Raining Cats and Dogs, Elephants and Rhinoceroses, Bulls and Bears Too!

Oh man, this was the best meal I had in India! Thank you Mirs mommy! (it's true I have forgotten her name....I just called her Mommyauntie)

Mirs daddy, me, Mir and his mommy eating a most delicious dinner!

Shiva Kumar, one of my favorite "floor boys" at my favorite hotel in Bangalore.

Preem, my pal in Delhi. Preem means love, and he is such a dear.

OK I am home and now we are having flash flooding, thunder, lightening, mudslides and expecting 8-10" of rain today alone. I have slept 3 hours because of jetlag and the rain was so noisy it kept me awake. Do I wish I was back in India where it is warm and sunny? Naw...happy to be here.
Here are some random pics from my trip.
Have a Lovely Day!

Hello, Mirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Waseem and Mir

I'm home now!
I miss you two already.

Highway On My Plate

I suppose I oughta make a post! So, what happened is that Keri stayed in Goa 4 extra days, came to Bangalore, spent the night, and then left back to Goa the next morning. I swear, she didn't even make it out of the hotel before deciding to go back. Now, I think I have told you, that Keri has blonde hair that is nearly white, fair skin and blue eyes, and is also quite curvy. The men here took one look at her, and they all started short circuiting! See, everyone in India thinks I am half Indian, and I like to say that I am, it works well here, I don't get stared at so much, and the people can relate to me a little better. So for me this isn't so tough to fit in. For Keri, it was clearly impossible.

So back to Goa she went for the rest of our trip. So the past few days I have been wandering around Bangalore on my own. Yeah, true, I have been here 7 times, and I love it here, but I was looking forward to sharing it...oh well.
So what have I done in the past three days? I went to a fancy movie theater and saw 3 Idiots, a blockbuster film which made back all their money in the first weekend it came out. It is really quite groundbreaking for an Indian film, with very little Bollywood sneaking in. Yes, of course, there has to be some Bollywood action in every Indian film, but the singing and dancing was minimal and really sweet. Kareena Kapoor looks adorable in her dorky glasses which she only takes off to have a good cry, and the main character in the film reminds me so much of someone I know in Mangalore. This film is about 3 college lads and their adventures in India. Even though the entire film was in Hindi, I still got it, and wow, what a film it was. When it makes it to the USA I highly encourage you to see it. With subtitles of course. 3 Idiots gets 4 out of 5 sewing machines for a rating from me!
While I was waiting for the film to start, I enjoyed watching the entire city of Bangalore freak out over a solar eclipse! Wow, what a rare treat. I sat outside on a patio of a coffee shop, and viewed the eclipse from a reflection on a water tower. Hundreds of people were so excited to watch this, while at same time thousands of people who believe that eating and going outside during an eclipse is a bad idea, so the streets were filled with celestial wonderers, while the goofball superstitious hid inside. Ok, now this is funny but also not...I read that in some villages people believe that if you bury your children up to the necks in cow dung during the eclipse, they will be removed of all their sins and impurities. Now apparently, last solar eclipse, or lunar eclipse, or something, the police in one of these towns which I cant remember the name, came along and found a bunch of little naughty kids buried up to their necks in cow dung and ordered them to be removed. The police also forbid the parents from doing this again, but this year, the eclipse found a handful of buried naughty kids again and cops had to remove the poor buggers! OMG what a country this India is. Also there was a man that buried himself up to the neck in garbage to do the sin removal thing. I don't know how pure he is today, but I do hope he got a full bath after that!
Additionally, because of pure ignorance, there were quite a few cases of burned out retinas the following day, from people staring directly at the sun during the eclipse. I knew that was going to happen. In fact, during the eclipse, I saw a bunch of teens staring right at the sun and I just couldn't stop myself, I ran over to them and told them how dangerous that was, and that they should stop at once. Thankfully, they listened to their American Auntie! Their retinas are thanking me today.
Ok then I went over and hung out with my pal Mir, in his lovely new shop. Mir has been reading my blog and reminded me that I haven't yet talked about his beautiful large, elegant, delicious, sumptuous, lavish art gallery of kashmiri handcrafts. It is 5 times the size of his old shop, and on a lovely corner where the breezes wrap around the building and make it a nice place to hang around and shop of course. Later that night, Mir came to my hotel and we had dinner at Alampur, home of the famous Gobi Manchurian, which is a Chinese spiced cauliflower dish and a specialty at Alampur. I am telling you, if you are ever in Bangalore, you must try Alampur, it's a fabulous restaurant.
After eating Mir and I wandered around Bangalore in the night but since the President of Ireland is staying at the Taj West End, a 5 star hotel near my hotel, there were at least 75 cops guarding the entrance to the Taj West End. They made us walk out into the street and not on the sidewalk. Sheesh, last time I heard, the President of Ireland isn't a hunted man, but good job, cop boss, he is quite safe. In fact, Mr Pres. is still at the Taj West End so I cannot leave my hotel until the president of Ireland says so. Seriously, the street is blocked by cops, lots of them! It's humourous.
Once I escape the confines and safety of the cops protecting the Taj, I will get to City Market for a photo taking day. City Market has colorful fruits, vegetables, meats, handicrafts and what not. I hope it will make for some lovely pictures.
Ok so yesterday I went shopping on Commercial Street, Bangalores famous shopping area which is composed of 4-5 streets running parrellel and then a long street on each end. There is also a mosque in the Commercial Street area and so I was treated to the sounds of the call to prayer. Really, it is lovely. Now, here is something I noticed about the shopkeepers in Commercial Street. Most are Muslims, some are quite lovely, but many of them are quite abrupt and make you feel a little unwelcome. I am here to tell you, that in all of India, this is the ONLY place where I feel a bit out of place and prejudiced against by Muslim people. Everywhere else, I am met with love. So, I am thinking this Commercial Street is a very tight knit Muslim community, and indeed, if you peek beyond the shops, you will catch glimpses of the women in their homes and courtyards, and see that they do indeed live here, as well as work here.
No matter what is going on with those sorts of feelings of indifference, Commercial Street is always a bargain hunters paradise filled with endless South Indian treasures. I had a great time getting lots of goodies for my Little Rita.
Ok then, I came back and fell asleep at 4:30 pm for 5 hours. Since I am leaving tonight and will be on other side of the world in 36 hours, it doesn't really matter when I sleep. I am going to be messed up anyway, with a 7 hour flight, a layover in Hong Kong, and then a 12 hour flight back to San Francisco, so sleeping where and whenever is not a big deal.
So I am off to take some pics of veggies, fruits, and meats hanging around from hooks, erm yuck. But I am hoping for some rocking pictures. My heroes, Rocky and Mayur

Oh I want to mention my favorite Indian TV show, which is called Jai Hind with Rocky and Mayur, Highway On My Plate. Something like that. It is a show in which Rocky and Mayur travel the world in search of foods like that Andrew Zimmern guy. But man, these two guys are hilarious and the food looks fabulous. Catch it if you can.
Have a lovely day and thanks for traveling along with me!

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

It's never a good thing when I post this picture, but

at least I'm not in Haiti.
I have nothing to say, I want to come home.
Get the cheeseburgers and fries ready, Mr Ratburn!

Motorcycle Kitty Gang, Here I Come!

Ok wow! I just am so giggly over last night events, but first let me just tell Ian that of course you may have a shawl for your lovely Jan. When I get back we will set up the camera and I will show them all to you and then you can pick one out. I have 80! :P
So, last night I got on my best little ghetto salwar kameez and hopped in a rickshaw and headed over to Mirs shop to meet him. (Ghetto salwar is what I call the cotton inexpensive ones, and believe me, I was highly aware that I was not dressed in the height of Bangalore fashion. These women are on top of style and prefer super glitzy stiff cotton and polyester, tight arms, overly decorated salwars in solid colors with mega gold trims. They are totally uncomfortable! I hate them. So, there I was, in my Jaipur ghetto salwar kameez as comfy and happy as a clam!)
Ok where was I? So when I got to Mirs shop which was supposed to be closing at 8pm, his worker told him that he was expecting a customer at 9:30, so we had to stay and wait for them. But of course they didn't come! So then Mir and I jumped into a rickshaw and headed to his home. His brother and friend who also works at the shop were already home by the time we got there, having rode the bikes home.
So there I met Mirs mama, and daddy, who I met on Sunday, and we had the most delicious meal of rice, chicken, mutton, yogurt which they call curd, salad of onions, carrots, cucumbers. My goodness I thought I was going to burst I ate so much but Mir and his mama kept insisting that I eat, madam, eat! Man, I was trying my dangdest to clear that plate but I just couldn't do it. I have to confess I have never eaten mutton before because, well, baaaa baaaa baaa! I just can't stand the thought of eating sheeps! But guess what? It was delicious! Tasted a little like a wonderful Italian meatball! Maybe when I get home I will finally try a lamburger!

Then Mir and his brother Wasseem whipped out my camera and we took some really fun pictures which I will show you next week. We made some videos too. I was told that it is time for me to update my camera since I have had it "every year in India, madam!" What can I say it takes great pictures, just not quickly.
So then Mir showed my pictures of his fiance and their engagement pictures. They will be married in the summer and Mir has invited me to his wedding in Kashmir. WOW do you think I oughta go? That would be a trip, wouldn't it?
Ok so by that time it was quite late and so Mir and I hopped on his bike and headed back to my hotel. By that time of the night there is no traffic and so it was completely a rush breezing through the streets of Bangalore! We got a little bit lost because Mir doesn't come to this side of Bangalore often, but that just made the ride longer, and fun!!!!!
Now Mr Ratburn says I need a leather jacket so I can join a motorcycle gang. He called it Motorcycle Kitties! LOL Well yes, that is about my speed. Plus, it will take a teeny little motorcycle for me to be able to reach the ground while sitting on it, so yeah, I would look kinda kittyish!
Oyyyyyy I love Bangalore!!!!! Keri will come tonight and then we will finish the complete blowing off of her head by introducing her to Bangalore traffic and insanity. Also, we intend to eat ourselves silly for the next 4 days.
Hope all is well! Have a lovely day.

Born To Be Vild, madam!

Woo hoo, yes it is me with the crazy ratty hair and broken glasses here! I have just gotten off of a crazy motorcycle ride afterall. Now, in Bangalore it is at last and "thanks god", "compulsory", for the driver of a motorcycle to wear a helmet, but not the passenger. Hello? Is this because passengers have harder heads? So yeah, I was just a little nervous when Mir nearly squeezed us between two busses, and maybe a little more nervous when we darted diagonally across many lanes of congested traffic, but still it was fun. Oh, did I mention that I had a 16 kg bundle squeezed between myself and Mir? A package so large that I was afraid I was going to fall off the back, and my chin had to rest on the top of the package!
It just took us 2 post offices, and 4 hours to handle this matter! Now as you know, in the USA, you go to the post office, get in one line and are waited on one at a time, no matter why you are there. In India, there are no lines, no signs, no window designations that one can clearly see, and every one just squeezes to the front of the line regardless of how long you have been standing there. So, at the first post office we were told the fee to ship, given the forms, and weighed the package. After 20 minutes we were told they could not accept cash or credit cards at this time of day! So Mir got really pissed off with the post office lady and I ended up kissing her ass to save us! Then we had to get on the bike again and find the other post office on Museum Road which would take our package and cash. Well, finding that post office took nearly a half hour but it was really thrilling being on the back of a motorcycle WITHOUT a helmet, eeeeeek, in only sandals. I really had to visualize a safe bubble. Thats how I do it. A bubble...a big pink bubblegum bubble I am in and noone can pop it!
So we get to second post office and are told that we have to wait til 4pm, please sit down. So we sit down and in the meanwhile the counter is flooded with people that will NOT wait til 4 pm, so that put us, the first ones to arrive, behind all of them. Ok now this is funny. In India you have to sew your package into fabric because by the time a cardboard box reaches you in the USA, it is as flat as a dosa! That's pancake for you non Indians. :P SO then they give us these labels to stick on and a little pot of glue! OMG I was laughing my ass off about that glue. So, there is Mir, behind the counter, using his fingers to glue a label on the fabric package, and they also made him write everything that was on the label on the package as well, in case the label falls off, madam.
God, I just wanted to fall on the ground laughing at these people. Finally, we got this damn package mailed and in it, 60 awesome kashmiri shawls! Line up, ladies for first pick. I will be home next Tuesday and it's first come, first served! I am sure the package will get there before me, but if not, shortly after. Oh, in case you are wondering....$155.00 USD to ship 15 kgs to my house in 6-10 days, approx half of what it costs for DHL or FedEX but obviously taking up a lot more time.
In the meanwhile, I also have 60-70 kgs of textiles working on being shipped but not by the post office. I am just going to suck it up and pay DHL prices. It will save me days of work it looks like.
Now Mr Ian, I noticed you said it's ok for me to bash Southern Brits! That would be Londoners, naah? So no scouser bashing, ok sir! Look, Mr Ian, I am just pointing out that in Goa, these people retire there, drink gallons of beer all day long, tan their hides to the consistency of leather, lying on the beach ALL DAY LONG, drink themselves silly every night, then come home barf their brains out and do it again the next day. What fun! And to top it off, they think they own the place. And to top it off, the are MEAN to sweet happy gals like me. I would call that a whole bunch of sour grapes. I wouldn't call that Brit bashing, its just the facts, sir. Anyway, I am done with Goa, next year I am going to Kerala.
So I have gotten a ring for my boyfriend, Mr Ratburn! Now I can make an honest man out of him.
Lets see, what else. Tonight i am invited to dinner at Mirs house, so that will mean more hair raising motorcycle journeys through Bangalore City at night. Gulp, erm, and wheee! at the same time.
Now, yesterday I spent $1,000. on fabrics and boy was that fun. I am already excited and inspired about what I will make when I get back. I save my $$ all year and then come here and spend it all. It is so exciting I cant tell you. I lost track of how many meters I have bought, but I will tell you this, $1,000 buys a lot of kalamkari, madam! I ran out last year, so hopefully I will have enough to last the year out this time.
OK so what else, Keri is coming tomorrow night from Goa, and I think Bangalore will blow her mind. I cant wait to hear about her adventures in Goa without me, and show her my favorite places in Bangalore. Hopefully I will have this massive shipping of textiles out of the way before she gets here.
I am in my favorite room in my favorite hotel in my favorite city in India. What could be better than that? Also, I have slimmed down enough that my pants are falling completely off, and this is a good thing. I was getting rather portly. Good thing I have brought a belt this year.
It is 6 pm om Tuesday night, rush hour, and horns are blaring mightily out there. Bangalore is the honkingest city in the world!
I hope you are all well. I really am about ready to come home, but as soon as I get this shipping done, I will be free to do some fun stuff like take Keri out for beers at Pecos, go to Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens, and MTR, that place where you get 12 courses for 2.00 betas!
Be well! Love you all and thanks for traveling along with me.

Shopping Madness!

Last years wheeling and dealings with Susie and Mir!

Hey all! I just loved all your comments from the last post. I think Gmans advice was best! LOL...
And yes this has been a challenging journey this time and not a total barrel of laughs.
Today I started my shopping frenzy in Bangalore. I have bought 60 shawls from my pal Mir, who you recall from last years posts with the knives and exquisite carpets. Now the Indian way to do business is very very slow and I spent 4 hours with Mir, choosing shawls one at a time, eating lunch with them, and chatting. I have met Mirs daddy who is visiting from Kashmir as well. While in the store I met a man from Napa County, and some of you know I live in Sonoma County, so as we were neighbors practically when you are speaking of the world...we chatted awhile as well. Then Mir told me, please pretend this is your shop, it will be fun for all of us! I said, well what do you want me to do? He said, boss us around and be a little mean when customers come in. When they see a white woman bossing in the shop they will think I am in charge and will feel more trust...OK so lying will make them more trust? LOL
Now excuse my way of writing but I have spent a week in Delhi, then a week in Goa listening to Brits, now Bangalore and my accent is all crazy as well as my way of thinking. Keri and I noticed that after a couple days in Goa, we started speaking like Brits...now with brits, everything sounds a little like a question, isn't it?
Ok so then I left Mir and had to go to my favorite jewelry shop to buy Mr Ratburn a new wedding ring because Mr Ratburn lost his ring at the beach on Thanksgiving weekend. Now, let me tell you, in 26 years that I have known him, I have never seen this man so upset as the day he lost his wedding ring. This wedding ring we bought together in Bangalore on our 20th anniversary, as well as a new ring for me. And, I can tell you this, something I never expected. When we bought these rings together, after 20 years of marriage and all its ups and downs, that they meant more to us then the ones we gave each other on the day we were married in 1988. Then when he lost it, I couldnt believe how heavy it was for us.
So, we have been joking that he is just my boyfriend now untill we get him a ring. I am a little stressed about the size though. I hope I got it right.
OK so now I am at my hotel on the lame ass computer with...YEP, you got it, sticky keyboards.
So, I have a ton of work to do in next couple days. The most intense part will be shipping my textiles. I will be home before you know it!
Then the pics will come..but I have to warn you...I havent taken very many pictures this year....after 7 times, I am rather tired of shooting the same stuff over and over.
Ok so, off to my room, there is a teeny bottle of airplane whiskey awaiting me for the end of the day. Hope this post finds you all well and I wish my trip was more exciting for you all.
Perhaps a few emails are in order....
Love Susie

Bangalore Ahoy!

Bangalore = eating fest!

Ok I am in Bangalore but Keri stayed in Goa for multiple reasons. I think she will like it better than Bangalore anyway. I now have to work! I usually come to Bangalore first and then Goa and Delhi so this feels a little backwards, but I saved alot of money to do it this way.
Now, I know that my blog posts have been sorta boring but some things are just better left untold. What happens in Goa stays in Goa. I will tell you that last night I was almost in a chick fight/barroom brawl for the first time in my life...in fact, I have sortof decided for now anyway that I have had enough of Goa and her drunken expat bitchy brits who think they own the place. Keri and I were told that we were not welcome there, and were not invited there...To Goa, by a drunken old brit broad. Um ok, last I heard, we are all welcome here. Glad it didnt come to blows but might have had we not had the sense to leave the bar immediately.
To all you old expats in Goa I say this: I challenge you to find something to do other than drinking beer all day, America bashing, and ya know, try smiling once in awhile, it wont hurt.
Now let me tell you, this trip I have been freezing, and then totally overheated but the second I stepped of the plane in Bangalore....ahhhh, 75 and breezy! Thats my Bangalore. Happy to be here.
Now I got some clothes to wash, get cleaned up from dirty sunny old Goa, and some major shopping and shipping to do.
Hope you are all well!

Still Chillin'

Hello everyone. I am still in Goa and having a ball! The usual, drinking too much, lying by the pool. watching the sunset and shopping. Last night we even went out to a disco with 4 scottish lads that are staying in our hotel. Thank goodness we brought them with us because the disco was full of Indian men and that was about all. It was super loud, and the ceilings were 6' tall only! Neon green and sparkly planets painted on the walls. Interesting cultural experience, hmnn....
Today is my last full day in Goa and then tomorrow I will head to Bangalore to finally get some work done. Usually I go to Bangalore first so I feel a little backwards here.
SO what to do today? Just working on my tan!
Have a lovely day!

Salcete, Goa

Hello everyone we are enjoying the lovely warm sunshine of Goa, the yummy food, and the tremendous warmth and hospitality of these people. I brought myself a nice little cold from Delhi so I'm still working that out.
Spent quite a few hours in the bar last night chatting with lots of people. Totally fun. Today I have to buy a dress or two, I am so dirty ewwww!
Hope this post finds you all well.
Love Susie

Having Fun Now

Sanjay and Susie in 2007?
(I really cant remember but when I googled Rikhi Ram this is the first pic that came up, scary a little...)

Hello all. Well this is our last night in Delhi, we hope. The fog has decended upon Delhi and that means airport problems. So Inshallah we will be in Goa by tomorrow afternoon. There we will not be cold anymore but hot, hot, hot!
Today we had a really fun time hanging out with my pal Sanjay who owns Rikhi Ram music in Delhi. I have posted about him before. Of course, hanging with Sanjay always means excellent tea, and a sitar, tabla, and veena performance. Sanjay is an excellent musician and owner of his music shop which once belonged to his grandfather and are the exclusive makers of sitars for Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka. So yes, a super treat to be at Rikhi Ram and today was no exception. I almost bought a Kashmiri instrument called a rabab but talked myself out of it because I have been here 6 days and already overloaded with treasures.
If you want to know more about Rikhi Ram Music you can google it, they are quite well known.
After visiting Sanjay we headed back to Pahar Ganj and visited with my pal Preem and perused his endless collection of tribal jewelry made from South Indian ebony and bone. More tea! Then we came back to room and are now suffering a little with our load. I feel like a camel everytime I come here! LOL So much stuff to carry.
I hope you are all well and I will see you next from the lovely Arabian Sea in Goa.

Delhi Kicks Our Asses, Film At 11

Happy New Year everyone. It's 7 :40 am on New Years Day. I have been up since 4:30 because I went to bed at midnight exactly....heard lots of bombs going off and stuff out there. Happy to be in the room after one of the most intense days I have ever spent in India.
I felt pretty ok after that accident, but I was worried about Keri and of course I feel awful that she had to experience that. I was ready to move on, you know, get right back on that bicycle I say. But this morning when I woke up, I was totally depressed and really working my brain over those two men. A couple of things were really playing over and over in my mind. One, how close Keri came to being injured badly. Two, how badly the motorcycle driver was dragged and injured. Thanking whatever that this man was wearing a helmet, knowing they are both most likely alive today but hurting. And the gas that was pouring out of the crushed motorcycle gas tank all around us. Later on, I realized that that gas could have ignited, we could all have been hurt etc.
I think we can just call this PTSD. I cannot wait to get out of Delhi HELLHI but I am going to have to wait til Sunday.
Keri is afraid to get into a rickshaw now and I dont blame her at all and I sure as hell ain't gonna make her. But, I have to get in a rickshaw I have stuff to do. I have business to take care of and I cannot afford taxis. I know I will be OK I always am.
Now I want to say that I was in Agra and of course my heart and thoughts were on Mona Dear who I did not want to bother during this time in her life. I hope you will know Mona, that I am thinking of you but I wanted to respect your privacy. Be well, dear one.
I am an emotional blob right now oyyyyyy!
This morning on the front page of the Times Of India was a full page open letter to the people of India to reach for peace with Pakistan. Reading along, it was lovely, and then partway through their peace rant, gently flung the blame back at Pakistan. WHAT THE FUCK? I hope I am not the only one to catch this cheap move. Shame on you, India. Peace and forgiveness or blame, make up your fucking mind.
Happens every year. India just splits you right open. Most of all, I feel that I am one helpless grain of sand in this crazy fucked up place and I cannot do anything to protect these people that I love from themselves. And I want to say this to you, Little Rita, you are not coming to India ever, unless you really want to... I set that dream free now my girl, you dont want to come here and I will never make you.
Have a wonderful New Year all of you!

Sub Nava Sal From Delhi

Hello Lime, Ian and Gman, my faithful readers! ...just survived a car accident..we are ok. I am sorry I am not blogging good stuff but I am having fun despite Delhi is kicking my ass! What happened?
We were in a rickshaw and turning right...but remember we were on the other side of the street....a motorcycle came round the bend and the rickshaw and motorcycle collided. The driver of the motorcycles head was rammed into the rickshaw drivers side. The driver was dragged while the rickshaw kept moving...it was horrible. Keri was inches from being the victim of this accident and I really feel terrible about this. It is surely not what I wanted for her to experience here in this crazy and lovely place.
So I have read about what to do in this situation as a tourist and so we did what I have always known I would do. I pushed Keri out of the rickshaw, poor girl. I took a wad of money and stuffed it in the drivers pocket and I got us the hell out of there. There was nothing we could do. It wasnt our fault.

But I have to tell you all, tonight is New Years Eve, and Keri wanted to go out dancing. I knew this wasn't a good idea but I was gonna do it for her. Now she doesn't wanna go thank god.

So I dont want you all worry! I have been here 7 times and I am cool. I got a lot of really cool bedspreads today and some awesome jackets too. It's just that India is good and bad and good and bad and good and bad all at once. I love it. CAN THESE PEOPLE JUST BE MORE FUCKING CAREFUL WITH EACH OTHER? My god, the lack of respect for their own safety is ridiculous. So far this is a rant tour...but what the hell.
I just want to screammmmmmmm!
PULL YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR ARSES YOU STUPID IGNORANT INDIAN FUCKS. This is my blog I can cuss if I want. The three of you will understand!
Happy New Year to all of you!

Crazy Crazy Delhi

Hello everyone. OMG I just got out of the worst traffic jam of my life! We set out for the Taj Mahal today, and of course that was awesome. Saw all the standard fare, camels, elephants, etc. The Taj was lovely, of course.
Then on the way back we just got caught in the rush hour thing which is normal in Delhi. However, we saw a little boy get hit by a car tonight, and a lot of really crazy driving. I just dont get it why these people can't get a clue about having to get the brains to match the technology around here.
Let me tell you what I mean about that. Just before I left I read that a bridge under construction in Jaipur collapsed, killed 40 + people, all workers. Now, I know this is because they are too cheap to use real machines, because they can pay crap wages and work those people literally to death. To prove my point, if they had used a crane and all that sort of heavy machinery under that bridge in Jaipur, well, perhaps only the operator of the crane would have died instead of all those humans being crushed by the collapsing bridge. And, it is also my suspicion that they left out the re bar on the damn bridge because the boss decided to sell it for extra profit. I'll bet you I am not far from the truth here, and it really pisses me off.
Now, in Delhi they are building the 5th largest airport in the world, and that just scares the crap out of me because I want to know...will they leave out the re bar? How many people will die when they fuck up making that airport?
When will these people put human lives and education before needing to compete with the techno world? They are simply not ready. Integrity and honour are missing, education is missing.
And, tell me this. If you plow a highway right through a village, thereby splitting that town literally in two, then shouldn't you also build them some catwalks so they can get to the other side of their village without becoming maimed by an ambassador in the process?
And if there are 1.33 billion people in India, why are there so many lazy ass men sitting around drinking tea when the garbage is piling up everywhere? Can't they just pick it up, sheesh?
Ok I know I sound frustrated and I am about that stuff, but i'm cool. I'm just making observations. I mean, I have seen so many improvements in India since I first started coming here, such as recycling bottles, spaying and neutering of their pets, and polio vaccines. (Finally, what a shame that other nations such as our own did not share their polio vaccine with the rest of the world 40 years ago. It's inexcusable that there are so many very young people here with polio.)
So tomorrow is New Years Eve. Women are not allowed to go out to parties and clubs here without men. So, I guess I am going to have to get one. Just kidding. But, we are going to see if my travel agent pal, Mubarik and his very shy brother will escort us. How ridiculous is it that a 49 year old woman needs an escort on New Years Eve? Otherwise, we're staying in the room.
I hope you are all well.
And yes, Gman, I was doing that thing all day, the very first day.
Happy New Year!

Delhi

Ok folks, we made it to India! I am sitting in a farty smelling internet place with sticky keyboards of course! My trip to India wouldnt be the same without sticky keyboards! So we finally arrived at about 4 am and I proceeded to drink myself silly, woke up at 1 pm and have been doing that thing that Gman doesnt want to see in printed words ever.....
I feel awful. But I will be ok later....
So stay tuned for something more exciting than hangover news! Love you, Gary and Little Rita!

The Miracle!

Do you hear angels? I think I do...

I'm too religiously confused to understand the significance of my Jewish husband finding the image of Christ on naan bread. Other than that, I hope you will enjoy our lip synced version of Walking In The Air. I'll see you all next from the other side of the world, and Happy Holidays, whatever you celebrate!

*UPDATE*I just had to share this with you all! Hee hee hoo hoo ho!



1India

We Are The World, It's True

I think this is perfect blog fodder for this week. What an epic thing. I almost forgot about a certain someone who is no longer with us who pops up in the song, which made my heart jump a little. To have been a fly on the wall during this recording session, wow!
See if you can guess all the aging rock stars which appear in this video, and could somebody please tell me who that is singing between Kenny Rogers and Tina Turner? I hope you will enjoy it. Happy Holidays.



5India

Switching to India Time....

Shamelessly stolen from Sepia Mutiny.....Absolut Mulit

Mutineers, I now present you... Finnish Bhangra -



It's 1:30 am Friday night/Saturday morning. I fell asleep at 8:30 tonight and woke up at midnight. I thought that was weird. Then I realized, I am switching over to India time. It is happening automatically. Mr Ratburn thinks my sleeping habits are odd, but I think that after 8 years of traveling to India, my body has adjusted well to being able to sleep where ever, and whenever the need be. I can even sleep on planes now!

A word about sleeping on planes. I could never figure out how and why people could just get on a plane, cover their head with a blanket, and sleep through an 11 hour flight. (Now, I'm not kidding about the 11 hour flight, and that's just halfway!) That is, until last year when Eileen the nurse hipped me to the fact that half the plane was dosed on Ambien. Now, I don't know about you, but I do not want to be groggy if the plane...oh wait, maybe I do....but can you imagine what could have happened had that pilot in NY had to ditch that plane a half hour later after the Ambien had taken effect? Personally, I like to be completely sober when I travel. I mean, nothing like having one teeny airplane bottle of whiskey too many and then falling down the stairs when you deboard...

Which reminds me of the first and only time that I went to Hawaii. I was 23, and my boyfriend at the time thought it would be a fabulous idea to drink on the 5 hour flight which departed Los Angeles for Maui at 7:30 am. On that flight I learned that drinking on an airplane has some really ugly results. I probably wont do it ever again unless I am trapped between two large people that are overflowing into my space, causing me some claustro symptoms!

No wait! I cannot jinx self. Every year I say to myself my little prayer that I will be sitting in an aisle seat next to someone small and quiet all the way to India. Most of the time I get my way. Sometimes I don't. Just watch my deodorant work overtime when I don't get an aisle seat! LOL

I hope that you will all have a lovely holiday season, whatever you celebrate!
6India

Thursday Portrait

OK that was our favorite little cocktail glass that I bought at the Flamingo Las Vegas this August, but alas, I broke it. So, if anyone I know that happens to go to, or otherwise, lives in Las Vegas, I would be eternally grateful for another one and will happily pay for its way here! (Hi Blither!)

Hello everyone! I have to admit, I am not really busy with my business, but rather, doing the holiday thing combined with gathering all my stuff for India. I am leaving the day after Christmas. The rough itinerary is Delhi, Goa and Bangalore areas, of course. I promise to try to eat more often so I don't have too many starvation induced freak outs! I am, of course, mega excited!

Omg I am also so excited about watching Survivor tonight, I just love that show. I still hold out hopes that one day I will be on Survivor and become the "little old hippie chick that takes care of all of us" and lasts to the end by blending into the background and working real hard at camp! I could even get lucky and my tribe will be gifted with a sewing machine and I then can really show em what fashonery I can create from a rice sack or a bin tal grass mat! Really, I am far too old and wise not to get the message that the experience its self is worth far more than a million dollars, but LR does need to go to college...
It has been cold and so I am ready for some sun! I am ready to sweat, get dirty and be hot. I am ready to drink some mighty amounts of whiskey with my traveling pal and friend of 25 years, Keri. I will see the Taj Mahal again! I will hang out with my pal Mubarik in Pahar Ganj. I am ready to gasp on lungfuls of auto exhaust as I sit in honking, honking, honking traffic jams in Bangalore. (Horn OK Please!) I am so ready to eat masala dosa at Samrat, gobi manchurian at Alampur, and then pig out a couple of times at MTR. Obviously, I will eat well in Bangalore. It's the other places that always pose a challenge!
I hope you will all stay tuned to the exciting adventures of Susiestheboss in India, tour 7, Saath Tour, yaars!

Have a lovely day!
9India

Shalom

I hope you will enjoy these two holiday favorites of mine....have an awesome day!
13India

Happy Sunday!

Getting just ever so slightly excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19India

I'm Mr Heat Blister

Something old but fun for you all! Enjoy!





21India

Thursday Portrait

I had to get out of my car and swoosh these gals outa the road!

"You just wish you were me!"

These photos are from Thanksgiving weekend.

I pretty much live in heaven.
Have an awesome day.
22India

Happy Birthday To Me!

The rumours you may have heard are true.
Today is my birthday.....

Why, 29, of course! Thanks for asking.
25India

Bookish Two Headed Leader

When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met in Washington this week with President Barack Obama, the White House lavished attention on the unassuming, bookish Indian leader. There was a state dinner. There were movie stars. There was a chandelier-filled tent packed with powerful Americans chatting up powerful Indians. There was talk that the two nations had forged "one of the defining relationships" of the century.
(There was a party crashin' couple sportin a red saree and a tuxedo.....)

Main Entry: book·ish
Pronunciation: \ˈbu̇-kish\
Function: adjective
Date: 1566

1 a : of or relating to books b : fond of books and reading
2 a : inclined to rely on book knowledge b of words : literary and formal as opposed to colloquial and informal c : given to literary or scholarly pursuits; also : affectedly learned

— book·ish·ly adverb

— book·ish·ness noun

28India

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family.

She asked a stock boy, "Do these turkeys get any bigger?"

The stock boy replied, "No ma'am, they're dead."



PS It's the day before Thanksgiving. I have to make 3 pies, do laundry, make cranberry sauce, take LR to get her hair cut, clean the house. Plus I got a typhoid and a Swine flue vaccine yesterday and my arms are both sore and I can't raise them. So just now the vacationing Mr Ratburn has made plans to go out to the beach with his pal and stroll...but first he asked me if I
was also taking LR to get her nails done....have a nice walk on the beach Mr Ratburn, the locks will be changed when you get home!

:P
Just kidding, Mr Ratburn, don't drown!

Have a Lovely Thanksgiving!
31India

35India

Hard Not To Love Ellen

Two very cool American Express commercials that I am currently loving. Almost makes me want to get a card myself. They are not new but new to me. I'm not getting a kick back from the card people.

Have a lovely day!
38India

Thursday Portrait

Someone's got new shoes!

Perfect for winter!

Whaddya mean I gotta wear socks?

Have a lovely day!
36India

Two Little Cats Went On A Spree!!!

Today I join Lime steal Lime's idea in celebrating 40 years of Sesame Street. Here are my favorite Ses. Videos. I hope you will enjoy them. I was 8 years old when Sesame Street came on tv, but I had just moved to California from Alaska, and after 3 years of no tv, I devoured Sesame Street.
If I have learned anything at all from Sesame Street, it is this.

You gotta put down the ducky if you wanna play the saxaphone!

Happy Birthday, Sesame Street!





In other news, I have worked super hard this year and I am so ready for a break. I am practically packed already!
Have a great day!
46India

lentiginous

PRONUNCIATION:

(len-TIJ-uh-nuhs)

MEANING:

adjective: Covered with freckles.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin lentiginosus (freckled), from lentigo (freckle), from lens (lentil).

USAGE:

"I realised that my freckly Celtic complexion wasn't a curse I had to endure for life, and my offensively lentiginous skin could be smoothed into picture-perfect ivory."

Hmnnn, I know a few people like that....

51India

I Love Monday!

54India