Carrie You There

Just taking it easy!!!

2011-12-22T13:58:00.001-06:00

Here at last

2011-12-19T14:39:00.001-06:00

Had my first fish at my favorite restaurant. It was a Hogfish and very good. I'll take a nap then do something else, maybe. There's really no rush.

Finally

2011-12-18T10:13:00.001-06:00

On our way. Will have better pictures soon. Belize here we come. I hope my favorite turtle is waiting for me! Stay tuned.

I'm on New Orleans at a music festival at Lafayette Place

2011-09-24T12:08:00.001-06:00

Come join me and have a great time

Second day of diving the reef

2011-06-13T21:09:00.002-06:00

I've been diving just off the town on the reef. Tomorrow will be my third day in a row then we will fly to Belize City and take a car to Palencia to dive for whale sharks. I am becoming more interested in taking pictures of fish. I think I am getting better at it and will do some more movies tomorrow. Perhaps I will put one up so you can see what it looks like underwater. I show Bob the images each night and we listen to a book while I fiddle with them. I got some good turtle pictures which I am including tonight. So here goes.

The weather is hot but there's lots to see under water

2011-06-11T21:07:00.001-06:00

We arrived so tired that it took us a few days to rest up. Early flights are terrible especially for me because I fiddle around making sure I have everything for pictures and diving and clothes. Need I say more. I was fortunate to get a trip to Turniff Reef on Thursday. This is an all day dive that takes two hours to get to and consists of three long dives. We had a great boat to go out on and I'm sure used plenty of fuel.
There are not many divers or just tourists on the Island. The resorts are mostly empty partly because of the economy and also I think that most people are not traveling because of the economy. We noticed this last year but it is even worse this summer.
I have been eating my red snapper for lunch at a local restaurant and that has been excellent. Tomorrow I go on two close dives.
I saw plenty of fish on the other dive but a really cool thing happened between the second and third dives. A lot of dolphins were attracted to the boat's engines and were swimming and jumping all around us. The boat stopped so we grabbed our snorkels and got in the water with them. It was great. I've included a couple of pics of my fat friends. Also I am including a pic of a tiny long legged crab that fits in the palm of your hand. He's an amazing creature.

It's five in the morning

2011-06-09T04:52:00.001-06:00

I'm going to Turneffe reef to dive this mprning. It will be a big day. Slept well and ready to go. will post pictures tonight.

2011-01-09T22:33:00.002-06:00

I should check my spelling before I post something. I don't talk that way-promise. And I did spot the boat the Cubans came in on pulled up behind the police station. I don't know what happened to the Cubans.

Tomorrow i's back to the cold.

2011-01-09T22:23:00.002-06:00

These are a couple of shots from diving. The couple holding the nurse shark are brother and sister and from New Orleans.

The wind really picked up here so I'm staying up so I can hear the surf crash on the reef. I don't want to come home. I love Chet and all but I saw some cute dogs the other day and their owner said that it wasn't a problem bringing them back and forth. Oh well......See a lot of you soon.

More birds but tomorrow I go diving

2011-01-04T19:49:00.000-06:00

I feel like the woodpecker who is just hanging around. I've rested till I can't rest no more. As someone once or twice said right up until today. Most of the tourists have left the island and gone back to work. I don't feel that need, but am ready to do more than rest, eat, and take pictures of birds.

I go diving tomorrow morning. The water has cleared from the last norther that came through just as we got here. There will be three people diving including me but not the dive master. That's great for me so I won't have to have people in my way. I hope to put some new pictures of turtles that I see tomorrow on the blog. I know they're out there and I think they need a visit.

Nothing much has happened here except the weather is perfect and the water is a beautiful shades of blue with white topping of the reef. I'll be out there tomorrow. Two sailboats have been anchored on the inside of the reef all day. I quess they are diving and visiting. They make me think of my days at sea down here. I have also had some pretty strong thoughts of bringing my boat here and sailing within these islands until I'm too old to do it anymore. I'd have to stop by shore to see Bob once in a while because he wouldn't go on the boat with me.

The orchids grow around Kay's house. I just ask her the name of it and she doesn't know. Maybe one of you will know. There are a couple of different kinds growing and blooming at any given time. They're very small and very beautiful.

This is a statue of a manatee. There are lots of them in the rivers but I've never seen one before. The only river experiences I've had in this country is taking a boat to a Mayan ruin on the coast that was and still is, up a river. We went in a boat with a motor so it scared away birds, manatees, and crocks.
this is a part of the town where some dive boats go out and people sit outside and eat fish.

The man is this picture carved the turtle with the diver riding along on it's back. He also put some rays and fish in on the base. The guy leaning up against the tree is left over from New Years. There are a few that it takes several weeks for them to get over the celebration.

I kinda like the carver's Rasta cap. I may buy a couple for friends but will keep one for myself. I'll be back with a turtle picture tomorrow.

It's New years day and the most quiet I ever heard the Island.

2011-01-01T16:29:00.000-06:00

We arrived in San Pedro a little later than we thought. But we're here and snoozing a little today after walking down the beach for lunch.

I've been taking pics of birds as you can see from the two warblers, am I right? Anyway the house is surround with trees that attract all kinds of birds. I've got some great shots of hummingbirds that I will post some day.

Kay has a wedding today and then nothing until after we leave so she will be available to do things with us soon. Not that there is really that much to do. The wind has been terrible since we got here and has just shown promise of getting lighter today. I'll go diving after the water clears up some. Something interesting took place on the island about three days ago. No one would have known anything about it except the online paper got word and published the names and ages of six boat people from Cuba who washed ashore in their boat a few days ago. The article said that they had been detained at the police station and their names recorded and then towed back out into the night and 20 to 30foot seas, then allowed to go on their way. I thought the solution was cruel and surely would mean certain death to anyone in a poor craft with no knowledge of sailing. They were reportedly trying to get to Grand Caman. I've sailed there from Honduras and know that they didn't have a chance with a northerly coming through and no chance of getting anywhere except here with the winds as they were and are today. They have swung around more easterly today after a big rain last night.

I of course, was talking about how great it would have been to interview them and go out in the boat that towed them offshore to send them to their deadly fate. I was seeing their eyes looking back as they rose up on a wave and the police boats search light scanned the faces making sure they were all six accounted for before leaving them to the raging sea. I was really into it until my friend Kay explained how things are done on this island.

It seems that Belize is a friend to Cuba, but they also wouldn't send back people or put them in prison for that matter. No one would go out in those terrible seas anyway. Chances are good that they were taken to the mainland and placed with the many Cuban people who live there. A much better ending, don't you think? No one is talking so I'm going to believe that the story ended the way it should.

The six men were labors and were looking for work. It's bad all over. It is really time to lift the embargo on Cuba so our unemployed won't get mixed in together. Perhaps our unemployed could take off in boats for Cuba where they could cut sugar cane, or help grow rice. Oh my, I'm beginning to recall some of the lobbies against raising the embargo. Oh well, just a little mental exercise.

We're having pizza for dinner, they deliver. It's getting dark.

Blogging from my phone

2010-11-06T15:10:00.001-06:00

Today I think I have found the ideal way to blog anywhere and anytime. I'm sure this arrangement won't work outside the country but hopefully we'll see soon. I'll try with a shot of my den. No, the fabric on the chair isn't some valuable blanket that my grandmother acquired on a trip out west in 1895. This is taken from my office at home. I will take you to a few places here before our next trip. I hope you will enjoy the trips. You never know where we will go.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Off to change our senator here in Louisiana

2010-08-05T08:50:00.000-06:00

Vote Charlie Melancon to replace Vitter in November!!!!!! Let's DO IT!!!!!!

It's time to go home--Oh no!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-04T16:19:00.000-06:00

This is my final images from Istanbul. I will probably have a show this winter and will let you know when that comes about. I want to thanks my host, Salih who is pictured with his mother who was also great to me. The other pictures are of the bazaar, a wonderful produce market-I wish we had some, some men who were buying and selling stocks in the middle of the bazaar, and a photo of the Bosphorus which flows through the middle of Istanbul joining the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and dividing Europe from Asia. Pretty impressive. Good Bye Istanbul.

Back in the City and then home

2010-08-04T15:39:00.001-06:00

New York doesn't have anything on Istanbul. We visited several sections of the city from the Madison Ave of Istanbul to the artsy section complete with a museum of modern art. It is truly a large and wonderful city. It has it's problems as any large city will have but the reality is that Turkey is very important to both the East and the West.
The picture with mostly blue is a famous place for night life including belly dancers and lots of music. We had another great dinner here feasting upon an assortment of fish and of course lots of wonderful vegetables. When they talk about a Mediterriane diet, this is what they're talking about. We found it all over Turkey and was happy to find it in the city also. I have an image of a proud produce market owner above so you will see what I mean.
We stayed at a little hotel right in the middle of the old city. We were within walking distance of the Sultan's old palace-the picture is from inside the harem. The Cathedral of Sophia which was build over two churches in the 560 and was changed to a mosque under the Ottomans is not used for either now but still retains the hugeness of an early Byzantine accomplishments.
The men in the last image are entering the Blue Mosque which is a working mosque and a beautiful example of Islamic art with beautiful tile everywhere. The area is also interesting because these places attract tourists from middle east countries as well as Europeans and Americans. Head covering for women was varied and pronounced. The Arab women had berk-as of black covering almost everything, Africans had brighter colors in their dress, and Turkish women seemed to be having a discussion about their responsibilities to Islam. They wore everything from black head coverings with a long coat covering their already log dress to girls who used the traditional colorful scarf tied in a snappy and attractive way under their chins to women who dressed in a western fashion.

Last stop on the caravan route

2010-07-27T15:08:00.000-06:00

The first picture is of a caravan stop that dates back to 1200. They are built like forts and have open centers where the caravan traders would stop, be admitted, and show there good to the merchants who occupied the booths to the left. We when on through the door at the other end and ended up in a room that had many arches and domes. We saw a ceremony of the Whirling Dervish who are a sect of the Sufie's. I couldn't take pictures during the ceremony but have some art to bring home and have been referred to a BBC program about the Sufies in northern Pakistan.
The other pictures are of an early morning balloon ride in Cappadonia where you can see the surreal landscape and our shadow on the side of one of the formations as our wild and great Spanish balloon driver took the balloon down into valleys. We loved every minute of it, even Bob.
We're in Istanbul now and have seen a few things but will post them tomorrow night. We're happy. Good night.

From Kas to Cappadocia

2010-07-24T13:17:00.000-06:00

We drove all day yesterday, got lost a bunch of times and arrived at Pashahan Hotel around 11 p.m. We were lucky , we had no reservations, to find such a great hotel. I have included some pictures of the hotel both inside and out. We drove around and made a quick survey of various sites. This place is amazing. I have plenty of pictures and can assure you that the various cone formations have been inhabited by monks and early christians, to Greeks, Ottomans, and now us. We are staying in a cave room and it's really cool. We're sleeping with blankets and there is a heater on. We're going to stay here tonight and tomorrow night. We are going on a baloon ride in the morning at 5 a.m. and going to see a ceremony by the Sufie Whirling Durvish tomorrow night. There is also a city built underground that has goes down six or more floors. We'll visit a couple of floors tomorrow. Bob is holding up pretty well. He is asleep in anticipation of the baloon ride early tomorrow. Neither of us are morning people. We are having a wonderful time and I'm in the alcove to the left of the big bed sitting on turkish pillows and using this great wi fi. I'll report after the balloon ride. Good night all.

Last night in Kas, BooHoo

2010-07-22T15:29:00.001-06:00

We are in Kas and leaving tomorrow for inland. The are some images from the trip so far. Some are at ruins and some are of the villa where we are staying here in Kas. I can truly say that staying here has been wonderful. I went diving this morning and came back for lunch then went down to the water and had a wonderful swim. I took a nap on a rock tht had some great shade and custains on it then when to the village for some great food. Life is good. Bob loves it.

2010-07-21T23:49:00.000-06:00

I'm going diving in the Med today. Wonderful !!!!! Wonderful.!!!!!!!!

We are in Kas and everything is beautiful. Will Post pictures tonight.

2010-07-19T15:16:00.000-06:00

This is an amazing place. The building that you see first on the left is the Burial place of Saint John's burial. It just happens to be out our window at the Hotel Bella in Selcuk, Turkey. And behind/and beside it is a sixth century fort. All of this is in the town of Selcuk but it is just an introduction to Ephesus which is probably the most famous and special ruin anywhere. The first date on Ephesus is 2,000 B.C. and built to it's glory about 400 to 600 B.C. under the Greeks and Romans. It is especially well known as the place the apostle John brought the Blessed Mary, wrote the fourth book of the New Testament, lived a long life here and died here and is buried right across from the hotel. Isn't that something? I have lots of images and will share when I come home. By the way, St. Paul also showed up here for a time but was ask to leave by a particularly pagan Roman ruler. I think Paul could be a bit obnoxious.
The storks are nesting outside our balcony. These are babies who have been growing so they're nest is becoming a bit crowded. I think they are cool and I wanted to have a life bird picture to commemorate the passing of my sister's parakeet this morning, in it's home in Lake Charles.
Life go on.
We're having a wonderful time, eating really good food, and seeing some great stuff. I'll get back with you tomorrow night after a big day tomorrow. Bob is having a great time too.
By the way, the building with the high front on it is the library at Ephesus. It was filled with three stories of scrolls. The kind the the scribes would record stuff on. I know you've seen scribes in the movies. Well, this is where they were kept. Good night from this scribe.

2010-07-18T15:04:00.000-06:00

The pictures below are small glimpses into our day on the road yesterday. We stopped at a place along the coast for lunch and as we were leaving were stopped by a small parade of very manly men in fierce costumes followed by a group of boys in white angle dress. They were actually taking part in a parade where the boys are escorted to get circumcised. Their mother's were watching to make sure they don't take a run for it.
The two other pictures are of the next site we visited, Pergamum. As you can see the sites get better as we go along. This is a picture of the Temple of Trojan and a huge theater. Bob explained where the word scene came from and we took off for Foca, a small Greek fishing village. Foca is great so we decided to stay two nights. We have a suite on the water. The picture you see was taken from our balcony. Just lucked up and got the last room. We have been swimming and eating, fish of course, and will leave in the morning at 10 for Ephesus. The internet is very slow here. I have wireless in the room but everything is slow. Will sleep now. Good night.

On the road to Faco

2010-07-18T14:57:00.000-06:00

2010-07-18T14:30:00.000-06:00

We awoke Saturday morning and went up the mountain behind the hotel and little port to the village of Sehram Kale or Assos. As our car climbed to the top of the steep mountain I could certainly see why anyone who had a choice would built temples, palaces, schools, and in Ottoman times mosques atop this mountain. Assos reached it's glory when Aristotle founded a school here in 340 B.C. The Temple of Athens was here having been built in 600 B.C. by the Greeks. You can see the great view down the coast. You can see the Island of Lesbos behind the olive tree. The is a Greek island that is only 7 kilometers off the Turkish coast. The palace was built during Christian times and St. Paul actually started a church here. A mosque was built using the doors to the church at a later time. The mosque is still in use today.
Then we were back on the road again.

Assos in the morning then we hit the road

2010-07-18T14:19:00.000-06:00

Left Assos yesterday and found Faco for two nights

2010-07-18T14:04:00.000-06:00

I have a million mistakes in my past blogposts so I will try to correct some mistakes that one of my traveling companions suggested I use the spell check. I was so tired the last post that all I wanted to do was let you all know that we got here and are on the road. The place where the huge battle that I mentioned is Gallipoli and it is very impressive. I is very difficult to get a feel for the battles because the different landings and memorials are scattered across the peninsula. It is very impressive.
I was also told that I mispelled Marmara (sea) and Assos (ruin and small village). It is true and I have made my corrections.

2010-07-16T14:48:00.000-06:00

The picture above is of a town and ruin called Asso. The island behind is a Greek Island. We drove off the beaten path the the ruins on the hill. These ruins date back to Plato. We will see more of them in the morning. We drove over the mountain and dropped into an escape place that is so picture perfect that it's hard to believe our luck the first night out. I went swimming in water that is blue and cold and wonderful. We're staying in the Grand Asso hotel which is directly on the little harbor. We had dinner outside to some lovely music and I found time to post my progress so far. Hope to have more to report tomorrow night. Bob is having a very good time and for that I am grateful. Good night

fun

2010-07-16T14:47:00.001-06:00

A long day of Battlegrounds ends in a great place

2010-07-16T14:38:00.001-06:00

2010-07-16T14:30:00.000-06:00

We finally arrived in Istanbul and Sali met us at the airport and promptly took us to his parents summer villa on the Sea of Marmer.
I slept for 26 hours straight. They had a wonderful dinner for us when we arrived and they woke me the next night to feed me again. The food was great and the hospitality was greater. We left this morning and have been to the WWI battle grounds where the Turks laid many an ally to rest. I'll put in some pictures of today in what will be my last post.

Took a while

2010-06-06T20:49:00.001-06:00

I'm posting a few more pictures of what I saw diving for whale sharks in Palencia, Belize. I just sent some images to some people I met on the trip. I will never forget this trip and the things I saw. We were diving in water is very deep with thousands of fish swimming beneath us at about 100 ft. depth. The shark breaks up through the fish and is a real sight to see. I can close my eyes now and see it all. I would recommend the experience to anyone. I'll put some pictures of the little beach house and some other stuff up in a few days. Thank you Seahorse Dive Shop.

2010-05-27T19:12:00.000-06:00

This is Bob sitting on the porch of our little cottage on the beach. The other is a picture of the whale shark that I saw today and it's really big. I'm going tomorrow and hope to get a better picture. We saw two whale sharks that came up through a huge school of fish. It was amazing. I'll post more tomorrow night. I have to come up to a cafe to use the internet and it doesn't work very well. We are doing well.

2010-05-26T08:11:00.000-06:00

These are images from my dive yesterday on Turniff Reef. The image of the many fish was taken at a dive site called the Elbow. It is a place where the currents that are running south around the reef come together at the most southern point. All kinds of fish get together o see what they can eat or otherwise take from the waters. Most of the fish in the fish shot weigh at least fifteen pounds.
The turtle image is one of many I took yesterday. Here, this turtle is cruising down on the edge of the coral that makes up one part of the wall on Turniff. I have several other images and am looking to see many more turtles on this trip.
The sunrise image is what I saw when I was waiting for the boat to pick me up for the dive. It was 5:30 a.m. and not my time of day at all.
We go to Plancencia today through Belize City. I have never been there before so I am ready to get a look at the place. Everyone says it's very much like San Pedro was 30 years ago. I remember San Pedro 30 years ago and it was great. I will dive with SEAHORSE Dive Shop. I'm counting on them to find some whale sharks for me to see starting tomorrow. I'm very excited about the prospect and will put a picture, taken by little-old me, on the blog as soon as I can. Actually, I hope we see one, but more would be great. It's very hot here today, my bags are packed, and I'm ready to go. Bob is roaming around looking for a cooler hat. That's a sign that he's excited about going too.

Got a Turniff Reef trip this morning.

2010-05-25T01:26:00.000-06:00

I I I I Misspelled orchid in the last post but will make it up tomorrow with a shot of a fuzzy orchid that Kay is growing around and in the jungle that surrounds her house. The house is to your left and I sit in the afternoon on the upstairs porch and watch birds who fly around in the trees. The beach above is in front of her house and shows some very blue sky and sea. I think my next stop, Placencia, is not as developed. I saw a Black Catbird and two kinds of oriels today along with pelicans, terns, friget birds, and woodpeckers.
On the way back from the downtown today I passed a shop which had several regular looking cacti when upon taking a closer I spotted a large bloom with several struggling flies in it. It reminded me of Audra in Little Shop of Horrors.
A weird thing happened about my dive later this morning. I visited Amigo Drive Shop, my regular dive shop I'm in San Pedro, and tried to get a dive to Turniff Reef and because it's a big dive and most people want to go to the Blue Hole, I've been three times, they couldn't make up the trip. I booked a two tank dive for some close dive spots but gave the girl the wrong pier for the boat to pick me up for the dive. When I called back to correct the pier she was excited to have found a trip that a couple of other dive shops were putting together for Turniff. I'm going!!!! I'll tell you all about it when I get back.
I also saw Elizabeth who designs that beautiful silver jewlery that I wear and she invited me to a drumming in for the full moon being held up the Island. I need some welcome full moon chants if anyone has any to send. Should be fun especially because the whale sharks come in after the full moon to feed. That's another story.
For my friends who live in the desert I will keep the green scenery coming. For all my friends all over the world, everyone is watching Louisiana's demise from heavy crude. The people of Belize voted down offshore drilling last week by a 75% majority.
Good night. The music has stopped from up the beach so maybe I can get a few hours sleep.

Here and it's been raining

2010-05-24T09:42:00.000-06:00

Arrived in San Pedro last evening. There are not as many people here because the season is starting to slack off. It's been raining almost everyday so I hope the diving won't be affected.
Kay's house is surround by trees with orchards, birds, and the little guy who's photo is to the left. He rests on the halyards that pull up the storm windows. He looks in and stretchs his hands out. He has about as much energy as my Frenchie, Chester, except when he moves it's much faster than Chester.
We will take a trip down the beach and check out a dive for tomorrow or maybe this afternoon. I will do my Whale Shark diving later this week at a place called Plancenia. I have put a marker on the map above. I'll post again soon with what I do today. If any of you have friends in San Pedro, let me know and I'll tell them HI for you. I'm also going to check out Elizabeth who makes the silver jewlery (remember the great brachlet) and see what she has new in her shop. Have a great day and You'll hear from me soon.

Leaving for Belize tomorrow

2010-05-22T12:47:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow we leave for Belize again. This time I'm going to dive in Placencia to find and photograph a whale shark. I hope we see on or two or three. I am going to Turkey on July 13 and will also blog that trip, so if there is anything special that you would like me to see for you, please feel free to comment on this blog. I am taking all things computer and photography so I'm prepared.

2010-02-16T14:48:00.000-06:00

Home and ready for some images.

2010-02-16T13:38:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time since I've been on my blog but things just seem to get out of hand. I became very particular about my pics so I kept putting them off untill I could spend time on more of them. Then I said, Self-why wait!" I've said that to myself all my life so I can't let that change. Besides I have decided to go back to Belize in May to find a whale shark to dive with. That is th time they come in to feed in southern Belize. Just think of it. They average 50 feet in length and are so cool. I'm getting better with my underwater camera, which is just a housing. It works if I take my time. No shots on the run or swim because of the slow shutter speed. Take a look and tell me what you think! I'm happy to be back but ready to go again. I will be updating my web page (carrie.chrisco.com with upcoming events and some pics.

2010-01-03T22:50:00.000-06:00

This is a Red Footed Booby. I took this picture on Half Moon Caye where there is a nesting ground for all kinds of birds. I have a picture of a Blue Footed Booby and am always on the lookout for a different color footed booby.

The Caye is a great place to see birds and other creatures. Of course the diving was great here also. This is the island where I ate the tainted food, but that is all behind me now.

2010-01-03T22:43:00.000-06:00

This is the Christmas tree in the middle of town. We went up the beach for New Years"s Eve and had a wonderful dinner which I promptly got rid of before I could get home.

2009-12-30T21:42:00.000-06:00

This is a little friend of mine that I came across yesterday on the reef. I will go to dive the Blue Hole tomorrow and stop on the way back at Half Moon Caye. There's good diving there but the best is that the Caye is a nesting island for some pretty spectacular birds.
I've found a place for massages and we're going to a New Years Eve party at Holiday Hotel tomorrow night. The Brits on the Island are having one at 6p.m. tomorrow evening. I'll post lots of shots soon but have to by on the pier in front at 5:30 a.m. So I'll say good night. Bob is already asleep.

2009-12-27T16:28:00.000-06:00

We're finally settled in and ready to get on with fun in paradise. I haven't posted anything until now because we've both been sick. Bob's came on down here but mine began the night before we left. I tried to look very well after not being allowed on the plane in Bogata last summer. But that was dential surgery so it was easier to hide a very bad stomach than a swollen face. So is the world of traveling. Bob is much better and even went for a walk to the dive shop today.
The economy is bad here and everyone is saying it is worse than last year, which was bad. For me, the diver, that means that the really great trips are harder to put together. They need eight divers for a trip. I'm glad I have the time to get in on two of the best dives around. One is a three dive trip to Turneffe reef, a wall dive that is an all day affair. The other is the Blue Hole dive with some great diving on the way back. I'll also visit a nesting island on that trip. It's a great trip, I've made it before. I will post pics soon and as they come in.

We are going to Holiday Hotel for New Years Eve. Last year we spent New Years Eve in Tobago with a bunch of ex-pat Brits and a drunken German couple. This one will be just as interesting I'm sure.
I'll sign off now and go take some pictures so I can show you the beautiful blue water.

Getting ready

2009-12-14T13:31:00.000-06:00

This is the time that I make sure all things are in order so we can leave on our trip knowing that someone will be here while we're gone. Chester, our Frenchie is at least a little happy. Actually he will be really overjoyed when he sees Dee, his favorite friend. They have a good time while we're away. Thanks Dee.
I will tend to other things the rest of the week and we'll be on our way to the sunny south.

On the way to Belize soon.

2009-12-13T00:32:00.000-06:00

On my way to Houston to ordination of American monk

2009-11-01T07:58:00.000-06:00

2009-08-29T23:51:00.000-06:00

I'm finally back in Lake Charles and sailing the Seagypsy II at least everyday. Just joking. I've been tied up with work and that means school. I have somemore pics that I will post of the trip but I can truly said it was worth all the effort to get to Columbia. I would like to hear from any of you who have questions that I can answer for you about traveling to South American countries. Bye the way, the Seagypsy is a 27' Westerly Centair and is a great sailboat. She isn't new but is sound and built for cruising. I haven't been able to cruise lately but am always holding out hope for a someday sail. I'm happy to be home but already looking for the next place to go.

2009-07-25T15:39:00.000-06:00

2009-07-25T15:37:00.000-06:00

Saturday, Hot and sleepy

2009-07-25T15:20:00.000-06:00

My sister was quick to point out that I misspelled Chaplin yesterday. I have posted some underwater pictures which I took with my new housing. They are absolutely amazing. The visibility wasn't that good, but the dive was interesting. The first was on a couple of wrecks and the second was on a peak that is covered with coral and has many fish. I got a picture of a grouper and had to work for it. I don't think anything is protected here so the fishermen eat anything that's of any size. The grouper that you see in the picture is small and cute I might add. I am putting a picture of the carving we bought up for you to see. Also I've included some pictures from the central part of the city when the Colombians celebrated their independence day. The square is Christopher Columbus square where in (the book), the crazy woman comes to dance and meets the hero.

We will eat in the city tonight. We will be home on Tuesday morning. I had a dream last night that a bear ate my dog Chester. I will call this evening and talk to him, I miss him.

2009-07-24T18:54:00.000-06:00

Hotel and city

2009-07-24T18:48:00.001-06:00

Friday evening in the tropics

2009-07-24T17:59:00.000-06:00

We've decided to eat at the hotel tonight. We are finding more and more strange and sometimes questionable residences live here in this sprawled out hacienda. There are some eighty rooms snaking around through huge trees and many patios with three fourths filled with permanent residences. We just had tea with an artist who lives in the tower and has lived there for the last 20 years. He's from the States and has a beautiful black wife and two very interesting children. We bought a piece of wood sculpture from another artist from France who we discovered while walking around to see what we could see. A violinist also lives here who teaches small small children and composes in the evenings. She's really good.

While I was diving today,which by the way was great, Bob happened back to the carver to look at the piece and watch him pack it, he was introduced to a woman who was visiting the carver. She is the daughter of Charlie Chapman. Bob says she's talky like me so I'm going to call her tomorrow and ask her to dinner. Someone should write a book about this hotel.

We did some touring yesterday. Saw many places where scenes from the book Love in the Time of the Cholora, was written in. I mean they are in the book. I have included some photos at the top but must stop now to eat my fish as the breeze blows in from the ocean.

More pics from Bogota

2009-07-19T22:58:00.000-06:00

Last pics from Bogota

2009-07-19T22:47:00.000-06:00

Finally in Cartagena

2009-07-19T22:17:00.000-06:00

These are the final pictures from Bogota. We arrived in Cartagena this afternoon and are staying at the beach. It's very windy and lots of people. We're going into the cenral old part tomorrow so I'm pretty excited about that. I haen't been posting because the internet was out at the hotel in Bogota. I could have gone to the hostel around the corner and used theirs but I had some dental surgery and it hurts like hell. I had an implant and they also built up bone in the space where Dr. Fisher pulled my tooth and was supposed to have graphed bone. There were four dentists and surgeons looking for the bone and all I heard one whole day was "NO BONE-NO BONE-NO-BONE" Well, I've got bone now, about twelve visible stitches. And it hurts like hell, did I say that before. We were supposed to fly up here four days ago but they wouldn't let me on the plane. I've been putting ice for two days and hot for two days and the swelling is going down. If you have dental work done here, bring your own pain pills. The dentists believe some really un American thing like letting the patient work out the pain as part of the healing process. I finally got some meds after the third visit and acting very whimpy with the surgeon.

We are happy to get where it's hot and there's plenty of water out there to the north of us. The crime isn't as bad here so a think I'll be able to take out my bigger cameras without the fear of having them stolen. Bob was in a bank the other day and a man behind him said for everyone to slowly give him all their money. Everyone got very quiet, you could hear a pin drop, then Bob and other people turned to look at him and he was drunk and holding a metal pipe instead of a gun. The security kicked him out but it was reeeeallllly quiet for a while there.

I"m looking forward to getting a look at the city tomorrow. It's the Colombians independence day. I want to go diving around the end of the week and also go to a volcano. I'm not sure if Bob is having a good time or not. He didn't like Bogota-it was too high and too cold. This will be better I'M sure. I'm putting in a couple of photos of then police museum. There was a French filmmaker doing a doc on Escabar. His motorcycle is in the picture and also some blood in another one. Pretty grouse but you never know what's going to pop up in front of you so I might a well show it to you too. Good night-Carrie

pics I talk about later

2009-07-13T20:08:00.000-06:00

I´ve been trying to post these pics and if you read further you´ll see I found the key. Will try later. To bad they are great. haha

Warmer at last

2009-07-13T19:38:00.000-06:00

I was glad to hear from you all. It has gotten warmer here so we are happier. I can not find all the keys on this keyboard so some of my writing will not be media style. I bet you have guessed one of the keys I cannot find. Anyway, we had a good day today. There are some really good places to eat near here so we eat out at them any chance we get. We went to the Botero art musium so You will see some pictures from there. Also there was a demonstration against bullfighting. I got lots of good video and will post it later. Tomorrow I have to find a firewire for my video camera since I forgot the one that goes with it. I have become attracted to the dogs and people here. Everyone has one and they seem quite proud of them. I miss Chester.

We are going to Cartihena (?) on Thursday. I want to see the fort where the crock swallowed the stone in the movie "Romancing the Stone." Bob, of course shares my in this quest. We will go to the Gold museum tomorrow. Everyone raves about, saying that it cannot be missed. I am also going to do some video at the beauty shop and I have included some pics of it here also. Bob sends his best to all and me too.

It's Sunday evening

2009-07-12T17:30:00.000-06:00

The internet doesn't work today at our hotel. It worked yesterday and will work tomorrow I've been told. Have been to a junk market today and have found that I am photographing lots of dogs and sometimes their owners. The Columbians treat their dogs very well. I'll post some pics tomorrow. We have visited the Bolero museum and I've never seen so many fat women, nuns, birds, soldiers. There is an Andy Warhal exhibit here also so we'll see it before we go north. I found the installation that the beauty shop artists have in a gallery and will post some of those pics tomorrow also. I'm going to get someone to walk with me to the other hotel and sign in tomorrow. Bye for now.

Arrived and been to get manicure

2009-07-10T09:09:00.000-06:00

We arrived yesterday and slept until noon then scouted out the area. The hotel, Casa Platapus, is in the section where all the artist hang out. Not to say that there aren't other art centers around here. I found a crazy hair salon yesterday that is right down from the hotel. The women who run it are artists and alternative beauty people. They have art in the salon and have installations at at gallery where we will visit soon. I think I am going to do a video on them. I have included a few pics of them and will include more later. We will look for a phone today and visit a flea market. Bob is waiting outside so I'm going to go. Is Chester OK? and hello to Dee, Carla and Mom and Caralie and everyone else.

It isn't long before we leave.

2009-06-28T21:11:00.000-06:00

Time is getting short for the trip to Columbia. I've ordered a new camera and a casing so I can use a digital for underwater shots. Does anyone have suggestions for scuba on the northern coast of Columbia

I having been following the coup in Honduras. I still have friends there. Hope all are doing well.

Columbia, look out, here I come!

2009-05-27T14:05:00.000-06:00

I've made reservations for the first week of July. Stay tuned for updates. I'll tell you where we'll be staying and welcome any suggestions you may have about Bogota, our first stop.

Preparations for our next trip have started!!!!!

2009-05-16T13:55:00.000-06:00

I attended the Universities graduation today and will be off for the summer. My Faces and Places of India show is still up at Central School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It will only be up for another week so go see it if you can.

We are starting to look at Columbia for our next trip which will be after the 4th of July. I am still looking for interesting places to see and photograph, so if you have any ideas, please comment to this posting. I will be blogging the trip, so if there is something that you would particularly like to see, let me know. I am developing my web-site (www.carriechrisco.com) with some photo tours of China and Ecuador, so keep an eye on it. I am also looking for markets to sell my photography. Looks like a busy summer for me. I could give some basic sailing lessons over this blog if anyone is interested. I can Carrie You There.

Time for more news

2009-02-09T20:50:00.001-06:00

It has been a while since I have posted on this blog but I have been involved in a lot of things. I will post some new pics and some sailing stuff so you can see how nice and warm it is here in Louisiana. We are all watching the economy and hoping that something will be done soon.

First post from phone

2009-01-29T16:00:00.000-06:00

Home in Lake Charles

2009-01-07T10:16:00.000-06:00

We are back in Lake Charles and getting ready for school. I will post Tobago pictures soon. The diving was great. I saw turtles and lots of other marine things. We spent New Year's Eve at a party for British ex-pats. Bob actually danced with a drunk German who is living in Spain. The Brits joined hands four hours before our new year hour and brought in their 2009 at Greenwich time. They sang and swayed and remembered the motherland. I'll go sort out pics and post. Glad to be home and looking forward to the new semester.

2009-01-02T19:09:00.000-06:00

Back in Trinidad

2009-01-02T18:58:00.000-06:00

We just got back from Tobago and beautiful beaches and scuba diving. I wasn't able to pull up the internet around Christmas so I will catch you up on what we have been doing. Christmas Eve (my birthday) and Christmas day were very quiet. We mainly went to the party upstairs and kicked back like the rest of the people here. The 26th of December is Boxing Day here. We went to the horse racing track and then went to a world champainship boxing match that night. A woman from Trinidad won and it was very exciting. I have put in pictures from both so you can get an idea what a big deal both events are for this area. I will put some pictures of the island up after I download them into the computer.

2008-12-23T20:38:00.000-06:00

The pictures I posted tonight are pictures of the market we went to yesterday and the marina where we had lunch today. I couldn't find a boat to sail but am going to find one as soon as I get to Tabago. Tomorrow is my birthday and it doesn't feel very birthdayee here. The next day is Christmas and the action is supposed to pick up. People will be coming down the street playing steel drums and there are several parties in the neighborhood. The day after Christmas is Boxing day and we are going to the race track (horses). It's the last race of the season and supposed to be a big event. Maybe I'll win some money.

Bob has his say: Outside the main harbor and a bit up the coast there is a harbor full of sailboats, hundreds of them. We spent the afternoon there, just sort of hanging out and eating ice cream. A bunch of Russians were drinking and singing like mad. At the next table teenage girls were having a Christmas party, much squeeling and clapping. And then there was the blue and the boats. A happy mix of sound and silence, the sweet of ice cream, the salt breeze easing in.

2008-12-23T20:34:00.000-06:00

2008-12-23T20:27:00.000-06:00

This is the house where we are staying. We start our day with breakfast and then go from here. There where little boys playing soccer across the street in the park again today. They are out of school all week.

2008-12-22T10:37:00.000-06:00

We went to the swamp yesterday to see birds. It was like our swamps but it had Scarlet Ibis, which is the national bird of Trinidad. Some of my shots turned out to be very much resembling modern art but I thought you might want to see a few.

This is a little store around the corner. Bob just went there to get me a coke and some other stuff. There are a mixture of houses here. Some are new and some are very colonial. Th whole neighborhood is getting ready for Christmas.
I hear music from places at night and the lady who owns this place has been getting ready for her Christmas party for some days now.

Just returned from bird trip

2008-12-21T17:15:00.000-06:00

We just returned from a birding outing. I will post pictures when we get back from dinner. It finally stopped raining and there was a little earthquake earlier today. There are some little boys setting off fireworks in the park in front of the house where we are staying. Happy birthday to my mother, she is 94 today. I'll be back and tell you more after we go to eat.
We're going to the race track on Boxing day, which is the 26th of December. It will be the final race of the season and is suppose to be a big deal.

Arrived after much delay

2008-12-19T14:35:00.000-06:00

We are finally here in Trinidad. It is December 19 and we arrived late last night at the airport at 11 p.m. It took 45 minutes to get through immigration and another 30 minutes to get to the house where we are staying. Yesterday was a mess, We arrived at 9 for the 10:00 flight to Houston to find that the plane was not flying because of fog. We drove to Houston, encountering a wreck along the way, and got to the international airport in time to board the plane coming here, The boarding was late and we would have missed the plane if it had been on time, Thank you Dee for riding over with us to bring the car back on such short notice. After the plane took off, a little girl had a seizure so we landed in Tampa so the doctors could take the child and her family to a hospital. We finally left Tampa and started on our trip here. We have been resting ever since.
Today we went on a ride to get the lay of the land. The museum and other points of interest are within walking distance. We are setting up a trip to a bird santuary where I hope to take some good bird shots. I just saw three pariot fly into a tree in the little park across the street. I will put picture up tomorrow.
Bob has eaten a fish and found out where the art dealers are located. This is quite a large city with lots of cars. I'll report more later.

Be sure to keep track of new trip!

2008-12-07T15:07:00.000-06:00

Home at last!!!!!!

2008-07-27T13:57:00.000-06:00

Today we have been home for one week and a day. I feel more rested and Bob seems to be recovering from his ordeal. I am sorting out pictures and will put some final ones for the trip up soon. As you can imagine, I took thousands. My friens Kay is here from Belize and is showing me some photoshop tips. I have my computer and office back in shape and will be at the school intermittantly for the next few weeks. I am looking forward to getting this year off to a good start. I also want to get my images sorted and taking care of for a show this winter.
I'm happy to be back but invite you to keep up with the situation in Kashmir and Northern India. There have been some big events in the last week that appear to be very dangerous for the India people.

We're in the desert now.

2008-07-14T12:27:00.000-06:00

The pictures I posted tonight are a blur of where we've been for the last five or six days. Agra and the Taj Mahal were good. The building is wonderful, white, and honestly one of the finest buildings built. I have some great detail shots that I will share with all of you when we get home. When we were driving to Agra from Delhi I saw a huge elephant taking up one whole lane moving slowly toward Agra. It had a bunch of green plants on its head and a rider. I didn't get a picture but will never forget my first glimp of a huge elephant moving along with trucks, cars and buses on its way to a festival or a wedding. The elephant pic posted that Bob and I are so happy to be riding was taken today at the fort toward the bottom of the pictures. That fort is in Jodhpur and is Mehrangarh Fort. The pictures following are of the Taj in Agra and if you look behind the Banners cup you will see the Taj sticking up from the buildings. This picture was taken from our hotel and is as close as I could get the Banners cup. They check all bags at the Taj for anything that could be used as an explosive or igniting tool.

After Agra we went to Jaipur. That's where the huge viewing building is. The building is only a few feet deep and was built so that the Mugal's wives and other ladies could view parades and street life without being seen. It's all very mysterious.

Today we entered the desert area which is quit different from the other areas where we've been. There are camels everywhere. The one that I'm riding at the end of the pics has a kushy job playing host to the tourists where most are hitched to carts and take their place along with carts, rickshaws, cars, and buses. They are amazing to see-huge-look just like the pictures. I like the desert area. It's hot but not humid. Most of the tourists don't make it here so it feels like we have the place to ourselves. We are only 60 miles from Pakastan and have been reassured that there are no Talaban here, only a few Alkida(?) cells. So there's nothing to worry about. There's lots more India Armed Forces here but nothing like Kashmir or they're not as visible.

Tomorrow we go to Udaipur, another desert place, for two nights then we're on a plane for home. We will see some Jain temples tomorrow before we get to Udaipur.

I'll be happy to see everyone and miss all of you. I want you to tell Chester that I haven't made him an orphan and Jazz too. Hello mom and Carla and Caralie and Dee too. I'll call from New York to set up someone who will meet us. I hope to get another post off before we leave. And will work on updating the calendar and map tonight.

Bob has his say!!!!!

2008-07-14T12:09:00.000-06:00

We're on top of the mountain inside the Amber fort. Thousands of steps to climb. Miles of high, red walls. In many ways it's more interisting than the Taj. Carrie discovers a snake charmer in one of the passages and insists on sitting down beside him and playing his flute . The snake rears up out of the basket and eyes her from a distance of about 18 inches. "Oh, don't worry," the guide whispers in my ear. "They've pulled out its fangs.

2008-07-14T11:55:00.000-06:00

We leave tomorrow for Agra.

2008-07-09T09:44:00.000-06:00

We have spent the last three nights and will leave by car for Agra tomorrow morning at nine a.m. The first picture you see is the lobby of the TAJ which is the hotel where we are staying. It's really first class with even a butler if we need one. I can't imagine a butler steaming Bob's shirt. Can you!!!!!!!
The other pictures are of a site seeing excursion where we when to the Red Fort, which was the last Mogul's huge living place. He was kicked out of it in the 1857 uprising by the British. I'm told we will see more Forts in the future but this one is the one that Darrimple writes about in The Last Mongul. We also went to Humayun's Tomb. I didn't put a wide shot of the actual tomb but I had read that at least 100 moguls were buried in the tomb along with Humayun, so I nosed around and found only one that wasn't locked. That is the single vault in a side chamber which I posted below. It was very simple and had no name that I could find on it.
We also visited the old part of the city, which is right outside the Red Fort, and I got many photos that you will see when I get home. The men riding bikes are at the beginning of the Old City and the women at the bottom are praying at Jami Masjid, the largest mosque in India.

The streets were really narrow and filled with foot traffic, bikes, and rickshaws. I saw some goats tied up in the middle of it all and various smells mingled as we made our way through it all. We founf a Jain temple in the middle of it all that is one thousand years old. It is still in use and we toured it while people were meditating and doing various other ceremonies. They are an interesting religion where they wear masks across their mouths so they won't harm even a bug if it were to fly in their month. They'd go crazy in Louisiana. I couldn't take pictures but their web site has pics at www.indfy.com/delhi/olddelhi/Delhi Picture Gallery .

It seems like a different world here from Kashmir. I know there are lots of soldiers here but not anything like north. If any of you have found the places on the sat map that I've mentioned, you'll know that the land mass is not that large. Within Kashmir and ladakh there are 750,000 India soldiers, several thousand "national guard, and throw in some, what equals our Special Forces, and you can see why I mentioned soldiers so much when I was there. It's so absorbing when you're there and once we got to Delhi, just one hour plane ride, there isn't any news. I know there are still things happening in Jumu because they are the one's who lost out on the Shrine Board deal. Oh, well!!!!!

I want to thank the Shah family for being so nice to Bob and me while we were in Kashmir. Hang in there for the next report.

Agra-Jaipur-Jodhpur-Udaipur-Delhi-Home

BOB HAS HIS SAY:

Fine hotel. Fresh roses in the bathroom every day. A new toothbrush also. Due to a booking problem we ended up in the security suite next to the presidential suite. They took out the cameras and sound spy gear just for us. You can sit in bed and open and close the curtains by remote. All things provided, and if you happen to feel unloved or unwanted there are at least 1500 neatly groomed and gloved people standing around to make you feel loved and wanted. They turn down the beds each night and scatter orchids. The staff know your name by the second day. After bumping around Kashmir, this does seem a bit more comfortable. He feels much better.-CC

In New Delhi and Old Delhi

2008-07-09T09:37:00.000-06:00

Last night in Kashmir-Tomorrow Delhi

2008-07-05T08:06:00.000-06:00

We will leave by plane for Delhi tomorrow afternoon and we are both looking forward to a good hotel with air conditioning. The rest of the trip will be very hot so we will be very careful and give you a boring rundown of every sweaty moment. I will get into the calander as soon as I have time so you will have a better idea where we are going and what we will doing on a daily basis. Judy, Carla will be forwarding an e-mail from me, so be on the lookout. I will post more pics when we get to Delhi where we will be for four nights. I hope the hotel has wireless in the room.
The political situation here in Kashmir is quiet but in places near Pakistan there are still problems and probably always will be. If you want to read more about the Kashmir situation go to www.greaterkashmir.com This is the newspaper we get everyday.
Bob is feeling much better and sends greetings to all.

Troubles end here!

2008-07-03T01:24:00.000-06:00

The troubles have ended here when it was announced that the land transfer would not go through. All shops are open here and business is going as usual. The problems are now in Jummu where the population came out on the other end of the land deal. I think riots are still going on there.
Actually, all of these cities are very close together if you are flying. The roads are bad and very crowded so it takes a long time and many bumps to get between cities. When you are looking at the sat map look up close to Pakastan. Keep blowing up (bad choice of words) the map and you will be able to see the beautiful lake that is about a block away from us. Look for Srinagar. This afternoon we will go on one of those boats that I put up earlier. Bob has been wearing the bottom of his outfit but haven't gotten him to put the other part on. Perhaps tomorrow. I'll close now and tell you that I'm looking forward to getting to Delhi. We will be staying at the Taj Mon Singh, which is suposed to be one of the best hotels in the country. Bob and I are ready for some easy times. The picture of the soldiers and military trucks was taken when we came from the airport and the curfew was still on. If you notice, there are no other cars on the road and many military.

Here's Bob:
Feeling much improved. It's hot here. All the long stories will have to wait until there is time to tell them

Bob has his say. Yes, he really is alive!!!

2008-07-02T06:23:00.000-06:00

They say I turned white and couldn't move. So once again I get carried out. Nothing like a quarter-mile ride in a wheel chair across the runway and under the roaring engine of an Airbus. Once they got me on the plane and the cabin air on, I perked up, and by the time we got back here. I was up and moving. Altitude sickness no fun. Will have to continue my adventure on the horse later. Here are some pictures carry took up on top. Some are from a monastery, some from a market.
Carrie adds: The guys here at the internet cafe already have five films up on You Tube. Look under Shrine Board to view the videos. They got some good stuff. I hope to update the calander and map when I get a faster connection. We'll be staying in a wonderful hotel in Delhi for four nights then on to Agra for two nights then to Rajasthan for five nights in three cities. It's going to be really hot but we can handle it. We'll be careful and I'll take a lot of pictures. Hello to everyone and we'll have a picture viewing party when we get home.

Back in Kashmir

2008-07-02T06:05:00.000-06:00

2008-07-02T06:03:00.001-06:00

Far from the action until tomorrow!

2008-06-29T01:30:00.000-06:00

This is the first time I have had the transport to get to an internet cafe. I didn't bring my computer up here so will post pictures later of Budda land. One thing about it is that it is peaceful here.

We go back to Kashmir tomorrow morning and yes, there are a lot of problems there. They started the day before we left for Leh and have escalated since then. I don't want to put much on the internet but you can be certain that we will take all precautions to remain safe. We go to Delhi July 6 so we will stay in our friends house until then. They have many guards and people that go out for them if anything needs doing. Their house is near the lake and just above it is the shrine that the big land dispute is all about. I don't want to give anymore specific info because we never know who is reading this blog.

As far as our time here in Leh is concerned, We've had a great time and found more steps than anyone should ever have to climb. Bob developed a latent case of altitude sickness and is staying in the room today. He saw a doctor yesterday and is feeling much better today. I am going to take some more pictures of the market then pack for tomorrow's trip. Don't worry about us.

This is Tuesday June 24

2008-06-24T04:49:00.000-06:00

We are back in Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. We have been in Gulmarg for the last five days. It is a beautiful valley where our hosts have a cabin with a fab view and large maountains all around. There is skiing here in the winter and plenty of tourists in the summer. Most are gone by sundown when the place is left to people who have had places here for a long time. It is very close to the Pakastan border so there are soldiers everywhere. I have included some pictures from there. It was the strangest thing because there were monkeys who also come for the summer. The elevation is 7,000 feet above see level and at the top of the ski lift it is 13,500 feet. I took a lot of pics also of places we visited before we went to Gulmarg. The day before we went we drove up into the mountains toward Leh and took horses to a glacier. We saw lots of tribal people and shepherds who are basically nomads. The day before that we went to a ruin called Avantipur which is an anciet ruin that has Buddhist, Greek, and Hindu influence. Bob will tell you more about the ruins later.

Gulmarg: You don't see it all at once. It's more like a series of unfolding light strips, overlays. First the blue and yellow fields of flowers, then the long green of the valley with horses grazing, then the rising forests of fir and pine, above the tree line gray-greeen cliffs, the glacier fields, the cloud-filled crests, only then the sky.

Kolohoi Glacier: It's the kind of day Carrie loves and I really, really love--narrow, twisting roads, steep dropoffs, no guardrails. The rivers rushing off the glacier, huge, gray-green rapids, the roar that you can hear for miles. We finally get to the end of the road and have to go the rest of the way on horseback. I haven't been on a horse for about a thousand years. More on this adventure later.

All in all it has been a very interesting trip. We leave for Leh tomorrow moring where we'll visit Buddhist stuff. I'm really looking forward to it. I wish I could remember the monastery where the monks who performed for Banners are from. We'd look them up. I have warm clothes packed for the trip. We return to Srinagar on June 30. There wasn't an internet cafe in Gulmarg and I'm not sure about Leh. The power has been on and off here so this is our first time to get to a computer. I miss my mother, so everyone who knows her, will you please give her a kiss for me. Thanks to everyone who is taking good care of all our stuff at home.

Today we climbed a million steps

2008-06-17T10:16:00.000-06:00

Today has been a good day. I'll be posting pictures of crowds and lots of people soon. We visited the Shiva Shrine and received the blessing of the Guru there. It was very impressive. We also visit another mosque and received a warm welcome. And, if any of you have read or heard of the book that says Jesus' tomb is here, we saw and photographed it today. I am going to turn this over to Bob because the guards at our house lock everything up and out in thirty minutes. We got our clothes and I'm going on a trek by horseback when we get back from Leh. We will go to the cabin Thursday so I hope to have more time on the computer.

Here's Bob!!!!! Thank you Jessica for walking Chester.
Driving here is a game of inches. Most of the streets are medieval lanes that require surviver skills and profound Patience, an exestential indifference to spending 45 minutes getting one block--because someone decides to park and two cars coming from different directions decide to confront one another and four more pile up behind them and someone else decides to unload his truck, a world of blasting horns, pot holes, piles of garbage, dust, street dogs, ravens, here and there a cow.

Bob has his say!

2008-06-16T03:56:00.000-06:00

Transformer blowout and other problems have slowed this down by a day.
I'm told I was on local television yesterday. It was supposed to show how western tourists are coming back to Kashmir. At 6'3" and wearing the first white straw hat seen here in 50 years, I suppose I looked the part. In truth, you don't see western tourists here at all--for all meaningful purposes, none.

We went to the Mogul Gardens. The old guy must have had quite a show. From his tent he could look down a half-mile long vista of carefully crafted gardens, fountains, and water cascades that end in a huge lake. I imgine him in his tent, looking out at it all, listening to music, perhaps saying, "A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou," or maybe whispering some ancient version of "Go, lovely rose."

We've been getting around!!!

2008-06-15T06:04:00.000-06:00

The following pictures are of Mogul Gardens, Mosques, busy streets, Shrines, and various other places we visited today. It's Sunday evening here and we're going to Elfie's parent's house for dinner at eight. I tried to post a movie and will try later. The connection is so slow here that I may grow old waiting for it to upload. Tomorrow I will upload the calander with new dates for Leh, Goa, and other places whose plans are in the works as we write. Bob is going to write something and I'll be back tomorrow.

These are pictures from yesterday and today

2008-06-15T05:49:00.000-06:00

First Day in India and Kashmir

2008-06-13T05:27:00.000-06:00

Finally made it.

2008-06-13T04:46:00.002-06:00

We had a twelve hour layover in Newark because of a huge storm. We stayed at a hotel there and arrived in Delhi yesterday at 8:20 in the morning when we proceeded to get to the other side of the airport and get our flight to Kashmir. Elfie was waiting at the airport here. We are staying in her mother-in-law's house and I have included a pisture of her mother-in-law and her sister who is a retired Dean of a woman's college here and worked in the women's rights movement in India while being a companion of Indii Ghandi for ten years. She is a story to herself. We are staying in a beautiful house just below the Shiva Shrine. There is some type of festival at the shrine so we have to sleep with ear plugs. I have also included a photo of the boat that give tours on this beautiful Lake. There are great houseboats here and a town that is on the lake. The end of the movie "Passage To India" where Dr. Aziz left Delhi to spend his time in northern India was filmed here on the houseboats we saw today. Bob and I also got fitted for Indian clothes (cotton) that the tailor will have ready by this Friday. I'll take a picture of us in our new clothes and let you have a look.

Bob Has His Say:

I'm tired. We got sniffed by the drug dog at the Dehli airport. He gave up and exercised by running around on the luggage trolly. There's a lot of military here--serious looking guys with serious looking machine guns. We have a guard at our gate. He says Americans "are nice people" and puts out rice for the birds.

2008-06-10T13:20:00.000-06:00

We arrived in New Jersey at Liberty airport about two hours ago. We've eaten and looked at some Saprano shirts and finally settled in the Continental Club. It's very nice here with comfortable chairs as you can see. We will stay around here until our plane leaves at 8:15p.m.

I forgot to bring the cheese which I had gotten for our host in Kashmir so I've sent Bob out to try to buy some from a deli. He'll check back later, after his nap. I'm ging to take a stroll around myself (which is impossible to do according to an English Professor I know) to the bookstore and then rest. I hope my dog Chester was walked today. I hated to leave him this morning but India calls. It's going to be great so hang in with me until I get to some great culture/nature and all that stuff. My friends tell me that Snow Leopards are seen often at the home where we will visit that is in the mountains. I can hardly wait. Meanwhile, it's airports and not so great scenery.

In Newark

2008-06-10T13:19:00.000-06:00

Lotus Fest is today

2008-06-08T08:42:00.000-06:00

It's almost time to leave!!!!!

2008-06-07T23:09:00.000-06:00

Time is growing shorter by the day. I've been getting cameras ready and will post my first video to the blog tonight. I went to the Buddhist Temple Wednesday evening for a mediation class which I go to each week. There is a Lotus Festival going on there this weekend. I shot some of the flowers and a couple of the monks talking about the festival. I hope to go myself Sunday. It is in Port Aurther, Texas, a forty-five minute drive from my home.

Getting ready!!!!!

2008-06-03T15:15:00.000-06:00

It has been very hot in Lake Charles today. I have accomplished getting appropriate luggage so I can bring all my cameras aboard the plane in one container. Now I will spend the next couple of days making sure they all fit. Our visas are back from Houston. We have our shots up-to-date, and have upgraded to first class for the trip from Liberty airport in New York to Delhi. So far all is looking well. I will keep you posted as the departure date gets closer.

Getting ready for the trip!

2008-06-01T19:08:00.000-06:00

I have been planning this trip for six months.