Everyone gets colorful on Holi! Even Larrie

We had a fantastic time taking part in the Holi celebration in the park down the street on Holi, March 1st.  Holi is a spring festival celebrating color: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi

Jessi Throwing a Pot

Jessi & her classmates presenting information about Rajasthan

 

Jessi dressed for her end of year cultural celebration at school

 

Jessi in a Rasjasthani dance video

Ski Dubai

Ski hill in the Mall of the Emirates.

Alli & Jessi heading for the slope

First time I've taken an escalator to a ski hill.

Checking out our ski equipment from the counter at Ski Dubai

Had to borrow coats, socks, and gloves. We didn't bring any ski clothing with us to Bangalore. Who knew there would be an opportunity to ski! Ski Dubai is a ski hill inside a shopping mall. It even has a chair lift.

Waterfall south of Bangalore on Cauvery River

You can take a ride in the round boats called coracles.

Color Composition

 

New fruits we've tasted...

While we've been in Bangalore we've had the opportunity to try new foods. Two are Custard Apple  and Chiku.  I can buy them at work in the cafeteria.  I like the Chiku but not the Custard Apple, probably because I don't like custard and it tastes just like its name and has the same consistency (sweet boogers).  Uh, BTW, the custard apple is in the background, and the chiku is in the foreground of the picture.

Sari: a lot of fabric!

Saris consist of 4 to 9 yards of fabric.  Check out how long they are hanging from the bridge to dry and laid out on the rocks. Colors and designs are beautiful.

Two cities

We spent this past weekend in Dubai.  It was surreal after barely leaving Bangalore for 18 months as the two cities are such a stark contrast to each other.   Dubai is shiny, sparkling, and new - it has only been around for decades whereas Bangalore has been around for centuries and has all the challenges that comes with such a long history.

I think what may be even more interesting, though, are the similarities in what they are facing, and I'm very curious to revisit both places two decades from now.  Both cities are experiencing exponential growth; both cities are working on mass transit initiatives; both cities have air inversion issues and smog; both cities are melting pots of people; both cities have been impacted by the economic slow down of 2009.  I wonder how each will develop.  It will be like watching two very different children grow up.  One with a very structured and planned environment while the other suffers from seeming randomness. 

Natural materials are used to create scaffolding

You'll see this type of scaffolding lashed together many, many stories in the air. It is made of Eucalyptus trees and hemp rope. Ladders are often made of bamboo.

Like anyone needs extra encouragement to make noise!

The words "Use Dipper at Night" mean flash your lights.  Just in case the driver is deaf and didn't hear your horn.

Th grill has been decorated too

Even the trucks are colorful!

 

Pretty buses

Inter city buses, like clothing, tend to be very colorful.

Scrambled eggs anyone?

This guy must have way better balance than me!