9RqG4iJ0KdVhTkUAgDXzSST3cae5kfSVCooHAXbeerUc9GXk5PbiApSpAaFBWvGMQcb9wuValauAGjI9es9tPeiNphpPeQQ/s640/P1230762.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">District 3. A children's playground surrounded by apartment buildings. There was a pretty intense game of soccer going on when we walked by.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C1CL4b6xDwQ9ZwxJh2BuHoY_HrEH6rM2nMJq_7xyu-X7ZWywuoWnLJgHqwJzrK6wZFektvlTVyADoADwwyCgdBUgIzSAMSbWZekMMS0x0LZKKaw45eHcUnAbulFEA_3poPjWzj7FB1k/s1600/P1230763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C1CL4b6xDwQ9ZwxJh2BuHoY_HrEH6rM2nMJq_7xyu-X7ZWywuoWnLJgHqwJzrK6wZFektvlTVyADoADwwyCgdBUgIzSAMSbWZekMMS0x0LZKKaw45eHcUnAbulFEA_3poPjWzj7FB1k/s640/P1230763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Street food is the best food.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrmhSURAHAPwG2neXNiNUHVVSr6jhY0hwEnZeE-e5Zl53nqzV31bwXYCJpFnIIanYjzlOhypAySTHSzUozr9z5mttIZKFDDuFX8b5WhZbDwE1HP7kLt3-A6US9jgy7d38j9J1vt_IRs0/s1600/P1230770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrmhSURAHAPwG2neXNiNUHVVSr6jhY0hwEnZeE-e5Zl53nqzV31bwXYCJpFnIIanYjzlOhypAySTHSzUozr9z5mttIZKFDDuFX8b5WhZbDwE1HP7kLt3-A6US9jgy7d38j9J1vt_IRs0/s640/P1230770.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This sidewalk kitchen was a going concern.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZDZvnUpWQlJa6n1wu0iyqbVmmKd_W2yuwZ51YPAu6EMN5S5LXjJWBmSgEg2RuHm0uFBiwemuo8EOp8oPqay5jfRDYuYbw9eyD6xLRfrJAkiDf_H6q-zoMCQBD1HfcLCALKRpS3yt-pY/s1600/P1230765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZDZvnUpWQlJa6n1wu0iyqbVmmKd_W2yuwZ51YPAu6EMN5S5LXjJWBmSgEg2RuHm0uFBiwemuo8EOp8oPqay5jfRDYuYbw9eyD6xLRfrJAkiDf_H6q-zoMCQBD1HfcLCALKRpS3yt-pY/s640/P1230765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A residential street at dusk.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZRsh0tAHOtpKt1vRKOwanXjEaVlSEI54gNC-QLhU33VPS86YSG0zvw0aBVvx4lLIeefg6HLnJ3etd7zD75kQWmI8vHbQkmo9ma_Tioz_IMJ07zFKR9QsJTO_gEf5r8pdchXUB9bvevs/s1600/P1230768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1343" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZRsh0tAHOtpKt1vRKOwanXjEaVlSEI54gNC-QLhU33VPS86YSG0zvw0aBVvx4lLIeefg6HLnJ3etd7zD75kQWmI8vHbQkmo9ma_Tioz_IMJ07zFKR9QsJTO_gEf5r8pdchXUB9bvevs/s640/P1230768.JPG" width="536" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One night, Joe booked us into a food tour. Its theme was street food. There were three Vietnamese guides, two Danes and three Canadians in our group. Joe and I find food tours an excellent way to get to know a city and its culture.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bFnkkHuTsAxdITHIT6_hOY1GFxPqqCsqChuGlCLXcCcui72lBA16dqHOoGsOhPj8bduPty1mgWUkazmpODUqRp7E1kzddZv6GQoo9hkmr0haN6UBHwaYVrTkTOXJffdenz6eMtGSE5o/s1600/P1230775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bFnkkHuTsAxdITHIT6_hOY1GFxPqqCsqChuGlCLXcCcui72lBA16dqHOoGsOhPj8bduPty1mgWUkazmpODUqRp7E1kzddZv6GQoo9hkmr0haN6UBHwaYVrTkTOXJffdenz6eMtGSE5o/s640/P1230775.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The aftermath of 'com tam'.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbZtc8Xv_cGXrh8GfqO4O0LD1SheJr9re2X7A1tBbNoTPXfWd-G862ihR04ov3-UtqgurWKuZ3MGqc8J1IIEeYzzgwRN6U0Ly2TxDDrpN3yo32ZdszAkv_pqnjKIuvNMPmoYH6c6OY_I/s1600/P1230781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1321" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbZtc8Xv_cGXrh8GfqO4O0LD1SheJr9re2X7A1tBbNoTPXfWd-G862ihR04ov3-UtqgurWKuZ3MGqc8J1IIEeYzzgwRN6U0Ly2TxDDrpN3yo32ZdszAkv_pqnjKIuvNMPmoYH6c6OY_I/s640/P1230781.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="goog_1106840260"></span><span id="goog_1106840261"></span>Su was my driver for the food tour. We had so much fun together while she expertly navigated the bustling Ho Chi Minh City traffic.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm3sSQylwQ9UIuy6saS7OQEqmRjhPvmpcwOb5yU_h-oVJ7KefjLyxiXYCARGYDjuvcjpotJQKPojnojn9OvJ-nUvWYgFSjtE7yiPmKpsxJ8V_et-lw_-lI4HIH_-meP8IX_mAbGzT73A/s1600/P1230792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm3sSQylwQ9UIuy6saS7OQEqmRjhPvmpcwOb5yU_h-oVJ7KefjLyxiXYCARGYDjuvcjpotJQKPojnojn9OvJ-nUvWYgFSjtE7yiPmKpsxJ8V_et-lw_-lI4HIH_-meP8IX_mAbGzT73A/s640/P1230792.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Pictures of 'Uncle Ho' are everywhere.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv091y4E_pB4rJEFTrr6a3srssUs51niWnLjz5OP-MQYXOlNrWLc1ULm8jVyhxGL_tNfUmO4fcivAXyeyxbv-oFnCC0HKjBFVZ_J8tFBWp_EFsa6swMmZibCy9VjQ_4rX3VgD2E8jkU8/s1600/13196031845_138b4e6bf9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv091y4E_pB4rJEFTrr6a3srssUs51niWnLjz5OP-MQYXOlNrWLc1ULm8jVyhxGL_tNfUmO4fcivAXyeyxbv-oFnCC0HKjBFVZ_J8tFBWp_EFsa6swMmZibCy9VjQ_4rX3VgD2E8jkU8/s640/13196031845_138b4e6bf9_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One afternoon we visited the War Remnants Museum. That experience was enough to give me a severe migraine. As teenagers, we watched the Vietnam War play out on our television screens. One of the most powerful photos in the museum shows the aftermath of 'Operation Ranch Hand', the American military's program to defoliate the Vietnamese jungle with the toxic herbicide Agent Orange. Not only did Agent Orange decimate the landscape, it also caused horrific birth defects in Vietnamese children for generations to come.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzzbbhaauvp81OSI_Z8n3fXvWClq9hSk98mu8lYYQkLC8lbWnUZC6mI_F7KGZXoMo3yMjN7mVfKij33NYLvYnfvZoF2fl-VvcrYgWnJwFfvlwnLqFkAcpaBSVqK-PwZrNUu9YsWWMLmk/s1600/P1230434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzzbbhaauvp81OSI_Z8n3fXvWClq9hSk98mu8lYYQkLC8lbWnUZC6mI_F7KGZXoMo3yMjN7mVfKij33NYLvYnfvZoF2fl-VvcrYgWnJwFfvlwnLqFkAcpaBSVqK-PwZrNUu9YsWWMLmk/s640/P1230434.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Saigon breakfast. A bowl of pho and a bottle of beer.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpziHI4lGCh_FaT3xLjXTgQELRK_M5m50L09Sje9CnFA_vkFjnf1li_xOUiQBf_xjEV-nyzXuuBXh-YwTX2vfCH0ZVbZJfd7PQrnTOzWXxY9owg26QHXj_dk2U-5COD8rgxMNvthPTRM/s1600/P1230824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="874" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpziHI4lGCh_FaT3xLjXTgQELRK_M5m50L09Sje9CnFA_vkFjnf1li_xOUiQBf_xjEV-nyzXuuBXh-YwTX2vfCH0ZVbZJfd7PQrnTOzWXxY9owg26QHXj_dk2U-5COD8rgxMNvthPTRM/s640/P1230824.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">For the month we've been in Vietnam, Joe has wanted to get his hair cut by a street barber. We looked in every city we've travelled to, from the north to the south, and could not find one anywhere. Until yesterday. We came across a man fast asleep in a ratty old barber chair on the sidewalk. A mirror hung on a fence nearby. Joe gave the man a nudge, he woke up, flung a plastic cape around Joe's neck and got to work. People stopped to pose with Joe and take photos. Drivers gave Joe the thumbs up and honked their horns as they drove by. </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NZ5S0zklWadzCiGxvGnEneutGlZH3WVCkHjsxgbM2dTUYvgQxf2AJMhR56_2RywD7rJ3675eZZxhCKVF4MGqyLJDQGRRZOecv9DZkeK4yYuSyQxFvFr0tT0Fb73CWpibgtN_3i_6iD0/s1600/P1230841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NZ5S0zklWadzCiGxvGnEneutGlZH3WVCkHjsxgbM2dTUYvgQxf2AJMhR56_2RywD7rJ3675eZZxhCKVF4MGqyLJDQGRRZOecv9DZkeK4yYuSyQxFvFr0tT0Fb73CWpibgtN_3i_6iD0/s640/P1230841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Just as Joe was about to get out of the chair, the barber abruptly reclined the seat and began applying shaving cream to Joe's face. Out came the straight razor and things got serious! The barber shaved Joe's beard, earlobes and unibrow. He trimmed Joe's nostril hairs and run-away eyebrows with scissors. Joe felt like a new man when it was done. All for $5.00 Cdn.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Men at work.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes we felt like giants in this country.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>When the streets get too congested with motorcycles, the drivers just jump the curb and drive on the sidewalk. No big deal. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One of the things Joe wanted to do while we were in Ho Chi Minh City was go to a karaoke bar. Not that we tried super hard, but we didn't have much luck finding one near our hostel. Tonight after dinner, as we were wandering near the Saigon River, we decided to stop at a little place for dessert. And what to our wondering eyes should appear but two women singing karaoke! They quickly got out an English songbook and invited me to join them. We belted out 'Get Back' by the Beatles. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">SO MUCH FUN!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our Vietnamese visas run out in a couple of days. Sadly, it is time to leave this marvellous country. I cannot wait to return.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We begin our journey to India tomorrow. I must admit I'm a very excited and also very nervous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought our time in Ho Chi Minh City would be good practice for New Delhi. An Indian friend broke the news to me that New Delhi's craziness was 10x that of HCMC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wish me luck. I'll need it!</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-5943740682627055102018-02-04T07:08:00.000-08:002018-06-27T07:08:00.786-07:00Can Tho and the Mekong Delta<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shortly after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, we hopped on a bus headed for the southern city of Can Tho in the Mekong River delta. We were excited to see the famous floating markets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Little did we know our adventure would start before we even left the bus depot.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>We had booked a 3 hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. We didn't realize that we had booked a sleeper bus for an afternoon trip. My assigned seat was in the top bunk. And to make matters worse, the seat was broken and had to remain in the reclined position so my only view was of the ceiling. And Joe's upper bunk had no ladder so he had to perform a gymnastics routine that rivalled Simone Biles just to get up to his seat. "Oh, well," I thought, trying to put a positive spin on things, "I'll nap while I'm laying here." I couldn't! The bus driver blasted his freaking horn 98% of the entire trip! </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>Ricardo was sitting on the steps of the hostel when we arrived to check in. He welcomed us with an exuberant smile. We hit it off instantly. He is a friendly, outgoing traveller from Portugal. We enjoyed wandering around Can Tho with him; eating food, talking and taking photographs.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>Moon-Moon ran the hostel where we stayed. She has a 3 month old baby girl called Little Moon. Aren't those names adorable? Moon-Moon was beyond helpful, making sure we had a great time in her city.</i></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Moon-Moon took Joe, Ricardo and I on an extensive food tour one night. Everything was simply delicious. Well, except for the food in the next photo...</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>To end our evening, Moon-Moon took us to a food stall where they sold special Vietnamese eggs. The yellow egg on the left is a cooked fertilized duck egg. We could see the duckling's partly formed beak and feet. The black egg on the right is a Century Egg. It is an uncooked chicken egg coated in rice husks that had been cured for 6 months. Joe ate both eggs.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>We got up before dawn one morning and went on a private tour of the Mekong Delta to visit the floating markets.</i></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Didn't have time to grab a coffee at 4:30am? Not a problem! A floating coffee shop will be sailing by shortly.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sunrise over the Mekong River.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>The first floating market we visited had large boats selling sacks of fruits and vegetables. The vendors strung samples of their wares up a pole so that everyone knew what was on board.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>Look at this woman driving her boat with her right leg LIKE THE BOSS THAT SHE IS.</i></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The second floating market we visited had much smaller boats and the women were selling everything from soup to nuts. Well, maybe not soup. But everything else!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I think I'm going to get me one of these hats.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">After visiting the two floating markets, we explored the small canals and tributaries of the Mekong River. It was so serene and peaceful back here!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our skipper let us off the boat so we could give our legs a wee stretch. We walked along the river bank and she picked us up further downstream.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>People live in very humble homes along the Mekong waterways. </i><i>Laundry is washed in the river and hung out to dry in the hot sun.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Very early one morning Joe, Ricardo and I explored the Can Tho food market. There was so much to see I didn't know where to look first! </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sidewalk butcher shop. And fish monger. And vegetable stall.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Loaded down with fruit and veg. </i><i>Absolutely everything and anything can be carried on the back of a motorbike.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Selling live and not-so-live chickens.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Smiles for miles.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The morning market stretched from the street to the river.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Vegetable vendors.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>Amidst all the hub-bub, this woman patiently waited for customers.</i></span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Vietnamese are incredibly friendly! Everyone says hello as you pass by.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The next morning, Joe walked to a pharmacy to buy more hand-sanitizer for our upcoming trip to India. He struck up a conversation with My, the friendly girl who served him. Joe learned she was attending Capilano University in North Vancouver in September. Joe told her that we lived a short drive north of Cap U. What a small world! </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe and My made arrangements for us to meet and tour around Can Tho together the next morning. One of our stops included a riverside market and everyone had to get in the picture!</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>Every walking tour needs a lunch stop. Joe chose this restaurant for their famous duck pancakes.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>My kindly invited Joe and I to attend her mother's birthday celebration at a restaurant later that night. It was the first time since Joe and I were teenagers that we've on the back of a motorcycle.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>It is customary to pose with one's birthday gifts and the people who gave them.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><i>What a wonderful night! Joe and I felt like celebrities. And to think all of this happened because we ran out of hand-sanitizer.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Can Tho for all of your unexpected surprises. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Huge thanks to My and her family for including us in their mother's birthday celebration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was a weekend I will never forget.</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-50254740374013828932018-01-31T19:10:00.001-08:002018-06-27T07:08:12.139-07:00Da Lat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMINAogSlb_bujP2z0hqMNmPDyoMm3tsYey7nnwFDgDlr1hGw8vJwrHC7p2yir_ytXXSIrUZjH5RgneuBc_W4yjR2sPYxOjc6T0FrtkWjJNxVaOYXxpyCBPnHSc4DFhS2i7BLkoYGpr0/s1600/P1230380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="1600" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMINAogSlb_bujP2z0hqMNmPDyoMm3tsYey7nnwFDgDlr1hGw8vJwrHC7p2yir_ytXXSIrUZjH5RgneuBc_W4yjR2sPYxOjc6T0FrtkWjJNxVaOYXxpyCBPnHSc4DFhS2i7BLkoYGpr0/s640/P1230380.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The main reason for travelling to Da Lat was to meet and thank Lan, the woman who cared for our daughter Paige after she shattered her ankle while canyoning in the area two years ago. As Paige laid in her hostel bunk for eight days, Lan nursed our girl until she was able to be transported home. Joe and I will never forget Lan's loving kindness. It was wonderful to be able to meet her in person. A hug was all we could give to re-pay her.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The lovely Lan.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>We spent an entire day wandering around the city of Da Lat.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZkGShFlqRJdBeNt59QGhD9pXT0vIiMr60dKlF4ZcvYHFa-SBXxq4Q9Xo8VAIVwGalGbO7GQGJME0JHccJDqIShQvy4pJrzEjc3UdeKv0hhLkaCfberKB5SFuvqrInHpCCAFqlx7cQUA/s1600/P1230345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZkGShFlqRJdBeNt59QGhD9pXT0vIiMr60dKlF4ZcvYHFa-SBXxq4Q9Xo8VAIVwGalGbO7GQGJME0JHccJDqIShQvy4pJrzEjc3UdeKv0hhLkaCfberKB5SFuvqrInHpCCAFqlx7cQUA/s640/P1230345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">To keep our energy up while we walked, we stopped for chicken hot pot. Look at those mushrooms! The Vietnamese treat their food as medicine. Everything is so healthy, fresh and good for one's body. A woman said to me, "The more of our food you eat, the skinnier you get." Well, that hasn't happened to me yet. But I'm very hopeful!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Xuan Huong Lake</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL9XIh5HTmj4xQoDpWLwyttTkG48qadoUr3Tso3WNBGvVK2QhIacU3ropAAvbqlmdDaGoQHW1MzUHAWI5yXY2cmje22KOH9IlheXopWpkTDXyUfLvgMPZk5YxBy9Bb2rdcrhLRaPzPAo/s1600/P1230352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL9XIh5HTmj4xQoDpWLwyttTkG48qadoUr3Tso3WNBGvVK2QhIacU3ropAAvbqlmdDaGoQHW1MzUHAWI5yXY2cmje22KOH9IlheXopWpkTDXyUfLvgMPZk5YxBy9Bb2rdcrhLRaPzPAo/s640/P1230352.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The best way to learn about a place? Go on a food tour! We spent a wonderful evening with Binh; an engaging, funny and knowledgeable young man. He and his wife Trang took us to many interesting eateries throughout the city. Not only did we learn about the local food, we also learned about Vietnamese culture and history.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Trang and Joe.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe got to sit in the driver's seat and make Da Lat pizzas at a food stall on the street.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilarwCsvhtJBASn1dUdTOycttVurEWWbWo2EzYKG5LxIglmm9NAreDsKZu8zAZcH_xSftXUYknkkLPVK6x0paXqGMTwVkEBK-ZrXzKgTGmTA5e1QyELq1NuADKplyjs__XdU5xO_r6dys/s1600/P1230355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilarwCsvhtJBASn1dUdTOycttVurEWWbWo2EzYKG5LxIglmm9NAreDsKZu8zAZcH_xSftXUYknkkLPVK6x0paXqGMTwVkEBK-ZrXzKgTGmTA5e1QyELq1NuADKplyjs__XdU5xO_r6dys/s640/P1230355.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>We went to a 'choose-your-own-adventure' barbecue place. We picked out what we wanted to cook and everything was brought to our table.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Grilled chicken's feet, anyone?</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_zzvc20jEgBB3ptCgiBAvPyJ4DOXmrgyhHvTx8jQu0PJuT1oVW8rFuJJHTqvmT_P_nPBiygVKmAHI9zzJyXLv_1FimwQ9x2n0tY07_GUFRwdA2J_D6Gv73-gKC0HEkv-msUS97tWxLs/s1600/P1230310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_zzvc20jEgBB3ptCgiBAvPyJ4DOXmrgyhHvTx8jQu0PJuT1oVW8rFuJJHTqvmT_P_nPBiygVKmAHI9zzJyXLv_1FimwQ9x2n0tY07_GUFRwdA2J_D6Gv73-gKC0HEkv-msUS97tWxLs/s640/P1230310.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">At the end the food tour, we ate Joe's favourite dessert, chè. This 'sweet soup' consisted of a grilled banana smothered in warm tapioca pudding with crushed peanuts sprinkled on top.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The next day, we hired Lan's husband to take us out to the countryside. There is such beauty in Vietnam.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> I never knew there was a Lady Buddha!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The proprietor of 'Joe's Cafe' finally got to see coffee in its natural habitat.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>We stopped in at this man's rice wine distillery. Joe bought half a litre of the man's 'happy water' which was poured from a big jug into a used water bottle. Here they are toasting, "Mo, hi, ba, YO!" Which means "One, two, three, cheers!"</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">At the silk farm, I got to chow down on some silkworm larvae. It kinda tasted like liver.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our final stop before heading to the airport was for a bowl of pho. Again, so deliciously healthy.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are now on our way to Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong River delta to spend several days exploring. I am excited for our final stop in Vietnam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow marks the halfway point in our trip. I cannot believe how quickly time is passing. Eight weeks down, eight to go.</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-88635951479144894372018-01-29T06:24:00.002-08:002018-06-27T07:09:51.216-07:00Huế And Hoi An<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We spent a few nights in the town of Huế on the central coast of Vietnam. I immediately liked this city the moment we landed. It was vibrant, it was clean and very friendly! Honestly, we could not walk down the street without every other person calling out "Hello!" or stopping to chat. Babies would wave, children would smile, the elderly would nods their heads in our direction. I swear, even the stray dogs grinned at us. I couldn't get over it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Huế was decimated during the Vietnam War. Most of its population was wiped out, buildings were obliterated and the scant remaining citizens were left homeless.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What the citizens of Huế have rebuilt in the past 50 years is nothing short of heroic. And they continue to rebuild their city to this very day. I have never seen so many wheelbarrows and buckets of concrete in my life! Slowly but surely the people are returning their beloved city to its former glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Shortly after we arrived, we learned that Vietnam's U23 soccer team was playing in the semi-final match against Qatar. We watched the game in a local bar and witnessed the celebration when Vietnam won. The streets were immediately PACKED with people and honking motorbikes. The party carried on until the very wee hours of the morning.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>One morning, Joe and I were walking across a bridge when we came upon what seemed to be an accident. I wondered if the elderly gentleman had been hurt. Nope! He was just taking a smoke break in the middle of the bridge deck. The traffic swerved around him. As soon as he finished his cigarette, he hopped back on his pedi-cab and cycled away carrying three bamboo beds. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This is why I love Vietnam.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev1K7TgJkbIvbz-KMla5htMa7YG_2SkTIZjsLtk7Jo1KbitUSr59kLA4nk9G3M4EnGy5ob4BKoWMjoj2W5pZ4tZqmayss6Q2LS_uztFvd06uSTf8zS1EkrD9V-ceIy7_33yy-4OO03Kk/s1600/P1230010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev1K7TgJkbIvbz-KMla5htMa7YG_2SkTIZjsLtk7Jo1KbitUSr59kLA4nk9G3M4EnGy5ob4BKoWMjoj2W5pZ4tZqmayss6Q2LS_uztFvd06uSTf8zS1EkrD9V-ceIy7_33yy-4OO03Kk/s640/P1230010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i> Huế 's 'Old Town'.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Bamboo incense.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>We bought some incense from this woman. She invited Joe to sit in her chair to try his hand at making it. "No! No! No!" she yelled as she watched him mangle a stick of incense. Then she good-naturedly pushed him out of her seat.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Several emperor's tombs surround the city of Huế. We hired a driver to take us to see them. The tombs were set in serene parks, very quiet and peaceful. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">An emperor's tomb.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Ceiling detail.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Selfie at the tombs.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I stopped at a hair salon on one of our walks around </i><i> Huế . Without exchanging a word, the hair dresser lopped off my mop with a razor in about 10 minutes.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCH3l113xPTr942wlnBRru-0HYHJOlwcZcEBu85CeSV0GKI0x8AsY4bE6swWcNpP1zhBj3koU4lgOWUGPnFjVBcECOA-Fwa9oRRIzhe4mGOZIpFsDhjpDL6CC7bVK9hXtP_O1wLIkVVo/s1600/P1230115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCH3l113xPTr942wlnBRru-0HYHJOlwcZcEBu85CeSV0GKI0x8AsY4bE6swWcNpP1zhBj3koU4lgOWUGPnFjVBcECOA-Fwa9oRRIzhe4mGOZIpFsDhjpDL6CC7bVK9hXtP_O1wLIkVVo/s640/P1230115.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">As you know, Joe is fascinated by street food. One afternoon he saw this woman set down her portable restaurant from a pole on her shoulders. She was selling home-made yogurt. Of course Joe bought a bowl from her.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After three days, we headed further south. Our next stop was Hoi An.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We hired a taxi to drive us three hours to the city of Hoi An. As we drove higher and higher into the Annamite Mountain Range, we entered into the Hai Van Pass. At its crest were bullet-riddled American bunkers, remnants from the Vietnam war.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hoi An is a beautiful city. It, too, is filled with fun and friendly locals. Its 'Ancient Town' is incredibly old and interesting. We wandered its streets for hours on end. I wish we had stayed longer in this lovely city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqb-fjTXW4AMhjcnzqbczoQJAfUcTsHvdi1KKUbzuT6Yt1YUotBm0jorCrQrjgouHw9Q8FmaT1w9WqMEcGp9bAHYgbyjmZ9BgyBbruzJRJsdR72jriFg9gs2SONdcnzmDMHoPw2QbutU/s1600/P1230157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqb-fjTXW4AMhjcnzqbczoQJAfUcTsHvdi1KKUbzuT6Yt1YUotBm0jorCrQrjgouHw9Q8FmaT1w9WqMEcGp9bAHYgbyjmZ9BgyBbruzJRJsdR72jriFg9gs2SONdcnzmDMHoPw2QbutU/s640/P1230157.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Hoi An's Ancient Town is a well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating back to the 1400s. Its buildings and streets reflect the all influences (both Vietnamese and foreign) that have combined to create this UNESCO heritage site.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One morning we took a 'Food of Hoi An' walking tour. We were with a guide and eight other like-minded people and ate for 4 solid hours all around the city.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">On the food tour we learned that crumpled napkins on the floor signalled a good place to eat. The number of napkins showed how many people had eaten there before you. If there were lots of napkins, your food was sure to be fresh. The napkins on the floor also told you that the owner had been too busy cooking to stop and sweep.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">What a happy surprise to meet up with my friend Liz for a quick visit! Liz and I taught together for many years at Mamquam Elementary. She and her husband were on a cruise and decided to go for a day trip to Hoi An from their ship's port-of-call. She sent me a message for Joe and I to meet them. So much fun!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We were lucky enough to be in Hoi An on the day of the U23 soccer finals against Uzbekistan. Everyone was dressed for the occasion! Emotions were running high hours before the match even began.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We watched the soccer game on a TV set up on the sidewalk in a vegetable market. Sadly, after playing in overtime on a snowy field in China, Vietnam lost the game to Uzbekistan. Did this stop the Vietnamese from celebrating? Hell, no! Parades of motorcycles with cheering passengers waving Vietnamese flags roared up and down the streets all night.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Vietnamese women. Some of the hardest working people I've ever met.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One night we returned to our hotel to find tables and chairs spilling out onto the sidewalk. The staff was celebrating the first anniversary of their hotel. They kindly invited us to join them. It was two hours of 'cheers-ing' in Vietnamese and eating. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Hoi An is also a bustling trading town where dressmakers and tailors turn out custom-made garments overnight. These fine women sewed Joe a blazer, two shirts and me a dress. All in two days!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohqHWVbVE3SEY9TnWpFoDWqTcFCEIFJjQMmL0CbFe28o4fmGUbPjxNCgIOiHyXba1MMaWzQNmOMQ7109BCfSvsXSK8t9y0xbc-0hO1qKqx4z1pIvfjwc-M-WT0zVIi8QzDl_IHv7713s/s1600/P1230276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohqHWVbVE3SEY9TnWpFoDWqTcFCEIFJjQMmL0CbFe28o4fmGUbPjxNCgIOiHyXba1MMaWzQNmOMQ7109BCfSvsXSK8t9y0xbc-0hO1qKqx4z1pIvfjwc-M-WT0zVIi8QzDl_IHv7713s/s640/P1230276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I admire Vietnamese women. They are fierce. They are funny. This woman came up to me on the streets of Hoi An. She placed her hands on my cheeks and asked, "Why you let your face be so hairy?" That question made me double over in laughter. I have been called 'Peachy' all of my life. And for good reason. After negotiating a price, she led me to the market where she began to thread my mutton-chops. She said, "I will remove the hair from your lip and chin for another 50,000 dong." "My upper lip and chin are that hairy?" "Oh my God! You have thousands!" More laughter from me. I adore these women. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Boats being prepared to take people out for an evening float on the Haoi River canal.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Lanterns are everywhere in this beautiful city.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4lzNmZm4le3c2mXfZym8vsjcwOgCfHn_8qPAOpI1jztgWLAlRGhL2nVCxuLV2S0xQ3KwzSNlNhwcbauC3P7puj2v4E_zmMqO7_BlT1plGZvcDoYGBg-1SJpaRIGrvYWcMxdtzsQb7dA/s1600/Hoi+An%252C+Vietnam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4lzNmZm4le3c2mXfZym8vsjcwOgCfHn_8qPAOpI1jztgWLAlRGhL2nVCxuLV2S0xQ3KwzSNlNhwcbauC3P7puj2v4E_zmMqO7_BlT1plGZvcDoYGBg-1SJpaRIGrvYWcMxdtzsQb7dA/s640/Hoi+An%252C+Vietnam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Every evening people light lanterns and set them afloat on the Hoai River canal while others row by in traditional wooden boats.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Visiting these two coastal towns was a perfect reprieve from the noisy chaos of Hanoi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As always, it's the people I remember best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will never forget the smiling faces and happy hearts that welcomed us to Huế and Hoi An.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now we're off to Da Lat!</span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-59043327661155087232018-01-24T06:23:00.002-08:002018-06-27T07:10:43.840-07:00Hanoi and Halong Bay<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3S6rH8JRd_lnfosmGIFGH7BRjmEBe6FJJDMeCbMf-9AupI2sa0ylHcaqETbp8UCAUZNrlynUO7XnFvZZtCgis31MoWsGh1yozCgl7O69jH-A3W-K1oRD7zYcaZVcuiZo8hVOH9BAw0E/s1600/P1220273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3S6rH8JRd_lnfosmGIFGH7BRjmEBe6FJJDMeCbMf-9AupI2sa0ylHcaqETbp8UCAUZNrlynUO7XnFvZZtCgis31MoWsGh1yozCgl7O69jH-A3W-K1oRD7zYcaZVcuiZo8hVOH9BAw0E/s640/P1220273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hanoi.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">6,000,000 people.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Noisy, friendly, smoggy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Energetic, gritty, chaotic.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This city is all these things and more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hanoi is full of motorbikes, people, restaurants and shops.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Its old quarter is devoid of stop signs or traffic lights. The honking never stops. Crossing the road is an adventure.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life is lived outside.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Street and food vendors clog the sidewalks. As do parked motorbikes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And we loved every crazy minute of it.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Busy streets.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXkzGy3r8K6cIQMmFg_qbZml9Mvg2qyR89KTGRborng8eOpMVUsd_LXKkcF1JLiTkAWqPoK9aQ_NbJ9rYPMmk2Y0k9VGwt4ZNVfsj_rNpgianqlRuWTllwEXxOVNz2725T-GuWWKx0is/s1600/P1220207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXkzGy3r8K6cIQMmFg_qbZml9Mvg2qyR89KTGRborng8eOpMVUsd_LXKkcF1JLiTkAWqPoK9aQ_NbJ9rYPMmk2Y0k9VGwt4ZNVfsj_rNpgianqlRuWTllwEXxOVNz2725T-GuWWKx0is/s640/P1220207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Vietnam's famous 'egg coffee'. Someone described it to me as tiramisu in a mug. Couldn't have said it better myself.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The women of Vietnam are incredibly hard-working and industrious. They are entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, fruit and vegetable sellers and operate sidewalk eateries. They work tirelessly from morning 'til night. These women are my heroes.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Pedestrians have to walk in the streets due to pop-up restaurants and motorbikes taking up all the space on the sidewalks.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q9_m4SwM54b9IvO0fiogMfbEAsGk_ran_c_2wUSJ7-hi8rfoxzDbbAy4l2TRZ26mx6_Q-x7D-Tr0ytHafoJqomw6FzIubbHdwQeI8FJNiyfW7n0njeWld3H3fQTxqjFilOQFlSZzBcU/s1600/P1220314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q9_m4SwM54b9IvO0fiogMfbEAsGk_ran_c_2wUSJ7-hi8rfoxzDbbAy4l2TRZ26mx6_Q-x7D-Tr0ytHafoJqomw6FzIubbHdwQeI8FJNiyfW7n0njeWld3H3fQTxqjFilOQFlSZzBcU/s640/P1220314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Banh Mi. The world's best sandwich.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33lfiU6BRTtKxsAJxrTHx5-7AtuMBv7TuASR33dWTBsyGhtZ8mFj_aDsfmdPronkT_g3mI-hVcvXVta-0RF0V2_ztmNh16hwjF23_g0FWnaSxhK2z_hTSPIQ6wPI6BpgzKj8PFskRBWY/s1600/P1220191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33lfiU6BRTtKxsAJxrTHx5-7AtuMBv7TuASR33dWTBsyGhtZ8mFj_aDsfmdPronkT_g3mI-hVcvXVta-0RF0V2_ztmNh16hwjF23_g0FWnaSxhK2z_hTSPIQ6wPI6BpgzKj8PFskRBWY/s640/P1220191.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This woman carried all the fixings for soup on her shoulders to sell on the streets of Hanoi. Look at the size of that pot of broth! How heavy that must be for her.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">TGIF! Having a beer in the bar district. When customers spill out too far into the street, the police come down the road with their plastic billy clubs. Customers quickly pick up the tables and chairs to cram inside the bar until the police pass by. Once they're gone, everyone tumbles back onto the street and resumes the party. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone can prepare and sell food on the streets of Hanoi. All one needs is cooking fuel, a pot, some ingredients and it's off to the races!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One of Joe's newest loves. Chè. A cold sweet soup. A bowl of coconut milk filled with brightly coloured gelatinous pieces of lord-knows-what and sprinkled with crushed ice. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Another one of Joe's newest loves. Bun Ca. A fish broth full of barbecued pork. Greens and rice noodles are dipped into the broth. The proprietor seemed very happy that we enjoyed his food.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">When there's no room in the kitchen? Improvise by cooking on the garage roof.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6vb1E2Z_J4x38zvMIdgSnrSm1i6fBllIE1x6iOecPEURyYrVQH6fS3N2zrxAK5hBD7Tbh6knR_zQwehE11uspPMNkC3998ZXKkCDw3sjusMPPuXW8Jx_LlLyzCkZlYdbi8ZvxIFX9Zo/s1600/P1220638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6vb1E2Z_J4x38zvMIdgSnrSm1i6fBllIE1x6iOecPEURyYrVQH6fS3N2zrxAK5hBD7Tbh6knR_zQwehE11uspPMNkC3998ZXKkCDw3sjusMPPuXW8Jx_LlLyzCkZlYdbi8ZvxIFX9Zo/s640/P1220638.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Picnic on the sidewalk! Life is lived outside on the street.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A sidewalk food vendor washes her dishes on the street.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While spending an exhilarating week in Hanoi, we took a 3 day cruise of Halong Bay. The weather forecast was for rain, but we lucked out with only clouds and fog. It was so quiet and peaceful out on the calm waters.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our little cruise ship. The Pelican 2.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Halong Bay in the fog.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Joe went for a quick dip in the Gulf of Tonkin.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The view from our bed.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Every morning and evening, women from the fishing villages would row out to the cruise ships to sell their wares to the passengers. Pringles, anyone?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Islands in the mist.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>A family and their fishing boats.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>When your arms get tired of rowing, just use your feet!</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> One of many floating fishing villages tucked up against the edge of an island.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Beautiful Halong Bay.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>We went on lots of excursions. Our many choices included kayaking, hiking, caving, fishing and swimming.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The limestone caves inside some of these islands were magical.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The sun tried its hardest to break out from behind the clouds but was unsuccessful.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">These guys. Our happy hour mates. A friendly bunch from Australia, India, America and Canada.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our last morning on the boat.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a wonderful time in northern Vietnam. All of our experiences in Hanoi, the Sapa Valley and Halong Bay were eye-opening and heart-warming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are now on our way south to Huế and Hoi An. Looking for some warmer temps and more adventure</span>s.</div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-35750720448204255902018-01-18T06:07:00.003-08:002018-06-27T07:15:33.429-07:00Trekking In Northern Vietnam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa6rtDxBMwfxZ39uHJi03aVWPDQ5hfBM6BYh9eX8V21v7VUVlha5fcKdTPEfyERTgRxm4hdI85ga9Mn6y_wUa0GEYxW77Mm_69ywAtO4hZBbWuozyNgend9vOmqRttG7g7o4XvrNUXMc/s1600/P1220347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1600" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa6rtDxBMwfxZ39uHJi03aVWPDQ5hfBM6BYh9eX8V21v7VUVlha5fcKdTPEfyERTgRxm4hdI85ga9Mn6y_wUa0GEYxW77Mm_69ywAtO4hZBbWuozyNgend9vOmqRttG7g7o4XvrNUXMc/s640/P1220347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have just returned from a short trek in northern Vietnam. We had read about the region's people along with its rugged beauty and decided to go check it out for ourselves. We were delighted with what was waiting for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Sa Pa Valley is a stone's throw away from the Chinese border and is surrounded by towering mountains, majestic waterfalls, thousands of rice fields and thick bamboo forests.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is cold this time of year. The houses are not heated, save for small cooking fires. If it's 6 C outside, then it is most likely 6 C inside. We were grateful for the puffy jackets, fleece hats and wool socks we bought in Hanoi before we travelled north.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sa Pa valley is hemmed in by steep mountainsides covered in terraced rice fields.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We stayed in the village of Ta Van for two nights. The guest house was full of young trekkers from all over the world: Australia, the Netherlands, England and Canada. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Once we got settled in our guest house, Joe and I went for a walk in the tiny village. We ended up having a beer at a local bar. As soon as we sat down, we were surrounded by women wanting to sell us their embroidered handiwork. We bought something from everyone. (I find it extremely difficult to say no to anyone.) The woman with me in the photo, Chie, stepped forward and asked, "Do you want to walk with me tomorrow? I take you to my house for lunch after? Yes?" YES! We settled on a price and agreed to meet the next morning.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Where one goes, everyone goes. Even though we told the other women that we had hired Chie as our guide and would not be paying them or buying their wares, they came along for the hike anyway. These gals are expert trekkers and saleswomen. Of course we bought something from each of them at the end of the hike.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VczT5Ex93ip3lrMQsR3AgwPRxMVTE49GVlWsg-LU2cTW-JogMkV8ki-7FNtJWhf3mcA_66uOgbSSyVUAOyPwHyU4mEJbpg3aNXEo1Nb5Z2mS8nAkJSgAEr8jNoqQEtAyMVN_q8Us17g/s1600/P1220392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VczT5Ex93ip3lrMQsR3AgwPRxMVTE49GVlWsg-LU2cTW-JogMkV8ki-7FNtJWhf3mcA_66uOgbSSyVUAOyPwHyU4mEJbpg3aNXEo1Nb5Z2mS8nAkJSgAEr8jNoqQEtAyMVN_q8Us17g/s640/P1220392.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We headed up through the village and deep into the bamboo forest.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSy1pmUJz5gvL2Dkq9_oSbPWzN6O05W3DKtPIsAnTrLuSuZ5IbsxP6ChmGs5TsnncAf-W27aPCGD3CpnfuPkBSEuivZ14majZlQnuU598rNe1z7z204KY8SFxGCAaFHXECzWs5Si6BHQ/s1600/P1220410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSy1pmUJz5gvL2Dkq9_oSbPWzN6O05W3DKtPIsAnTrLuSuZ5IbsxP6ChmGs5TsnncAf-W27aPCGD3CpnfuPkBSEuivZ14majZlQnuU598rNe1z7z204KY8SFxGCAaFHXECzWs5Si6BHQ/s640/P1220410.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">These women trekked with heavy baskets on their backs and their bare feet in rubber sandals.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4ZT-vH831f8g9JGNVLwH28fY1BnMHj7UCxS6FAnOH3Wo8wYLdvoaFkT0ZnnIzQYeP0TSaIah2xLQASnrLj2cT4PLbjwHUKz_w5dDKwAEinObhicSbxAX3ZpiJT4EuLawX2PGK_jw6zo/s1600/P1220504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4ZT-vH831f8g9JGNVLwH28fY1BnMHj7UCxS6FAnOH3Wo8wYLdvoaFkT0ZnnIzQYeP0TSaIah2xLQASnrLj2cT4PLbjwHUKz_w5dDKwAEinObhicSbxAX3ZpiJT4EuLawX2PGK_jw6zo/s640/P1220504.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">This is hiking footwear for many Hmong women.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJLeSLl3slfvuLO1yVtXYx9CR3SFdIaTAhIoSQYYhi9a762ONYJonNm90Nzmgvld7o-y0sOXN-WEUwqyRf9VMJI0Jxdhn9oSTR8bauandAGNxPyV6-10gbjK2VuABe8ygbhIWIafo3LM/s1600/P1220514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJLeSLl3slfvuLO1yVtXYx9CR3SFdIaTAhIoSQYYhi9a762ONYJonNm90Nzmgvld7o-y0sOXN-WEUwqyRf9VMJI0Jxdhn9oSTR8bauandAGNxPyV6-10gbjK2VuABe8ygbhIWIafo3LM/s640/P1220514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Gorgeous rice fields.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYn4WJlEWmLTr4WS5pQFvZPEHQihNFgfrOV8nUPAQSHHesPINdeiKiJo6Lz7O1wTCDNmi8TLEnOmbnQvipOCjLRZpq7Bdz2fwTF0aWfuiTBQnLKbvZjgpHeDTGzsue_2wYA5F-svSeAs/s1600/P1220420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYn4WJlEWmLTr4WS5pQFvZPEHQihNFgfrOV8nUPAQSHHesPINdeiKiJo6Lz7O1wTCDNmi8TLEnOmbnQvipOCjLRZpq7Bdz2fwTF0aWfuiTBQnLKbvZjgpHeDTGzsue_2wYA5F-svSeAs/s640/P1220420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Arranged marriages are the norm in northern Vietnamese villages. The young woman on the left married when she was 17 and her husband was 15. She is now 22 years old with 3 young children.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kvhBpLs9yubb76HkoBwQqmuqozH4yawDfnVyLF19lPlhv4k-wVOYGIYjmGUfKV-kYsJGZke1UlONeGUlXLVMUKABvhs3WOD-BeF9ibvbq_FGUn9IQHcsgt-GtVM-lcWywIomJbMpCrQ/s1600/IMG-2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="749" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kvhBpLs9yubb76HkoBwQqmuqozH4yawDfnVyLF19lPlhv4k-wVOYGIYjmGUfKV-kYsJGZke1UlONeGUlXLVMUKABvhs3WOD-BeF9ibvbq_FGUn9IQHcsgt-GtVM-lcWywIomJbMpCrQ/s640/IMG-2271.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, that's just a herd of water buffalo walking down the path towards us.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC6JhH3ewn3QDecsUOA9_RE3u6L4XC8Nf7d9Z4Y-UboKQ2Um7AXp8mLR7NZMiCsT4tv2w0gKu410wkkF2U8QuTwnhCteUJ8O0R1Ben4esiwmrgptoCb4xoBkzK75IevjpC9yktTDuCAQ/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOC6JhH3ewn3QDecsUOA9_RE3u6L4XC8Nf7d9Z4Y-UboKQ2Um7AXp8mLR7NZMiCsT4tv2w0gKu410wkkF2U8QuTwnhCteUJ8O0R1Ben4esiwmrgptoCb4xoBkzK75IevjpC9yktTDuCAQ/s640/IMG_0229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">These two women literally held my hand for the entire hike that morning. Even when I didn't need it. So adorable.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmBel1gbOoiuSamRk5gW_dERKxWe5xUIndXTXf8PLqNtIVoWYrqg1V-9tk3vbP1_G2slHQiBHmK7dZblFVJQpBjixW2Fn_14-s2EsS31m2kpLpf5FbB0Linr7R3kb6ChXHAQ_cSX0y94/s1600/P1220426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmBel1gbOoiuSamRk5gW_dERKxWe5xUIndXTXf8PLqNtIVoWYrqg1V-9tk3vbP1_G2slHQiBHmK7dZblFVJQpBjixW2Fn_14-s2EsS31m2kpLpf5FbB0Linr7R3kb6ChXHAQ_cSX0y94/s640/P1220426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The villagers are very house proud. This woman insisted Joe and I come into her home and have a rest by her cooking fire before we went to Chie's house for lunch.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tFtSiq4dYgwgJg8NVXgW00I4Nw6Lc8iYdTtw6UUYZSP5w8KOg10y5vBJPq1tWkVjXjxx2DLZqYZx4Crge_3MOMZ_0yGBZUooi7F-0PIjvSjql8W32pmR0VnAelDRDMtlLXCFGY3m2G4/s1600/IMG_0240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tFtSiq4dYgwgJg8NVXgW00I4Nw6Lc8iYdTtw6UUYZSP5w8KOg10y5vBJPq1tWkVjXjxx2DLZqYZx4Crge_3MOMZ_0yGBZUooi7F-0PIjvSjql8W32pmR0VnAelDRDMtlLXCFGY3m2G4/s640/IMG_0240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The lunch table in Chie's home.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2kzWsEfWWr0TbIwnV12jBt04cbAcd-3SyywByj3QGjzj_UAglC-kzHkDM_hNWfZ5RjfQcRDVevDwkQ22c3sWFK85r5b95BGj6zy0lztTwfn6hdvHUh9L9o9Tr4cJazcoMi1aWpxKyI4/s1600/P1220446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2kzWsEfWWr0TbIwnV12jBt04cbAcd-3SyywByj3QGjzj_UAglC-kzHkDM_hNWfZ5RjfQcRDVevDwkQ22c3sWFK85r5b95BGj6zy0lztTwfn6hdvHUh9L9o9Tr4cJazcoMi1aWpxKyI4/s640/P1220446.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We ate lunch with Chie's daughters and husband. Chie speaks three languages; Hmong, Vietnamese and English. I asked her where she learned to speak English so well. Her answer? From tourists!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UxeqoiGsfNie0Tp2WqLZHm1jKe2QFQevLlVsm_OK2OuXuK2ex5wJAsBEczqvCu5oCT3LG2q6dDwXWuPuIRJ1JJqCZ5RTMGC1_sA2UMhD3mlJK8zSv1xCAKTt7d0PwiFxp26WmWmZpZ0/s1600/P1220560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UxeqoiGsfNie0Tp2WqLZHm1jKe2QFQevLlVsm_OK2OuXuK2ex5wJAsBEczqvCu5oCT3LG2q6dDwXWuPuIRJ1JJqCZ5RTMGC1_sA2UMhD3mlJK8zSv1xCAKTt7d0PwiFxp26WmWmZpZ0/s640/P1220560.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The next morning, we were picked up at our guest house by May Quynh, an exuberant and outgoing 25 year old who was our guide for the next two days. She, too, excelled at English learned from tourists. Her beautiful clothing took her 15 months to dye, sew and embroider.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnWerSd0_IEvQq5JmgVdrGaO2miytmFI6LprF3FFYZkpKzxL_mR_iqvfGBGsyL9zDZIXm88aXyMXdMozIh3Z5XjzOfpzKtZ-Ra1AnJU9VuwoJUAUxeaFIUaGDRqDKD_8yBTqaRH1I994/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnWerSd0_IEvQq5JmgVdrGaO2miytmFI6LprF3FFYZkpKzxL_mR_iqvfGBGsyL9zDZIXm88aXyMXdMozIh3Z5XjzOfpzKtZ-Ra1AnJU9VuwoJUAUxeaFIUaGDRqDKD_8yBTqaRH1I994/s640/IMG_0245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">It took us most of the day to hike 17 kilometres from the village of Ta Van to the village of Han Bo.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuQL68EcOYHn0nNHRyXq-Rud4c5PO2bpBxbmFgzk-wPZUP63Dl-189-uM826I0oroSEgg3VoBepXCpyNiBH8Tdp0Y8pzUYxb1qHSZecaicKysmyKfPd6BKnHUGjxZxXwKcXMyPYe5g6E/s1600/P1220478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuQL68EcOYHn0nNHRyXq-Rud4c5PO2bpBxbmFgzk-wPZUP63Dl-189-uM826I0oroSEgg3VoBepXCpyNiBH8Tdp0Y8pzUYxb1qHSZecaicKysmyKfPd6BKnHUGjxZxXwKcXMyPYe5g6E/s640/P1220478.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Again, another woman joined us on our trek and held my sweaty hand every step of the way.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w3XLS8PlTuwU77mz3UBODTswm4Jx40k8GhjZTIVPBrVXSh5P1_leO8dWZQEcmWE0RwPyeGhBdGyWXbmg824GGhiBzTPRC1fyA9qISekERwWb9_5pUxtRxK-uDBTbfOS-RmNHukitM3o/s1600/P1220477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w3XLS8PlTuwU77mz3UBODTswm4Jx40k8GhjZTIVPBrVXSh5P1_leO8dWZQEcmWE0RwPyeGhBdGyWXbmg824GGhiBzTPRC1fyA9qISekERwWb9_5pUxtRxK-uDBTbfOS-RmNHukitM3o/s640/P1220477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">At one point we had to navigate our way along the edge of a rice paddy. It was extremely slippery due to recent rains.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC3T7_lD6OBcXYg4YoFQgf_y4N6NPYNpJXCvnPIxO4OXxnFZDpR1cE1rl_eNrwPoGr9cy-OznxIuHt0k_PwFTBf-ivMET_ATlEKZeIubi1GSMOmd8b4UXx6_E8NE8NC4Q2uD_ytTvaNo/s1600/IMG_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC3T7_lD6OBcXYg4YoFQgf_y4N6NPYNpJXCvnPIxO4OXxnFZDpR1cE1rl_eNrwPoGr9cy-OznxIuHt0k_PwFTBf-ivMET_ATlEKZeIubi1GSMOmd8b4UXx6_E8NE8NC4Q2uD_ytTvaNo/s640/IMG_0248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Holding my hand, this woman showed me how to slowly shuffle sideways along the muddy raised edge of the rice field.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQoAEwZgrh_Ck5dM6D7-Pw2LpfikBd_IyUXY5vUOCSoKDyZPK8JRTHsFix4oMJOBCYZto5-vz2rMXLPAVCZN0_I1OsaSvv_SjrMXnQS4kNpMtS_swzxOvvvmLUwS_SiE3980wXU4sGis/s1600/P1220487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQoAEwZgrh_Ck5dM6D7-Pw2LpfikBd_IyUXY5vUOCSoKDyZPK8JRTHsFix4oMJOBCYZto5-vz2rMXLPAVCZN0_I1OsaSvv_SjrMXnQS4kNpMtS_swzxOvvvmLUwS_SiE3980wXU4sGis/s640/P1220487.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The trek to the village of Han Bo was either straight up or straight down. Here's Joe heading down the mountainside with his two guides ready to grab his hand at any moment.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf7qemHGj1n0oVKTe6RG6RuIjHqAYB7Bi8sJF9fUeN4dmPgzLxNmKtyNbmoDugBJAoxjtfSXmfU97bkJOiF0CYcRMYDrU-fb5YdYa1ibLU7G8ijVaKjDwdsJjA2rmlasFfViqTYXngNU/s1600/IMG_0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcf7qemHGj1n0oVKTe6RG6RuIjHqAYB7Bi8sJF9fUeN4dmPgzLxNmKtyNbmoDugBJAoxjtfSXmfU97bkJOiF0CYcRMYDrU-fb5YdYa1ibLU7G8ijVaKjDwdsJjA2rmlasFfViqTYXngNU/s640/IMG_0252.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">While heading down one steep section, we ran into a boy bringing his water buffalo up the hill.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI2AIY102q3W3sMq4nSey0ySjOdjZUes2g0F4gRglsDdxL3s4-oe7zyK_4l6VdPsPny-pujXlE8Tz9QECxOmNoDLBqJp2x2KdCbUVIRg78avZ-ej3tKhcFcg0NEFJJUTcVYkqpOr8vLk/s1600/P1220503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI2AIY102q3W3sMq4nSey0ySjOdjZUes2g0F4gRglsDdxL3s4-oe7zyK_4l6VdPsPny-pujXlE8Tz9QECxOmNoDLBqJp2x2KdCbUVIRg78avZ-ej3tKhcFcg0NEFJJUTcVYkqpOr8vLk/s640/P1220503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>While crossing a river, I slipped and fell into the water. Oops!</i> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnjrvT8vGdy5l3O0iuCN6aAJ1zNNoDPCosK60A3yR0IK03exfMlI3cEhsmH2GDBRwjayDxUkTsVYvXFW41PMx2hPyuNbeQtIbgiCl0uvNGq9HJlummiOZ6Lk4nAymXDtQD5PKdp-IidU/s1600/P1220515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1009" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnjrvT8vGdy5l3O0iuCN6aAJ1zNNoDPCosK60A3yR0IK03exfMlI3cEhsmH2GDBRwjayDxUkTsVYvXFW41PMx2hPyuNbeQtIbgiCl0uvNGq9HJlummiOZ6Lk4nAymXDtQD5PKdp-IidU/s640/P1220515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">As we neared our destination for the night, we walked past this little guy helping out some construction workers. He had pretty good skills with that shovel!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYoULoWwmQbmP0CtQ9hrw-66zUY8wHN1h4XjT5po8RGaJS1JIY1Wb3mOnEyvwU1mFeemjiNNW_Iwxnf76FXjrfn_0bMeFh7uqpVD_o_-kQL17f5Or4k-wjQCflJt71KWXUvNJhMPGVT8/s1600/P1220520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYoULoWwmQbmP0CtQ9hrw-66zUY8wHN1h4XjT5po8RGaJS1JIY1Wb3mOnEyvwU1mFeemjiNNW_Iwxnf76FXjrfn_0bMeFh7uqpVD_o_-kQL17f5Or4k-wjQCflJt71KWXUvNJhMPGVT8/s640/P1220520.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The villages are filled with animals. Buffalo, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, roosters and ducks all roam free.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitG1LBrv1x8A5yKiqd7_qjx9z8Srx2O7vsoXgUrJZk_VWjttvl7fhgmOnLDwfYPh0N8532vBhzSQCnef_Mh-q_kK1xduw2G8znkImSGkYunINTtBrj2KLeiVqjiVZ6uqJ-829PCMQqVI/s1600/P1220522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitG1LBrv1x8A5yKiqd7_qjx9z8Srx2O7vsoXgUrJZk_VWjttvl7fhgmOnLDwfYPh0N8532vBhzSQCnef_Mh-q_kK1xduw2G8znkImSGkYunINTtBrj2KLeiVqjiVZ6uqJ-829PCMQqVI/s640/P1220522.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Getting closer! We could see our homestay from this vantage point. All that was left was the long hike down the hill to the valley floor. My legs and feet were hurting by this point.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh6AimGsGDpKZUmtThbacP03ESzAg7dlf5GJ5SBzs9FlKfvd79HfblE8hEG8KrDlF7sQcB12e3Kc-J0_-APv5BRLXTbMcB34JevAFgdf7es-uc0JiQ4_0F6cwRSX1fixrrg6PATsHP4g/s1600/P1220547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfh6AimGsGDpKZUmtThbacP03ESzAg7dlf5GJ5SBzs9FlKfvd79HfblE8hEG8KrDlF7sQcB12e3Kc-J0_-APv5BRLXTbMcB34JevAFgdf7es-uc0JiQ4_0F6cwRSX1fixrrg6PATsHP4g/s640/P1220547.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Many things are done the traditional way in this part of the world. The women are incredibly hard workers.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghO0Wp9WIYUpFPe1_MYfSk8RNLi_HRDt3pUBxSZYC3TSjjSvDMPT9JETpfwswT_oGB8jaQtAOiVvO2gVFffjJ0BcZMdJLmkuxuE1GuTzMurAeiI3CyYkM0zLbfZtfcB53yMDB-oT12vg/s1600/P1220529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghO0Wp9WIYUpFPe1_MYfSk8RNLi_HRDt3pUBxSZYC3TSjjSvDMPT9JETpfwswT_oGB8jaQtAOiVvO2gVFffjJ0BcZMdJLmkuxuE1GuTzMurAeiI3CyYkM0zLbfZtfcB53yMDB-oT12vg/s640/P1220529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I was so happy to finally reach our homestay! The homemade rice liquor was poured freely during our dinner with the family.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4FFPAtHxTB8SHLW5Dt1Pxpq92p4TefacNVloEElUbYE05wrxKJ7sO8U05TFieLRvJxuBxO_516bw1lA6AKOxyo8AaBJqD3OO3E0UGkXLm-IGshf92HSGPB98iPocVYMe8_l3uC1c7yE/s1600/P1220526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4FFPAtHxTB8SHLW5Dt1Pxpq92p4TefacNVloEElUbYE05wrxKJ7sO8U05TFieLRvJxuBxO_516bw1lA6AKOxyo8AaBJqD3OO3E0UGkXLm-IGshf92HSGPB98iPocVYMe8_l3uC1c7yE/s640/P1220526.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Joe and I slept upstairs in the loft area of the family's home. Sheets and blankets were hung for privacy. Those mattresses were rock hard. But none-the-less, I slept well that night.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4i0m6K6NjM8p2ghHU4IDODV1BhlzwJLTOI0ZB9JIAvW1cXItaU2ZLVt99jw9iYewA3Pnz0cLVZMiZyCezyZenVxlFlb92pfRjDcDL5wS84UFnxfVbo4OOZ_yqO4NamjN1rYaLOXw_fc/s1600/26942259_532752063755476_1833128538_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4i0m6K6NjM8p2ghHU4IDODV1BhlzwJLTOI0ZB9JIAvW1cXItaU2ZLVt99jw9iYewA3Pnz0cLVZMiZyCezyZenVxlFlb92pfRjDcDL5wS84UFnxfVbo4OOZ_yqO4NamjN1rYaLOXw_fc/s640/26942259_532752063755476_1833128538_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The next morning we headed out again with Quynh to see a local waterfall. This time the hike was much shorter, a mere 4 kilometres. Thank goodness for small mercies!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmQe3xDo0ND4TkF5ZTmDHnie1Jf87r9mewZHhQJH4uQ5pcZR4E5cFuPTNAXJIKGsU_ebX2LslyrsQ6A02R8Pg2aD5isYXYSb_w9P0NlQSsxiU5lsCkzGD3la7Y_EByn51byYKNuMGumo/s1600/P1220544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmQe3xDo0ND4TkF5ZTmDHnie1Jf87r9mewZHhQJH4uQ5pcZR4E5cFuPTNAXJIKGsU_ebX2LslyrsQ6A02R8Pg2aD5isYXYSb_w9P0NlQSsxiU5lsCkzGD3la7Y_EByn51byYKNuMGumo/s640/P1220544.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The beautiful waterfall.</span></i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow2Y7ZHaJ10dNwP78wK51dUK66unrVDF2Im23hX8TyycuazCJNDnF2P8IfbezGR89XIKkP4vZCR46DUdUrRWd8Bwpzxy3KmerVYJUA_s1-fTmSDv-CLsR02Rjd9lgneNK6srd8NSqDjE/s1600/P1220546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgow2Y7ZHaJ10dNwP78wK51dUK66unrVDF2Im23hX8TyycuazCJNDnF2P8IfbezGR89XIKkP4vZCR46DUdUrRWd8Bwpzxy3KmerVYJUA_s1-fTmSDv-CLsR02Rjd9lgneNK6srd8NSqDjE/s640/P1220546.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Quynh for guiding us safely through the mountains. We loved the two days we spent with you.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXVpExdaKq8zgE_uhyphenhyphen-jQ532j2sOGx2s1JjO3u0WvECPptggjrise7GElex60JzbeEa4YWcj_3ZlIMboFeeZPaBqDZ99wpz1j9CTwNucSa5f2cEfZ9GWAnQmgDMWOmAYzHEeX7zUXNJw/s1600/P1220579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXVpExdaKq8zgE_uhyphenhyphen-jQ532j2sOGx2s1JjO3u0WvECPptggjrise7GElex60JzbeEa4YWcj_3ZlIMboFeeZPaBqDZ99wpz1j9CTwNucSa5f2cEfZ9GWAnQmgDMWOmAYzHEeX7zUXNJw/s640/P1220579.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Later that night, we took the sleeper train back to Hanoi. We shared a room with two Korean boys travelling with their family. I was happy when we reached our destination at 4:30am. Those berths do not make the most comfortable beds.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And now we are back in Hanoi for a couple more nights. We are going to take it easy to rest our weary bones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next leg of our journey involves a 3 day boat cruise around Halong Bay. We are really excited and are praying for good weather.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After all that hiking we will be happy to sit on a boat deck for a few days!</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-56869984682283078382018-01-10T05:58:00.001-08:002018-06-27T07:20:07.652-07:00What A Week, Luang Prabang!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjrEFLOQjIAq1fdsnkrG0NYPA6SM9C7u6VFcwDv-hbyjcpKSPANASP9xc4bDsS6SEioq4VJWZl0XqomJTnLBcyFPvqtYRKQiDMuj2Pco1vja1TxDRf0fUKzYrF-Zot9rhRhENl2dknns/s1600/P1210882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjrEFLOQjIAq1fdsnkrG0NYPA6SM9C7u6VFcwDv-hbyjcpKSPANASP9xc4bDsS6SEioq4VJWZl0XqomJTnLBcyFPvqtYRKQiDMuj2Pco1vja1TxDRf0fUKzYrF-Zot9rhRhENl2dknns/s640/P1210882.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What a week it has been in Luang Prabang! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Most of our time was spent wandering streets and back alleys, snapping photos, shopping in all the markets, eating fantastic food, and visiting waterfalls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Laotian people have been nothing short of welcoming and friendly. Good grief, they are quick to smile. We have shared a lot of laughs with many of them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5jOecVbAmeOCJMpsP7_YH403oHetv8XYbAM5ssEAVpJj2s5zGZN2N3NuUs-8EWr_f3asWcCZMbUbyVIPa6RcTlzYvvygvsybE-dBrikD0WAIj3Jgr6zoK9mUgzVcL6MSZopSCKIfgKk/s1600/P1210791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5jOecVbAmeOCJMpsP7_YH403oHetv8XYbAM5ssEAVpJj2s5zGZN2N3NuUs-8EWr_f3asWcCZMbUbyVIPa6RcTlzYvvygvsybE-dBrikD0WAIj3Jgr6zoK9mUgzVcL6MSZopSCKIfgKk/s640/P1210791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The main street of Luang Prabang is bustling during the day.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiB-Js_zNHi0-l_VA1mwdki_ldZWtb2zcoHdml5S8jFH5GG37J8k9pUTz0EyrsCUGAO-n2R_6vPu7XAR8RyuxyDJ_bl7chxY66o2t09yCeaiJhTO2OCGQAwQ2k6SMZo6mDAhW7r5HYv8/s1600/P1210810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiB-Js_zNHi0-l_VA1mwdki_ldZWtb2zcoHdml5S8jFH5GG37J8k9pUTz0EyrsCUGAO-n2R_6vPu7XAR8RyuxyDJ_bl7chxY66o2t09yCeaiJhTO2OCGQAwQ2k6SMZo6mDAhW7r5HYv8/s640/P1210810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Main Street at night. Still bustling.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vPhM6fZF2J7Sasa5UUlUCY9P3FzEkemxf7dZrEfP3PlpSrd8gnC8CN-I_gvFB27PxpF9GO45_5VSxdCbTTBh0OK9ziGwwc57ULbaIyTXTZBjz4IPfZFX0vmBPTdZgTcEOq3LDwHoSmQ/s1600/P1210846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vPhM6fZF2J7Sasa5UUlUCY9P3FzEkemxf7dZrEfP3PlpSrd8gnC8CN-I_gvFB27PxpF9GO45_5VSxdCbTTBh0OK9ziGwwc57ULbaIyTXTZBjz4IPfZFX0vmBPTdZgTcEOq3LDwHoSmQ/s640/P1210846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">90% of Laotian homes use wood as their source of fuel.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBq4n-H5KGSMGg2I82GKoTSJ4R-DdRFwK_zalgYKf5Z-4s1nddjr9MisnGbvBaU-tGTrXt828QMw6N0bebViQalswT4NLhKJ3pqyQVdmf3tgH4X2XahuokAhNMAW7rUhRlO24HqoB-gs/s1600/P1220136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="1600" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBq4n-H5KGSMGg2I82GKoTSJ4R-DdRFwK_zalgYKf5Z-4s1nddjr9MisnGbvBaU-tGTrXt828QMw6N0bebViQalswT4NLhKJ3pqyQVdmf3tgH4X2XahuokAhNMAW7rUhRlO24HqoB-gs/s640/P1220136.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Many of the city's structures are designated UNESCO world heritage buildings, blending vintage French architecture and classic Lao design.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The night market!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFR8mr7on9h9et1w8BRcK-o2REakrH9jzuvLSYteT6Yu__ysEenoBU0L8_qO09qCFphjI722dh9civtCxNrDBjwLBqovGguhXx0OFn1VGx7KWAVHjfkJ_-kLOn9cCEBNEzFQjI20W1u8/s1600/P1210811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFR8mr7on9h9et1w8BRcK-o2REakrH9jzuvLSYteT6Yu__ysEenoBU0L8_qO09qCFphjI722dh9civtCxNrDBjwLBqovGguhXx0OFn1VGx7KWAVHjfkJ_-kLOn9cCEBNEzFQjI20W1u8/s640/P1210811.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We were given many wonderful recommendations for restaurants. Most evenings, we planned to have dinner in one of them. But try as we might, we just could not stop ourselves from eating at food stalls in the market. The food is fast, it's fresh and oh so delicious!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One morning we got up extremely early to witness the 'alms giving' ceremony of the monks. The street was pitch black and deserted, save for the woman who immediately shoved a container of rice and packaged sweets into my hands. "Awwww....how nice!" I thought for a split second. "She's giving me this food so that I can participate in the ceremony!" But of course nothing was free. The next thing I knew she had her hand out for 30,000 kip. Joe paid her and I awaited further instructions.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The woman unceremoniously tipped the sticky rice out of its woven basket and onto the sweets. She showed me how it was done. I was to grab a ball of sticky rice, put it on top of the package, then place it in the monk's alms bowl. She then grabbed my wrist and led me to my spot to await the procession of monks. By this time, the street was lined with noisy tourists sitting on tiny plastic stools with baskets of food in their laps. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">That's me sitting to the right of the green garbage cans. My food was gone in no time. I felt badly that the monks had to accept all that man-handled sticky rice and packaged food from the tourists. I laughed to myself when the young monks walked right past me and didn't stop!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">As soon as my food was gone, I left my post on the sidewalk. It felt like a tourist attraction, not any sort of spiritual experience. I felt sorry for the poor monks who have to walk that gauntlet every morning! </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr4MFXVjEpiZKtRr5nrh9y2AF6H05i1AshbyYNuZE_VOHIal1rxGlMHN8aJACvQTtOleOVKp8J0-sKXCOSeVCJAHmKXctH6plsxSFWhAHuZLMMlnxdS9dV6XuAQpbBi2YouRJe7raFYQ/s1600/P1210871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="1600" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr4MFXVjEpiZKtRr5nrh9y2AF6H05i1AshbyYNuZE_VOHIal1rxGlMHN8aJACvQTtOleOVKp8J0-sKXCOSeVCJAHmKXctH6plsxSFWhAHuZLMMlnxdS9dV6XuAQpbBi2YouRJe7raFYQ/s640/P1210871.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever seen anything so beautiful in your life? This was a basket of food for our Laos fondue at Dyen Sabai restaurant. It was almost too pretty to eat. Almost.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">For a Laos fondue, a clay pot filled with burning coals is inserted into the middle of the table. A metal ring sits on top of it. The dome is for cooking meats and the moat is for broth to simmer noodles, eggs and vegetables. What a great meal! We loved it.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We met Wendell and Garythe at the elephant sanctuary last week. What an incredibly interesting couple! They've lived all over the world and have travelled most of it too. We met up for dinner one night in Luang Prabang.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Very early one morning we hired a tuk-tuk driver to take us to the Kuang Si waterfalls, about an hour's drive from Luang Prabang.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing prepared us for the beauty of this series of waterfalls. Luckily we went early enough and had the place to ourselves. As the morning wore on, it got incredibly busy.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The falls at the top of the hill were stunning.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">After our hike to the highest waterfall, we walked back down and jumped in the water. This turquoise pool was cool and inviting. We loved our swim. And apparently, so did a bunch of Chinese tourists! I think we are now in about 100 people's travel photos. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Once we dried off, we walked to 'Carpe Diem', a restaurant situated on the lower falls. Because it was still so early, these four young men were our private cooks and servers for our breakfast.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Me at breakfast, wondering how the hell I got so damn lucky.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Many things are still done the traditional way.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">In the morning market, this woman was vigorously chopping kindling with a small machete. Right next to her bare feet!</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Poultry stall in the food market.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGZgXgrI9FQRrXFy3VRBLSQ6d3yRzk4GTL435yWXyAxvnxQoo1ACz_0R_VXf9fEV4ZXJeTgpnipcftvHmrCzOqrrR5RP8rcE0N-IfXg9J9EiF00azfzTFCMo0puVOzMsCUGW5ueBaUFg/s1600/P1220118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGZgXgrI9FQRrXFy3VRBLSQ6d3yRzk4GTL435yWXyAxvnxQoo1ACz_0R_VXf9fEV4ZXJeTgpnipcftvHmrCzOqrrR5RP8rcE0N-IfXg9J9EiF00azfzTFCMo0puVOzMsCUGW5ueBaUFg/s640/P1220118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Beauty is everywhere. </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Sunset over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a wonderful week in Laos and Luang Prabang. This part of the world has a beautiful soul.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We leave for Hanoi tomorrow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are looking forward to see what adventures await us in Vietnam.</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-15898826582005365912018-01-07T05:55:00.001-08:002018-06-27T07:23:35.749-07:00Elephant Conservation Centre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB4GCOsXeJwPnZVNtYzBugqKxU1VzIVpTNh8BSJGRBMcKL15xtuFDQD1ZyzgbyfjCC6A9W0vaPHTMgOOydUP_e-RQ61oh2yRxp6iikGVyphWjP3IbfdKHJ_WBrFjM3iaU1L3DLMzr-1U/s1600/P1210565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuB4GCOsXeJwPnZVNtYzBugqKxU1VzIVpTNh8BSJGRBMcKL15xtuFDQD1ZyzgbyfjCC6A9W0vaPHTMgOOydUP_e-RQ61oh2yRxp6iikGVyphWjP3IbfdKHJ_WBrFjM3iaU1L3DLMzr-1U/s640/P1210565.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joe and I just spent two amazing days at the Elephant Conservation Centre in Sayaboury, about a 3 hour drive south of Luang Prabang in Laos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was wonderful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We learned so much about these amazing creatures. And were so heartbroken to learn of their mistreatment in Asia and around the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Elephant Conservation Centre currently homes 11 rescued elephants. Nine adults and two babies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ECC's philosophy is to bring people to the elephants, not the other way around. We observed them playing, bathing, eating and socializing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We followed the elephants through the forest, climbing steep hills for hours on end. We patted them and cooed sweet nothings in their ears. We laughed at their playful antics in the water.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elephants are SO smart. And funny and loving and loyal and protective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The ECC rescues Asian elephants and also breeds them. There are only 800 Asian elephants left in Laos. Half are wild, the other half are domesticated. Sadly, they are an endangered species. The centre is petitioning the Laos government for more land so that they can rescue even more elephants living in undesirable conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We left ECC humbled and grateful for this incredible experience.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The ECC is in such a beautiful part of Laos.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT_f5FMuD2IVekyXvlBd9OmnhkMzsdYIBuQXFn8gGqF573mGaQb7i0XFdmyb2rrrVFs1JumZbP21VjvosSC0qawQlZx7si9qHa_biLeKWq8CNMnQz1T304KdkwB-GRJjioMiiRFXelnY/s1600/P1210657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT_f5FMuD2IVekyXvlBd9OmnhkMzsdYIBuQXFn8gGqF573mGaQb7i0XFdmyb2rrrVFs1JumZbP21VjvosSC0qawQlZx7si9qHa_biLeKWq8CNMnQz1T304KdkwB-GRJjioMiiRFXelnY/s640/P1210657.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Home sweet home. Our digs for the night.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApUVRoY78iynO3k5lELd33LSUinltPSENhlieHhpmceUHMb_HM9V-DBeXGUFUPPQgpxRMuQVcxKGBTnOcILc1Vi7usd-LYX5ve_xkOxmWqia8IYRhWPcsCm4D3mqc4Z0MKrdiMfCzD4Q/s1600/P1210514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApUVRoY78iynO3k5lELd33LSUinltPSENhlieHhpmceUHMb_HM9V-DBeXGUFUPPQgpxRMuQVcxKGBTnOcILc1Vi7usd-LYX5ve_xkOxmWqia8IYRhWPcsCm4D3mqc4Z0MKrdiMfCzD4Q/s640/P1210514.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Many of you know my love for sleeping outdoors. This bamboo hut fit the bill perfectly!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV00GHOyTF-tsAx6tAGolvwT6n7KTQ9wOAedlXVit8_2AQUQ7bvfWbYbBxbDDBrRP6yFIbQa2dNUVJY6dbWCJ7WDN8Op-JTA3qPVEY67Qv8Vdd7SbeekAFAo3a3kGJBDpvpe0L4sJfSI/s1600/P1210635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV00GHOyTF-tsAx6tAGolvwT6n7KTQ9wOAedlXVit8_2AQUQ7bvfWbYbBxbDDBrRP6yFIbQa2dNUVJY6dbWCJ7WDN8Op-JTA3qPVEY67Qv8Vdd7SbeekAFAo3a3kGJBDpvpe0L4sJfSI/s640/P1210635.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our guide, Khemphet, was knowledgeable, passionate about elephants and a real jokester. He had us laughing the entire two days.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE5pEBJFenPzSTpQFcw0JWjQpqG04ECM9n6zsgQCQC9vwphhs6ElQqwwfaqjUPTw2vrrKeuvesti9UeH92CbLivStLTBxavcJ0lzp44omtyJCrGCu_LH-8-uHTSIYuwojv_SPhTIHnVU/s1600/P1210532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE5pEBJFenPzSTpQFcw0JWjQpqG04ECM9n6zsgQCQC9vwphhs6ElQqwwfaqjUPTw2vrrKeuvesti9UeH92CbLivStLTBxavcJ0lzp44omtyJCrGCu_LH-8-uHTSIYuwojv_SPhTIHnVU/s640/P1210532.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Mother, auntie and baby.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6Q9g2iZSrNN9CjQTx3ShqQ4q6-5FrvZ5CM6TipM-WwQpeC4KoYlFpW5qgPhCjPq1MIklPieLnvSlk48QMmYYCjT2gnKw4tfaNnIKNn9V6LEZEcxJ2rJhuXTci6W0Qc3X7ez5blVDVGI/s1600/P1210538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6Q9g2iZSrNN9CjQTx3ShqQ4q6-5FrvZ5CM6TipM-WwQpeC4KoYlFpW5qgPhCjPq1MIklPieLnvSlk48QMmYYCjT2gnKw4tfaNnIKNn9V6LEZEcxJ2rJhuXTci6W0Qc3X7ez5blVDVGI/s640/P1210538.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Taking a wee sip.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRueyCXasC_IGH3V0sHA5OlzF4bMMoXhGEQ9TixaRI2SDxSN7_ml6yoMBxmybFT0bgYmtyhZIu5BD4FQX0_n9XVsVHjZuNeXcYSsV1M_K5S4SiR-qH8jyuJbOiUGgwKZARB3kCcuwnTR8/s1600/P1210556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRueyCXasC_IGH3V0sHA5OlzF4bMMoXhGEQ9TixaRI2SDxSN7_ml6yoMBxmybFT0bgYmtyhZIu5BD4FQX0_n9XVsVHjZuNeXcYSsV1M_K5S4SiR-qH8jyuJbOiUGgwKZARB3kCcuwnTR8/s640/P1210556.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>"Hey, mama."</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk09i-GFx1QNULW3S6r6PqD0y8t79fSCmx_3VPo2RjEaU0WYTTA_mZGaa3MF13EElvqospl2I-g0oPwPzcmrL1l9Qz4RUwuNrW8SUS5AuJ_X2GSGYYSYjBkETw2S4jpej5qec3uC8Blc/s1600/P1210559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk09i-GFx1QNULW3S6r6PqD0y8t79fSCmx_3VPo2RjEaU0WYTTA_mZGaa3MF13EElvqospl2I-g0oPwPzcmrL1l9Qz4RUwuNrW8SUS5AuJ_X2GSGYYSYjBkETw2S4jpej5qec3uC8Blc/s640/P1210559.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>"Hi, girl. How're you doing?"</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyJQT7phA3-dbFCoKqWi9WS8SyF4lxtZ-Sbx3Nc1l7_BNn4-x3yUS5YC87r8UcFP5DYbJZ23INQ-hvofULNddNjQV2o4BIJdh9aBGDKKiqB-SAhLf-AI2QfeM76NyQNVtHnov0tVNlM4/s1600/P1210590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyJQT7phA3-dbFCoKqWi9WS8SyF4lxtZ-Sbx3Nc1l7_BNn4-x3yUS5YC87r8UcFP5DYbJZ23INQ-hvofULNddNjQV2o4BIJdh9aBGDKKiqB-SAhLf-AI2QfeM76NyQNVtHnov0tVNlM4/s640/P1210590.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Periscope up!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNnqA1fTXyA_N_I0TsJ95V81WXwRdWCzsGVWUxL4nGbwJkPh_h0sKa_O3Br8qrz38PM6ewukl0t6ky0LEFo1hC-n-sXLJKrT8bJA95Fp6UMUjUGQYFp-TNnw_zEHOf66rX930KQtCC_g/s1600/P1210664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNnqA1fTXyA_N_I0TsJ95V81WXwRdWCzsGVWUxL4nGbwJkPh_h0sKa_O3Br8qrz38PM6ewukl0t6ky0LEFo1hC-n-sXLJKrT8bJA95Fp6UMUjUGQYFp-TNnw_zEHOf66rX930KQtCC_g/s640/P1210664.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Relaxing after a busy day hiking in the jungle.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The sun sets on Day 1.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEJvH4iEaYqNPTlbV2krrNtQ0jdyURoSxvMTJCD8c9-VNeVLLmT34DOLBg6fJpU4na9ZtyH15mG5FP_XsDLZEYNIHLB5Y0sksoWB6tpio5KomfXu0XjGtFfs3vXL-IFf66f2aTT-km0s/s1600/P1210660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEJvH4iEaYqNPTlbV2krrNtQ0jdyURoSxvMTJCD8c9-VNeVLLmT34DOLBg6fJpU4na9ZtyH15mG5FP_XsDLZEYNIHLB5Y0sksoWB6tpio5KomfXu0XjGtFfs3vXL-IFf66f2aTT-km0s/s640/P1210660.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The sun rises on Day 2.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxT_llO1aXFJgdERr1h99vVthBJVR5lIDgJDqhNv-h3f9XLk9KoGLcI29I0Ziuq0aMqLC3fUXOO3y8yDsx8ihremH1qOsnWfSADKkPqfbrPpqPLx6PkfPgRHA9-q_Fq0n9OYnS4RElFw/s1600/P1210611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxT_llO1aXFJgdERr1h99vVthBJVR5lIDgJDqhNv-h3f9XLk9KoGLcI29I0Ziuq0aMqLC3fUXOO3y8yDsx8ihremH1qOsnWfSADKkPqfbrPpqPLx6PkfPgRHA9-q_Fq0n9OYnS4RElFw/s640/P1210611.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Mud bath!</i></span></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_X7KF3q5dJUgr8MCeEranYd-rpMsTTgM-2jXolw6X_cwb028hja9ndGLnuK-IcwNJUzEhoUHP6WoKYPjzpOrN7mGxBeWWvaMdBf38S60LeL1T-GFqBjhp4malhCeFUaljCeMw6yJNyc/s1600/P1210602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_X7KF3q5dJUgr8MCeEranYd-rpMsTTgM-2jXolw6X_cwb028hja9ndGLnuK-IcwNJUzEhoUHP6WoKYPjzpOrN7mGxBeWWvaMdBf38S60LeL1T-GFqBjhp4malhCeFUaljCeMw6yJNyc/s640/P1210602.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">These two gals are BFFs.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrHebWDAuIdFHj8TrTnTvaoIaHFnBPBEFp-Of7qeyDN1b8Bsy5U9wTLq4hm3zDfyd4zx_uxtwfWc4WTyNq1Au7vvQ4EK-dPC3-hm8UicEYDlCSvGg9M3XvxavUIbe8P3BbdqbYyEGB-M/s1600/P1210690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrHebWDAuIdFHj8TrTnTvaoIaHFnBPBEFp-Of7qeyDN1b8Bsy5U9wTLq4hm3zDfyd4zx_uxtwfWc4WTyNq1Au7vvQ4EK-dPC3-hm8UicEYDlCSvGg9M3XvxavUIbe8P3BbdqbYyEGB-M/s640/P1210690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Drinks for everybody!</i></span></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQ0pmwkBtC_gaiRfCA0K_Pc2ykLORGoylBUu2cxVzI66HaRN_OFEsy9ssBpiKiiG1XSDqjX8DuqABU6pG3P-oOFd7sVBmEvlpBFj3U9aPRChEJdQwNdU9jUHEBjuA3DlPpWxZAu8Q9AE/s1600/P1210704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQ0pmwkBtC_gaiRfCA0K_Pc2ykLORGoylBUu2cxVzI66HaRN_OFEsy9ssBpiKiiG1XSDqjX8DuqABU6pG3P-oOFd7sVBmEvlpBFj3U9aPRChEJdQwNdU9jUHEBjuA3DlPpWxZAu8Q9AE/s640/P1210704.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Mother and son.</i></span></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsupaBxgG4MJ7ACDwq3jHW8X2Y-0vCojPB9ya0_8iOLQc20Gq9Yz0H9vFCw_C1QWrBLABN7gwPQfIAZ0c5eZ_R-BtiIxVlQD00i3-A1g8Hmw1wofI9JMDizHydS-LAS1b55GhoinaxysQ/s1600/P1210720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsupaBxgG4MJ7ACDwq3jHW8X2Y-0vCojPB9ya0_8iOLQc20Gq9Yz0H9vFCw_C1QWrBLABN7gwPQfIAZ0c5eZ_R-BtiIxVlQD00i3-A1g8Hmw1wofI9JMDizHydS-LAS1b55GhoinaxysQ/s640/P1210720.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Elephant spray park.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcNjaw2R8H-wIe7SbWy_oveSpca04kHRuwyD6Lc4iw5ae7C0qR-BeHDlIQMTNqpDD6OzQAgiXHnW3rqL-DKZLLnYa9sMXLtT2uzXjiYk1DbCsdVm6y4TQz_0MQBdW5pU40wsbdyToQZg/s1600/P1210739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcNjaw2R8H-wIe7SbWy_oveSpca04kHRuwyD6Lc4iw5ae7C0qR-BeHDlIQMTNqpDD6OzQAgiXHnW3rqL-DKZLLnYa9sMXLtT2uzXjiYk1DbCsdVm6y4TQz_0MQBdW5pU40wsbdyToQZg/s640/P1210739.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> We had to traipse across a very high, very wobbly suspension bridge to the treehouse </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">observation deck.</span></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx612rT1RpCTHgnB9JBEu8X5T6pgv2CIs7e_8mHcXoYpNn8IQ7WbIV5CFNuvJp499VFL_X3pKKUqFZk1tIu5SJCYhtYFB2hWSNbKZ07GdDyTPu1xCqHmph9xtWGCYI8bCDoeAgoD2r5-s/s1600/P1210728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx612rT1RpCTHgnB9JBEu8X5T6pgv2CIs7e_8mHcXoYpNn8IQ7WbIV5CFNuvJp499VFL_X3pKKUqFZk1tIu5SJCYhtYFB2hWSNbKZ07GdDyTPu1xCqHmph9xtWGCYI8bCDoeAgoD2r5-s/s640/P1210728.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We watched the elephants from above.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuQbjWH_JOKi6WsbkW7G161TQM40i23wlRjKDWAp-KQxymxVxKR-Wc4k9jzsfLMavIjK6pI3HifvxXavRH91mNO9fDQW-NGxMOW5rE1_xu-ISxHSbnrqw_ULkCzSi6OACvDY6L9bTLFU/s1600/P1210628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuQbjWH_JOKi6WsbkW7G161TQM40i23wlRjKDWAp-KQxymxVxKR-Wc4k9jzsfLMavIjK6pI3HifvxXavRH91mNO9fDQW-NGxMOW5rE1_xu-ISxHSbnrqw_ULkCzSi6OACvDY6L9bTLFU/s640/P1210628.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Elephants eat for 17 hours each day.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszB1dvd-9WuVfReM1-D0q8uB38-D06cFJ-DibhIxsq4SF6_w3E6JjkWxj5EKibiFGT37oR7Gl5LzqYs9rvQ9i0KclsUGH2ars83ar10qcbJU7pbOC2dIyOo4sCKK2m506fkU-j63o1mI/s1600/P1210746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszB1dvd-9WuVfReM1-D0q8uB38-D06cFJ-DibhIxsq4SF6_w3E6JjkWxj5EKibiFGT37oR7Gl5LzqYs9rvQ9i0KclsUGH2ars83ar10qcbJU7pbOC2dIyOo4sCKK2m506fkU-j63o1mI/s640/P1210746.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">After a 3 hour hike, we followed the elephants out of the jungle.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7k1YCKyflaNDGvIZkaGUuf4hjUYGVvyK6Vcexwmx6hnVp6-b_ORWk7o6x-OUgXZJ0vZsS_RCc06EiYmzwG3lcLqxuHuvMe8i0YbjDiPjy7oaWjs0kH5EL8VeZhTdJ8W1_ZvQct0QAh6Y/s1600/P1210688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7k1YCKyflaNDGvIZkaGUuf4hjUYGVvyK6Vcexwmx6hnVp6-b_ORWk7o6x-OUgXZJ0vZsS_RCc06EiYmzwG3lcLqxuHuvMe8i0YbjDiPjy7oaWjs0kH5EL8VeZhTdJ8W1_ZvQct0QAh6Y/s640/P1210688.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">The elephants led the way.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh535lOtOtvkduoCVmrNhEexr6wR_WmhfwwxIPKSG_KUSY4pCEQPs1Jw07CCi16RYh8KdrgBPEVPAFBp4waB04L3KNyk1UAHeYgc5JEaeGCRcAdb_g98kne8HKpFbcuL0GvX74MzFX-LSk/s1600/P1210694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh535lOtOtvkduoCVmrNhEexr6wR_WmhfwwxIPKSG_KUSY4pCEQPs1Jw07CCi16RYh8KdrgBPEVPAFBp4waB04L3KNyk1UAHeYgc5JEaeGCRcAdb_g98kne8HKpFbcuL0GvX74MzFX-LSk/s640/P1210694.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Happy and hot hikers.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, Elephant Conservation Centre, for teaching us so much about your country's beautiful Asian elephants. And another big thank you to our new friend, Dr. Erica Ward, for caring for these vulnerable animals when they need it most. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You people are my heroes.</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-49893382960530957552018-01-04T07:02:00.001-08:002018-06-27T07:26:57.789-07:00Slow Boat Down The Mekong River<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUZdMEV6og5h5asUYqi7sEMUst60xzV4u1A4i1h5usB4b_yKaEob8XQZDapGwjB0GBJZT8rFo4IJwSXZsJd7Xo7ftWetImv0MPwTO3iuG6c25JtaivJJ_jNKTDoHN_Q1T68VUaBagYFQ/s1600/P1210420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUZdMEV6og5h5asUYqi7sEMUst60xzV4u1A4i1h5usB4b_yKaEob8XQZDapGwjB0GBJZT8rFo4IJwSXZsJd7Xo7ftWetImv0MPwTO3iuG6c25JtaivJJ_jNKTDoHN_Q1T68VUaBagYFQ/s640/P1210420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We crossed the border into the People's Democratic Republic of Laos yesterday morning and boarded boat 999 headed for the UNESCO Heritage Site of Luang Prabang. We travelled 330 kilometres over two days.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Xay, our guide, was excellent; knowledgeable, friendly and quick to laugh. The passengers were from all over the world; Canada, America, France, England, Lithuania and Russia. We had so many lovely conversations with everyone.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PUjhXIx9hqoBttHPWey7F3ntpDOWJTu23i8U1VxTWTGcGAsjqHSABRPdHp-h6kXIBO9w08tszLIGeQiA1zqqnY75tEQoazpd6SWS9NppjKKWPbkVdVtFpw4rguvErHYtMZkqt3Bdi2Q/s1600/P1210372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PUjhXIx9hqoBttHPWey7F3ntpDOWJTu23i8U1VxTWTGcGAsjqHSABRPdHp-h6kXIBO9w08tszLIGeQiA1zqqnY75tEQoazpd6SWS9NppjKKWPbkVdVtFpw4rguvErHYtMZkqt3Bdi2Q/s640/P1210372.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Boat 999. Our mode of transportation for two days.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnto67KEzDnvzqoKjH1OhUgYGQ4HK1aFKAW_VQuIKlUqc3ObR88HOpsWFAV-Z1k-eg_bjZ3Mhxb5wbVvoewJmZ52M_tZ5MaO9jgNHz0h7dka_FEqhlPupN6QRVmY5Tc9R8EoLFjS8gHs/s1600/P1210293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnto67KEzDnvzqoKjH1OhUgYGQ4HK1aFKAW_VQuIKlUqc3ObR88HOpsWFAV-Z1k-eg_bjZ3Mhxb5wbVvoewJmZ52M_tZ5MaO9jgNHz0h7dka_FEqhlPupN6QRVmY5Tc9R8EoLFjS8gHs/s640/P1210293.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The Mekong River is a busy place. Goods and people are moved by boat up and down the river all day long.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVX4CP_Gy_ZJ4y_-sf5FMUpSD1BVZS8FXYqobWhF7RiqEOQvWAztIykwQG0waMssInm9UcGXXIf923K08lPgzPlTiVhvvpMaKH2CEW66lH6sqOJHW6AE9vnQpmDr25dLNJoZ7o_42kHs/s1600/P1210334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVX4CP_Gy_ZJ4y_-sf5FMUpSD1BVZS8FXYqobWhF7RiqEOQvWAztIykwQG0waMssInm9UcGXXIf923K08lPgzPlTiVhvvpMaKH2CEW66lH6sqOJHW6AE9vnQpmDr25dLNJoZ7o_42kHs/s640/P1210334.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Settling in.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PatL1dxhvMK4vRqj_lFapILUEpISPEdTZ4yhrMOv6GWYp10psyWARWrPUoGslTkIZlc7vf-C_DEx2kT_343QKv_x5HDbwlD6dNgFjdvKfeMNMvae1A0C1dM3vz_F8IcE2UMm2ztGF6k/s1600/P1210355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PatL1dxhvMK4vRqj_lFapILUEpISPEdTZ4yhrMOv6GWYp10psyWARWrPUoGslTkIZlc7vf-C_DEx2kT_343QKv_x5HDbwlD6dNgFjdvKfeMNMvae1A0C1dM3vz_F8IcE2UMm2ztGF6k/s640/P1210355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I hung my head out this window and watched the jungle go by for two solid days.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxSKdZ4IHWrQHRrsCgcOYIf_JStpxqE5IeYvJPI24Vwy7CrF06VysjpbaTGYxbzEML6AxrRVXsZP1rLWF2bwbfa9wmWFVaNbd83jHlc4c4Ul8mz4lci21tFT0K3fx5R1dQ_c42Y2Kj3U/s1600/P1210359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxSKdZ4IHWrQHRrsCgcOYIf_JStpxqE5IeYvJPI24Vwy7CrF06VysjpbaTGYxbzEML6AxrRVXsZP1rLWF2bwbfa9wmWFVaNbd83jHlc4c4Ul8mz4lci21tFT0K3fx5R1dQ_c42Y2Kj3U/s640/P1210359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Life on the river.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">On the first day of our voyage, we stopped and visited an ethnic Lao Kamu village. Our guide was from this tribe.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6TUrD_Rpx1YhNBxcPyFGK3HtqkzguNFCFDIiZruRKprF8rejD0vo4WIPY97S6idx3kc2QohQRf5uQLCne__t0nrRNBj5SRQraZC_rW1_Dql4wcU7Qg6gnED99TY4PylDWRReDwe-ofw/s1600/P1210397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6TUrD_Rpx1YhNBxcPyFGK3HtqkzguNFCFDIiZruRKprF8rejD0vo4WIPY97S6idx3kc2QohQRf5uQLCne__t0nrRNBj5SRQraZC_rW1_Dql4wcU7Qg6gnED99TY4PylDWRReDwe-ofw/s640/P1210397.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">These villages are incredibly remote. This one had no electricity and their water supply was from a single pipe in the ground.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gkIwdxLqBOl9BJ7R49qQUaxYKUHZiIryRxsxCfQK1CTipxZKB0Yvdn6GkBBjTyumpcjGkiaDi-9H5AUmlPJ0Cbw7_qsGXGnHxkECfaj-3ypr84gm2G_tPEK-I4-q51MGUMdESaVQFSY/s1600/P1210405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gkIwdxLqBOl9BJ7R49qQUaxYKUHZiIryRxsxCfQK1CTipxZKB0Yvdn6GkBBjTyumpcjGkiaDi-9H5AUmlPJ0Cbw7_qsGXGnHxkECfaj-3ypr84gm2G_tPEK-I4-q51MGUMdESaVQFSY/s640/P1210405.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Fishing rods and boats.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbw06NrHjFUPPQ6B5aH2-AjSGZl4-bbEh8C4TqMtJRXpXSGRgN_Dj1rotM-EV_My7iiuemGY65ngGpNtC5MynutezU8GsnlYTzBtdAwSXdDINvpdPHbhe6IOhbicZIjIFpsO8nQT2JENo/s1600/P1210415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbw06NrHjFUPPQ6B5aH2-AjSGZl4-bbEh8C4TqMtJRXpXSGRgN_Dj1rotM-EV_My7iiuemGY65ngGpNtC5MynutezU8GsnlYTzBtdAwSXdDINvpdPHbhe6IOhbicZIjIFpsO8nQT2JENo/s640/P1210415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We were told there was a primary school further up into the hills. But families have to pay, even for public school. I wondered how many children actually attended school. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our first day on the boat ended in Pak Beng. The passengers were shuttled to a lovely guest house overlooking the river.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI4YlpBrTejTVabzaC5mSSeC7MhHlM0vtgC_1WGc4eUejLWkTZNgMq5TgjgdlwX2_4K9SaGA-4jMUUHCvnnRzPe1oxzWu_1MJqivdRTKp10cMPme5uXkx72XC6rgn52VD98B-3MLsxyU/s1600/26543876_1515408075161787_1041454757_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglI4YlpBrTejTVabzaC5mSSeC7MhHlM0vtgC_1WGc4eUejLWkTZNgMq5TgjgdlwX2_4K9SaGA-4jMUUHCvnnRzPe1oxzWu_1MJqivdRTKp10cMPme5uXkx72XC6rgn52VD98B-3MLsxyU/s640/26543876_1515408075161787_1041454757_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Before dinner, a group of us wandered around the local market. This little entrepreneur tried her hardest to sell me a barbecued wiener. Every time I declined, she'd take a bite.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCESVLSaiciE1aRta3xfJR6GcpOIwhOUtTli1YG2s5xRIvBlXiRwLYLee9emH61h8M_02wX5dUPRpBw-LJc1PscLypgP7LupHMOXuMoWZjjOVL_PuH7TUNBrfmJexwF79iGNFuVUa5pLM/s1600/P1210427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCESVLSaiciE1aRta3xfJR6GcpOIwhOUtTli1YG2s5xRIvBlXiRwLYLee9emH61h8M_02wX5dUPRpBw-LJc1PscLypgP7LupHMOXuMoWZjjOVL_PuH7TUNBrfmJexwF79iGNFuVUa5pLM/s640/P1210427.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">My first time sleeping inside a mosquito net!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6rGTvo9PLnvqTZeoghFnYZGjea4XGw7lp9PktNaox9X5-MCxvsbEFFKW25CProD2Uj6YiCPwVSMpwItQ5YUyLEhhGnzpqVo8nxJ-U_-4WhFqCnFax0WbhAZyTczNnAf4DOcDQOqskBI/s1600/P1210444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6rGTvo9PLnvqTZeoghFnYZGjea4XGw7lp9PktNaox9X5-MCxvsbEFFKW25CProD2Uj6YiCPwVSMpwItQ5YUyLEhhGnzpqVo8nxJ-U_-4WhFqCnFax0WbhAZyTczNnAf4DOcDQOqskBI/s640/P1210444.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The boat was very comfortable with cushioned seats, daybeds, hot lunches, snacks and bottled water.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Life on the river.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBwZMDsNI4pqR2juI_DKUkAPYHqG_A3wJ2SCo9iaKqXQbMI3DZZe_ZzMuOKdIgAkJpbq_-lxgogAWsyHFjTp73ocQquHWuuRtW91mfYISedZWoOj4ogQvijjUqvzMaInn1S50nmI-60U/s1600/P1210461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBwZMDsNI4pqR2juI_DKUkAPYHqG_A3wJ2SCo9iaKqXQbMI3DZZe_ZzMuOKdIgAkJpbq_-lxgogAWsyHFjTp73ocQquHWuuRtW91mfYISedZWoOj4ogQvijjUqvzMaInn1S50nmI-60U/s640/P1210461.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">On the second day, we visited an ethnic Lao Loum village. This was a village of weavers. Gorgeous textiles of every hue were for sale. They just got electricity one month ago!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoM8SLJxAinaqLCuckYlR7q9_JnUay3XNjpFGuHZI5G6GEfGl8J7pXFZgQl_0Wl8OmeJnOs46ADbU2lLQOMGxzzemumTqMD9ytmhMWqGdWh4MZqtK1eSJtjdNuk2uk71DqhqeFhdVVUM/s1600/P1210477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyoM8SLJxAinaqLCuckYlR7q9_JnUay3XNjpFGuHZI5G6GEfGl8J7pXFZgQl_0Wl8OmeJnOs46ADbU2lLQOMGxzzemumTqMD9ytmhMWqGdWh4MZqtK1eSJtjdNuk2uk71DqhqeFhdVVUM/s640/P1210477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our final stop was to the famous Pak Ou cave. </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrtZvLVSwjO_6av_CAuLtssIi-AuHiWHR0x2d2dgsaoaVH2CGLEx7XpqYg7OPR2bNMhju-KuKnfSM8MBXOSTvhP7RvoXcfCxEtjMbOs4nmEkhvpYYGIug5jI0u0tqytRk86RMcEa3ioo/s1600/P1210478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrtZvLVSwjO_6av_CAuLtssIi-AuHiWHR0x2d2dgsaoaVH2CGLEx7XpqYg7OPR2bNMhju-KuKnfSM8MBXOSTvhP7RvoXcfCxEtjMbOs4nmEkhvpYYGIug5jI0u0tqytRk86RMcEa3ioo/s640/P1210478.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This cave was full of thousands of Buddhas placed there by worshippers.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri0vn2EasffWRlvJPRFor3_bNVD8SR3-gdxSHbWyL5kJlbnRtrncfB5MGN9cppCU_izSafiOtnGGBYxzhOxN_DdbIMiyk-AwJX3MqPtuq_TEMIu7h-SvWWFagNOMp3MnEzZveBB_od1g/s1600/P1210466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri0vn2EasffWRlvJPRFor3_bNVD8SR3-gdxSHbWyL5kJlbnRtrncfB5MGN9cppCU_izSafiOtnGGBYxzhOxN_DdbIMiyk-AwJX3MqPtuq_TEMIu7h-SvWWFagNOMp3MnEzZveBB_od1g/s640/P1210466.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Relaxing is so exhausting!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are in Luang Prabang for the next several days.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow we are visiting an elephant sanctuary and spending the night there.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A pachyderm sleepover!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am super excited for that.</span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-88386338974452531272018-01-02T05:39:00.004-08:002018-06-27T07:31:12.127-07:00Later, Thailand!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l7dbHl6aMJA0x5Caur4f5kpeu12cwzghigfhaZB2GnpqJF6547hbwqRiPWJmvCY-x4ULPy__UHdh9JTL9X7FqsPhNxoFukwOeNB9G0YGTPEXsT7CEStniGc92fjNBBPh1uh-K0RppMs/s1600/P1210127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l7dbHl6aMJA0x5Caur4f5kpeu12cwzghigfhaZB2GnpqJF6547hbwqRiPWJmvCY-x4ULPy__UHdh9JTL9X7FqsPhNxoFukwOeNB9G0YGTPEXsT7CEStniGc92fjNBBPh1uh-K0RppMs/s640/P1210127.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After our wonderful week in Pai, we headed back to Chiang Mai to spend New Years. Our days were filled with wandering around town aimlessly, trying out different food stalls, going to the daily markets and having one last massage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed in a hostel not far from the east gate of the old city. We met so many friendly and interesting young backpackers there!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-H6d-DckzETA1HKVX5sdW4lIYzPiQLel0-pNAS5WBAqcTcaGtY6HtOxWQsBvGWnTLUTkjASkj5gIzp92MDJCPnWJpoj340NFYx_vPFqd9OAQFY5vIBO-1xJOekHnkcC_P0cH0TTEuT8/s1600/P1200975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-H6d-DckzETA1HKVX5sdW4lIYzPiQLel0-pNAS5WBAqcTcaGtY6HtOxWQsBvGWnTLUTkjASkj5gIzp92MDJCPnWJpoj340NFYx_vPFqd9OAQFY5vIBO-1xJOekHnkcC_P0cH0TTEuT8/s640/P1200975.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>It doesn't matter where we eat. The food has been delicious everywhere. Even the most humble establishments serve up great food.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn83OpqfEs5E-D5dbfueyt5VvOaFLHvzc-JK5Mvn11o6GXexNl3Z7kV_eWkFuf831zMazX43MDmGdKhKB3Im2BeByu19m04-k5kgqNYDmn0hIklR_8bjfk5EDIzRCqpOjo0CtLhNFWWs/s1600/P1210008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn83OpqfEs5E-D5dbfueyt5VvOaFLHvzc-JK5Mvn11o6GXexNl3Z7kV_eWkFuf831zMazX43MDmGdKhKB3Im2BeByu19m04-k5kgqNYDmn0hIklR_8bjfk5EDIzRCqpOjo0CtLhNFWWs/s640/P1210008.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Thailand is a backpacker's dream destination.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3ad2NXccnlqoKQdAH4qe5ATAK2wafHiY24DF08LEBy2NYMsA_EBF-tqgrgWJrRmXmibcZcplt2PHcMgZ-mwhhQL4usDqh6P6QbDG44k7TfSnz_GsRjvDh4xA_RKyLqbLzMfEqZPkI0E/s1600/P1210040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3ad2NXccnlqoKQdAH4qe5ATAK2wafHiY24DF08LEBy2NYMsA_EBF-tqgrgWJrRmXmibcZcplt2PHcMgZ-mwhhQL4usDqh6P6QbDG44k7TfSnz_GsRjvDh4xA_RKyLqbLzMfEqZPkI0E/s640/P1210040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Homes on the Ping River.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The markets were very busy the morning of December 31st. Everyone was preparing for their New Year celebrations.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>This woman was selling a net full of live toads at her market stall.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>A busy food counter is like a magnet for Joe. He always wants to see what everyone is eating. Turns out it was little bowls of coconut milk pudding with sweet beans and fruit. Dee-lish!</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This man made us the best iced coffee in all of Thailand.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The host from our hostel invited Joe and I to join her and other guests for a roof top New Year's Eve party. We were so thrilled to be included! We bought paper lanterns at the market that morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>"Is this how you do it?"</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We rang in 2018 with new friends from Holland, Thailand, Chile and England.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">At midnight, Joe and I went down onto the street to mingle with the thousands of people releasing their lanterns. What an amazing sight!</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We got up early on New Year's Day to take a 6 hour bus ride to Chiang Khong, a border town in northern Thailand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed in a very charming, very rustic guesthouse on the banks of the Mekong River. It was a quiet reprieve from the bustling city of Chiang Mai. Roosters crowed, birds flitted about and we spent a lot of time just sitting on our deck watching the fishermen go up and down the river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Sunrise over the Mekong River</i><i>.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Boats and cyclists go up and down the river all day long. Laos is across the river.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Paper lanterns lined a temple's entrance.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>The local transit system.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Our delicious breakfast consisted of two lattes, one huge bowl of noodle soup and a vegetable omelette. The cost? 190 baht. That's $4.00 Cdn. </i></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">And the red crocheted utensil cover? Come on, how adorable is that?</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This dog was sleeping soundly on top of the display case until I walked up and quietly motioned his owner if I could take his picture. Then he started to bark at me like crazy. I wonder how that is for business? (Check out his friend laying on the lower shelf.)</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A lone fisherman on the river.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are leaving Chiang Khong early tomorrow morning. Joe and I are taking a slow boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang in Laos. It will take 2 days to get there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our three and a half weeks in Thailand has been nothing short of excellent. Its people, food, and culture are all top-notch. Our experiences have been new, fun and different. Just how I like it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We'll be returning to Thailand in March. I'm sure we'll need some beach time by then!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are looking forward to exploring the country of Laos and its city of Luang Prabang. I can't wait to visit this UNESCO World heritage site.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TTFN!</span></div>
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212574907712078161.post-55696187771300382752017-12-28T05:06:00.000-08:002018-06-27T07:36:45.421-07:00Life of Pai<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">The White Buddha sits on a hillside above Pai.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We left Chiang Mai, boarded a bus, and took a 3 hour ride through twisting mountain roads to the town of Pai. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pai has a definite 'hippie' vibe to it. Bare feet and dreadlocks, cool bars and funky cafes, beards and beads. Joe and I must be older than everyone else by at least 30 years.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A bar gets ready for its evening customers.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">These women served up a variety of herbal teas in bamboo cups every evening in the </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">'Walking Street Market'.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Bridge over the River Pai. This bamboo bridge felt like it was going to break every time </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">we walked over it.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Our digs in Pai. We stayed out in the country, about a 5 minute drive from town.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We spent Christmas Day poolside.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Christmas Day lunch. We had a hankering for Western food so we indulged ourselves. </i><i>Those burgers and onion rings did not disappoint. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One evening, we hired a driver to take us to Pai Canyon to watch the sunset. The canyon is bisected by very steep, very narrow cliff walls. I got vertigo just watching people.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">In Thailand, it is customary to remove one's shoes before entering a home or shop. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">Even the doctor's office!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Where is everybody? We had the pool mostly to ourselves every day. Mind you, the water was cold. But not to us hardy Canadians! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One afternoon, as we were waiting in front of our guest house for our driver, we saw a man and an elephant sauntering down the road. It was absolutely surreal! I had never seen an elephant before. I couldn't believe how HUGE this animal was!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">I motioned to the man asking if I could take a photograph. He nodded yes, I lifted the camera to my face, but before I could snap a pic the elephant crossed the road and walked right toward me. At first it felt a little scary. These animals are gigantic! She looked me straight in the eye and let me pat her trunk. It was an such emotional experience. And with that, she turned around and continued walking up the road. I will never forget that elephant and the effect she had on me.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">We are addicted to Thai massages! These women gave us incredible massages every single day. After each massage, they insisted on having a photo taken with us.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">As soon as the street bars start filling up at night, that is the signal for Joe and I to </span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">return to our room.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">And speaking of rooms, here's ours. You would think this was a comfy bed wouldn't you? WELL, IT ISN'T! Asian mattresses are as firm as a plank of plywood. Most mornings I feel as if I've been punched in the kidneys. I think this is why there are so many Thai massage places in this country. Because the beds are so hard and everyone's backs are sore! (P.S. After 3 weeks, I am getting somewhat used to the mattresses here. I can now sleep longer than 6 hours at a stretch. And my back and hips don't complain as much when I crawl out of bed each morning.)</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This little guy spent the evening floating on an inner tube which was tied to the moorings of the bamboo bridge.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">A beautiful sunset over the nightly Walking Street Market.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">One night at the market, we saw a bride and groom. As we passed by, we congratulated them on their marriage. The next thing we knew, they pulled us in for a group photo.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Now THAT is what I call an umbrella!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4E3TWsE-hKlSKoIMHmz6rL-Mhte2DnvFJmL2K9l2Jy2tRpSN6NtrkLz9C2DEl0e3aqJYZvoh4HfVb-Sk6RdtutNemc2S1yVqz3Lon8vvNaz_jVTGcNjkTxaEeg6QVH7ILQkaIQh5Jeo/s1600/P1200903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4E3TWsE-hKlSKoIMHmz6rL-Mhte2DnvFJmL2K9l2Jy2tRpSN6NtrkLz9C2DEl0e3aqJYZvoh4HfVb-Sk6RdtutNemc2S1yVqz3Lon8vvNaz_jVTGcNjkTxaEeg6QVH7ILQkaIQh5Jeo/s640/P1200903.JPG" width="466" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Pai Fashion Week.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6oYwK1u0Icx6aNjaUivV4p2eduLlIxUF4wwEhGLs2iJvdIJ6Oj8JPTJDsAdfApjCkz81u_PdjY4Dn1FX8nYjN82UUrXCMIpwRBTnRWXuiKOtLDv-t0kVjvOP0qiDwIRCg2EFBJVO6SA/s1600/P1200932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6oYwK1u0Icx6aNjaUivV4p2eduLlIxUF4wwEhGLs2iJvdIJ6Oj8JPTJDsAdfApjCkz81u_PdjY4Dn1FX8nYjN82UUrXCMIpwRBTnRWXuiKOtLDv-t0kVjvOP0qiDwIRCg2EFBJVO6SA/s640/P1200932.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">This is how shops close up in Pai. With a string and two pieces of paper.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYkObFpWLgNxQBvEVlLvLMG3IJmYR1pmjIQVfqVN5IQVz58nq4_lDCRmfaiwBgbhJlwZC3E0Q9caxVIpRYH77MJCRVL3dNH4GjyIeYMeVXRMbreX95Hfy4O4-Fw1jnl-u88NwyW5juPY/s1600/P1200930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYkObFpWLgNxQBvEVlLvLMG3IJmYR1pmjIQVfqVN5IQVz58nq4_lDCRmfaiwBgbhJlwZC3E0Q9caxVIpRYH77MJCRVL3dNH4GjyIeYMeVXRMbreX95Hfy4O4-Fw1jnl-u88NwyW5juPY/s640/P1200930.JPG" width="466" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Everywhere you look, you can see the White Buddha sitting high on a hill overlooking the town.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3fp-B95zUoh0M8iEc3rMOyj4ghV57MngVPfrxK3pmBQTLkQAP0AdJwCjEyTlQjkie5v9q9XSyD0SSasOa9dw2XSrJ_9XjJVxuvoJ2OQ20Nes33TprEJ-GbepkdQNhbsUr4CPpBVkCHs/s1600/P1200907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3fp-B95zUoh0M8iEc3rMOyj4ghV57MngVPfrxK3pmBQTLkQAP0AdJwCjEyTlQjkie5v9q9XSyD0SSasOa9dw2XSrJ_9XjJVxuvoJ2OQ20Nes33TprEJ-GbepkdQNhbsUr4CPpBVkCHs/s640/P1200907.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>There are countless stray dogs and cats in this country. This restaurant owner was nice enough to put a blanket on the floor for this poor dog to sleep on. </i><i>You can find dogs curled up on every street corner in every town.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVMpkdmif-tGps43HaOWV7RIvNvVTZj_Vx_ZPYOm63sTLM6mufhBw-GkwYl8p5iLz8LjGZWqn_ggBa00MB0llCWvjuwzvrUj2oDGXjHRMuCU-cWs1MwBYbzXhzTGlIoW7SiQ32fzZLwA/s1600/P1200910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVMpkdmif-tGps43HaOWV7RIvNvVTZj_Vx_ZPYOm63sTLM6mufhBw-GkwYl8p5iLz8LjGZWqn_ggBa00MB0llCWvjuwzvrUj2oDGXjHRMuCU-cWs1MwBYbzXhzTGlIoW7SiQ32fzZLwA/s640/P1200910.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Thai food cannot be beat.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXo_LN3HaavUScce0SktwMduI-foFSxeufrMn_BVjEnQo_fMmdfNgqlekvAPiq-iYKvLFfjLtSo5GH5T1zg5aTu5mQSVlU8kBkMnUhUGML9nP9abana9XFOoCJztK-uc1Z8vqaJh_8Fk/s1600/P1200927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXo_LN3HaavUScce0SktwMduI-foFSxeufrMn_BVjEnQo_fMmdfNgqlekvAPiq-iYKvLFfjLtSo5GH5T1zg5aTu5mQSVlU8kBkMnUhUGML9nP9abana9XFOoCJztK-uc1Z8vqaJh_8Fk/s640/P1200927.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">We ate breakfast at this little food stall one morning. Our cheque came to 330 baht. Joe only had a 1,000 baht note. The proprietor had no change. He said to us, "Pay me another time when you get smaller bills." We did. That experience sums up Thailand perfectly. </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx9Jnt3H5Jpa2CXWOOdyXvLWuIJWomzALuxlf6mroY29AretuLC_Mi_w04f5-OhIWJmdDQXEHTol1DUHcJRff4T6JbaNRVqoSIQ0LDCTU-Ood46WZffpDMlT9ZRXPTUWRe1z6tZPa6S8/s1600/P1200820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx9Jnt3H5Jpa2CXWOOdyXvLWuIJWomzALuxlf6mroY29AretuLC_Mi_w04f5-OhIWJmdDQXEHTol1DUHcJRff4T6JbaNRVqoSIQ0LDCTU-Ood46WZffpDMlT9ZRXPTUWRe1z6tZPa6S8/s640/P1200820.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Sunset in Pai Canyon.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a wonderful stay in Pai.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We met some incredibly friendly people, ate more delicious Thai food and saw many beautiful sights.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are heading out tomorrow to spend New Years Eve in Chiang Mai before we take a bus north to the Thailand/Laos border.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our next adventure awaits!</span><br />
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Nancy S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09436297193447182756noreply@blogger.com0