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Tess Stafford
Hi to all of you who have chosen to read my travel blog. Although I haven't left Australia yet (9 weeks to go), I am busy kramming, learning about sites such as this..totally perfect to let my children and my friends know what I am getting up to... and educating myself on homeopathics vs vaccines etc, plus the monumental task of flights, accommodation, reading and researching places I will explore, travel visas and insurance. Let alone the housekeeping task of having chooks, goosy and my dog looked after while away. I am exhausted already. This is my first travel experience and while I know I will be beyond culture shocked and more than likely homesick I am eager and excited, with very rose coloured glasses I am sure. It is time to spread my wings and fly. I am a mum to my four boys ages 6 1/2 through to 17 years, and have been studying for the last six years in plant physiology and postgrad work. I am looking forward to my holiday to India. Wings to fly
Travel Blog Posts
January 28th 2009
Happy Australia Day and Happy Independence day A selection of photos from the past couple of weeks Hope you like Tess Aajvu... read more
Vardi, Uttaryan, Mhendii, Havan, Chhaka
Published: January 22nd 2009Asia » India » Gujarat » AhmedabadJanuary 22nd 2009
What a week I have had. I have trekked many kilometres over the Gujarat state as we made our way to the marriage in Vadodara (Baroda). Many experiences and much exhaustion I have acquired. Most recently I have been the victim of theft unknowingly. All my money and credit cards stolen without me knowing in a place that one would least likely find a thief in my thoughts anyway. But this is India and when you have hundreds and hundreds of people at a wedding who really knows who is who? It could have been when well dressed Indian ladies crowded me demanding photos with me, it could have been while having bag over shoulder walking and mingling through the reception? This has now brought my journey to a holt and my return to Australia as ... read more
January 13th 2009
Hi all and Namaste We have travelled to Dharnsura now enroute to the long awaited marriage to be held in Vadodara. Staying a couple of days, a couple of hours outside of Ahmedabad we have rested and are about to embark on some 'awesome' (I generally don't like that word) shopping in Ahmedabad. Yesterday evening saw me feed rotali (female flat bread!!!! joke in India) to a wondering cow up the village street outside this house. I will upload photos soon hopefully. I was really chuffed about it as I had no concept that they were actually fed and had to scavange through the mountains of rubbish during their days while dodging traffic or more aptly traffic dodge them. House after house women coming out with a rotali in hand and an exchange of a blessing ... read more
January 10th 2009
Settling into Bhuj local and localised life is good, actually it is great. I love hopping on the mo ped (or in India they call it the Activa) and taking myself off to buy fruit and veg, visiting and just feeling a little more free. My time in Bhuj is coming to an end where we will be travelling to Ahmedabad for the annual kite festival and simultanously the Vibrant Gujurat Summit. I am sure lodging with passionate citizens of Gujurat we will be visiting the site and activities that go with such a showcase for the state. Then off to Vadodara for the love marriage of hardik and Kunjan. I will add photos when I can. Take care Tess Avju x0... read more
January 7th 2009
Okay I have accessed a puta that seems a little more reliable and I might be able to upload some photos today. Here goes:... read more
January 5th 2009
Namaste all Where to begin is always a challange when many events have happened and access to internet is very rare. Go figure in India and accessing reliable internet and coordinating oneself with Indian family members whom don't hold the same importance of my contact outside their Indian family life. Mostly it is great to have Sonnelben's wonderful chai again. After walking each morning with morning prayer echoing in the distances Sonnelben greets me with the best tea on this earth. Full of ginger and pepper and the sweetest milk. It really kick starts your day. Took a whirlwind trip north of India to Shimla and Manali all with its beauty but ugliness as well with Indian tourists and their bad habits of filth and rubbish. It was an amazing sight to witness the Himalayan peaks ... read more
January 7th 2008
Namaste Ozy and Indian friends and family and of course blog readers around the world Just wanted to touch base and let people know that I was suppose to be in India at this moment, however, some pressing family affairs here in Australia are keeping me here this year. I will however be setting off November/December 2008 again touching down in Ahmedabad to meet with my Indian family who live in the quiet and gorgeous city of Gandhinagar. Feel free to continue checking out my precious memories of India anytime. I will definately add to all of them at the end of this year. Ajvu Tess x0x0... read more
January 8th 2007
My India travels and experiences have come to an end. My memories and perplexions will continue timeless. As I farewelled my Indian family at Ahmedebad train station, I boarded the Rhajdani overnight express. Tears flowed as I waved them bye. The world of family and their intense union and unconditional pride and love contradicted so amany emotions I have felt about the Indian continent. The world inside the family unit, inside the protective walls of their home was a contrast and contradiction to the world outside. My joyous and positive experiences have almost all included members of this family as we ventured about India. As I close this Indian chapter for at least the present time being, and swiftly make my way to Singapore I will take so many life changing memories with me. I hope ... read more
January 3rd 2007
I had The wonderful fortune to be invited to yet another family celebration in performing the second ritual of Aaryas of the 16 rituals in all. This took place in a small town, however, still busy and bussling with people going about their daily lives. The town of Dhansura came alive with an influx of population of the Kutch-Kadava Patel Caste to perform the second ritual of the Blessing of the Feotus. We were bestowed by the presence and pravashan (similar to a lecture or sermon) by Swamiji of the Vanprastha Aashram - Gujurat. Although I did not understand Gujurati, I was able to experience the essense of the ritual and be in the moment. Havan was performed as it was in the ritual of the wedding ceremony previously attended in Baroda City. The women dressed ... read more
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