Morning river rituals
- 20 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
More pics from the morning river rituals at Varanasi.
Holy waters
- 19 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
All along the Ganges in Varanasi locals and pilgrims come to bath in its holy waters.
The perils of travel
- 19 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
Ah the perils of travel. It’s 3;30 and I Can’t sleep so I’m posting a few pics from yesterday at Varanasi.
Boat Ride
- 19 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
Took a boat ride on the Ganges at Varanasi yesterday morning. This was our boat driver. I want a shawl that color!
Sadhus robes
- 19 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
The saffron color of the sadhus robes at Varanasi and the faces captivated me.
Ghats in Varanasi
- 19 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
The morning on the Ghats in Varanasi is a madhouse of spiritual and practical activity.
River Ganges
- 19 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
The Ganga in Varanasi is full of boats. They seem to weave and bob in their own architecture — at River Ganges, Varanasi.
Traditional garb of widows
- 19 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
These two women are wearing the traditional garb of widows — at River Ganges, Varanasi.
Varanasi
- 19 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
Just got back from Varanasi (aka Benars) w Shelia Van Sheila Vasan Singla. The river Ganga and all it’s sights were something I will never forget. Here are just a few pics to start. More coming soon
Another monkey photo
- 17 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
I apologize for yet another monkey photo but I can’t help myself. They are everywhere just living and they facial expressions are really captivating.
Forts in India
- 17 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
The forts in India are architectural wonders. This is a shot from the Agra fort. The symmetry in these places are really something to behold.
Indian train
- 17 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
I always wanted to take a trip on an Indian train, so I went on the express from Delhi to Agra. The train station is a quite a scene.
Shopping in India
- 17 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
Shopping in India is a great experience. These gentleman had a small spice shop in the local bizarre in Agra.
Traditional dances
- 16 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
The crowd was enjoying this show of traditional dances at the festival in Jaipur a few days ago.
Waiting to dance
- 16 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
This lovely lady was waiting to dance at the festival in Jaipur a few days ago.
Makar Shankranti Festival
- 16 January 2012 - 0 comments
Copyright © Karen Leland, 2012
This was taken a few days ago in Jaipur at the Makar Shankranti festival which heralds the arrival of spring. Puppet shows were a part of it. This gentleman sang and operated the puppets.
Kite spools
- 15 January 2012 - 0 comments
Kite spools from the kite spool maker in the Jaipur festival yesterday.
Folk dancers
- 15 January 2012 - 0 comments
Two traditional folk dancers at the Jaipur Kite Festival
The final product
- 15 January 2012 - 0 comments
Once the sugar cane is extracted, you have the juice. The festival goers were a constant stream of customers.
Sugar cane juice
- 15 January 2012 - 0 comments
At the Jaipur art festival this man was making fresh sugar cane juice with the crazy looking green contraption. You can see the raw stalks of cane stored at the bottom.
Bright, colorful head wear
- 15 January 2012 - 0 comments
Lots of bright, colorful head wear in India
Car parking only
- 14 January 2012 - 0 comments
Clearly no one told the Camel this was “car parking only.”
Dude, what are you thinking?
- 14 January 2012 - 0 comments
I just like to think of this as the camel going “dude what are you thinking?”
More Musicians
- 14 January 2012 - 0 comments
More musicians from Jaipur. This group reminded me of something straight out of the Paul Scott novel The Jewel In The Crown.
Musicians
- 14 January 2012 - 0 comments
Musicians were a big part of the kite festival in Jaipur today.
Indian Deserts
- 14 January 2012 - 0 comments
I love Indian deserts so when this lovely platter appeared at the end of my lunch at the Rambaugh Palace Hotel in Jaipur I was moved to tears. Then I ate the whole thing all by myself.
Dancers at the Kite Festival
- 14 January 2012 - 0 comments
These dancers were twirling up a storm at the kite festival in Jaipur today. It was amazing.
Spring Festivals
- 14 January 2012 - 0 comments
The past few days there have been spring festivals in India. Today there was a kite festival in Jaipur. It was full of puppeteers, kids flying kites and dancers. This women was one. In my next life I’m coming back looking like this – perhaps without two nose rings. Maybe only one 
Bright, Bold Colors
- 14 January 2012 - 0 comments
Everywhere I turn there are women with these extraordinary faces, set off by bright, bold colors. This is most defiantly not New York where black rules the day! I’m a neutrals girl myself, but these ladies make me think twice about donning a nice mint green, ruby red or saffron colored garment. I think one of the scarves I bought will have to suffice.
Mode of Transportation
- 13 January 2012 - 0 comments
When I first saw elephant ride on my itinerary from the tour company, memories of an awkward camel ride in Masada in Israel filled my anxiety ridden brain. Up until the time I mounted this beast my brain keep shouting ‘tourist’. But I went with the flow and was glad I did. It was actually fun to experience the mode of transportation maharajah’s of years gone by used.
