 Mariellen Ward - lemonindi | All Comments |
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| 14th November 2009 Bahu Virupaksha | The Other side of Pondicherry - From: Le Pondicherry I live in Pondicherry and therefore am able to see a side of Pondicherry that you as a tourist did not, or could not grasp. First, Pondicherry has the highest suicide rate in the country and the goons who are in Government in that place are hardly bothered about it. Second, almost the entire politics of the state in the hands of two or three families and there is no real concern about the future of the place. Because Pondicherry is a small place, everyone has access to the politicians and even murder gets covered up by the politicians on the basis of the ususal monetary consideration. In Pondiocherry Univerrsity, a number of crimes have taken place but there has been no serious inverstigation. In fact even an employee was murdered so as to protect the higher ups in the University. And in another case a dalit girl was done to death and the University turned a blind eye. So before you glirify the place see around and you will reaslise that all is not well. |
| 26th October 2009 Vinod Kumar | Welcome to India - From: Raiwala Village I am really proud of my country and it is nice to known that you had a good time there. But if you face any inconvenienace or any thing wrong or disrespectful, Please dont' blame the whole country. Because in last few dacade, People of India have become little rude. My foreign women have been raped or assaulted in some way. So, Be careful my dear. India has a saying "Atithi devo Bhava" in Hindu Culture that mean A guest is Like God - God may visit you as a guest. Welcome you..... |
| 8th October 2009 Mahesh | Reaction to you India Adventure - From: Let's keep the conversation going Greetings & Best Wishes, Mariellen! After reading your India experiences (which I found while searching for pictures) I felt you discovered serenity and a purpose for life from an otherwise chaotic India. With this said, I feel like sharing the following, written long ago. NATURE OF SILENCE So heavy is Her weight Infinite black holes bend and dissipate. So light is Her aura Infinite thoughts wither away without another word. So loving is Her nature She roams over not only on the flower’s beauty, but Also over its death. As I wish you peace, I also wish you much success in what you are doing. |
| 1st October 2009 Vivek Dua | Reach Aurovalley Ashram - From: India Thrice: Rishi-pics Hi, I am Vivek Dua from Delhi. I was looking for a place near to delhi like Aurovalley Ashram is explained in this blog. It would be a great help if I get complete address of Aurovalley Ashram. Any other information about the Aurovalley Ashram would be a great help too like visit day/time, advance appointment, charges etc.. |
| 30th September 2009 jaswinder | - From: 24 hours in Karnal City is a good city |
| 15th August 2009 gauri sachar | information - From: India Thrice: Back at Aurovalley Ashram may I please have the ashrams phone number and know the cost and what we will have there to be relaxed and learn |
| 12th August 2009 vijaypal singh | love - From: Raiwala Village i like my pleace. and i miss too.i miss my freinds my childwood.when im baby.but now im in d jorden.love u miss u. |
| 11th August 2009 maie | just found yr blog - From: Let's keep the conversation going and found yr article on Matador - I love India too - (and live near Toronto) - looking forward to reading your articles |
| 7th August 2009 Sister Tinh Quang | Keeping in Touch - From: Let's keep the conversation going Hi, Mariellen. Just to keep you up to date, I'm in Vietnam now. Being near Wi Fi is iffey, so I haven't kept up a blog. Thanks for the recommendation of the ASUS. I've been able to prepare teachings for the Fall. I spent the first 2 weeks here in the hospital, with Swine Flu. That took a while to get over, and I feel much better now. I'm still enjoying your blog. |
| 6th July 2009 mukesh bisht | GREAT PIC. - From: Raiwala Village THESE PICTURES ARE GREAT |
| 1st July 2009 ravi | who r u - From: Raiwala Village bhai ho kon jo raiwala ke bare me itna type kar raha hai jo,,,,,,,,,,,......... |
| 24th May 2009 Adele | Lovely pictures and narrative - From: India Thrice: Ashram Life in Rishikesh Thank you for your beautiful pictures and narratives. :) They gave a face to the places that you have been. Enjoy your journey. |
| 17th April 2009 isha | Jaipur--- Ghoom lo - From: India Thrice: My golden triangle -- Jaipur, Delhi, Toronto jaipur also known as pink city. nice blog. you can also get more information from ghoomlo dot com treavel site |
| 11th April 2009 Kumar Arindam | Hello Mariellen Ward - From: India Thrice: Rishi-pics Hello!... this is the astrologer you met at Rishikesh. You visited me at my place and thereafter I joined you up to Anand Prakash Ashram as I had to meet Viswaketu. Hope you remember now. well, I read some of your blogs and learned that you are still in India somewhere in Rajasthan. Keep it up as you yet to explore lot many things... best wishes. Arindam |
| 10th April 2009 Pushkar Kumar | Dream Villege Raiwala - From: Raiwala Village Thanks lovely lady 4 visiting YOGA Vill Raiwala. I m glad to see my vill on world map. May the Almighty again force u 2 visit Raiwala. |
| 7th April 2009 axw11 | a Travelogue - From: India Thrice: Poolside in Jaipur you can surely write a travelogue of sorts [just a suggestion].....ur blog has an excellent narrative....atleast i will buy :D Njoy...me an indian missing home in a far away cold land :( |
| 6th April 2009 the_wooh | oh, the colour - From: India Thrice: Poolside in Jaipur I think I would like Indai very much. The colour is super-natural and in my experience of the places I have loved... this colour radiates from the hearts of the people who live there! I am lining up a space for you to teach your teen class at...touch base and I can share this with you :) |
| 21st March 2009 Brian Bezaire | - From: India Thrice: Ashram Life in Rishikesh Your searching sounds sincere and committed but still fresh and fun loving. I'm enjoying the read. |
| 19th March 2009 Deb | Beautiful words and pictures - From: India Thrice: Ashram Life in Rishikesh Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Feel like I'm along for the ride! |
| 18th March 2009 lil sis | lovely - From: India Thrice: Ashram Life in Rishikesh I love the sound of this ashram. So beautiful and peaceful. Your friends seem great. I am so happy you are having such a great time!!! xoxoxoxox |
| 18th March 2009 Shelly | - From: India Thrice: Ashram Life in Rishikesh Love these photos! Nice to see Vishva. He looks like he was having fun. |
| 18th March 2009 Arun Mehta | - From: India Thrice: Ashram Life in Rishikesh Marriellen , I think this is your best writing. You must write a book about your travels in India...leave some stuff off your blog for the book for paying readers lol.. wishing you a safe journey thru Bharat Mata.. Arun |
| 18th March 2009 Yogi Steven | enjoyed meeting you and reading this post - From: India Thrice: Ashram Life in Rishikesh Yes, Anand Prakash is a very nice please with a wonderful yoga hall. Nice post, it captures the feeling here very nicely. Please tell me who you to for the vedic astrology and ayurvedic reading. Steven yogateatime.com |
| 18th March 2009 Vijay | Life in India is tough - From: India Thrice: Ashram Life in Rishikesh I am greatly enjoying your narratives on India. Am an Indian myself and I just want your readers to notice that living is hard in India at a grassroot level. You may imagine how these people are working laboriously to earn enough money to make life just a day longer. On the other side are people with wealth, people who are fortunate to have enough money to see all this happening in real. There is a sharp contrast in living standards even within India, leaving aside North America. Additionally, life may be calm and peaceful, but it is certainly not evolving. Rishikesh and Haridwar, as you see them now, were very similar 30 years ago also. Hardly anything has changed, may be quality of roads. If development is coming these people's way, we should be feeling good rather than thinking that the culture is being lost. Given a chance, these people are very likely to choose western style development over present. |
| 17th March 2009 Manu | - From: peace on earth aurovalley ashram es lo mejor visitenlo cuando puedan si estan por esos lados, estoy seguro que pronto volvere =) |
| 8th March 2009 Rohan | Happy birthday! - From: India Thrice: Back at Aurovalley Ashram Happy birthday from the old country :) |
| 6th March 2009 the_wooh | in...vocation? - From: India Thrice: Back at Aurovalley Ashram a lovely entry. Thanks :) |
| 6th March 2009 linda Montgomery | Happy Birthday !! - From: India Thrice: Back at Aurovalley Ashram Have an amazing birthday in India!! happy happy birthday wishes, love & many blessing to you... Love Linda xoxox |
| 6th March 2009 arun mehta | venus it is! - From: India Thrice: Back at Aurovalley Ashram Mariellan Yes that is venus.. it is crescent shape if you look with binos.. it is the brightest object in the sky right now next to moon Thanks for sharing Arun |
| 4th March 2009 lil sis | wow - From: India Thrice: Rhythms of Benares This is your best blog yet. These people sound like amazing individuals. Although the place does seem enormously intense it seems to me that no one could ignore the depth of humanity that exitst there. Bravo!!! |
| 3rd March 2009 Sister Tinh Quang | THANK YOU - From: India Thrice: Rhythms of Benares Mariellen, I've enjoyed reading all of the entries to your blog, but for some reason this one really resonated with me. I felt like I was there with you. Thanks so much for the experience. |
| 2nd March 2009 lil sis | dreamy - From: India Thrice: Sublime Varanasi your blogs are totally dreamy. How lovely to read about a warm, mystical place from my log cabin deep in the Canadian winter. Your trip is sounding better and better. The burning pyres on the river must have been so profound. Great pictures too! You look so happy. Miss you!! |
| 2nd March 2009 Abhinay Srivastava | Re: Hey - From: India Thrice: Sublime Varanasi Hey, My friend recommended this blog of yours. I am fascinated by your experiences and the narrative put forth int he blog. I am truly looking at Indian from a Westerners prespective. My parents are from Varanasi but my dad migrated to Bombay in 1974 because of the economic boom. Just like people migrated to London from towns in England and then to US. In the process of migration that was the first stage of losing the culture even though it was emigration.. I am the second offspring of my dad and I moved to US just like Europeans did in 1800s. In the process of second migration, I have lost it all. I am now based out of Little Rock, Arkansas. This is termed as the bible belt of United states. I really enjoy this place. I grew up in a catholic school in Bombay and migrating to Little Rock was an experience.Even though I moved to Dallas first, before coming to Little Rock. After reading your blog on Varanasi, it seems like we have criss crossed latitude and longitude intersection on the globe. Facinating tubular migration in 21st century.. World is truly coming to a unified global village... I lobe your blogs:-) Keep writing.. Interesting to get a view of India from a Western perspective. |
| 1st March 2009 Shelly | - From: India Thrice: Sublime Varanasi Looks like you're having such a fantastic time. Even better than before? Love where you're staying. It looks idyllic. |
| 1st March 2009 christine | beautiful - From: India Thrice: Sublime Varanasi it looks peaceful and sublime, for sure! see you soon, lemon! |
| 1st March 2009 siobhan o | ahhh melon! - From: India Thrice: Sublime Varanasi Dear dear Mariellen, how lovely to wake up and read your blog entry - journey of the heart indeed! I'm very happy for you...keep posting. love from me to you... |
| 28th February 2009 metalfusion | incredible ! - From: I love Mysore It's really amazing to see your blog written on your experience in India :) picture of Mysore are fabulous ...Good work |
| 20th February 2009 Arun mehta | ok now i am jealous!! - From: India Thrice: In Jaisalmer again I envy you for sleeping under the moonless starry nights in Rajasthan! I wonder if i can come down there with my three teenage kids and our telescope..for march Break! lol |
| 19th February 2009 Lisa | Your wonderful India writings - From: India Thrice: In Jaisalmer again Mariellen, I am writing to say how much I'm enjoying your India blogs. Your love for the country sure comes through, and I can almost hear/smell/see what you're describing. I am glad to see your photos illustrating the stories. What a terrific combination. Lisa |
| 19th February 2009 sheila | Wow - From: India Thrice: Magical Jaisalmer Jaislamer looks amazing. Wish I could time travel and join you there for a few days or weeks. Snow is finally melting here. Jack talked about you and Sydney in the bath tub the other night. Said he was going to visit you. I told him you were in India and you got there by an airplane, he seemed very impressed but wondered what happened to Sydney. I think he is really taken with Sydney. Well enjoy the rest of your travels... Your pictures are amazing. xoxo /s |
| 17th February 2009 Kaushik | Sensitive and compassionate - From: India Thrice: Udaipur vs reality This piece reflects a tremendous understanding and patience for our country,India, through foreign eyes.Truly appreciated by an Indian. |
| 17th February 2009 Kaushik | Sensitive and compassionate - From: India Thrice: Udaipur vs reality This piece reflects a tremendous understanding and patience for our country,India, through foreign eyes.Truly appreciated by an Indian. |
| 16th February 2009 lemonindi | LAWRENCE - From: India Thrice: Magical Jaisalmer Yes, it's true, Lawrence of Arabia did cross my mind... but this desert, this culture, is not Arab. These people are Hindu, and Indian. So for me, it's the best of all possible combinations. I am seriously considering staying in Jaisalmer, or riding off into the great Thar desert in a camel caravan ..... |
| 14th February 2009 Deb | Thank you - From: India Thrice: Magical Jaisalmer Love "travelling" along with you, Mariellen! Great pics, too. Most of all, happy to see you so content, back in the arms of India! |
| 14th February 2009 arun mehta | sufi music - From: India Thrice: Magical Jaisalmer Mariellen, Many thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts about Rajasthan...Sufi music is mesmerizing and sometimes haunting..the Kawalis can go on and on all night... i remember listening to some sufi music on my honeymoon in Lake Palace.. the music was magical...and still brings goosebumps on my skin ... after 19 years...hmmm Enjoy India and keep on sharing with us with this wonderful medium ...the web Arun |
| 13th February 2009 andy | - From: India Thrice: Magical Jaisalmer This might be the first blog entry where i was really freakin' jealous for not being there with you...riding a camel in the deset! Just like Lawence of Arabia....only perhaps less dandyish.. |
| 9th February 2009 michele | india x 3 - From: India Thrice Travel safe and keep your heart and mind open for the opportunities that present themselves. Can't wait to hear all about it. By the way, I received an award for best family travel feature for my Switzerland story from Travel Media Association of Canada. Wow! |
| 5th February 2009 nitin negi | village of dreams - From: Raiwala Village It was really great to see my villages pics on net . these r so beautiful that i dont have words to express..... When u r next planning to visit the heaven on earth (raiwala village) |
| 4th February 2009 Sister Tinh Quang | - From: India Thrice: Return of the native I'm very happy that you made it safely back to your second home. I'm looking forward to reading more of your adventures. |
| 25th January 2009 AnnaAdventuring | - From: India Thrice Wonderful photos of an amazing place. I've recently just returned from my third trip to India (and struggling to get organised about the blogs!) It's such an amazing country and I wish I could have longer to explore it. I look forward to seeing more of your blogs as it looks like you will be travelling to areas I haven't as yet been lucky enough to see. Enjoy your travels. |
| 6th December 2008 chander | from raiwala - From: peace on earth I myself is from Raiwala village(india) and each word said is so true that i feel very proud u visited our village to carry good memories with u.thanks a lot |
| 2nd November 2008 gaurav | wonderful pics of karnal - From: 24 hours in Karnal City hi mariellen u have been to karnal..which place in karnal u find most attractive? |
| 24th October 2008 Raj | travelling around North India - From: peace on earth Really itz excellent travelling Exprience in those places Raj www.indiantourandtravel.com |
| 13th September 2008 Mrs.Upasana Rayal | - From: Raiwala Village I am a permanent resident of Raiwala village who is working as a teacher in Raiwala....It was fun to seemy own village photographs on net and especially seeing the village by your eyes is a wonderful experience...........thankyou so much for your precious words |
| 9th June 2008 Mircea | Scandal Point - From: Simla ... and heat and dust ... Hi, I'm a college student specialising in colonial Indian history and I came across your page while searching for pictures of Shimla. You might have already found this out by now, but "Scandal Point" is so named because upper-class British ladies loved to congregate here at sunset and gossip about the recent goings-on around the hill station (most of it was indeed scandalous). Just a bit of info in case you wanted to know. Great blog and wonderful descriptions! |
| 25th April 2008 alejandra | - From: peace on earth i've been there, in fact i came back from the ashram like 2 weeks ago... it is heaven on earth... it is, i just can't wait to go back... i've found my home. |
| 21st April 2008 punitha | you missed - From: Le Pondicherry hey having seen so much in pondicherry, how come you missed th e JWALA HOME FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED at ariyankuppam, where children do beautiful beads &jewllery, fabric painting works etc |
| 18th February 2008 Margaret | Margi - From: Shinshiva Wow. What a place . Its look very cute. Beaches all around Shinshiva. Great Hospitality |
| 17th January 2008 lemonindi | Thank you - From: Raiwala Village Thank you for the comment. I think you are very lucky -- I love Raiwala village and the incredibly warm and friendly people there. I never wanted to leave! |
| 11th January 2008 Akhilesh Giri | India->Uttrakhand(Uttranchal)->Dehradoon->Raiwala - From: Raiwala Village Feels nice to see my own village here. I know every person in your photos. |
| 21st December 2007 Deb | beautiful photos - From: India Redux: Family celebrations Just love your photos, Mariellen, and reading your blog is like a virtual trip in itself! Deb |
| 15th December 2007 marilyn minden | full to brimming! - From: India redux: Rishikesh Hi Mariellen, I feel full just reading your latest journal. How full of heart and soul! marilyn |
| 15th December 2007 Arun mehta | beautiful writing Mariellen ! - From: India redux: Rishikesh I have often felt unexplanable peace around some rare individuals like you feel around swamiji . I was born in India and everytime i travel there it grabs me by my soul and shakes up my conciousness. To witness the contrasts in life and trying to explain them in earthly terms makes you question your own affluence and its origin. Suddenly God seems possible! Arun |
| 9th November 2007 drprem | inspired - From: 24 hours in Karnal City dear meriellen i am inspired to see the quality. can you give me some tips pl. thanks prem |
| 15th October 2007 Pam | Bon Voyage! - From: India, round two I'm a fellow PWACer, and I've enjoyed your posts there. I'm looking forward to reading about your new adventures in India! Pam |
| 15th October 2007 Deb | Bon voyage - From: India, round two Have a wonderful trip, Mariellen! I just got back from 3+ weeks in Madagascar so we'll have to catch up when you're back in town. Bon voyage! |
| 10th January 2007 Ali Glorys | I have been there, too! - From: city scenes I lived for 4 years (1998-2000) in South Delhi (Lajpat Nagar, Defence Colony, Karol Bagh, etc.) Your blog made me remember all those beautiful days. It is weird that you find India unpleasant at first sight but every second day you start feeling you are falling love with her!!! I am planning to settle down in South Dehli for good. Hurray! |
| 14th November 2006 Rosanne | paradise! - From: peace on earth Oh Mariellen, what a wonderful experience. The way you described everything... the beauty of the place and people...that is a blessing forever. Thanks for sharing it! Rosanne |
| 6th June 2006 Prashant | Extraordinary experience - From: soul's journey Mariellen, Just read all your blogs and you are good at looking beyond the usual in India, and appreciating it. India is the mother of the legends and father of real spirituality, and I love it too. May God bless you. Prashant Cinicinnati, Ohio |
| 6th June 2006 Tessa | - From: soul's journey Such a beautiful telling of your soul's Indian journey. and reading it resonated with my own Indian journey and odyssey. A country that for all its annoyances get right under your skin and into your very fibre and leaves you changed for the better for ever. |
| 1st June 2006 Mette | Well Done! - From: soul's journey Dear Mariellen, thank you for all your words, your fotos and most of all; your inner thoughts shining through every written line. This have been a wonderful trip also for me to follow, and perhaps you understand why. I know, going to India is much, much more than just taking a trip somewhere. I hope we will send a few mails to each other now and then, sorting out the mysteries of life. I often think of Shin Shiva, with gratitude. I can only imagine how this must be for you, frankly - i thought you were going to stay and become "Indian". But perhaps you don´t need to, you´ve got it in you! Take care, love from Mette. |
| 1st June 2006 Arnab | Thanks - From: soul's journey I am an Indian who has been living abroad all my life. Your writing is something I have been looking forward to for the past 6 months ! This piece of yours has brought tears to my eyes and I felt compelled to write something :) I too am returning to my India for good after 17 long years outside. I wish you happiness and God's choicest blessings ! |
| 1st June 2006 Christina from Rishikesh | Thank You! - From: soul's journey Dear Mariellen, being able to share your travels with you was very inspiring and I want to thank you so much. I hope you got nearer to peace through your journey and wish you all the best for your future. Take care, Christina |
| 1st June 2006 Vittal | Safe Journey - From: soul's journey I have been reading your blogs on regular basis. It was always interesting to see my country thru your eyes. Very balanced writing. By the way, you hardly look 46! :) Safe journey home! |
| 1st June 2006 chrissy | hibiscus - From: peace on earth ah, the hibiscus flower! i read this blog after i read the very last one... which makes sense, i think. the habiscus flower grows in northern australia and really really reminds me of my care free years as a child in the long, humid rainy days on the esplanade in queensland. The vibrant pink ones are my all time favorite! How did you know? Love C |
| 1st June 2006 chrissy | the universal "home" - From: soul's journey Once again, you have not failed to move me to tears with your poetic and emotionally uninhibited, and thus "wise" ways! Something I like to say, a personal "mantra" that passes through my head from time to time, is, "that some people are rivers and some people are bridges"... there have been times in my life when i have been a river, running through places and people and things, full of renewable energy, different everytime I was gazed upon but leading the wandering eye someplace else and taking the heart's gaze to the infinate sea. There have been other times in my life when i have been a bridge; strong and stable and old, taking the weight of the universe on and allowing passage to and from places... It is not easy to be a bridge or a river.... but I understand what it is like to be both. Supporting you on your journey was my pleasure and please remember this: rivers always remember where they came from and the places they run through and where they empty into the sea and bridges always remember where they root into the earth and what crosses over them. So, my friend, the moral of my funny story is now it is time to just be a river or be a bridge and shift easily between the two: TAT VAM ASI/ THOU ARE THAT! love Chrissy |
| 31st May 2006 sonali | All the best for the future! - From: soul's journey Mariellen, Though we didnt spend much time together, each time we met, i had a wonderful time. We somehow got along pretty well. Its a pity we couldnt go out together much, maybe next time! I hope you found what u were looking for through these 6 months of travel and experiences. Have a safe journey back home, and im glad to have made a new friend! I will be meeting you tomorrow, and i hope the next time after this wont be too far away. Finally, heres wishing you everything good! Every star a guiding one. Every sky a blue one. Every heart an open one, Every friend a true one. Every dream a lasting one. Every song a bright one. Every path an easy one. Every turn the right one. Your someone ill always wish good things for.... :) - Sona |
| 31st May 2006 Michelle Patey | Sad and Glad You're Coming Home - From: soul's journey Well, dear friend, I'm sorry you're leaving a place that's dug its way into your heart and soul, but it will be wonderful to see your smile in person. Have a safe trip home! |
| 31st May 2006 Tis41 | Safe journey back - From: soul's journey I will be saddened to not be able to read your adventures in India anymore. I have read all of your entries many times over, and I must say you have changed a lot of my outlook on things here in India. Being American and being married to an Indian for the last four years and living most of that time here in Delhi has been very challenging for me, and not always the best of times, due to the religious and culture differences. I have never had a positive outlook on anything here until I started reading your journals. Seeing how you see things, it opened my eyes and helped me to accept and understand the differences in our cultures. I thank you for that, and also for sharing your wonderful photos and giving us all a look into your life for the last six months. I do pray you get to come back to India, and as you have mentioned many times, India seems to suit you, and in return, you suit India. God bless you on your return home and may you have a safe journey! |
| 31st May 2006 Shelly | - From: Raiwala Village What a great end to your trip! I will miss reading these blogs in the morning, but it will be good to see you when you get back. Be sure to drop by the "hood" for a tea on the front porch. |
| 29th May 2006 Gosia Pacyna | - From: Raiwala Village "human communication" - good ending to this chapter of your trip. Safe trip to Toronto! |
| 29th May 2006 Deb | Welcome home - From: Raiwala Village Have loved your blog, Mariellen! And so many amazing photos, very evocative. Hope your return to T.O. isn't too traumatic -- will be great to see you & hear about your adventures in person! |
| 29th May 2006 les127 | good reading - From: Raiwala Village ive really enjoyed your travels .so envious.will miss them when you leave india |
| 29th May 2006 les127 | good reading! - From: Raiwala Village ive really enjoyed reading your journals.ill be sad when you leave iondia.im from the uk. |
| 29th May 2006 David McLachlan | Speaking of Brigadoon... - From: peace on earth Doesn't Gene Kelly realize his love of Brigadoon when he's back in New York and then goes back to Scotland to stay there at the end....hmmm |
| 22nd May 2006 leslie | thanks - From: city scenes its great that you take time out to write these logs.i go to goa each of last 4 years for two weeks only and cant wait to get back this xmas and new year.i would love to travel across india like you have ,im so envious.im 45 and wife 44 from england.wish id done it when i was younger.too late now,not too worry though.look after yourself and have a happy life. |
| 22nd May 2006 Sona | - From: city scenes Your snap with the soda has come out very nice! :) You forgot to mention Gyans hehe |
| 16th May 2006 Ed Viswanathan | Very beautiful travel log--Keep it up - From: pictures namasthe Mariellen Ward: Very beautiful travel log. Your touching remarks are very thought provoking. I wish you could write more about the Hindu beliefs and rituals. On my Part, I amthe author of the international best seller AM I A HINDU? [ http://amiahindu.com/ ] If you wish to have a complimentary copy, please write to me edvis9@hotmail.com Take care |
| 16th May 2006 Kailash | better late than never - From: dog days of Delhi Mariellen, I and Mohini have seen your blog first time. It is marvellous journey! I am sure you are full with so much of exposure with India's land and people, that I can predict that Diwali 2006 will be "here & Now" in India. Cheers. |
| 13th May 2006 chrissy | ride from airport - From: dog days of Delhi hey! I should be able to pick you up on the 28th (which i believe is a sunday) but could you call me and give me the flight details etc????? so excited to see you! its been a long year after all. Christine |
| 10th May 2006 Michelle Bullard | YAY! - From: dog days of Delhi Thanks again, Mariellen, for sharing your experiences with us! I'm sorry to hear of your return date, but so pleased I'll be seeing you again soon! |
| 3rd May 2006 Tamara | hiya! - From: Simla ... and heat and dust ... Just arrived back from our own overseas adventure. Scotland was breathtaking in a COMPLETELY different sort of way. What an unbelievably diverse planet. It was a pleasure to sit down at the computer and catch up on your adventures. I can't believe you'll be home soon. SO looking forward to seeing you, but can't help thinking, based on your writings, that in some ways it won't entirely be a homecoming for you.... |
| 1st May 2006 Vic | Happy and healthy - From: Simla ... and heat and dust ... You look marrrvelous. Glad to hear that you are feeling better. Thanks for the blog birthday wish - my first! I spent the day bird watching with Gary at home. It is getting warm here and the bugs just came today. Simla looked fascinating but I miss the Himalayas.... |
| 30th April 2006 Anette | Glad you are feeling better - From: Simla ... and heat and dust ... Hi Mariellen, I live precariously thought your adventures in India! Thank you for putting such an effort into your blog. I read it wide-eyed and study the details of each picture. Glad to hear you are feeling better now. Hug from Anette |
| 22nd April 2006 Tsering | Good bye and have a safe journey - From: leaving Mcleod Ganj Hi Mariellen, I have read your journal of today and sorry to hear that you are leaving Mclead Ganj. i am really impressed your wide knowledge about tibet and its situation. I am the guy that you met in the Dogga Cafe and i hope you will be happy to know that i have got a new job just yesterday. Okay, good bye and have a safe journey and hope see u again bye-Tsering |
| 20th April 2006 Tis41 | Wonderful Job - From: through children's eyes I think its so wonderful all of the work you are doing with these most unfortunate children. I know that they will remember you all their lives. i am verymuch enjoying your journals, in fact I have read all of them. I am from USA and married to an Indian, and have lived in Delhi for almost 4 years, yet I cannot say that I have accomplished anything here. So i applaud you for all you have done, and the way you see the good things here and try to see the positive, even in the negative things. |
| 20th April 2006 Vic | Very moving blog - From: through children's eyes Wow, it sounds like you are having a very powerful experience there with the children. I am so happy to hear that there are people in the world who care about these children and that they are looked after. Children are always the real victims of politics. Take care of yourself. I love you... |
| 20th April 2006 Tis41 | Great job - From: through children's eyes I think its so wonderful all of the work you are doing with these most unfortunate children. I know that they will remember you all their lives. i am verymuch enjoying your journals, in fact I have read all of them. I am from USA and married to an Indian, and have lived in Delhi for almost 4 years, yet I cannot say that I have accomplished anything here. So i applaud you for all you have done, and the way you see the good things here and try to see the positive, even in the negative things. |
| 17th April 2006 Vic | hope you are feeling better - From: highs and lows in MG I hope this week starts off easier than last week. It is still chilly here but the snow is finally gone (yeah!) I was supposed to take some pictures for you at Kirsten's exhibition and party but I was so busy getting people food, chairs, drinks etc. I forgot. I will take some this week to send you. The children at the refuge are really beautiful, I can imagine how much better you feel when you are around them. This part of your India experience sounds challenging and kind of like a roller coaster.... bravo on having the courage to experience it. Love you. |
| 17th April 2006 cynthia willemsen | cyndia in india - From: highs and lows in MG namaste!! i'm in rishikesh doing a yoga course; i finally made it. am with vivek and adoring being here. sorry to hear about the illness. you're doing great work - keep it up!!! love cynxx |
| 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, isn´t 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 I´ll 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 |
| 10th February 2006 chrissie | my sore foot! - From: off to a great start you are funny in that way that i so appreciate! My sore foot... ha ha ha. Its definately your path to be forced by destiny to meditate your way through the first portion of your studies! It will stand you in good stead, in my opinion... as you and I both know asana is a smaller part of the very large yoga experience. It sounds so wonderful and I am truly wishing I was there with you, but my time will come when it comes! Keep me posted and write me a personal email when you can at your beloved cyber cafe! say hi to mo and tiffany for me. Christine |
| 10th February 2006 Shawn | more of the real thing - From: off to a great start I would like to see pictures of the undesirable things in India to get a more accurate perspective of the place. |
| 9th February 2006 Vic | How do you pronounce Mysore? - From: I love Mysore A good question from your friend Deb. Let us all know. Ahhh life eh? You are travelling around the exotic land of sacred animals and temples and I am spending my time fighting with our home insurance company while the temperature drops to minus 10.... Mysore does look amazing and I am very happy to hear that you actually visited a Maharaji's palace. Mom would love it. Love xoxo, your sis from the land of snow and toques! |
| 8th February 2006 Eva Innes | I loved Mysore too - From: I love Mysore Mareillene Your reactions to Mysore mirror my own. It is a lovely city...and i have some of the same photos. Glad you're having such a great time. I wish you well with your Yoga School. All the best wishes, Eva |
| 7th February 2006 Deb | Mysore question - From: I love Mysore Hey Mariellen -- as usual, great pics. Just curious, how do you pronounce Mysore? Being trapped in my all-Canadian mindset, I keep reading it as "my sore" -- not an appropriate name for such a lovely place. D. |
| 3rd February 2006 siobhan | ARjuna's penance - From: in Chennai Hey Mariellen, what synchronicity! In my class at OCAD yesterday (Thurs. FEb. 2), we were looking at the bas relief of Arjuna's penance and specifically at the detail of the cat in the bottom left of your picture. I knew I should have emailed yesterday to see if you were off to see it! I'd love to see it love to you Siobhan - we miss you but are supremely happy at what a wonderful time you are having. |
| 2nd February 2006 Vic | Rabbits! Damn you.... - From: in Chennai Gary also got me first, he looked out the window first thing in the morning and said, "hey I see some wildlife..." and then he made me guess every animal in our Peterson's guide until I said rabbits. I can't believe every month he still gets me. Well it is now groundhog day over here, not as exotic as a temple devoted to Vishnu but we have our rituals too I guess. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the carved temples. Wow. More of that please. Chennai looks very cool, so far my favourite place. Take care Lemon, love Vic. |
| 1st February 2006 Christina from Rishikesh | You are in Chennai! - From: in Chennai Dearest Mariellen! Cybercafés being what they are in India, I have only today got round to reading your blog, it is awesome! I also fell in love (you know this love and hate thing?) with India and plan to come back again soon. I met my friend OK in Delhi and we travelled Rajasthan and then Mumbai/Goa. It was fascinating :-) I have subscribed your blog and am looking forward to hearing about your yoga classes. I am looking for an ecological retreat/hotel in Kerala or Tamil Nadu - if you see something nice when travelling, could you please let me know? Good Luck for the future! Christina from Rishikesh(christina.julius@gmx.net) |
| 1st February 2006 Norma Lepa | First of February is a special day - From: in Chennai Hi Mariellen: Thanks for the wonderful travellog..I had to laugh when you said "rabbits" as I had just said it to Uncle Vic when we awoke today...yes, it's a family thing....keep safe..Love, and Kisses |
| 30th January 2006 Vic | snow, snow, snow - From: Republic Day Lemon! Looking forward to hearing about Chennai. We are having the weirdest winter! Saturday it was practically 10 degrees! and we went snowshoeing without coats. And then yesterday it snowed and snowed and snowed and then, in the middle of the night it rained! No skiing which is a drag but the warm weather is keeping us outdoors more. Lovin' the blog! |
| 28th January 2006 Lynne | - From: Republic Day Have a great trip, Mariellen! I am reading all your entries and enjoying them mucho! - Lynne |
| 27th January 2006 chrissie | in the valley of the lemon dog - From: Republic Day hey, i was wondering if you had been picking up the language? Perhaps you have (knowing you and your sensitivity for such things) and soon you will be able to, at the very least, be able to communicate with this cute little pup! tee hee hee! Love you and miss you heaps! Chrissy |
| 27th January 2006 deepti | thats my family!!! - From: Republic Day hey this is my family in delhi.im in london studying.im the daughter of the guy doing the bbq.happy to read this n see their pics.enjoy! india is great!!! |
| 25th January 2006 Gosia | - From: posh party in Panscheel Park M. Thanks for all the information re: Shinshiva. I will keep bugging you for advice on different treatments they offer some other time. You looked so radiant in that amazing sari. Good luck with your yoga course. I hope it is going to be whatever you imagined it to be. Gosia |
| 25th January 2006 Shawn | good times - From: posh party in Panscheel Park Party on sister! |
| 23rd January 2006 Shelly | - From: 24 hours in Karnal City Hey Mariellen Your blog is lots of fun to look at. It's my favourite way to procrastinate in the morning before I start work. |
| 23rd January 2006 Gosia | - From: 24 hours in Karnal City …didn’t have enough time to read your “road reports” thoroughly till now - today was the day I could savor them…truly fantastic stories. Pictures also make the text alive!! I am beginning to “work” on Stan to do ayurvedic 2 week treatments at Shinshiva this summer. One question - when is the monsoon season over in Karala, and how hot is it there July/August (the best 2 weeks time), is it at all possible to survive the heat. Can you find out from all your local contacts, please. Keep those reports rolling!!! |
| 22nd January 2006 Vic | Birds - From: Sanjay and Lodi Hey Lemon, amazing blog! I am spending this quiet Sunday afternoon finally getting to your most recent blogs. We had a big snowfall up here and last night it was -20!! Gary is watching football but I managed to get him away from the game to look at the bird picture. He could actually identify a couple! Thanks for that. Well, you look great and sound like you are having a great time. I am glad Sanjay is there with you. Love your sis. |
| 22nd January 2006 Rohan Jayasekera | Lotus Temple - From: 24 hours in Karnal City The Lotus Temple is an incredibly beautiful building. Like the Sydney Opera House but much better! I'd never heard of it before and now I want to see it "live". Thanks so much for taking that photo! |
| 21st January 2006 Rachael | Back in the Metro I see..... - From: Sanjay and Lodi I'm suprised it was that easy to leave the village to get back to the city! Kiss Sanjay for me, hoprfully I will make it back to India next year....get back to the villages, its far more interesting, more raw and less posh!! Hi hi. Namaste |
| 21st January 2006 siobhan and olivia | wow - From: Sanjay and Lodi mariellen, beautiful pictures and I think of you everyday! what an adventure - love to you, and Olivia likes your pictures xo Siobhan |
| 20th January 2006 chris | ah shucks - From: Sanjay and Lodi ah, sanjay... he looks sexy in these pictures! tell him he should call andrew and I when he returns to Canada and that i will stop by the store soon to say hi! You look like you are having a lot of fun (and radiant as usual!). I love the garden pictures... they are reminding me of the pictures of you in high park we took for your web site. You fit into any beautiful garden like a glove! |
| 19th January 2006 chris | yoga : relationships - From: back in Delhi The story of the bristish girl releasing her crab into the sea was funny to me... to think of all the relationships at play in her simple act; the fishermen who catch the crabs, the people who want to eat the crab, this women and her feelings about releasing the crab, the crab and it's 'reinvention'!!! its just a funny story! Nice pics girlfriend...You look well and good luck in with your training soon. |
| 19th January 2006 anonymous | My eyes began to tear with your descriptions... - From: back in Delhi Sivananda Ashram, the hills, the temples, the lush agriculture, Fort Cochin, wasn't it amazing? I spent my 29th b-day at malabar its BEAUTIFUL isn't it, but stayed in a very cheap hotel for 150rps. I did the house boat backwater trip with friends from the Ashram and still daydream often about its beauty, oh and the bedbugs that ate my entire body and had me itching for days after!!!ha ha. I'm so happy you went to the South...enjoy. |
| 19th January 2006 Wendy | Wow! - From: back in Delhi With no DSL yet in my Florence apt, I waited and waited for your photos to download. It was worth the wait. I must tell you that getting set up in Italy with two small children in tow, is a match for what you're going through alone in India! It's making us stronger. |
| 18th January 2006 Andy Parks | Hi! - From: back in Delhi It is so much fun reading your blog. The pictures are terrific. I loved the rice boats. Wow! Enjoy Enjoy! |
| 18th January 2006 Deb | India fix - From: back in Delhi Had to comment on your pictures, Mariellen, truly wonderful & the cutlines interesting, too! Keep 'em coming... |
| 18th January 2006 Mary Lynn | Wet blizzard - From: back in Delhi Hi Mariellen, I'm working today right beside a window on the 32nd floor of the TD Tower here in Toronto, and we're having a wet sloppy blizzard outside. The air in this office is as dry as a bone. The very best thing about my work day today has been reading this chapter of your blog and looking at your wonderful, excellent pictures. Thank you! |
| 18th January 2006 Ksenia | Hi! from the cold cold country -Russia - From: pictures Hi Mariellen! How are things over there? And where is the "soup for fishermen" thing;)? In Moscow its -31*C today- very cold! So here is a great reason for you to be more happy- hot weather. Please be well and keep in touch! Kiss |
| 12th January 2006 Shelly | - From: pictures Well it sounds and looks as though you're having a really wonderful time. You look very happy and relaxed in the photos. Looks like an amazing place to be. |
| 9th January 2006 Vic | Wow - From: pictures Oh my gosh you weren't kidding. Shinsiva looks incredible. Although it looks really meditative and beautiful, it also seems as though there is a dense amount to do and think about. Hinduism is so sensual and alive eh? I love it. Being immersed in it (the temples, the meditation, the festivals) must be so edifying. At the risk of sounding like a hippy, I think traveling to southern most point of India to watch the sun rise over three oceans must have been transcendent, only proving nirvana is everywhere! Very happy to hear your voice this morning, Klingon sounding and everything. love you! |
| 9th January 2006 Deb | Happy New Year! - From: pictures Just catching up on your blogs -- you certainly know how to ring in the New Year!! Love your pics, and sorry to hear you haven't been well (can't tell from your pictures, though, you look great). |
| 9th January 2006 Rachael | Congradulations!! - From: pictures You made it to the South yehhhh!Isn't it beautiful, the sea is so alive with spirit, the energy of the south is more tranquil then anything else I've ever witnessed. If you can try to make it to Sivananda Ashram in Trivandrum just 30min by taxi from Kovalam..300rps...lokk for my painting in Fort Cochin! |
| 9th January 2006 chrissy | - From: pictures Professionals would pale in comparison! These pictures are amazing! the panoramic of the ocean and surrounding forests, the dancer, and of course beautiful you on the terrace! You look amazing... rene's got nothing on you darling! You are missed and I am jealous (despite my yogic intention to be "in the moment") Love C |
| 7th January 2006 Jenny | Panchakarma in Kerala - From: Shinshiva I'm interested in doing a 2 wk ayurvedic retreat. How do you like it? How did you pick the place where you are staying and would you recommend it? How much? It sounds interesting. I'll follow your travels... |
| 6th January 2006 Gosia | I want to be there! - From: Shinshiva M, Kerala sounds divine! I want to study auyrvedic medicine there. Meantime write me more about full panchakarma (51 day thing) - what is it about and how much $? We don’t need to go full blast style - something in the middle. Gosia |
| 5th January 2006 Wendy | Sight - From: Shinshiva Oh my gosh I'm so envious it's killing me. No, no, I'm happy for you... really!!! Love and hugs, Wendy |
| 4th January 2006 Vic | Oh my gosh it sounds amazing - From: Shinshiva Wow you look so HAPPY! It does sound like paradise there. Watching a foot of snow fall while I write this. I just love the fact that I can think about your trip while I am shovelling snow - honestly, I am not being sarcastic. Looking forward to more pictures. Love your sis. |
| 3rd January 2006 Christine | sun glorious sun - From: leaving 2 i just spent a week in the south (miami) gawking at the outrageous american indulgence and closing my eyes as i lost myself in the radiant warmth of the sun. I did this on a budget, despite the temptation to spend, spend, spend!!!! You would have been proud. Isnt it funny that we are both considering the same larger questions from different sides of the globe? I asked myself these questions about poverty as i witnessed war vets (usually afro americans) with missing limbs begging for change on the pristine streets of south beach from women with fake breasts who turned up their fake noses and scuttered away in designer shoes to spend more money to achieve more.... integrity??? just a thought. Love C |
| 3rd January 2006 chrissy | christmas - From: Christmas Day merry merry my belle! hope yours was great...looks like a lot of fun. The children are beautiful. You are too! Love C |
| 2nd January 2006 Vic | Happy New Year Lemon! - From: leaving 2 Hey, sorry I missed your call the other day. We have had four people her for the last little while. Your blog is excellent, and you are really getting to be quite the photographer - great picture of eagles. I hope you had a great new year and you were not sad or lonely. It doesn't sound like you can be either of those things in India. I miss you! |
| 29th December 2005 Rachael | I am astonished! - From: recovery Wow, you even have television!! When are you going to Kerala? You have to experiece bith forsure, alot of people from Delhi thought I was crazy for going to the Jungle, they said "why would you go there" follow Holy Cow's example and do it all. |
| 29th December 2005 Rachael | Being spoiled are you?? - From: morning Well this is very differnt form the south my friend, we never had hot water, or servants, or home shoppers, you need to get out and experience the Real India soon, it sounds lovely!! |
| 28th December 2005 Rohan Jayasekera | Two desserts! - From: recovery I've often had to choose, with great difficulty, between crème caramel and chocolate mousse, those being my two favourite "standard" desserts. Thank you for showing me the proper solution. Rohan |
| 27th December 2005 marilyn | dec. 26th - From: Christmas Day hope you feel better soon Mariellen, you look radiant! love, Marilyn |
| 25th December 2005 The Lepas | Merry Christmas - From: Christmas Day It's a foggy and rainy Christmas morning here in Collingwood, Mariellen. We wish you a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Feel better soon. Love from all of us. |
| 23rd December 2005 deleted_10276 | Hey - From: pictures Hey i am Anand.i am a new user of Travel Blog and i am really really enchanted by things you write...its 3 am here when i am writing this...i finished reading ur read ur entire log just now :)well i live in Bombay.I am 22, i work for an indina major engineering co. i would be pleased to help you when and if you come to bombay. email me on anand_thkr@rediffmail.com please write "travel blog" in subject line c ya Anand |
| 23rd December 2005 gosia | - From: pictures I hope you will get my private e-mail, but I had some technical problems to send it - if not - Merry Christmas! Be well! We are going away tomorrow for a week to Mexico - Sydney is staing with us thanks to my "plant person" who agreed to feed her. by Gosia |
| 23rd December 2005 Barb | Wow! - From: pictures It's so amazing to vicariously travel with you and share in your experiences.What a journey you are on in every way. |
| 20th December 2005 Shelly | Hi Indian Mariellen - From: Qutb Minar I'm jealous of your Indian wardrobe, but you poor thing you're missing Christmas and all the snow, which has turned a lovely crunchy grey. The photos are great. |
| 20th December 2005 Victoria | sis' - From: Qutb Minar Hey you are definitely feeling better. Your pictures are fantastic and you are finally writing like the great writer that you are! (not that your previous blogs were bad... oooo is this a sister email or what? C'mon you have to miss me being a downer!) Very happy you are having a wonderful adventure, Mom would be thrilled! |
| 19th December 2005 Marilyn | glad you are feeling better! - From: Qutb Minar Hello Mariellen, I am enjoying your "letters" so much. Really getting a sense of your adventures. I'm glad that you are feeling better. |
| 16th December 2005 Marianne | Great shoes! - From: shoes Sorry you're not feeling well, cousin. But the shopping is surely compensation. The blog is great; I read it faithfully. |
| 15th December 2005 Rohan Jayasekera | Commuting - From: the doctor Ajay's mother has it right. My parents in Montreal are snowbirds, but instead of going to Florida during the winter they go to Sri Lanka where they have a small place (attached to my mother's sister's house, with a door in between so the dwellings can be either separate or together). They're mostly settled in Montreal so they only spend two months there (January and February); in March it's already starting to get hot in Sri Lanka and southern India. |
| 14th December 2005 Shelly | - From: the doctor Mariellen these are so much fun to read. I'm glad to hear that you have friends to stay with for the first part of your trip. It makes settling in a lot easier. I hope you feel better soon. Can't wait to read what's next! |
| 14th December 2005 anonymous | - From: earthquake the Ayurvedic resort is a greatidea! It should be the TLC that you need to help you adjust.... just what the doctor ordered. if you are anything like me, its a very fine line when it comes to yoga and a challenged immune system.... if you are too weak I find it can be the straw that breaks the camels back... love the blogs... Chrissy |
| 13th December 2005 anonymous | - From: Raj Ghat Hi M! I am jealous you have all the time in the world to slowly enjoy your trip…with our usual timeframe of 5 weeks - in week 1 we are “done” with 1/4 of the itinerary. Enjoy, I hope we will be able to “slow down” too some day. We had our X’mas mixer on Sat. Everybody was there (even Ian and April) except Ali, Leigh (who were working) and Greta (who had excuse in form of her husbands party). It was really nice get together. I am eagerly waiting for your trip to continue and all the reports about it. Gosia |
| 12th December 2005 Lisa | I love reading about your daily adventures! - From: Raj Ghat Wow, it sounds quite magical. You seem like you are well taken care of. Can't wait for the next entry...great details by the way! |
| 12th December 2005 marilyn | close up and personal - From: Raj Ghat Mariellen this is geat. Thank you for letting me in on your wonderful journey! This is my first travel blog experience. |
| 11th December 2005 Lynne | - From: Raj Ghat Hi, Mariellen, I have been following your blog with great interest! REally takes me away from Toronto in winter! Thanks for being a great travel guide. - Lynne |
| 11th December 2005 Wendy | So fascinating - From: life in Delhi You write like you speak ... it is so interesting and I feel like I'm there too. |
| 11th December 2005 sue sheedy | wow! - From: life in Delhi hi mariellen, i look forward to reading more on your blog in the next few months. what an amazing journey you have under gone. i had no idea you have been thinking about a full move to india. i guess the next few months will be really telling for you. and please keep taking pictures too, i feel a bit asthough i am there with you. soo :) |
| 11th December 2005 christine | see you in january??? - From: life in Delhi hey! you look great, glad to hear you are well taken care of/ you'll have to work on sanjay to get me over there in January if you really plan on moving there!!!!! miss you lots. C |
| 9th December 2005 christine | enviously yours - From: morning love ya meri belle! glad to see you are taken care of... You look well. Wsh I was there! Perhaps Sanjay will really consider taking me and writing me off on his taxes as his personal buyer LOL!!!!! Much Love and wish i was there...looks amazing. C Lynes |
| 7th December 2005 marilyn | concrete? - From: day two hello! It all sounds wonderful! Why concrete around the tree? Is it a peacock blocker? |
| 7th December 2005 Wendy | I'm so jealous! - From: in India Mariellen, Your travel blog and pictures are wonderful. I can't believe you're so peaceful after having just arrived after a long journey! I am extremely envious. I can't wait to keep reading. Love, Wendy |
| 6th December 2005 siobhan | I'm so glad to hear from you! - From: in India Hello Lemonindi! I'm so glad you're well, keep the updates coming. How beautiful the place and the people seem to be! Emma wanted to know if I gave you her card and she was thrilled (a big beautiful glowing smile) that you took her card to India. Take care, keep writing, love to you and blessings Siobhan |
| 6th December 2005 Rohan Jayasekera | That was fast! - From: in India You just arrived, and already you're posting to your blog! With photos. And you've got an "assistant" as well! My my... Best of luck with the jet lag. When I've gone to Sri Lanka in the past it's taken me a while, but each day it gets easier. Getting one's hair cut at home is possible in Toronto too -- that's how I do it, in fact. The price of 100 rupees, however, would be hard to match! |
| 6th December 2005 Tamara Tomato | you look SO happy! - From: in India The joy on your face is the best message of all. Delighted to hear the trip went so smoothly. Despite the chilly grey sky outside my window, I'm successfully imagining the warmth of that beautiful Indian sun....aaaahhh....feels good.... |
| 6th December 2005 Deb | oops - From: in India Just called to wish you bon voyage (thought you were leaving next week!) -- oops! Looks like you're having a wonderful time already. I'm looking forward to future blogs of your adventures! Cheers, Deb S. |
| 6th December 2005 David McLachlan | Great pics - From: in India Glad to see you settling in so well. I hope your jet lag goes away quickly. I've heard that it takes about a day per time zone to completely adjust! Best - Dave |
| 5th December 2005 Shelly Rowen | sorry I missed you - From: ready to go Hi Mariellen Sorry I didn't say goodbye before you left. I thought you were leaving on the 6th (tomorrow) so called you last night and of course you were gone. You look happy in the photos before leaving so I hope you weren't stressed or anxious (perhaps I project too much). Hope you're settling in and getting your "India legs". Take care and stay well. Shelly |
| 5th December 2005 Gosia | - From: ready to go Have a great trip!!! |
| 5th December 2005 cynthia willemsen | namaste - From: ready to go hey there! namaste!! sorry to miss you! got bad flu when i returned from hong kong and china. (i swear i didn't eat any chicken feet!) just emerged from bed...hope it's all you expected and more...altho' you can never expect the full sensoral rape on the senses that a first indian first brings..call vivek datta 91 9312211778 and dhruv chandra 91 986134310 (fun for nightlife) and his sister divya 91 9810452900. (she's the more spiritual one - a buddhist and actress.) let me know!! it's all so exciting!!! wish i was there!! cyn xx |
| 4th December 2005 Andy Ward | You are correct - From: ready to go Yes, no - that is not me |
