 Mariellen Ward - lemonindi | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 16th April 2006 Shelly | Hope you're feeling better - From: highs and lows in MG Hey Mariellen. Sorry to hear you were ill. It's hard to be alone when you feel so bad. It's sounds as though you have some kind people close by though. I hope you're feeling better and able to volunteer at the centre with those beautiful children! Take care... |
| 15th April 2006 chrissy | love - From: highs and lows in MG This is the second time that your blog has brought tears to my eyes... As you know, working with children is one of my deepest commitements and these beautiful children touched my heart through your journal and photos! I cant imagine the long life they have already had to live and I am always distroyed inside when I think of the children in pain all over the world. what you are doing there is essential and wonderful for you and them. It looks like a beautiful place and I am not surprised that it has the contrast that you have described. Be careful...I am concerned when you tell me about murders and harrassment. I am looking very forward to seeing you in under a month (?) Chrissy |
| 15th April 2006 David McLachlan | Some more art to inspire you - From: highs and lows in MG Hi. I'm really enjoying your wonderful writing and wanted to say thanks for all your efforts to post and upload pictures from a variety of Internet cafes throughout your voyage. Quite impressive. I thought of you recently while walking past "Pages" bookstore on Queen West in Toronto - a fellow traveller in India had returned and had a display of his travel journal artwork. I thought you'd enjoy seeing some of it. http://tinyurl.com/h2gvq Best - Dave |
| 14th April 2006 leah hope | thank you - From: highs and lows in MG i just wanted to send a big thank you for all your wonderful blogs. i started reading them before i arrived in india in february, and now that i've moved on, i'm reading them because i miss that country SO much. all your highs and lows, all the contrasts between dark and light, are so real and what india is all about. thanks for letting me continue a journey through india by living vicariously through your blogs! |
| 13th April 2006 Mary Lynn | Sending positive energy - From: highs and lows in MG I'm so sorry you were so terribly sick! I'm trying to send you some positive energy and healthy vibes (I'm eating pineapple and melon, if that helps) -- I had the feeling something was up; maybe it was the foreshadowing in your last blog. Michelle Bullard and I were talking about you the other day, and we both worry when we haven't seen a new blog in awhile. Take care! I love the pictures of the kids and their beautiful butterfiles! |
| 7th April 2006 Vic | I'm jealous - From: in Mcleod Ganj It's official I'm finally jealous. The Himalayas!! Wow. How thrilling, beautiful and scary. All my favourite things. Very proud of you. I appreciate you!!! |
| 7th April 2006 Christina from Rishikesh | Get better soon! - From: in Mcleod Ganj Seeing these pictures and reading your words makes me remeber the fascinating week I spent in Rishikesh where I was glad to have met you. I love reading your blog, it is so well written, thanks for the insight in your travels! Your experience always pulls me back to my India memories and I know I must come back! Good luck with everything and I hope you get better soon. Christina |
| 7th April 2006 Susan Brekelmans | Hang in there - From: in Mcleod Ganj Hi Mariellen, I've enjoyed your posts so far, and am really looking forward to hearing about your experiences at the Art Refuge. I'm sure you will feel better once you adjust to the elevation - and I'm sure you'll find some friends among the motley folk you're seeing on the streets! Best wishes, Susan |
| 6th April 2006 Mary Lynn | Wow - From: in Mcleod Ganj Wow. That's about all I can say. Your blogs just get more fascinating. Plus I think you're being brave and courageous taking this on. What a beautiful (& terrible, it sounds) place. |
| 6th April 2006 chrissy | wow - From: in Mcleod Ganj i cried when i saw the picture of the himalayas!!!!!!! what an experience you are having. i had heard that some people experience illness from the change in altitude there. Chrissy |
| 6th April 2006 Pema Chonyid (Shawn) | Trashi Delek - From: in Mcleod Ganj Greetings and best wishes on your experience in Dharamsala. |
| 4th April 2006 Shelly | Loved the photos of Agra and Rajasthan - From: leaving Delhi This next part of the trip to Dharamsala sounds really exciting. I can't wait! I kind of feel a little like I'm on the trip too. This is such a great way to remember everything that you've seen and done and to share it with others. Looking forward to the next posting. |
| 31st March 2006 Vic | sati hand prints - From: The Golden Triangle 2: Land of Kings Years ago a friend of Gary's who was born in India (she is white) traveled back there and stood exactly where you are standing in the photo near those sati hand prints. She photographed them and gave the photo to me because she thought my art reminded her of them. I never really understood their origin or story. I would like to think Ajay is wrong, it is such a romantic notion but given how women have been treated through history it wouldn't surprise me if they were tossed on the pyre like another log. In any event I am thrilled to have gotten to the bottom of one of my treasured photographs and that you are able to have the experience. India is so colourful, especially this Land of Kings, no wonder it is a tourist mecca. You look great too! Love Vic |
| 31st March 2006 Anonymous | - From: The Golden Triangle 2: Land of Kings "I am beyond tired of being seen as a walking wallet by many Indians". You had the luck and privilege to be born in a country which was wealthy. Most Indians are desperately poor. This does not mean that they have a right to con you but this is why they see foreigners as a means to make money. YOU ARE WHITE, you will never have anonymity. All you have to do is be firm with people who are harassing you and they will go away. Please understand that this that people who are impoverished will do anything to make money, try to put yourself in their position. |
| 30th March 2006 Rohan Jayasekera | Lakshmi hand - From: The Golden Triangle 2: Land of Kings Mariellen, I've certainly prospered from knowing you (notably for introducing me to the Gestalt Institute and to Xiaolan), for which I'm very grateful to you. Just not (yet) in the financial sense, which I gather is what Lakshmi is all about. Now would be a good time. (Just kidding.) I read about Jantar Mantar in a science book when I was a kid and never forgot it. Someday I would like to visit it. Did the Pisces detector see you coming? :-> -Rohan |
| 30th March 2006 Marilyn | write a book he said? - From: The Golden Triangle 2: Land of Kings What a good idea! These journal entries and photos are really wonderful. The artsy shot is fabulous. I'm really enjoying this trip to India from my office chair! |
| 27th March 2006 cynthia | despite the effort... - From: The Golden Triangle 1: The Big One And yet, was it not the most exquisite monument dedicated to love...notwithstanding the extraneous irritations, expense, hawkers, etc.? I'm in cyprus for a few days with my parents. nice break from a heavy schedule...and meanwhile, in your area, my yoga guru is doing a course in rishikesh in a week and i'm seriously contemplating it...your photographs and informative missives add to the desire...thank you for your efforts of this travelblog. what joy to feel like we are accompanying you on this journey...xx cyn xx |
| 27th March 2006 Vic | ahh love - From: The Golden Triangle 1: The Big One The best thing about the Taj Mahal is its story. A true story of love - eternity. And somewhat sad too. Fab pics, especially the one from the fort with the Taj in the distance.... so poetic. Well done Lemon. |
| 27th March 2006 chrissy | hi - From: The Golden Triangle 1: The Big One wow. you know something is capital b beautiful when it transfers so perfectly to film! It is a beautiful love story! I am off to yoga as we speak and i will imagine these images as i move through my practice! PS: will you please re send you cell number to my personal email (I think I am using the old one not the one you bought there?) miss ya! Chrissy |
| 27th March 2006 housediggity | Good post - From: The Golden Triangle 1: The Big One Great description of the Taj. Looking forward to future posts. How did you arrange the driver? |
| 20th March 2006 Vic | Sick again? - From: Holy Holi! Lemon, are you ok? I hope you feel better. Your pictures of Ghandi's room and where he was assassinated were very interesting, I can just see him sitting there working on his cotton or his writing. I like the fact that India has kept some of that British Empire stuff around and that the buildings are now being transformed through India's own evolution. |
| 20th March 2006 chrissy | sorry!!!!!!!!! - From: Holy Holi! more gorgious pictures! the flower picture is awesome! forgive me forgive me forgive me for not contacting you on your birthday!!!! Ive got a good excuse though.... Ive only just returned (late last night) from a road trip to the southern states with AWR (which was much more interesting then I thought it would be-more on this later) and was not able to call you as I didnt have my cell phone or phone directory with me, no intranet even (FYI: an intentional intervention-you were so right about being a contract worker!!!!! when it rains, it pours) truth be told, it was pretty great to be on the road and out of reach for awhile...sailing by white cotton budding fields which offered a stunning contrast to the green green green everywhere, majestic old oaks drapped in old mans beard and warm late spring-like weather, the constantly changing landscape, turning wheels and listening to the orb on the stereo... the red blue hills of west virginia.... without contrast... a beautiful palette of monochrome, bluegrass music and new encounters with strange and beautiful people of all shapes, colours and sizes... it was just what the doctor ordered.... but i promise i WAS thinking of you (and I am sure you understand the limitations placed on communication with the outside world as you are a seasoned traveler as well!!!) and I'd like to talk to you some night this week.... happy belated birthday (and international womans day!) baby! PS: are you still going to the orphanage and if so, when? much love C |
| 20th March 2006 Ram | - From: off to a great start The correct name of the driver, I guess, is Padmanabhan which is a popular south Indian name. |
| 18th March 2006 Jyotsna | Hello! - From: Holy Holi! Hi Mariellen, It's good to read and also see that you are really enjoying yourself in India. Jyotsna |
| 18th March 2006 Pravin Gupta | Pondi, Life of PI, and other details.. - From: Le Pondicherry Hi Lemon, and Marianne, There never was a zoo in Pondy. I should know, I have been living here for 40 years! As for the other landmarks, yes the India Coffee house is still here, and still serves very good coffee. And there is a Botanical garden, where there is a mini train which runs between two tiny stations. One tidbit of infm for you, I was a lad of 10 when the train service was introduced for the public at the Botanical Garden, and I was the chappie who was dressed as a Train Conductor and flagged it on its inaugural run..There is small establishment called the Jawahar Bal Bhavan inside the Botanical Garden, and I was a member of this school for talented children. I am happy that Lemon found Pondy a fascinating and peaceful place. Yes, the culture and society of Pondy is unique, and a visit to Pondy is a must for every traveller to India. Pravin Gupta guptapravin@hotmail.com |
| 13th March 2006 Mette | tough decisions makes tough prosesses - From: Old Delhi It seems hard on you now, India is reallly going under your skin, isnŽt it...Perhaps this is just another way of getting to know India, by "the belly"? All the best to you, my friend. Thank you for lovely fotos and txt, makes me dream about a next trip, another time. If you find this quiet spot, I think mabe IŽll find you there, in a couple og years or so! M- |
| 13th March 2006 Claire B | I agree with Alison! - From: B-Day in Delhi You look wonderful! Happy birthday! So happy to see your blog. Made it home safe and heard from PIKI that she stayed for the two week Power of Yoga and was loving it. Daily classes with Desikachar. Amazing. Enjoy the rest of your trip. I'll follow it via the blog! Thanks for all you contributed to our group in Chennai, it would not have been the same without you! xo, Claire |
| 10th March 2006 Deb | Happy B-day! - From: B-Day in Delhi What a time for birthdays! (My sis, niece & nephew all on March 9!) Sounds as though you had a wonderful day -- the place clearly agrees with you, in your pics you look truly radiant -- more like a young Hilary Weston touring the 'colonies' than a 'roughing it' backpacker -- kudos & birthday wishes! |
| 10th March 2006 anonymous | - From: B-Day in Delhi Happy B-day (didn't know) Gosia |
| 9th March 2006 Alison | You look radiant! - From: B-Day in Delhi Happy belated birthday mariellen! It sounds like an absolutely glorious day. A chai toast to a new year, and may it be as full of growth and happiness as the last. On another note, I have been following your journeys on and off since you left, and I must say you are looking positively radiant! I've always felt that a flower will bloom brightest in its natural habitat, and the way you have taken to India (and India has taken to you), it is easy to see where your roots run deep. All the love in the world to you Mariellen, and may the path before you be filled with learning, growth, and love. In balance and good health, Ali xx |
| 9th March 2006 Mary Lynn | Another orbit - From: B-Day in Delhi MEW, I'm so glad you're getting so much from life's journey right now. Congratulations on another orbit around the sun! |
| 9th March 2006 Shelly | Happy Birthday Mariellen - From: B-Day in Delhi Sounds like you had a wonderful day. That little Varada is so cute. It must be a lot of fun to have her around. You're so lucky to have such nice people to stay with. Can't wait to read about the second part of your trip. |
| 8th March 2006 Rohan Jayasekera | Happy birthday! - From: friends and teachers Happy birthday, Mariellen! |
| 6th March 2006 Pauline | any problems entering temples? - From: goodbye Chennai I was wondering if you had any problems entering temples as a Westerner and in non traditional dress (meaning salwar instead of saree)I always thought white was the color of mourning in India and yet I see you wearing white alot , can you fill me in? I am American married to a man from Chennai so I enjoy learning through your journal and love to see the pictures. |
| 5th March 2006 CHRISSY | half empty or full? - From: goodbye Chennai you say that you can't believe that the trip is half way finished and I can't believe that you still have half to go!!!! I remember saying that you would be back before anyone here missed you as time always seems to zip by when you are at home, toiling away at your regular routine... but I have to swallow my words now becasue I miss you a lot and thought that you were at least 3/4's of the way through your journey as I am so excited for your return! I have a student in one of my yoga classes who speaks very fondly of rosemary... she has been attending my class in her absense as she says we share a similar style!!! I feel like Ive met her before (rosemary) but am not sure and you should tell her her studnet speaks highly of her and she is also missed! I cant wait to see you in the summer and am bound and determined to camp every weekend (i mean it). ive opened up my weekends already and am planning my camping agenda so I hope you are on board. it will make for a restful and peaceful intergration back in to toronto, home and all that goes along with these notions i hope! Love You! Christine |
| 5th March 2006 AC | Uh not really - From: Le Pondicherry >getting romantic. Men hold hands all over India, not just in its most romantic city. Growing up there, it is common, but not romantic. And homosexuality was rare as that seems to be the inclination here. |
| 3rd March 2006 Vic | very calm - From: yoga, life etc. You seem very calm and engaged - perhaps two of your favourite ways to be?? You also look amazing. I am a little under the weather. Vancouver was van-tastic (going from above 0 to way below it in one week has caused a bit of havoc with my immune system) I want to move to Tofino. But that is a longer, more personal email to my sis. Happy for you, love bics |
| 27th February 2006 Vivian Ward | you - From: yoga, life etc. Mariellen, I'm reading an inner contentment, in you than I've ever known you to have. I am happy for you. Continue to enjoy and grow. |
| 25th February 2006 Rohan Jayasekera | KYM - From: yoga, life etc. KYM seems like quite a wonderful place. |
| 25th February 2006 chrissy | yoga is love - From: yoga, life etc. hi, Oh....... thanks for going into details about your course. It gives me a lot of hope as I know Yoga to be the entity that you have described here and these are the reasons i live, love, create and breathe!!!!!!!! I will have to start saving up to visit mysels soon and can't wait to hear more and practice with you when you return. Love you! |
| 23rd February 2006 chrissy | holding hands - From: Le Pondicherry Ah, interesting. Andrews father always holds his hand and I have often thought it to be such an endearing gesture... of course, its cultural! I should have known! |
| 22nd February 2006 mychael | looks like bahut fun! - From: Le Pondicherry absolutely lovely photos. India is almost as beautiful as LA... only we have more yoga and vegetarians here. |
| 20th February 2006 cynthia willemsen | namaste - From: Le Pondicherry you have no idea how much i adore your missives!! every day i read your entries with eager anticipation and it takes me right back to india!! your words are so evocative and the photos excellent in quality and choice. thank you for sharing your journey with all of us lucky observers. tell us more about the yoga if you can. just a note re: auroville, where i have been longing to go - i'm doing a gurdjieff course and my teacher just got back from a month in south india and found auroville highly disappointing. he reported it was insular, unwelcoming and they just had 2 incidents of women being attacked!! so sounds like you're not missing much. when are you back to delhi? cyn |
| 20th February 2006 Vic | thoughtfulblog - From: Le Pondicherry Lemon, I think your last blog was very interesting (although this French colonial town looks really great!)and it really provoked some good discussion. I guess you hit the blog sweet spot! Blogs are supposed to inspire such exchanges aren't they? I'm not exactly sure why misery is more "real" than joy.... but perhaps that is another blog! Off to Vancouver until March 1st, my first trip out there!!! Love you. |
| 20th February 2006 Marianne | Checking in - From: Le Pondicherry Pondicherry! Where Life (of Pi) begins. Did you see a zoo anywhere? Tigers roaming loose? Really, really busy these days, cousin, but I never miss an entry. You look great. Love, M. |
| 17th February 2006 christine | reality is as reality does - From: the real world Of course, as a visual artist, i have to agree with you totally about reality being based on subjective perception. I like that you have rather haphazzardly included the pink shanty home in your photos. I think it expresses an interesting and important question about subjectivity. |
| 17th February 2006 Gosia | - From: the real world You need to go to the third world country only once to know what real poverty is all about…to discover the smells, the noises, crowds and garbage of different and very often unimaginable dimensions. Mariellen - your compassion and subtlety about it is so right! |
| 17th February 2006 Shelly | Hi Mariellen - From: the real world I appreciate your sensitive approach to photographing people and places there. I can understand how it might feel a little weird to go around taking pictures of people's misfortune. I'm really enjoying the stories and photos and look forward to each new entry. By the way, I'm not sure how many people are at KYM, but Rosemary Antze is coming with a group of people sometime soon, maybe this week and my friend Melissa will be with them. Look for a tall, very friendly girl from Texas. I'm teaching her class for her while she's away. Take care. |
| 17th February 2006 Andy | Oh! -Hookey! - From: the real world I thought you said you were "playing hockey" and read for three paragraphs before I said "when is she going to start talking about hockey?"....just so you know Canada has wayyy more medals than India at the Olympics.... |
| 17th February 2006 Shawn | Thank you - From: the real world Mariellen, Thank you for honouring my request. I have been enjoying all the pictures you have taken since your arrival, and I feel even more of a sense of understanding with the pictures you included today. Being nice has nothing to do with reality, and, I understand your friend's wish to conform. If you have read Siddhartha, you will remember that it was his witnessing of the suffering that motivated him to work for the benefit of all sentient beings and awoke his compassion for others. Before then, Siddhartha had never been exposed to anything but beauty and positivity and had no motivation to change anything. I was more moved today by those pictures than any of the others, although the others were beautiful, but more moved today, in a heartfelt way. Thank you again, and I wish you all the best with your studies and experience, and look forward to more blogs. Shawn |