There is no place like home!

I clicked my ruby slippers... (well not exactly Ruby Slippers, more like warm and furry Uggs) and found my way back to NYC.

The project was a big success! It was a bit cold arriving in Newark at 6pm last evening. The wind was something awful, but it was really nice to see the Christmas tree in the middle of Gramercy Park and all the Christmas decorations on the buildings.

Now it is time to tackle the pile of mail and get ready for the New Year.

Thank you to all my readers and commentators.

This blog is now officially over!
Shalom!

Everything is winding down....Back home tomorrow!

Well, these last days have been a series of lasts... last class at the university, last yoga class with Anat and Adi, last Hebrew class with Tali, last Israeli breakfast at my favorite neighborhood cafe, coffee with yoga-mates etc.

The past three months have been a wonderful experience. It's hard for me think back to the days before I left New York and remember how I felt -- but as I do, I recall that I was a bit nervous and apprehensive about this project.

I am really looking forward to seeing and hanging with my NY blog followers when I get back. I will miss my many new friends from here -- but I know for sure -- I will be back!!

And of course, to all those who made me feel so at home here in this complicated and beautiful country -- I thank you from the bottom of my heart. This experience opened my eyes and my heart.

Toda Raba. L'hetraot!

Pictures from the Dead Sea and Judean Hills

A trip to the Dead Sea and the surounding hills*

* Problems with pics.... I will add them later....

Early Saturday morning Dana and I drove south to the Dead Sea. This was a place I had not visited since my first trip to Israel more than 30 years ago. The trip took less than 2 hours in time -- but in geographic setting -- it was as if we were going to another planet. Driving down below sea level, through the Judean Hills was beautiful. The curving highway along with the decent (I think the Dead Sea is about 500 ft below sea level) added to the beauty.

We arrived at the Lot Spa in Ein Bekok (about 1/2 hr south of Ein Gedi and located right on the sea) at about noon. As it was Shabbat, we helped ourselves to Shabbat lunch on the outdoor patio facing the sea. All the food was prepared and the waitress could only serve us drinks. The temperature was about 24 degrees C, so of course I would be taking a dip in the sea. The water was not warm -- but I did recall that Vi and Nancy went in when they were here in January 2 years ago -- so avoiding the water was NOT an option. The sensation is so funny. Your legs pop up and you just float. I drifted a bit further out beyond where I could stand -- and then had to swim back in... this was really funny as the water is so heavy, you don't really get very far with your strokes-- I was laughing so loud that all the others in the water were looking at me!

After the dip -- it was time for my Shiatsu massage -- administered by a Russian woman, Virena. Not to be confused with Dana's therapist, Elana or the woman at the front desk, Ilona -- all from Russia!

After our treatments, we started the drive back to Tel Aviv-- this time taking the road through Jerusalem. Check out the pictures of the mountains near Masada. We took a detour off the highway and drove into the mountains.... and it was just about sunset - The experience was "other worldly'".

The drive back was uneventful, expect of course for the traffic jams caused by the several checkpoints we had to cross as we approached Jerusalem. The wall with barbed wire surrounding the West Bank was on our left as we drove and is a constant reminder that this place is so very complicated. At the surface -- everything seems so normal, but then, you see a soldier with a sub-machine gun, barbed wire atop a concrete wall, checkpoints for inspection etc. and you realize very quickly, it is not so normal after all. The current topic is the possible exchange of over 1000 Palestinians for Galit Shalit, the one Israeli soldier held for over 3 years, and of course, now the recent problems in both Gaza and the West Bank. But, maybe, just maybe, there will be progress with the Syrians, and then progress on the two-state solution and this region with all its beauty will be filled with peace and prosperity for all. That is my hope.

One more thing from the wedding I want to share with you all!

I forgot to share with you the most exciting thing for me from the wedding! Even though I was a guest of the groom's side, I was able to partake in the fabulous henna ceremony. I asked for a subtle design -- and I am quite happy with the result. I only did one hand -- as you must sit without moving or touching anything for 1 hr -- waiting for the henna to dry. I am told the longer the design remains -- the better and happier the marriage!

Back in Tel Aviv -- Very Happy to be HOME!

I arrived back at Melchett, 20 at 6:30pm last evening -- it took quite a long time to get home. The layover in Amman was about 6 hours. I probably could have walked from Amman to Tel Aviv in the time I was waiting -- but I was very tired from the night flight. Returning to Tel Aviv was like coming back to modern civilization. Seeing the "white city" from the plane, the cars moving quickly on clean organized highways-- was a bit different than the organized chaos of the streets of Delhi.

I took a pic from the plane window of the Jordan landscape and I attach it here.

I am winding down my stay here -- these last 3 months have been just terrific. Today is my last class at the University -- and I only have one more yoga class left on my card. All signs that it is almost time to return to NY

See you all soon!

Last day in Delhi

I spent the last day in Delhi in the Old Delhi area. Chandi Chowk - the big shopping market -- with little alleyways that each specialize in specific items. I found myself in the jewelry alley and the sari alley before making my way back to the main drag. The area is much changed from my first trip over 10 years ago. Many more motor bikes whiz by you as you walk -- it used to be bicycle powered rikshaws -- and far less crowded and overwhelming. Or perhaps I am getting very used to the Delhi rhythm. I walked past the Red Fort, the Mahatama Ghandi museum and the old rail station. It definitely feels like you are in another movie -- with some big chase about to happen. Maybe something like the Bourne films...

More Wedding Pics: The Reception*

The wedding culminated in a very large reception at a beautiful hotel called the Ashok. I was told that this "conference center ballroom" was the largest in the city and necessary to accommodate the over 700 people expected. When we arrived, Rahul and Neha were standing on the stage surrounded by the Jetley family. The saris worn by the women in the family were breath-taking. There were many more people dressed in western attire at this event than any of the others.

I have been asked a few questions about the food, and to be honest, I can't believe I forgot to write about it. The food was delicious and so plentiful -- and for a vegetarian -- i can say close to paradise. There were no shortage of passed hors d'oeuvres during the first 2 hours of each event, and then we were led to chaffing dishes which lined the perimeters of the events venue. Cuisine from at least 4 areas of India were served, vegetarian and non-veg (as they say), Asian, and continental -- all available and plentiful. Of course the 6 or 7 varieties of Indian bread were impossible to resist.

The ceremony before the wedding

Rahul is wearing the gold turban, Rajan is wearing the red and Rohan (Rahul's brother) is wearing the blue ....

The Wedding Cermony:

I have never seen anything as beautiful as this wedding ceremony. There are so many interesting and beautiful traditions. First thing on the morning of the wedding, the groom's guests arrive at his home. Here all the men have their heads wrapped in similar fabric. I am told this tradition is to help the bride's family identify the groom's family, so that they can take proper care of them at the ceremony.

There is then a blessing ceremony that takes place where each of the family members blesses the groom. (Pictures from this ceremony are in the next blog). The groom then mounts a horse and all the guests follow him as he rides to the "house" of the bride to collect her for the wedding. In this case, Rahul just rode to the end of the driveway -- and then got in a car to take him to venue for the ceremony!

You can see the bride being walked in by her parents (I think) under a Chuppa like canopy. She looked absolutely amazing. I don't think my pictures do her justice... sorry Neha.

The ceremony is quite long. Seated around a fire, incense is burning and many herbs and flowers are thrown into the fire with blessings. The bride and groom sit on low chairs, while the parents sit crossed-legged on pillows on either side of them. Each item passes from the hands of the grandparents to the parents then to the bride and groom -- as a way of uniting the families. The most beautiful part of the ceremony is when a string is attached from the bride to the groom and then a piece of silk fabric is attached from the groom to the bride. The siblings of each then proceed to tie the two together. Literally, Rahul and Neha where tied together for the remainder of the ceremony and luncheon. Everywhere they walked, they went together!

Tonight is the big reception party. I imagine they will have figured out how to untie themselves by then!

Wedding Pics: The Sangeet

Neha (the bride) is greeting one of her guests at the Sanjeet. Rahul (in the white, in the background) is laughing with some friends. Vijay, Rahul and Rohan (Rahul's brother) pose for a picture.

The Sangeet is traditionally the party in advance of the wedding -- where women friends and family members sing songs to the bride and groom. The songs explain how the couple met and what their relationship is all about. Today -- it is a huge party -- and the performances are lip-syncing dances by both men and women. Rita (Rahul's mom) and Neha's mom were the stars of this show!! I couldn't get close enough to the stage to take a picture, but trust me, it was really something!

More Delhi pic before the wedding event posts

A bit of site seeing in Delhi. This is Qutb Minar -- the tallest minaret in India. The building started in the 1200s and was completed in the 1500s. I guess infrastructure projects take time to complete here.

There is a parallel story in the press here: the Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held here in October 2010. Not much is finished or close to it, by my estimation. But I won't sell these people short. When they want to get something done... they get it done!!

More on this later!

A bit of Delhi Life

A few things have changed since I was here last (maybe 6 years ago?). First, as all of you who have seen Slumdog M. -- begging is something that is pretty common here... I will say, that it is SOOOO much less than when I started coming back in the late 90s.

The other huge and noticeable change has to do with cars. During my many visits, the most prominent car on the road was the rounded topped white government vehicle -- filled with people -- maybe 6 0r 7 gents (as they say here) crammed into this car. Now -- the roads are filled with cars -- individual drivers -- cars from all over -- more colors -- not just white -- and so, so many of them. The common green and yellow tuk tuk is seen, but not as many as before -- they have been replaced by regular black/green and yellow taxis. Progress I am told.

The traffic is quite intense. There aren't that many traffic lights - just signs that say "TAKE YOUR TURN". Surprising -- it works!!

Humayun's Tomb

This is a city of ruins and none is more elegantly preserved than Humayun’s Tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal and an early example of Mughal architecture. Built in the 1560s for Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, the domed mausoleum has an elaborate garden, potted with red sandstone tombs, gates and a mosque. (text taken from the NYTs)

Some very special places in Delhi!

I spent the day following the advice from 36 hours in Delhi from the New York Times. I have never been disappointed when taking part in the suggestions. Many of these places were new to me. Even though I have been a frequent traveler to Delhi -- I was mostly tied up with business meetings and only had an hour here and there to see the city. As I have plenty of time on this trip... I took the 36 hr itinerary and had the luxury of stretching things out a bit.

Here your see the Lodhi Gardens and the pool at the Park Hotel. This hotel is great to come for a drink after a long day of site-seeing. It is ultra modern -- and the view, quite calming. My hotel's pool is under renovation -- so I was lucky to discover this place -- just a 5 minute walk away.

It's been a while... I apologize to my readers!

India -- the land of high tech -- has not been so gracious to me. It has been a struggle to stay on line. It comes and goes... but now, things are working -- so I will be catching up on the blogging!!

Something a bit familar!

The full name of this establishment is M. POLLAK -- Books!!

Okay, okay -- pollack not spelled exactly as we do... but M. Pollak and Books!! What a combination!

Breakfast in Jaffo and maybe a sign it is almost time to return to NY

Dana and I went for breakfast at this very cute place in Jaffo this morning. There are so many great places for very yummy food in this part of town. After breakfast, I walked across the street to a gallery. The show? Photographs of the Flatiron District and Tribeca.... Could it be a sign that it is time to return to NY? Then, as I made my way back to my apartment -- parked in the driveway -- a white Audi -- A4 -- okay -- maybe another sign.





But, first I still have to go to India!