Mysore Market

Theju's Fab Family...

Theju on right

Sheshi on left

There's a path here?

I dunno where it is either... Yeah, it was pretty steep.

Chickmangalore

Chickmangalore! We climbed the highest peak in Karnataka! Man - it was awesome! Praise God!



We actually fit 21 people in (or on!) this jeep... and then drove up winding mountain roads.




Theju (from chickmangalore)


Theju (from Bangalore)

Truckin...

I took a bus to kerela (it cost 450
ruppees), and then lived with some friends there, ate some real malali
food, met some really cool people... had a blast. I was able to help
them pack up their things for the move too - but guess what? I also
went back to bangalore in their moving truck...
It wasn't actually a 'moving truck' - it was cheapest to hire a
truck that had come from bangalore, and had to return to bangalore
anyways, but had no cargo. So we did that - it was a giant Ashok
Leyland truck... all their stuff barely fit in one corner (actually,
the truck was so big that they couldn't get it down the lanes to their
house... we had to carry all their stuff to a larger road.)
But this was a real interstate indian transport truck... There were
two drivers and myself... They would take shifts driving, so we went
all day and all night. They couldn't speak a word of english, and I
couldn't speak a word of malali... We started in Kerela, drove through
tamil nadu, and arrived in bangalore... They had a 'bed' but it was
more of a plank behind their seats, quite cramped, and I had to share
it with one of them when I was sleeping. It was great though - I'll
never get another chance to do that. We saw everything - so many
sites... life and death - argh. India can be painful.
I would hide when they came to the checkpoints (because it could
cause problems if the police found a foreigner in their truck). So I
felt like a smuggler or something...
Anyways - one of my roles was to guide the truck to the
destination... but I coudn't pronounce a word they could understand...
when we got close to bangalore, I pulled out a map to guide them. When they saw the map they started and tried to suppress a laugh... I
don't think they would have been more shocked had I pulled out a
compass and a sextant. So - since they thought maps were useless, and
they couldn't communicate with me, they grabbed some guy by the side of
the road, and hoped he would help them. He was a pretty useless guide
though, so they lapsed into silence...
I guided them by map. I would say 'left' or 'right' and then the
guy by the side of the road would translate it into some language, the
next person would translate it again, and finally the driver would
respond...
Despite their misgiving about my navigation skills, we arrived at
the destination without a single wrong turn.
So yeah - it was pretty fun.

Chickmangalore, Wedding

My friend Theju invited me to a wedding in Chickmangalore. It was incredibly interesting. Here is a photo with me next to the bride and groom.

Missionaries of Charity, Bangalore

I have decided to put directions up online... It took me ages to find the place, I hope this will make it easier for the next person. There is a website which has addresses to the missionaries of charity in many cities: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2960/mothert.htm, which I used - but it only gives the address. (Incidentally, this website also contains a link to Morning Star, an orphanage which I stayed at for several days just outside of Bangalore. Morning Star was terrific... more about that later.)

The directions are to Shishu Bhavan, a children's home. There are far fewer volunteers here than in Calcutta, and it is likely that one's time would be more effectively used here than in Calcutta.
The address is: Nirmala Shishu Bhavan, Lingaraja Puram, Hennur Main Road, near the petrol bunk. You can call them at: 08025474993 (Incidentally - this address is different from the one on the site above. Their's is good for mailing stuff, I think.)

To write directions, one needs a starting point. I think Shivaji Nagar is the best starting point, but in case you prefer the intersection of Brigade and MG road:
Shivaji Nagar is very close to MG road & Brigade (downtown), it is roughly a ten minutes walk. In brief, walk along MG one block west of Brigade, and then walk north (this is along St. Marks Rd, I believe... anyways, it's one block west of Brigade. You can catch any bus along the way.).

From Shivaji Nagar Bus station, take one of the following busses: 292, 293, 294, 295 or 296... Otherwise, ask if the bus is going to Lingaraja Puram, Davis Road (this may actually be a more reliable method, since it's India...)

These buses will take you to the Davis Road and Hennur Main Road intersection.


From here, walk North East along Hennur Main road (towards the flyover). Nirmala Shishu Bhavan is on your left, about 100 meters from davis road...


If you reach the petrol bunk - you've just passed it.


To get back to Shivaji Nagar - walk in South West (away from the petrol bunk & flyover). When you reach Hall Road (about 200 meters from Shishu Bhavan, you can't miss it.) Turn Right.


You can catch a bus back to Shivaji Nagar from here - 292, 293, 294, 295, or 296 (Or just ask for Shivaji Nagar). (The bus stop is as seen in the photo.)

Christmas

Hideko hosted us for a terrific Christmas dinner...





Celebrating Christmas at Tim's place...

New Year's Eve

Kyoto

Kyoto

Janice/Myself and friends Ikuyo and Junko...

Kyoto - silver palace

The silver palace is possibly the most serene place I have ever been.

Himeji Castle

I decided to visit Himeji Castle - at several people's urging. So I hopped on my bike and rode there. It took me much longer than I expected, and unfortunately by the time I got there it was closed. Nevertheless, the trip was definitely worth it. Anyways, here's some pics for the trip.
Himeji Castle itself.

A beach along the way...





And another photo of Himeji:

Japan

My visit to Japan, spending a month with my sister Janice, is quite likely the hilight of my year. The friends Janice introduced me to were incredibly genuine, welcoming etc. There was so much love and peace among them...
I miss Janice. I miss her friends.
Anyways, here's some pics:


Here's me in a kimono - for starters.