The Browns in Delhi: Mostly motorbikes...

Flashes of lightning, sounds of thunder rolling around the hills - power-cuts are imminent, time to rush out and bring in washing and duvets that have been airing in the morning sun!! There have been some lovely sunny days here but it's obvious that although the ferns on the trees are beginning to go brown, the monsoon has a few more raindrops to refresh us with!!

This has been another busy week of Hindi lessons. Ken has added some very helpful conversation practice with a local teacher in the village to his day, and is making good progress.

I have stopped my formal lessons now and am going to continue learning and practicing Hindi at home with the cd's and Internet resources we have.

We have just two weeks left here and I want to have time to prepare the work I will be doing when back in Delhi. I will have a very different job for the next three months with Asha which needs some thinking about and planning! More about that later, but I am glad to have these next few days to give some thought to it all.

We are in a 'writers' paradise with the quietness, views and natures inspiration on our doorstep - I want to make the most of our time here to do some 'creative' writing about our travels, experiences - perhaps even some song writing too.

Yesterday, our Hindu friends were celebrating the birthday of Krishna, the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva.

Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, worshipping Krishna and staying up until midnight, and offering prayers. Images of Krishna's infancy are placed in swings and cradles in temples and homes. At midnight, devotees gather around for devotional songs, dance and exchange gifts. Some temples also conduct readings of the Hindu religious scriptures from the Bhagavad Gita.

Our small village of Landour was decorated and lit from beginning to end with colourful lights and sparkly garlands. Families came together, the Temples played loud music and as always, many, many sweets were eaten!!

Travelling anywhere in Asia is 'an experience' - especially on the roads!
Our photos this week include some from our travels of our encounters with motor bikes/scooters - it has to be the most useful form of transport - however, all safety laws seem to be ignored - frightening!!!

Love

Heather and Ken xx

Lights and decorations in our town to celebrate Krishna's birthday.

Lights can turn a rather shabby street into something quite 'charming'!

Dahi Handi is the spectacular tradition where a group of young men makes a human pyramid. The person on top of the pyramid tries to break the hanging handi (clay pot) filled with buttermilk. He usually uses a nariyal (coconut) as it symbolizes purity. The buttermilk pours down on the pyramid.
Yesterday in the paper, there was an article saying that the High Court had banned 'human pyramid towers' higher than 20ft, as they are scary and dangerous!!