Our "Uncle" Arubinda
Buying fabric at the New Market
The temple covered with mirrors and Italian Glass
My playin' cricket... 4 runs with that hit!
Extended family members we spent a day with
Thursday, May 22, 2008
India "Day 2"
Journal entry
Tuesday, March 18
"India is calling. Can you hear it? This place is alive - You can literally see it's heart beat. The people, moving around are its' way of survival. This place, Kolkata is breathtaking, yet the city itself gives you breath. It gives you a reason to wake up each morning. I am blown away with everything and everyone here. I have fallen in love with India."
This was written on day 5 of our time in the most amazing country. By that time our days were filled with:
An unforgettable visit to Mother Teresa's House/Tomb (at her tomb I lost all control of my legs and dropped to my knees. I prayed for forgiveness and compassion. I asked for help in becoming the best person I could be. I hadn't prayed like that in years. I felt like a rush of energy ran through my body and I couldn't stop. I couldn't stop. My tears were mini Niagara's. I couldn't stop.)
Our first dinner in a restaurant (my taste buds were constantly high)
Visited the famous New Market (in the heart of Kolkata. This place is crazy! It's the most congested area of the world... well that's my opinion of course. There are people in every square inch of this fantastically insane place! Jenny and I bought some of the most beautiful fabrics here. Whew! What an experience!)
Learned what "Mahalo Legache" means (everything's ok)
Visited our future house (a temple blanketed with Italian glass and mirrors)
ate road side food (a beautiful bite of happiness. All in one little bite. I didn't even get sick!)
Went to the families 300 year old house
Played cricket with children(I was even in a dress... The adult men that were around couldn't believe how good I was at batting! Super fun time!)
Sat in on a music lesson(Another life-long memory was made in a tiny little room, where we witnessed a music lesson. The teacher, a man mid-50's with salt-n-pepper hair playing on his harmonium. The student, a beautiful young lady, sitting crossed legged behind her guru, singing her heart out to the gods above. Her proud mother, on a small wooden chair across the room. Note: this room was about the size of a bathroom. We even got a cookie when we left.)
Visited a Kali Temple outside Kolkata(our uncle Arubinda's family built it many years ago. It is a majestic neighbour to his families house. We had a wonderful day filled with meeting family members and drinking tea.)
Of course each day was finished off by talking gossip about life and the funny moments of each day. All of this talk accompanied by nothing but a cup of black tea. Do you understand why I fell in love?!
Tuesday, March 18
"India is calling. Can you hear it? This place is alive - You can literally see it's heart beat. The people, moving around are its' way of survival. This place, Kolkata is breathtaking, yet the city itself gives you breath. It gives you a reason to wake up each morning. I am blown away with everything and everyone here. I have fallen in love with India."
This was written on day 5 of our time in the most amazing country. By that time our days were filled with:
An unforgettable visit to Mother Teresa's House/Tomb (at her tomb I lost all control of my legs and dropped to my knees. I prayed for forgiveness and compassion. I asked for help in becoming the best person I could be. I hadn't prayed like that in years. I felt like a rush of energy ran through my body and I couldn't stop. I couldn't stop. My tears were mini Niagara's. I couldn't stop.)
Our first dinner in a restaurant (my taste buds were constantly high)
Visited the famous New Market (in the heart of Kolkata. This place is crazy! It's the most congested area of the world... well that's my opinion of course. There are people in every square inch of this fantastically insane place! Jenny and I bought some of the most beautiful fabrics here. Whew! What an experience!)
Learned what "Mahalo Legache" means (everything's ok)
Visited our future house (a temple blanketed with Italian glass and mirrors)
ate road side food (a beautiful bite of happiness. All in one little bite. I didn't even get sick!)
Went to the families 300 year old house
Played cricket with children(I was even in a dress... The adult men that were around couldn't believe how good I was at batting! Super fun time!)
Sat in on a music lesson(Another life-long memory was made in a tiny little room, where we witnessed a music lesson. The teacher, a man mid-50's with salt-n-pepper hair playing on his harmonium. The student, a beautiful young lady, sitting crossed legged behind her guru, singing her heart out to the gods above. Her proud mother, on a small wooden chair across the room. Note: this room was about the size of a bathroom. We even got a cookie when we left.)
Visited a Kali Temple outside Kolkata(our uncle Arubinda's family built it many years ago. It is a majestic neighbour to his families house. We had a wonderful day filled with meeting family members and drinking tea.)
Of course each day was finished off by talking gossip about life and the funny moments of each day. All of this talk accompanied by nothing but a cup of black tea. Do you understand why I fell in love?!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Friday March 14, 2008 DAY 1 INDIA Kolkata
Journal entry... " Woke up this morning to a smell I remember as a kid. The smell of a fire burning somewhere, like a bonfire or leaves burning. I looked at the clock, 6:15am. We had only gone to bed three hours ago, but my excitement overwhelmed me. I am in India! I am in India! I am in India! I walked to the open window in our room and looked down to the waking life below. Puppies and their parents playing in the street. Men washing their bodies. A man selling tea on the curb (that was the fire smell) A priest blessing the tea guy's area. A glimpse up at me from a stranger below... in his face I saw curiosity. Who is that girl? Children walking slug-like to the school up the road. Attached to the house across the street...a tree growing out of the bricks. It's awesome power over-taking the old mortar. I am in India!"
If you don't know this already, I traveled India with one of my most amazing girlfriends, while Steven was trekking in Nepal. When we arrived to Kolkata at 1:00 am, our new Indian family was waiting with the cutest sign, Mrs. Sara Cliff welcome to Kokata! Soooo cute! We stayed with the family of another wonderful girlfriend of mine from L.A. Grandma, Dadu, Sweater Dita, Nabin, Karuna, Bishna Nath, Arubinda, all people you will learn about along our Indian journey.
You will NEVER go hungry when staying with an Indian family in India. NEVER! Every moment we turned around there was another super yummy something they stuffed into our mouths. (not literally but, you get the point) Every bite had a new flavour. One meal consisted of four main components; fish, dal, rice, bitters-the rest was just icing on one giant euphoria sending wedding cake. My opinion... the best food in the world... Indian! They even have a spice for your tea.
Tea! Black tea, milk tea, Darjeeling tea, Assam tea... it's everywhere and if you don't drink it... well you're dumb. Morning ritual was to wake up early, cold shower, dress, head downstairs to the kitchen where there was fruit, about 8 pieces of toast, a couple boiled eggs and then TEA! Always tea! My love affair with tea will live on forever!
First day consisted of:
Changing money to Rupees
Visiting an area in Kolkata where you will find all their deities being sculpted!
Seeing the magnificent Ganges River
A couple tea breaks
Visited the house of Rama Krishna's deciple
Visited the temple Birla Mandir AMAZING!
Visited another smaller temple and were part of a Puja (a blessing of their god)
Then headed back to our new home...
The horns on the cars were too much to handle sometimes. It was almost like they were talking to each other. Traffic anywhere else in the world is easy cheesy compared to the "no rules" driving that went on there. Seriously.
Again, eating... a late dinner and then off to bed! Day 1 India was full and exciting and I was falling in love...
Journal entry... " Woke up this morning to a smell I remember as a kid. The smell of a fire burning somewhere, like a bonfire or leaves burning. I looked at the clock, 6:15am. We had only gone to bed three hours ago, but my excitement overwhelmed me. I am in India! I am in India! I am in India! I walked to the open window in our room and looked down to the waking life below. Puppies and their parents playing in the street. Men washing their bodies. A man selling tea on the curb (that was the fire smell) A priest blessing the tea guy's area. A glimpse up at me from a stranger below... in his face I saw curiosity. Who is that girl? Children walking slug-like to the school up the road. Attached to the house across the street...a tree growing out of the bricks. It's awesome power over-taking the old mortar. I am in India!"
If you don't know this already, I traveled India with one of my most amazing girlfriends, while Steven was trekking in Nepal. When we arrived to Kolkata at 1:00 am, our new Indian family was waiting with the cutest sign, Mrs. Sara Cliff welcome to Kokata! Soooo cute! We stayed with the family of another wonderful girlfriend of mine from L.A. Grandma, Dadu, Sweater Dita, Nabin, Karuna, Bishna Nath, Arubinda, all people you will learn about along our Indian journey.
You will NEVER go hungry when staying with an Indian family in India. NEVER! Every moment we turned around there was another super yummy something they stuffed into our mouths. (not literally but, you get the point) Every bite had a new flavour. One meal consisted of four main components; fish, dal, rice, bitters-the rest was just icing on one giant euphoria sending wedding cake. My opinion... the best food in the world... Indian! They even have a spice for your tea.
Tea! Black tea, milk tea, Darjeeling tea, Assam tea... it's everywhere and if you don't drink it... well you're dumb. Morning ritual was to wake up early, cold shower, dress, head downstairs to the kitchen where there was fruit, about 8 pieces of toast, a couple boiled eggs and then TEA! Always tea! My love affair with tea will live on forever!
First day consisted of:
Changing money to Rupees
Visiting an area in Kolkata where you will find all their deities being sculpted!
Seeing the magnificent Ganges River
A couple tea breaks
Visited the house of Rama Krishna's deciple
Visited the temple Birla Mandir AMAZING!
Visited another smaller temple and were part of a Puja (a blessing of their god)
Then headed back to our new home...
The horns on the cars were too much to handle sometimes. It was almost like they were talking to each other. Traffic anywhere else in the world is easy cheesy compared to the "no rules" driving that went on there. Seriously.
Again, eating... a late dinner and then off to bed! Day 1 India was full and exciting and I was falling in love...
Long, long, long time no talk....
Hello from Shanghai China!
Well, I have sooo much to tell you all about my time in India, Nepal and now China. I am going to write it down in pieces. Basically a day by day account of our whereabouts. I apologize greatly for not getting to you all sooner but, as you probably already know, there weren't many chances to get to a computer and when we did, we didn't have much time to stay in front of them. So, the main things were to email family members letting them know we had made it to the next destination. Anyway, here I go. Come with me on my last 6 weeks of fantastic moments...
First. India. Kolkata.
Well, I have sooo much to tell you all about my time in India, Nepal and now China. I am going to write it down in pieces. Basically a day by day account of our whereabouts. I apologize greatly for not getting to you all sooner but, as you probably already know, there weren't many chances to get to a computer and when we did, we didn't have much time to stay in front of them. So, the main things were to email family members letting them know we had made it to the next destination. Anyway, here I go. Come with me on my last 6 weeks of fantastic moments...
First. India. Kolkata.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Inquisitive Beings
Got up early the other morning (as I do most mornings) to check the cray pots...On the way back to shore what to Pop and I see? Two beautiful dolphins playing in the water. They would swim up to the boat and dive, dive, dive straight down. Then they would pop up right by the side of the boat. They are just amazing creatures. They are so curious, so playful and just a whole lot of fun to be around.
After about 15minutes of teasing and playing, off they went. Just like we were never there. On with their day of frolicking in the ocean blue.
It was a moment I will never, ever forget. What lives in the ocean is just mind boggling to me. It's a whole other world down there. You can watch The National Geographic Channel all you want but, until you are up close and personal with these beautiful creatures of the deep, it won't become real. It's been oh so real for me this past three months. All of it. I will take these moments with me forever.
Be kind to the earth and it will be kind back to you.
With love and respect,
Sara
After about 15minutes of teasing and playing, off they went. Just like we were never there. On with their day of frolicking in the ocean blue.
It was a moment I will never, ever forget. What lives in the ocean is just mind boggling to me. It's a whole other world down there. You can watch The National Geographic Channel all you want but, until you are up close and personal with these beautiful creatures of the deep, it won't become real. It's been oh so real for me this past three months. All of it. I will take these moments with me forever.
Be kind to the earth and it will be kind back to you.
With love and respect,
Sara
Monday, February 25, 2008
Ahhh Tropical Paradise!
Hello everyone! It's been too long again since I wrote to update you on our whereabouts...
Today I am writing from the very tippy top of Australia. Steven and I are visiting his sister and her family in Arnhem Land. It's a government protected land. You can't live here unless you are working on the mine. Aboriginies inhabit most of the land. It's like nothing I've seen before.
This place is like a dream. It's very tropical and hot. It rains everynight which causes the whole place to be very, very humid. The trees, the birds, the flowers, the butterflies, the smell of the forest after the rain, the ocean, the thunder, the gekos, the spiders, the mosquitos(ugh), the salt water crocs, box jellyfish, shells, shells, shells, and more shells.
Now, it's not all glitz and glamour mind you...Along with the beautiful parts of the land there are also the very desolate poor parts of the land. It's really very sad. The more I stay in this country the more I learn about it's indiginous people. The Aboriginies.
When Steven and I arrived, I felt like peeling my clothes off, it was so sticky but, as soon as we saw the shining faces of our nieces...well I forgot about it all! We hopped into the truck and headed to an Aboriginal community. The excitement of seeing our family again quickly rushed away as soon as my eyes fell upon the sadness of the state of their little town. To the ordinary person entering this area, well thoughts of discust and anger would run throughout.
Houses in a state of dispair, ferrel dogs running amok, trash everywhere, broken down cars that are just left to rust away, little naked children playing in dirty pools of water, families of 10 or more hanging around in packs like wolves. Why?
Having Native American blood run through me, I feel for the people of this land. To have strangers move in and tell them "how to live their lives" would seem cruel right? It almost parallels how the English first settled America. Strangers moving in and pushing out what they didn't understand. These dark people who live off the land and pray to and the river and the eagle. How silly they thought. They only wanted to make a better life for them. Right?!
This is what has happened with the indiginous people of Australia. Governments from all over only want to better their lives.
There's a very, very fine line however. How much to you push someone who doesn't want to have help. How much money do you give to a people who only use it for terrible, terrible addictions. How much to you roll over and say, "tomorrow will be a better day." How many times to you turn the other way when child abuse and other disgusting acts take place...this is all happening to the original people of Australia. The people who could live off the land and pray to their river and their eagle and be very, very content.
I hadn't really approached the thought of an opinion on this subject. Only because it is so scary to speak out. It wouldn't be right if I couldn't come up with a thought as a writer. So, here in the land of plenty, I have had waves of thoughts. I don't know if they're right or if they're wrong. I do believe that the Australian government needs to get off their asses and go to these communities. See for themselves what is happening. Don't rely on an "apology" to fix things. Go fix it in person.
This fine line is riden on both sides. I am not supporting either side. If anything my crazy brain has been racking itself silly, trying to come up with an answer to this challenge. I feel for the native people, yet the majority of them choose to live in squalor. The Australian Government has done plenty to help, to get them work, to help them grow. Yet, they turn their heads as a people and choose to be a non-educated society.
Fear is what drives this country...I hate to say it but, that's what I have come up with in my silly little head. Fear on both sides of that line. Fear of ending a struggle that has been too long and too hurtful and just not necessary. Fear of failure! Well in my opinion, it is a failure to this amazing and beautiful country to not come together and help one another. No more brushing aside what's straight infront of them. Challanges, big, big, challenges.
Aside from that opinion of mine, this is what Steven and I have done up here...
Stayed up until 5am drinking and talking with the locals (Steven)
Went bush bashing...almost got stuck a couple of times! It was incredible!
Played golf (Steven)
Went to The Arch for a wonderful dinner
Looked for crocs but, didn't find any
Uncle Steven babysat while the girls went shopping
Went swimming in a swimming hole with an Aboriginie family
Watched an Aboriginal woman dig the meat out of little snails to make necklaces
Listened to the rain every night!
Watched movies with the little girls!
Met with loads of the locals.
Collected shells
Watched a huge storm come in
Gonna watch the Oscars tonight,
then head off back to Leeman in the morning!
It's been an incredibly eye opening time here up north. I would recommend it to anyone! It's a tropical paradise that you only dream of visiting! Our dream came true for five days.
When we get back to Leeman I will put some pictures up.
Much love and respect!
Sara
this is an attachment for more information on the Stolen Generation Apology. Please educate yourself on what is happening in your communities as well! xo Sara
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23117918-5001021,00.html">
Today I am writing from the very tippy top of Australia. Steven and I are visiting his sister and her family in Arnhem Land. It's a government protected land. You can't live here unless you are working on the mine. Aboriginies inhabit most of the land. It's like nothing I've seen before.
This place is like a dream. It's very tropical and hot. It rains everynight which causes the whole place to be very, very humid. The trees, the birds, the flowers, the butterflies, the smell of the forest after the rain, the ocean, the thunder, the gekos, the spiders, the mosquitos(ugh), the salt water crocs, box jellyfish, shells, shells, shells, and more shells.
Now, it's not all glitz and glamour mind you...Along with the beautiful parts of the land there are also the very desolate poor parts of the land. It's really very sad. The more I stay in this country the more I learn about it's indiginous people. The Aboriginies.
When Steven and I arrived, I felt like peeling my clothes off, it was so sticky but, as soon as we saw the shining faces of our nieces...well I forgot about it all! We hopped into the truck and headed to an Aboriginal community. The excitement of seeing our family again quickly rushed away as soon as my eyes fell upon the sadness of the state of their little town. To the ordinary person entering this area, well thoughts of discust and anger would run throughout.
Houses in a state of dispair, ferrel dogs running amok, trash everywhere, broken down cars that are just left to rust away, little naked children playing in dirty pools of water, families of 10 or more hanging around in packs like wolves. Why?
Having Native American blood run through me, I feel for the people of this land. To have strangers move in and tell them "how to live their lives" would seem cruel right? It almost parallels how the English first settled America. Strangers moving in and pushing out what they didn't understand. These dark people who live off the land and pray to and the river and the eagle. How silly they thought. They only wanted to make a better life for them. Right?!
This is what has happened with the indiginous people of Australia. Governments from all over only want to better their lives.
There's a very, very fine line however. How much to you push someone who doesn't want to have help. How much money do you give to a people who only use it for terrible, terrible addictions. How much to you roll over and say, "tomorrow will be a better day." How many times to you turn the other way when child abuse and other disgusting acts take place...this is all happening to the original people of Australia. The people who could live off the land and pray to their river and their eagle and be very, very content.
I hadn't really approached the thought of an opinion on this subject. Only because it is so scary to speak out. It wouldn't be right if I couldn't come up with a thought as a writer. So, here in the land of plenty, I have had waves of thoughts. I don't know if they're right or if they're wrong. I do believe that the Australian government needs to get off their asses and go to these communities. See for themselves what is happening. Don't rely on an "apology" to fix things. Go fix it in person.
This fine line is riden on both sides. I am not supporting either side. If anything my crazy brain has been racking itself silly, trying to come up with an answer to this challenge. I feel for the native people, yet the majority of them choose to live in squalor. The Australian Government has done plenty to help, to get them work, to help them grow. Yet, they turn their heads as a people and choose to be a non-educated society.
Fear is what drives this country...I hate to say it but, that's what I have come up with in my silly little head. Fear on both sides of that line. Fear of ending a struggle that has been too long and too hurtful and just not necessary. Fear of failure! Well in my opinion, it is a failure to this amazing and beautiful country to not come together and help one another. No more brushing aside what's straight infront of them. Challanges, big, big, challenges.
Aside from that opinion of mine, this is what Steven and I have done up here...
Stayed up until 5am drinking and talking with the locals (Steven)
Went bush bashing...almost got stuck a couple of times! It was incredible!
Played golf (Steven)
Went to The Arch for a wonderful dinner
Looked for crocs but, didn't find any
Uncle Steven babysat while the girls went shopping
Went swimming in a swimming hole with an Aboriginie family
Watched an Aboriginal woman dig the meat out of little snails to make necklaces
Listened to the rain every night!
Watched movies with the little girls!
Met with loads of the locals.
Collected shells
Watched a huge storm come in
Gonna watch the Oscars tonight,
then head off back to Leeman in the morning!
It's been an incredibly eye opening time here up north. I would recommend it to anyone! It's a tropical paradise that you only dream of visiting! Our dream came true for five days.
When we get back to Leeman I will put some pictures up.
Much love and respect!
Sara
this is an attachment for more information on the Stolen Generation Apology. Please educate yourself on what is happening in your communities as well! xo Sara
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23117918-5001021,00.html">
Monday, January 14, 2008
More Pictures for you...
The girls on the town!
The sunset in our backyard!
Steven and I at cocktail hour after our friend's wedding
Steven's parents on a walk back home from the beach
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